Until Forever Ink Fades

. Anastasia Gilbert took a quick glance at her watch for the fourth time, feeling impatient. The minutes that passed by felt like hours to her. She had been sitting for the last ten minutes in this half-empty restaurant, and she felt very angry , because each moment spent here could have been used to go through some files in the office. Infact she didn't want to be here if it wasn't for her Mother's screaming voice through the phone, she wouldn't be wasting her beloved special time here. Her Mother had forced her on this date, threatening to report her to her grandfather if she failed to meet up with her blind date because of the lousy excuses she made each time. She had a date.She could still remember her Mother's nagging voice. "Anastasia, you are already twenty six it's not good for a young lady to be only work-minded and had no romance in her life." Since she turned 25, her family had not let a day pass by without reminding her that she needed a partner, even when she gave the excuse that she hadn't met the right one yet ,her mother always told her that it was because she had never given any man the chance to show her love and be her Mr right. "Anastasia Gilbert?" Someone asked, making Ana look up at the overbearing shadow. Before her stood a man of about 1.9 meters tall, he wore dark brown suit with a long tailored coat that matched the suit ,he wore a pair of dark brown sunglasses and a black mask that covered his mouth and nose off, his dark black hair was brushed back neatly leaving a single strand untouched ,he looked like an actor that just stepped of the stage, but the aura he exudes wasn't the kind an ordinary person would. "Yes"Ana replied briefly, watching as the man sat opposite to her, he took off his sunglasses, revealing a pair of dark blue eyes that almost looked like a sparkle. " Ethan Maverick,"he said, sounding better polite. Ana also noticed that he had a deep magnetic voice that sounded nice to her ears." Sorry I was late, had something to handle." He said. Taking his mask off, showing a dead gorgeous face, his jaws were sharp and defined ,his jawline was strong and firm ,he had a very pointy nose and his lips were just good for his face, he didn't look like a young kid ,rather he looked like someone who was in his late twenties or so. "I would be a terrible liar if I said I didn't mind, Mr Maverick, I'm a very busy person. Please keep to time." Ana said not arrogantly, but rather in-between politeness, she sounded very professional. "I would have in mind not to have the lady waiting next time." Ethan said, sounding just as professional as Ana. "Have you ordered yet?" "I already had something before coming Mr Maverick, let's make this quick I have an appointment in one hour."Ana said taking a quick glance at her watch. Ethan chuckled slightly and said."please tell me about your self Ms Gilbert." Ana hesitated for a moment before launching into a brief professional summary. "I'm Anastasia Gilbert , twenty seven as from last week, a vice president of NEXA Technology, devoted to my work not interested in being someone's girlfriend not a party timer and most importantly not a coquettish young girl looking for love." " Ethan Maverick, Thirty, a shareholder of FusionX, biggest ambition is work,have no interest in love as it's just a mere word and, Literally doesn't have a meaning to the world." Ethan said calmly and reserved. Ana looked up at him trying to see if this man was sprouting lies, after all men weren't trustworthy not to talk on one she just met, but when her eyes met the cold blue eyes she knew for sure this man wasn't playing games. " Since we both are on the same side,we can just go our ways and report to our families that we aren't suitable match." Ana said with a small business like smile. "I'm afraid you haven't let me finish Ms Gilbert, since we both share same attitude and value towards work, let's not further talk , we can drive to the court on Friday to get a marriage license." Ethan said casually, having Ana look up in surprise. "I'm sorry Mr Maverick, I may have heard the wrong words." Ana said looking skeptically at him. "Ms Gilbert, what you heard was exactly the words I said, we can get married and fulfill both families' biggest wish." Ethan stated, his thin lips shutting as though they were never open. "Mr Maverick, I may wish to escape my family's grasp , but I'm at the peek of my career , I can't be tied down by marriage, so I must reject your offer." Ana stated firmly , she was never letting her years hard work reduced to the point of being tied down by marriage . "Nobody would tie you down to marriage, Ms Gilbert, it's more like a marriage of convenience, you can keep up with your work without worrying about anything, we just have to get our families' eyes off our lives." Ethan explained still sounding very calm and reserved and Ana silently gave him credit for that. "With all due respect Mr Maverick, you're definitely crazy and delusional,it was nice meeting you ,but I'll skip your offer" Ana said, preparing to leave. "Ms Gilbert I may be delusional,but still very practical ,we can fulfill our family's expectations and still maintain our independence ,no one's on the losing side." Ethan paused for a second, reaching his hand into his coat's inner pocket and took out a black card ,pushing over to Ana and said." There's no need to rush things we have all the time in the world, you can think of it and contact me when you are ready"Ethan stood up." Have a wonderful evening Ms Gilbert." Ana sat quietly looking at Ethan, walked straight to the restaurant door ,opened it and left.