Arthur's Pov

  "I'm actually very happy about the proposal," my mom said to Mrs. Hawthorne. "I want to ask whether you talked about this with Eliza, and I think Eliza deserves more than what you are doing right now."

  "She always loved Arthur; they are together all the time. They know each other better than we know our own children," Mrs. Hawthorne said. "You know, there are no guys in the world like Arthur. He is perfect."

  I stood there, ashamed by her remarks. I had never felt this ashamed to stand in front of a person before. I ruined her life. I know the consequences she faced because of the ring. I can't marry Eliza and do more wrong.

  "I really like Eliza, but I never in my life took that affection into love or attraction. I mean it, I never have feelings for Eliza. Eliza is like my kid," I confessed.

  "I know you are backing out because of your mother. See, Mrs. Penhaligon, why don't you ask Eliza directly how much she loves to marry Arthur? Then all your misunderstandings will be cleared. Why don't you come for lunch tomorrow? We can give it a shot. I know Arthur loves her; he just hasn't realized it yet, that's all," Mrs. Hawthorne stated.

  "I don't know what to say. We can consider it based on Eliza's words then," my mom said hesitantly.

  After I dropped Mrs. Hawthorne off, I came by my mom, who was already with my grandpa discussing things.

  "It's not going to happen, don't worry," I said and left for my room.

  Actually, I don't know what to do. The last option I came up with was to tell them I'm gay.

  The next morning started more terrifyingly than I thought. Mom got a call in the morning to come by the Hawthorne house without delay. When I reached the Hawthorne house, the entire family's attention was on me. I sat on the sofa, but it felt like I was on fire. Everybody was so eager and tense; I didn't know why. Then the doors opened wide, and Eliza entered with a guy. I knew the reason for their faces now.

  She just walked close and stated, "This is my boyfriend, Ethan. If you force me, I will run away with him," she said.

  How can an adult still behave like a kid? I'm impressed by how childish she is.

  "It's a prank," her mother said.

  I couldn't laugh.

  "No, it's not," she said, pulling the guy and kissing him.

  Okay, she is an adult. She knows how things work.

  "So," pointing to me, "do you still have any thoughts of marrying me?" she said.

  I smiled.

  "I don't," I said.

  She smiled like she won and moved to her room with Ethan.

  "I'm really sorry. She has gone insane. She is just scared," Mrs. Hawthorne said.

  All were stunned, and Mr. Hawthorne just stood there, his face full of anger. I hoped things wouldn't get too complicated after we left.

  Eliza pulled a strange stunt, but the consequences are heavy. Does she really love him? I never heard about him.

  "I think we should consider what she thinks. Why don't we just take some time to get things back to normal?" My mom suggested.

  Mrs. Hawthorne just nodded. Seven days passed, and it became clear that Ethan and Eliza had been in love for the past two years. So they are in love.

  My Mom never spoke of this again, and Mrs. Hawthorne visited our house sometimes, worried about Ethan's background and financial status. She never liked him.

  I want to tell her I am much worse than Ethan and never even considered being beside Eliza. Still, I'm a coward. Maybe if there is no one in my life and I have to suffer alone, maybe I can confess to her.

  "How is Eliza?" I asked.

  "Good, partying with her boyfriend day and night without caring about their careers. I hope God will put some sense into her," she replied.

  "He always chooses the right people in their lives," I countered whisperingly.

  "Are you going to work?" Mrs. Hawthorne asked.

  "Yes, I will meet you later, Mrs. Hawthorne," I said and left the house.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  It's just a 20-minute drive to my hospital. All I am thinking about is Eliza. Does she even know this guy properly? I shouldn't think about her; it's her business. On the drive, I saw Ethan parking his bike and talking to someone.

  "A pet shop? What is he doing in a pet shop? Don't tell me," I talked to myself.

  Ethan is definitely buying that Pomeranian, but what if he gifted it to Eliza? Mrs. Hawthorne is going to be so mad. Is he asking for that or what? Eliza came out of the shop smiling, taking the puppy from the man. She sat on the bike, and they went off.

  I hope things work out for them.

  After that, I got invited to Mrs. Hawthorne's again and again. My mom and I are more worried about the later consequences. Hiding a dark secret is more than enough for us, but speaking to people and acting loving while carrying a secret that hurt the whole family isn't what I should do.

  I searched for the dog, but there was no trace. Maybe they bought it for other people.

  Eliza came out to the living room dressed for a party.

  "Where are you going?" Mrs. Hawthorne questioned.

  "To Ethan's," she replied, looking at all of us.

  "See, it is not a time to go out like that," Mrs. Hawthorne said.

  "Mom, please. We are adults; we know what to do. We will be safe and won't do any stupid things," she replied.

  Adult—that word got to me. Even as an adult, I don't have a brain; I committed a huge mistake that I will never forget, no matter what big happens to me.

  "At least take Arthur with you," Mrs. Hawthorne said.

  "Ethan said he will come to pick me up," Eliza replied.

  "See, if you want to leave, take Arthur's car. I don't even know why he is still using that rented bike; probably the brakes aren't working properly. Tell him if he comes, just leave his bike here and leave in Arthur's car," Mrs. Hawthorne said.

  Eliza didn't flinch; she just took her phone from her purse and called Ethan.

  As Mrs. Hawthorne told me to keep an eye on them, I think that is inappropriate. I just took my car keys and left outside; Ethan and Eliza were waiting for me near my car.

  "Arthur, sorry, did my mom ask you to keep an eye on us?" she asked.

  Her respect always gives me a sense of fear. I felt like I was doing everything wrong. I'm committing a crime.

  "It's fine. Don't mind me; I will leave after I drop you guys. Call me after you want to leave," I said.

  "It's not fine. Why don't you just join us? It's our friends' anniversary party," Ethan said.

  "No, I will be better alone, thanks anyway," I said.

  "No, Arthur, we actually booked a room in a hotel because we thought we would have to do our hair and get really ready before entering the party hall since we drove a bike. Thanks to you, my hair will be good; I don't have to suffer. You can stay in the room," Eliza replied.

  "Okay," I said.

  While I was taking the driving seat, I saw them two arguing about something. Upon keen observation, I just came to hear Ethan's words.

  "You told me hotels are expensive; you would just touch up in the bathroom. Where did this booked room come from?" he asked in a whisper.

  She just shushed him and waved for him to take the passenger seat beside me. Is she serious? How can she manage now? I will just have to make an excuse while leaving, saying I have some work then. That will solve the problem.

  The entire drive, they were on their phones, probably chatting about the problem she now created. I almost held my laugh the entire ride while Ethan got head nods six times, intense glares I lost count of—maybe ten—and signs six times. He is definitely having a hard time covering up the lie. They are searching for hotels; it's time to tell them.

  "Hey, actually, I have got a meeting near your hotel; it's important. If you don't mind, I will turn this offer down. Don't mind," I said, looking at my phone in between.

  "Oh, it is such a waste. I thought you would enjoy the party," she replied, smiling.

  "It's fine, next time," Ethan said, smiling widely.

  They are so cute. They almost wet their pants. We are almost near the party hall.

  "Hey, Ethan, what did your mom say about gifting the dog?" Eliza asked Ethan.

  Oh, it is the anniversary gift.

  "Yeah, she just got angry; she didn't like it and prepared some diamond set," Ethan replied.

  "What? Then where is the puppy? We will give it to her as our gift then secretly," Eliza said.

  "Actually, I thought the same thing, and omg," Ethan replied, shocked.

  "What? Did you lose her?" Eliza asked, worried.

  "No, I just left it at your house, the puppy cage. It is attached to my bike," he realized.

  "What? We have to go back now; she is leaving tomorrow morning," Eliza said.

  "Yeah, I know, and we can't keep the dog," Ethan replied.

  "I will go," I said, looking at their fearful faces.

  "You can't; you said you have an important meeting," Eliza said.

  I almost forgot about that.

  "It's fine; it is about 20 minutes of work, that's it," I replied convincingly.

  "Oh, then it's fine; Ethan will come with you since it is his mistake," Eliza said angrily.

  "What if you hadn't confused me about the booked room lie? I would never have forgotten about that," Ethan spilled the truth.

  The entire car was now embarrassingly silent. I dropped the two of them off and waited 20 minutes to pass near the alley and picked them up and drove to Mrs. Hawthorne's house.

  "Thank you so much. I know it is a burden," Ethan said.

  "It's fine," I replied.

  "Actually, I didn't like you at first because I was jealous of you. But as Mrs. Hawthorne said, you are perfect as a husband," Ethan said.

  "I don't deserve Eliza, but you do," I said.

  "You are bad at comforting, Dr. Arthur. I don't even have a specification in front of my name," Ethan said, laughing.

  "Ethan?"

  "Yeah?"

  "Do you have a truth that, if you tell Eliza, it will break the entire Hawthorne family?" I asked.

  "No, I guess not. Why do you feel suspicious about me?" Ethan asked, laughing.

  "You didn't get it," I said. We were at the Hawthorne house. I parked, and he quickly got off and took the puppy with him.

  I started driving again. I'm driving the same road, but it is feeling different every time.

  "So, do you love her?" Ethan asked.

  I just froze with the question; I forgot to answer him.

  "Not like as you think," I said.

  He just nodded, like he just confirmed I'm safe to be friends with.

  "So, do you love her?" I asked.

  "Yeah, I love her so much," he said, smiling to himself.

  "So, the problem is money?" I asked again.

  "No, the problem is we are happy without money. People don't like us together because we are happy when we have less. They want us to go after money and stop being playful," he said and left from car as he saw Eliza waiting for him at the gate. He didn't expect me to say something about the statement he just made; he didn't want approval, he just left.

  I envy him.

  Continued...