The next morning, Ethan's mother approached him with a firm expression.
"If you truly love someone, introduce her to us by Wednesday," she said. "Otherwise, I will make arrangements for your engagement with Isla on Thursday."
Ethan was stunned. His mother's ultimatum weighed heavily on him as he prepared for work. He needed a plan—something that would convince his mother that he was indeed in love with someone else.
Lost in thought, Ethan continued getting ready, contemplating his next move as he drove to his company.
---
Later in his office, Ethan was speaking to someone on his mobile when Isla called him. Hearing the busy tone, she decided to try his company's landline.
Evelyn answered the call.
"Hello, is Ethan available?" Isla asked. "Can you connect me to his office?"
"Yes, ma'am," Evelyn responded politely. "May I know who you are?"
"I'm his friend, Isla. And you?"
"I'm Evelyn, Ethan sir's new PA. Please hold while I connect you to him."
Evelyn transferred the call, and Ethan picked up.
"Hi Ethan, how are you?" Isla asked. "You've been so busy lately. You haven't called me, and whenever I try to reach you, you're always on another call. Also, I hear you've appointed a new PA."
Ethan sighed. "Sorry, Isla. I'm fine. How about you? I've been overwhelmed with work, so hiring a PA was necessary.
Actually, I needed to speak with you regarding our engagement. If your parents have discussed it with you, I want you to tell them you're not interested."
Isla hesitated. "Yes, my mom talked to me about it. She tried to convince me that a good friend can make a good husband, so she asked me to think about it."
She paused before continuing, "Maria aunty called me this morning and told me everything—including about this 'love' of yours. I don't believe it. Is it true? If it is, introduce your girlfriend to me sometime."
Ethan responded firmly, "It is true, Isla. Please believe me. I'll introduce her one day to everyone. Thank you for understanding—honestly, I was worried you wouldn't, just like my mother."
He softened his tone. "Isla, I really value our friendship. I will always support you in any situation."
"Okay, okay, don't overreact," Isla replied with amusement. "By the way, has Liam called you? I can't reach him."
Ethan frowned. "No, Isla. I've only spoken to him two or three times."
"Same here, but now he's completely unreachable. If you get hold of him or he calls you, ask him to call me, okay? Bye, take care!"
With that, Isla ended the call.
Ethan leaned back, exhaling in relief. *At least I managed Isla,* he thought. *But Liam—he's the root of all my problems.*
His mind raced. *How do I make my mother believe in this so-called love? And who can help me?*
He considered his options. His circle of female friends was small, and all of them were already known to his parents and friends. Ivy, his accountant, was the only woman in his company he had considered—but she was married, which ruled her out.
Then, a thought struck him.
*Evelyn—the new PA.*
She was the only person his family and friends didn't know. *She's my best chance,* he realized.
---
Just then, Evelyn called.
"Sir, I've prepared and sent the files as instructed. Please check and approve them. Let me know if any corrections are needed."
"Okay, Evelyn. I'll check," Ethan responded. Then, after a pause, he added, "Evelyn, could you come to my office? I need to discuss something and need your help."
"Sure, sir," she replied.
Evelyn arrived moments later, knocking on the door.
"Yes, come in," Ethan said.
"Sir, what help do you need from me?" she asked, taking a seat.
Ethan hesitated before speaking. "Can you… act as my girlfriend for my family and friends? Don't panic—we can set a contract until my problems are resolved. I'll pay you for this."
Evelyn's expression darkened. Her hand instinctively lifted, and before Ethan could react, she slapped him.
"How dare you?" she snapped. "Do you think I'm the type of woman who would accept such an offer for money? We may be poor, but we don't sell our dignity."
Before Ethan could respond, there was a knock at the door.
He suddenly blinked, realizing the entire scene had just played out in his mind—a mere daydream. *Is this exactly how it'll unfold if I ask her?*
Another knock.
"Yes, come in," Ethan called, shaking off the thought.
Evelyn stepped in and greeted him. Ethan, still hesitant, voiced his request exactly as he had imagined—but this time, he instinctively raised his hand to shield his face, anticipating the slap.
But Evelyn didn't react aggressively. Instead, she appeared thoughtful.
"Sir, I need some time to think about this," she said calmly. "Can I give you my answer later?"
Ethan was taken aback. *She's actually considering it?*
"Okay, no problem," he managed to say. "Take your time and let me know."
Evelyn nodded. "May I return to my place now, sir? Or do you need anything else?"
"Nothing—go ahead," he said, still processing her response.
Evelyn exited the room, while Ethan sat frozen in disbelief.
*She didn't slap me. And she didn't outright reject me.*
Endless Love continues...
Upcoming next,
### **The Truth Behind Ethan's Decision**
Ethan's rejection of his engagement with Isla wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment decision—it was deeply rooted in his unwavering respect for their friendship. He had always seen Isla as a confidante, a companion in life's ups and downs, but never as a romantic partner. Their bond was solid, built on trust and understanding, but love—at least the kind that led to marriage—was absent from his heart.
While Isla's mother had tried convincing her that friendship could evolve into a successful marriage, Ethan knew it wasn't true in his case. He couldn't bring himself to force a relationship that didn't exist. **For him, preserving their friendship meant more than conforming to family expectations.**
But Ethan also knew that simply saying no wasn't enough—his mother needed proof of his love for someone else. And that's where Evelyn came in.
---
### **Evelyn's Dilemma**
Evelyn found herself in an unexpected situation when Ethan proposed the idea of her pretending to be his girlfriend. It wasn't a request she had ever anticipated.
Initially, she was taken aback. The idea of faking a relationship for money unsettled her. **She valued honesty and integrity, and playing a role in Ethan's personal affairs felt unnatural.**
However, as she considered the request, she found herself weighing the consequences. Ethan wasn't asking her for anything immoral—he simply needed help to convince his family. If she agreed, it would just be temporary, a practical arrangement to resolve his issues.
But there was another problem. **What would happen if people started believing the lie? What if emotions got involved? And most importantly—what would Ethan do if his family insisted on making the fake relationship real?**
Evelyn had a lot to think about, and her decision would shape the course of their story.
Would she accept? Or would she turn Ethan down despite his desperation?
---