Until Forever Ink Fades

       Note:Mr Michael is not the president of a country, but the largest share holder of NEXA, he's considered the boss and is addressed as president of NEXA.

  Unlike Ana Ethan was calm, flashing a smile at president Michael who eyed them suspiciously. "I met my wife seven years ago." He began."she was fresh out college and I just returned to the country was battling with acquired amnesia, the first time I met my wife, was at a bon-fire, she was looking innocent calm, she was like the fire that light the darkness."

     Ethan's eyes seemed to glaze over, lost in the memory of that night. "She was like the fire that lit the darkness," he repeated, his voice filled with a sense of wonder. "I was drawn to her warmth, her light. But I was a mess back then, struggling to remember my own name, let alone the faces of those around me."

He paused, taking a sip of his drink before continuing. "We met, but we didn't exactly... connect. Not then, at least. I was too lost in my own world, trying to piece together my shattered memories. And she... well, she was just starting out on her own journey, fresh out of college and ready to take on the world."

Ethan's gaze locked onto Ana's, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "We went our separate ways, but fate has a way of bringing people back together. Seven months ago, we met again, and this time... well, this time was different. We connected on a deeper level, and I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her."

President Michael's eyes narrowed, his expression skeptical. "And you're telling me that you two got married just seven months after meeting again?" he asked, his voice dripping with doubt.

Ethan nodded, his smile unwavering. "That's right, Mr. President. We knew it was fast, but we both felt a deep connection, a sense of belonging. And we didn't want to waste any more time."

        Ana nodded vigorously, trying to reinforce Ethan's story. "Yes, that's exactly how it happened," she said, her voice filled with conviction.

Ethan, sensing an opportunity to shift the focus away from themselves, turned to President Michael and his wife with a charming smile. "Speaking of which, Mr. President, I've always been fascinated by your story. How did you and your beautiful lady meet."

President Michael's expression softened, and he glanced at his wife with a warm smile. "Ah, yes,Sarah and I. We met at a charity gala, about 25 years ago. I was immediately drawn to her beauty and intelligence."

 Sarah giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "And I was drawn to his power and charisma," she added, her voice dripping with flirtation.

Ethan laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well, it's clear that you two were meant to be. You make a fantastic team, Mr. President."

President Michael nodded, his expression pleased. "Thank you, Ethan. We've had our ups and downs over the years, but we've always found a way to make it work."

       Sarah turned to Ana with a curios expression. "So Ana. Now that you are married, do you have plans of having kids around." 

     Ana was caught of guard by the question and immediately shook her head."not yet." 

  Sarah's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Oh? Why not?" she asked, her tone friendly but inquiring.

Ana took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Well, we're still newlyweds, and we're enjoying this time together. We're also both career-driven, and I'm not ready to take a break from my work just yet."

Sarah nodded understandingly. "I remember those days. It's wonderful to have a career and pursue your passions. But it's also important to think about starting a family. It would be nice to have kids while you're still young."

Ana smiled politely, trying not to feel pressured. "I completely understand, Mrs Michael. But for now, we're just focusing on building our life together and enjoying each other's company."

Ethan jumped in, sensing Ana's discomfort. "Speaking of family, Mr. President, do you and Sarah have any children?"

President Michael's face lit up with a warm smile. "We have two wonderful children, a boy, and a girl. They're both grown now, but they're still our babies."

Sarah chuckled. "Yes, and they're both doing very well. Our son is studying to be a doctor, well our daughter is more into Technical field, she wants to work for the company in the future."

Ethan's eyes widened with interest. "Wow, that's impressive. You must be very proud of them."

President Michael nodded, his chest puffing out with pride. "We certainly are. We've been blessed with wonderful children, and we're grateful for every moment we spend with them."

             Dinner went on more quietly, with President Michael and his wife acting all lovey-dovey, Ana and Ethan tried very much to pretend they couldn't see them, Ethan didn't fail to Frequently put food on Ana's table. 

       As dinner came to a close, President Michael leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. "Ethan, my boy," he said, "I've been meaning to ask you, where do you work?"

Ethan's eyes sparkled with pride. "I work with FUSIONX ," he replied.

President Michael's eyebrows shot up in surprise, he said he worked 'with' not 'at', it seems his suspicions weren't wrong after all, Ana's so called husband was more than he said. "That's impressive." 

     Ethan's smile grew wider as he continued, "I'm actually a small shareholder in the company, as well. It's a fascinating place to work, always pushing the boundaries of innovation and technology."

President Michael's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression thoughtful. "A small shareholder, you say? That's quite impressive, Ethan. I wouldn't have pegged you as a businessman."

Ethan chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I like to think of myself as a bit of a Renaissance man, Mr. President. I have many interests and passions, and business just happens to be one of them."

Sarah, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up, her voice warm and friendly. "I think it's wonderful that you're involved with FusionX, Ethan. They're doing some amazing work in the tech industry,not to talk of the other fields and industries they have."

Ethan smiled, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "Yes, they are. I'm very proud to be a part of it."

As the conversation continued, Ana could only sigh, she hadn't expected president Michael to ask those probing questions. 

      President Michael turned to the servant that stood just few feet's from there. 

      "Get the Project here." He instructed. 

  The servant nodded and quickly disappeared into the next room. He returned with a small, sleek briefcase, which he handed to President Michael.

President Michael opened the briefcase, revealing a small, intricately designed box inside. He lifted the box out of the briefcase and opened it, revealing a beautiful couple's bracelet.

"Ah, the Project," President Michael said, a smile spreading across his face. "This, Ethan and Ana, is the latest innovation from NEXA. It's a couple's bracelet that can read and transmit emotions between partners."

Ana's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the sight of the bracelet. "That's amazing," she breathed.

President Michael nodded, his eyes shining with excitement. "Yes, it is. And we want you two to be the test subjects for this project."

Ethan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Us? Why us?"

President Michael smiled. "Because, Ethan, you and Ana are the perfect couple for this project. You're newlyweds, and you're still in that lovely, romantic phase. We want to see how this bracelet affects your relationship, how it helps you communicate with each other, and how it strengthens your bond."

Ana felt a surge of unease at the prospect of being a test subject, but Ethan seemed to be taking it in stride.

"What do we have to do?" Ethan asked, his eyes locked on President Michael.

President Michael smiled. "We'll be monitoring your emotions, your interactions with each other, and how you respond to the bracelet. We'll also be conducting regular check-ins to see how the project is progressing."

Ana's mind was racing with questions and concerns, but before she could ask any of them, President Michael dropped another bombshell.

"We'll be needing you two to wear the bracelets for the next three months," he said, his eyes glinting with excitement.

              Ana's eyes met Ethan's, and she could see the surprise and uncertainty reflected back at her. But to her surprise, Ethan didn't argue or ask any questions. Instead, he stood up, a calm and confident smile spreading across his face.

Without hesitation, Ethan took the bracelet from President Michael and gently placed one around Ana's delicate ankle. The sparkling diamond-encrusted band glimmered in the light, and Ana felt a shiver run down her spine as Ethan's fingers brushed against her skin.

Next, Ethan put the other bracelet around his own wrist, the silver band gleaming against his skin. As soon as they both wore the bracelets, a small screen on the band flickered to life, displaying a percentage reading.

Ana's eyes widened as she saw that her reading was at 5%, while Ethan's was at 20%. She had no idea what this meant.