Maya's POV

Annabelle's expression went from shocked to frightened while I face-palmed, this girl was so gullible.

But it seems Isabella was not through with her lectures yet cause she leaned over, carried the rice platter and scooped a mountain of rice onto Pedro's plate saying,

"As a growing child Pedro needs rice the most to accumulate muscles and it also provides energy, prevents obesity, improves metabolism, controls blood pressure , regulates body temperature , prevents chronic constipation and most of all prevents cancer unlike someone's suggestion of beef " She criticized Anabelle tactically and as a matter of fact, was staring her right in the eye.

I banged my hand hard on the table " Kids seriously? Can't you two coexist for like two minutes?! I came here to eat in peace not in pieces! " I chided them while massaging my temple, I could feel a headache brewing.

Thankfully, that kept them quiet for a while but the deed has been done. No matter how much I persuaded her , Anabelle wouldn't dare touch, talk more eat any meat and that was how she officially developed Carnophobia -- fear of meat - Izzy really did a number on her.

To be truthful, I'm definitely lost here.

How do I train up a kid whose own teenage rebellion started way before the normal age ? Even I can't even tell what I was like during my own teenage years thanks to the lack of motherly figure yet one thing was for sure, I wasn't this daring.

But it was definitely frustrating, how can I train a kid when I can't even boast of my own upbringing ? And speak of motherhood, I wasn't even sure I was going to make a good mother, but I knew inwardly that I would give my kid the best - blood-related or not.

"So how about your mother, brother Pedro " Annabelle who seem to have made a full recovery from the criticism earlier asked Pedro who surprisingly has not said a word since, preferring to stay on neutral ground.

"She's fine " He answered with a smile but his attention was grabbed when Izzy moved a spoonful of food towards his mouth.

She commanded firmly " Open up "

Pedro's nervous gaze flickered to Anabelle and Izzy noticed it cause her usual sinister smile curled up her mouth.

"Why? You don't want to? You're shy? But you were so enthusiastic and willing the last time you fed me " She said and I saw Pedro shift uncomfortably in his chair while I groaned and literally gripped my hair, Izzy is driving me crazy!

"Isabella! " I boomed, gritting my teeth in anger and frustration laced together " Pedro and Annabelle are visitors in this house and you would act appropriately towards them, so no more snide remarks or comments "

Her hands flew to her mouth and Izzy gasped dramatically "Oops, sorry. I forgot they were called visitors for a reason "

I rolled my eyes , really Isabella? Who are you kidding?

But it seems she wasn't close to the word called " done" cause the smile disappeared from her face and was instead replaced by a mischievous glint in her eyes " Fine then, let's move this discussion to the non visitors " She said, emphasizing on ' non visitors '

Her gaze bore into mine as she asked straightforwardly " When are you and that man called my father actually going to get married? "

Suddenly, there was a long shocked silence which was shattered when someone's spoon clattered to the ground.

"You're getting married to uncle Niklaus?!" Annabelle asked in disbelief, lips trembling and expression pale.

I shut my eyes and began a mental countdown

Izzy snorted contemptuously " Don't you know ? Maya would be my mommy instead of my nanny very soon and you wouldn't need to come over to my place anymore "

And this is it, I snapped " Alright young lady your time is up, now head back to your room right now ! "

She stood up without hesitating, a sardonic smile plastered on her face " Yes mommy " and sauntered towards the direction of the stairs leading to her room.

"And I hope I don't see your face till the sun goes down! " I yelled after her.

" My pleasure ! " She screamed back and banged her door shut, the very thud reverberating throughout the house.

I groaned and banged my head twice against the table out of frustration, finally figuring out why Izzy was behaving that way .

She was rebelling against me on purpose probably because of the punishment from earlier. She was now hell bent on making my life a misery at lest until her punishment is over.

" Oh God " I breathed, what has Niklaus gotten me into ?

A sob by my side dragged me back to reality and I was shocked to discover Annabelle was bawling her eyes out.

What the hell is wrong with everybody today?

I pulled my seat close to her's and lifted her chin carefully " Hey pumpkin, what's wrong? "

She glanced up at me with trembling lips and teary eyes " Y-you are going to leave me "

When I heard her statement, I melted inwardly ; so she cared about me this much?

I gathered her into my arms and rubbed her back soothingly and said unto her " I won't leave you sweetheart, you hear me? Even if I do get married, You are free to come and see me as much as you like, alright? "

I assured her but that didn't placate her one bit, instead it made her weep louder as she tightly wrapped her hands around my neck - almost choking me in the process.

Suddenly with snotty nose and puffy eyes, Anabelle looked up and made a ridiculous request

"Can't you be my mommy instead? "