Chapter 200 - Two Hundred: His Departure (1/2)

Niklaus' point of view

”You have been so happy lately, does that mean I'm getting a baby sibling soon?” Isabella's sudden question surprised me.

For the first time in history, I was fixing her breakfast personally because she has been a doll lately. Perhaps, that should be because Eden distanced his daughter from her and yes, Pedro has been coming over but this time, both are under strict surveillance.

”What are you talking about?” I feigned ignorance, passing a plate of the hot pancake to her.

Isabella rolled her eyes,” Oh please, you can deceive others but not me,” she went into details,” Whenever you're with Tina, you have this 'frozen face syndrome' ”

My daughter made a comical gesture of the so-called ”frozen face” syndrome - does that even exist?

She continued, ”But when you're with Maya, you smile a lot which is kind of creepy”

”So?” I was captivated by this discussion.

”So, simply means you've been seeing Maya behind Tina's back,” she added,” Aren't parents or in your case parent, supposed to lay a good example for their kids to follow but all you have taught me so far is how to cheat on my future boyfriend,”

I was dumbfounded. How was I going to explain my way out of this one? If Isabella was Anabelle, it would be a lot easier but we're talking about a super-intelligent ten-year-old here.

”Isabella” I breathed, taking off the cooking glove,” I'm not a good role model, don't follow my footsteps” I confessed truthfully.

There was no beating around the bush with my daughter. Trust me, it was better you gave her an honest answer than she providing one for you.

”Which is why...” I went on, ”I'm going to give you the best training. Show you the right route and make sure, you don't end up like me”

”Yeah, sure. Good luck with that,” she said nonchalantly, adding syrup to her pancake batter before taking a huge bite out of it. Isabella moaned in satisfaction, nodding her head and taking more huge chomps hurriedly.

My heart melted at the sight. Well, let's just say that after that punishment, Isabella and I decided to call a truce. So, we have been getting along - at the moment.

Who knows when her demons would crop up again?

”Take it easy or you'd choke” I criticized her, then moved to grab the coconut milk from the fridge when I remembered that belonged to Maya and picked the orange juice instead.

”That's a creepy fetish” Isabella observed, ”Why do you keep feeding me other juices when I prefer the coconut ones?” She complained.

”You'd understand when you grow up,” I said, dismissing the argument.

I took a stool and sat at the clutter-free polished granite counter to have breakfast with my daughter instead of the dining table.

”You know I've been thinking lately,” Isabella said,” It's high time I got a boyfriend already”

The spoon I had brought to my mouth froze in midair while I slowly lifted my hooded eyes.

”Or maybe not,” She rephrased after receiving my sharp death glare.

Get what boyfriend? What does she know about love? Relationship? And of course sex? She's too young for that. Moreover, those boys out there are just wolves in sheep's clothing - trust me, I'm telling from experience. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm protecting my daughter here.

Almost immediately, my expression shifted when my phone rang, it was Adam. My eyes narrowed skeptically, why was he calling? For some strange reasons, he has been quiet and didn't even comment on me saving Maya from Sakuzi again.

I knew Adam heard about it, after all, I caused quite a ruckus that day with the number of men that accompanied me.

”Be a good kid, I'll be back soon,” I ruffled Isabella's hair- a gesture she hates so much yet I couldn't help myself.

”Where are you going?” Isabella asked.

”Your grandfather called,” I told her, taking off the apron wrapped around my waist.

”You're in deep hot trouble, aren't you?” She mused.

”Don't know yet but probably” I answered, having known this was related to Maya. The fact he kept quiet the past weeks meant he was up to something.

Isabella glanced up at me, ”Let's hope you don't get beaten since I won't be there to rescue your ungrateful ass”

”When I'm back, young lady, we'd work on your language,” I informed her on time.

The kind of obscene words she vomits gets me scared for her future. Women are supposed to be gentle and decent, not unruly, harsh, and foul-mouthed. What guy would marry her in the future?

Pushing those matters to the back of my mind, I drove to my father's place, eager to know what he has to say.

The security was tight just like the last time I came, Sakuzi's presence was wrecking the old man's nerve plus the fact I declared war on him; who knows when I might takeover.

”What is it? Why did you call?” I asked him, stepping into his office.

Adam was longing in his swivel chair with a leg crossed over the other, expecting my presence.