Maya's POV

"Have a taste" Eden urged me to have a spoonful of his mouth-watering dish set before me and I compiled gladly.

"How is it? " He asked, dragging his seat towards me which produced a loud squeaking sound with an anticipatory look on his face.

I chewed the food slowly and carefully. Putting on a poker face, my head was tipped to the side as if in deep contemplation, purposely keeping Eden on tenterhooks.

"Hmm" I sighed heavily with a disappointed look and saw his face fall, does this guy have no faith in his cooking at all?

Without warning, my face brightened with a cheeky grin as I gave him a thumbs-up, " Delicious "

I watched Eden breathe in relief with his hand pressed over his heart, "God, you kept me in suspense! To be frank, I didn't taste that " he confessed causing me to cast him a doubtful glance.

"No way! "

"I'm serious "

"This is insane " I expressed my surprise with my mouth filled with the delicious delicacy. My eyes rolled to the back of my head in delight as the rich sweetness exploded in my taste bud.

"Your cooking skill is on a god-level " I praised him, some of the food flying out my mouth in the process.

"Fine, close your mouth, and eat then. Talking while eating is a bad habit " He chided me playfully.

I obeyed without complaint, it was unladylike talking and eating - well, I've never been a lady anyway.

I had no problem with the food save its name: Oven-roasted chicken with country vegetables in a reduced honey dijon glaze over long-grain white rice - yep, catch your breath while pronouncing that.

"You should be my cook once you quit your job, " I told him after flushing down the food with a glass of water.

Eden cocked a brow at me, "From a masseur to a cook, that sounds interesting. At least, it's satisfying to know that I've got everything you need in a man " He told me with a positive smirk.

I scoffed at him," Hoho, such confidence! I hope you remember these words after you've failed miserably"

He drew closer with a playful twinkle in his eyes," Does this mean you're permitting me to court you ?"

"In your dreams sweetheart " I wrinkled my nose at him.

Eden and I continuously bantered throughout the meal and did I forget to mention - dessert - until he dropped a piece of unexpected news.

"You're free to leave for the city tomorrow, the scandal has been cleared "

I looked up surprised, "Huh? "

"You're free to return tomorrow henceforth without fear of being harassed by the paparazzi and angry netizens "

I blinked, "The scandal has been cleared at last? That quickly? "

"Yeah, that quickly " Eden acquiesced, satisfied with his progress.

He quickly added," Aren't you happy?"

"Yeah, home at last! Of course, I'm happy, why shouldn't I be happy? " I said, flashing him a smile that didn't touch my cheeks. I couldn't help but feel that I just lied through my teeth.

Don't get me wrong, I was delighted I would no longer experience cameras being shoved to my face or my hair pulled from behind, but there was a twinge of disappointment in my heart.

It was so hard at first after the breakup with Niklaus, but the days that came afterward were magical. I was happy and for once, connected with people who liked me the way I was without pretense.

They were real and I was real: the face drawing prank was not funny but I liked it - I'm not a masochist by the way - the dinner fight, the massage, snake episode, and many others; it warmed my heart.

This place was like a wonderland placed in an ice globe which would be shattered come tomorrow when everyone goes back to their normal life.

"Alright, I'll leave for the city tomorrow then. But before that, I need to take the kids out "

"Take them out? "

"It would be a loss if I don't take a tour of the countryside before leaving. Besides, I promised to treat the kids for helping me with Isabella's handwork on my face " I explained to him.

Eden agreed, "Fine, I'll give you a tour then "

"What? "

"No one knows this place better than I do "

I thought over it, having Eden with us wouldn't be so bad. We wouldn't need to worry after security or fear of being bullied by any local tyrant.

I was sure of holding my own at worst, until help arrives but with the kids around, they would become a liability.

Another perk of Eden coming with us : we would spend all we want without worrying about exhausting his wallet - sigh, it's so good to be rich.

Done with my meal, I announced the news to Pedro and Anabelle who were estactic with joy at the thought of leaving the house; both viewed the beautiful property as a prison notwithstanding the electronic gadgets provided to keep them busy.

Their joy knew no bounds that they rushed their preparation and went out of the house in a twinkle of an eye, waiting expectantly by the driveway for us to arrive.

I didn't put much into the dressing, just a black and white spaghetti strap gown with a pink bomber jacket and sneakers.

"Hey "

"Hey "

We checked each other out, Eden was wearing a slim cut t-shirt with a Commuter Trucker Jacket, milk-colored chinos, and white sneakers and his hair was sexily messy as if someone tousled it all day long.

"Let's go," He said.

I was expecting to pick one of his expensive cars but I was speechless when he rode out of the garage with a red pickup truck.

What the…

"Are you coming or not? " Eden flashed me a knowing grin, he went simple today on purpose.

Well, a beggar has no choice. Maybe, being low-key was not such a bad idea, I didn't want to attract attention by the way. Who knows who might be lodging in this village?

We all climbed into the truck and drove off. Perhaps, if that prankster called Isabella was still here, I would've put my guard on but I didn't; Anabelle was such a good kid and we belted out popular songs till we reached our destination.

The local market was bustling with activities, vendors exhibited their products while dust particles filled the air as people walked up and down the place.

"I want this and this and this and this "Anabelle binge requested for anything that caught her eyes and Eden would have indulged her, had I not refused.

I managed to convince the little girl to choose the stuff that was practical for her needs and age and not just because it pleased her eyes.

Afterward, we trudged into the clothing line and that was where the senseless spending began.

Compared to the high-end ones found in departmental stores, the clothes bring sold here were obviously lower quality, but were colorful and handmade.

Eden didn't listen to me this time , not to mention the fact he didn't even bargain for the price and just spent his money on whatever articles of clothing he thought would look good on everyone.

My head throbbed, this is why you should never send a rich man to the market! I cried inwardly - This trader was going to be wealthy overnight.

But why was I even complaining? It was his money, not mine. Moreover, I get to gain from the shopping too.

"Young man, you should get this for your beautiful wife " Another seller dragged him to his stall; surprisingly, Eden followed the middle-aged woman sheepishly.

My face burned at the mention of "Wife" . Where did this woman come from? How could she surmise I was a married woman? Do I look like a married woman?

"I'm not his - " I tried to refute her claim but she didn't even let me speak.

"Shh, don't be embarrassed " The saleswoman hushed me, " You must be the type since your husband is not saying anything "

Eden muffled his laugh with his palm by my side while I glared at him and mouthed, "Tell her it's not true "

"Stop denying it already " She hit me on the shoulder playfully, " You can deny your husband but not your children "

My jaw dropped this time.

The talkative seller stretched her neck out to catch a glimpse of Pedro and Anabelle who were still making their choices in the previous stall.

"Especially that small one, the girl; she's your perfect copy except she took her father's eyes " She observed.

Eden was enjoying this, I could tell from his snicker ; he didn't even make an effort to clear this misunderstanding.

"Though the boy doesn't take after you nor your husband, he must have resembled someone from your family, hehe "

"They are not my children! I'm not married yet !" I screamed inwardly, why was this woman such a loudmouth?

"You wanted me to get my wife something from your shop" Eden reminded her the main purpose of coming here .

But he hooked his arm around my waist and brought me closer, pressing me to his side.

Suddenly, an evil thought crossed my mind: I reciprocated his embrace by wrapping my arm too around his waist but pinched him so hard his face contorted.

"Is anything the matter? " The saleswoman noticed the ugly look on Eden's face.

"No " I answered quickly and faced him, " Is anything wrong, darling? "