The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)



Chapter 65

As dinner progressed, Sandra found herself laughing easily and enjoying the flow of their conversation and Derek's humor.

"I think I've said enough about me. Why don't you tell me about yourself? I'd like to know things about you that your Mom and Michael haven't already told me," she said as she raised her wineglass to her lips. Derek resisted the urge to glance at his wristwatch even though he knew it was well over an hour already.

What the heck was wrong with Ethan? What was keeping him from calling? Derek mused in frustration while keeping a smile on his face.

Not wanting to talk about himself and wanting to stall until Ethan called, Derek decided to steer the conversation in the direction he needed it to go.

"I'm pretty sure they've told you everything possible about me. But I'm still very curious about you. I'm not satisfied yet," he said and she arched her perfectly shaped brows.

"What more could you possibly want to know?" She drawled, eyeing him with interest.

"You are a very interesting woman, Sandra," he said and she giggled.

"So, I've been told," she said with an easy smile.

Derek leaned back in his chair, adopting a thoughtful expression. "How did you get to know Michael? How did become friends with him? Was it through Evelyn?" He asked, and her smile faltered. "Yeah. I got to know him through Evelyn," she said with a shrug.

"That makes me even more curious. Why did you choose to remain friends with him after your sister ended things with him that way? Shouldn't you have taken your sister's side naturally?" He asked, wanting to know how Sandra perceived Evelyn.

Sandra smiled, glad that she had anticipated this question, "Well, you're right. Naturally, I would take my sister's side if she is right. But she isn't. What she did was wrong, and I'm a person who believes in fairness. Michael didn't deserve to be treated that way. We also saw how much he cared for her and loved her. She is my sister and we used to be really close, but I just couldn't take her side. What she did to him is cruel. I couldn't bring myself to turn my back on him too," she explained and Derek smiled.

"I guess you know why she did that?" Derek asked and Sandra sighed and looked away.

"She was cheating on Michael with a friend. I knew it the whole time and I tried talking her out of it. I couldn't tell Michael about it then. On the day to their wedding, I overheard her telling the guy on the phone that she would visit him. She returned the next day smelling of his cologne," Sandra said, confirming the story Michael had told Derek.

"You're such a wonderful soul, Sandra. I can't see any reason why anyone would hate someone like you," he said and Sandra smiled shyly as she met his gaze again.

"Tell that to Evelyn," she said with a deep sigh, "I miss our friendship though. I know she has her flaws, but I really love Evelyn."

"You love her even after what she did to you?" Derek asked and Sandra shrugged.

"How can I not? I'm sure she was mad because she felt like I betrayed her by remaining friends with Michael. But it just doesn't make sense that I will cut him off when she was the one who ended things, does it?" She asked, and Derek shook his head thoughtfully.

After hearing all Sandra had said and how she was supporting Michael's allegations, Derek was certain now that Sandra most likely had a hand in whatever had happened six years ago, and perhaps that was the reason Evelyn was wary of her.

"I never believed it was possible to meet a perfect lady until now. You're so perfect I'm scared of screwing this up," he said and she laughed.

"Please do not flatter me. I have my flaws too," she said and Derek raised a brow.

"Can you tell me one?"

"I am..."

"Hold that thought," Derek said when his phone buzzed on the table with a call from Ethan, "I'm sorry, I have to take this," he said and she gave him a nod to go ahead.

Derek raised the phone to his ear, "Hey! What's up?" He asked, acting like he didn't know any Ethan was calling.

Ethan chuckled, "I figured I give you an extra thirty minutes to talk to your wife-to-be so that you'd be happier to hear from me when I call."

"You bastard. I'm going to make you pay," Derek muttered under his breath, "Shit! I totally forgot about that. Alright. I'm sorry. I'll be there shortly," Derek said out loud for Sandra's benefit before hanging up.

"I'm sorry, Sandra, I have to run now. I forgot I had to be somewhere," Derek said apologetically and watched as a flicker of disappointment crossed her face.This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

She had been hoping to follow him back to his hotel and spend the night with him, not only because it was what she had planned with Michael but also because she had enjoyed their date.

"We didn't get to talk about you because I was too carried away talking about myself. Perhaps I could stop over at your suite tomorrow so we get to know ourselves better?" She suggested her smile coy.

Derek shook his head, offering her a polite smile. "I don't think there's any need for the rush. We have more dates to come, and there is a lifetime of getting to know each other. One thing you'd learn about me is that I love to take my time in anything I do," he said with a suggestive wink, not wanting her to take his rejection to heart since he intended to keep her close.

Sandra smiled shyly. "It's okay. I totally understand," she said, glad to see that he was not only offering her an explanation but was also flirting back which meant that he liked her.

"We should leave now so we don't disrupt your plans any further," she said as she pushed away from the table, and Derek rose.

As they walked out of the restaurant together, Sandra couldn't help but hope that he'd ask for her contact details.

"Let's do this again. I enjoyed your company," he said, holding her gaze.

"Me too," she said with a sweet smile, wondering if she should ask for his number or wait for him to ask her.

Just as the valet brought her car, Derek held out his phone to her. "Do you mind gracing my phone with your number? I'd like to buy you a drink and hear more about those flaws without the date being set up by my Mom," Derek asked, and she grinned. "I was thinking you'd never ask," she said as she typed in her number.

Derek held out her car door, and as she got in he smiled at her, "Did I tell you how beautiful you look in your dress? Sorry it's coming late," he said, and she giggled as he closed the door.

Derek stepped aside and watched with satisfaction as she drove off laughing. He was proud of himself for handling the date naturally and leading her on successfully.

He was certain that Michael would soon hear all about how Derek had fallen for their plan, Derek thought with a chuckle as he got into his car and drove off.

He just needed to keep playing along until he found out exactly what that plan was.