The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

Chapter 8

Evelyn put on her most charming smile on her face as she faced the man who was seated behind the desk with his head bent over his laptop. "Good morning, Mr. Stone," she greeted, her tone a blend of pleasant and polite.

Derek raised his head when he heard the familiar female voice he couldn't quite place. He was completely surprised when he met her gaze.

Those green eyes belonged to none other than the one lady who had been on his mind for years. The one who had run away from him after their passionate night together.

How could he not remember those green eyes? He had been with numerous women, most of whom he did not remember, but she was one he couldn't forget. He remembered how her green eyes which had been brimming with tears of sadness had burned with passion.

Who would have thought he would cross paths with her again? Or that she would walk into his office this way? He mused as he gazed at her.

She looked different compared to the last time he saw her. Her auburn hair, which had been long and curly a year ago, was now a pixie cut, giving her a more sharp and professional look. Evelyn's smile faltered when she noticed the way he was staring at her wordlessly. Why was he looking at her so intensely? She mused, unsure whether to approach his desk or just stand there.

Deciding that perhaps he was staring because he didn't know who she was or maybe he was expecting her to say something, she cleared her throat, "My name is Evelyn Quinn, and I'm from Empowered Magazine," she explained as she moved closer to his desk.

So, that was her name? Evelyn Quinn. He found it funny how a name he had desperately wanted and would have given anything to know all those years ago was mentioned so casually to him now.

He had only agreed to meet with the person from Empowered Magazine because he wanted to honor them, but seeing her here now, he was glad that he had agreed to meet with her. When he still did not say anything or offer her a seat, she looked around the office. "You have a nice office," Evelyn said, still trying to get him to talk since he had yet to say a word to her. Although, Derek could tell that he was making her uncomfortable by staring at her that way, he didn't care. Not when she was acting like she didn't remember him.

Not knowing what else to do, Evelyn instinctively stretched out her hand. "It's nice to finally meet you, Mr Stone," she said, still smiling at him.

Derek looked down at her hand, and then he rose and took it in his own, "Have we met before?" He asked, studying her face and trying to see if she was acting like she didn't know him because she was trying to be professional.

Evelyn blinked back her confusion, wondering why he was holding onto her hand, "I don't think so," she said with a shake of her head.

"Playing the pretend game with me, are you?" Derek asked, causing her to quickly withdraw her hand, puzzled.

"What do you mean, Mr Stone?" she asked and Derek raised a brow, wondering if she was pretending or probably really didn't recognize him. How could she not?

How could she not remember him after all that had transpired between them? How could she forget him when she had lived rent-free in his head for the last six years? Derek mused as memories of her soft lips flooded his mind.

He had dreamt of her every night for the past six years, her tear-streaked face, her presumptuous demand, and her cries of pleasure echoing in his mind, her touch an intense memory.

"You don't recognize me?" He asked, and she frowned.

"Am I supposed to? I think you have the wrong person.

I've never been here before and was only sent from my company, to convince you to feature in our next issue," she clarified.

Derek narrowed his eyes as he studied her intently, looking for a hint of recognition, or probably a glint of mischief in her eyes- Any sign at all to see if she was pretending since he knew very well that he wasn't mistaken.

Unfortunately, there was nothing. Her wide green eyes shone with innocence as they stared back at him, bruising his ego.

"I see that you really do not remember me," he remarked, his eyes shimmering with a flicker of hurt in them.

Evelyn's mind raced with questions about who he could be since she had never really been good with placing faces, or who she was being mistaken for.

She felt concerned that a mistaken identity might jeopardize her chances of getting him to agree to an interview.

A wave of disbelief washed over Derek as he continued to watch her. There was no way he was going to let her forget him so easily.

Driven by desperate hope, he went around his desk, and Evelyn watched in confusion as she waited to see what he wanted to do.

As he closed the distance between them he could tell that he was making her nervous but he didn't care.

"Perhaps I should leave," Evelyn said as he walked closer to her with deliberate and determined steps.

Standing in front of her now, Derek leaned forward so he was at the same eye level with her, "Do you remember me now?" He asked, and she shook her head. "I'm sorry, I..."

"Are you married?" Derek asked, cutting her off as his eyes went to her ring finger.

"No""" she said with a frown, wondering why he was asking her such a personal question.

"Engaged? Do you have a boyfriend?" He asked, hoping that would jog her memory since those were the exact questions she had asked him too.

Evelyn shook her head as her brows pulled together in a frown, "No. Why are you..."

"That's good then. Perfect," Derek said as he lowered his lips to hers.