As Derek and Evelyn drove home from Ethan's, Evelyn grinned and said, "You know Friday's only a few days away, right?"

"Yeah. Why?" Derek asked, feigning ignorance.

"You haven't forgotten what it means, have you?" Evelyn asked. Derek feigned a frown.

"What is it? Our anniversary?" he asked. Her glare made him chuckle.

"It's the interview," she said, smiling. "I know. I'm ready."

"We can go over the questions…" she began.

"There won't be any need," he said. "I trust you. Ask me anything." She paused.

"You remember it's a live television interview, right?" she asked. He nodded.

"Yes, I know," he assured her. "This interview brought us together. The least I can do is give it my best."

"Okay, then," she said, smiling.

Derek smiled, equally anticipating the interview.

On Friday, Derek arrived at The People's Times building a few minutes before noon, the interview scheduled for that time. Stepping from his car, he straightened his tailored navy suit and adjusted the silver tie Evelyn had chosen. He took a deep breath; his confidence unshaken, his excitement undeniable.

Entering the lobby, a young receptionist greeted him warmly. "Mr. Stone, welcome to The People's Times. Ms. Evelyn will be with you shortly." He was a familiar face, a frequent visitor to pick up or drop off Evelyn.

Before Derek could respond, Evelyn emerged from a hallway, her fitted burgundy dress and sleek bun radiating professionalism. Her face lit up as she approached.

"Good morning, Mr. Stone," she greeted, extending her hand before he could embrace her.

Derek scowled slightly, taking her hand. "Ms. Evelyn," he replied, leaning in. His voice dropped. "You look breathtaking. I want to kiss you."

Evelyn resisted a giggle, but blushed.

"We're on the clock, Derek. Let's keep it professional, shall we?"

Derek smirked, enjoying her reaction. "As you wish, Ms. Evelyn. Lead the way."

As she walked down the corridor, Derek watched her hips sway and grinned. "I should walk behind you more often, Ms. Evelyn. Your backside is lovely. Professionally speaking," he added, making her giggle.

"Shut up, Derek," she hissed.

"Your man must be so lucky," he drawled, checking for privacy before tapping her behind.

Evelyn gasped, glaring, but her lips twitched at his naughty smile. "This could be considered workplace harassment, you know?" she asked. He chuckled.

"For you, I don't mind going to jail," he said. She laughed, shaking her head as they continued.

The sounds of keyboards and conversations filled the air. She stopped at a large glass door and gestured for him to enter.

Inside, the room was perfectly lit, cameras and microphones meticulously arranged. Crew members nodded politely as he entered.

"This is where the magic happens," Evelyn said, indicating a seat across from her at a polished oak table. She adjusted her microphone, checked his, and glanced at the crew. "Are we ready?" The director gave a thumbs-up. "We're live in five, four, three…"

Evelyn turned to Derek, calm but with twinkling eyes. "Welcome to The People's Times. We're honored to have you here today, Mr. Stone."

"The honor is mine," Derek replied smoothly, smiling.

Evelyn gave a polite smile, leaning back. "Before we begin, everyone's curious. After years of avoiding the public eye, what motivated you to agree to this interview?"

Derek eyed her, wondering if she wanted honesty or a lie. Choosing truth, he smiled. "I agreed because of the person who requested it." Evelyn bit back a smile, deciding not to press him. The question was expected, given his elusiveness.

"If I may ask, why did you avoid the public eye for so long? Who is Derek Stone? Why has he stayed hidden?" Evelyn asked politely.

Derek leaned forward. "Well, Derek Stone is a simple guy with a complicated story. I was born into a loving family, but circumstances led to my adoption at a young age. My adoptive parents gave me a life I could only dream of. I owe everything to their love and guidance. And I stayed hidden because I didn't trust the media."

Evelyn tilted her head. "Speaking of your adoption, there was a recent online scandal. Would you like to address that?"

Derek's smile softened. "Absolutely. The rumors stemmed from a misunderstanding. My biological parents were murdered when I was very young, and my adoptive parents gave me their son's name to protect me from the murderer and give me a fresh start. They didn't want me to replace their child. No parents could replace a lost child. They selflessly gave me a chance at life, and I'm eternally grateful."

Evelyn nodded. "Thank you for sharing that. Now, we ran a poll asking viewers for questions. Shall we dive in?"

Derek chuckled. "Go ahead. I'm ready."

She glanced at her notes. "One of the most popular questions was: is Derek Stone in a relationship?" Derek laughed. "Yes, I am. A very serious one, actually. We have a daughter together."

Evelyn's lips twitched. "Well, I'm sure the viewers will be disappointed. The woman must be very lucky." Derek's gaze locked onto hers, his expression sincere. "No, I'm the lucky one. My fiancée is the most thoughtful, intelligent, sexy, kind, and beautiful woman I've ever met."

Evelyn laughed. "Mr. Stone, you weren't invited here to give a shout-out to your girlfriend. And last I checked, you weren't engaged."

Derek grinned. "Not yet. But I will be as soon as she says yes."

Evelyn raised a brow. "Does that mean you've asked?"

Derek grinned, but before he could answer, John Legend's "All of Me" began playing. Evelyn's eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth.

"Derek…" she whispered, glancing at the cameras. He stood and moved around the table. "What are you doing on live television?"

He knelt. "I got permission from your father and everyone who matters. I couldn't think of a better time or place. I want everyone to know what you mean to me."

Tears welled in Evelyn's eyes. "Evelyn Quinn, you are the best part of my life. I love you more than words can express, and I want to spend every day and night by your side. Will you marry me?"

Evelyn laughed, tears streaming down her face. "Yes!" she said, holding out her hand.

Derek slipped the ring onto her finger, the cameras capturing the moment. Evelyn looked at the crew. "Let's take a commercial break."

As the cameras stopped rolling, Evelyn threw her arms around Derek and kissed him, the world fading away.