The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek) novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18
Derek strode through the hotel grounds, as he made his way to the playground. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the playground where the beautiful sounds of children's laughter filled the air.
He smiled as he approached, glad for the initiative that had made him think of building a playground and making the Hotel child-friendly.
Looking around, he spotted Samantha on the swings, her legs pumping to gain height, her face a picture of pure joy. Maya stood nearby, her watchful eyes tracking the little girl's movements.
When Samantha turned and saw Derek, her face lit up even more, and she called out to him, waving energetically.
"Rek!" she shouted, her voice carrying across the playground. Derek waved back and quickened his pace, feeling a strange warmth spread through his chest.
When he reached them, Samantha had already slowed her swing, her excitement contagious.
"Hey, Sam! I see you're having a lot of fun," Derek said, crouching down to her level.

"Yes! But it's more fun when someone pushes me, she said, her eyes twinkling with hope.
Maya started to step forward. "I offered to push you."
"I don't want you. I want Rek," Samantha said, and Derek flashed Maya a reassuring smile as he straightened.
"It's okay. I've got this. You can take a break if you don't mind," he said, and Maya hesitated but then nodded, grateful for the reprieve. She moved to a nearby bench, keeping a close eye on them.
Derek took his place behind the swing, giving it a gentle push. Samantha's giggles filled the air as she soared higher.
"Do you like swinging, that much?" he asked and Samantha bobbed her head.
"I love it! It feels like flying," she said, her voice filled with awe.
Derek continued to push, his movements steady and controlled. "How often have you been here?"
"Only once. Mommy won't let me come," she said, her small hands gripping the swing tightly.
"Why? Did you get into a fight when you came here?" Derek asked curiously and Samantha shook her head.

"No. I didn't. She says she doesn't like it here and we have to leave," Samantha said sadly and Derek stopped pushing her.
"She doesn't?" Derek asked, glancing at Maya in surprise.
"Yes."
"If you're that sad about leaving, I could talk to your mommy for you so you don't have to leave," Derek offered, glancing at Maya.
Samantha glanced at Derek, her brows furrowing in confusion and curiosity. "Do you know my mommy?" she asked and Derek chuckled, reminding himself that she was truly a kid otherwise she would have realized that he had seen her with her mom several times.
"Of course, I know your mommy, Sam. I'm sure she would agree to stay here if I talked to her. Should I talk to her?" Derek told her but she shook her head.
"Mommy already promised to take me to the nearest parks and let me go to amusement parks too," Samantha said and Derek nodded.
"That's fair then. I will miss you, Sam," Derek said and Samantha smiled.
"I will miss you too, Rek. Maybe since you know my mom, why don't you ask for her number so that we can talk over the phone," she suggested and Derek raised a brow.
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"Will she give me her number?" he asked and Samantha nodded.
"If you tell her you're my friend, Rek, she will give you her number," Samantha said and Derek nodded, even though it was starting to sound like Samantha's mom was someone else.
"Well, your mommy sounds wonderful," he said, as he resumed pushing the swing gently, deciding to ask Maya for the number and see if she was truly Samantha's mom or someone else.
Derek continued to push Samantha on the swing, their laughter mingling with the evening breeze as they talked about themselves.
In that moment, he felt a connection he hadn't anticipated, a bond that was forming with this little girl who had unknowingly brought a bit of light into his life.
Maya watched them from her bench, a soft smile playing on her lips. She could see the genuine affection in Derek's actions and the joy in Samantha's face. If one didn't know better they would think Derek was Samantha's daddy.
Derek glanced at Maya and when he saw how fondly she was looking at them, he decided to go ask for the number so he could leave.
Just before he could make the move, Maya's phone buzzed in her pocket and she took the call when she saw that it was Evelyn, who had called to ask her to bring Samantha back.
After the call, Maya approached Samantha and Derek and he smiled at her, wanting to ask for the number but before he could, Maya spoke.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Derek, but we need to head back inside now," Maya said and Derek nodded.
Still wanting to ask, he opened his mouth but turned to look at Samantha when she tugged at his sleeve.
"Rek, I like you," she said and Derek smiled warmly.
"I like you too," he said, ruffling her hair.
"I want you to be my daddy," she said and Maya's eyes widened in dismay.
"Maya!" She scolded then glanced at Derek, "I'm sorry about that."
"It's alright," Derek assured her.
"Will I see you again?" Samantha asked hopefully.

"We will see, Sam, If your mommy will let us," he said glancing at Maya and she shrugged.
"We will see about that. Let's go in, Sam," Maya said and took Sam away with her while Derek watched them leave, thinking that Maya probably didn't want him to see Samantha again because of Samantha's awkward request.
"Sam, you can't go about telling strangers to be your daddy," Maya scolded her as they got into the elevator.
"But Rek is my friend," Samantha pointed out.
"Your mommy won't be happy to know you said that to him," Maya said and Samantha frowned.
"You won't tell her, will you?" She asked, and Maya shook her head.
"If you promise me you won't do that again, then it will be our little secret," she said holding out her pinky finger.
"Pinky promise," Samantha said, locking her finger with Maya's.
When they reached their suite, Samantha burst through the door with a loud, "Mommy, we're back!"
Evelyn, who had been pacing the room anxiously, turned to them with a relieved smile. "Welcome back, sweetie. Did you have fun?" she asked and Samantha nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, Mommy! I played on the swings, and Rek pushed me really high!" Samantha said and Evelyn smiled.
"I guess you both had lots of fun?" Evelyn asked and Samantha nodded.
"Yes, we did. He said I can see him again if you let us.
Will you let us remain friends?" she asked and Evelyn nodded.
"Of course, I will," she said, happy that Samantha had a friend already here.
Perhaps she would try to meet with Rek's parents and find out where he schooled so that she could have Samantha registered there as well. It would help her adjust to school easily if she had a friend there already, Evelyn reasoned.