The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

As Derek drove them home after the interview, Evelyn looked out the window, her mind still swirling with thoughts of the incredible day they'd had.

The live proposal had been the last thing she'd expected, and her cheeks still hurt from smiling so much.

She reached for Derek's hand, squeezing it lightly. "I still can't believe you did that on live television," she

teased.

Derek chuckled as he parked the car in front of their house, "I wanted everyone to know how much I love you."

"Still, that was... surprising," she said with a grin, and Derek laughed.

"I'm glad I could surprise you," he said as he got out of the car and opened her door.

Before Evelyn could get out of the car, Derek leaned inside and kissed her, "You know I love you, right?" He asked, and she grinned

"Yeah. I know. And I love you, too"" she said as she got out of the car, and they both headed for the front

door.

"I'm going to have to give Rayna a call so we can officially start planning the wedding. I wonder if she saw the interview. She's going to be so upset you didn't carry her along," Evelyn said with a giggle, which died on her lips the moment Derek opened the door, and a chorus of voices shouted, "Surprise!"

Evelyn froze in the doorway, her eyes widening as she took in the scene before her. The living room had been transformed into a warm party space. Twinkling fairy lights adorned the walls, soft music played in the background, and a table near the corner was laden with a beautifully decorated cake, trays of pastries, and an array of food and drinks.

Her parents stood near the center of the room, beaming with pride. Derek's parents were beside them, their hands clasped as they exchanged knowing smiles. Rayna and Ethan waved from their own corner, and Maya stood near the food table with Liam, both grinning widely. But it was Samantha, holding a bouquet of daisies and bouncing on her toes, who stole Evelyn's heart.

"What... what is this?" Evelyn asked, her voice a mix of laughter and disbelief.

Derek slipped an arm around her waist, guiding her inside. "This, my love, is our engagement party."

"Surprise!" Samantha yelled again, making everyone laugh. She hurried over to join her parents and kissed Evelyn's belly, saying hello to her younger sibling before handing the bouquet to her mother.

"Thank you, darling," Evelyn said as she took the bouquet from Samantha and kissed her forehead.

Evelyn turned to Derek again, her eyes sparkling with surprise. "When did you even have time to plan this?

How did I not know?"

Derek shrugged, his grin mischievous. "I didn't want you to know. That's the whole point of a surprise." Evelyn turned to Rayna, narrowing her eyes playfully.Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.

"And you? You knew about this, didn't you?"

Rayna giggled, looking entirely too pleased with herself. "Of course I did. I baked the cake and pastries!"

Evelyn gasped, pointing an accusatory finger at her friend. "And yet you were the one asking me to propose to him just yesterday! You're terrible!"

Rayna laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I was just pulling your leg. Besides, it was so much fun watching Derek steal the show. Congratulations, you two," she said as she embraced Evelyn while Ethan slapped Derek's back as he congratulated him.

Their parents came forward to embrace and congratulate them and then Maya stepped forward, pulling Evelyn into a tight hug. "Congratulations, Evelyn! You deserve all the happiness in the world."

"Thank you, Maya,, Evelyn murmured, her heart full.

As Maya stepped back to congratulate Derek, Evelyn glanced past Maya to Liam, who was standing with his hands in his pockets, with a small smile on his face.

"Liam! It's so good to see you."

Liam stepped forward, shaking her hand warmly.

"Congratulations, Evelyn. I stopped by to convince Maya to hang out with me, but I walked into a party instead. They invited me to stay, and, well, here I am."

Evelyn chuckled, her smile soft. "I'm glad you stayed."

"Come now, Evie. We, ladies, have to start planning the wedding at once," Rebecca said, and Evelyn laughed as she followed them while Derek joined the men, leaving Maya and Liam no choice but to part as well.

As the ladies discussed the wedding plan, the men drank and talked about everything ranging from business to sports and politics, and each of them contributed adequately to the conversations.

Samantha darted around the room, happily delivering

slices of cake to everyone while the soft strains of music kept the atmosphere light and joyful.

After some time, they all converged again, and Rebecca announced, "So, we've chosen a date for the wedding."

"Already?" Evelyn's father asked, and they laughed.

"Yes. The wedding will be in three weeks," Claire said with a wide smile.

"Honey, what about your birthday party?" Derek's father asked his wife, and she shook her head.

"I won't be celebrating my birthday party as planned.

This is all the celebration I need. I'll hand out the wedding invitation instead of my birthday invitation," she said with a proud smile.

"Will three weeks be enough to plan a wedding?" Ethan asked thoughtfully, hoping his hand would be completely fine by then.

"Even a week is enough to plan a wedding if you have the money and know what you want," Claire assured him.

"Don't worry about a thing, Evie; all you need to do is relax and tell us what you want. Between your Mom, Maya, Rayna, and me, you don't need a planner," Rebecca said, and Samantha pouted.

"Me too," she said, eyeing her grandmother with disapproval for not including her.

"Oh, my darling. How could I leave you out? Of course, you're the best planner in the house," Rebecca corrected, and they all laughed

"What if my arm is not healed by then?" Ethan asked Derek with a frown.

"It should be. If it's not, I'll stand in for you," Liam suggested with a teasing smile.

"And deprive me the chance of looking dashing before my girlfriend? Never!" Ethan said, and the ladies laughed.

"Here I was thinking you were

worried about your arm because you were concerned about not being able to assist me properly," Derek said dryly with a shake of his head and Ethan grinned at him.

"Hopefully your arm will be fine by then. The doctor said it needs a week or two to heal, Rayna assured Ethan.

"Although we won't be having a long train, but you two should be part of the train," Evelyn said, looking from Maya to Liam, "and you guys need to bond over the

planning," she said, referring to Derek and Liam.

"Guys don't bond over wedding planning. We bond over drinks and sports," Ethan said, and Derek eyed him.

"If my FIANCEE says we should bond over planning, then we will do that," Derek said, and everyone laughed.

"Good. I see you two having a very successful home and happy family with that attitude. Women like to be right even when they're wrong," Derek's father said, his wife raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? When am I ever wrong?" She asked, and he shook his head.

"Never. You're always right," he said, and everyone laughed.

The evening passed in a blur of laughter, heartfelt toasts and stories as Derek's and Evelyn's parents talked about how they met and their proposal stories.

As the party wound down, Maya saw Liam off to his car when it was time for him to leave for his shift at the clinic.

"I will admit," Liam began, leaning against his car. I wanted to spend some time alone with you tonight,

but this was a pretty great party."

Maya smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"It was."

Liam's gaze softened. "Samantha is so happy. I'm happy for them."

Maya nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I've been thinking, Liam. About us."

Liam straightened, a flicker of hope lighting his eyes.

"And?"

She hesitated, then smiled softly. "I think we should be friends..."

"No way. I'm not interested in being just friends with you," Liam cut in immediately, and Maya raised a brow.

"I thought you wanted us to be friends?" She asked, and he shook his head.

"Yes, I did. But that was before I realized I had feelings for you. I don't want to just be friends with you," Liam said, and Maya rolled her eyes playfully.

"As I was saying before, you rudely interrupted," she said, and Liam chuckled.

"I think we should be friends for a while. Maybe we can spend a few weeks getting to know each other better. And if you're sure about how you feel after that, we can think about dating. If you don't mind dating a student, that is."

Liam didn't miss a beat. "I don't mind dating a student as long as that student is you," he said with a grin.

Maya laughed, taking a step back when he moved closer with a naughty smile. "Don't jump the gun, Liam. Remember, we're starting as friends."

Liam smirked, his voice low and teasing. "Friends who kiss? 'Cause that's the only friendship I want," he said, winking at her as he pouted his lips for a kiss.

Maya's laughter rang out, bright and carefree. "Not a chance! Everyone's inside, and I don't need them watching."

"I don't care if everyone knows how much J love to kiss you," Liam said, his tone light but sincere.

Maya shook her head, still laughing as she backed toward the door. "Goodnight, Liam. I'll see you tomorrow."

Before he could respond, she disappeared inside, leaving him smiling after her.

When Maya returned to the living room, all eyes turned to her, grins and knowing looks spread across their faces. "Someone looks awfully happy," Derek teased, raising an eyebrow.

Maya laughed, flopping onto the couch. "Leave me alone."

The room erupted into laughter, the warmth and joy of the evening wrapping around Maya like a blanket.

"You both look really good together," Claire said with a grin.

"Yeah. He's a fine young man. They

both kept gazing at each other from across the room. If I didn't know better, I'd think it was also their engagement party," Derek's mother said, and everyone laughed while Maya blushed.

"You're all terrible" Maya murmured shyly, making them laugh even more.

Maya had a wide smile on her face as she watched them all, her heart swelling with gratitude. She was surrounded by love, laughter, and the promise of a bright future. She was grateful for the turn that her life had taken.