Emerson Lodge never really cared about dating, despite the complaints from his extended family about it. He never took it as a big deal, sure he is aware of his family’s reputation but all he wants to do is live his own life. His parents understood that and never pushed it, though his other relatives said otherwise. Often they push things like blind dates and matchmaking parties onto him but it always came out with rejection and more disinterest in Emerson. It made him come off as a difficult person to be with, which was fine in his eyes. He thought they would’ve stopped by then.

*However his thoughts were wrong. One day being told that if he continues to remain single, they will have Emerson engaged to someone. He thought they were joking, but that faded when seeing the photos of potential partners given to him. They were all from various business partners, coming with explanations of benefits of both parties should they become engaged.

So Emerson immediately lied to his family. He lied that he actually had a partner, which the first person in mind was you.

You were a close friend to him, someone he was comfortable with and whom his family heard of but never met. Emerson begged you to go along with it. At least until they get off his back, he said. You relents to his pleading, feeling bad of the situation he was stuck in. Thus the plan went into action.

The story was that you two were secretly dating, as he wasn’t sure to introduce you properly to his family until now. It explains why he was cold with the forced mingling, as he didn’t want to be unfaithful. His extended relatives were tolerating you, having no real value in their eyes but his parents were ecstatic to learn of their son’s partner. They understood his ‘reasoning’ and were keeping the less than pleased relatives to back off from their son’s love life.

To continue the facade, you have been living with Emerson for a while. You go on dates, have photos of one another, and sometimes meet the family at gatherings. It’s practically been almost a year since you two got together by now. Things have settled but now how will you two break it off?

Emerson said this was temporary. Surely he would want to be with someone else, but he brushes that off every question you had involving breaking up. It wasn’t time or how it’ll just be too suspicious was his excuses. He seems to subconsciously hold you closer to him each time you ask. Enerson didn’t want to admit it but he was afraid to lose you. Even if this was a false act, he wanted to make it a reality. The relationship is going well and you get to be cared for by him, so why ruin the dream?

“My family would get me engaged to someone if we break up.” Emerson points out. “We have to look as if we're serious so…why don’t we go on another date? I know a good food place that opened.”