### **The Truth Unfolds**
The next morning, Ethan got ready for work and made his way to the dining table for breakfast.
His mother, Maria, served him food while subtly addressing her husband. "Dear, do you know what day it is today? It's Wednesday."
Ethan, catching onto her indirect approach, smiled. "Of course, Dad. How could I forget? Today's the day I introduce Maria's future daughter-in-law to her. I'm sure whatever I like, my mom will like too. This evening, I'll bring her home, and Mom can ask her anything she wants to know."
Ethan's father, John, raised an eyebrow. "Am I just an intermediary between you two? Fine, I'll clear any doubts myself."
Before his father could continue, Ethan decided to lay out the basic details about Evelyn.
"Her name is Evelyn," he explained. "She lost her father in an accident two years ago. Her mother works as a cook at a hotel. She has a younger brother who's studying in 10th grade. She completed her degree last year and has been working in our company as my PA for the past 3 months. If you want to know anything else, you can ask her directly this evening."
After finishing his breakfast, Ethan left for work.
---
### **Maria's Doubts**
Once Ethan was gone, Maria turned to her husband with a puzzled expression.
"Dear, is this really our Ethan?" she asked. "I don't believe he's in love. Back in college, he had so many friends—many girls even proposed to him. But he never fell for anyone. So how is he suddenly in love? Is this girl exceptionally beautiful? What's she done to my son? Why is she so special to him? I need to find out."
John nodded thoughtfully. "I agree—I find it hard to believe he's in love. And from the details he gave, she comes from a middle-class family. Her mother has been supporting the family alone since her husband's accident, and Evelyn is now helping her financially. Hmm… interesting. Let's wait and see."
---
### **Ethan's Concern**
At the office, Ethan was tense, reflecting on the morning conversation at home. *Mom's questions… Dad's skepticism… Will this plan even work?*
Feeling uneasy, he called Evelyn.
"Please come to my office," he said.
A few moments later, Evelyn knocked on his door.
"Yes, come in," Ethan called.
Evelyn stepped inside, sensing Ethan's nervous energy.
"This morning, my mom started asking questions, and Dad followed up with even more," Ethan admitted. "I managed to answer somehow, but are you ready to meet my parents? Is everything okay?"
Evelyn gave a reassuring smile. "Sir, please don't be so tense. I'm perfectly ready to meet them. The only thing is… I feel guilty lying to them."
Ethan sighed. "Evelyn, I don't have any other option. And I don't have time to second-guess this now. Don't feel guilty. If they eventually understand why I did this, they'll forgive us."
He straightened. "I'll call you after I finish my work, and then we'll go to my house so I can introduce you to them."
"Okay, sir," Evelyn responded before leaving his office to continue her work.
---
### **Will Their Drama Work?**
Would Ethan's carefully planned lie convince his parents?
Would Maria accept Evelyn and her supposed love for Ethan?
The evening would bring answers—and perhaps, unexpected consequences.
---
### **An Unsettling Introduction**
After finishing work, Ethan took Evelyn to his house. As they stood at the entrance, he turned to her, his voice low with concern.
"Evelyn, is everything okay? Please help me manage my parents in this situation."
Evelyn gave him a reassuring nod. "Sir, don't worry—I'll handle it."
With that, they stepped inside.
Ethan called his parents to the living room. As they entered, he gestured towards Evelyn.
"This is Evelyn," he introduced. Then, turning to her, he said, "And these are my parents."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Ethan stood up abruptly. "I have some work to do. You three can talk," he announced before leaving for his room.
---
### **The First Interrogation**
Ethan's father, John, motioned for Evelyn to sit.
"Come, sit with us," he said kindly.
Evelyn took a seat near them, but Maria, Ethan's mother, subtly adjusted her position to create some distance between herself and Evelyn.
John gave a polite smile. "Evelyn, what would you like to drink? Tea or coffee?"
"Thank you, Uncle, but I don't need anything," Evelyn responded. "I just had coffee before leaving the office."
Maria, watching Evelyn carefully, wasted no time in diving into her questions.
"So, how do you know my son?" she asked, her tone sharp with curiosity.
Evelyn kept her expression composed. "Aunt, I've known Ethan for the past three months—ever since I started working as his PA in the company. At first, I really admired his work and his character. Over time, I found myself falling in love with him. Later, I realized he felt the same way about me."
Maria narrowed her eyes slightly. "Who confessed first?"
Just as Evelyn was about to respond, Ethan re-entered the room.
"Evelyn, it's getting late. Let's go—I'll drop you home," he said quickly.
"Yes, Ethan, let's go," Evelyn agreed, standing up.
Turning to Ethan's parents, she smiled politely. "Aunt, Uncle, I'll visit another day to answer all your questions properly."
Maria wasn't satisfied. "Wait. Why are you rushing to take her home?" she asked, scrutinizing her son. "You're the one dropping her off—why does it feel like you're in a hurry?"
Ethan hesitated before simply repeating, "Mom, we need to leave."
But Maria wasn't ready to let Evelyn go so soon. Instead, she gently took Evelyn by the arm and led her toward the kitchen.
"Tell me, dear—do you cook? Do you help your mother in the kitchen? Can you make coffee?" she asked, probing for more information.
Ethan, standing frozen outside the kitchen, felt a surge of anxiety. *Can Evelyn manage this interrogation, or will my mother figure out the truth?*
Meanwhile, John turned to Ethan, watching his nervous expression.
"You know, Ethan," he mused, "Evelyn is beautiful. But more than that, she seems bold, intelligent, and confident. I think those are the real reasons you love her. Am I right?"
Ethan, unsure how to respond, simply nodded. "Yes, Dad."
---
### **A Well-Planned Encounter**
Evelyn prepared coffee with Ethan's mother and carried it to the living room to serve.
As she placed the cups before them, she smiled. "I made the coffee just as I do at my home. If there's anything you'd like me to change, please let me know, and I'll adjust it to suit your taste."
John took a sip and nodded approvingly. "Hmm… the coffee is perfect, Evelyn."
Maria, too, tasted it and remarked, "Yes, it's good." Then, shifting her attention back to Evelyn, she asked, "Have you told your mother about your relationship with Ethan? What did she say?"
Evelyn responded as they had rehearsed. "No, Aunt, I haven't told her yet. She wouldn't accept it if she knew. She always tells me not to desire things beyond our limits. At first, I hesitated to love Ethan for that reason. But he reassured me, told me how deeply he loves me, and said he would convince my mother in the future."
Maria narrowed her eyes slightly. "And when do you two plan to get married?"
Ethan, prepared for the question, answered calmly. "Mom, her brother needs to finish his studies first. She also recently started working, so she should gain experience before taking that step. And I want to focus on growing our company before making such a commitment. So we've decided to postpone our marriage for a few months. Also, we don't want our relationship to be known in the company."
John leaned back with a thoughtful nod. "Do whatever you want. I won't interfere. But Evelyn must visit our house once a week."
Ethan hesitated. "Dad, her mother won't allow that."
Maria smirked slightly. "Then whatever reason she gave her mother for coming today, let her use the same excuse in the future."
Evelyn quickly reassured Ethan. "It's okay, Ethan. I'll manage my mother. I'll come here once a week, for sure."
She turned to his parents with a polite smile. "Aunt, Uncle, may I leave now?"
John nodded. "Of course, dear."
Evelyn bowed respectfully before them, expressing her gratitude.
Ethan, watching the exchange, thought to himself, *Wow, she handled this even better than we planned.*
Maria turned to Ethan. "Take her home safely."
"Okay, Mom," Ethan replied. "We're leaving now."
As Ethan escorted Evelyn out, John turned to his wife.
"Maria, Evelyn is beautiful and humble. I like her."
Maria shook her head. "No, dear. I don't believe their love is real. They speak to each other with respect, not with love. I suspect there's something off. But I admit she is beautiful and well-mannered. Let's wait and see."
John sighed. "No matter what, you always end up doing what Ethan wants. You'll accept her eventually."
With that, he stood and went to watch the news, while Maria headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
---
### **Will Their Plan Hold Up?**
Ethan and Evelyn had managed to fool his father, but Maria remained unconvinced. **Would she continue her investigation? Or would she eventually accept Evelyn?**
The coming days would reveal the truth.
Endless Love continues...