Reina's point of view

I wanted to torture that asshole, which was why I arrived even earlier than he did, and packed my car by the side of the road across the restaurant, watching him from there.

Truth be told, I was curious about him. The guy that used me and the father of my children, I wanted to know what he was like - beyond his aesthetic physique and all.

So I tested his patience, purposely wasting his time by sipping my wine and listening to the soft jam from my playlist while he waited.

Either that man has a lot of that virtue called patience or he was just desperate to save his company- not that I cared anyway. I didn't know what plans my father had in store for him but if it means I get to play with Niklaus Spencer like this, then I'm in.

So when I saw his patience had finally worn out, I decided to have mercy on his poor soul. Knowing this was the moment I was waiting for, I strutted into the restaurant.

I wore a white long-sleeved lace crop top that subtly showed off some skin with sexy black leather pants that accentuated my shape. If I was going to appear in front of that asshole after so many years, I had to look better than good.

With my blonde hair flowing down in waves, I walked over to him with confidence while he stared at me, mouth agape. He must be speechless.

"Hi, you must be Niklaus Spencer. I'm Princess Reina Armani and it's a pleasure to meet you," I brought out my hand for a handshake but his gaze was settled on my face.

"Maya," He whispered which made my heart skip a bit. The way he spoke that name sent excitement to my body.

He stood to his feet, towering over me which made me gulp. I was already contemplating adjusting this meeting. But I froze seeing tears in his eyes. What the fuck.

"It's really you," I saw the tears flow down his cheeks which made my heart hurt. I had this irresistible urge to reach out and wipe away those tears but I grasped my pants instead. I was dealing with a player and this might be one of the moves he uses to get women to fall for him - emotional manipulation.

Niklaus clasped my face which made me uncomfortable, my pulse was racing and I didn't like a bit of it.

"God, I missed you," He hugged me unexpectedly. Alright, this was getting out of hand.

"Urm, Mr. Niklaus. I think we're mistaken here…"

Yet, he tightened his arms around me which made the contents in my stomach do a backflip and my heart flutter wildly.

As if that was not enough, I shivered when I felt the heat of his breath on my neck and knew that moment that Niklaus Spencer still had control over me.

But something was strange, for someone who used me, he was more affected than I was, or was I missing something here. Yes, he was a player but his sobs were sincere and I had never seen a man cry this much.

"Alright, Mr. Niklaus," I struggled to be let out of his arms. This position was giving me weird sensations "This is enough. I don't know what is up with you but I'm here to... Umm,"

He kissed me, straight up. Lips on lips.

My eyes almost popped out of their socket while my heart danced wildly, what was going on?

Sure, I had expected him to be shocked at my uncanny resemblance to his late girlfriend or whatever she was to him but the passionate kissing? I did not foresee that one.

Sense reminded me that this might be one of his games and I tried to squirm out of his hold but he hooked an arm across my waist, pressing me flush against him. I pushed at his chest unsuccessfully, instead, informing myself of the hard muscles behind that shirt.

I was in trouble.

Against my wish, my heart kept pounding against my chest while his hand traced the curve of my hips, burning my skin with his touch.

To my relief, he broke the kiss so we could catch our breath. However, just when I opened my mouth to give him a piece of my mind, he crashed down his lips on mine. Again.

Now, he pried open my mouth to insert his tongue and my body betrayed me with a moan. I found myself wrapping my hands around his neck and grabbing a thick mass of his hair, reciprocating the kiss.

We both forgot we were in a restaurant and the waiters had left us to continue with our actions since the moment he first kissed me.

My other hand went into his shirt to feel his hard abdomen, he groaned. As much as I hated to say this, this felt so natural and a feeling of deja vu fell over me.

"I love you, Maya"

"Do you feel it, it's beating quite strong and fast for you, Maya"

I pulled away from Niklaus as if shocked by electricity, the memory flash ending as well. What the hell was that.

"Stay back! " I said to him with a toughened breath and my hand raised.

To my surprise, Niklaus didn't try to force me this period. He gave me the distance as I struggled to regulate my worked up heart.

"Maya…"

"No, I'm not Maya." I denied it right away.

"Yes, you are Maya. Even if you try to look different with your unnatural blonde hair," He gestured to my hair, "I know every part of you as I know my body, Maya. I know you like the back of my hand"

"I'm not this Maya you speak of. My name is Princess Reina -"

"Spare me that bullshit, Maya Octavia!" he hissed at me.

"I'm not Maya, I'm Reina Armani!" I spat back at him with the same intensity.

His gaze was intimidating; his amber eyes looking like hot coals. Still, I didn't back down. If I could stand up to Emerald, there was nobody in this world that I couldn't look straight in the eyes.

"I'm done with this meeting today. Call me when you're back to your senses." I concluded, picking up my purse that had slipped down my clutch during our passionate touching of lips.

The moment I turned around, the hairs on my back stood on edge, warning me of danger. Regardless, before I could counter his move, I felt a pain on my neck and my vision darkened.