"Inside I built a wall so high around my heart, I thought I'd never fall. One touch, you brought it down, the bricks of my defenses scattered on the ground and I swore to me I wasn't going to love again," You Had Me From Hello, Kenny Chesney

"How are you liking working here so far, Ezra?" 

I jumped in alarm, turning to see Leon standing in the doorway of the grand dining room, watching me as I wiped and clean the china. "O-oh!" I blinked as I turned to look at him. "Hi, Mr. Lawrence. It's great so far," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck sheepishly, blushing as I put the plates down. "Now, what did I tell you about calling me that?" He warned playfully, entering the room. I hadn't had an actual conversation with him since I gave him the letter from that anonymous person.

I didn't know, but something about him made me feel uneasy. It wasn't his attitude, but it was his aura. He seemed like he had so many secrets hiding behind that lecherous smile of his. "Oh, right. Mr. Leon," I put a small smile on my face and adjusted my glasses. "I-is everything okay with you?" I looked to the floor, not sure if I was stepping over my boundaries or what. I genuinely wanted to make sure that he was okay. He seemed to be undeniably upset about the contents of that letter and from the looks that Eve was sending his way, it had to be something so erroneous on his part.

That and the fact that I was curious as to what he had to say about that letter.

I was nosy, bite me.

Leon tilted his head, folding his muscled arms over that nice button-down shirt of his. "Yes, thank you for asking," He paused as if he was contemplating his next words, the bustling of the chefs from the kitchen filling our ears as if they were reminding us the true life of the rich and the wealthy; something that I aspired to be within the hard work and blood that would be shed. "It was just a little matter from a few years ago that popped up all of sudden," He chuckled as if that would dispel the severity of the situation. "Just a little nefarious matter, you know how that works, Ezra?"

I nodded, despite not believing him. If it was just something so small, why did he look utterly petrified and irked that whoever this was, was coming out of the shadows again? It seemed to me that it was someone that both he and Eve knew. It had to be because the latter seemed so irritated and full of wrath when I relayed to her what I knew. Something was off between them and despite being extremely nosy and curious, I wasn't going to try to be Nancy Drew and investigate. I just had to carefully remove myself from the wicked and fastidious spider web that was the secretive world of the Lawrence family.

"If you say so, Mr. Leon," I went back to cleaning the china, almost done with my chores. "But for future reference," Why did it sound like his voice got dark all of sudden? "If anything like this ever happens or if you happen to come across things like this," I tilted my head at him, squinting to see the just faintest bit of fear in his eyes. "Please just bring it to me. I don't want to trouble my wife." I narrowed my eyes as the patriarch ran a hand through his hair, looking utterly sweaty. It wasn't any of my business, but I got the feeling that there was something more that I wasn't seeing.

"Sure," I calmly replied, proud of myself for not cowering under his relentless stare. My mentor would be so proud of me. "If you don't mind, I'd like to finish. I have a bunch of assignments to complete so I need to get home on time, yanno?" I raised a brow and he nodded with a free grin. "Of course, Ezra," Leon waved me goodbye as he exited the dining hall. Something about him was just off.

Or was it Eve?

I let out a confused sigh as I placed the china back in the armoire, wishing that I could bash my head in the glass. "Why so down, Ezra?" I heard a teasing voice and I turned to the doorway, wishing people would stop bothering me. "I'm just tired, yo," I slurred, watching Michael raise a brow in question. "I ain't get enough sleep, I guess," I rubbed my face, wishing I was in the comfort of my bed, holding my cat as we slept through a rainy night. That was the most calming and it was those type of nights that granted me freedom from nightmares.

I liked that this root of the tree that was our friendship was starting to grow into a large stump, soon to be outdone by the large and striking branches. 

"I just had a whole lotta work for school is all," I licked my lips, wondering when that chef that was standing next to him got there. "Well, it's a good thing you're almost done," Michael smiled gently and I reciprocated, wondering why the chef was looking at me so earnestly. "Y-yes?" I called out to her and she beamed at the acknowledgment. "Hi, Mr. Moore. I was just creating ideas for the cake for Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence's anniversary party next week, and it would be so nice to get some new input on flavors," The woman beamed, her hat shifting on her red hair.

Hm, didn't know why she was asking me or why Michael was looking at her the way that he was, so scornful as if he was warning her to not get so close to me or the other way around, but I was going to be a good sport.

"I know that Eve likes raspberries," I muttered, recalling the time when I caught her with her hand full of the delectable fruit. "I also know that Leon likes white chocolate," In his study, there was an almost empty container that was once filled with Lindt's white chocolate balls. "So why not do a french vanilla cake with white chocolate filling and raspberry cheesecake icing or something like that?" That shit came out of my ass, but it sounded really good and I was betting that all of those cook shows would pay off.

"Hmm," The chef hummed thoughtfully, seeming stunned that I managed to pull that off. I know. It was one of my many talents, right behind the one where I managed to make myself look like a fool even when doing nothing.

"Thank you, Mr. Moore," The chef clapped her hands. "That sounds like a great idea! You know," She put a hand to her chin, ignoring Michael. "When it comes time to bake the cake, would you like to help?" She put her hands together in a begging motion and Michael clicked his teeth. "Now, Chevonne, you know that's now how things—"

Chevonne, the chef, rolled her eyes. "What's the harm in becoming friends with the maid?" They glared at each other and I sensed that there was something going on that I wasn't aware of. "I'm sure Eve and Leon wouldn't care. It's not like anything will happen," She folded her arms and I blinked as she turned back to me. "So what will be?" With the feeling of Michael's hard stare, I nodded with uncertainty, wondering if I had done something that I wasn't supposed to. "Great!" Chevonne cheered. "It'll be nice to have a new, refreshing mind. You seem like you know your way around the kitchen,"

I nodded again. "I mean, I kinda have to if I live alone," I stated dryly, watching Michael exit the room. I had no clue what was wrong with him but I had to make nice with him. I had just the slightest inkling that I was going to need a friendly face when I somehow get thrown into the fire that was the shrine of lies in this family. Such a house with so many people, but one could sense the unwelcoming and unfriendly atmosphere. 

All of a sudden, my phone started to blast Auburn's Perfect Two, and I had the exact knowledge of who was calling me. No one else could be that irritating and declare their love for me like my best friend. "I'll come to find you later on in the week, okay?" Chevonne waved me goodbye and I nodded slowly, sliding my finger along the screen. It wasn't like I didn't want to work with her, but was I going to be fired? I mean, considering the fact that it wasn't my job and I was only here to clean, not buddy up with people.

"Yo," I put the phone up to my ear, a breath of relief leaving my body. "Why do you sound so beaten, man?" I rolled my eyes as Travis's voice, smiling as he chuckled. "Having a rough day?" He asked and I groaned. "You have no motherfuckin' idea," I put all of the tools back into my cleaning kit, moving on to the snack lounge. This was one of the many lounges that they had, which made me wonder if each room was dedicated to each family member. 

"Well my senses were telling me that you needed some consoling," He drawled in that obnoxious country boy voice of his. "So I called to make your life better. Is it working?" He asked and I let out a huff, wishing that he was here with me. "O' course," I relented and he went on to tell me how he finished his part of the project so all that was left was for me to go and check to make sure the parts flowed.

I liked it when people made my life easier.

"You're such a good best friend, yanno?" I mumbled and Travis guffawed, which let me know that he was rubbing the back of his neck all nervously with that stupid grin on his face. "Oh?" He mused in a voice that I hadn't heard before, all endearing and affectionate with a hint of sadness. "You think so, Ez?" He whispered and I scrunched up my nose, puzzled by his reaction. Normally, he would boast about how he was the best blessing I had ever had but now, this was something totally new. I could tell that he was being awkward, which made me feel awkward and shy. 

Things that I never felt around Travis. Not at all since we first met.

"You know it," I said in a high-pitched voice and all of the awkwardness dissipated into nothing as he began to laugh heartily. It was good that I was able to make him laugh. I had come a long way because, in the beginning, I never wanted to talk to Travis nor make wise-ass comments about anything. I was too afraid to get close to him, but look at us now. "You want me to come by later?" He questioned and I snorted. "For sure. Don't forget the pizza and cookies, rich boy!" I narrowed my eyes, remembering the one time he betrayed me.

"Last time, you forgot the cookies," I could practically hear Travis rolling his eyeballs. "How can I forget the time? You were mad at me for three weeks and you didn't forgive me until I took you out to dinner as an apology," He groused and I smirked in recollection. "That'll teach ya to not forget my food," I taunted and he sighed. "Of course, sir," He joked and I grunted. "Just call me when you're outside my apartment," I grumbled, hanging upon him. He was an irritating little weasel and he knew it. I clutched my phone in my hand as I moved to clean the glass containers that held some of the snacks that the family liked to eat and all that.

"Mr. Know it all," I sang lowly, adjusting the containers along the wall, making sure they were pristine with the wipe. "Well ya think ya know it all but ya don't know a thing at all. Ain't it, ain't it something, y'all?" I loved to sing. It was everything to me. It was my beloved possession. It was my way of relieving all the stress that destroyed my body. Like writing was release for some people, singing was my release. I didn't even know that I could sing until I was in the kitchen with my mentor, baking cookies and whatnot and all of a sudden, George Michael's Faith started playing off the radio and I couldn't stop myself from singing along. 

From that, I realized that I didn't stop singing.

Though, I would never sing in front of anyone. That was reserved for Celina and Celina only. She was the only one I trusted not to say anything too judgmental about my voice. She said I was a good singer, but I wasn't too sure and I didn't want to get my hopes up, only to be let down in the end.

"I'd like to think that I know some things."

I screeched, fear shooting up my spine as I stumbled. With that abrupt voice, my phone went crashing to the ground. I heard a series of cracks before the screen shut off completely and doom pierced my soul. "No!" I cried out, bending down to pick up the deceased phone. It was no longer in use. The second it went falling, the screen cracked and it died on impact. "Fuck!" I cursed, wanting to cry in agony. It wasn't even my fault and I didn't want to have to afford a new phone yet!

"The name's Jude Lloyd." 

With angry wide eyes, I turned on my heel, glaring at the slightly tall male with blonde hair and grey eyes, standing there as if he didn't have a single care in the world. God, just looking at him pissed me off. I didn't even know him but the fact that he blatantly disregarded my phone broken into pieces on the floor. It was official. "I d-don't care who you are!" I screeched in vexation. Today was the day I was going to give up being scared. I had to because I was going to jail for the murder of this motherfuckin' bastard for breaking my god damn phone. I clutched the ring on my finger, willing the calming grace to wash over me. 

"Hey, hey, hey," The guy dressed casually walked over to me, cooing as he grabbed onto me. "It's okay. Please don't be upset," I bit my lip, not wanting to cry. My whole entire life was broken. "I'm sorry. Look, I got something that can fix it," He blinked pleadingly at me, looking into my eyes. At least he had the nerve to apologize, even if his shit apology would do nothing for me now. 

My phone was crushed.

I stifled a whimper, watching him pick up the fallen phone. I had to hold a funeral to pay my respects to my phone. "Come on," The murderer started to walk, my arm in his grasp as if he had the solutions for my poor problems.

"I'll just have my best friend buy you a new phone," Jude stated as if we were discussing the weather, pulling me along by my elbow. "H-hey, I still have to wo—" I tried to say but he cut me off. "No, cutie. We have to get your phone fixed or else, you'll be without one!" He tilted his head, pouting. "And you don't want that, do you?" I shook my head, baffled by the sheer tenacity of the man. "But you're the one who made me break it," I retorted with a frown and the blonde man rolled his eyes at me, dismissing me. 

"S-seriously, I don't even know you or know where you're taking me," I countered to the strange man, watching as he walked down the hallway of the extensively large mansion, roaming through hidden rooms, rooms that I wasn't even supposed to go in. "Relax," The man dragged out the vowel as he grinned at me. "I'm not a serial killer, trust me. This family knows me so don't worry ya cute little head," I blushed, pushing my glasses up as he led me to a secluded door with no other rooms around. This room had to be in the back of the mansion. "Here," He knocked on the big door.

"Sorry man, I didn't get ya scooby snacks, but I found something much more interesting," Jude yelled as he turned the knob of the door to the room that I had never seen before. I heard a deep hum and thudding footsteps that ascended towards the door. "Fuck," I heard a deep voice and my eyes widened in realization at that particular voice. "Here," I was blinded as the door opened and Jude all but threw me into a hard and muscled chest, thick arms wrapping around my back to cushion my fall. The smell of earthy cologne greeted me as my hands landed on the waist of the extremely tall person before me and I looked up hesitantly, looking into the mismatched eyes of the man I was trying to avoid.

"Oh," He muttered with disdain and disgust written all over his tone, not bothering to hide it as he sneered at me. His lips curled up into a snarl as he quickly detached himself away from me, shooting Jude a glare. I gulped, my body still recovering from how warm and tight San Antonio's Chief of Police held me in his arms. His heterochromatic eyes lidded over with the utmost hatred that once could have and I grimaced, resolve flying out the door.

"You."