Billionaire’s

Chapter 81

“Hey. Ray! What’s up!” Evelyn asked the moment the call connected.

“Evelyn! You will not believe what just happened!” Rayna’s voice came through loud and high–pitched, nearly causing Evelyn to pull the phone away from her ear.

Evelyn’s smile faded as she heard the strain in Rayna’s voice. “What happened? Are you okay?

Rayna’s breath was coming out in gasps, like she had been running or maybe just talking a mile a minute. “I wish the ground would just open up

and swallow me,”

“Calm down, Ray. What’s wrong?” Evelyn asked, concerned.

“I ran into him. Evelyn, ran you believe it? I ran into the guy from the club again?””

ere did you meet him?”

Evelyn’s eyes widened. “Wait, you mean Ethan‘ The guy you called a pervert last night? Where ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“He came to the bakery! Can you believe that?” Hayna’s words tumbled out, her excitement palpable. “You should have seen his face He was so angry when he realized I baked the muffins he ate, Evelyn. If looks could set someone ablaze, he would have set me and the Bakery ablaze. And then-”

“Kayna, slow down,” Evelyn intermapted, trying to keep up with her friend’s rapid speech. “He was at the bakery, and he recognized you. What did you say to him?”

Rayna’s voice dropped slightly, tinged with a hint of frustration. “I didn’t even get a chance to say anything! He stormed out before I could explain or apologize. Can you believe that? He just walked out Evelyn!”

Evelyn exhaled, a mix of relief and concern washing over her. “Maybe it’s for the best,” she said, trying to soothe her friend. “I mean, he probably needs time to cool off. But I’m sure he’ll get over it eventually. You did call him a pervert, after all.”

“That was an honest mistake. Anyone would have done the same in my shoes,” Rayna said defensively.

“If you want, maybe I could ask Derek if he could set up a meeting or something? You know, just so you can apologize properly” Evelyn suggested.

Rayna considered it for a moment, then shook her head. “No, I think I might run into him again. I’m starting to think this might be fate.

Evelyn mised a brow, “Fair” She asked in confusion.

“Don’t you see, Evie? This has to mean something. I mean, what are the odds of running into him again! First, we met at the club, and I had no idea he was your Derek’s..”

“Not my Derek.” Evelyn corrected, but Rayna continued as if she had not heard her.

“friend. And then I meet him at the bakery only to realize he is Melvin’s brother.”

“You know his brother?” Evelyn asked with interest

“Yeah. His brother and sister–in–law are my regulars, and they always used to talk about him but I’ve never seen him. If this were a movie or one of those romance web novels I love, it would mean we’re meant to be, right! Like destiny or fate or something?”

Evelyn rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. “Rayna, seriously? You need to stop watching so many kdramas and reading those silly romance novels. They’re getting to your head. You’re too old for these fantasies.”

Hayna laughed, a light, carefree sound that made Evelyn smile. “You’re never too old to believe in a litle romance, Evelyn. What if this is fate? What if I meet him again by coincidence? That would be the third time. Isn’t there some saying about the third time being the charmm“”

Evelyn sighed, shaking her head even though Rayna couldn’t see her. “Okay, let’s say you do run into him again. What then? Are you just going to apologize, or are you planising to make him your boyfriend?”

There was a brief passe on the other end of the line, and Evelyn

d then

ask him to be my boyfnend. I mean, why not! Every romane almost see Rayna’s mischievous grin. “Why not both Ill apologize and t

has a beginning, and maybe what happened at the club was ours.

Evelyn chuckled, unable to help herself. “You’re unbelievable, Rayna. I wish you good luck with asking a guy you’ve already called a pervert to be your hoyfriend. Tim sure that will go over well”

“Hey,at could work.” Kayna shot back, her tone playful. “Stranger things have happened”

*Need I remind you that he told you you ser en’t his type?” Evelyn pointed out.

weren‘

Kayna laughed again, but before she could respond. Evelyn caught a whiff of something acrid. She turned her head towards the kitchen, the stuell od scaunching kaming teaching her nose. Her eyes widened in horror. “Oh no, the food?” she exclaimed. “Ray, I have to go Tisi buning diwwert”

12:16 PM c d

She hung up quickly, not waiting for Rayna’s response, and rushed to the stove. Smoke was curling from the skillet, and she grabbed an oven min, quickly turning off the heat and moving the pan to a cool burner. She coughed, waving away the smoke with her free hand, and sighed. Dinner was definitely ruined.

“Mommy, something is burning.” Samantha said as she and Maya came out to check what was burning

“Yes, darling. It’s not burning; it is burnt,” Evelyn said as she stared down at the charred remains of what was supposed to be a healthy stir–fry.

It seemed like a night for takeout, after all..

“I hope you both don’t mind having pizza for dinner,” she said and chuckled when Samantha’s cycl lit up.

“Yay! I love pizzal

“Alright. Give me a minute to place an order for it,” Evelyn said as Maya moved around to clean up the mess in the sink.

Once Maya finished, she went to the living room to join Evelyn and Samantha, who had settled down on the sofa and were watching a show on Nickelodeon, “I need to talk to you about something,” Maya said as she sat down opposite Evelyn.

Evelyn looked from the television to Maya, “Sure.”

“I just realized that you’re mistaken about something. Samantha’s friend, Rek, isn’t a child”