Niklaus' point of view

"Maya, let me send you abroad," I suggested, knowing this was the best approach to resolve this problem at the moment.

"What?" Maya sat up with a jerk, bringing the sheet around her chest, "You are fucking kidding me, Niklaus"

"Listen to me, Maya" I braced her cheeks with my palms," I'm not as powerful as many people think. I might be the newly elected family head but this is still my father's regime until two years later.

"That man is crueler than you think and since he dislikes you, he'd try to harm you. But I have my own people who can keep you away from harm once you leave this place" I pleaded with her but of course, the stubborn ass wouldn't listen.

"I'm not leaving, Niklaus!" Maya stood her ground. She climbed out of the bed, taking the sheet with her and leaving me cladded in nothing.

"Why don't you ever listen to me?!" I was vexed while putting on my briefs I had thankfully found at the corner of the room and covered my indecency.

Maya threw her head back, releasing a peal of bitter laughter, "So I stay safe abroad, then what? What about you, Niklaus?! You stay back here and get married to that bitch Tina while keeping me as your mistress abroad, is that it? Is that your plan?!"

My face distorted in disbelief, "Of course not, I'm working on Tina. That engagement between both of us would never work"

"I'm sorry but I was not born this morning, Niklaus. I have heard so many tales and seen enough movies to fell prey to this ploy of yours," she spat," I'm not your fuck bitsy that you stick your rod in, each time you're hormonal yet can't fight for me. So, get out of here!"

"Seriously, why don't you lay down your damn pride and listen to me for once!"

"I'm done listening to you!" She yelled back at me to my surprise,

"All I have ever done is listen to you and look where that got me. If you really know who I am, you should know that I'm a fighter, not a quitter"

I retorted, "Not when the battle is beyond you, Maya. You should learn to choose your opponent wisely in a war like this," was my advice to her which she very much didn't take to heart.

I watched her approach me with a fierce look," Sorry Niklaus, but I'm already too close at making something great out of my life for once, so I can't give it up now"

She continued, her voice dropping to a freezing degree, "If you're that concerned about me, then keep your father in check while leaving me the hell alone. Stop confusing me and stick to one woman"

I couldn't come up with words to refute her claims, just stared on like a moron. Some parts of her words were true but some didn't sit well with me.

"You can leave now, Niklaus," she dismissed.

Anger like no other rippled through me, feeling like I was just used and discarded by Maya. Was this how those women I had used in the same manner over the years felt? Empty and useless? Like a part of you was taken cheaply? No, I can't take this!

"Don't make this harder on me, leave, Niklaus at once!" Maya yelled at me so furiously that if it was possible, she'd have dragged me out by herself.

"I can't" was my reply.

She was dumbfounded, her eyes spurted fire "What do you mean you can't? So you're intent on putting my life in danger by hanging around?"

I swallowed "Is not that I won't leave but I don't want to leave. I don't want to leave you, Maya,"

It was hard to get the words out but I went on," Whenever I'm with you, I feel whole. Sincerely, I have had sex with uncountable women but with you …. I feel complete like I'm finally home"

To my disappointment, Maya gave me an indifferent look.

"Listen here Niklaus, I'm not that same old Maya and whatever we did last night and today, was solely to satisfy our carnal desires"

She suddenly seemed irritated, "And why are you suddenly clingy? You of all people always hated emotional attachment to the point you only wanted to marry me because you wanted a suitable mother for your daughter,Isabella"

Maya paced up and down the room while gripping her hair now and then as if trying to come to terms with my odd behavior.

"You're Niklaus, the guy with the impenetrable heart? You're the world-famous casanova immune to love, shouldn't you be giddy with joy that I'm free from you? We've separated and I've developed feelings for you which are against your rule, shouldn't you be over the moon?" She questioned animatedly.

Suddenly, I was desperate to be heard. I felt like if I didn't do this now, I would never get an opportunity like this.

"I love you, Maya"

"What?" She was shocked.

"You heard me right"

"No, I think I heard you wrong" Maya was obviously confused.

"I love you, Maya" I gave a wry laugh, "It's quite funny but I think I was in love with you the first day I set my eyes on you. I was just stupid and oblivious to admit it"

Maya blinked," I think you must have hit your head somewhere when the bed broke. I need to get you checked at the hospital "

I thought Maya was kidding but when she began to gather her clothes, I knew she was serious.

"I'm not sick in the head, Maya" I gripped her hand and pulled her to my body. She almost stumbled to the ground with the cascading sheet gathered around her legs but I was there to keep her from falling.

Did my confession shock her that much? Wow, you must have really been an asshole to women, Niklaus.

Maya shook her head stubbornly, "No, you're just infatuated with me or maybe you're just saying this because I asked you to leave-"

"Shut up and listen to me for once, woman !"

This time, she obeyed to my relief. She was just too stubborn.

I clasped her cheeks with both hands just to keep her steady in case she tries to pull her away- she was as quick as a rabbit, a cute bunny.

My confession began," I know myself and right now, Niklaus Spencer is smitten with you. I said I wasn't ever going to fall in love after Kay's death but I guess I have no control over here…" I placed her pretty hand over my chest.

"Do you feel it?" I breathed," It's beating quite fast and strong for you, Maya"

My heartbeat reverberated through her fingers, watching as a lone tear spilled down her cheek while I felt a prick in my heart when she pulled her hand away.

"What's the use of telling me this?" She snapped at me," You're already together with Tina! Your father hates me! Sakuzi wants me dead! So tell me what's the use of this now?! Why don't you give it to Tina who needs it more?!"

Her words hurt me but it was obvious she was hurting more. At the end of the day, she's the one at the receiving end!

"I know, Maya," I said," This is all my fault and I'm doing everything to correct that. I just need you to give me time and your trust"

She sassed," This is not exactly the first time you asked for my trust"

"I know" I acquiesced," I failed you with the proposal, Maya, but not this time. I'm going to get rid of Tina once and for all, you just need to be patient and understanding, please Maya" I implored of her desperately as if my life depended on her.

Diverse emotions flashed across her face in a short time while I held my breath, waiting for her answer anticipatedly.

"Fine," she answered, "Just this once, Niklaus, and if you -"

I didn't wait to hear the rest of her answer and kissed her sweet, and passionately. Maya stood with her eyes wide open and slow to react but I was too happy to quibble.

Not long after she kissed me back, the heat between us reignited again until Maya pulled away and rushed into her washroom.

What the hell just happened?

Puzzled, I went after her," What is wrong…..?"

I was short of words when I saw Maya throwing up in the toilet. I walked over to her, "Do you need help?" I asked with concern.

Maya wanted to answer, however ended up puking her guts instead. I couldn't stand watching her helplessly and so made myself useful by keeping her hair from getting tangled with her vomit and rubbing her back, that should help- hopefully.

"Are you sick or something?" I asked after the vomiting episode was over.

"No" she answered tiredly, leaning against the wall.

My eyes unconsciously moved to her flat stomach, "Maya, are you pregnant by chance?"

It was exactly a month since we slept together for the first time and without protection. What if she was carrying my child?

Maya gave me a blank stare before bursting into hysterical laughter, which made me feel stupid.

"Trust me Niklaus, I'll know if I was pregnant. My body's just reacting adversely to the wine from yesterday"

"Okay," I said coolly yet was disappointed somehow. Why was I wishing for a child from Maya? Was I ready to become a father again?