Taming A Billionaire

Reina's point of view 

"That is so not a good idea," I objected to their idea of a stripper. We girls were having a delegation on how to go about my bachelorette party. 

Well, let's go on a rebrief 

Adam is dead - everyone's so happy about it even if they're not showing it. Yeah, I know, this is one dysfunctional family. Well, peace is once back to the Spencer family. 

Eden exposed my identity to Camille with the claim that she was bothering him about me - he's a bad liar by the way. Well, not that I was angry, I mean Camille had been a good manager and friend to me when I was Maya so I trusted she wouldn't leak my identity to the media. 

But then, even if my identity was leaked, it wouldn't go far nonetheless. Sakuzi was sure to repress and cover it up. Moreover, the public would likely think of me as Maya's doppelganger than the real Maya - the whole world saw her dead. 

Sure, it would create waves on the internet that Niklaus is marrying Maya's doppelganger and I'll probably be seen as the substitute in the public eye. But who cares, I am the real Maya. 

But then, after Camille, came Lisa. Apparently, she saw me in the papers and followed me secretly, and stumbled upon my discussion with Camille -truth out. If you still don't remember Lisa, you should recall her as the busybody actress who tried to throw her weight around during my audition in the past. 

So yeah, I have reconciled with my old friends - which brings us back to the present: Cecil has returned from Lincolnshire to manage their business since Emily's busied with Akim's recovery. Hence, I have her, Camille, Lisa, and Emily - through video chat - with me. 

"What do you mean, no? This is your bachelorette party, you should have a Vegas weekend!" Lisa said, sipping on her diet coke. 

"Seconded," Camille raised her hand. 

"I don't think taking Reina to a male strip club is a good idea," Emily literally winced at the sound of it. 

"Thank you for being the reasonable one, Emily" I almost applauded her. 

"Reina, unless you prefer to go low-key, I'd say this is technically necessary," remarked Cecil of all people. 

"Well, I don't really want the low-key concept," I confessed the truth, this was my only chance of having fun before jumping into the arms of marriage. 

"Then girl…" Camille stood from the couch and held my hands, "You should go all out and celebrate your limited bachelorette days; a night of freedom. Go to a strip club, the trendiest dance club in town, or I can hold a swinging party for you at your home with plenty of loud music, alcoholic drinks, and adult's stuff," 

"Jesus!" I went red in the face, "I'll rather go to a strip club than organize a swinging party," this was outrageous. 

"Then, strip club it is," Lisa concluded. 

"No!" I refused. 

"What now?" Cecil groaned, face-palming. 

"You don't know my soon-to-be husband, Niklaus! He's extremely jealous and possessive and wouldn't hear of this strippers party. I can't even dare to think of what he'd do if he learns this," I didn't even dare to imagine it. His face would be as dark as the great Galveston hurricane. 

"He wouldn't know, not if you tell him," Lisa had a mischievous smirk on her face. 

Oh-no, I don't like where this is going. I have a bad feeling about this. 

"You're not suggesting I lie to Niklaus?" I pointed to my chest. 

"I'm not saying you should lie to him, just omit some part. You're not a kid anymore, Reina, come on," Camille coaxed me. 

I gulped, what should I do? 

Cecil joined in the persuasion, "Also, 'What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas' we are not letting out a single detail of what we discussed here. So what should you be afraid of? " 

I looked at the laptop, "What do you think Emily?" I asked for her opinion. 

She pursed her lips, "It's your bachelorette party, do whatever makes you happy," 

I thought over it, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, I need to have this one last fun. 

"Fine," I finally gave in. 

"Yeah!!!!" They all rejoiced.

"Unbelievable," my mouth hung open at their cheers and clamorings. I couldn't help but wonder who should be happier here - I'm the bride, not them! 

"But then, we haven't talked about the location yet," It crossed Emily's mind,

"You would have to travel out since Niklaus would surely discover your rendezvous if you have it here neither can I join you since I'm stuck in Lincolnshire taking care of my son," 

"Oh boy, she's right," I realized, "This city literally belongs to the Spencer Group," 

"But not Lincolnshire," Lisa hinted with her brow raised and a sly smile.

"And Emily can also join us," It finally fit, "Lincolnshire then," 

"Wahoo!!" they began their rowdy celebration again; jumping up and down the couch, dancing to nonexistent music, and creating unnecessary warcry. 

For once I was grateful my kids were out with their father, so they couldn't see these women behaving like female gorillas in the name of celebration. 

As if I jinxed my luck, the doorbell rang and Amanda went to answer the door - they were back. 

"Hi Niklaus," all of them said and waved in union with a forced fake smile. They had all settled down like proper ladies the moment they heard he was back. 

I could tell Niklaus was taken aback by their synchronized welcome, "Hi ladies," He looked between all of us, 

"You seem to be busy," 

"Yeah, we were just organizing Reina's bachelorette party and I can assure you that it's going to be a blast," Lisa spoke longer than required. 

I could see a shadow cross Niklaus' face at the mention of "Bachelorette party". Well, unlike me, Niklaus was not getting one but rather organized a low-key visit to the Gold Club with his groomsmen, you know, beers and pool kind of fun. 

"That's good," He said blandly. 

"Mommy!" Ailee, Allen, Neon, and Isabella made their appearance and that meant the end of the discussion. The girls all left, leaving me to take care of my family but with a subtle sign to remember what we discussed. 

Since it was evening, I had to join Amanda in the kitchen to prepare supper and to avoid seeing Niklaus. You see, I kind of moved out of Niklaus' bedroom to my former room - to his greatest displeasure. 

We were about to get married, so I suggested we should stay away from each other and build some anticipation for our wedding night - we've eaten the forbidden fruit several times hence no need for formalities. 

However, Niklaus strongly opposed that, he wanted us to share the same room even if he wouldn't touch me - I knew better than to believe him. Niklaus and I on a bed with our hands kept to ourselves was a big fallacy - experience is a good teacher. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me; fool me thrice, shame on both of us. 

"So, how's the arrangement?" 

I nearly choked on my food the moment Niklaus brought up that issue during the meal. 

"Excuse me?" I pretended to be oblivious to his question. 

"What do you girls have planned for your bachelorette party?" he restated. 

"It's a secret," I intentionally teased him when in reality, my heart was pounding wild against my chest. 

"Tell me," He added, "Please" 

I was surprised by his politeness, "Well, since you're so curious," I cleared my throat, hid the nervousness, and began, 

"We are thinking dinner at a top-notch restaurant, a day at the spa or night at the opera, shop till we're ready to drop, see the sights of the kingdom of Lincolnshire, lose a few bucks gambling and then head back for a chick flick with all the girls or a simple party," I said, intentionally skipping the stripper's part. 

"Alright - wait, what? Lincolnshire? "he didn't look happy

"Yeah, Lincolnshire," I breathed

"Why Lincolnshire? Why not here where I can easily have my sight on you?" 

"Exactly the point of Lincolnshire," I pointed out. 

The scowl on his face deepened 

"Niklaus?" I pleaded. Even the kids were watching us now. 

"Anything could happen to -" 

"Nothing would happen to me," I intercepted. 

"You fell off a bridge, lost your memory, and broke your neck, you attract accidents wherever you go," He claimed and I can't believe he used that against me. 

"Niklaus, nothing would happen to me, you're just been overprotective and I'm not going alone, the girls are with me," 

"Fine," He gave in, reluctantly. 

"Yeah -" I was just about to rejoice when he added, "But on one condition," 

I should have known. 

"What is it?" I said through gritted teeth. This shameless son of a gun knows how to take liberties with me. 

"We'd share a bed today, your room or mine - I don't give a damn," was his demand. 

"No way," 

"I won't try anything funny with you," He swore with his hand raised. 

I gave him a skeptical look and like a fool, believed him. Again.