Niklaus' point of view

"Wake up sleepyhead," Her playful chuckle woke me up. Was this real?

"Maya?" was my question when I saw the blurry face hovering over me. Then I sat up and the blurriness in my eyes cleared, it wasn't Maya but Jennifer.

"Jennifer? What are you going?" I was startled.

"I thought to serve you breakfast in bed," She said, bringing a tray of

mouth-watering pancakes to my view and intentionally ignoring the fact that I had mistaken her for Maya less than a minute ago.

"You don't have to do this," I told her, accepting the meal from her.

"No, I had to do it. I discovered that I've been the one on the receiving end of this relationship..."

At the mention of relationship, the pancake that I already took a bite from, went down the wrong pipe and I entered a coughing fit.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry" Jennifer climbed the bed to my side, rubbing my back.

"No, it's not your fault," I managed to say, hot tears already blurring my eyes from the outcome.

Somehow, this reminded me of Maya and her coughing fits. A smile curved my lips at the memory.

I must have stared into space for a long time because when I recovered myself, Jennifer was obviously not happy.

"Jennifer-." I was still saying when she interrupted me.

"Niklaus, if you're about to restart that conversation again then I suggest you keep it,"

"This is hurting you, no, I'm hurting you," I pointed to my chest, "The more you stay by my side, the more unhappy you are because it's obvious that my heart is not with you,"

Jennifer shook her head, "No, your heart was with me before she came along,"

"I never gave you my whole heart," I corrected the impression.

"Then keep it that way, I'll be the one to open up to you," she said.

I placed the food on the side, "Don't you get it, Jennifer, you're living in denial. All evidence points to Reina being Maya and the more you keep doing this, the more you keep getting hurt,"

"You already hurt me by making me fall for you and promising me marriage," She picked at that.

"And for that, I've apologized and forever would be guilty," I can't even remember how many times I've said this already.

"Then keep being guilty, at least, that would continue to remind you of me, just as the pain reminds you of Maya." She added, "Moreover, we made a deal, until you confirm beyond unreasonable doubt that the woman is Reina, we're very much together. Have a nice day at work Niklaus," She pecked me on the cheek and strode away from the room.

I tousled my hair the moment she left, lying back on my bed with a sigh and staring up at the ceiling with a thousand thoughts.

This was the very reason I loved my playboy days. Then, I was indifferent to women's feelings. Neither did any of them last long enough to create a bond to be guilty over when the agreement ended.

Women were just objects to satisfy my sexual urges until Maya came around and changed my view on love. She made me soft by making me feel things that were now being a disadvantage to me.

I could easily chase Jennifer away but the thought of Neon holds me back plus the morals Maya inputted in me - putting myself in people's shoes always. I keep thinking, what if my child somehow survived and it's being treated that way?

Ugh, this was plain torture.

Standing from the bed, I went to take a shower and prepare for the day ahead. I still had the problem with Reina's company to settle, though she had dropped the charges, we still hadn't reached an agreement yet.

I made it downstairs only to receive a call from Victor, the private investigator for Reina's case.

"Tell me you have good news,"

"You were right, there's a kid," he dropped the news.

I didn't know how to feel, I just stood stunned and out of words. Tears fell from my eyes unknowingly, my child survived. I was greatly relieved.

"But there's something else," He said.

"What is it?" I was slightly anxious, what could be the problem now?

"There's another kid,"

"What?"

"By chance, I happened to find them visiting her apartment this week. I still can't tell whether they're siblings or just a friend accompanying the boy- but the boy was your copy, no doubt,"

I thought hard over it, could it that Maya had twins for me or that was another man's child? It wasn't impossible, I mean it was seven years already. What if she was secretly married to a powerful rich man, hence her ability to effortlessly hide away from me?

"Send me his pictures," I couldn't wait to see him and confirm it with my own eyes.

"I'm sorry but I don't have any with me. He was so heavily guarded that I couldn't even take a shot from my hiding place. I'm still going to warn you, sir, you're dealing with a dangerous person here,"

"All the better," I told him, "Dig further and call me the instant you find out something,"

"Alright,"

The call ended.

I hardly took the phone off my ear when my lovely daughter made her appearance. Ever since Isabella returned, she hardly spoke a word to me and if she did drop a word, it dripped heavily with sarcasm.

"Where are you going this morning, young lady?"I was surprised at her putting on cute makeup.

Of course, Isabella rolled her eyes.

"I'm going to help your life, "

What? My confusion grew, what was she talking about?

"I'm going to visit Anabelle, do you have any problems with that?" She thrust up her chin, ready for a fight.

I simply regarded her appearance, this was moderate than the ones she wore abroad.

"When you're back, we're going to have a heart to a heart discussion about your recent attitude," I informed her on time.

"If I were you I wouldn't count on that," she retorted without even looking over her shoulder.

"I'm serious here, Isabella," I shouted after her.

"And I'm serious too," My daughter said with no care and left.

Who said fatherhood was easy.

Immediately my phone rang. I groaned inwardly, who was it this time? Looking down at the caller, my mood changed instantly

"Hello? What do you want now, father?" I said sarcastically.

Adam asked, "Who is this Reina I hear about,"