Maya’s Pov 

I felt a storm , more like a typhoon coming . Having Izzy and Annabelle in the same room was like asking the government and criminals to coexist in a lawless society . One kept talking  while the other kept glaring while I had no idea where to begin. 

Today was Monday the first day of school, and per Mr Adam’s order, his granddaughters Izzy and Annabelle has to attend the same school . So Annabelle had to withdraw from her old school in France and come down here.

Unlike Izzy, she obeyed willingly without throwing a tantrum but Izzy was sulking and pleading not to be in the same grade with her. 

According to her Dad, notwithstanding  her age, she was supposed to be in the seventh grade. Izzy’s  naturally intelligent and has an IQ of 160, the girl could be termed a genius but Mr Adam’s opinion was quite different. 

According to her grandfather, Izzy’s too young to be rushed through life. Genius or not , she must go step after step until she’s old enough to make a responsible decision that she’s capable and willing to bear the consequences.

Moreover, the old man wants no love lost between the cousins, he doesn’t want them to end up like his two unfilial sons . 

Only if they know how much he nags and complains about them to me

Even though we’ve parted, Mr Adam still stays intouch with me, since his unfilial son Nik doesn’t bother to call nor ask about him, so he gets all his information through me .

Note: I’m not spying, just being an effective and concerned nanny. 

“Sir!! ” Izzy whined as soon as her father came into view as I stiffened at the her announcement . Everyone knows Izzy calls Nik everything except  ‘ Father’ and ‘Dad’

Since the night of the ridiculous proposal, I’ve being avoiding him and thankfully, after that day, he’s being quite busy with work. 

Maybe because it’s being long I’ve seen him but he looked kind of haggard and lean, it’s seem he’s being working a little too much. There was an etch of tiredness on his face and a lot of stubbles on his jaw which made him a whole lot sexy to look at.

It seems he went back to bed after Izzy threw her first tantrum at six in the morning  cause his hair was ruffled and spiking in all direction while he kept rubbing his eyes.  

Even though he lost some weight,he didn’t lose his charisma or the ability to make my throat go dry, he carried the dream look every woman would love waking up to every morning. 

“Morning ” I greeted avoiding his gaze and busied myself going through Annabelle’s backpack . I felt his heated gaze on me but I pretended not to feel anything 

“Morning ” He replied back after a short while, his voice husky as I felt it vibrate through my bones.

Hell, I was having a hard time subsiding the urge to run my hands through his hair. I clutch my hands into fist, seriously Maya keep your hands to yourself 

Even though I deceived myself into pretending he doesn’t exist, I knew sooner than later I was going to face the music. 

“I think your things are complete” I said to Annabelle after the assessment as I handed her backpack over to her. 

“Thank you ” She said politely  completely surprising me. I thought  everyone said  she was a spoiled brat but she doesn’t look like one to me,I guess you should never judge a book by its cover .

Since Nik’s place was a whole lot closer to their new school and I had to be the one taking them to school, Annabel had to first come over before we all head for school. 

I looked over at Izzy,  she was having  a staring contest with  her father who looked like he wasn’t going to back down. 

I felt like ripping Nik’s hair all off,  I know Izzy can be stubborn and her demands often out of this world but couldn’t he just give in for once. 

“You lied” Izzy accused with a dark expression and a furrowed  brow as she skimmed her Dad with a blizzard – like gaze  replicating an exact example of her  dad when angry . If Izzy had been a boy, she would have being a spitting image of her Dad. 

Genes never lie

“Don’t give me that look, blame your beloved Grandfather ”  Nik said breaking the eye contact as she heaved up and down in anger. 

“Morning uncle” Annabelle greeted after the air become less threatening. Annabelle was obviously not oblivious of what was going on but she seemed not bothered by it, proving she have witnessed this kind of scenes in the past.

“Good morning honey pie ” Nik said as he placed a gentle peck on Annabelle’s forehead.

Unfortunately , it happened that as Nik walked towards Annabelle, he brushed past me as our skin met and I felt electricity course through my body.

Maybe I was the only one that felt it but I jerked away from him as if he was poison. Luckily for me no one noticed my sudden movement cause they weren’t paying attention to me.

I moved away from uncle and niece not wanting another episode like this to occur again. 

Since I was through with Annabelle  , I went upstairs to change into a casual wear. It was reported that I had to spend the whole day observing the  children’s progress in class most especially Izzy’s.

So I grabbed everything I needed to spend the rest of the  day with  and headed downstairs when I heard their arguments 

“Izzy you shouldn’t be angry , Grandpa’s just worried for you. He doesn’t want to rush your childhood, he wants you to enjoy it. ” A voice which I can proudly recognize  as Annabelle’s tried to reason  with Izzy but the other party….. Well,  you can  say had a different point of view. 

“Or maybe you can just admit you’re so much filled with joy that I get to spend this miserable fifth grade with you” she  sneered glaring daggers at everyone at sight. 

“I’m outta here ” She said and stride away but it seems she forgot something cause her feet came to an abrupt stop 

She turned  and faced her father  ” Fine! ” She snapped ” you don’t wanna help me out? Don’t worry, I will do everything to get myself out of this shit, just be prepared for that ” She threatened with fire  burning in the orbs of her eyes and made an epic leave. 

Instinctively, I knew everything she said was true. Izzy wasn’t one to make such a threat and leave it undone, she would surely accomplish it at all cost.

“Let’s  go ” I said  to Annabelle  who wasn’t quite shaken by Izzy’s  words. 

“OK ” Annabelle said excitedly  as she stood from the chair she was sitting on earlier 

Just as I was about to leave, I heard a voice that  made me freeze right away.

“Maya ” Nik said softly as my heart began to beat faster than usual. His voice was sweet in the ear and I knew I would definitely get lost in my imaginary world if I don’t snap back to reality pretty soon. 

“Mmhmm? ” I said making a mental note to remember to breathe 

” Take care of the  kids ”  He said as I responded positively  with a

“Mmmm ”

I was afraid that if I opened my mouth, I was going to say something I would possibly regret afterward. 

I swore that I saw his lips move as if he had something more to say to me  but he looked away and left without even a goodbye. 

I sighed in disappointment .why was I even dissapointed? It’s  not like we’re dating and I actually needed a goodbye kiss or something like that, right? . So I turned to leave 

Perhaps I was pulled so suddenly cause I jumped in fright when I felt someone touch my arm . With one quick thrust, he planted a kiss on my lips with a violent passion. 

No matter how much I struggled, he wouldn’t loosen me from his embrace instead he plunged deeper like an unruly horse into the kiss. 

By the time he was through, he pulled me close to his chest and whispered into my ears dangerously with a low tone

“I’ll  keep seducing you day by day,  little by little, till you agree to be my wife. So don’t think I’m done with you . Goodbye and have a nice day” Nik said, making his point known and left, leaving me rooted to the ground. 

What just happened?

I rub my chest trying to get some air back into my lungs. It took me  quite some time to get my senses back cause I walked out of the house barely taking note of my surroundings bumping into one thing or the other. 

Thankfully, the  children were already out of the house before that perverted  guy decided to suck me dry else I would’ve being   embarrassed to death. 

I entered the  car while trying to hide my burning cheeks that were as red as an overriped tomato  but Izzy gave me knowing looks while Annabelle was completely oblivious and thankfully she kept her mouth shut. 

I wouldn’t deny it , even though it  was unexpected and totally not necessary but Nik’s a good kisser and I enjoyed it. Though I might deny it  but secretly I yearned for that kiss but now it’s all confusing. 

I felt cheated, how many girls have he used this trick on? Is he doing this for the thrill?  Is he bragging to his friends how stupid I am believing his words? 

No matter what, feelings or not, I still couldn’t trust this guy. There  was no way on earth  he would leave someone as rich and groomed like Tina to go for someone like me without an ulterior motive. It was just impossible. 

Nik’s a playboy  and they’re more intrigued with girls who play hard to get…. Maybe that’s why.

But still I knew he wouldn’t give up, just like his daughter, they  don’t give up on something they want badly, so I had to be mentally, emotionally and physically prepared, probably. 

Maybe I was lost in thought for a long time cause I flinched when someone  called my name 

“Urm?  Sorry,  my bad ” I apologized to Annabelle  while  Izzy just snorted  from behind.

Annabelle was sitting in the front seat with me as I drove to school while Izzy had the whole  backseat  to herself. 

“You were saying? ”

‘Nice manicure ” Annabelle  said with an excited glint in her eyes as she asked ” Where did you get it done? ”

“Oh this? “I said with pride “I do it myself ” I explained further showing off my workmanship .

“Oh ” Annabelle  said,  the excitement in her eyes dimming  at once. What was wrong? 

Thinking I might have said something wrong i tried to elevate her spirit by praising her’s but that  was a huge mistake 

“Yours not  bad,  where did you get them ” I asked  innocently 

“Oh this” She said with a smug smile on her lips “My makeup company works on it everyday ” She said putting on airs as I made a mental note not to ask her questions pertaining to her wealth again but she wasn’t close to being done as she rattled on

“My dad got me my own private makeup company when I was six years old as a birthday present and ever since then it’s being expanding.I have three branches, one in Paris, Miami and in Los Vegas. I take my friends to go visit there sometimes and they all swoon on how much they want to be me or have my type of father which is totally impossible. Well last summer I tried opening my own  clothing line…. ”

” Which was closed down because it went bankrupt due to your inability to manage your resources,  yeah everyone knows about that ” Izzy cut in saving me my breath  but she wasn’t through with her nerve-wracking scolding. 

“If you want to boost about your capability,  go do it with a worthy opponent and maybe if your head works as fast as your mouth does, your clothing line wouldn’t have being shut down ” Izzy retorted crudely.

How savage

I suddenly wondered how Annabelle could take much of her cousin’s heartbreaking taunts. 

Annabelle glared at Izzy as she bit down hard on her lips with tears glittering at her eyes, threatening to spill anytime soon  

” You’re so mean !!  Taunt me just because your publishing company is going so well” Annabelle cried out, she brought her legs up-to her stomach and then placed her head on her laps and began to weep.

Izzy had a publishing company? And a successful one at that? 

Tell me something.

“Crybaby ” Izzy murmured with a blank expression on her face as she looked out the window. 

I groaned pressing my free hand on my temple, this was definitely going to be a long day for me. 

Through out the rest of our journey to school, I spent it trying to soothe Annabelle who wouldn’t stop crying, the girl was indeed a crybaby.  

Annabelle arrived school with red puffy eyes while Izzy had a smug smile on her lips. Thankfully, since their registration and documents has already been done beforehand, I just had to settle them  down for class. 

Soon enough class began and as custom demands , they  had to come to the front of the class and introduce themselves. 

As usual, Annabelle filled with energy announced cheerfully 

“Hi I’m Annabelle Spencer and I promise as long as we work together, you all are never going to regret a thing”

The whole class cheered and gave her an applause as she hurried to her seat thanks to the  teacher’s direction 

When it came to Izzy’s turn, unlike Annabelle’s cheerful  demeanor , her dark gaze was similar to the devil himself.

There wasn’t an ounce of smile in her face, infact she looked like a demon straight out of hell and I couldn’t help  but notice a little  girl in the front seat who cried out 

“She’s so scary”

But Izzy wasn’t swayed at all as she started 

” Name’s  Izzy Spencer and trust me, I don’t need you losers around  me ”

Everyone was stunned including the homeroom teacher, I’m  not left out.

Noticing the tense and awkward environment, the teacher tried to loosen it a bit but that was her greatest mistake 

“Erm children, what she means to say is that she doesn’t like being surrounded by people  a lot it… ”

“Who made you my spokesperson? ” Izzy threw as I choked on my saliva. What the f***ing hell! 

The teacher’s brow furrowed, confusion setting  in as she fiddled with her hands nervously  “I was just… ”

“I believe I meant each and every word I said so I don’t need any alterations ” Izzy cut in making her point clear as the teacher could only open and close her mouth helplessly. 

Poor teacher , I mouthed.

Izzy didn’t need any direction as she occupied a vacant seat at the back of the class  near the window. 

After the awkward life threatening silence, the  first lesson which was mathematics began .The maths teacher taught them on Problem solving :

1:Multi-step words problems.    

2:Words problems with extra or missing information.

3:Guess and check  problems 

Everything went well except Izzy didn’t spare a glance at the white board while the teacher rambled on and on to the children who nodded in understanding until it got to the question and answer session. 

Everything was going perfectly as the teacher threw questions at them and they answered, some correctly and some wrong after which they were corrected.

Annabelle even get one correct and she received an applause from the students as well as a compliment from the teacher until the teacher threw a very specific trick question. 

“There are twelve birds on a tree, a hunter shoots six, how many birds are left? ” Came the teacher’s question 

Annabelle raised a hand up

“Yes? ” the teacher responded 

“Six are left” Answered  Annabelle  confidently 

“Wrong”  The teacher responded leaving the class astonished while Annabelle was left with a sulky expression .

Everyone  was sure the answer  was six, well everyone except Izzy who wasn’t in the least bothered by the sudden commotion 

“Another person ?” The  teacher requested but no one dared raise their hand  . Just when the teacher was about to answer the question , a hand appeared from the back 

” yes? ”

“I’ll  answer but on one condition ” Izzy said and I held my breath as I noticed that mischievous glint in her eyes. She was definitely up to something. 

The  maths teacher looked up intrigued at the sudden challenge 

“Fine, what’s your  condition? ” The teacher said taking off her glasses as she stared at Izzy  intensely but she didn’t falter at once instead she faced the teacher head-on. 

“You  answer my question first ”

The teacher stared at her silently for a while before she finally muttered “Go on ”

With a smirk on her lips, she began “If there are twelve fishes and half of them drown, how many are left? ”

Flustered, the  teacher cried out ” Of course twelve, fishes don’t drown! ”

“Of course none, birds don’t stay still after they’re startled.So maybe next time,you should come up with a better question for the class”

What?!!!!!!!!! 

I almost  spat blood. How could she speak to her teacher that way?!!.  Just when I was about to interfere before the teacher explodes my phone choose that moment to ring. I would’ve ignored it but after I glanced at the caller ID,  I froze 

“Kim? ” My sister ?

What was going on?