The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

[Three Months Later]

The afternoon sun poured into the restaurant, casting a golden glow over the cozy booth where Evelyn, Rayna, and Maya sat.

The three of them had grown even closer since after the wedding, and now, with the help of Derek's parents, Maya had gotten into a prestigious university right there in Ludus and was studying Psychology. Every Friday afternoon, the ladies hung out during lunch to take a break from their busy schedules and to catch up on each other's lives.

Evelyn adjusted the waistband of her maternity jeans, her blouse flowing loosely over her slightly rounded belly. She smiled as she patted her belly when she felt the subtle movements of the tiny life growing inside her. Seated across from Evelyn, Rayna and Maya exchanged a look when they noticed how well Evelyn was eating now, unlike the other times they had met. They also didn't miss the smile on her face as she patted her abdomen.

Their meals forgotten, Rayna leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, tell us, mama-to-be," Rayna said, a teasing grin on her face. "How is it going this week? You are glowing today."

"Yeah. I noticed, too. Are you feeling better now?" Maya asked before Evelyn could respond.

Evelyn's smile widened. "Oh, I feel so much better," Evelyn said with a relieved laugh. "The first trimester and early second trimester were a nightmare. I couldn't even keep anything down.

Poor Derek had to deal with me crying over toast at least twice.

But over the past two days, it's like a switch flipped. I have energy again, and food no longer feels like my enemy."

Rayna laughed. "Crying over toast? I need that story."

Evelyn rolled her eyes, chuckling. "It was earlier this week when I woke up in the middle of the night starving but couldn't stomach anything. Derek made me toast, and I started bawling because it smelled 'too crispy.' He just stood there holding the plate, looking so confused. I think he was even scared to breathe wrong."

"Too crispy?" Maya asked, laughing out loud.

"Don't even ask me what that means, but trust me, it's a thing," Evelyn said, and Rayna snorted, covering her mouth.

"Poor Derek. He's a trooper," Rayna said, shaking her head with an amused smile.

"Oh, he is""" Evelyn agreed, her voice softening. "He's been so amazing. I don't know what I'd do without him."

"Well, you did well once before on your own with Sam," Maya pointed out logically, and they laughed

"And now I can't imagine doing so well on my own without Derek.

Besides, I never said I did so well when I was pregnant the first time. It was terrible doing it alone," Evelyn admitted.

Rayna reached across the table to squeeze Evelyn's hand. "Well, that's in the past. What matters now is that you're glowing, Evie.

Pregnancy suits you."

"Thanks, Ray," Evelyn said, her cheeks tinged with color. She took a sip of her water and then tilted her head toward Maya. "What about you? How's college treating you?"

Maya groaned dramatically, but her eyes sparkled with amusement. "It's...interesting. I'm loving the classes, but some of these kids make me feel ancient. I mean, they're 18 and out here acting like they've conquered the world."

Rayna laughed. "Ancient? Please, you're what, 29?"

"Still ancient to them," Maya said with a smirk. "Some of them try to flirt with me..."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Flirting? From teenagers?"

"Oh, yeah. You have no idea the manner of audacity these Gen Zs have," Maya said, rolling her eyes, "I suppose my petite stature keeps making them think I'm a teenager or something. So, when they find out I'm older, they begin to treat me like I'm ancient. The other day, this kid tried to explain how email works to me. Can you believe it? Like I haven't been using email since he was in elementary school or even in diapers. And don't even get me started on the flirting. This one kid told me how he prefers older women like me. I didn't know whether to laugh or call his mom."

Evelyn and Rayna burst into laughter, "Please tell me you said something savage," Rayna said, nearly spilling her drink.

"I simply told him I liked men who are older than me and walked away," Maya said with a shrug, grinning.

"You're too good for them, Maya. Heaven knows I'd have said something really savage," Rayna said, and Maya shook her head.

"Trust me, you don't want to. Those kids would embarrass you.

These Gen Zs are like from a different planet. They don't care about your age, they have no filters in their mouth, and don't get me started on their total disregard for punctuality," Maya said, making Evelyn and Rayna laugh and shake their heads.

"That doesn't apply to all of them. I have some working for me, and they re pretty decent. I think these are misconceptions associated with the tag because of the bad eggs who act irresponsibly while claiming they're Gen Zs," Rayna corrected.

"I really don't get who tagged them

Gen Zs and us millennials. I don't even understand what the tags mean and don't care about it, either. What care about, however, is your likeness for men who are older than you," Evelyn said, a sly smile creeping onto her face.

"How are things with Liam?"

Maya's cheeks turned pink, but she smiled. "Better than I expected. We're still figuring things out."

Rayna leaned forward, grinning. "Details, please."

"Well," Maya said, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

"Because of school and his job, we barely spend enough time together, but we have a date tonight. Nothing fancy, just dinner and a movie. And I'm spending the night. It will be the first time I'm sleeping over at his place. And I'm looking forward to it." Evelyn and Rayna exchanged a knowing look, their smiles widening. "I guess things are progressing really well" Evelyn said to Maya before turning fully to Rayan.

"What about you? How's everything with you and Ethan?" Evelyn asked, and Rayna sighed, her playful smile fading.

"Honestly? Frustrating""" she said with a shake of her head.

Evelyn and Maya exchanged a look before Evelyn asked, "Why?"

"What's wrong?" Maya asked at the same time.

"It's been three months since we got engaged and over two months since I moved back to my place," Rayna said, crossing her arms. "And Ethan hasn't brought up the wedding again. Not once. I thought I'd enjoy having my space back, but don't even like my apartment anymore. I miss his place. I miss him."

Evelyn tried to hide her grin. "But you both meet often, and you visit him and sleep over, don't you?"

"That's not the same as living with

him. I hate it when I have to leave after spending the weekend, and sometimes I wish he would ask me to stay over longer, but he's always so cool when I leave," Rayna complained, and this time, both Maya and Evelyn laughed,

"Well, what do you expect? You were the one who said things were moving too fast, and you didn't want to give up your place so soon," Evelyn reminded her.

Rayna groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I know! But now it's moving too slow, and I just want us to get married and be done with it."

"Women," Maya murmured, her tone tinged with amusement as she shook her head.

Evelyn chuckled, leaning back in her seat. "You're impossible, Ray.

Why don't you give him a little hint, then? You know, nudge him in the right direction."

Rayna lifted her head, frowning. "What kind of hint? Take him wedding gown shopping? Or wedding hall hunting?"

Before Evelyn could answer, Maya spoke up. "Forget hints. Just talk to him directly the same way you did before. You told him you weren't ready, right? So tell him you are now. Like an adult." "It's as simple as that""" Evelyn said in agreement.

Rayna pouted.

"That's embarrassing."

Evelyn reached out to pat her hand. "I know you, Ray. I trust you.

When you're ready, we both know you'll do the right thing."NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.