10. An unexpected Invitation & Celebration - Ethan & Evelyn’s confession.

### **A Celebration in the Office**

After dropping Evelyn off, Ethan arrived home.

As his mother took his lunch box from his office bag, she noticed a marriage invitation.

"Oh, thanks, Maria, for reminding me," Ethan said casually. "It's for one of my office staff's wedding."

Maria sighed sadly. "All the young men in the world are getting married—why don't you?"

Ethan chuckled. "Maria, please don't start again. Everything happens at the right time."

---

### **A Generous Gift**

The next morning in the office, employees gathered, discussing what gift they should give their colleague for his wedding.

However, the moment Ethan entered, the conversation fell silent, and everyone returned to their places.

A little while later, Ethan called the soon-to-be-married employee into his office.

Handing him a cheque for ₹5 lakhs, Ethan said, "Please take this as my wedding gift from the company."

The employee hesitated, shocked.

"I felt you might be struggling to manage your wedding expenses," Ethan explained. "So, I wanted to give this to you.

Wouldn't you accept it if your own brothers gave it to you?"

Overwhelmed with gratitude, the employee took the cheque. "Sir, thank you so much for your timely help! I wanted to ask for assistance but hesitated—but you realized my need without me saying anything.

I'll never forget this. Please come to the wedding and bless us!"

Ethan smiled. "Don't get emotional. I'll definitely be there."

The employee left Ethan's office, returning to his work with newfound relief.

---

### **An Unexpected Invitation**

Later that day, Ethan was surprised when a group of employees—including Evelyn and Ivy—entered his office.

"Why are you all here? Did something happen?" Ethan asked.

One employee hesitantly stepped forward. "Sir, we all wanted to ask for an hour's permission."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "An hour's permission for everyone? First, tell me why—then I'll consider it."

Another employee spoke up. "Sir… we are hosting a bachelor's party for our colleague."

Ethan smirked. "Interesting. You all are throwing the party instead of him?

And yet, none of you invited me—so how am I supposed to approve this permission?"

The employees quickly apologized. "Sorry, sir! Now we're officially inviting you.

Please join us at 7 o'clock this evening!"

Laughing, Ethan granted permission. "Alright, go enjoy the party!"

The employees cheered as they left his office, praising him. "Ethan sir, long live!"

Outside, Evelyn spoke to Ivy. "How is he so friendly with us? I really admire his kindness and support."

Ivy smirked. "Mm… is that so? You only admire his character?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes but smiled.

---

### **An Evening of Celebration**

By 5 o'clock, the employees gathered once more in Ethan's office.

"Sir, we're leaving now," one of them announced.

Ethan nodded. "Alright. Enjoy the party!"

Another employee hesitated. "But sir… you're not coming?"

Ethan replied cautiously, "If I come, you all might feel uncomfortable."

The employees protested immediately. "No, sir! You must attend. Please!"

Ethan chuckled. "Alright, alright—I'll be there."

His staff cheered. "Great! We'll send you the location. See you at 7!"

With excitement filling the air, they left Ethan's office, heading home to prepare for the party.

Ethan, too, left work, heading home to get ready for the evening.

---

### **Will This Night Bring New Realizations?**

As the employees gathered for the celebration, would the evening bring unexpected moments between Ethan and Evelyn?

Would the casual atmosphere reveal deeper emotions?

---

**Ethan's Unexpected Night**

Ethan hurried home to get ready for a party.

His mother looked at him in surprise. "Why are you home so early from work?"

"I was invited to a party by my office staff at the last minute, so I came home to change," he replied. "Maria, I won't need dinner. You and Dad go ahead and eat."

His mom nodded but added, "Just don't drink. You have to drive back home."

Ethan sighed. "Mom, when have you ever seen me drink? Don't worry, I'll be careful."

She smiled. "Alright, go and come back safely."

Dressed and ready, Ethan reached the venue. The party was lively, with guests arriving one by one, exchanging greetings, and enjoying the atmosphere. Ethan mingled, speaking with everyone in a warm and friendly manner, without an ounce of ego.

Then, Evelyn entered.

Ethan's eyes widened slightly as he saw her. For a moment, he was stunned. *Why does she look even more beautiful today than usual? Am I starting to fall for her?*

Evelyn approached him with a bright smile. "Sir, you're looking smart today."

Ethan chuckled inwardly. *You just said what I was thinking!* Then, keeping his cool, he responded, "Thanks. You look beautiful today, too."

Evelyn waved a hand dismissively. "Don't joke with me, sir. Alright, I'll go find Ivy."

She walked away, and the party continued, filling the air with music, laughter, and dancing.

A little later, Evelyn said to Ivy, "I'll go get some juice."

Ivy grinned. "Okay! And grab an ice cream for me while you're at it."

"Sure," Evelyn replied and headed towards the drinks section.

However, in the buzz of the crowd, she mistakenly picked up a beer meant for someone else instead of juice. Along with it, she got Ivy's ice cream and returned.

Handing the ice cream to Ivy, Evelyn took a sip of her drink and paused. "This juice tastes different… but it's good."

After a while, her speech turned sluggish. Ivy frowned in concern and approached the server. "What exactly was in that drink?"

The server hesitated before apologizing. "I'm really sorry, ma'am. She may have taken the beer meant for someone else by mistake."

Panic rushed through Ivy. *What should I do now? Who should I ask for help?*

Ethan, noticing her anxious expression, walked over. "Ivy, is something wrong? You look worried."

Ivy quickly explained everything.

Ethan's expression hardened. "Where is Evelyn now?"

Ivy led him to her. Evelyn, now intoxicated, smiled up at them, her balance unsteady. "Ivy! This juice is so good! Can you get me another glass?"

Suddenly, she lost her balance and nearly fell. Ethan and Ivy rushed to steady her.

"Ivy, I'll take her home," Ethan decided. "If anyone asks, just say she wasn't feeling well."

Ivy nodded, trusting him. "Okay, sir."

She helped Ethan guide Evelyn to his car. As they drove off, Evelyn, still drunk, asked, "Where are we going?"

Ethan, irritated, muttered, "To the crematorium! You mistook beer for juice, and now you want another glass? If you weren't already drunk, I would have scolded you even worse!"

Evelyn, her emotions heightened, teared up like a child. "Who are you? Why are you scolding me?"

Ethan sighed, softening his tone. "Alright, alright, I'm not scolding you."

Just then, Evelyn gagged, vomiting on his shirt. Ethan quickly pulled over, cleaned her up, changed his own clothes, and resumed the drive.

Still dizzy, Evelyn blinked at him. "Are you really Ethan?"

Ethan smirked. "Nope. Fake Ethan."

Evelyn giggled despite herself. "No, I know you're really Ethan!"

Ethan raised a brow. "Wait—are you calling me by my name? My dignity is crumbling."

Evelyn smirked. "I just did. What are you going to do about it?"

Ethan sighed inwardly. *I can't handle this drunken girl!*

---

**Evelyn's Confession**

Evelyn leaned against Ethan's shoulder, her voice unsteady.

"Ethan… I like you so much."

Her words stumbled out in her drunken haze, raw and unfiltered. "I don't even know when, where, or how I started to love you. What makes me fall for you? Is it your intelligence? Your care for your loved ones? My desire to have a friend like you? Or maybe… the way you say sorry without hesitation when you make a mistake. The way you help others—not just when they ask but when you understand their needs before they even say a word."

She sniffled, wiping her tears. "I don't even know if this is love. But I do know… I don't match with you, with your status. My brain accepts that—it reminds me of it all the time. But my heart refuses to listen. It keeps telling me that you are the only one for me. You make me fall for you, even without me realizing it. I don't know what I've done… or what I'm doing. Please help me, Ethan."

Tears streamed down Evelyn's face. Ethan gently wiped them away and sighed.

"You're saying all this because you're drunk," he consoled her. "Once you recover, everything will go back to normal."

Evelyn shook her head, still dazed. "Drunken people speak the truth. And that's what I did—I told you the truth." She inhaled deeply, her eyes locking onto his. "It's okay… But tell me, Ethan. What do you think of me? Do you like me?"

---

**Ethan's Confession**

Ethan replied slowly, "I'm in the same stage as you said. I don't easily get attached to everyone. But with you, I can't take that time to let it happen gradually. Honestly, I don't even know what exactly is making me fall for you. Is it your kindness to everyone? Or your love and care for me and my parents? Or the way you looked after me when I was ill? Or maybe what Liam said about our pre-birth bond? Evelyn, I love you too."

Ethan poured his heart out to Evelyn. But when he turned to look at her, he realized she had fallen asleep peacefully on his shoulder, unaware of everything he had just confessed.

Soon, they reached Evelyn's home. Ethan carefully carried her into the house.

Her mother, alarmed, asked, "What happened to her?"

Ethan gently placed Evelyn in her bed and reassured her mother, "Don't worry, Aunt. She's feeling a little unwell and vomited—probably because something she ate at the party didn't sit well with her. She'll be fine after a good sleep."

Evelyn's mother sighed in relief and said, "Thank you so much, dear, for bringing her home and taking care of her."

Ethan smiled and replied, "No need to thank me, Aunt. It's getting late. I should go now."

Evelyn's mother saw him off with gratitude.

As Ethan drove home, his mind replayed everything Evelyn had said to him and the words he had spoken to her. Even as he lay in bed that night, his thoughts remained tangled in emotions, drifting between joy, uncertainty, and longing.

---

Endless Love continues...