Niklaus point of view

"Here he is!" Reporters encompassed me as soon as I came out of the departure gate which made me wonder who leaked my flight info.

"How do you feel returning home after seven years, Niklaus Spencer?"

"There have been rumors circulating that you'd be getting married, is that true?"

I ignored them. I've encountered reporters over the years and learned silence was the best tool to use to deal with them unless making an official statement.

"Are the rumors true? Is that why you're back home?"

"Seriously," I hissed, glaring at the reporters almost shoving their cameras in my face. Just when I thought this city had forgotten me, it turned out that I was wrong.

I was relieved when I lifted my head to see my men hurrying to save me from their distress.

"Make way!" They shoved the persistent reporters aside, creating a path which they walked through and were by my sides in no time.

"Why did you leave in the first place, Niklaus? There have been rumors circulating that the relationship with your father is hanging on a thin line, is that true?" Queried a reporter who was adamant about getting her question answered. She even kept following after me amid the guards keeping her at arm's length.

"Say something, sir, why did you leave? Is it because of Maya? You both had been quite close and you left after her death, right? Is there anything else you know regarding her death that the public has no idea about?"

I stopped in my tracks at once, my once bright face darkening. Of all questions, she had to ask that?

My guards stopped as well, watching as I approached the reporter with a clenched jaw. The other reporters must have sensed my furious mood and remained the way they are - nor moving or proceeding further.

"Mind where you snoop your nose, curiosity killed the cat, " was my clear warning to her, and strode away with the other reporters running after me. Hence I spoke to her, they had the view I might respond to their question too.

I didn't need to speak, my guards held them back while I was led to my car where my ever loyal Micheal was awaiting me already.

"Long time, Sir Niklaus," He

welcomed me.

"Thank you, Micheal. How have you been?"

"I'm fine. Where to, sir? Home?" He inquired

"Home?" I mumbled under my breath, was that home? I had not returned to stay but solve this sudden problem that has affected the entirety of my jewelry company and might escalate if not settled.

"Find a good hotel that isn't owned by the Spencers," I ordered him yet found a stressed look of grimace on Michael's face as if he was at war at what to say.

"What is the problem?" I asked him, knowing there was something on his mind.

"Sir, most of the high-end hotels out there currently belong to the Spencers," he reported.

"Is that the case?" I breathed, "Seems Eden has been doing a good job then,"

Though I had been away for years, I had my ears glued to the ground and got to know that Eden had successfully taken the power from that man Adam. But something was strange, the old man had given up the position without a fight which means he had other plans in mind. Just prayed Eden was smart enough not to fall into his traps.

Michael glanced over his shoulder at me "What should I do, sir?"

I rubbed my jaw contemplatively,

"Alright, drive to my place," there was no need to spend sumptuously when I had a house to stay. Moreover, it was seven years already, it was time to face that reality and get over it.

"Good choice sir, Amanda has prepared the house already," that comment from Micheal made the corners of my mouth quirk, why do I feel like I was just tricked?

Sigh, whatever.

I had intended my return to be low-key hence my refusal to stay under any hotel owned by any Spencer - this city was their playground- but the reporters had exposed me. Well, there was no need hiding anyway, Adam probably has an idea of my return - he had been keeping track of my movements over the years in secret.

How did I know about that? I was his son, he was my father, we knew each other's tactics and behavior pattern. Adam had let go of me easily because he knew he could find me wherever I was?

After giving up on my position as a Spencer, I left with my hard-earned resources garnered over the years to go start my life from the scratch.

And now, I have a successful jewelry company with a network of over two hundred concept stores worldwide alongside its other subsidiaries coupled with my private security company.

My company wouldn't beat the Spencer Group which had diverse networks and had made a name for itself, in a head-on challenge. However, as it's former CEO, I knew how they worked and operated, with careful planning and trickery- of course- I could have a chance of victory.

My phone rang, rousing me from my reverie, it was a video call from Jennifer.

"Hi babe," I smiled at her beautiful face staring back at me from the phone.

"Hi sweetheart," she smiled back, a blush creeping up her face when she looked away. Jennifer had always been a shy one.

Well, it was seven-plus years already since Maya died and it's natural I got a female companion; I couldn't stay single for eternity. I loved Maya and all, but she's dead and this is reality and I'm alive; people who are alive move on, not dwell on the past.

At first, we had just a normal relationship but when my grieving years were over, I realized something changed inside of me. I didn't want to return to my old ways; I didn't want to be that same old player, heck! I had no time to chase after girls who cared nothing but what they gained from you.

That's when my eyes rested on Jennifer, we've been inseparable over the years and had a purely platonic relationship until I realized she's the perfect woman for me.

My play days were over, I was almost thirty-four of age and it was time to settle down. Jennifer seems to be the perfect candidate so far. She's kind, beautiful, intelligent, shy in a cute way but fragile, a little happening could bring her to tears - well, I would live with that.

Though her relationship with my daughter Isabella isn't that great - she still gives her the cold shoulder- however, they see eye to eye on some issues and condone each other at least - that's encouraging.

My relationship with Isabella over the years has been a series of ups and downs. Periodically we fight, and the next we reconcile- she's much harder to handle now she's a teenager.

My daughter changes boyfriends like she changes her tee-shirt - I wonder if she ever sees them as humans with emotions too- not to add the numerous suspensions she has been given over the years from schools because of her pranks. Currently, she attends school number four - Yes, Isabella's an infamous student over there.

Though Isabella and I communicate better than in the past but lately, ever since I made my intention of marrying Jennifer known, she has been giving me the cold shoulder.

I knew she didn't want me to marry Jennifer or any other woman for that matter, but I can't remain single forever and that's what my daughter fails to understand.

"Have you arrived?" Jennifer asked, chewing on her lower lips.

"Yeah, I'm currently in my car as you can see," I showed her around the car's interior happily.

"You must be stressed up," she pointed out my tired features.

"Yeah, it's been crazy over here," I sighed, rubbing my temple. Now she said it I could already feel my head throbbing.

Jennifer turned to the side as if something grabbed her attention and I heard her say to someone, "Say hi to uncle!"

Neon's handsome face popped up in the camera, "Hi uncle," said the mischievous creature - let's just say Isabella has not exactly been a good role model.

"Hi Neon, how have you been?" I gave him a warm smile. The boy has been a source of joy to me over the years, children had a knack for lifting one's mood.

"I'm fine. Uncle, when are you going to return home, Neon misses you already" he inquired with his childish voice.

"Hmm, uncle would return as soon as possible so I can play with you as much as you want, alright?" I promised him.

"You promise? " his face lit up.

"Of course, cross my heart," I swore to him.

"Fine, see you later, uncle. Bye," he ran off, probably went off to continue with his mischief.

"How's Isabella?" That was my next question.

Jennifer replied, "Went to some party with friends. Don't worry, she'd be back. If there's anyone I'm worried about, it should be you. How are you faring so far?"

Of course, I knew what she was referring to. If there was anything I liked about Jennifer, it was her understanding. She would make a good wife and a mother to our future children.