Episode 13

Dereck takes a long step toward Evelyn. He was quickly close to her. Her heart begins to race within her chest.

They lock eyes deeply, both swallowing hard and unable to break the visual contact.

Suddenly, Evelyn's phone rings, and in that instant, she pulls the device from her pocket.

It was Micaela calling her.

"Excuse me, sir." She quickly stepped away.

Dereck watched her retreat down the hallway.

He closed the door and went to lunch. Before that, he stopped at the sink to wash his hands for nearly two minutes.

After lunch, he continued working.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Come in." He said, thinking it was Evelyn.

"Dereck." The feminine voice didn’t change the CEO’s facial expressions much. "Gee, you didn’t show up at my place, so I came to see you."

She walked in and closed the door behind her.

Sofia Dalton, twenty-five years old, was a friend of Dereck's.

"Good to see you, Sofia. Please, have a seat."

She kissed the top of Dereck's head. Sofia was aware of her friend's psychological issues, so she didn't shake his hand.

"That secretary of yours is very annoying. She wouldn’t let me in without being announced. I didn't like that fake redhead."

She rolled her eyes in annoyance at Evelyn.

"Sofia, Evelyn is a good secretary. Everyone who wants to speak with me needs to go through her. I don't want this to happen again. You know I like everything organized. Don't disrespect any of my employees."

"But Dereck, I don’t understand why you keep defending her. You've never cared about your previous secretaries."

Sofia was very spoiled by her mother, the socialite Eva Dalton.

Eva was Dereck’s stepmother. Dereck's father, Otto Norton, had been married to Eva for five years.

As they talked in the office, Evelyn muttered under her breath.

"What a annoying woman. I didn't like that skinny little rich girl."

Evelyn said, quite irked.

"Good afternoon!" A beautiful woman approached Evelyn, looking her over from head to toe, even with Evelyn sitting in her chair.

"Good afternoon. How can I help you?"

"I need to talk to Mr. Norton."

The woman continued to look at Evelyn with indifference, making her feel both embarrassed and annoyed.

"Who should I announce to Mr. Norton?" Evelyn responded, sensing she recognized that woman.

The woman speaking with Evelyn was Eva Dalton, Dereck’s stepmother.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but Mr. Norton is with a visitor in his office. If you'd like to wait on that sofa, you may do so."

"Yes, I'll wait."

Eva sat down on the sofa, still feeling a strange sensation in her chest. For her, it seemed she knew Evelyn from somewhere.

Minutes later, the office door opened and Sofia stepped out.

"Mom?" She said, approaching Eva.

"Sofia? Did you skip swimming class just to come see Dereck?"

"Yes, Mom. Dereck is going to be my future husband, and I don't want to spend too much time away from him."

Sofia was infatuated with the executive director. But he never gave her hope. Dereck was always realistic with Sofia. He always told her that there could be nothing between them but friendship.

"Sofia, go to the car. The driver is waiting for me outside. Now I need to talk to Dereck."

Eva seemed worried about something.

"Please, miss, let your boss know that Eva Dalton is here and wishes to speak with him."

Eva kindly requested of Evelyn.

"Certainly, ma'am. I will contact him right away."

Evelyn called Dereck, and soon Eva was granted access.

"Go home, Sofia. Mom will be back shortly."

She affectionately kissed her daughter's cheek.

"Alright, Mom."

Eva entered the office, and Sofia shot a firm look at Evelyn.

"I will be the future Mrs. Norton, so next time I come here, don't be so annoying."

She said coldly, giving Evelyn a look of disgust.

Evelyn decided to remain silent. After all, Sofia was spoiled, and if she responded, Evelyn could risk losing her job. She thought that Sofia was indeed Dereck's fiancee.

In the office, Eva was conversing with her stepson.

"" Dereck, your father has been acting very strange these days. I know I shouldn’t bring up personal matters at work, but I’m really worried about him.

"" Eva, my father is a lot like me in that respect; he’s very reserved. Unfortunately, I don’t know what might be going on with him. But in what way do you say he’s acting strange? Tell me the details, if you want... Maybe I can help in some way.

Dereck loved his father, but he didn't have much attachment to him.

Otto Norton was one of the shareholders of the company; he and Savio together held thirty percent. Dereck was the largest shareholder with sixty percent of the shares, and the remaining ten belonged to other ten people.

"" Your father is cold with me. He’s been quite irritable with everyone. He has no patience for anything. Some days he disappears, then shows up as if nothing has happened. Sometimes he’s affectionate towards me and Sofia, but other times he treats us like we’re nobody.

Eva was sad. She loved Otto Norton very much.

Tears began to roll down the stunning face of the woman.

"" Don’t cry. I will talk to my father. I know it might not help much, but I will do my best.

Dereck seemed understanding towards his stepmother.

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