The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

Rayna's face contorted into a scowl as she turned to Evelyn while Ethan glared at Derek.

"Really, Evie? You planned this, didn't you?" Rayna asked Evelyn.

"Did you ask me over on purpose?" Ethan asked

Derek, his tone equally confused and accusatory.

Evelyn looked between them. "Rayna's my best friend, Ethan. I invited her to celebrate the housewarming with us."

Derek stepped in. "Ethan's my best friend, Rayna. I wanted him to see the house and meet Evelyn."

Ethan shook his head, glaring at Derek. "You could've done that any other day. Why today, when you knew she would be here?"

Rayna crossed her arms, her voice sharp. "Exactly. Why today?"

"At least you both agree on something. That's a start," Evelyn joked, and Derek chuckled while Rayna and Ethan glared at the couple.

Before anyone else could speak, Samantha bounded into the room, her cheerful energy breaking the

tension. "Daddy!" She called as she jumped on Derek, and he caught her.

Ethan's attention shifted to her, and Derek quickly introduced them. "Ethan, this is Samantha, my daughter," Derek said proudly. "Baby, this is my best friend, Ethan." Ethan smiled at the little girl. "It's nice to meet you, Sam. You look so pretty," Ethan said, and Samantha blushed.

"Thank you," she said with a shy smile as she glanced at Rayna.

"Hello, baby!" Rayna greeted and held out a hand to Samantha, who took it.

"Did you bring me chocolates or cakes?" She asked, and Rayna grinned.

"I brought you those and more," Rayna said, and Samantha did a happy dance.

"You know, she is about Ella's age. Maybe I could ask Sara to let me bring Ella over for a play date," Ethan suggested.

Samantha perked up. "My best friend's name is Ella!"Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Evelyn glanced at Ethan, curious. "You know Sara and Ella? Now that I think about it, they have the same last name as you. Fischer."

Ethan looked surprised. "Yeah, Sara is my sister-inlaw. How did you know?"

Evelyn laughed. "Small world. I met Sara on

Samantha's first day at school."

Derek chuckled, nudging Evelyn. "Looks like I was bound to find out about Samantha one way or another."

Rayna, still annoyed, chimed in. "Good thing Evelyn told you. I hate dramatic reveals."

"And here is the nanny of the century," Derek announced as Maya joined them, and Maya giggled shyly at the introduction.

"Ethan, this is Maya, Sam's wonderful nanny. Maya, this is Nathan, my best friend," Derek said, and Maya gave Nathan a polite nod before turning to Evelyn.

"Sam and I will have our dinner upstairs," she said, and Evelyn gave her a nod.

Samantha ran off with Maya, leaving the adults to continue their awkward conversation.

As they sat down to eat, Rayna ignored Ethan and turned to Evelyn. "So, I guess now that we have the mother-in-law's approval, we will be hearing wedding bells soon, right?" She asked, looking from Evelyn to Derek.

"As long as Evelyn will have me, sure," Derek said, and Rayna grinned. "Let's hope she doesn't bail this time," Rayna joked, and Evelyn giggled. "Shut up, Ray. Let's focus on dinner," she said as she served the meal.

Evelyn and Derek tried to make small talk so that

Ethan and Rayna could converse, but no matter how much they tried, Rayna and Ethan refused to discuss the same subjects.

After they had eaten for a while, Rayna looked at Evelyn and said, "So, do you want to go shopping tomorrow? We need to get a few things for the reunion this weekend."

Ethan paused momentarily, his fork hovering in midair. Reunion? he thought, suddenly anxious. It couldn't be the same reunion his golden sun was attending, right? Evelyn grinned. "We? Are you sure it's about the reunion or it's about your date?"

Rayna giggled. "Both."

Sandra," Derek said, but Evelyn shook her head.

"Nah. Until everything is revealed, I'd like her to keep believing that she's winning. It will be more satisfying to watch her make a fool of herself," Evelyn said, and Rayna giggled.

"You have a point. I can picture her bragging and feeling all important that she is with Derek Stone," Rayna said, and Derek chuckled.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Derek asked, looking at Ethan.

Still trying to keep his cool, Ethan flashed Evelyn an apologetic smile. "I wish I could help, but I have a date that day."

Derek looked surprised. "You're finally meeting your golden sun?"

Ethan smiled. "Yep."

Rayna's face paled. She stared at Ethan in disbelief, and her heart skipped a beat when he briefly met her gaze. No... it couldn't be him...

Evelyn exchanged a look with Rayna, her eyes widening when she realized what was going on.

"Wait, Ethan, were you the one who put out the marriage ad on Empowered Couple's page?"

Ethan nodded. "Yeah, that was me. How did you know?"

Hearing that, Rayna shot up from her chair, grabbing her handbag. "Evelyn, I'm leaving."

Derek, confused, watched as Rayna hurried to the door and Evelyn hurried after her. "What's wrong with her?" he asked, looking at Ethan.

Ethan didn't say a word, but his gaze followed Rayna, a look of realization dawning on his face.

It wasn't a coincidence. It seemed like Rayna was actually his golden sun.

Shit!