Nik's POV

It was a huge relief to finally leave sakuzi's place. Last night had been a terror and a turning point in my relationship with Maya. It was a nightmare, I don't ever want to return.

I felt her taking secret peaks at me but I couldn't face her, I couldn't look her in the eyes, there were a lot of thoughts running through my head now.

Hearing her stomach rumble, I remembered she hadn't taken anything since she awoke aside that coffee.

Though sakuzi prepared breakfast, I was too eager to get her out of there. Who knows what sly old man was cooking up.

I pretended not to have heard it and looked away yet ordered Judy to pull-up when we came across a restaurant.

The restaurant was not up to my taste but there was nothing I could do, Maya was hungry and she had suffered a hangover upon it, so the best thing to do was to get something quickly into her stomach before she gets sick or something.

"What's this? " She asked me and I looked at the chicken soup tilted towards me.

I knew this was going to happen which was why I chose her meal by myself, left for her alone she would have just chosen some random junk food. I wonder how she's been able to take care of herself all these years.

Seeing the displeasure on her face, I explained the benefit of the soup to her body and she had no option than

to suck it up.

I was eating but the food tasted like ashes in my mouth, how was I going to bring it up?

After forcing the hamburger down my throat, I glanced up at her and discovered she was almost through with her meal when I broke the news to her.

"You don't need to nanny my daughter anymore, you're relieved of your services "

I saw Maya stiffen for a second

"E-excuse me? "

"I want you to quit Maya "

Her spoon fell to the ground from shock and I gulped, why was I feeling nervous?

"But my contract - "

"I'll take care of the contract and compensate you for all damages since I'm the one that breached it this time " I assured her.

She didn't have to worry about that part, I'll compensate her heavily for the losses.

"Why? " She asked, still finding it hard to believe.

"You know why Maya "

This was for her safety, Sakuzi doesn't go back on his words and since he has made Maya his target, he would follow her up.

I'm supposed to stay away from her but it will be increasingly hard if she's within reach. Moreover, you can't fool Sakuzi twice - the best option was to let her go.

She snorted derisively "Why? Because you know deep inside that you wouldn't be able to keep your lousy hands off me?"

"You know that's not entirely why " I tried to reason with her

Her sarcastic laughter made me uncomfortable "Oh please spare me your lame excuse Niklaus. Don't you dare use Sakuzi as an excuse "

"What are you trying to say? " I retorted, can't she see this was hard on me too.

"Why are you behaving like a fool Niklaus? Why are you playing right into Sakuzi's hand? Do you think I don't know about the rules of Spencer's heir ?"

I paused while my brows knitted. How did she know that? I don't remember telling her that unless someone else did

" Who told you about that? "

"Why are you so damn curious when you never bothered to tell me in the first place? "

" Eden " It had to be him. He was the only person who would be willing to leak the family secret just to cause a problem between Maya and me.

"You knew Sakuzi would do little to nothing to me once I got married to you, yet… ." Maya burst with anger but managed to compose herself.

But the rule wasn't as simple as it looked. Yeah, we protect our own but the family patriarch had the right to exempt any Spencer from that immunity - I guess Eden didn't explain that part.

My father Adam was currently the family patriarch and yes, I am the next in line but my authority is still restricted to a certain degree.

Even if I end up marrying Maya if he

exempt her from that immunity, Sakuzi still has the opportunity to strike.

Initially, I had planned on tackling Adam my own way once I got married to her but who knew Sakuzi would make things more complicated - not to talk of Tina.

Suddenly I glanced down when I saw her hand covering the top of my palm I had placed on the table.

"What's holding you back, Niklaus? " She whispered.

I swallowed down my saliva, the urge to spill the beans to her tempting me so much I had to withdraw my hand at once.

"I will compensate you heavily for your services, you might not even have to work throughout your life "

I saw the fire in her eyes, I had made her very, very, angry.

"Why would I not work for the rest of my life? Are you paying off your mistress? " She sassed.

"Maya - "

"Fine! Since you're so rich, I want every single dime paid. For the breach, for every physical, psychological, and emotional pain I went through "

Paying her for all the damages done wasn't a problem but I didn't want us to part this way, I want her to understand the reason I had to do this.

"Maya -"

Maya stood up " I hope this is the last time I ever see you " She spat at me with anger and disappointment.

I stood up as well.

"Wait, Judy would give you a ride," I told her but that stubborn ass ignored me and kept walking towards the entrance.

"Maya! " I went after her and grabbed her arm.

"Don't you ever dare touch me! " She told me off sternly.

"Maya listen to me! "

"No, you listen to me! "

I took a step back as a result of her jabbing me in the chest furiously.

"I'm sick and tired of all these games! I'm not a fucking toy nor an object for your self-gratification Niklaus! I have feelings too and it has been repeatedly tossed and taken for granted throughout this relationship…"

Her breath was labored and her face flushed as she took a deep breath "This time buddy, you have to make clear your stand. Stop confusing me! "

Holding my gaze, she took a step forward "And this time, I do love. Take it or leave it "

My jaw clenched as I pondered over her word. I liked Maya but love was something else. It's too risky for me to love her.

"Bastard" She called me, her word filled with venom, and turned to leave.

But she turned back around when she recalled something "Thanks for rescuing me by the way, but I hope to never get in that kind of situation because of you again "

Then she stormed out of the restaurant.

Of Course, no one would bother her anymore. As far as I keep my distance from her, my enemies would think she was just one of my usual flings; one of my playthings I used to satisfy my sexual urge.

Funny thing was that for the time in my entire life, Maya was the first woman I dated and broked up with without having sex with her.

This piece of news would really shock the media if it leaks out. The playboy Niklaus Spencer never had sex with his past girlfriend? How shocking!

Through the glass door, I watched her ignore Judy and flagged down a taxi instead. The girl was still determined and stubborn as ever.

I knew she was heading to my residence to get her things without looking back. Somewhere deep inside, I wished Isabella would stop her.

But who was I kidding, Isabella would help her pack her stuff instead; my daughter had warned me not to mess this up but here I am, back to square one.

My mood became sour and it was aggravated when Judy came to view and announced,

"Your father wants to see you instantly "

I sighed deeply and rubbed my temple, of course, he had found out already, it was time to face the music.

"Fine, let's go," I said to him and headed to the car while he paid for the meal and trailed after me.

I thought I would run crazy, It felt like hell, I couldn't relax and felt angry at everyone and everything. But I couldn't pinpoint what exactly brought up the anger.

Maya: my girlfriend I just broke up and severed ties with?

Adam: who caused all this shit in the first place and who I would be facing in the next few minutes?

Sakuzi: the bastard who is hellbent on making my life a living hell?

Tina: An annoying ex-girlfriend I can't seem to rid off?

Or the music playing on the radio right now.

"There's a girl but I let her getaway

It's all my fault cause pride got in the way

And I'd be lying if I said I was okay

About that girl the one I let get away.. "

"Could you please in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ turn that off " I spat at Judy in annoyance.

He glanced up at me through the rearview mirror, noticing my grim expression before turning it off.

Judy didn't say a word to me throughout the ride which I was grateful for, I would have probably transferred my aggression on him.

The moment we arrived at Adam's residence, I was instantly referred to his study.

Immediately I stepped into his room, a teacup met me square in the face before breaking upon impact with the ground.

Blood trickled down my forehead.