Isabella's point of view

"Hey, Maya, you alright?" I asked when I saw Maya who was smiling moments ago, turn pale.

"No, it's okay" she sniffed and quickly put away a card from my view which made my brow raise in suspicion, " I just suddenly felt sick" came her silly excuse.

I mean, who was she kidding, it's a known fact that Maya is a terrible liar. Whatever she saw in that card that distressed her to this level must be bad. Since she didn't want me to know, I would not prod.

"You're sick?" Anabelle picked up on our discussion, she sandwiched herself between Maya and me, feeling her temperature with the back of her hand.

Anabelle pursed her lips, a look of confusion crossing her features as she tilted her head side to side contemplatively, "You don't feel sick to me" she observed.

"Someone doesn't always have to be physically ill to be sick" Maya, the lecturer began, "Sometimes you could be financially, mentally or emotionally sick"

Anabelle frowned which made me snort at her, this one probably was above her level of understanding.

Lately, Anabelle was becoming an eyesore to me. I was kind of mad at her and her father altogether.

How could uncle Eden get Maya's attention on a free golden platter while my father Niklaus had to work off his butt for it?

He even got hit by grandfather just so he could guarantee her safety but what did Eden do? Nothing! Yet he got to receive a proposal from Maya- though that one was doomed to fail from the initial.

There were a few times his action confused me but I always knew uncle Eden was never serious with Maya. He just wanted to play with her to irk my idiotic father who loves her - I wonder if my father has figured out the "in love" part yet?

Occasionally, I hate the way my brain works, it's almost as if I could see the world's problems and it's weighing me down whenever I try to think of a solution - just like this mess.

But this problem was above my head. If I attempt to interfere with grandfather's plans for Niklaus and Tina, there's no doubt he would send me abroad- away from Maya and Niklaus.

Sigh, this was so depressing.

It seems I'm falling in love with Maya

: she is the only person keeping me sane in this insane family and she has to reciprocate my love by being my mother.

I can't even imagine Tina being my mother; the thoughts alone sends chills down my spine. You guys would probably ask why I despise Tina so much?

I mean she's not the only girlfriend out of my father's numerous I -can't- even -remember - their - names - girlfriends that I disliked, yet why was the degree of hatred I had for Tina special?

Well, the answer is simple: I'm afraid to turn up like her in the future.

It was quite obvious that once she comes to be my mother - whether I like it or not - her behavior would rub off on me with time.

I mean, look at that woman, her fashion sense sometimes is a crime against normalcy. Have you seen those claws she has for a finger, it's quite a mystery she hasn't plucked out someone's eye.

Talking of plucking out eyes, is Maya's eyes insured? I've seen a lot of women go gaga in the process of veering for a man's attention.

What if that crazy woman misunderstands my Maya one day and engages her in a fight and in the process, injures her eyes.

The scene looks impossible but with Maya around, the impossible seems possible. That "woman" called Maya - note the sarcasm - is a klutz; she's the only one that chokes on a simple liquid constantly.

Seems I have to work extra hard to get the money that would be enough to indemnify her whole body, that way my heart would be at peace.

Also, that would be compensating for the whole pains my family of assholes caused her.

"Maya, are you financially sick?" Anabelle began one of her foolish questions that gives me the urge sometimes to bash her head against the wall and see if some sense could come in.

Soon enough, we'll be eleven yet here she was behaving like a five-year-old kid. Ugh! It was so irritating.

"You moron, does this place speak of wealth?" I gestured to Maya's simple apartment.

As usual, Maya's displeased orbs rested on me.

"Watch your language, young lady" she warned with her piercing gaze.

I rolled my eyes, what's the difference between Anabelle and a moron - thankfully she doesn't cry as fast as SpongeBob anymore.

Immediately, the door to Maya's apartment opened to reveal Cecil and Emily.

Oh, the ever-busy mother decided to take some time off work to visit her bestie, how shocking. But it was more surprising to me seeing aunt Emily.

Ever since she left grandfather's manor, it's kind of hard getting a hold of her. But I loved the look on her face, she looked happier than when she was with grandfather- as if a huge limitation was finally taken off her shoulder.

Yet I was uncomfortable with this new situation. Both of us - aunt and I - had grown up with Adam around us and he must be used to that company. It was obvious he would not force me back with him since I was with my father now but I worried for my aunt, she had nobody, save him.

"Emily, Cecil!" Maya was happy to see them, putting an end to our conversation.

"Umm, Is that my mom?" Asked Pedro who had a red plastic cup in his grip, looking in the direction of the enthusiastic embracers.

I sassed, "Oh don't worry, it's her ghost who came to life to haunt you for eternity"

Pedro sighed and shook his head at my attitude but who cares? Instead, I snatched the cup from his grip and without taking a glimpse, gulped down the whole content but spat the whole of it back into the cup, handing the cup back to him.

He wrinkled his nose "That is gross"

"Not as gross as what you just gave me to drink" I gagged.

"I didn't give it to you Isabella, you took it away from me without asking" he corrected.

"What's the difference, anyway?"

"One involves the use of 'please' while the other doesn't which is rude" he explained.

"Then receive my apology, knight of justice" I taunted him, and did I forget to mention that ever since Pedro had his eleventh birthday days ago, he's been more outspoken and taller and more handsome - I didn't say that. In summary, he's becoming more appealing to my eyes.

"What in the world was that drink?" I asked, following him into the kitchen as he poured the juice infected with my saliva down the sink.

"Nothing. Just did justice with a few of the juices Maya made. I mixed strawberry juice with orange, lemon and added cream to it- which I found in her refrigerator"

My shocked face distorted into one filled with disgust, "I can't believe I took that vomit-inducing concoction drink into my belly. That's an abuse of my intestines"

"Isabella, there's fun in creating the unimaginable," Pedro said with a proud look as if he produced something worth a genius record, "You just have to be open to anything"

"Your taste bud is obviously open to any…." I faltered when something came into my mind, a smile broadened my face.

"I don't like that expression, you always do that when you have a trick up your sleeve" Pedro detected.

"I don't care what you say but if your taste bud is still open to anything, you might want to join in on this plan of mine" I threw the bait, now he has to grab the hook and be hooked.

"No way" He rejected my offer without second thoughts.

I came closer, "I know you want it, Pedro" came my whisper into his ears.

Pedro could not withstand my enticement for long, he eventually buckled, "Fine, what's the plan?"

"There's an apple Martini Maya hide under her bed from grandma since today, we could have a taste of that"

"Impossible!" Pedro declared so loud that I had to close his mouth with my hand. Thank God we were in the kitchen so no one heard him yell.

"Are you crazy?" I whisper-shouted, " Do you want our plan to get busted"

"What plan?" Someone said from behind which made us jump out of our skin.

I turned around to see Anabelle coming towards us. Yolk, I actually thought it was someone important.

"What are the two of you planning?" Anabelle inquired, crossing her arms over her chest with narrowed eyes.

Pedro lifted his hands in the air, "I'm not involved, it's all on Izzy"

I snorted, why do all of them like putting the blame on me? In the end, I give them a good time which they should be grateful for.

"It's none of your business, Anabelle. I don't need a blabbermouth spilling 'my' plan to her superordinate, Maya"

"I know I talk too much but if it's fun, I could join and get to keep the secret, I promise," she said.

I scrutinized her thoroughly. Well, there are a few times she does keep her mouth shut.

Pedro was bewildered, even the sensible kid Anabelle was joining in this crazy plan of mine.

"You're going to join Isabella in taking alcohol?"

Anabelle scratched the back of her head, "I see Dad take it sometimes but he won't allow me to have a taste, it makes it curious"

"Oh don't worry, I've tasted it" I encouraged her.

Her eyes brightened, "You have? What does it taste like? Also, did uncle Niklaus permit you to take it?"

"Trust me, it tastes like heaven and I stole it to be honest"

"Oh," Anabelle said.

"This is crazy" Pedro tugged his hair, "Maya specifically prepared the juices so we don't touch alcohol. You do know you're blatantly disobeying Maya?"

"When have I ever obeyed Maya?" I questioned him.

"Approximately, none," Anabelle thought over it.

"Thank you" I appreciated her for being useful this time.

"So are you in or out? Trust me when I say I don't need chickens in this team"