### **A Ride Filled with Reflection**
Ethan drove Evelyn home, the atmosphere in the car filled with silence and unspoken thoughts.
After a while, Evelyn finally spoke. "Sir, I really like your parents. They treated me well, even after knowing that I'm your girlfriend from a middle-class family. I feel guilty pretending in front of them."
Ethan exhaled deeply, keeping his eyes on the road. "Evelyn, I was so scared they'd find out the truth. If we had stayed even five more minutes, I don't know—I might have accidentally spilled everything. I think my dad believes us, but my mom doesn't." He shook his head slightly. "Anyway, thank you so much for handling everything."
Evelyn hesitated before saying, "Sir, I have a doubt… may I ask?"
Ethan glanced at her briefly before responding. "You're wondering why I did all this and what my real reason is, right? I'll tell you when the time comes."
Evelyn shook her head. "No, sir, that's not my question. My doubt is—why do you call your mom by her name instead of calling her 'Mom'?"
Ethan sighed, his grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel. "I was born a few months after her father's death. My mom believed that I was his rebirth and started treating me like her father. When I was a child, I naturally called her by her name, and she felt that hearing it from me was like hearing it from her father. She liked it, and it continued."
Evelyn smiled softly. "Your mom seems very sentimental, while your dad appears more casual and realistic. Thank you for introducing them to me."
Ethan gave her a knowing look. "Evelyn, please don't take anything my mother says the wrong way. And forgive her if her words or actions ever seem harsh."
Evelyn shook her head. "Sir, no need to worry. Your mom hasn't done anything wrong, and she hasn't hurt me. If we were in her situation, we might react even more strongly. So, don't stress about me."
She looked out the window. "Okay, sir, my home has arrived. Please drop me here."
Ethan slowed the car to a stop, and Evelyn stepped out.
Before leaving, she turned to him with a smile. "Okay, bye, sir. Drive carefully. See you tomorrow at the office."
Ethan nodded. "Bye, Evelyn," he said before driving away toward his house.
----
### **A Call That Changes Everything**
The next morning, Ethan was engrossed in his work when his phone rang. Seeing Liam's name on the screen, he answered immediately.
"Hi, Liam. How are you? When did you arrive in the city?"
"I'm doing great," Liam responded. "I hope you and everyone else are fine too. But I heard something surprising—is it true that you've fallen in love? If so, I'm definitely not missing your wedding!"
Ethan sighed, frustration creeping into his voice. "Who told you that? Why didn't you ask me first? Do you even know how much I've suffered? You're the reason for all my problems."
Liam sounded confused. "What are you saying? Then it's not true? I didn't believe it either. So you lied about being in love? Why?"
He paused before adding, "Isla told me about this. She knows you well—she said you wouldn't fall for someone so easily."
Ethan clenched his jaw. "So, Isla is the one who told you? I'll talk to her."
"Forget about that," Liam insisted. "Why did you lie to everyone? What's the reason?"
Ethan hesitated for a moment before answering. "Why don't you ask yourself? I did this all because of you. You're the reason. My parents and Isla's parents were ready to arrange an engagement between us, and I had no other option."
Liam exhaled slowly. "I'm sorry, Ethan. I had no idea things had escalated this much. But wait—you have a small circle of female friends, and they're all known by your parents and friends. How did you find a new girl willing to pretend to be your girlfriend?"
Ethan smirked slightly. "You should've asked that earlier—it's a long story. I convinced my new PA, Evelyn, to act as my contractual girlfriend. She agreed because she needed money, so I helped her with her financial situation, and in return, she's helping me with this problem."
Liam pondered for a moment. "Alright, but do your parents believe this?"
Ethan sighed. "Honestly, I have the same doubt. We'll just have to wait and see."
Liam's tone grew serious. "Ethan, I'll figure out a way to clear up this issue. Until then, just keep up the act."
Ethan nodded. "Alright. Take care. Bye."
With that, Ethan ended the call and returned to his work, feeling the weight of the conversation pressing down on him.
---
### **Will Liam Find a Solution?**
Now that Liam knows the truth, will he find a way to resolve Ethan's dilemma? And will Ethan's parents truly believe his fake relationship with Evelyn?
The pressure was growing—soon, the truth might surface.
---
### **Ethan's Busy Day**
Things were settling into routine at Ethan's house, but at the office, he was immersed in an important business proposal he had been working on for the past two days.
Meanwhile, Ethan's mother had been trying to call him, but he wasn't answering—not just her calls, but anyone's. Growing concerned, she decided to call his company landline instead.
Evelyn answered. "Yes, please tell me how I can help you."
"Evelyn, I'm Ethan's mother," Maria said. "I've called him several times, but he hasn't picked up. Why is he ignoring my calls?"
"Aunt, he's very busy with important work," Evelyn replied. "That might be why he hasn't answered."
Maria sighed. "Alright. He didn't eat his breakfast before leaving home. Please remind him to at least finish his lunch."
"Sure, Aunt," Evelyn assured her. "I'll take care of it."
After ending the call, Evelyn went to Ethan's office and knocked on his door.
"Yes, come in," Ethan called, his voice distracted.
Evelyn stepped inside. "Sir, your mother called the office because you weren't answering her calls. She's worried you didn't eat breakfast and told me to remind you not to skip lunch."
Still focused on his laptop, Ethan barely looked up. "Okay, Evelyn. I'll take care of it."
Sensing his deep concentration, Evelyn left him to his work.
---
### **Securing the Proposal**
Hours later, Ethan called Evelyn into his office again.
She knocked before entering. "Yes, sir?"
Ethan handed her the quotation for the proposal. "Evelyn, print all of this and send it to this address confidentially. Make sure to keep the contents secure."
Evelyn took the documents carefully. "I'll handle everything as instructed, sir."
She followed his directions precisely, ensuring every step was carried out discreetly.
Ethan continued working late into the night, finally heading home after a long, exhausting day.
---
### **A Mother's Concern**
When he arrived, his mother was waiting.
"Why are you so late?" Maria asked, concern evident in her tone.
"Sorry, Maria. Work kept me busy," Ethan replied, weary.
"Alright, come have dinner."
"Sorry, Maria," he sighed. "I'm exhausted. I'm not in the mood to eat. I just want to sleep."
Maria started shouting after him, frustrated, but Ethan barely heard her as he disappeared into his room, collapsing onto his bed.
---
### **Will His Mother Let This Continue?**
Ethan was fully consumed by his work, but Maria wasn't one to let things slide so easily. Would she continue to worry and interfere? Or would something finally pull Ethan away from his relentless focus?
---
### **A Critical Morning**
The next morning, Ethan got ready for his crucial business deal.
As he was about to leave, his mother called him for breakfast. Not wanting to endure her scolding again, he sat down and ate quickly—more out of formality than genuine appetite.
Once done, he wasted no time and headed out of the house.
Upon arriving at the venue for his business deal, he prepared himself, knowing that the outcome of this meeting could shape the next phase of his company's future.
---
### **A Game-Changing Business Deal**
The venue was bustling with prominent businessmen, all gathered to collaborate with one of the world's leading perfume companies. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation as introductions were exchanged and formalities took place.
Soon, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived—the quotation price bid announcement.
A representative took the stage and began, "Welcome, everyone. This quotation process is an opportunity to collaborate with our esteemed perfume brand. Thank you for your participation. We will now announce the top five selected bids."
The crowd listened intently as the results were revealed.
**5th place:** Mr. Max – ₹50 lakhs
**4th place:** Mr. Archer – ₹55 lakhs
**3rd place:** Mr. Ethan – ₹70 lakhs
Ethan's heart sank. He had lost the business deal.
The announcement continued.
**2nd place:** Mr. Aiden – ₹70.5 lakhs
Ethan's disappointment deepened as he realized the difference between his bid and Aiden's was merely ₹50,000. *Someone leaked my quotation price,* he thought in shock. He felt the deal slipping away.
Meanwhile, Aiden was equally disturbed. *How could the plan fail?* he thought, frustration burning within him.
Then came the final announcement.
"And the winner of the bid is… **Mr. John, father of Mr. Ethan, with a bid of ₹80 lakhs.**"
Ethan was stunned. For a few moments, he couldn't process what he had just heard.
Then, regaining his composure, he stepped onto the stage and officially secured the business deal from the company owner.
Once everything was finalized, Ethan wasted no time. He left the venue in a hurry, heading straight back to his office.
---
### **What's Next for Ethan?**
Ethan suspected foul play in the bidding process, but his business proposal had still come out victorious. Would he investigate the leak, or would he focus solely on his new collaboration?
The stakes were higher than ever, and the next moves would be crucial.
---
Endless Love continues...