The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 223

Later that evening, Liam and Maya walked into the exclusive Golden Lotus restaurant for their date.

A soft piano melody played in the background as Liam pulled out Maya's chair for her, her lips curved into a gentle smile as she sat down.

"You didn't have to pick such a fancy place," Maya said, glancing around the elegant room. Her cheeks warmed as she caught sight of a sparkling chandelier hanging above them.

"I wanted to," Liam said simply, taking his seat across from her.

"You deserve only the best."

Maya's heart fluttered at his words, but she tried to hide it by reaching for her menu. She skimmed through the list of dishes, though she couldn't focus. The way Liam's eyes were fixed on her made it impossible to concentrate. "What do you think you'll have?" he asked, his voice soft.

"I'm still deciding"" she said, biting her lip. "Everything looks so good."

Liam chuckled. "I'll make it easy for you. The truffle pasta here is amazing, and the crispy prawn is a close second. Trust me."

Maya nodded, closing her menu. "I'll go with the pasta, then. You sound like you know your way around this place," she observed, wondering how often he had visited the restaurant and with who.

Liam chuckled, "My colleagues first told me about the place. I liked the setting when I saw a picture of him and his wife on their anniversary date here. I've ordered their meal twice and been here once just to confirm it is suitable for my darling girlfriend," he admitted with a wink, leaning back in his chair, and Maya grinned.

"You're such a sweet talker," she said, relaxing in her seat.

"That's because I have a sweet girlfriend," Liam said, making her giggle.

As Liam watched her, his expression became serious, "I'm sorry we haven't spent much time together in a while now. I've been so busy lately," he said, and she waved it off.

too. Besides, your job is important, so I

you sure you understand?" Liam asked, and she nodded, understanding that he was worried because his other relationship had not worked because of his busy schedule. "Of course I do""

took their orders and poured sparkling water into

her glass as Liam spoke about his day, sharing little stories that

food arrived. Halfway into their meal, Liam set down his fork and leaned forward slightly, his expression shifting to something more

he said,

with him being her gynecologist anymore, so he transferred her to one of his

her fork and stared at him,

results, and your condition isn't as serious as we thought. The cysts are getting smaller on their own, so

words sinking in. Relief washed over her

nodded, his smile widening. "Completely serious. I told you before it wasn't always critical.

chair. "I've been so worried," she admitted. "It felt like this came out of nowhere just when everything was finally falling

didn't," Liam said softly, reaching across the table to take her hand. His touch was warm and soothing. "You don't have to worry about it

Maya's lips as she looked down at their joined hands. "I'm so relieved"""

reason? What if you ended up at the hospital so that we

a shrug.

honest, if I hadn't been in that hospital, we'd probably never have

looked at him with a mischievous glint

eyebrow. "Oh?

you," she admitted with a shy

widened, and for a moment, he was completely

way. That's not

she said, laughing at his