The Fake Relationship

The world had barely finished hearing the interview when opinions began to erupt. Social media exploded with hashtags like #RealOrFake and #SophieAndEthan trending within hours. Some viewers were moved by their sincerity, applauding their courage to speak out. Others weren't convinced, calling it a calculated PR stunt.

Sophie tried her best to concentrate on work. Every time she opened her email or stepped out of her office, she remembered the aftermath. There were emails from clients questioning her priorities, media requests for follow-ups, and even a few cruel memes that mocked her responses during the interview.

Ethan, ever the optimist, was texting her encouragement throughout the day:

Ethan: "We did the right thing. People will come around."

Ethan: "Don't let the noise get to you. Proud of you."

But Sophie couldn't shake the feeling that their carefully crafted plan had created more chaos than clarity.

The Unexpected Visitor

Two days after the interview, Sophie's assistant, Amy, entered her office, looking frazzled.

"Sophie, there's someone here to see you," Amy said hesitantly.

Sophie frowned. "I'm not taking walk-ins, Amy. You know that."

"It's. it's Mrs. Blake," Amy whispered.

Sophie froze. Ethan's mother? They hadn't discussed much about their families when they were faking the relationship, and they certainly hadn't discussed it since things became real. Sophie had assumed she'd never have to deal with Ethan's family again.

"Send her in," Sophie said, smoothing out her blazer and bracing herself for whatever was coming.

The woman who entered was striking, graceful and poised, with an air of authority that filled the room. She looked Sophie over with a sharp, assessing gaze before sitting down across from her.

"Mrs. Blake," Sophie began, trying to sound confident. "What can I do for you?"

Ethan's mother had no time for niceties. "I viewed your interview," she said coolly, without being unfriendly. "You and my son are quite quite a show together."

Sophie sat up. "It wasn't a performance. What we said was true.

Mrs. Blake tilted her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You'll forgive me if I find that hard to believe. Ethan has always been. impulsive. He has a tendency to dive into things without thinking them through. And you—" She paused, as if searching for the right words. "You strike me as someone who values control. Precision.

Sophie's cheeks inflamed, but she didn't back down. "You're right. I do appreciate control. But that doesn't mean my feelings toward Ethan aren't valid. This isn't some game to me."

Mrs. Blake sat there a long time, studying her, and then she nodded slightly. "Good. Because if you do him harm, you'd be sorry you ever crossed me."

The veiled threat lingered in the air as Mrs. Blake rose from her chair and smoothed out her skirt. "I'll be watching, Sophie. I hope, for your sake, that this is as real as you claim."

With the door now closed behind her, Sophie slumped back into her chair, her hands shaking. She had prepared herself for scrutiny by the media but not from Ethan's family.

Ethan's Revelation

That evening, Sophie met Ethan at his apartment to have dinner with him. She expected Ethan to brush it off, but instead, he sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair.

"I was afraid of this," he admitted.

"What do you mean?" Sophie asked, confused.

My mom's protective," Ethan said. "She's always been like that. But there's more to it. My dad. he was a public figure too, back in the day. He had a scandal that nearly destroyed our family. My mom's terrified of anything like that happening again."

Sophie blinked, surprised. "You never mentioned that.

Ethan gave a rueful smile. "It's not exactly dinner conversation. But yeah, that's part of why she's so skeptical. She doesn't trust the media, and she doesn't trust anyone who steps into the spotlight with me."

Sophie felt a pang of sympathy. She had her own reasons for guarding her heart, but Ethan's history put his mother's hostility into perspective.

"We'll prove her wrong," Sophie said firmly. "We'll prove everyone wrong."

Ethan looked at her, something warm and vulnerable in his gaze. "I knew there was a reason I liked you."

The Rival's Return

Dealing with Ethan's mother wasn't enough for Sophie, for the next morning another complication had arisen. Sophie was sitting at her office when Amy stormed in, holding a tablet.

"You need to see this," Amy said, putting the tablet on Sophie's desk.

Sophie stared at the screen, her stomach sinking. It was an article featuring none other than Damien Cross, her ex.

"Damien Cross Speaks Out: The Truth About Sophie Greene's Relationships."

The article was full of quotes from Damien, painting Sophie as cold, calculating, and willing to do anything for success. He implied that her relationship with Ethan was just another calculated move, designed to boost her career.

Sophie clenched her hands into fists. Damien had never been one for revenge, but this was too much.

"Ethan called after a few moments, his anger clipped. "You see this? What is the matter with this guy?"

"Bitter," Sophie managed to say through steady lips. "He can't stand it that I am moving on".

Well, he's not just attacking you," Ethan said. "He's dragging both of us through the mud. We can't let this go unanswered."

Sophie nodded, already formulating a plan. Damien's accusations could derail everything they had worked for if they didn't act fast.

Next Steps

With Damien stirring up trouble and Mrs. Blake watching their every move, Sophie and Ethan were being hit from all sides. The stakes were higher than ever, but Sophie was not going to give up without a fight.

"This isn't just about us anymore," she told Ethan. "We need to take control again, before someone else does it for us."

Ethan nodded. "Then let's take the gloves off.

Together, they began to plan their next move, determined to prove that their relationship—fake or not—could withstand anything.