### Chapter Eight: Who Wants A Nanny - Maya's POV Everything felt so disconcerting—perhaps it was me who had become the puzzle piece that didn't quite fit. Eden was, on the surface, a delightful companion. Yet, my thoughts drifted back to Nik, wandering amidst the chaos in my mind, uninvited and persistent. They strolled past, hand in hand—Nik and Tina. An image of perfection. They presented a vision of harmony, a couple seemingly carved from the same celestial stone. But then, as I looked closer, a chill whispered through my spine. Nik’s smile was absent, replaced by a grimace that mirrored Tina's tight-lipped expression. That was all the confirmation I needed; they were in the throes of a disagreement, and I was likely the unwelcome catalyst behind it. Tina didn’t buy my flimsy excuse; I could see it written on her face. And now, it seemed, Nik was suffering the fallout. Brilliant work, Maya. I’d managed to unravel my own relationship and potentially spin another into turmoil. Panic bubbled within me, igniting a fierce resolve. I could not remain here any longer; I had to extricate myself from this situation before I delved deeper into the ruins I had already crafted. Gathering my determination, I turned towards the exit—only to find Eden blocking my path. “Going somewhere?” he asked, his gaze scrutinizing me with an intensity that made my stomach twist. His fingers brushed my cheek in mock concern, and I flinched involuntarily. “You okay?” “Um… yes, I’m fine,” I stammered, unable to meet his eyes, terrified he might unravel the tapestry of lies I wove so poorly. “I just need the washroom,” I lied, clinging to the hope that he wouldn’t shadow me like a grim specter. The restroom—my only means of escape. “Okay, go. I’ll be waiting,” he said, his voice casual. Relief washed over me; I wasn’t going to be trapped in his company just yet. Just as I turned to flee, I collided with a figure, a woman whose ethereal beauty struck me as eerily familiar. She was the feminine echo of Nik—though her eyes gleamed cerulean, unlike his midnight black. Without a doubt, she was his sister, another unwelcome tether in my attempt to escape the Spencer chaos. “I’m sorry,” I blurted, praying the collision wouldn’t incite her fury or prolong my stay under Nik's watchful eye. “O-okay,” she stammered, yet as I turned to slip away, an iron grip seized my arm, anchoring me in place. Irritation flared within me as I turned to face her. “How can I help you?” I asked, trying to keep the annoyance from tainting my tone. “I know everyone on the guest list, but you’re not...” she began to explain, but I cut her off, urgency pushing me to escape. “I know, but I really have to…" “Emily!” Eden’s voice sliced through, and my heart sank as I felt the situation spiral further out of control. “Eden?” she beamed, brightening up and practically soaring towards him, enveloping him in a hug that nearly had him toppled over. “You came!” she breathed against him, laughter bubbling in the air. A pang of envy clawed at my heart, wishing desperately for that kind of connection. I was starkly aware of my internal battles—the manipulative Kim, the despair of feeling unwanted, the painful realization that even my mother had stepped back. I was consumed by my thoughts when suddenly, my name brought me back. “I see you’ve met Maya. Maya?” Eden called, startling me from my reverie. As if the world had turned upside down, I lost my ability to articulate coherent thoughts. “Um… yeah…” seemed to be all I could manage. Come on, Maya, I scolded myself silently. Stop sounding like a fool. Breathe. “Hi,” I said, extending my hand despite the knot of anxiety in my stomach. “I’m Maya.” My cheeks flushed as I hoped against hope that this night wouldn’t end with another life ruined. “Emily,” she replied, shaking my hand with a firm grip. But as she examined my fingers, her eyes widened in admiration. “Nice manicure! Where did you get that?” “Get that? Psh, I did it myself. Piece of cake,” I quipped bravely, lifting my hands for inspection, trying to appear unbothered. “Would you do mine, too?” she implored, her doe-eyed expression melting my resolve. I mentally groaned as I realized I didn't want to get entangled with anyone who was a part of Nik’s life. "I don’t know… I…" “Please,” she begged, her lips quivering, her eyelashes fluttering as she bestowed upon me the most persuasive puppy-dog look imaginable. “Fine,” I blurted before my brain could catch up with my mouth. What kind of spell had she cast upon me? Before I could process, I was swept into a bear hug that threatened to squeeze the air from my lungs. “Thank you!” she exclaimed, her joy palpable as she tightened her grip. “I can’t breathe… bone-crushing,” I gasped, her exuberance a double-edged sword. “Oops, sorry!” she laughed, releasing me, a radiant smile illuminating her face. “I’m just so happy; it’s been ages since I had a girlfriend!” “Wait, you don’t have… girlfriends?” My shock was evident. I couldn’t exactly claim to have one either. “Let’s just say, being rich doesn’t mix well with friendship,” she replied, and I heard an undercurrent of pain in her voice—evidence of wounds from past betrayals. “Well, you’re in luck, because I’m in the market for a friend,” I managed to say, trying to mask how much her kindness touched me. Not many in her circle would show such warmth. “Well.” Eden’s announcement sliced through our moment, as he wedged himself between us, a drink firmly in hand. “You ladies have your fun while I go have mine.” He kissed the back of my hand, leaving me bewildered, before vanishing into the crowd. “What’s wrong?” I asked, noting the tension sometimes radiating off Emily. It was clear that something Eden had said worried her greatly. “Trust me, whatever Eden’s plotting, it’s bound to be trouble—especially with Nik around,” she explained, her urgency palpable as she craned her neck to locate Eden amidst the throng. “Nik?” I asked, my surprise palpable. “What’s going on between Nik and Eden?” Curiosity piqued, unaware of the irony; I had sidestepped mission “stay away from the Spencers.” “It’s a long story, but we have to find them before things escalate into chaos!” Emily tugged at my hand, leading me through the crowd. “I can’t fathom what my dad was thinking by throwing them together,” she murmured as we wove through the sea of guests. “How are we going to find your brother amidst this swarm of people?” “They’re family, and besides, Nik mentioned looking for my dad. Eden must be headed there too, so…” “Oh no,” I gasped, earning a “what?” from Emily. I directed her attention towards a charged scene unfolding. “I think World War Three is about to begin.” There stood Nik and Eden, locked in a standoff—Nik with a deadly glare, fists clenched, while Eden sported an arrogant smirk akin to a cat who had cornered a mouse. “This is bad; we need to intervene,” Emily cried, but the hesitation suffocated me. I was caught between two storm fronts—stepping in would be akin to splitting the sea with just a whisper. But before my mind could contemplate further, I found myself standing between the two, introducing myself to Nik’s father. “Maya, sir,” I said, extending my hand, which he took. “I’m Adam Spencer. No need for formality—casual is the name of my game,” he replied, flashing a smile that felt either too genuine or alarmingly forced. “Alright, Mr. Adam,” I agreed, smiling back in an attempt to hide my nerves, my palm damp with sweat. “So Maya, have we met before?” Adam asked, but before I could stammer my answer—one that underscored my unimportance—the moment shifted dramatically. “She’s my da—” “Isabelle’s nanny,” Nik interjected sharply. “What?” We all echoed, my confusion mirroring everyone else’s amazement. What just happened? I was whose nanny? Hadn’t he claimed that his employment wasn’t illegal? A nanny? “A nanny for Izzy? You must be joking!” Eden scoffed in disbelief. The shift in dynamics was palpable; Nik had just shifted his date into the role of his daughter’s caretaker, and it was clear that Eden wasn’t about to take that lying down. “Yes, Eden,” Nik countered, a smirk dancing across his lips. “I’m taking my daughter Isabelle back with me, and she requires a nanny—as my father has agreed.” Oh, the pieces fell into place. I had completely overlooked the fact that Nik was a single dad. Judging by the bewildered expression on Adam's face, he was as unaware of the situation as I was. This was clearly a calculated move by Nik to create the illusion of betrayal against Eden, showcasing that I, his date, was now merely a pawn in their family game. “Oh please,” Eden replied, scoffing at the absurdity. “We all know Izzy’s a little brat; why doesn’t Maya come nanny for Annabelle instead?” “Your spoiled brat who has fired a dozen nannies? How on earth do you think she won’t send Maya packing at first glance?” Nik shot back, and I was left stunned by the revelation. Not only did Nik have a daughter, but Eden had one too? Isabelle and Annabelle? What tangled web had I stepped into? But wait a minute—it was me they were discussing! Why was my opinion nowhere in the fray? “I’ll double whatever he’s offering,” Eden declared, breaking the silence. “A million dollars, Maya. Think it through,” Nik declared, my jaw plummeting in disbelief. A million dollars for a nanny? “Three million,” Eden threw down as if money was nothing but confetti. What was wrong with these guys? Did they pluck cash off trees? Not that I was complaining about the windfall. “Six million,” Nik bid back, treating me as if I were some treasured artifact worthy of an auction. Guilty as charged—I found myself genuinely entertained. I could almost envision myself lounging in a comfortable chair, sporting popcorn and a fizzy drink, relishing this exchange of riches. “Eight million,” Eden countered. An electric silence fell upon the crowd, as everyone seemed to hold their breath, eyes darting between the two men—each simply couldn’t fathom outbidding the other. And then, when it appeared that Nik could contest no further, he stepped forward, a wolfish grin taking over his features. “Twenty million dollars.” The entire venue fell into a shocked stillness. Not a whisper pierced the air; all chatter abruptly ceased. My lips twitched into a smile, unable to contain the delight bubbling inside me. That was Nik—a man with the rare ability to halt the world in its tracks. There was no way Eden could respond to that staggering bid; what followed would surely unravel more than just the evening's tensions.