The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

Evelyn's eyes widened slightly in surprise at the unexpected information before she quickly composed herself

"I'm sure it doesn') matter to them whether or not you were adopted. You're their real son and all they see when they look at you is their son," Evelyn tried in reassure hien,

"No. I'm not their real son," he insisted and Evelyn looked at him with a confused frown as she waited for him to explain himself since he seemed like he had something else to say.

Knowing he was not going to be able to eat anymore, Derek packed what was left of his lunch and pushed it aside while Evelyn waited patiently,

"After they adopted me I went home to an already prepared room. There were toys, clothes, and everything a boy of my age and size should have, waiting for me. Even some books and awards in the name, of Derek Stone," he said and Evelyn's eyes widened again as realization dawned on her but she shook her head not wanting to believe it was what she was thinking.

"I was too young at the time to understand what was going on. When they came and said my name was going to be Derek Stone henceforth, I accepted it happily Living there was far better than being at the orphanage after all," he said and Evelyn's heart ached for him as she listened to

him

1 was made to learn every single thing on those awards. The awards and certificates were not originally mine, but I earned them all by working hard. I became Derek Stone in every sense of the word. I became the son they lost, Derek said, confirming her suspicion.

"Oh, Derek," she whispered.

Looking into his eyes. Evelyn could feel the pain and vulnerability that was evident in his voice, and her hands itched to reach across the table and touch his in comfort.

Now she understood what she meant when he said he wondered if he was the one his parents saw when they looked at him.

"When I was in high school I was searching for something and I saw a picture of a litle boy. The original Derek Stone. It was then that I realized the reason I was adopted. We had similar features. The same brown hair and blue eyes. The closest they could get to their son," Derek said and this time she reached across the table and squeezed his handNôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"Tim so sorry," she murmured.

"Don't be." Derek said with a wry smile as he looked down at their hands. "Tim glad they adopted me. I mean, who knows how my life would have turned out had they not! They've shown me nothing but love even though sometimes I think all they see when they look at me is their son and not me. I feel like I'm not living for myself. I feel like I'm living for them. Or perhaps their son is living through me," Derek said with a sigh.

"Did you ever ask them?" She asked, and he nodded.

"At first I tried to keep it away from them, but my Mother could tell something was wrong, so she asked until I opened up. It was after that time that I stopped joining the family for interviews. I was willing to be their son, but I didn't want to stand in front of any more cameras pretending to be who I was not." Derek said and Evelyn finally understood why he refused to grant interviews.

"That was why you wanted me to spend time getting to know you for who you really are," she said, and Derek nodded.

"Yeah. That and the other reasons," he said, and Evelyn sighed deeply.

"What about your biological parents? Have you ever tried to find them?" she asked and he shook his head.

"There was no need to. My parents said they were told my biological parents died in an accident hence I ended up at the orphanage, he explained.

"Do you remember them? How old were you when you were adopted?" she asked and he shook his head.

"I was seven. I don't remember anything from before I ended up at the orphanage," he said and Evelyn sighed deeply as she tried to let go of his hand, but he held on to her hand.

her heart fluttered.

"You should know that you're the first person I'm talking to about this. The only person I'm going to tell this to," Derek said holding her gaze, and

"Why did you tell me this?" she asked and he shrugged

I'm sure you know why," he said as he let go of her hand.

Evelyn placed her hands on her thigh and clasped them together as she looked at him. She realized now that there was more depth she thought. She felt sorry for him and at the same time, she respected him.

nth to the

mam than

"Why did you agree to the interview? You don't have to do it if you..."

"I'm putting my trust in you, Eve, I need you to do a good job. I expect the interview to be about me. The real me." he said, cutting her off,

Evelyn feh a lump in her throat as she gave him a nod. "I promise to give this my best. Thank you for trusting me with this," Evelyn said, flashing Derek a genuine smile for once.

Derek smiled back. "It wasn't so hard, was it?" He asked and she raised a brow.

"What'" She asked in confusion.

"Dropping the honorific and calling me Derek like you did earlier," he said, and she felt a blush creep up her face.

Please, don't go back to the whole Mr Stone thing. It's tiring," he pleaded, and she looked at him hesitantly for a moment before giving him a nod.

Her new knowledge about his background had sort of changed the way she looked at him, and she believed that by sharing his story with her, they ad crossed some sort of line and maybe it wouldn't hurt to be a little more friendly with him.