Isabella's point of view

I knew I was busted by the time I awoke on my bed. This wasn't where I was supposed to be: I was meant to be under Maya's bed not on top of my bed.

This could only mean one thing, Maya and my whole family members discovered my plan - I was in trouble.

Definitely wasn't how I plotted this to end, those two losers have ruined it! I had sorted everything in such a way that Maya wouldn't even notice anything was awry until we left for our respective homes.

But who knew those two losers couldn't handle their alcohol at all, they lost it immediately. If they had only hung on a bit longer, I would have thought of a way to send both home without arousing suspicion.

I must have fallen asleep under the bed while awaiting Maya's departure from the room, how unlucky I am.

But then, Maya's abrupt appearance was a great factor that destroyed my plans.

I had not expected her to search for us that quickly, I wonder if there was some sort of secret alarm she had on that reminded her of us; she just can't take her eyes off us!

The feeling of being watched after is nice but disturbing especially when I want to erect one of my fun pranks.

I got out of bed and didn't bother to leave the room having an inkling it was being guarded by Niklaus' men.

This was so frustrating, I shouldn't have trusted Pedro and Anabelle's words. The voice of reasoning had somehow warned me before then that these two were first-timers and might get me exposed but I just wanted them in because… well, the many, the merrier - look where that got me now.

My stomach growled for food and I was having a slight headache from the drink last night, I guess. I had already prepared myself for the worst when I turned the doorknob, expecting Niklaus to lock me in as punishment but no, he didn't lock me at all.

Instead, guards lined up from my door to the living room. Seriously, wasn't this over the top, I'm just a kid notwithstanding what I did last night.

The guards' vigilance gaze followed my every movement till I found myself in the kitchen. But what made my mouth drop was instead of seeing Amanda, Tina was the cook instead.

"Hi, little one " Tina welcomed me who stood like a frozen pole as she pulled off the gloves she had on.

My shocked gaze shifted into an unpleasant one," What are you doing here?"

"I'm your future mommy, I have every right to be here" She declared as if that was the grandest achievement in her life.

"My mother's name is Kay Wilson, so get that into your retarded brain," I told her fiercely.

Our gaze met like two great swords clashing against each other powerfully but she surprised me by taking off her gaze - I was prepared for this stare down.

"You should have breakfast, I heard you get yourself drunk yesterday - by the way, I had my first drink when I was around your age too" she disclosed with a secret wink.

I was taken aback by her unexpected sociability this lovely morning, perhaps this was another of her tactics to buy me over.

Refusing to be deceived, I called out the housekeeper who happened to come inside the kitchen that moment.

"Amanda, when did you start accepting strangers into the kitchen?"

Normally, I called Amanda with more respect because she's being a mother figure to me ever since Niklaus dragged me to live with him. But right now, I was too irritated to care.

"You don't need to put the housekeeper in a tight spot, if you got scores to settle it's with your father" Tina chimed in.

That witch was trying to pit me against Niklaus, does she think I'll fall for that.

She continued," He's the one who permitted me to make breakfast for you, Amanda won't be taking your request."

"Oh," I said as realization dawned on me, this was his way of tormenting me for what I did yesterday. But I had only drunk, why was he making a huge deal out of it? - he drinks too.

"You can give that meal to the devil" came my acerbic comment and turned in my heels, ready to bolt out of the kitchen when she said,

"With the way your father was fuming on his way out, I'll have you assured that this is the only meal you'd be getting today"

Of course, I got her hint. I have angered Niklaus to the point I'll be punished by starving.

I wanted to refuse but my stomach chose that moment to roar like an angry lion plus the aroma from the food she was placed on the counter was tantalizing.

Come-on Isabella, do something. Don't fall into her trap! My mind cautioned me but there was no way my brain could function properly without a proper meal.

Fine, I'll fall into her trap and fill my stomach, once satisfied, I'll be strong enough to think of a way out.

I did a reversal, dragging my lazy butt to the counter, and sat on a tall stool, taking in the sight of the soup and side dishes set before me.

I had to admit, the food was healthy and appetizing to the eye but the side dishes were not filling at all. I'll rather eat the junk food prepared by Maya as far as my stomach gets satisfied than this.

But there was no choice, it was either this meal or no meal at all.

"I heard everyone went crazy searching for you guys" She started a conversation which I would have ignored normally but its abstrusity confused me.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Don't you remember? They said you and that peddy guy- "

"It's Pedro," I corrected firmly.

"Whatever" she waved away, "But you two hid under the bed when everyone thought you kids were missing"

Oh boy, I now understood the reason for Niklaus' anger. The dense Maya had not searched for us properly and must have called my father to report we were missing - I'm doomed.

The once sweet soup in my mouth suddenly tasted like ashes with this tight knot in my stomach, my punishment was far from over.

I was not afraid of Niklaus' punishment, the man was too soft to give me a good spank on the butt- he was going to ground me or take away a cherished electronic gadget, nothing much.

I'll get my freedom or the gadget after a long delay. So it's irritating at first but I'll get over it in a day or two.

I ignored Tina after getting the news, forcing the now tasteless meal down my throat. I had lost my appetite but I had to eat to have the stamina to face whatever Niklaus throws my way.

"So," Tina began all of a sudden, "By chance when your father came to take you home, did he get too close to err...Maya or did Maya try to get close to him?"

I gave her a dirty look, "Is that what you should be asking a child?"

She scratched the back of her head, nervously.

"Moreover, between Maya and my father, who's more liable to seduce each other" Came my question which made her mouth twitch.

I leaned towards her, "Even if my father doesn't marry Maya, there are many other better Mayas' out there. You married a player, so live with it "

Tina was stunned by my words that she didn't even blink until someone's voice was heard coming in our direction.

"Alright" Austin, the head guard ended the call and said to me,

"Let's go"

I frowned, "Go where?"

"No questioning, it's your father's orders"

Oh, had the punishment begun already? Fine, take me away, jailers.

So I followed after Austin peacefully knowing I was going to spend the day or two in my room; loneliness was my friend already.

But I was surprised when we didn't head to the floor leading to my room instead to the basement level. Had Niklaus changed his tactics?

"Go in," Austin held onto the metal door, urging me to move inside.

I gave him a suspicious look but relaxed otherwise having known that whatever they had in store would not kill me.

So I stepped in.

"What in the name of abomination is this?" I muttered as soon as I stepped into this empty room.

The room wasn't exactly as large as my bedroom, more like Maya's and the walls, painted hot pink with glitter galaxy stars. The paint was still fresh judging from the freshness and texture - Niklaus must have it fixed this morning while I was still asleep.

Bright bulbs illuminated the room which had no window and had surveillance cameras mounted at the corners of the room.

This was a nightmare.

The moment I turned around to leave this hellhole, the door was bang shut.

" Shit!" I cursed and rushed at the door, pounding hard on it.

"Let me out of here!"

But no effort was made to open the door, they purposely lured me in here.

Fine, they think I would break? No way, I was a tough little girl and I would win this fight.

There was no furniture in the room so I sat on the floor which was painted pink too, much to my disgust.

This was Anabelle's wonderland, not mine, the color was nauseating to me; I really wanted to puke. The room was deadly silent and seem to be wall proofed since I couldn't hear any sound from outside.

The pink wall clock was the only thing that reminded me that time was passing. Aside from the hourly chimes of the clock which was heightened in this silent room and the repetitive tick-tocks, my breath and the momentarily adjusting of my legs were the closest thing to a sound made.

I know what Niklaus was doing, he was punishing me mentally but I won't concede, I'm a strong girl.

There must be an AC somewhere since cool air somehow flowed into this windowless room. Truth be told, I have lived in this mansion for months and I had no idea a room as this existed.

Amid the cold air, I was beginning to sweat, my fingers were shaking while my breath came in gasps. I wasn't claustrophobic but this closed space and scene were slowly turning me into one.

The presence of these cameras was beginning to wreak havoc on my nerves- someone was probably laughing at my predicament behind those cameras.

I strode at once to the door, raving as I had finally lost it.

"Get me outta here! Get me the fuck out of here !"