"I know you hate hospital, but you've kept this straight face all day." I said pushing my father into the hospital.

It was always like that. He loved the progress he was making, but he would never smile on days he had to go to his appointment. And today was an example of that. His lips didn't turn up once.

"You, grumpy old man." I said lowly before pressing the button to call the elevator. It opened right away and I pushed him in.

I pressed the fifteenth floor and turned to look at him to see him giving a look, certainly because I called him a "grumpy old man".

I lightly placed my hand on his cheek as a we heard the sound of the elevator informing signaling that we're on our floor. I went back behind him and pushed him out. Pushing him has gotten easier throughout the years, now I was a professional wheelchair pusher.

Professional wheelchair pusher?

Weirdo. I mentally scoffed standing in front of the secretary desk. The middle-aged lady at the desk smiled looking up at me.

I smiled too before speaking. "Hi. We have an appointment with Doctor Green. Carl Vinsant."

"Oh yeah. Doctor Green is actually right there." She said pointing behind me and I saw a man in a white blouse moving close to us.

He stood in front of us before pulling his hand out. "I'm doctor Green."

"I'm Maya." I smiled shaking his hand. "And this is my father."

"It's a pleasure to meet you two." He said nodding politely at my father. "I'm glad the bo- Mr. Orsini contacted me to take care of your father. I can assure that you won't regret that change."

Orsini?

I smiled lightly before he grabbed my father's wheelchair pushing him toward his office as I followed slowly.

So, Nickolas was the one who changed my father's doctor too, among other things.

I don't know how to feel about this anymore. It's really nice of him, and I am grateful but he hasn't known me for that long. What would he do that?

My father's treatment costs a fortune, and I don't know how comfortable I am with that.

"What happened to the other doctor?" I suddenly asked and he turned to look at me.

"I'm not sure, ma'am." He said with a small smile. "What I know is that we're gonna get your father back on his feet." He said.

I nodded keeping my thoughts from coming back again, and just let my father get well. Whatever price that comes with his well-being would be worth it. I would give my life for him.

"And don't worry. In just a few months, your father will be able to talk and move his upper body. The rest will come with time." Doctor grinned explained, making a pleasant feeling creep into my chest.

He is going to be okay. And that's all that matters.

I nodded again as he opened a door mentioning me to get in first before following with my father.

****

"You're late." I said as I opened the front to Damon.

I directly went home after my father's appointment, which I regretted the moment I realized how bored I was after an hour. So, I spent some time baking muffins before I received a call from Damon telling me that he wanted to talk. Things have been weird since we went out for lunch, we haven't talked to each and we would usually text each other, even if we didn't see each other. So, I told him to meet me here.

"I know. I was caught up by work." He said lowly walking in. 

I looked out before closing to see Mike looking at Damon warily. I waved slightly to tell him that it was okay before closing the door. I don't know why he had that long, Damon is not dangerous or anything.

"I came to apologize about what I said when we were at lunch." I heard Damon say as I turned back to face him.

"It's already forgotten. Don't worry about it." I said walking back to the kitchen as he followed.

"I shouldn't have said what I said." He said as I opened the oven to take out the muffins.

"It's okay really." I smiled again using my heel to close the oven. "I made your favorites. Chocolate chip."

I placed the pan on the counter and went to take out plates.

"Would you like something to drink?" I asked when he just stayed silent.

"Just water, please."

I nodded and opened a glass from one of the cupboards to get him his water. I could feel him just staring at me, and I know exactly what was going through his mind.

I placed his glass of water in front of him before going back to the muffins taking two out of the pan. I placed them on a plate before pushing it toward him.

"Stop staring." I said giving him a look, before going back to taking the rest of the muffins out.

"I just don't get you." He said and I let out a sigh, knowing that he wouldn't have just let it go.

I shook my head at him. "You have to let it go, Damon."

"I just want you to leave him. He's not a good man, Maya." He said and by the edge in his voice, I could tell that he was getting angry.

I smiled a little causing him to narrow his eyes at me. "And I told you that I was fine."

I was trying my best to look calm. I know he cares.

Or I think he does... I want to believe that and separate my current feelings for Sam from him. 

His breathing increased and I raised my eyebrows at him. "I don't understand you. Why aren't you leaving him? Is it your mom?" He asked and I briefly clenched my teeth.

"You don't have to understand me. I'm married to him." I said, forcing a smile on my face as the sentence left my mouth. "And I really don't want to talk about it."

He furrowed his eyebrows before standing up and started moving around the counter. "Don't you trust me?"

"That's not the point, Damon. There is just nothing to talk about." I said from my seat as he walked around the counter and stood right in front of me, making me look up at him cautiously.

"Do you love him?" He asked making and I let out a small sigh.

I know he wanted to help, but I just couldn't find myself telling him anything. It has nothing to do with the fact that I found out about Samantha's doings. But I just don't see myself telling him about me and Kaden. He means well, but I just can't confide in him. I don't know why.

"I do." I lied. "You've always been like a brother to me, and I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine." He said, wishing that he would just let it go.

He moved even closer making me stand from my seat. I looked at him raising an eyebrow slightly.

"Now you're just invading my personal space, young man." I said, moving away slightly when he took another step toward me.

"You know you can count on me, right. I'm always here for you." He said grabbing my hand in his when I tried taking another step away.

I forced a smile again nodding trying to pry my hand from his, but he wouldn't let go. "I know and thank you. I'll let you know if there's ever a problem."

He didn't say anything and just stared at me, so I, again, tried to take my hand out of his grip but he didn't loosen it. I don't know what I should be more uncomfortable about, his proximity or his stare.

A stare that I didn't like.

"Damon, let go of my hand now." I said but he didn't let go, which made me even more uncomfortable. "Damon." I called again, louder this time, and he finally let go without saying a word.

I let out a sigh of relief before moving a little further around the counter.

I don't know what has been wrong with him lately, but I really don't want to add something else to my list. If he has something bothering him, he knows that he can always talk to me, but I don't want him being judgmental about my situation. I just need him to stay out of my problem, until I am comfortable enough to tell him.

If I am.

"Is there a problem, ma'am?" I practically jumped at Mike's voice, who stood by the kitchen entrance with his eyes sharply glued on Damon.

"No, it's fine Mike." I said clearing my throat awkwardly.

"Yeah. No problem." Damon said lowly still staring, not blinking once, so I just looked away. "I was just leaving." Damon said taking moving back. "I'll talk to you soon, Maya." He added and I nodded as he walked with Mike following him after another look sent my way.

****

"I really like your progress." Frieda said making me smile a little. "And I don't say that a lot."

I placed my hands on my knees taking deep breaths. This was my eighth class with her and I didn't know if I should be grateful or not. Frieda was a great teacher, but I sometimes wondered if she wanted to kill me or help me.

"Take a five minutes break, so I can talk to you." She said standing there. She didn't even break a sweat, as usual, when I always felt like my lungs would explode with her.

I walked back a little to take my bottle of water before sitting on the floor to take a big gulp and looking up at her.

"Let's not beat around the bush, that's the only way for me to help you." She said and I looked at her confused. "I know how your relationship with Kaden is." She said and I nodded, already know that she did. "The good news is that you're not scared of him." She said then paused at the look I gave her. "He has a hold on you, yes. But it's not that strong. And that's because you were already mentally strong. When you're down, whose voice do you hear in your head? Yours or Kaden's?"

I listened to her and her question sunk in slowly.

"Kaden's." I said licking my lips slowly.

"That's because you don't really think that of yourself, it's just him trying to break you because he knows it takes a lot."

She pauses a moment, probably to let the things she's saying really sink in.

"And when it doesn't work the way he wants. He uses your father. His illness is really the only hold he has on you, and that's the only reason you don't hit him back everything he raised a hand on you." She explained sitting on the floor too to face me. "I know that because you never flinched every time I raised my hand at you, you defended yourself and tried hitting me back like I taught you." She continued and I let all her words sink in.

I know that she may have been right, but there a part in my head that was also wondering if what she was saying was true. If it was true, wouldn't it be easy for me to believe?

"Think about it, Maya. Right now, what hold does that little bitch have on you since Nickolas changed your father's doctor?" she asked and I looked back at her with furrowed eyebrows, not answering. "You were just taking his blows because you care."

"I-It's not just-"

"Even for your father's company. Your father is still her biggest shareholder, right?" She asked and I nodded. "So, tell your mother to go suck a dick so she can stop using you to get what she wants." She said and I gasped at her words.

How does she know? Is there something these people don't know about me?

However, I couldn't help the smile that appeared on my face. One thing I was sure about her was that she would never beat around the bush, she just says things the way she feels them. I also know that I need more people like that around me.

I knew that I would think about her words again. But getting out of Kaden's hold would mean being in Nickolas' debt. The latter was better, right? Even if I don't know what the price for his help is at the end.

My father is worth it.

"Thank you, Frieda."

"Don't mention. I know I'll need your help one day, and I'll be able to count on you." She said with a wink and I chuckled at her.

"Sure." I nodded. "I got a question though."

"What?"

"My father's new doctor." I said and she looked at me with raised eyebrows. "He almost called Nickolas 'the boss'. You have doctors working in the mafia?"

"Doctors, architects, police, lawyers, judges, and some people from the government." I said and my eyes widened at that. "Let's just say there's an agreement. They scratch our back and we scratch their's."

Oh wow.

"They are not all necessarily members, but they pull a few strings in exchange for Orsini's favor. or disfavor. Hard to tell." She said standing up.

"Why do you always talk like your cousin is the devil?" I asked causing her to laugh.

"There's a side of him that I wish you'll never see, Maya." She said before clapping her hands. "Break is over. Stand up and get in the last defensive position I taught you."

** Third POV **

"What's her name?" The mysterious man asked looking at the picture in his hand.

"Maya Vinsant." Kaden said looking at the masked man in front of him. "You know how these men work, so work alone, don't leave any trace and stay alert."

"I know how to do my job." He said. "And who exactly is she with if you need my help?"

"Nickolas Orsini."

The strange man let out a laugh moving his cigarette to the corner of his lips. "Orsini?" He repeated before shaking his head. "Fuck." He muttered.

Kaden watched him laugh lowly before mumbling thing under his breath while pacing slowly. The man stopped before turning to face him.

"You're gonna have to increase the pay. I didn't know it was about Orsini. I'll be risking my life doing this job."

Kaden clenched his jaw sending a cold look toward the man. "What I gave you is largely enough?"

"You must not really know who the man is then. Increase the pay or look for a suicidal man to do the job." He smirked taking a puff. "I just know you won't find someone crazy enough to fuck with Orsini."

Kaden eyed the man, wondering why they recommended him. But he know the answer. As strange as he was, the man knew how to do his job, since nobody ever knew what his real name was. He was simply known as "X". He always wore masks making also impossible for anyone to know his face.

He was strange, but people asked for his services. He was effective. His work was always clean and he never leaves trails behind him.

"I helped people in the past who tried to get to Orsini." The man said knowing what Kaden was thinking. "Nobody knows what happened to them, when they got close enough. They've just been... wiped out. Like they never existed. So, you increase the pay, or you do the damn job on your own." He said before letting out a scoff.

He knew exactly what he was talking about. He had seen it himself, but he is not gonna let him get his wife. He's gonna get his hands on that bitch and then remind her exactly who she belonged to, and everything he did for her ungrateful ass.

"Nickolas Orsini. You're crazy, you know that? Or just suicidal." He heard X laugh lowly, snapping him out of his thoughts. "My advice to you is to just let him have the woman."

"I'll increase your pay." Kaden snapped not wanting to hear his advice. "Just do the job right."