Niklaus's POV

"What if I'm falling for you?"

I froze when Maya said those words to me, I never saw that one coming. I didn't know whether to be happy or… in fact I don't know what to think anymore.

For sure I was grateful she liked me and those feelings would stop and help her from falling for Eden's sly advances, but what if she ends up becoming like Kay? I don't want to go through such torment a second time.

You know, Kay had claimed to love me too and I loved her back but in the end her love turned out to be an obsession. A love which afterwards turned into hate and destroyed her in the end.

"I know you said you would never love anyone else again after Kay, but I can't help it any longer. But you don't have to worry, I'm not demanding you should love me ba -mmm "

I kissed her, don't know why though. My body just moved of its own volition , but it was better. I poured all my emotions into the kiss since I was at a loss for words.

"Let's go to the party first, we'll discuss this later alright? " I informed her after I pulled away, now wasn't the right time and I didn't want to rush my reply.

Kay wasn't Maya and Maya wasn't Kay, so I needed a bit of time to think it through.

"Alright " She agreed, thankfully and didn't press further. Maya dressed up and we finally left for the gala.

"Is my lipstick smeared by chance? anything out of place? " she asked and turned around for me to help her double check.

A smile touched my lips " Why? You don't want people to know what we've been doing? "

Her face burned and she lowered her head in embarrassment "Niklaus behave " She chided and hit me gently on my shoulder.

I drew close to her and whispered into her ears " There's a trail of hickeys down your neck "

She froze and her eyes almost popped out.

"Oh no " Maya began to panic " I need to go….."

She turned around, ready to hightail it out of the ballroom when I grabbed her arm before she could leave and burst into laughter unable to stifle it anymore.

"The look on your face " I wiped the tears from my eyes as a result of laughing too much " I was just kidding, how can you be so silly? " I poked fun at her, the look on her face was funny and priceless - she was ready to murder me.

Maya gritted her teeth and shot me a glare while stepping towards me threateningly " Was it that fun? I'm sure if it'll be a lot fun if I - "

" Isabella? " I muttered shocked.

"Yes Isabell - no - What?! "

Maya followed the direction of my gaze and it rested on my dear daughter, standing alongside Tina and staring back at me.

I clenched my fist and strode towards her, she dared to disobey my orders. I felt Maya grab my arms and gestured a no-no with her head but I tugged her along with me.

" I thought I told you not to -!"

"Hi Dad " She waved at me and I froze, the rest of my words getting stuck in my throat.

What did I just hear? Isabella called me Dad?! I must be hearing wrong but why is my heart pounding so hard?

"Y-you… "

"I'm sorry for disobeying your orders Dad, I'm truly sorry " Isabella apologised and ran to me, wrapping her small arms around my waist.

What's going on? My hands fell limp at my side after unconsciously letting go of Maya, as I wrapped my head around what's going on.

This was the first time Isabella was calling me " Dad " since her birth. Even when she was a toddler, her first baby words were mama not papa and I couldn't blame her - I had not always been beside her.

But right now since so many years, she was referring to me with that name I always inwardly wished she would call me sometimes.

Unfortunately it was hard to believe, Isabella was my daughter and I knew her like the back of my hand, this was definitely a prank.

I bet she just said those to escape the punishment of disobeying my orders, she probably didn't mean that, right?

Or maybe a reverse attack? Yes, she must be doing this because I called her " My Angel " the other day; something I had never said to her - Yes, that must be it!

But when her hands tightened around my waist and she rubbed her head tenderly against my stomach, my brain malfunctioned and the anger vanished with no trace.

I sighed and found myself running my hand through her hair soothingly and said only one word to her

"Behave "

Isabella pulled away and nodded her head obediently with a dazzling smile, how didn't I notice my daughter was this cute?

Abruptly Tina stepped forward, wrapped both arms across her chest and asked " Where have you been Niklaus? "

"Who made you my mother… ?"

"Who made you his wife… .?"

Isabella and I asked at the same time.

Bewildered, I turned around and both of our eyes met while Maya's hand was on her mouth, stifling a laughter.

How did she know - well , I'll leave that for later.

Tears touched Tina's eyes "I was just concerned about you, how could you be so cruel?! " She raised her voice a bit too high, attracting people's attention.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, I forgot Tina literally has a degree in acting.

"Thanks for your concern but there are some kids in the pediatric ward who need it more than I do . " I said to her sarcastically.

" Niklaus, I - "

"But since you're so concerned, then I can offer you an opportunity to show your goodwill " I told her while making sure everyone heard my words clearly.

I waved over someone and he approached me with calculated steps and an unsure expression.

I placed my hand on his shoulder and began my introduction " This is doctor Sam. Doctor Sam, this is miss Tina "

"Nice to meet you, miss Tina " My personal doctor stretched out his hand for a handshake.

"Nice to meet you too Doctor Sam " Tina smiled and enveloped his hand with hers before raising a questioning brow.

I faced her " As you see Doctor Sam is a pediatrician Doctor " I explained, omitting the fact that Sam is my personal doctor too.

Then faced Sam " As you can see she is Debra Group heiress, Christina Debra and she has been telling me her wish to form a partnership with your hospital out of her passionate heart and concern for the lives and safety of kids, isn't that so? " I directed the question back at her.

Everyone's gaze alongside a few reporters all focused on Tina and she became the centre of attention as she has always wanted.

"Ofcourse" Tina chuckled, insincerely - that is, if you can see past her facade.

She laughed coquettishly as the camera focused on her face

"During my time spent with Niklaus, I happened to tell him about my wish and desire to better the lives of sick children .

"Yes, I grew up with a silver spoon but that doesn't mean I don't know suffering. I understand the value of freedom and there are some kids out there who have been stuck in the hospital since birth with one terminal disease or the other

"There are kids who don't have the resources to complete their treatment,who lay on their hospital bed at night wishing for Robin Hood.

" I want to be that Robin Hood for them - though I would be stealing from my own pocket actually "

A ripple of laughter circled the room as the small crowd laughed at Tina's joke.

"I want to be that hope they wish for in their darkest times. I believe this partnership would fund researches as well as provide resources for medical care, thanks for hearing me out "

A round of applause echoed through the ballroom and I couldn't help but slow clap.

Her speech was well said and elaborately delivered to the audience though it sounded a bit ambiguous at the very beginning especially the " During my time spent with Niklaus " part . But since no one quibbled on that, I let it go

"Thankfully Doctor Sam would have the resources to fund that lifetime project of his, wouldn't he miss Tina? "I asked and Tina starred up into mocking eyes twinkling with humour.

"Of course,he would " she replied with a smile that didn't reach her eyes while she clutched her fist, her sharp nails digging into her hand - quite a shame it didn't draw blood, it would have been more dramatic.

And yes I perfectly understood why she was angry at me.

Truly she got to enjoy the spotlight and praises from people but as successful as Debra Group was, they weren't quite generous with their resources; this project would definitely make Tina bleed some cash.

"Sir Niklaus " One of my staff approached me and whispered something into my ears.

"Ahh right, the auction! " I remembered and quickly intertwined my fingers with Maya's while the other grabbed onto Isabella who was trying to sneak away.

"Shit " She cursed at her failed plan

Maya looked up confused when I began to lead them forward " Where are we going? "

" The battlefield "