A ROYAL OBSESSION

Michael stepped out of Mariana's room after hearing his wife's raised voice. As he entered the parlor, he found her breathing heavily, clearly agitated. "What's wrong, honey?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

"I can't believe Maya left those dishes unattended! Was she waiting for me to come home and wash them?" Eliana exclaimed, frustration evident in her tone.

He closed his eyes for a moment, exhaling slowly as he placed his hands on her shoulders. "Eliana, she's just a little girl. She probably doesn't understand. You need to calm down; this isn't good for your health," he pointed out, addressing her rising anger.

Eliana took a deep breath. "You're right," she conceded, her voice softening. "But it's still frustrating."

"Okay. Speaking of Maya, where is she now?" Michael asked, redirecting the conversation.

"In the kitchen, doing the dishes," Eliana replied.

"Alright then. You should head to the room and take a shower; I'll whip up something for you to eat," he suggested with a reassuring smile. She nodded and left to follow his advice.

Michael walked to the kitchen, noticing Maya's small frame struggling with the dishes. Water had splashed onto the floor, and soap was smeared on her arms.

"Let me handle the dishes," he offered, taking the plate and sponge from her.

"No, uncle. Aunt will get mad at me! I can do this," Maya insisted.

He glanced at the mess on the floor and her arms. "It looks like you're managing quite well," he said, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Maya looked down at the chaos and then back at him, blinking innocently.

He couldn't help but appreciate her innocence but quickly redirected his focus and began cleaning. "Maya, seriously, it's fine. I'll take care of this," he reassured her.

"But Aunt won't be happy," she protested again.

"Who says? You think I'm doing the dishes will upset her?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

Maya pursed her lips, clearly unwilling to concede. "Okay, you can help by rinsing them," he suggested finally.

She agreed, and together they tackled the dishes. "So, Maya, tell me about yourself. What do you enjoy?" Michael asked, hoping to engage her and lighten the mood. She responded with respect, just as he had come to expect, and soon they had finished the dishes.

"Go rest now," he instructed her gently.

"Thank you for helping, uncle. Goodnight," she waved, and he nodded in return while she left the kitchen. Unbeknownst to them, Eliana watched the exchange from her doorway, a mix of jealousy and confusion boiling inside her. Why was she feeling this way? Maya was just an unfortunate little girl; there was nothing to be jealous of. With a scoff, she retreated to her room, closing the door with finality.

Maya entered her own space, throwing herself onto the bed and pulling the covers over her body. She was still shaken, reflecting on how her aunt had spoken to her. Was her aunt starting to resent her? Would she be thrown out one day? These thoughts plagued her mind.

Eliana had been kind to her the past couple of days, so she couldn't fathom the source of her anger. Perhaps the stress from the market had pushed her to her limits, Maya considered.

To prevent any further conflict, Maya resolved to take care of the dishes from now on to ensure her aunt was happy. Despite Eliana's recent hostility, she was grateful to Michael, who always took the time to talk to her and make her smile. He was the only one who seemed to genuinely appreciate her, especially tonight when he helped her out in a messy situation.

Taking a deep breath, Maya turned her head and closed her eyes, seeking sleep.

Everything had been going smoothly—she did the housework to keep the peace, Michael engaged her positively, while Eliana maintained her critical distance.

Peaceful days carried on.

****

When Maya turned 15, she had already transformed from the little girl she once was into a strikingly beautiful young lady. Her long brown hair cascaded down to her waist, and her curvaceous figure commanded attention. Despite her hard work, she carried an air of delicacy, drawing the gaze of every man in the neighborhood who couldn't help but stop and admire her whenever she stepped outside. Maya was, without a doubt, the most captivating flower anyone had ever seen, attracting countless admirers.

One night, She was in the kitchen, multitasking between preparing dinner and tidying up the space. Eliana was still at the market as usual, and Michael was yet to return from work, while Mariana remained secluded in her room, absorbed in her world.

When Michael finally arrived, Maya opened the door with her usual warmth. "Welcome, Uncle. Need some water?" she asked, helping him with his bag and placing it on the couch.

"Yes, please. I'm parched," he replied. Micheal's gaze lingered on her, his eyes scanning her with an intensity that hinted at something deeper.

Maya nodded and moved purposefully to the kitchen to fill a glass with water.

Michael followed closely behind, his gaze tracking her movements as she leaned over to reach the cup. He couldn't help but take note of her curves, a lump forming in his throat.

As the water poured, the only sound in the kitchen was the gentle splashing. Once the cup was filled, Maya turned to find Michael standing directly in front of her. She gasped, startled.

"Uncle?" she said, her surprise quickly morphing into unease.

Michael observed the shift in her expression from surprise to fear. "What's wrong, Maya? You look scared," he said gently, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Maya's heart raced as she processed the unexpected tension. "U... Uncle, your water," she stammered, desperately trying to redirect his attention.

He glanced at the cup and then back at her, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't think that's what I need right now," he said, stepping closer.

Maya instinctively took a step back, her eyes widening with anxiety. "W-what are you doing, uncle?" she asked, wariness creeping into her tone. Her mind raced, scanning for any signs of danger and potential means of self-defense.

Michael reached for her hand suddenly, pulling her nearer, eliciting a gasp from her lips. "Don't pretend you don't understand, Maya. I've been having these feelings for you, feelings I can't explain. I want you. I love you"