The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

A couple of days later, Maya stood in her room, neatly organizing and arranging her closet after doing her laundry.

As she began to fold and organize, she hummed softly to herself, feeling productive for the first time in days.

Following the employment of the new domestic staff, she had less work to do daily and had too much time to do nothing.

It was the middle of the day, and Derek and Evelyn had left for work after dropping Samantha off at school, leaving her with nothing to do.

She had tried to befriend the domestic staff, but for some reason, they were uncomfortable around her.

She figured it was because they thought she was superior to them as a member of the family, and they kept referring to her as

'ma'am'. Thinking about it now, she laughed softly, shaking her head with amusement.

Hours passed as she worked, the closet gradually transforming from cluttered to orderly. She stacked folded sweaters into neat piles and hung her dresses in a perfect gradient of colors. Just as she reached the back of the closet, her hand brushed against something hard and unfamiliar. Frowning, Maya crouched down to see what it was. There, hidden behind a stack of old scarves, sat a worn plastic first aid box.

It was an old first aid box that she had transformed into a keepsake box.

She pulled it out and carried it over to her bed. Sitting cross-legged, she opened the box with a mix of curiosity and nostalgia.

She had totally forgotten about it and did not even remember that she had brought it with her to Ludus.

Inside was a collection of small items: concert tickets, childhood trinkets, photos, and little notes shed kept over the years. Each item brought back a memory, and she found herself smiling as she picked them up one by one. Then, her fingers brushed against delicate silver chain.

She lifted it carefully, her breath catching as the necklaces locket swung gently in the air. She recognized it immediately- it was the locket her mother had given her just before her death.

Maya's throat tightened as she turned the locket over in her hand.

Her mother had told her the locket had been in her hand when she was pulled out from the car wreck.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she pressed the tiny clasp to open the locket. Inside was a picture of her biological parents and a boy no older than seven. Her elder brother. The faces stared back at her, frozen in time.

She had no memory of them, yet they felt familiar, like a ghost of a feeling lingering at the edge of her mind. She traced the image of her brother with her thumb, her heart aching. Should I try to find him? What would she find if she took the leap?

The question sat heavy in her chest. She had pushed the thought aside for years, convincing herself it wasn't worth the effort. But now, with this newfound stability and the love of Evelyn and Derek surrounding her, she wondered if it was time to take the leap finally. She had enough information about it if she wanted to find him.

She had this picture; she knew the orphanage home where he had been kept, and she also knew-

Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft buzz of her phone on the nightstand. She glanced over and saw Liam's name flashing on the screen.

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"Hello?"

"I'm M she answered. "He

"Hey,

'Liam's warm voice greeted her. "How are you doing today?"

sne replied, setting the locket down beside her. "What about you? Are you more settled now?"

Getting there, he

glad I could admitted. "The unpacking helped, so thanks for that."

she said, leaning back against her pillows.

I help," she said,

"How's Evelyn? And Samantha?"

"They're good. Everything's okay here."

"Good to hear. So, what were you up to before I called?" he asked casually.

Maya hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest. "I was going through my keepsake box. Actually, I found something I'd like your opinion on."

"Okay. What is it?" He asked eagerly.

"Uhm, I haven't really told anyone this before now, but I'd like a second opinion," she said and went on to tell him about her mother's deathbed revelation and the possibility of having a brother somewhere. Liam listened quietly, not interrupting as she explained. "Do you think I should try to find him? Or perhaps I should leave things as they are?" Maya asked, her voice soft and uncertain.

Liam paused before responding. "Why haven't you tried before now?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "I guess I was afraid. Afraid of what I might find- or not find. But lately, I've been thinking about it more, and now that I have some time... maybe I should."

Liam's voice was soft and reassuring. "I think you should. And if you're serious about it, I'll help you. Just give me the details, you know."

Maya felt a wave of relief. "Thank you, Liam..."

"I haven't done anything to earn your gratitude yet," he said, and she smiled.

"Offering to help is more than enough," she countered.

"If you say so. So, not that I've received your gratitude, I have to earn it. Tell me what I need to know. Where did the accident happen? Husla?" He asked, and she sighed.

"Yes. I might have to travel. My mother told me she left him in an orphanage after the accident. St Theresa's Orphanage," she said, and Liam raised a brow.

"Oh, there? I know there. I used to do some volunteer work there," he said, and Maya's heart skipped a beat.

"You do?" She asked, surprised.

"Yeah. I don't think you will need to travel. I can just put a call across to them, and I'm sure they will give me answers. Do you know when the accident happened? It would help me in asking precise questions," he said, and Maya nodded even though he couldn't see her. "Yes. It's my birthday. My Mom said the birthdate I've been using this whole time is actually the date of the accident, not my real birthday. That's the date she took me in," Maya explained.

Liam frowned, "Why would she make the same day you lost your family your birthday?"

"I don't think she thought about it that way," Maya said softly.

"Well, then, send me the picture on the locket," Liam said thoughtfully. "I'll look into it for you. By the end of the day, or at the latest by tomorrow, we should know the details of his adoption." Maya smiled, her heart feeling lighter. "You're amazing, Liam.

Thank you. I'm so glad I confided in you."

"Anytime," he replied, then added. "So, about the reason I called."

"Oh! You had a reason for calling apart from checking on me?" She asked jokingly, and he chuckled.

"Can we hang out again this weekend?" He asked, and Maya raised a brow, though her smile didn't fade. "Are you bored again?"

"Not exactly bored - I just enjoyed your company so much and want to hang out with you," Liam teased. "Aww. I'm flattered. We can hang out, but on one condition," Maya said, and Lucas raised a brow. "What?"

"You have to talk to Evelyn. I don't want to keep lying to her about you."

Liam groaned. "You're not lying..."

"Yes, I am," Maya said firmly, and then sighed, "Listen, I get that you're embarrassed, but you don't even have to tell her the whole truth; just let her know you're in Ludus. That's all." Liam sighed heavily. "Okay, fine. I'll give her a call."

"Good. Make sure you don't change your mind," Maya said,

pleased.

"I will try not to. I'll get back to you after I hear from the orphanage. Talk to you later."

"Later, Liam."

As the call ended, Maya looked back at the locket. A new sense of purpose filled her. Maybe it was time to find the missing piece of her past- and herself, she thought as she wore the necklace with the locket around her neck.