PRIVATE LODGE
Mia trailed behind the two men silently.
The elevator ride felt suffocating, as though the silence itself had weight. No one spoke. The only sound was the quiet hum of the elevator moving between floors.
She held her file tightly against her chest, while her broken heel dangled loosely in her left hand.
Standing between two men who looked like they owned half the world made her suddenly aware of how small she felt.
Still, she lifted her chin.
Her eyes drifted briefly toward Ethan Blackwood.
For a strange moment, his scent reached her again subtle, expensive, calm. Surprisingly, it was soothing. She shook her head slightly, reminding herself not to read too much into it.
The elevator doors finally opened.
Mia heaved a quiet sigh of relief when they stepped onto the private executive floor.
The hallway was wide and silent, soft lights glowed from the ceiling while dark marble floors reflected their footsteps.
The two men walked with long, confident strides that were almost perfectly in sync.
Mia struggled behind them.
Her broken heel made walking even harder.
"Can they just take it easy?" she scoffed quietly under her breath.
Sebastian heard her clearly.
He slowed down slightly. She had no idea he had done so intentionally, letting her stumble safely without embarrassment.
"Ouch!"
She bumped straight into him and rubbed her forehead.
"Sorry miss," Sebastian said with a small smile.
"Come to the front."
He stepped aside, motioning for her to walk ahead.
"Thank you," she said politely.
She walked past them.
Ethan didn't even glance at her, though a flicker of observation crossed his mind.
"Mr Coldstone," she said with an eye roll.
Moments later they arrived at the Private Lodge.
A transparent glass door slid open automatically as Ethan approached.
He walked in with one hand tucked inside his pocket.
Mia stepped inside and immediately froze.
Her jaw slowly dropped.
The room screamed money.
A luxurious sofa sat in the center while elegant armchairs surrounded a sleek glass table. A mini-fridge stood quietly in the corner beside a modern coffee maker.
The walls were decorated with calm, expensive artwork.
Everything looked perfect, yet the entire space felt cold.
Dark colors, grey tones, and sharp lines.
Mia folded her arms slightly.
"Suits his personality," she muttered under her breath.
"Have your seat, Miss," Sebastian said kindly.
Mia nodded and sat down cautiously.
Ethan had already taken the opposite seat, his attention on the tablet in front of him.
Silence settled again.
Mia glanced around, then back at him. Then around again.
Finally she spoke.
"Mr… could you please tell me your name?"
No response.
His eyes remained on the tablet, analyzing something silently.
Mia sighed.
Then she spotted a letter on the table.
Her eyes moved from the letter to him.
"Oh okay… Mr E," she said calmly.
"You said there was another offer. Can we discuss that?"
Sebastian cleared his throat gently.
"Miss, rumours have been spreading about Mr Ethan. Rumours that could damage the reputation of the company."
Mia squinted slightly. She had no idea how those problems concerned her. But she listened.
"So where's the offer?" she asked.
"And where exactly do I come in?"
"Can you be direct, please?"
Sebastian was about to continue when Ethan finally spoke.
His voice was calm, yet his eyes bore into her.
"I need you to be my contracted wife."
Mia blinked.
"Come again?"
"I need you to be my contracted wife."
Sebastian waited for a reaction.
Ethan watched her carefully, studying her defiance.
Mia burst into laughter.
She laughed so hard tears almost formed in her eyes.
Sebastian stood there stunned; that was not the reaction he expected.
"I don't think I'm a clown or a comedian," Ethan said coldly. "This is not a comic show."
"This is more than a comic show, Mr E," she wiped her eyes.
"Who wakes up one morning and asks a stranger to become their contracted wife?"
She shook her head, still laughing.
Sebastian raised both hands.
"Miss, please let me explain…"
"I don't need your explanation." Her laughter disappeared instantly.
"I'm not interested in the offer.
He needs a human shield and I'm not ready to be one."
She stood up.
"Wait, Miss!" Sebastian called.
"Let her go," Ethan said flatly. He didn't even look at her.
Mia walked toward the door.
Sebastian followed quickly.
"In case you change your mind," he said, handing her a card. "This is his business card."
Mia took it reluctantly.
"I'm not changing my mind, but I'll take it because of you."
Sebastian smiled lightly.
"Also tell him he has a rotten personality."
She bowed slightly and turned.
"Are you okay walking barefoot? Should I get you sandals?" Sebastian asked.
"Thanks, I'm fine. I have flip-flops," she replied as she walked into the elevator.
Sebastian watched the doors close slowly.
"Interesting," he murmured.
Inside the lodge, Ethan was still seated.
"I know she must have lost her job because of that sharp mouth," Ethan said.
Sebastian chuckled.
"Wow. Someone's getting worked up."
Ethan glared at him.
"Alright, I surrender," Sebastian said, raising his hands.
"What next?" he asked.
"Collate the results for the applicants. I won't go with Chairman Roth's plan," Ethan said. "We'll handle the rumours another way."
"But I have a feeling that this lady is perfect for this," Sebastian said, leaning on the table thoughtfully.
Ethan didn't reply immediately.
For a brief moment, Mia's stubborn face flashed through his mind... crazy, annoying, and weirdly bold. Yet somehow… intriguing.
Sebastian smiled slightly.
"Let's find a way to convince her," he suggested.
Ethan finally spoke.
"Look into her background. Carefully."
-----------
FLORA HILL STREET
By the time Mia returned to her neighborhood, the sun had already set.
After the strange encounter at the company, she had spent most of the afternoon trying to clear her head.
Eventually she spotted a small store looking for someone to help with deliveries.
It was temporary, but she accepted
immediately.
She needed money. Her rent was due soon.
And Brielle's surgery couldn't wait forever.
The streets were quiet that night, only the sound of Mia's flip-flops hitting the pavement echoed softly.
She walked slowly. Her legs ached, her shoulders felt heavy, and her mind replayed the events of the day... the interview, the grumpy CEO, and the ridiculous marriage proposal.
She sighed.
"What kind of crazy man asks that?"
Suddenly her instincts sharpened. She felt someone walking behind her. Her body stiffened immediately, then her fingers tightened around her bag.
The few bucks she had earned that day had to be protected.
She slowed her steps slightly. Then the footsteps stopped.
Mia exhaled quietly.
But before she could relax…
A man suddenly appeared in front of her.
The smell of alcohol hit her immediately.
Mia stumbled backward.
"Who are you?" she asked cautiously.
Her eyes scanned the street. There was no one around.
"Just hand over the bag," the man slurred.
"I can't." Her voice was firm.
The situation felt strangely familiar, though she couldn't remember why.
The man lunged forward, before he could reach her…
THUD.
A stone struck his head. He collapsed instantly.
Mia stared in shock.
She looked up.
On a nearby rooftop stood Maxine, holding a catapult. She had clearly been watching.
The man scrambled up and ran, Mia kicked him hard on the way.
Within minutes, Mia reached her building.
Her apartment was only a short distance away.
She rushed upstairs to the rooftop.
But Maxine was gone.
Confused, Mia went to their apartment instead.
She knocked twice.
The door opened; Claire stood there.
"Good evening. Is Maxine inside?" Mia asked politely.
"She's asleep," Claire replied.
"But I saw her on the rooftop just now."
"She might have sleepwalked," Claire shrugged.
"Good night," she said before she closed the door.
Mia stood there confused.
"I just wanted to say thank you…"
She returned to her apartment, collapsed onto the couch.
The entire day replayed in her mind.
"The P.A is hot… Maxine's crush is justified," she frowned.
"But that walking cold man… who does he think he is?"
"Why am I even thinking about that asshole?"
Suddenly… her phone beeped.
A message appeared on the screen:
Payment for surgery should be made ASAP or surgery will be postponed. Pediatric Department.
Mia's phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor softly.
Brielle's surgery… postponed.
Her chest tightened.
She suddenly remembered the card Sebastian had given her.
Slowly, she turned her head toward the table where it lay.