Chapter 5: Five minutes

Maya held her burning cheek where Mrs. Sterling had slapped her. It felt hot, and she could swear it was red. Her fingers trembled as she pressed them against the sting, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Mr. Sterling sighed in his seat. “That was too far, don’t you think?” he said quietly, glancing at his wife.

Mrs. Sterling scoffed, flicking her hair back as though the matter was nothing. “Oh, please, darling you saw the way she spoke to me. Such insolence should be corrected.”

She casually walked back to her seat, while Maya just stood there, still frozen, holding her cheek.

Mrs. Sterling then turned toward Ethan, who had remained calm and silent through the entire scene.

“Mr. Ashford,” she began sweetly, “I am so sorry for her uncouth behavior. You see, she’s from the countryside so she lacks manners, proper training, and basic social grace. I sincerely apologize for that.”

Ethan didn’t respond. His expression didn’t change even a little. He simply dabbed his mouth with his napkin, as though none of this fazed him in the least. “Okay,”

Mrs. Sterling’s smile widened.

“Once she becomes your wife, you can handle her however you like. Discipline her, if you wish. I give you full permission.”

Maya’s head snapped toward her. “What?”

Mrs. Sterling ignored her reaction completely. “You’ll have to understand, Mr. Ashford,” she continued, “the girl has never been exposed to real society. She was raised by a woman who clearly didn’t teach her the meaning of respect.”

Mr. Sterling cleared his throat awkwardly. “Well, since the change was abrupt…” he glanced at Mr. Ashford, then at Maya. “We should give them some time to have a private conversation.”

Mrs. Sterling folded her arms. “Private conversation?” she scoffed, but Mr. Sterling gave her a look that made her huff and look away.

She turned to Maya again. “Right. You should have a private conversation. You better not mess this up, you hear?”

Ethan glanced at his watch. “Five minutes,” he said. “We could talk for five minutes. She can ask me any question she wants for just five minutes. I have somewhere to be.”

Mrs. Sterling nodded eagerly. “You heard him. Get up quickly! Mr. Ashford is very time conscious”

Maya didn’t move at first. Her head was still spinning.

“Oh, come on, get the fuck up,” Mrs. Sterling hissed.

She rose slowly.

“You can go to the balcony,” Mr. Sterling added.

The two men standing behind Ethan stepped forward and carefully helped him back into the wheelchair. He didn’t say a word as he turned toward the glass doors and wheeled himself out to the balcony.

Maya stood frozen for a moment, staring blankly at the floor.

“Move, you slowpoke!” Nelly spat, nudging her.

Maya blinked rapidly, her legs finally obeying. She started walking slowly toward the balcony. With each step she took, her heart raced faster, her palms damp with sweat. Her mind was spinning, she was about to speak with the cold, expressionless billionaire she was meant to marry.

The air on the balcony was cooler. She could hear the soft rustle of the evening wind. Ethan was already there, facing her, his back straight in the wheelchair.

He wasn’t saying anything.

She swallowed hard, her throat dry. His presence alone was intimidating. It was as if the evening wind had mixed with his cold aura.

Maya stopped a few steps away, unsure if she should speak first.

Ethan finally moved slightly. He raised his wrist and glanced at his watch.

“We have five minutes,” he said flatly. “It’s four minutes left. You don’t have any questions to ask me?”

Maya blinked, caught off guard by the way he measured time so accurately.

“Well,” she began softly, her voice trembling, “you were supposed to—”

Ethan raised a brow.

“You were supposed to get married to Nelly,” Maya continued quickly, “and things were changed last minute, so… why didn’t you object?”

“I was getting married to Nelly as the daughter of the Sterlings. Since they needed my help, the arrangement was set. You are also Mr. Sterling’s daughter, and so the bride was switched to you. It doesn’t matter if it’s Nelly or you.” He said immediately.

Maya’s eyes widened slightly.

So it was about the marriage and not the bride.

“But why?” she asked quietly.

Ethan looked at her, his expression unreadable. “I need to get married for some reasons.”

That was it? No elaboration…Just that?

The wind blew at Maya’s hair, sending a shiver down her spine.

Maya swallowed. “Do you even know my name?”

Ethan glanced at her briefly. “Maya Sterling, formerly Maya Hart, 20 years old, from the countryside, biological daughter of Mr. Sterling. That’s all I need to know.”

Maya’s eyes widened. “Wait… how did you know that? I just got here today!”

He smirked faintly. “Nothing serious. I’m aware of everything. One of my men was among the ones who went to get you, so I know everything.”

Maya swallowed. “So… you’re okay getting married to someone you don’t even know?”

“Strangers get along better than lovers when emotions aren’t involved. I prefer peace.”

Maya’s heart raced. She blinked, trying to process his words. “Marriage isn’t supposed to be like that. You can’t just treat it like a business deal.”

“I can and I will.”

She looked down. “So… it doesn’t matter who the bride is, as long as the arrangement works?”

“That’s correct,” he said simply.

“What are you like… as a husband?”

Ethan’s eyes lifted to meet hers. “I don’t know,” he said flatly. “I’ve never been a husband before.”

Maya blinked, caught off guard. What kind of answer is that? she thought. That wasn’t how normal people replied to such a question. She sighed softly, her fingers fidgeting.

Maya looked at him. “What if I say… no?”

“You won’t,” he said, leaning back slightly in his wheelchair.

Maya frowned. “And what makes you so sure?”

“You already know what happens if you do.”

Maya’s lips parted, but she didn’t say anything. Her heart pounded so loudly she could hear it in her ears. She opened her mouth to ask another question but then Ethan glanced at his watch.

Without saying a word, he reached into the side of his jacket and pulled out a small black velvet box.

He flipped it open with one hand, revealing a simple yet elegant diamond ring that gleamed under the balcony light.

“Time’s up,” he said as his eyes lifted to meet hers.

“Maya Sterling,” he said evenly, “will you marry me?”