Maya's point of view.

I felt like a fool after Eden left but his words hurt more, it was like I was the one being played all this time. I knew Eden's intentions towards me but him saying it out loud, sounded cruel.

But the embarrassment from getting rejected was greater, this was the first time of offering the rest of my life to someone on a golden platter yet it was kicked away like it worth nothing.

This refusal was supposed to bring me back to my senses, make me abandon all about this revenge plan but instead, it intensified my determination to win.

I had decided to make it to the top and would prove it to that man. Adam made fun of me, treating me as if I was shit and now, I would show him that even a small banana peel could cause the demise of an unknowing victim.

When I got to the room, Isabella's face was the first thing I saw, and got to know that granny went to relieve herself.

"I don't need to guess you failed, your facial reaction discloses better than a mirror" She pointed out, using her face as reference.

Her statement made me frown, was I taking this rejection too hard?.

I grumbled, "I must have scared him with the impromptu proposal, I'm sure he would come around when he sees reasons with my offer"

Isabella laughed at me, the kind of laughter one gives a kid who hasn't realized that there's no treasure at the end of a rainbow.

"What's funny?" I asked, not liking her mocking laughter one bit; I was not a fool.

"No pun intended Maya, but if Eden wants to settle down, he would marry a woman from a powerful background such as Tina - I doubt he would go for that witch though no matter how power-hungry he is "

"Oh right" It dawned on me, I was a nobody and had nothing to offer him aside from my body. Isabella was right, I must have been deluded to have mentioned that useless deal to Eden.

"Dad and Eden are frenemies, they work together against those that plan the downfall of the Spencer's but the power struggle between both was apparent.

"Eden would need a strong woman to bring Niklaus down and grandfather knows that, which is why he can never allow you to be with my father, that would be - "

"Lowering his status" I added for her.

Isabella left the couch and came to sit beside me on the hospital bed, "I know it hurts but that's the truth, Maya"

To my surprise, Isabella's gaze softened which made me blink twice to confirm the sympathy I saw there was real.

"If you know all this, why encourage me to go for your father. I know you've been trying to bring us back together" I disclosed.

Isabella sighed loudly and shrugged her shoulders, "I seriously don't know, Maya. Perhaps, I was inwardly wishing that some kind of miracle would happen between you both. And so you don't mistakenly fall in love with Eden in a bid to forget Niklaus"

I was astounded, so this was what this little girl had in mind all along? No wonder she would go to all lengths to achieve it, Isabella was quite committed.

"I'm sorry Isabella but I can't keep pining for your father. You said it yourself, I can't be with him. So the earlier I forget about him, the better" I told the little girl, hoping she would understand.

"You're not possibly in love with Eden, right?"

"Of course" I denied her accusation yet I couldn't help but notice the way my heart skipped a beat - no, that was normal.

That moment, granny came out of the toilet causing our discussion to come to an abrupt end.

"Where's your boyfriend?" The absence of her son-in-law was the first thing that the old woman noticed.

"He had things to do in the office so he had to leave early" I answered but the disapproval on her face was obvious.

"Going back to the office at this time? Why do you girls of nowadays like a rich workaholic who would not have enough time to take care of you" she mumbled loud enough for me and Isabella to capture her words

I rolled my eyes in response, this woman was too dramatic - Angela and her daughter must have inherited that gene from her.

Not long enough, Isabella's people came to get her home. The girl was reluctant to leave but the stoic face bodyguard sent to help escort her home, reminded Isabella of the mess she created and the punishment awaiting her; she wouldn't want to add to that.

"Fine, whatever" Isabella got down from the bed slowly, " I know you're going to miss me when I'm gone so you better do the hugging now"

"I'm so touched that I'm close to tears" I placed a hand on my chest dramatically to express my overzealous gratitude.

"Do whatever pleases you then" Isabella was prepared to leave when I pulled at her arm and hugged her, careful not to reopen the restitched wound.

"Thank you for your support, Isabella" I rested my chin on the girl's shoulder, absentmindedly running my hands through her hair before dropping a kiss on her cheeks.

Wonders shall never end! I exclaimed mentally. To my utmost surprise, Isabella didn't drop any jibing speech that would make my jaw drop or make me flick her on the forehead, instead settle her attention on my granny.

Isabella moved to drop a kiss on top of her forehead, something she didn't do to me - that partial kid! Nevertheless, it warmed my heart to see she had bonded with my grandma real fast.

After that, she obediently left with the guards without pulling any trick leaving granny and me alone.

"You like her father, don't you?" Granny asked out of nowhere.

"I don't know what you're talking about" I tactically evaded that one.

" You can't lie to me, " she insisted.

"How do you know what's in my heart?"

"I can't see your heart but I've raised you for years and known you like the back of my fingers, Maya. Eden isn't your boyfriend, is he?"

There was a moment of silence between us yet Grandma didn't take her knowing look off me.

"Fine, you win" I gave in, there was no way I could beat this woman hell-bent on drawing the truth from my mouth.

"He's not my boyfriend," I confessed.

"Then why make he seem like he was your boyfriend?"

"Because I want him to be"

Grandma was taken aback, "Why would you want him to? You don't love him. The way I see things you like Isabella's father, isn't it?"

I bite on my lips, "You want to know why?"

"Of course"

I stood from the bed, "Because I'm sick and tired of people looking down on me " I told her with every anger in me.

"I'm tired of some rich douche treating me like a piece of shit all because I have no power! I hate being tagged an illegitimate child! I hate being unable to communicate with my mother even though I have one! I hate being lonely! I ha-ha-..."

My voice cracked at the end and before I could tell what was going on, I had started to bawl my eyes out. I crumbled to the floor while grandma approached me and wrapped her arms around my shoulder as I sobbed.

My heart felt like it was being repeatedly stabbed at. All the frustration, pain, and failures I've experienced all this while washed over me, I cried harder.

"Hey, it's okay" Grandma consoled me, she laid my head to her chest, "Is going to be alright"

But those words made me cry more; the more she spoke, the further I cried an endless stream of tears.

"I'm not going to judge whatever you do as long as you do something that makes you happy. Niklaus? Eden? You can choose any - in fact, you're free to take both"

Funny thing was, Grandma had a way with words and before I knew it, I had a smile on my face after the tears stopped.

I readjusted our position on the floor, choosing to lay my head on her shoulder and granny rubbed my back soothingly.

She didn't spend the night over, due to her health but I felt her presence throughout the dusk which made me sleep like a baby.

The days afterward passed in a blur, filled with visits from the two devils - Isabella and Anabelle - and their male companion Pedro.

I didn't catch a wink of Eden, I guess my proposal must have upset him to the extent he avoided me.

Neither did Niklaus come over, his fiancee Tina must have kept him busy - If you know what I'm talking about.

Angela didn't bother to visit either. Well, what was I expecting? I was not the chosen daughter, Kim, so her valuable time would not be wasted on me.

I couldn't have been more grateful when I was finally released. The smell of the strong acid and antiseptic from the hospital was beginning to upset me; plus the limited freedom.

Grandma and the kids organized a small party filled with eating and drinking- milk and juices - no one was permitted to touch alcohol.

I felt relaxed with them until I began to unwrap the presents they got me and stumbled on one that didn't come from any of them.

I read the note attached to it.

"Let's have dinner together princess - Love from Sakuzi"

My blood ran cold, what silly game was this psychopath planning this time.