Maya's point of view

I messed my hair out of frustration, this was mental. That woman Tina just condemned me to death, wasn't this a crime or something?

"Ugh!" I screamed out, filled with fury.

Right now, I wanted to punch the living hell out of Niklaus. He was the one who put me in this crazy mess in the first place and just when I needed him the most, he leaves me stranded, no wait, he was having bed breaking sex.

Though Tina's words sounded exaggerated, I was too angry to care, someone needed to be blamed! I moved to call Eden but decided against it. I can't get him in this mess. Moreover, I was too embarrassed to face him anyway.

I began to think over this issue in a calm, logical manner. Perhaps, I was all worked up for nothing. How?

If Sakuzi wanted to finish me, why would he bother to come to my place to invite me for dinner? He could have just sent the scary Emerald to end me in my sleep - clearly, they have no difficulty getting into my place.

Maybe he just wanted to have dinner with me, nothing else, right? But why me? What does he want with me when he clearly says it isn't yet time for me to die?

If he was bored, why couldn't he find a willing female companion? Why bother and force me, the unwilling one? I guess I would find out during this lunch date...eww, why does this sound wrong?

Uh-oh, my eyes widened, a hilarious thought in my head. Could it be...that ...by chance, Sakuzi is in love with me?

I gasped, "No way"

That was impossible! But as much as it sounded absurd, it actually explained a lot of things.

The reason he's been holding off my "death", inviting me on this date lunch- just lunch!- and calling me freaking "princess" since he arrived.

If what I'm thinking is true, what if he wants me to be his girlfriend? Oh my God, I don't want to be a sugar baby. If I was still together with Niklaus, I would have a higher chance of rejecting him but right now, I'm single without a strong backer.

What if this crazy gives up killing me in exchange for becoming his girlfriend? Gosh, what was I going to do then, the offer is too tempting. I love my life.

After another five minutes of internal battle, I decided to calm down and go through this meal first. Along the way, I'll surely think of a way to reject Sakuzi's confession without losing my head.

"What took you so long? I thought you were giving birth in there" He said, but I couldn't help but think he was attempting a joke which failed to elicit a laugh from me.

How could I laugh when I'm a bundle of nerves? I wasn't sure I would be able to eat anything during this "date" of ours.

"Do you mind?" I hinted he should leave my bedroom so I could dress up.

"Of course my princess, Daddy would give you all the privacy you want" Sakuzi slowly stood to his feet, adjusting the lapels of his suit.

Alright, if I had been doubting his feelings towards me, it has just been confirmed by his use of

"Daddy" and the constant use of "Princess" was aggravating me.

The moment Sakuzi left my room, I threw myself on my bed, kicking the air furiously and bemoaning my unfortunate life.

Don't get me wrong, Sakuzi was a powerful, handsome, middle-aged man when you minus the fact he's a mafia leader, but I'm not just into that kinky relationship; I don't want a sugar daddy, period!

Fine, I would just go with the flow as usual and solve the problem at hand with careful wisdom.

I dressed in a sleeveless red ruffle gown that touched my mid-thigh, with no mood to do make up nor curl my straight hair. I put on matching red Adidas sneakers - even God knows heels and I have never been best of buddies.

Also, if I looked too plain, who knows? Sakuzi might stop having an interest in me.

Shoot! He didn't lose interest at all!

"Even with your face at its natural state, you're still the embodiment of beauty, my princess" Sakuzi flattered me as soon as I made my appearance in the living room.

A trace of panic crossed my face, what was I going to say to this?

"Thank you creepy dude but you're old enough to be my father"

I could say that and my body would be found in a shallow grave the next day.

"Thank you" I croaked.

"Let's go, should we?" Sakuzi said and nudged me with his arm, gesturing that I should loop my hand around it.

"Alright! I'm done! I give up on this!" I was close to saying instead, I flashed him a smile that didn't touch my face.

"Let's go" I tried to match his vigor.

Downstairs, a neat Porsche 911 was waiting for our arrival. I have always been knowledgeable about expensive cars- because I always dream of having one- so it was not difficult to recognize that one.

"I have many cars and I decided on that one also, I heard you girls like expensive things" Sakuzi who must have seen the bewilderment on my face explained.

I rolled my eyes mentally, did Sakuzi think I was going to be bought over with a car? That I would fall for him because of the money he earns through dirty means? Well, sorry to burst his bubbles, I wasn't like those girls - If only I could say this to his face boldly.

"Let's go," I said to him.

But the moment we tried to move, a figure emerged quickly from nowhere and began to fight Emerald.

"Judy?" I was startled.

Oh my God, Niklaus must have ordered him to keep watch over me.

"Stop it, he's my friend," I said to Sakuzi who was attracted to the fight.

"No problem, my princess but I'm interested in seeing who emerges as the winner. Don't worry, your friend won't be killed - at least " He half-assured me.

I was horrified, this man was crazy. How could he live with all this violence?

Moreover, this was evening, the sun was still up, how could the passerby not help out? Oh well, they shouldn't help at all so they don't get themselves into trouble

Giving my attention to the fight, I watched Judy try to ram his knees at Emerald's guts but the giant held his leg and flung him away with great momentum.

"Christ! You've killed him!" I ran to Judy who was bashed into the wall with Emerald looming threateningly over him.

"Back off you big dough!" I warned him with gritted teeth.

To my surprise, Emerald moved away, it seems he still has a human conscience.

"Hey," I helped him sit up. There was a bruise on the side of his head, busted lips and probably, some abrasions on hidden parts of his body.

"Where are they taking you?" He groaned in pain.

"Don't worry, I'm just having dinner with him" I informed him before leaning closer and whispered into his ear, "This might sound crazy but I think Sakuzi's crushing on me"

"What?!" Judy screamed drawing that crazy man's attention.

"Keep it down," I chided him,

"That is outrageous" he looked at Sakuzi with disgust.

"I thought so until the facts added up. But you don't have to worry about my safety until the point when I reject his feelings - it would be advisable to rescue them then "

"I'll inform Niklaus- "

"Princess, I don't have all the time in the world" Sakuzi interrupted us.

"Fine, I'm hoping on you for my survival," I told him.

Taking a deep breath, I walked back to Sakuzi with fake confidence, "Let's go, shall we?"

Sakuzi was a gentleman, he opened the door and helped me into the car before walking the other way around and got to sit beside me.

God knows I was uncomfortable throughout the ride, my stomach a knotted mess. Thoughts after thoughts rushed through my head, it was a wonder I didn't go crazy.

"How has it been like living with your mother?" Sakuzi asked out of nowhere.

I was short of words, the question was personal.

"Just because we're going for this dinner as initiated by you, doesn't mean I'm going to spill my guts to you. Mind your business" I told him firmly, surprised at my bravery.

Well, let him kill me, he has sentenced me to death anyway, postponing the inevitable wouldn't make any difference.

Sakuzi pressed "If you were given the opportunity, would you rather live with your mother or father?"

I stiffened. Now, I was pissed off.

"Well, for your information, My father who I have no clue about, is an emotionless son of a biscuit who doesn't even know of my existence and my mom? A self-centered witch who prefers one daughter over the other. So if you asked me to choose? I would choose neither, I'm better off alone!"