The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek) novel Chapter 208

Chapter 208

Liam leaned against the desk in his office, his phone pressed to his ear. It was the twentieth time he had tried calling Maya, and once again, her phone went straight to voicemail. Frustration bubbled under his calm exterior as he hung up and stared at the

device in his hand.

What was going on? She hadn't answered any of his calls, and he couldn't shake the feeling that she was avoiding him. Why else would her phone be turned off since last night? He ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts circling back to the kiss.

Had it been too much for her? But he wasn't even the one who initiated it, Liam reminded himself. She had done it all herself, and he had even been too shocked to respond. So, why was she making him feel like he had done something wrong? Was she regretting it?

With a sigh, Liam decided to change tactics. If Maya wouldn't answer his calls, he knew Evelyn would. He scrolled through his contacts, found her number, and hit the call button.

Away from there, Derek was chatting with Evelyn as they drove home from the hospital.

They had visited the hospital to check on her parents and Ethan.

Thankfully, Claire was to be discharged the following day, and Ethan on Monday.

They had not told Evelyn's parents about Derek's relationship with Maya yet. They had decided to wait until they came home before breaking the news to them.

While Derek and Evelyn chatted about spending another weekend without Samantha and how his parents had insisted on keeping her over, Maya sat in the passenger seat, gazing out the window, lost in thought.

Her silence hadn't gone unnoticed, but Evelyn and Derek chose not to press her, giving her the space she seemed to need.

When Evelyn's phone rang, she glanced at the screen, her eyebrows lifting in surprise. "It's Liam," she said aloud.

Maya's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name, and she turned toward Evelyn. Her expression was carefully neutral, though her fingers curled into her lap.

Maya turned back to the window as Evelyn received the call, her pulse racing. His name alone was enough to send her into a whirlwind of emotions. She held her breath, hoping that he wouldn't say anything about her to Evelyn.

Evelyn didn't notice the shift in Maya's demeanor as she answered the call with a warm smile. "Liam! It's so good to hear from you finally."

"I'm sorry I haven't called you this whole time"" Liam said on the other end of the line, his tone apologetic. "I needed some time to sort things out."

Evelyn's smile softened. "I understand," she replied, her voice gentle. "And I'm so glad to hear from you now. How are you?"

"I'm good," Liam said, though his voice carried a note of hesitancy.

"Actually, I'm working in Ludus now."

"Ludus?" Evelyn repeated, her surprise evident. "You mean you didn't go back to Husla after we saw you last?"

"No," Liam admitted. "I didn't. I didn't just come for a conference as I told you. I was going to tell you I relocated, but after what happened, I... didn't want to make things awkward by saying anything."

Evelyn frowned slightly as she realized what had happened. Her gaze flickered to Derek. "I'm sorry, Liam. I didn't..." she began, but Liam cut her off.

"There's nothing to be sorry about," he said firmly. "I made my own choices. Can we not dwell on it?"

Evelyn nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "Well, how's it going here? Are you settling in?"

"It's... fine," Liam said, though his tone was less than convincing.

"But it's lonely, and I was hoping to reconnect with some familiar faces. How are you? And how are Sam and Maya?"

"We're all doing well," Evelyn said warmly. "Samantha's fine. She is with her grandparents. And Maya-"

She paused, glancing at Maya, who was staring straight ahead, her face unreadable even though her heart was racing now at the mention of her name.

"Actually, Maya's right here," Evelyn added, smiling. "Would you like to say hello?"

Maya's head snapped toward her, her eyes wide. She shook her 

head quickly, silently pleading with Evelyn not to hand her the phone, but Evelyn didn't understand.

"I'd love that," Liam said, and Evelyn turned to Maya.

Confusion flickered across Evelyn's face as she noticed the flush spreading across Maya's cheeks. Still, she offered the phone to her. "Here, Maya, Liam wants to say hello," Evelyn said, and Maya hesitated.

Maya's heart pounded in her chest as she reluctantly took the phone, her hand trembling slightly. She held it to her ear, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hello?"

"Maya"" Liam said, relief washing over him. "I've been trying to reach you. Are you okay? Why's your phone off?"

"I'm fine," she said quickly, her voice tight. "Thank you for checking on me. I hope you're okay, too?"

Before Liam could respond, she handed the phone back to Evelyn, her movements stiff and hurried. Evelyn watched her, puzzled, as Maya turned away and focused on the passing scenery outside the window.

"Why are you not..."

"So, where are you working in Ludus?" Evelyn asked at the same time, and Liam realized, to his disappointment, that Maya had returned the phone.

Liam's voice came back on the line. "I'm at Royalty International.

Uhm... I was wondering if I could drop by for dinner, maybe tonight or tomorrow. Whichever is convenient for you. You know, make up 

for the dinner I missed. I haven't stopped regretting walking away from that sumptuous meal," he said, his tone light but hopeful.

"Plus, I could use some company. Maybe get to know Sam's Dad, too."

Evelyn smiled, her earlier confusion giving way to warmth. "Of course, Liam. You're always welcome. Tonight is okay."

"Alright. Thank you," Liam said before hanging up.

When she ended the call, she turned to Derek, her eyes alight with happiness. "You won't believe that Liam is working in Ludus now," she told him. "And he's coming over for dinner tonight."

Derek nodded. "That's cool" he said simply, glad that Liam had come around since he knew Evelyn had been worried about losing her friend.

While they both talked about Liam, Maya's heart raced in the back seat. Dinner. Tonight. With Liam.

What was she going to do?

Later that evening, the warm, savory aroma of roast chicken filled the dining room, mingling with the scent of freshly baked bread and buttery mashed potatoes. Evelyn glanced at the clock as the chef carried a steaming casserole dish to the table, placing it in the center with care.

"I just realized that I forgot to text Liam our new address. What if he goes to the former house thinking we are there? That would be a disaster. I should call him," Evelyn said with a slight frown as she looked around for her phone.

"I think you left it upstairs"" Derek said, and she rose to get her phone out of the bedroom.

"Don't worry, I will go get it," Derek said, not wanting her to stress herself.

As Derek headed for the stairs, the doorbell rang, and he raised a brow. "Are we expecting someone else? I'll see who is at the door," Derek said, heading for the door instead.

Maya, who was seated at the table, froze for a split second, knowing that it was Liam. He had arrived at the new house without getting the address from Evelyn.