The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 208

Liam leaned against the desk in his office, his phone pressed to his ear. It was the twentieth time he had tried calling Maya, and once again, her phone went straight to voicemail. Frustration bubbled under his calm exterior as he hung up and stared at the device in his hand.

What was going on? She hadn't answered any of his calls, and he couldn't shake the feeling that she was avoiding him. Why else would her phone be turned off since last night? He ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts circling back to the kiss.

Had it been too much for her? But he wasn't even the one who initiated it, Liam reminded himself. She had done it all herself, and he had even been too shocked to respond. So, why was she making him feel like he had done something wrong? Was she regretting it? With a sigh, Liam decided to change tactics. If Maya wouldn't answer his calls, he knew Evelyn would. He scrolled through his contacts, found her number, and hit the call button.

Away from there, Derek was chatting with Evelyn as they drove home from the hospital.

They had visited the hospital to check on her parents and Ethan.

Thankfully, Claire was to be discharged the following day, and Ethan on Monday.

They had not told Evelyn's parents about Derek's relationship with Maya yet. They had decided to wait until they came home before breaking the news to them.

While Derek and Evelyn chatted about spending another weekend without Samantha and how his parents had insisted on keeping her over, Maya sat in the passenger seat, gazing out the window, lost in thought.

Her silence hadn't gone unnoticed, but Evelyn and Derek chose not to press her, giving her the space she seemed to need.

When Evelyn's phone rang, she glanced at the screen, her eyebrows lifting in surprise. "It's Liam," she said aloud.

Maya's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name, and she turned toward Evelyn. Her expression was carefully neutral, though her fingers curled into her lap.

Maya turned back to the window as Evelyn received the call, her pulse racing. His name alone was enough to send her into a whirlwind of emotions. She held her breath, hoping that he wouldn't say anything about her to Evelyn. Evelyn didn't notice the shift in Maya's demeanor as she answered the call with a warm smile. "Liam! It's so good to hear from you finally."

"I'm sorry I haven't called you this whole time"" Liam said on the other end of the line, his tone apologetic. "I needed some time to sort things out."

Evelyn's smile softened. "I understand," she replied, her voice gentle. "And I'm so glad to hear from you now. How are you?"

"I'm good," Liam said, though his voice carried a note of hesitancy.

"Actually, I'm working in Ludus now."

"Ludus?" Evelyn repeated, her surprise evident. "You mean you didn't go back to Husla after we saw you last?"

"No," Liam admitted. "I didn't. I didn't just come for a conference as I told you. I was going to tell you I relocated, but after what happened, I... didn't want to make things awkward by saying anything." Evelyn frowned slightly as she realized what had happened. Her gaze flickered to Derek. "I'm sorry, Liam. I didn't..." she began, but Liam cut her off.

"There's nothing to be sorry about," he said firmly. "I made my own choices. Can we not dwell on it?"

Evelyn nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "Well, how's it going here? Are you settling in?"

"It's... fine," Liam said, though his tone was less than convincing.

"But it's lonely, and I was hoping to reconnect with some familiar faces. How are you? And how are Sam and Maya?"

"We're all doing well," Evelyn said warmly. "Samantha's fine. She is with her grandparents. And Maya-"

She paused, glancing at Maya, who was staring straight ahead, her face unreadable even though her heart was racing now at the mention of her name. "Actually, Maya's right here," Evelyn added, smiling. "Would you like to say hello?"

Maya's head snapped toward her, her eyes wide. She shook her

head quickly, silently pleading with Evelyn not to hand her the phone, but Evelyn didn't understand.

"I'd love that," Liam said, and Evelyn turned to Maya.

Maya, Liam wants to say hello," Evelyn said, and Maya hesitated. Maya's heart pounded in her chest as she reluctantly took the

relief washing over him. "I've been trying to reach you. Are you okay? Why's your

fine," she said quickly, her voice tight. "Thank you for checking

watched her, puzzled, as

the same time, and Liam realized, to his disappointment, that

back on the line.

was wondering if I could drop by for dinner, maybe tonight or tomorrow. Whichever is convenient for you. You know,

away from that

Maybe

confusion giving way to warmth. "Of course, Liam. You're

Thank you," Liam said before

she turned to Derek, her eyes alight with happiness. "You won't believe that Liam is working in Ludus

cool" he said simply, glad that Liam had come around since he knew Evelyn

Liam, Maya's heart raced in

was she going

carried a steaming casserole dish to the table, placing it in the center with care. "I just realized that I forgot to text Liam our new address. What if he goes to the former house thinking we are there? That would be a disaster. I should call

it upstairs""" Derek said, and she rose to get her phone

will go get it," Derek said, not wanting

stairs, the doorbell rang, and he raised a brow. "Are we expecting someone

seated at the table, froze for a split second, knowing that it was Liam. He had

to explain that? She mused, her

and thankfully, she didn't seem to notice her momentary

pleaded a stomachache, or simply avoided this entire situation. But now, there was

kissed- less than twenty-four

Evelyn had just mentioned that she hadn't

me over for dinner, he said, wondering if Derek had a problem with him

she didn't send you this address. The last time you visited, she was at

been in haste to come over for dinner so he could see Maya and had forgotten to take care

as he tried to

explanation, but he knew nothing but the truth would

he had been stalking Evelyn, as he

who is at the door?" Evelyn called from inside as she

what you're

Don't assume you do," Derek said, fixing him with

you have a good explanation for Evelyn," Derek said as

fell on Liam, who looked effortlessly handsome in a casual button-up shirt and dark jeans. When her eyes locked with Liam's, her cheeks flushed instantly, and she instinctively

looked from her to

what that was

yet distinct. The sound

meet his gaze, her own smile nervous and brief. "Hi, Liam," she

called from the stairway, surprised

did you know this

that Liam was in a pickle and couldn't come up with an explanation because he didn't want

when I visited the hospital. And he was also the friend who helped me contact the orphanage," Maya said, flashing

ΛΟΣ

to talk to last night?"

tell you,"

word to you until I was ready to talk to you," Liam said, and Evelyn exchanged a look

you were thinking," Liam said, and Derek

didn't know what I was