The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 61

Evelyn sat at her desk in the spacious office of Empowered Magazine, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as she tried to focus on the article she was editing.

Although her promotion was not official since she was yet to interview Derek which was the criterion for it, she was working as the acting editor-in-chief. Even though she had only just resumed, she had a mountain of work to get through, with deadlines around the corner and articles demanding her

attention

Despite her best efforts to focus on work, her mind kept drifting back to Derek and she found herself staring at her phone often, half-expecting a call or text from him.

She knew she had no reason to expect him to call since they had nothing important to discuss. Yet she couldn't stop herself from hoping

No matter how hard she tried to push thoughts of him out of her mind, and bury herself in her work, it was no use. He lingered in her thoughts, a distraction she just couldn't seem to shake.

Get it together, Evelyn, she silently scolded herself, shaking her head as if that would help clear her mind. You have work to do.

She forced her attention back to the article on her screen, determined to focus. She was still trying to concentrate when her phone rang, startling her.

Seeing Susan's name on the screen, she quickly composed herself and answered.

"Hi, Susan," Evelyn said, her tone professional, though her mind was still a bit scattered.

"Evelyn, how's it going?" Susan's voice was brisk, as always, but there was a hint of warmth that put Evelyn at ease.

"Good, just working through some edits." Evelyn replied, sitting up straighter as though Susan could see her.

"That's what I like to hear, Susan said, a smile evident in her tone. "Listen, I wanted to talk to you about that interview with Derek Stone. Have you reached out to him? Or did he talk to you about it? You're still doing it, right?"

Evelyn felt her stomach tighten at the mention of Derek's name. "Yes. We talked about it."

"Great! Have you set a date yer?"

"Not yet," she admitted. "I discussed it with his secretary and she mentioned that this week would be very busy for him, so I was thinking next week might be better."

"Next week, huh?" Susan sounded thoughtful. "Well, I suppose that's fine, but make sure to lock it down soon. We don't want anything to come up again and have him change his mind. I'm sure you know how important this is, especially after the trouble

"I understand. I'll make sure to get a firm date from him" Evelyn said, thinking that would be a good reason to reach out to him.

"Great" Suson said, her tone brightening. "I know you'll handle it. Just keep me posted"

"I will," Evelyn promised.

and Evelyn set her phone down on the

to call Derek, but the thought filled her with a

wasn't sure she was ready to face him again, especially not after the

a sigh and picked up her phone, scrolling through her contacts until she reached Derek's name. Her finger hovered over the call button, but

him or call his secretary instead so she could communicate with him on her behalf when her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ringing

screen and smiled when she saw Rayna's name flashing. First Margaret, now Rayna. It seemed like everyone was reaching

Evelyn asked warmly as she answered

-To friendship, of course. How are you doing? I hope I'm not interrupting work?"

Chapter 61

to

anything. How

perfect blend of stressed out and bored. I need some time off. If I had a man, this is the time I'd want to take off with him to some exotic corner of the world and just relax and have sex and

do you mean relax and have sex?"

Go see a movie, make out

get the picture. Thanks," Evelyn

in the picture you got," Rayna said and they

you just sign up on a dating site or something?"

but it was a disaster. As a matter of fact, I'm traumatized

-Was it that bad?

and Rayna shook her

tell you about it after I get therapy,"

meet up. How about I swing

a beat. She didn't want Rayna to know about Samantha yet. She just

and she could hardly ask Rayna to stop being friends with Sandra for her sake. If Rayna knew about Samantha, there was every possibility that she might innocently tell Sandra about it and then just like that it would get to

with work that I'm yet to set up my place. It is a mess, and I

took the day off. I

somewhere else then?" Evelyn suggested,

a club? We could use a night out!" Rayna's voice was full of

excitement

weekday. It wasn't just the fact that she had work in the morning- there was also Samantha to consider. The idea of leaving her daughter at night while she went out

On a weeknight?" Evelyn tried to sound casual, but she could already

and hang out there for an hour or two. We are never going to meet any men if we don't go out, Eviel Don't do

it this weekend instead?" She said with

but firm. "You better not bail on me, Evelyn. We both need a night

full well that she

And I have just the perfect place in mind," Rayna said, clearly pleased. "Will Sandra be joining us? She sort of