The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

elyn organized her desk as the final hours of the workday slipped away. The offer was quiet, with most of the staff

werkend

She should have been door and left the office already, but because she had been ton distracted all day since she got Derek's test that morning informing her of his date with Sandra, she had been unable in focus and as had finished laie

And even now as she prepared to leave, she found herself wondering how the date was going and if Derk was going fall for Nameles a charm.

As the clock struck six her phone buzzed on the desk, pulling her out of her reverie. the glanced at the wreen and son Kayna's name Mashane With

resigned sigh, she picked up the phone

"Hey, Ray Evelyn greeted trying to merr some enthusiau

"Evelyn Are you ready for tonight? Rayna re was full of energy, her exement ofis

ea of a might imat at the club feeling more

ting than ewiting. She won't in the monit for lourd music, cromedi

of attention Raya was likely hoping for Rot a promise was a promise, and she wasn't going to hack no

"Yeah but Em just about to leave the office now" Kerlyn said, forting a mile for know yma ole

"No worries. We don't have to get there too early! So was thinking we she meet up at one of our places vol get realy ether

and Was krone Ide old times.""" Rayna Riggestel, her tone bright and neuralgieContent property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Evelyn's eyes flicked questions she wi

cand the framed photo of Samantha on her desk. The last thing the wanted was firs arly to answer. She quickly thright of a compromue

"How about we meet at your place incai"

irlyn Hiperited. "We can get maily therr, and

Kayna sdidn't miss a beat. "Cool" I will i

Evelyn breathed a quiet sigh of relief "Thanks, Ray III are

ween hówg with prople

nching Marbi

After ending the call. Evelyn gathered her things and left the offer. The Evelyn frit a pang of longing for the simplicity of a quiet evening at home with Samantha curlibed Samantha chose Unfortunately, tonight wasn't about her preferred mitite; it was about humoring a promise to a frierul.

Thankfully, she had asked Ma

Maya to take Samantha to the amusement park during the day. herself so putting her to deep would be easy wing Samanth,

freshened up quickly and after having diruser with Samantha, she prepared her for brid.

Samantha, reading her a bedtime story, Samantha's eyes grew heavy, and the stuggled into Evelyn's side uking Evelyn smule.

"I thought you'd forgotten all about him." Evelyn said, amused.

"No Is him. I dreamt that ek was playing with me at the park" Samantha sail, and Evelyn patted her hair "Well I don') the

cendently

at the Hotel. But don't

"Memory, will we always be together" Samantha asked deepily

Evelyn kossed her forehead, her heart aching with lowe "Always, my darling Always"

A Samantha dried off deep, Evelyn stayed by her side, watching her little girl beate softly

Afee making sure that she was sleeping soundly, Evelyn gofressed and let to Karma K a dergi breath befor

ser bum again." Evelyn sand

3:00 PM

d

Evelyn stepped inside, taking in Rayna's stylishly decorated apartment. It was warm and welcoming, with a lively energy that reflected Rayna's personality perfectly.

ust like this, getting ready for nights out with She felt a pang of nostalgia as she remembered the countless nights they had spent together in places just nothing but fun on their minds, but then again, Sandra had been present on every one of those nights.

Thinking back now, she remembered how Michael had taken Sandra to the dancefloor on every one of their outings, and like a fool she had watched them, laughing happily that her sister and boyfriend got along so well. What a fool she had been.

But that was years ago, Evelyn reminded herself. Life had changed since then, and so had she. She was no longer that fool.

Shaking off her thoughts, she turned to Rayna with a smile. "Your place is lovely."

"Thanks. You were taking so long, so I decided to get ready while I waited," Rayna said, explaining why she was dressed.

"Great I'm glad I dressed from home too. We can leave now," Evelyn said and watched as Rayna's eyes traveled over her outfit- a simple, knee-length dress in a soft blue that Evelyn had thought was suitable for the evening. But the way Rayna's lips twisted into a playful smirk told her that her friend didn't agree.

"Are you sure you're dressed for the club? Because I was about to ask where your bag is." Rayna said, and Evelyn's cheeks flushed slightly.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Evie." Rayna began, placing a hand on her hip. "There is no way I'm letting you go to the club dressed like you're heading to a board meeting."

"I don't wear this to a board meeting," Evelyn said defensively,

Rayna raised an eyebrow, her expression incredulous. "What happened to you, Evelyn! You used to be so much fun, so daring. Now you're all... demure. Mind you, I'm saying demure only because it's the most polite I know. I'd rather say boring and stiff."

"Thanks, Evelyn said dryly.

*For real. Evie, what happened?" Rayna asked with concern.

"Life happened, Rayna. I don't have time to play dress-up anymore," Evelyn replied a hint of defensiveness in her tone.

Rayna's gaze softened, but she wasn't about to let Evelyn off the hook. "Well, I won't be letting you leave here dressed this way. We won't be catching any masculine attention with you dressed like that." "I don't care about masculine attention, so you shouldn't care about what I'm wearing. Let's focus on you. Y said, crossing her arms.

on you. You can have all

the stree

attention," Evelyn

Rayna shook her head, laughing softly. "I won't be getting any attention because people are going to take one look at you-my friend- and think I'm like that too. So, you see? I care about what you're wearing. We need to up your game, just for tonight."

Before Evelyn could protest, Rayna had already moved to her bedroom, motioning for Evelyn to follow. With a sigh, Evelyn trailed after her, feeling a mix of reluctance and resignation.

Rayna opened the doors to her closet, revealing a treasure trove of clothes that ranged from stylish to downright daring.

"Why does a baker have such stylish clothes? Evelyn asked, and Rayna grinned.

*So that whenever she steps out, she's always in style." Rayna said with a grin. "Remember how we used to play dress-up back in the day!" Rayna said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “This is just like that, except now we actually get to go out and show off."

Evelyn couldn't help but smile at the memory of their younger days when the world had seemed so much simpler. The idea of dressing up like they used to felt like trying to step into a time capsule.

"I'm not sure anything in there is my style anymore," Evelyn said, eyeing the racks of dresses with some apprehension.

Rayna wasn't having any of it. "Nonsense! You're going to pick something sexy, and you're going to love it."

After much prodding, and with no small amount of reluctance, Evelyn finally selected a dress- one far more revealing than anything she had worn in years.

It was a deep red, with a plunging neckline and a hemline that brushed just above her knees. She held it up in front of her, turning to Rayna with a look of uncertainty.

"What do you think about this? Evelyn asked, her voice a mix of doubt and amusement.

Rayna grinned. "You're going to look amazing

Once Evelyn had slipped into the dress, Rayna stepped back to admire her handiwork.

"Now that's more like it." Rayna said with satisfaction, a spark of pride in her eyes. "You look stunning. Evelyn Just like the Evelyn of the past,"

Evelyn gave a half-hearted smile, smoothing the fabric of the dress over her hips. "I hope I don't regret this?

"You won't." Rayna assured her, already pulling out makeup and hair tools. "Now sit down. Let me work my magic."

Evelyn sat at the small vanity as Rayna began applying makeup with practiced hands. She watched herself in the mirror, seeing the transformation take place as Rayna skillfully highlighted her features and styled her hair into soft, tousled waves.

When Rayna was finished, she stepped back with a satisfied nod. "There you go. Ready

to take on th

on the night."

Evelyn barely recognized herself. The woman staring back at her from the mirror looked like a stranger. She felt a pang of apprehension, wondering if this was really who she wanted to be tonight.

But before she could second-guess herself, Rayna was already grabbing her purse and keys, "Come on, let's go before you change your mind like 1

can sense you're about to."

With one last glance in the mirror. Evelyn stood up, feeling the unfamiliar sensation of the dress hugging her curves. She followed Rayna out of the apartment, trying to push aside the nervous flutter in her stomach.

As they stepped out into the night, Evelyn couldn't help but wonder what the evening had in store for her. She was stepping out of her comfort zone, leaving behind the safe shell of her everyday life. As Rayna linked arms with her and led her toward the car. Evelyn felt a small flicker of excitement beneath her apprehension.

Maybe tonight would be a chance to reconnect with the part of herself she had almost forgotten. The part that was adventurous, daring, and ready for anything. And maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't regret it after all.