The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek) novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11
Back at the hotel, Evelyn was in a daze as she stumbled into her suite. She was relieved when she saw that Maya and Samantha weren't in, meaning they were probably at the playground already.
How did this happen? She asked herself.
How did that stranger from six years ago end up to be Derek Stone? What in the name of coincidences was this? What was she supposed to do now about her official assignment?
She couldn't stay here. She couldn't keep living in this hotel, especially considering the fact that he owned the place.

What if he ran into her and Samantha? What if he took one look at Samantha and realized she was his daughter? No way. She couldn't let that happen, Evelyn thought, beginning to panic as she picked up her phone and dialed Maya's line.
"Return to the suite with Samantha at once," she ordered, sounding harsher than she meant.

As she paced around her suite, she thought about giving her boss, Susan, a call to inform her that she would not be able to handle the assignment, and as such it should be given to someone else. 

She paused when she suddenly recalled her last conversation with Susan before she was sent to Ludus.
"The management decided on you and Wes, and to be honest, most of them are leaning towards Wes. But I think you deserve this opportunity. I've seen you put in the work. I've seen your passion for the job. I admire your resilience and drive. And that is why I want to give you a chance to prove yourself to the management," Susan had said.
"How?" Evelyn had asked, wondering what else she could do to prove herself if her work for the past four years wasn't proof enough.
"You will be sent to Ludus on probation. And you have one major task that will determine if you will be promoted to the position of editor-in-chief or not," Susan had stated in simple terms.
"What is the task?" Evelyn had asked, her voice and enthusiasm dropping a notch as she leaned forward in her seat.
"We want to feature the elusive billionaire CEO and most eligible bachelor in Ludus, Derek Stone, in our next issue. If you can secure an interview with him and land the cover story, the position in Ludus is yours," Susan had said.

Evelyn sighed now, 'Susan would be so disappointed, she thought, not knowing how to go about telling Susan now that she wasn't up for it.
She wanted the promotion. She needed it. But at what cost? Could she really risk staying here when Derek Stone could so easily discover Samantha's existence?
Was there even a possibility of her convincing him to do the interview?
She looked up when the door opened, and Samantha ran in. "Mommy! You're back early," Samantha said as she embraced her, and she crouched down to look at her daughter.
Looking into her face, she could see the resemblance to Derek, no matter how little.
What was she going to do about this mess? Evelyn mused.
Away from there, after leaving Derek's office, Michael walked into his office and pulled out his phone to update Sandra on his latest accomplishment.
She picked up on the second ring, her voice tinged with curiosity. "What's up? Has she left? Did you find out what she was there for? Did you follow her?" Sandra asked the moment she received the call.
She had been worried ever since Mike informed her of Evelyn's return. Although she had not planned for things to play out the way they did six years ago, she had been happy when Evelyn left and had hoped that Evelyn would never return. That way, all that belonged to Evelyn, especially the family magazine, which was Evelyn's birthright, would be here.

She had to find a way to make sure Evelyn never got her hand on it ever again. She decided.
"Alright. Let's talk later," she said distractedly, but Michael spoke up again before she could hang up.
"You should know I spoke to Derek about it. I mean inviting him to the anniversary party," he explained, and this time, a smile curled up on Sandra's face at the mention of that.
"You've done well. You are so reliable, Mike. How about we meet after work later so you can tell me all the details in person?" Sandra asked in a suggestive tone, and Michael smiled.
"Of course. See you later then," he said before hanging up.