pls help

me and my boyfriend have been together for around 2 months.. i’ve known him ever since 2 years. We are really close, and we know everything about eachother. He helps me grow, helps me with school work, and makes me feel safe.

Recently, he came all the way to my country to see me. I’m young i make mistakes, so i didn’t tell my mother about this trip. Me and him hung out for one day, that’s when my mother had found out. she was verrry upset with my actions, and i completely understand.

The relationship that me and him share is very special one. Our main goal is to help eachother grow, no bad intentions at all. However, there is a huge drawback too this relationship.

im 16 and he’s 23.

our consent laws here are that i am 16, i am able to give consent.

However, my mom gives the impression that she wants me to date a teenage boy. I don’t want too.

this relationship has helped me grow so much, it’s insane. It’s been 7 months of talking and we just click.

he makes it clear that his intentions with me are pure, in fact he was very hesitated to even start a relationship with me due to age. He did research on my country and it’s fine because i’m 16.

the worst part about this situation is the lying

i know my mother very well, but not well enough. He has been trying to grow a bond with my mother so that she can also see that his intentions are pure,

HOWEVER, he told her that he was 18, not 23.

him and my mother are planning to talk.

him and i haven’t come to a decision, stick with 18. or tell the truth?

but the scary part is that if he tells the truth, there’s a huge change my mother won’t accept it. Telling the truth is good- but it’s very scary. i’m scared. i don’t know what to do. he helps me everyday. i don’t want to lose him.. he is not a bad person nor does he have any bad intent…

What should i do?