Maya’s Pov

I cleared the fog on the mirror caused by the steam from the hot shower, staring at my reflection and taking prominent note of the hickies surrounding my neck down my shoulder. This guy’s a beast. 

It’s not enough that the heat was so much this time of the year but I’ll have to wear turtle neck sleeves to keep this from sight. I groaned, banged my head against the wall and winced from the pain. 

I clutched my fist, I can’t and won’t take this.I have to pay him back, why should I be the one suffering alone?  But what can I do? 

“Urgh” I groaned turning off the shower and putting on my robe. I walked out of the shower, trying to come up with a scheme to get back at him. 

I screamed out my lungs when I saw a certain figure sitting on my bed with a glare meant to decapitate a certain individual named ‘me’ at sight. 

I stared at Izzy flabbergasted, why was she giving me her killer look usually preserved specifically for her Dad. I took a deep breath trying to calm my pounding heart. 

“Why are you here? ” I asked trying to reduce the tension hanging around this awkward silence. 

“Why were you with him? ” she retorted stunning me at once. She knew I was with him? 

“Him? “

“Don’t give me that look, you know by now who am talking about?” Izzy said coldly, not taking her curious  eyes off me. 

Amazed,  I asked her “H-how did you know? “

For a short while, the glare disappeared as a sardonic smirk curved her lips “You just told me” Came her reply. I mentally smacked my forehead, she just tricked me .

“I know what you’re thinking but we really didn’t do anything “I tried defending but her glare forced the truth out of my mouth voluntarily. “Aside from making out” I added 

“But I’m really innocent here, he’s the one who forced me” I defended trying to salvage what’s left of my innocent reputation 

” Then you should sue him”

“Huh? ” Confusion muddled my brain, what did she mean? 

“Don’t you know? That’s called sexual harassment”

“????”

I clutched my temple, knowing discussing this further with her would only leave me at a loss.  “Fine, what do you want from me? “

She shrugged innocently as she answered “Nothing ” but I know by now than to be deceived by this little devil. 

“Nothing? ” I scoffed “Your mouth says a word but you definitely act contrarily “

“I just love seeing the expression on your face, already you don’t fake yours unlike his other women , moreover there’s this vein in your head that threatens to pop out whenever you’re angry “

“….”

I almost spat blood, how did this girl  know too much. She’s definitely not human. Not only does she have a high IQ but a high and good EQ assessment.

“Your point? ” I groaned 

“I was just messing around with you. Also, I give you the permission to sleep with that man cause I need a sibling pretty soon. This one woman revenge is getting pretty tiring lately  , I need a helping hand “

I froze not believing the words coming out of her mouth. My cheeks began to burn as I recalled the contents of her words. Disbelief displayed on my face, wasn’t she an innocent ten year old, how could she be  this enlightened and shameless? what’s this world turning into?

As if she read my mind, She said

“Don’t worry , I can be more shameless than that man when the occasion calls for it . Come down for supper ” and that being said , she left banging my door shut. 

I stood momentarily shocked to the core, what the hell was going on? I gulped but it didn’t seem to ease the dryness in my throat nor did the churning effect in my stomach stop. I knew that man she was referring to was her father, both father and daughter were competing for shamelessness .

I dressed up wearing a simple yellow turtle neck woolly gown with my hair falling around my shoulder .

I didn’t come down immediately, I lingered around for a while . I didn’t know why I was hesitating but I had a bad feeling about tonight, both father and daughter were schemers and I’m caught in the middle of it. who knows what they have in store for me for the night?

When it was evident I couldn’t stay any longer judging from the number of knocks on my door by the maids urging and in some cases commanding me to get my ass downstairs courtesy of Nik.

The way I was being treated here, one would mistake me for a newly Wed instead of a nanny.

I took a deep breath, tucking my feelings quite well before heading  downstairs only to have all eyes on me. All eyes including Eden and Emily. They were here? I glanced at Nik and understood why he was forcing me down here. 

Father and daughter pinned me with a look, the way they were staring at me seemed like I was a prize to be won and glared at others as if they were their competitors .What the hell was wrong with both? 

Eden stood from his seat heading towards me as I held my breath. I could feel father and daughter’s murderous aura, they would kill someone pretty soon. 

“You’re pretty as always” Eden took my hand and placed a peck on the back of my palm. At that same time, Nik’s eyes bore into mine and I choked, getting myself into a coughing fit. 

Eden stood perplexed as my coughs intensified “You okay? ” 

I nodded unable to reply at the moment, next I knew someone brought a glass of water to my lips. I hurriedly gulped the whole content down and didn’t notice anything weird happening. Unknown to me, positions were changed as Izzy said to her uncle 

“Don’t worry, I’ll take it from here”

Eden was taken aback by her overprotective attitude. The way she was behaving, one would think she was taking care of her boyfriend. 

I felt a hand smooth over my back and soon enough, the fit ended. I stood shocked to the marrow to discover Izzy was the one taking care of me all this time while Eden looked disgruntled as if a golden opportunity was snatched from him. 

Nik smiled , a look of admiration in his eyes at his daughter’s quick wit as if to say, indeed you’re my blood while Emily stared horrified at the scene. What the fuck, She’ll probably say. 

Because the welcome ceremony was short-lived by the *cough* , I just said a simple welcome to Emily though I ended up sitting beside her with Nik at the other side while Izzy and Eden sat across .

The maids quietly served the meals as an awkward silence fell upon us but Emily the chatty came to the rescue. 

“So, how has your stay here being? “

I swallowed. *cough *cough* Aside from the constant sexual harassment as called by your niece from your brother and the constant heart attack from your niece, it’s been okay.  I answered mentally 

“Great” I answered with a forced smile but I caught the way she threw  an accusing stare at Nik  and knew she already figured what was happening. She definitely knew her brother well. 

“Has Izzy being giving you any trouble? “

“Isabella “Nik corrected.

“I don’t give a damn fuck ” Emily retorted and Nik shut his mouth firmly . Emily was the only person so far that I’ve seen with the ability to tame Nik.

“Of course not”I laughed “She’s been a good girl ” I answered with a smile bright enough to blind even the sun but Emily once again passed an accusing stare at Izzy.

It seems whatever I said meant the opposite to her, I was amazed. She knew the father and daughter duo perfectly well. 

“Then I must have worried for nothing ” She murmured relieved but when our eyes met, they were communicating another to me,

‘ Keep on lying and soon enough, you won’t be able to distinguish your lie from the truth ‘

“So what happened to your cellphone, I’ve being calling but you haven’t been picking up ?” Eden said saving me from Emily’s soul boring stares but leaving me confused at the same time  

“What? “

By my side, I felt Nik stiffen but I didn’t put much thought to the sudden change in his demeanor as I focused on my attention on Eden. 

“I definitely didn’t receive any of your calls ” I stood my ground knowing a clear heart feareth no accusation.

“Then take a look at this ” Eden said producing a cellphone out of his pocket and handling it over to me.I took his phone and went to his call log and my eyes bulged from its socket. 

A hundred plus unanswered call?!! 

Horror recoiled through me “This is impossible” I murmured and produced my own phone handling over to Eden as he went through it leaving everyone confused and startled at our drama. 

“This is impossible ” Eden murmured as shocked as I was “Unless someone purposely intercepted the ca… ” Eden trailed off but his point was already made. I followed the direction of his eyes and it rested on Nik, suddenly it all clicked into place. 

The only person capable and with such power to do such a thing was Nik Spencer .I always wondered, kept thinking why Eden never called.

The way he hit on me that fateful day we met, told me he wasn’t going to give up on me that easily and it turned out right , just that a certain person was working behind the scene all that time. 

I stared at Nik, he ate his meal calm and collected not even bothered by the accusing stare I was giving him. I laughed in disbelief, this man was a total jerk. I stood abruptly and faced him ” Let’s talk”

He cast a lazy gaze on me saying  “Its rude to interrupt a meal, can’t you have a little patience? “

“I’ll be waiting for you outside then ” I spat  “Enjoy your meal as much as you want ” and left waiting for whenever the asshole was going to show up. I clutched my fist, seething anger surging through my veins .

Not long he appeared , not even a slight remorse on his face, there was no way this guy’s human. There was no sign of nervousness nor apprehension and I’m sure as hell he wasn’t sorry for anything . 

“Why did you do it? “I questioned staring him in the eyes. My heart hammered against my chest, my blood was boiling hot. 

“Do I have to answer for every action I carry out? ” I stared in disbelief. I chuckled contemptuously at my pathetic self, was I that blinded by lust that I didn’t see this cruel side of him. 

“Really? ” I scoffed  “I’m definitely stupid, it was totally a bad idea coming here and I just realized it now “

“So what are you going to do? Quit? come-on honey, we’ve being there before “

“Oh, I know”I answered “That’s why this time, there’s no turning back” I said preparing to leave but he held my arm drawing me back. 

“Eden was never going to be a good  influence, he was going to use you against me  so I got rid of him for you, shouldn’t you be grateful? ” He gritted, griping my arm a little too tight for my liking 

“Grateful? ‘I snorted “Even if he was, it was never your call to make, it was my fucking business to deal with! But You come out of nowhere and make a complete fool out of me, without asking for my opinion and say it was the best for me!!!!! ” I yelled “You know what? I Fucking want you out of my life, you’re so authoritative, arrogant, cold and domineering and I don’t think I can take take any of that bullshit anymore!! “

“What about the contract? ” Nik growled , his voice a pitch away from loosing his control  “You know the consequences ” he breathed, a warning tone in his voice but I wasn’t going to be threatened by that anymore 

I gave him a cold smile that sent goosebumps down his arms “Don’t worry” I said as I ground my teeth in fury  “As I said before, even if it means selling my body I’ll pay you back”

That said, I flung his hand away  and turned to leave but his hand grabbed mine again  as he roared “You’re not going any…! “

A sharp crack was heard as my hand  landed on his left cheek ” Don’t you dare touch me! ” I roared and left , leaving him momentarily stunned. 

Since he got rid of my things there wasn’t much to pack so I was done in the blink of an eye.

Downstairs, Emily and Eden stared at me shocked to the marrow while Izzy simply glared and left for her room and banged the door so hard that the force of it reverberated through the whole house. 

“I’m sorry but I don’t think I can do this anymore ” I apologized and left before any of them  could protest or convince me back. 

Outside Nik stood watching as I flung my bag over my shoulder .Even in the dark I could make out the red imprint on his left cheek. Did I do it too hard?  I wanted to ask but I couldn’t let myself, delay was dangerous. So without looking back nor muttering a goodbye, I left. Away from the house, away from him until everything became a dark past.