Maya's POV

Isabella is a terror, the girl is impossible! I spent the whole night nursing her to good health. It was almost as if I was her maidservant instead of ex-nanny.

Thanks to her, I pulled an all-nighter, tending to her royal highness, and went to bed in the early morning after she successfully slept off without waking up and whining about the itchiness.

Hours later, I groaned and turned to the side when the hot sun filtering through the window hit my face.

Hot sun? Was it afternoon? Just go to bed, Maya.

For sure, I slept off but sometime later felt something tickle my ear. I murmured incomprehensible words and scratched that itchy area, before returning to sleep.

Not long later, the tickling sensation moved to my nose making me swat it away with my hand but the mischievous tickler was persistent until I decided enough was enough.

The first thought in my head was Isabella: she was the only person capable of pulling such a prank. But I was short of words when I made contact with blue eyes and sexy red lips pulled to the side in a smug smirk.

Eden.

I sat upright, "What the f*ck !"

Seeing Eden lounging on my bed while twirling a feather nonchalantly in his right hand, did nothing to ease the irritation on my face.

Why did he wake me up from my beauty sleep? I didn't want to go back to Isabella's tortures!

"You're such a heavy sleeper " he provoked me, first thing in the morni...afternoon?

Looking out the window and checking out the walk clock, told me it was mid-afternoon. How long did I sleep exactly?

Eden continued," I was beginning to wonder if you were Sleeping Beauty "he grinned cheekily and added," I was contemplating waking you up with a kiss "

"Eww" I scrunched up my face, giving him a look of disgust. I hadn't even brushed my teeth yet, why would he want to kiss me. I trembled, Eden was definitely abnormal.

Ignoring the weird pervert, I went into the bathroom and did the early morning ritual - brushed and bathed. Yet, I was surprised when I walked into my room to discover Eden had not left, what was he still waiting for?

"Even if I'm signed under your company, I still deserve some privacy. Wouldn't it be a scandal if this goes out to the media? "

He stood to his feet after receiving my criticism, but not to leave; Eden was walking towards me with an odd gleam in his eyes.

I had washed my hair, so I wrapped it with one of the wet towels to prevent it from dripping water on my body while my bare body was secured in a red thick bathrobe, tied to the side with its sash.

I didn't take my eyes off him neither did I step back, just watched him intently and wondered what he was up-to.

Eden kept on stepping towards me until we were in close proximity. He lowered his head while I had no choice than to lean back, the pose straining my waist.

I blinked confusedly "What are you doing? "

His eyes rove over my body in a way that made me shiver, "Imprinting your size in my head "

My eyes went wide while my cheeks flushed from shock and I found myself abruptly returning to my straight pose without him leaning back and so bumped into him.

His hand came around to hold me on the waist in order to hold me in place but his action further molded me against him.

Our noses were touching and he was staring me straight in the eyes, this awkward yet intimate pose made my heart slam against my chest as it went into double time. I could feel his hand on my body and it was moving downward slowly, en route to my bum.

"Nice try " I grabbed his wandering hand and squeezed it to the point of causing him pain but he didn't show it on his face and instead smiled up at me which irked me.

"I need to know your body proportions since you would be under me in the future in case of events where I would need to send outfits " Eden explained righteously.

"Wow " I exclaimed dramatically, " You're the most hardworking CEO I've ever seen, you're the best. " I gave him a thumbs-up and continued with heavy sarcasm.

"A president who takes the time to check his worker's body size must be given the Nobel prize "

He laughed at my words but didn't give me a reply.

"So you personally examine the sizes of all the female artists under you?" I ridiculed him

Eden chuckled, flashing his neatly arrayed set of white teeth "No, I don't. But I am willing to offer privilege services to a certain person"

I rolled my eyes upwards, that cheesy line wouldn't have made my heart skip a beat in the first place even if he was serious with me.

Having seen that he failed the first attempt, Eden's other hand moved to complete the job but I warned him with a sweet smile.

"Touch my ass and I promise you that your doodle won't be able to manufacture more kids after I squeeze the life out of them " Came my threat which failed miserably when he replied.

"It will be heaven if you squeeze me as tight as hell, when can you start, I can't wait?" Eden winked at me suggestively.

"Y-you.."

My mouth hung open from shock, why was he making a joke out of my words?

"Dress up and come downstairs," He said to me, letting go of my waist finally.

But it was strange, I couldn't help but feel disappointed when I couldn't feel his warmth anymore. God, what is wrong with me? I must be crazy.

"I made something for you to eat since you have been sleeping half of the day, you have to feed that flat stomach " he commented, eyes fixed on my stomach whose appearance was pumped by my big robe.

My mouth watered at the thought of eating Eden's food, he was insanely talented in that area.

They said, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach " and I guess that rule applies to me too.

I was a huge foodie and since I hated cooking, I hardly let go of anyone who knows how to cook. Sadly, that rule doesn't apply to Eden - I love his food, but not him.

You give that trickster a little chance and he would take over. Well, I'll just fix my eyes on him and figure out what he wants from me.

Nik once said to me that Eden likes to manipulate his ex's and then use them to plot against him. It was interesting and thrilling, I couldn't wait to see how the foxy Eden would pit me against Niklaus.

"And by the way, " Eden who was about to leave, turned around once he remembered, "You don't need to concern yourself with Isabella anymore "

My brows knitted together in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Niklaus took her away "

I couldn't tell which one was more shocking, the fact that Isabella left without saying goodbye? or the fact Niklaus arrived without even saying "Hi". It was obvious he knew I was here, Eden must have informed him of his daughter's illness.

But why was I so concerned about his visit? We weren't together anymore neither does he need to recount to me his whereabouts. Gosh, I need to get used to this.

"He came to take his daughter by himself? " I asked out of curiosity, nothing else.

"No, he sent his people "

I snorted inwardly, typical Niklaus. Doesn't he know the way to his daughter's heart was by giving her his time and attention?

At this rate, their improved relationship would crumble down to level zero. I sighed, why hadn't he learned anything from me throughout my stay with him.

Isabella was a special kid, she craves love and attention even if she pretends not to want it. She had an attitude? Yes, but that was just the games she played in order to draw attention to herself.

I was supposed to feel happy that I would no longer suffer Isabella's torments yet, I felt disappointed and cheated. I spent the whole night taking good care of her and the little imp left without a thank-you nor goodbye.

My face fell, "Alright " I told Eden with a gloomy expression, at least he would leave me alone.

"The little brat left a message though " My face lit up the moment I heard him disclose the information

"She left a message?! " I asked excitedly.

"Yes and I quote,' Tell Maya that she has been a worthy and excellent caretaker and for that, she has gained a loyal ally - but that doesn't mean I'm apologizing for drawing on her face. Goodbye. ' and that's all "

"That's all?" I asked Eden, surprised.

" Totally "

I burst into laughter.

That was so like Isabella, no doubt; so concise and cool. She probably did not wake me up so I could have a sound sleep. The girl was so caring, that is if you could see beyond her apathetic demeanor.

I just pray that Niklaus would have the patience to deal with her slowly, hopefully.