The billionaire's second chance

Chapter 5: The Line of Fire

The penthouse was completely empty and quiet. Mayas hand dropped from Ethans vest. She was shocked by what Ethan had told her. The news of Noah Sterlings move was terrifying.

"The contract that was signed?" Mayas voice was very quiet. She could hear her heart beating in her ears. "How did he get it? It was in your safe since yesterday afternoon."

Ethan looked away from her. He turned to Liam. The air in the room got colder. "Liam, who can get into that safe besides you and me?"

"No one, Ethan. I promise," Liam said quickly. He was typing on his computer to find out how the contract got out. "The backup is encrypted. It's on a server. No one can get to it unless they break into the office or hack into my computer. It's impossible."

"Nothing is impossible for Noah Sterling when he wants something badly " Ethan said loudly. His voice shook the room. He started walking forth. "Hes lying about having the contract.. He knows enough to make the board believe him. If he shows them a part of the contract tonight they will cancel the merger right away."

Maya leaned against the kitchen counter. Her mind was spinning. The five million dollars for her foundation the kids she wanted to help her own job. It was all falling apart.. When she looked at Ethan she saw how tense he was. His shoulders were tight. His fists were clenched. She felt a surge of energy and determination.

She was not a victim in this story. She knew the truth now. Ethan had protected her seven years ago. He had broken his heart to keep her family safe from his father. She was not going to let Noah Sterling hurt him now.

"Then we don't let him show it " Maya said clearly.

Ethan stopped walking. He turned to her surprised. "Maya, if he has someone on the inside -"

"It doesn't matter what that person says if we change the story before he can say anything " Maya said. She walked towards Ethan. Her eyes were locked on his. "Ethan you said it yourself. We have a history. If we go to the gala tonight and act like we're hiding something we will lose.. If we go there and tell them the truth we take away his power."

"What do you mean?" Ethan asked. His voice was low and rough. He stared at her amazed by her confidence.

"We don't deny what happened in the photo " Maya explained. "We use it to our advantage. We tell the board that we got engaged quickly because we realized we couldn't waste any time. If Noah Sterling shows the contract we say it was an agreement to protect Glance Corps assets."

Liam laughed loudly from across the room. "That's perfect. A prenuptial agreement is good business. It explains everything."

Ethan didn't look at Liam. He kept looking at Maya. His eyes were filled with admiration and longing. He reached out. Gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. His touch was light and gentle.

"You shouldn't have to fight for me Maya " Ethan whispered. His voice cracked with emotion.

"I'm not just doing it for you, Ethan " Maya said softly. "I'm doing it for the foundation.. Maybe... For the boy who protected my family when he had no one to protect him."

Ethans jaw tightened. He pulled his hand back. His mask of determination was back.

"Liam get the legal team to draft an agreement that matches what Noah Sterling might have " Ethan said. "Maya the gala starts at eight. We have four hours to convince everyone that we're in love."

The Grand Ballroom of the Rockefeller Center was transformed into a winter wonderland. It was the important event in Manhattans social calendar. Tonight it was a battlefield.

When the doors opened the atmosphere in the room changed.

Maya walked into the ballroom with Ethan. She was wearing a midnight-blue gown. Ethan looked handsome in a tuxedo. They were the center of attention.

The whispers started immediately. People were talking about them.

Ethan ignored the whispers. He walked slowly towards the center of the room where the board members were gathered.

Before they could reach the group Noah Sterling appeared. He was holding a briefcase and had a look of triumph on his face.

"Ah the happy couple arrives in time " Noah announced loudly. "I must say, Ethan, your performance is impressive.. It's about to end."

Ethan stopped. He turned to face Noah. "You're making a scene, Noah. Walk away while you still can."

Noah sneered. "My dignity is fine Ethan.. Yours is about to be ruined. I have the proof that your engagement's a fake."

A gasp went through the room. Mrs. Vanderbilts expression turned cold.

"Ethan, is this true?" she asked.

Before Ethan could answer Maya stepped forward. She looked at Noah with an confident smile.

"Noah you're desperate and its embarrassing " Maya said clearly. "You have a document with our signatures on it."

" course it has your signatures " Noah said. "You're trying to fake an engagement."

Maya laughed softly. "The document you have is our agreement. When Ethan and I decided to get married his lawyers insisted on a prenup to protect Glance Corps assets. The five million dollars is for my foundation. It's all legal and authorized by the board."

Liam stepped forward. He was holding his tablet. "The prenuptial agreement was filed with the registry this afternoon. It's all procedure."

The rooms energy changed instantly. The suspicion in Mrs. Vanderbilts eyes disappeared. She looked relieved and impressed.

Noahs face turned red, with anger. "This is a lie! You're covering it up!"

Ethan stepped forward. He was tall and powerful. He made Noah take a step back.

"Noah you're finished " Ethan said. His voice was low and menacing.

Ethan said to Sterling "The photo from night was not okay Sterling. It was a problem for my fiancée and me. We were talking about something that's very personal something that your family does not know about Sterling. My fiancée and I have been apart for a time and now we are finally back together. If you think you can use our struggles to take my company you are wrong Sterling."

He turned to the board members. Said, "Lets go to the dining hall now. We need to finish the -merger toast."

Mrs. Vanderbilt said, "That is an idea, Ethan." She looked at Noah with disgust. Then led the board members away. The rest of the people. They started saying good things about Ethan.

Noah was left standing feeling very bad. His plan did not work.

Ethan did not even look at him. He took Maya to a balcony and they were alone. The city lights were very pretty. The night sky was cool.

Maya was very relieved. She let out a big breath. Her knees were a little weak. Ethan caught her. He put his arms around her waist. Pulled her close. Maya put her arms around his neck. She buried her face in his shoulder.

"We did it " she said. "We actually did it Ethan."

Ethan said, "You did it Maya. You were amazing Maya. You saved everything, Maya."

Maya said, "I told you I would not let him hurt us, Ethan."

They did not say anything for a moment. It was not an angry silence. It was a moment and they both felt it, Ethan and Maya.

Ethan looked at Mayas lips. He started breathing heavily. He put his hand on her spine. His fingers touched her hair.

"Maya..." he. His voice was full of emotion Ethans voice.

He leaned down. Kissed her. It was a kiss, not just, for show. They were alone. They both felt it Ethan and Maya.

Maya. She pulled him close. She felt happy and scared at the time Maya did.

When they stopped kissing they were both breathing heavily. They rested their foreheads against each other. The wind was blowing around them.

Ethan said, "Six months, Maya. I do not know what I will do when our contract is over Maya."

Maya looked at him. She felt a little scared. She realized that their contract was not real. Their love was, Ethans and Mayas love.