Billionaire's Surprise Engagement

Chapter 208

Liam leaned against the desk in his office, his phone pressed to his ear. It was the twentieth the 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 hfrom 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

chbefore 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 nalone 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 | haven't called you this whole time"" Liam said on the other end of the line, his tone apologetic. "I

needed stto 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 cfor a conference as | told you. | 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. | 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 | was hoping to reconnect with sfamiliar 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

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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. | 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 stime, and Liam realized, to his disappointment,

that Maya had returned the phone.

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

Uhm... | was wondering if | could drop by for dinner, maybe tonight or tomorrow. Whichever is convenient for

you. You know, make up

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

light but hopeful.

"Plus, | could use scompany. 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 caround 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 | forgot to text Liam our new

address. What if he goes to the former house thinking we are there? That would be a disaster. | 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, | 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.

How was he going to explain that? She mused, her heart pounding.

She glanced at Evelyn, who was adjusting the napkins, and thankfully, she didn't seem to notice her momentary

panic.

Why had she agreed to this? She could have stayed in her room, pleaded a stomachache, or simply avoided this

entire situation. But now, there was no escape.

The man she had kissed- impulsively kissed- less than twenty-four hours ago was about to walk through that

door.

At the door, Derek stared at Liam, surprised to see him there when Evelyn had just mentioned that she hadn't

sent him the address, "How did you get here?" He asked, unable to stop himself.

Liam's brows drew together, "Evelyn invitedover for dinner, he said, wondering if Derek had a problem with

him being there.

"I know that. But she didn't send you this address. The last tyou visited, she was at the old house," Derek

pointed out, his eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Liam realized his error too late. He had been in haste to cover for dinner so he could see Maya and had

forgotten to take care of such an important detail.

His heart raced as he tried to come

up with a reasonable explanation, but he knew nothing but the truth would clear up this

misunderstanding unless he wanted to say he had been stalking Evelyn, as he knew Derek might be thinking.

"Babe, who is at the door?" Evelyn called from inside as she headed upstairs to get her phone since Derek was

taking too long.

"It's not what you're thinking," Liam assured Derek.

"You don't even know what I'm thinking. Don't assyou do," Derek said, fixing him with a look.

"Cin. | hope you have a good explanation for Evelyn," Derek said as he stepped aside for Liam to enter.

As they approached the dining, Maya's breath hitched when her gaze fell on Liam, who looked effortlessly

handsin a casual button-up shirt and dark jeans. When her eyes locked with Liam's, her cheeks flushed

instantly, and she instinctively looked away from him and down at the napkins in front of her.

Derek noticed her reaction and looked from her to Liam and then

back again, wondering what that was about.

"Hello, Maya" Liam said, his voice soft yet distinct. The sound of her non his lips made her stomach flip.

She forced herself to meet his gaze, her own smile nervous and brief. "Hi, Liam," she managed, her voice barely

above a whisper.

"Liam?" Evelyn called from the stairway, surprised to see him,

"How did you know this place?"

Seeing that Liam was in a pickle and couldn't cup with an explanation because he didn't want to put her in

a difficult position, Maya decided to step in.

She cleared her throat, "Actually, he is the friend mentioned the other day. He was the gynecologist that

attended towhen | visited the hospital. And he was also the friend who helpedcontact the orphanage,"

Maya said, flashing Evelyn an apologetic look,

NO

"So, he was the one you went out to talk to last night?" Evelyn asked, and Maya nodded.

"I'm sorry | couldn't tell you," she said quietly.

"Don't be mad that she kept it a secret from you. | asked her not to say a word to you until | was ready to talk to

you," Liam said, and Evelyn exchanged a look with an equally surprised Derek

"I told you it wasn't what you were thinking," Liam said, and Derek raised a brow.

"And | told you, you didn't know what | was thinking," Derek retorted.

"What were you thinking, then?" Liam asked, and Derek shrugged.

"Not your business" Derek said with a smirk and Liam chuckled.

"I didn't realize that you both were so close," Evelyn said, looking from Derek to Liam.

"We are not..."

"We are..." Liam and Maya said at the stime, and Evelyn's lips twitched with amusement as she exchanged

a look with Derek, wondering what was going on with Maya.

Evelyn clapped her hands together. "Well, let's not keep the food waiting. Everyone, take your seats!"

As they settled around the table, Maya found herself seated with Liam directly across from her. She tried not to

meet his eyes, focusing instead on passing plates and filling glasses.

The conversation flowed easily at

first. Liam talked about how

surprised he had been when Maya told him that she had found her brother and how upset he had been

that Derek had beaten him

toit

.n

before she told him that Derek was

her brother.

As they talked, Derek chimed in with his dry humor. Liam laughed, his deep chuckle filling the room and sending

an involuntary warmth through Maya's chest.

"So," Derek said, slicing into his chicken, "how has work been

treating you? Do you like Ludus?"

Liam paused, his fork halfway to his mouth, and glanced at Maya before answering. "Work is good. And so far,

Ludus has been full of interesting discoveries."

Maya's pulse quickened at his words. Was that directed at her? Or was she just imagining things?

Evelyn leaned forward, her curiosity evident. "Do you know many people here yet? Made any friends?"

Liam shook his head. "Just Maya. That's part of why | was so excited to ctonight. It's nice to have familiar

faces around."

Maya's heart skipped at his words. She remembered now that they had planned to hang out. He was lonely. And

here she was, avoiding his calls and acting distant. Guilt gnawed at her. "So, Liam," Derek said, changing the

subject, "are you into sports?"

Liam laughed. "Sure. If you're up for it, | wouldn't mind a good gnight," Liam said, realizing he didn't feel as

uncomfortable around Derek as he had assumed he would be.

He didn't feel the jealous or resentful either seeing Derek and Evelyn together. Most of his focus was on the lady

who was seated across from him and doing all she could to avoid his gaze. "Challenge accepted" Derek said,

grinning. "You'll regret it, though."

As the conversation turned playful, Maya allowed herself to relax a

little. She laughed along with the others, the tension in her shoulders easing.

But every so often, she felt Liam's gaze on her, steady and unwavering. And every time, it sent a shiver down

her spine.

Derek and Evelyn pretended not to notice Maya's behavior or the tension between Liam and Maya.

By the tdinner ended, both men were chatting like they had been friends for a long time, and as Liam rose to

leave, he turned to Maya before Derek and Evelyn could offer to see him off. "Maya? Do you mind seeingoff

to my car?" He asked, his expression gentle and hopeful.

Her heart leaped at his request, and she looked up at him, "Sure," she said quickly, though her voice was small.

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