Taming A Billionaire

The third point of view:

The drive to Niklaus' place was silent and strained. No one said a word nor did Niklaus find any other unnecessary fault with Pedro after Isabella's outburst.

Everyone minded their business until Anabelle, who was leaning against the window, noticed for the third time as a police car zoomed past them, "That's weird, another police car just passed us at high speed. Do you think something happened?"

Everyone shook their head at Anabelle's brainlessness. How could she not figure out what's going on?

As usual, Julie choose to answer her when everyone else remained dumb, "That's your father's handwork,"

"My father's handwork?" Anabelle frowned, "Why would my father send....oh," It finally clicked in her head. Guess, she wasn't that dumb after all.

"Uncle Eden must have figured out our location and sent them to capture us," Pedro explained, trying hard not to catch Niklaus' gaze in the rear view mirror. Yes, he looked relaxed but his mind was far from the word, "calm". However, Pedro had his plans, he would sort this out with Niklaus once and for all.

"But why send the police? Isn't that too mean? He makes us look like criminals!" Anabelle could not believe it. She never thought her father was that insensitive.

Eden was a kind, loving, tender man and father, who would never hurt her or anyone precious to her. Or had she been living under a false illusion all this while?

"Your father loves you," Isabella assured her as if she had read her mind and seen her insecurity, "He's just being overprotective of his daughter. However, parents don't understand they also hurt their kids in the process of keeping them safe,"

For some reason, Anabelle couldn't help but feel that those words were somehow being alluded to something, or rather someone... Her gaze found her uncle Niklaus who drove ahead with an expressionless face.

Anabelle sighed, it seemed every family had its problems. Isabella might be smart but her social skills were highly lacking and she had communication problems. Seeing this in a new light, Anabelle realized she might be more blessed than she thought. Isabella was right, she should give herself more credit.

By the time they arrived at Niklaus' residence, it was eleven and quite late in the night. But Anabelle was happier because that meant the triple trouble was fast asleep.

Anabelle loved and wished for more siblings but she was not a huge fan of the triple trouble. Each time she came here, the kids, especially Allen, would always find a way of pranking her. To make it worse, they were all smarter than her - smartness runs in their genes - the oppression was too much. 

"Go to bed. Isabella would show you the rooms," Niklaus ordered, preparing to retreat for the night when Julie asked.

"May I share a room with my girlfriend, Anabelle?"

"No, you may not," Niklaus replied immediately, glaring at him as he said, "Remain pure till marriage, until then, you'd be sharing a room with Pedro,"

At that comment, Isabella gave her father the look. Remain pure, her butt! He got her mom pregnant with her at age sixteen for crying out loud.

 "A-hem," Niklaus cleared his throat awkwardly after his daughter subtly called him out on his comment with her glare.

"You should all go to bed," He said and turned to leave.

"Sir Niklaus, can I speak to you," Pedro said to everyone's surprise.

What has gotten into him? Wasn't he the one being grilled by Niklaus in the car? Why would he want to see him? Unless he was a sucker for pain.

"Privately," Pedro added upon sensing everyone's curious and questioning look.

Niklaus fixed his intent gaze on the boy and when he didn't cower under his intimidation, relaxed and turned to the others, "Go to bed. You know what to do, Isabella,"

"Yes, tuck them to bed like the babies they are," Isabella almost sassed yet she composed herself, and simply said, "Yes, father," before gesturing to them with her gaze to follow her.

"Let's go," Niklaus said to Pedro and together, led him to the balcony where he leaned on the balustrade, inhaling the cool night breeze. 

"You want to talk to me, go on," He said to the young boy whose earlier confidence was now declining. Niklaus could tell from the panic written all over his face. 

Niklaus sighed, wiping his face with his palm. Maybe he had been too spiteful with the boy so he alleviated his suppressing aura and said in a smooth, calm tone, "Free your mind with me, I'm not going to bite," 

Perhaps, that comment gave Pedro the courage to say, "I think you're being too unfair to me," 

Niklaus' brows raised interestedly. This is going to be a serious discussion.

"I am?" he pointed to his chest, intrigued by that pliant. 

"Yes, you are, Sir Niklaus. You know I love your daughter Isabella and yet, you intentionally make things hard for me. Why Sir Niklaus? I want to know the reason. Did I unintentionally upset you or something or you just don't like me? Don't I meet the requirements you need for your daughter's boyfriend? Tell me where I'm lacking and I'll do my best to live up to your expectations" he pleaded sincerely. 

"You're a good boy, Pedro. You don't need to live up to my expectations," Niklaus told him. 

"Then why? Why are you so bitter towards me?" Pedro wanted the truth from him. 

"Because I'm trying to protect Isabella!" Niklaus added with a gentler voice, "I'm trying to protect the both of you," 

"From what?! You can't tell me you're protecting us by being mean without telling me the actual -"

"I'm trying to prevent you both from making the same mistakes I did!" Niklaus yelled at him and that shut Pedro up. 

The mistake he made? Pedro thought hard. Oh, Isabella. He remembered. Niklaus was scared Isabella would get pregnant? 

"Isabella would not get pregnant," Pedro told him. 

Niklaus chuckled wryly, "How would you know?" 

"We do it with protection -" 

"Which is not hundred percent guaranteed. No matter how many shots she takes or the condoms you roll on, it is still not a hundred percent safe - there is still that probability in there. And if there's anything I've learned about life, it's the fact that it loves to fuck humans when it's least expected," Niklaus' chest heaved with effort, his words sinking into Pedro's head. 

"Also," Niklaus revealed, "I know about Isabella's insatiable appetite,"

Oh well, Pedro scratched the back of his head awkwardly. This is surely the best topic to discuss with the father of his girlfriend.