Until Forever Ink Fades

        "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?"

Ana's mind went blank. She hadn't thought this far ahead. She didn't have a husband, and she certainly didn't have a story about one. But she knew she had to come up with something, and fast. "He's... a business man ,he works with FUSIONX" she said finally, trying to sound confident. 

President Michael nodded thoughtfully, his expression unreadable. Ana couldn't tell if he believed her or not, but she knew she had to keep up the charade. She had to convince him that she was married, and that she couldn't take the offer because of her husband. She just hoped she could keep up the lie long enough to get out of this situation.  

President Michael leaned forward, his eyes locked onto Ana's. "I think it's time I met this husband of yours, Ana," he said, his voice firm but polite.

Ana's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected this. She didn't have a husband, and she certainly couldn't produce one out of thin air.

"I... I don't know if that's necessary, President Michael," Ana stammered, trying to think of a way to wriggle out of this.

President Michael's expression was unyielding. "I'm afraid it's very necessary, Ana," he said. "If you're married, I think it's only fair that I meet the person who's so important to you. After all, if you're going to use your marriage as a reason to turn down this offer, I think I have a right to know more about your spouse."

Ana felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead. She was trapped. She couldn't refuse President Michael's request without arousing his suspicions, but she couldn't produce a husband either.

"I... I'll arrange for you to meet him, President Michael," Ana said finally, trying to sound confident.

President Michael nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm looking forward to it, Ana," he said. "I'm sure your husband is a very interesting person."

        When Ana returned to her office she had already forgotten about the Files that she was analyzing, she was in a difficult situation and needed to get out of this situation clean or it would affect her rank. 

         She pulled out her drawer , rummaged through it for something she was sure had kept there. 

Ana's fingers closed around a small, black card. She pulled it out of the drawer and examined it. It was the card Ethan Maverick, the man she had met on a blind date a few days ago, had given her.

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." @@novelbin@@

      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."