The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

Michael, who had been in the company's security room checking the CCTV footage to see where Evelyn had entered, saw her coming out of Derek's office, and he immediately hurried out of there so he could catch up with her.

He was quick enough to arrive outside just as she got into a cab. Michael made sure to stay on Evelyn's tail as he followed her from when she left Stone Corp until she arrived at The Stone's Palace. He waited in his car until Evelyn entered and disappeared into the hotel before he stepped out.

Crossing the street, he entered the grand foyer of the hotel, the polished marble floors echoing his footsteps.

He approached the reception desk, where a young woman greeted him with a professional smile and the smile grew wider when she recognized Michael to be their CEO's cousin. "Good afternoon, sir. How can I assist you today?" she asked, her voice as polished as the surroundings.

Michael leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "I was wondering if you could tell me if any Evelyn Quinn is staying here. I have a personal matter to discuss with her," he inquired.

Although that was against the Hotel's policy, the receptionist didn't bother asking any questions as she typed swiftly into her computer and then nodded.

"Yes, Ms. Quinn is staying here. Is there anything else I can assist you with?" she asked, and Michael asked for the room number.

"Anything else, sir?" she asked, and he shook his head.

"That's all I needed to know. Thank you," Michael said before stepping back and exiting the hotel.

Now that he knew where Evelyn was staying, it was time he found out what she had gone to do at the office, Michael thought as he returned to the company.

The moment he got to the company, he went directly to Derek's office, and the secretary did not stop him as he went in.

Derek, who was busy on the phone with Evelyn's boss, spared Michael a glance as he walked in, "Yes. You got that right. That's my only condition," Derek said before hanging up. "Hey!" Michael greeted casually as he made himself comfortable on one of the seats, "Are you very busy?" he asked, and Derek raised a brow.

"Not at the moment. Why? Is there a problem?"Derek asked, giving Michael his full attention.

"No. It's just that on my way out for a meeting, I saw a lady leaving your office, and I'm sort of curious about her. What was she here for?" Michael said, gauging Derek's reaction. Derek's eyes narrowed slightly. "She's from

Empowered Magazine," he said since that was the only lady who had been to his office that morning.

"So, what does she want? An interview?" Michael asked since that was something almost all the magazines wanted. An exclusive interview with the elusive Stone Corp CEO. "Yes," Derek said simply, "Why do you ask?" Derek asked curiously, and Michael shrugged.

"Can't I be curious about a beautiful lady?" he asked with a grin, not wanting to tell Derek that she was the bitch who had screwed him over on the day of their wedding.

"I wonder why they all keep approaching you when they know you're going to refuse," Michael said with a shake of his head, thinking that Evelyn had left so quickly because Derek turned her down. "I have no idea, Derek said simply, his tone tinged with amusement.

"Is that the only reason you are here?" Derek asked suspiciously, and Michael smiled, deciding to seize the opportunity to make a request.

He chuckled. "Of course not. Why would I leave my office to come talk about some random girl?" Michael asked incredulously, and Derek nodded.

"So, why are you here then?"

"To ask you for a favor," he said, and Derek frowned.

"You know very well I don't like favors. What favor?"

Derek asked with disapproval.

"I want you to accompany me to the Quinn's anniversary.."

"No," Derek cut in before he could finish.

"I promised them I would convince you to attend..."

"You shouldn't have done so," Derek said with displeasure, clearly unimpressed by Michael's request.

"I know. And I'm sorry. Please, I want you to be at the anniversary party. It's their twenty-third marriage anniversary, and I want to make it special for them," Michael pleaded.

Sandra had asked him to arrange for her to meet with Derek. Just like they had planned for him to marry Evelyn and take over her inheritance, they wanted Derek to marry Sandra so they could dupe him. Derek raised an eyebrow, "What's with you and that family anyway? Why do you care about making their anniversary special for them? And why would I want to do that for them when their daughter jilted you that way? Don't tell me you still have feelings for her, and you're hoping she would come back to you?" Derek asked with a visible frown.

Michael scoffed, "I wouldn't even accept her if she came back crawling on all fours. It's just that her parents are good to him. Her father even disowned her because of what she did to me. There's no reason why I should ignore them simply because things didn't work out between their daughter and me," Michael explained reasonably.

"Please, D. Do this for me," he pleaded, and Derek sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Mike, we've been over this before. You know how much I dislike parties and public functions..."

"Yet you were going to attend my wedding.."

"That's because it was your wedding, and you're like a younger brother to me. We practically grew up together, so I couldn't have missed it even if I wanted," Derek cut in again, and Michael sighed. "Just consider it my wedding since I'm not sure when or if I'm ever going to get married. If you do this for me, then I owe you one. I really want you to be there," Michael implored, and Derek sighed. "I'm sorry, Mike. I can do any other thing but not this one," Derek said, but Michael shook his head.

"Don't be in haste to decline. There's still time. It's in two weeks, so think about it. I'm sure you'll give me a positive reply," Michael said, and Derek snorted.

"Will you think about it? Please?" Michael asked, and Derek remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable.

Finally, he nodded slightly. "Alright. I'll think about it.

But I'm not promising you anything," Derek said, and Michael smiled, taking that as a good sign.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

"That's good enough. Thank you," he said as he walked out of the office.

Michael knew getting Derek to commit would be a challenge, but at least he had planted the seed. Now, he just had to wait and see if it would grow. Not only that, he also knew where Evelyn was staying. He had accomplished a lot in one day and couldn't wait to tell Sandra.