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.

set her phone down on the desk, staring at it

knew she needed to call Derek, but the thought filled

sure she was ready to face him again, especially not after the way their last encounter had left

with a sigh and picked up her phone, scrolling through her contacts until

could communicate with

Rayna's name flashing. First Margaret, now Rayna. It seemed like

owe this pleasure Evelyn asked

of course. How are you doing? I hope I'm not interrupting work?" Kayna's

Chapter 61

smile to

anything. How

a man, this is the time I'd want to take off with him to some exotic corner of the world and just

and

back to our room to have sex. Go see a movie, make out in the

picture.

in the picture you got," Rayna said and they

don't you just sign up on a dating

a matter of fact, I'm traumatized by it,"

-Was it that bad?

happened?" She asked and Rayna shook

I get therapy," she said and Evelyn

meet up. How about I swing

to know about Samantha yet. She just wasn't ready

Rayna was friends with Sandra too, 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 Michael and Derek

began, searching for an excuse. "But I've been so busy with work that I'm yet to set up my place. It is a mess, and I wouldn't want you to see it like that. How about I come by your

that place. I took the day off. I need to escape,"

somewhere else then?" Evelyn suggested, feeling relieved to steer the conversation away

How about a club? We could use a night out!" Rayna's voice was

excitement

a club, especially not on a weekday. It wasn't just the fact that she had work in the morning- there was

tried to sound casual,

It's not like we will be there till Dawn. All we have to do is put on sexy clothes 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 for yourself. Do it for your lonely old friend," Rayna said and Evelyn couldn't help but

it this weekend

but firm. "You better not bail on me,

full well that she probably

joining us? She sort of felt left out when I told her we were together at the bakery the last