Until Forever Ink Fades

Chapter 3: A simple hard lie

"Yes you can, if you had a good reason, the board would consider." President Michael.

Ana quickly ransacked her mind for a possible reason to reject this offer, she loved her work but she wasn't woling to leave her life here." Is being married , a good reason sir. "? She suddenly blurted out looking straight into the president's eyes.

The president was taken aback by the question and cleared his throat." It's a good reason to regect the offer Ana, but you kn the other hand is......

Ana cut him off half way. "I'm Married sir."

President Michael who hadn't expected the outburst kept quiet for a minute analysing the situation. "Ana you do know you can't fabricate lies just to avoid some certain things , it's not professional."

"President, you should know me very well , I do not lie , it's not my major, I can't take the offer for the fear if leaving my partner behind." Ana said sitting upright not daring to blink fearing that if she did, president Michael would see through her cheap lie.

President Michael's eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded Ana. "How come no one had heard of this husband of yours, Ana?" he asked, his tone skeptical. "You've been with NEXA for six years, and not once have you mentioned a spouse. It's almost as if... you're making this up."@@@@

Ana's face remained calm, but her heart was racing. She knew she had to think fast, to come up with a convincing explanation. "My husband and I... we're a private couple, President Michael," she said, trying to sound as sincere as possible. "We prefer to keep our personal lives out of the spotlight. We're not ones for grand romantic gestures or public displays of affection. We just exist, quietly, and happily."

President Michael raised an eyebrow. "I see," he said slowly. "And can I ask, Ana, what your husband does for a living?"

She turned the card over in her hand, thinking. Ethan had proposed a marriage of convenience to her, suggesting that they get married to fulfill their families' expectations and then go their separate ways. At the time, Ana had thought he was crazy, but now she wasn't so sure.

In fact, marrying Ethan might just be the solution to her problem. If she had a husband, she could use that as a reason to turn down the offer to relocate to China. And if she married Ethan, she would have a husband, at least on paper.

Ana's mind was racing as she picked up her phone and dialed the number on the card. It rang a few times before Ethan's deep, smooth voice answered.

"Hello?" he said.

"Mr Maverick, this is Anastasia Gilbert." She said in a calm but hurried voice.

They was silence from the other end before Ethan spoke again. "I know."

Ana sighed in relief atleast he still remembers her."About your proposal....." Her voice trailed off.

" Have you thought about."? Ethan asked.

Ana pinched the tip of her nose." Yes, and I think , it would be best if we could meet at civil marriage office and get out license." Ana said , she knew she sounded too forward but she didn't mind , she wasn't the kind to beat around the bush after all.

" Ok, time. "? Ethan asked from the other side.

Ana paused for a second, trying to gather her thought she was about to make a big decision, she glanced at the digital clock on her table. "4:00 would be best."