Tina's point of view :

"What have you been doing?" That was the first question that was thrown my way when I stepped into Adam's office.

I had been surprised, excited yet anxious when Adam demanded my presence. I was surprised because it's been a while he asked of me and excited that he still remembers my existence and the fact I'll be engaged to his son soon yet anxious over the fact that I knew not the reason for my summoning - had I done anything wrong?

Confusion broke across my face, " I don't understand, sir "

"You don't understand?" He snorted with a derisive pull of his lips to the side, "I gave you something as precious as my son yet you misused it? I had thought you were capable but it seems I made a wrong judgment"

Adam was the current patriarch of the Spencer family and someone I had to be extremely careful with.

Even Niklaus' power was limited but that was until an appointed time.

If things go well without any disturbance like natural death or internal force-Eden- Niklaus would be the next family head and I the matriarch.

And since all the past matriarchs were dead, it meant I would have absolute power once my future husband Niklaus comes into power. How perfect!

"I'm sorry sir Adam, forgive my incompetence but can you please break down your words a little bit" I implored of him.

"Maya, why does she still have much influence over Niklaus?" He asked which made my mood turn sour.

It was not like I could put a noose around Niklaus' neck and keep him from meeting Maya. The son of a biscuit just keeps returning to her pants.

"I'm trying my best here but your son isn't making it any easier for me," I told him straightforwardly, there was no need hiding this annoying truth from him.

But this cold-hearted man wasn't affected by my words, "I didn't give Niklaus to you so I could hear some pathetic excuse from you"

"I have a way of ridding Maya once and for all this, but I need just a little more days" I divulged.

Kimberly already told me the good news this morning as if she had a hunch Adam would ask about that.

"Alright," He said, "I'll lend a helping hand when you're ready"

"Really?" My face brightened.

"Just don't disappoint me this time,"

"Sure, I promise not to fail you" I thanked him, almost to the point of falling to my kneel out of gratitude.

"Also, Isabella is the way to Niklaus"

"What?"

He glanced up at me, "If you want Niklaus to love you, get Isabella's heart first"

"Oh,"

So this was what I've been missing all this time, the key person to use to get Niklaus' attention; the way to his heart.

"Do you know why I chose you?" The old man asked all of a sudden.

"Because I'm rich and powerful?"

But Adam pointed to the side of his brain, "No, you have the burning mindset to succeed, I can see it in your eyes" he moved his hand to his close-set eyes, "Your background is just a bonus"

Well, whatever he says? Lucky me. I was definitely in luck for coming from a prominent family, unlike a certain gold digger.

"So, don't dare fail me. I don't tolerate failures" He added without warning which set shivers traveling down my spine.

"Yes, sir Adam" I gulped visibly

"You can leave now" He dismissed me and I gladly left.

If not the fact that the man was the one in power, I wouldn't even glance at him twice not to talk of visiting him. Honestly, that man scares the shit out of me. I just keep on having this vibe that no matter how close we are at the moment, I shouldn't mess with him.

But the thought of finally getting Adam's support made me feel better. These past days I have been feeling like shit ever since Niklaus hit me for that bitch Maya but now I had to change my tactics.

It appears that me being headstrong would do nothing but infuriate him further so I had to try the soft and friendly approach.

But I almost blew my plan before it even began. All my rational thoughts flew out the window when I heard that Niklaus went to Maya's apartment last night from Amanda.

The house was abnormally quiet so I inquired from Amanda the housekeeper what happened and got to hear the whole story of Isabella getting herself drunk in Maya's recovery party or whatever she calls it.

Jealousy tugged at the strings of my heart, I couldn't help but feel this was a set-up. That imp Isabella must have purposely got herself drunk to get Daddy to come over and spend more time with that bitch in the guise of finding and taking her way home.

I was not a fool to believe that something wouldn't happen between Maya and Niklaus- that man was a Cassanova for Christ's sake. The thought made my blood boil but I eventually calmed down.

Even if Maya pleases him in bed to his heart desire, I was still the one who would get married to him. In the end, I would be the official madam of Spencer's household while she remains a mistress at my mercy.

No matter how much Niklaus hated me, there would come a time when he would have no choice but to surrender his body and heart to me - his wife.

I had come to his manor quite early in the morning so it wasn't a fright seeing him come into the kitchen to get his usual coffee.

When would that guy trust anyone enough to let them prepare his morning coffee? Sometimes, I can't help but think that capturing Niklaus' heart is an impossible dream. Yet, I needed him and his power and in one way or the other, I'll get both.

As usual, his face scrunched up in disgust upon seeing me which wasn't always like that between us from the beginning - Maya is the cause of his drastic change towards me.

"Good morning, darling" I tried to peck him on the cheek, see if he could get turned on by chance. But that asshole gripped my jaws tight, moving it the other way.

"It seems you have grown tired of living, do you want to pay a visit to hades?" He threatened me coldly.

Normally, I wouldn't be this daring considering his sheer dislike of me but my confidence has been boosted by Adam's promises, what's the worst he can do to me?

So I laughed his threat off, hitting him on the chest, "You're such a good joker"

For a moment there, I saw a look of astonishment until his expression darkened and he clasped my hand tight to the point it hurt.

"What do you think you're doing? Didn't I warn you not to set foot here again?"

Yolk, that threat again.

"I had a talk with your father and he came to a conclusion that I should spend more time with Isabella since our engagement party is fast approaching and I'm going to play a huge role in her life in the future. So your father thinks we should start creating the mother and child bond before we get married"

That wasn't a lie but the whole point of Adam calling me over this morning, right?

For the first time, Niklaus was quite attentive to my words so I went on.

"So I want to strengthen the connection between Isabella and me by cooking her meals every morning before leaving for work"

Who was I kidding? This was just an avenue to get more involved in their lives. Niklaus can go after Maya, I'll go after his daughter, then him finally.

"Thank you for your nonessential services but I don't need my daughter suffering from food poisoning," Niklaus was once again poised to ruin this great plan of mine when he knew I could cook.

"Niklaus, just give me a chance to show my good intentions to Isabella. This is just not about you anymore"

I was quick to grab onto his arm before he left, but his scalding look made me let go of him. With that murderous look, it was obvious I had to come up with another plan so it was highly shocking to me when he said.

"Fine, do whatever you want, for today" I was so stunned that I didn't move until he left. Wait, he just gave in like that, without a fight? Strange, but welcoming.

Without wasting time, I went ahead to cook her nourishing and delectable food. As someone who enjoys the fine things in life, I have acquired a lot of cooking skills from top chefs while traveling across the globe - Isabella would not be able to resist my food.

But then, the girl in question gave me a cold reception amid my gentleness. If not because this brat belonged to Niklaus and the fact I needed her help, I would have spanked her hard till she cried blood- no one speaks to me that way.

Still, I was able to put Isabella in her place nicely, which was totally unlike me; fine, I'll endure. But while she ate my meal - as expected- I used that opportunity to inquire of her if she had seen any monkey business between her father and Maya even though it was highly inappropriate - but I was too anxious to know the truth.

"Is that what you should be asking a child?" Isabella of course deadpanned with a dirty look thrown in my direction.

"Moreover, between Maya and my father, who's more liable to seduce each other"

My mouth twitched. Of course, it was Niklaus but that bitch would definitely take advantage of that opportunity.

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

I was dumbfounded by the girl's words. Are you sure she's a ten-year-old kid?

So embarrassed was I that I tried to make fun talks to ease this awkward atmosphere yet the girl ignored me as if it was just air passing through.

I was already thinking of a way to get her to like me when the guards came to take her.

"Where are you taking her?" I stood to defend her.

"It's Niklaus' order"

"Oh"

Sorry, but I can't fight this one. The girl did wrong by drinking, so deserved to be punished and I can't stand against Niklaus's order when he barely welcomed me into his house.

But I can find another way of making Isabella happy by finding out what she desires, how brilliant!

Isabella was rich and had everything money could ever buy, so if I needed to know what she lacks, I had to search her room.

Moreover, I had never been to the girl's room, so it'd be a chance to explore her preferences; the room would reflect her personality.

I guess I never knew her personality because when I turned the knob to Isabella's room, my world went blank from intense pain.