"Feel like I'm having a meltdown, feel like I'm losing control. They tell me I'm a danger to myself, but the crazy train is ready to roll," Cuckoo, Adam Lambert

Before I knew it, a month had flown by.

I wasn't even sure if I liked working here or not. Sure, the pay was absolutely great and I was able to coast life by, but it was the subliminal and glances and he said, she said, and I could see a whirlwind of drama unfolding soon.

Even if I wanted to leave and go get another job, I couldn't. Jobs in San Antonio were already hard enough as is because there were so many educational requirements for a job of a small caliber. Everyone had such high standards here, and it was completely ridiculous. So like it or not, I had no choice but to work here. It didn't even matter since my professor had pulled me to the side and told me some great news, news that would change my life.

"Are you for real, Ez?" I chuckled giddily into the phone as I adjusted the vases on the main tables that guarded the front door. "Yea huh," I breathed, not hearing the footsteps in the hallway behind me. I was too busy in my own little world. "Yup, Professor Keaton pulled me to the side after class and told me that she knew the secretary of the Bradley Constantino," I gushed, hearing Travis gasp all theatrically and whatnot. Yup, that was right. Bradley Constantino: the biggest and all-time business mogul that all of San Antonio respected. He was 37, going on 38, and he owned so many businesses in the heart of the city.

He had money, a lot of it. It was surprising that he wasn't an acquaintance of Eve and Leon, but I didn't worry too much about it. I was just excited because if I managed to get an internship with him, my career and networking circle would be sold for life. "And s-so she contacted her and asked if there was some way that I could get an interview and guess what?" I cheered. "She got me one!" I clapped my hands together, bouncing my hips to a random beat. "I'm going to be a CEO one day. I'm going to be a CEO one day!" I sang lowly, smile so bright. Damn, I couldn't remember the last time I had ever smiled that big.

"I'm so happy for you, man," Travis recited, giving me all of the confidence that I needed. This was my big break, everything that I needed to grow into the man that I needed to become. "You wanna go out this weekend, ya know to celebrate?" I asked, already knowing the answer. "Fa, sho', man. I'll hit you up later, a'ight?" I bid him farewell as I tapped the screen to end the call, sliding the phone into my pocket.

A few seconds later, I heard a snide chuckle and I nearly jolted, turning around to see who it was. There, leaning against the wall with his arms folded as he donned a white shirt and grey sweatpants, a firm set line on his lips as he stared at me coldly, was Nishan.

"Fag."

I frowned deeply, narrowing my eyes at the ground. Even when he was making me upset, I couldn't find it in me to make eye contact, and it killed me. It made it seem like he had the upper hand on me because I was too much of a coward. But dear god, I hated him because he made me hate myself once again.

"T-there's no need to call me a cigarette," I fiddled with my fingers, shifting awkwardly. "Hm?" He raised a brow, folding his arms. "You ain't seem all that scared when you were talking to your little boyfriend on the phone," He sneered, his eyes glazing over with disgust and I pressed my lips together, not even bothering to correct him. Let the bastard assume what he will. "Oh? You ain't got no words?" He smirked and I let out a sigh of frustration. He was itching for me to throw this vase at him.

"Ni..." I tried to get his name out but it just wasn't coming to me. Nishan rolled his eyes, pushing himself off of the wall. He didn't say anything about the supposed nickname as he stormed over to me, nothing but mere loathing contorting his features.

"Listen here, you fucking queer," He pointed a finger at me as his lips twisted in a manner that made me feel unwelcomed. He stood a few feet away, making sure that he wasn't stepping in the same area as I was. It shouldn't have hurt because this was a treatment that I was used to, but it hurt nonetheless. "I don't know why you're here or what it is that you want from us," I flinched at the revulsion in his voice. It was as if he felt sick and dirty around me like I was a germ that wouldn't go away.

"But best believe I will have you gone. This house doesn't need to be tainted by you."

I tried not to cry as I felt the sting fill my eyes, watching him give me one last glare of repugnance before walking out of the house. There was no way to describe how he made me feel. I felt like the gum that people stepped on and tried to scrape off because it was too nasty to leave it there. I knew he wished that all gays would die because he said it himself in an interview. What did I do to deserve this from him?

The sad part about it was the fact that no matter how many times I had been stepped on, I couldn't get the resolve to stand up for myself. Still pathetic, I see. "Let's just go finish the counters," I mumbled to myself, sniffling as I grabbed my kit. I knew it would be bad, but not this bad to the point where all of those negative thoughts came to the surface. I walked into one of the rooms, aiming for the counters. I lost myself completely in my tasks because I knew that if I thought about anything else, I'd crumble.

"Hi cutie," I felt a tug on my arm and I turned to see Jude standing there, a big smile on his face. "O-oh, Mr. Lloyd," I rubbed my arm awkwardly, unsure of what he wanted to say to me. He pouted playfully as he hopped up on the freshly cleaned counter, crossing his legs. "Don't call me that. That's too formal," He grimaced and I stifled a chuckle. "Just call me Jude, mmkay?"

I smiled softly, wondering how someone like him could be friends with someone so callous like Nishan. "How are you liking it so far? I can imagine you're having a hard time," I slowly nodded, wondering if he read my mind. "I-it's not Eve or Leon. They aren't a problem," I tossed the paper towels into the garbage, feeling a blush creeping up my neck. "It's Nishan, isn't it?" Jude folded his arms and I didn't not nor shake my head.

But he could see right through me because I was an open book.

"I can't say anything except that you should give it back to him just as hard as he gives it to you," Jude shrugged and I frowned, wanting more information. "But he makes me feel like I'm below trash," He really did. I knew there were some homophobic people in San Antonio, but that man took the cake and the icing. He was also so judgmental and he didn't even know me. He didn't even know for a fact that I was gay, considering I never told him. He was such a dickhead and I could already hear Celina Trapp yelling at me for not putting him in his place.

"Cutie, I've been friends with him for years," Jude looked deeply into my eyes as he hopped up off of the counter. "If he thinks someone is gay, then he will do his very best to stay away from them. I don't know why, he's never said why he hates them," He frowned and it made me wonder if he was homosexual too. I didn't how he could be, being friends with Nishan. "But if he continues to constantly goad you and talk down to you, then that must mean that you have sparked his interest," He stated casually and I frowned.

"Huh?" I sputtered in confusion and Jude chuckled. "Nishan doesn't constantly antagonize the same person for no reason," He tapped my cheek twice before walking out, leaving me in my thoughts. I didn't have time for this. With my fearful ass, I walked myself over to the laundry room down the hall, continuing to think about Nishan Lawrence. Though he was a bitch-made fool, I couldn't help but wonder what he thought about, wonder what hid behind those colorful eyes, wonder why he seemed so hellbent on breaking me.

I grabbed the basket full of fresh laundry and made my way to the sitting room, where I did all of my folding for the household. There were only certain rooms that I was allowed to go in and that was one of them. I stepped inside of the room, seeing the heads of the family sitting opposite of each other. "Oh, hello," I waved as Leon motioned for me to enter. "Good to see you, Ezra," Leon smiled before returning to his notebook as I placed the basket on the table in the back corner, doing my own thing.

"Leon," Eve chewed on a berry as she spoke, clearing the silence. "Yes, Eve?" The sturdy man replied as he flipped the page on his notebook. "Would you please make sure that our attire for tomorrow will be here in the morning?" She questioned with a raise of her brow, almost antagonizing him. "I would like for Ezra to iron my dress," She said in such a sweet voice and Leon nodded curtly. "Of course, dear. I've already alerted the tailors to have it delivered tonight," He flipped another page and Eve snorted, disdain written all over her face.

"At least you can do one thing right," She muttered under her breath, albeit rather loudly, with a hint of scorn added to it and my eyebrows jumped to the roof as I continued to fold up their clothes individually, making sure clothes overlapped in another pile. I didn't want to make it seem like I was listening, even if I was just a tiny bit.

Leon stared at with venom in his eyes, his jaw clenched as he shook his head, taking a deep breath. He stood up with ease, tossing the notebook that he was holding down to the couch, sparing me a forced smile as he stormed out of the room. I had no idea what had just happened, but the tension increased tenfold and I was suffocating in it. Eve snorted as she continued to eat her raspberries, scrolling through her phone with a malicious smirk painting her lips.

I looked from her to the door, putting my head back down to continue. This was absolutely none of my business and I wasn't going to let her think I was listening. She already seemed like she was testing me.

"Ezra."

I nearly jumped to the ceiling as my name was called. "Y-yes, Eve?" I stuttered, rubbing my hand. "Do you ever want to get married?" She asked suddenly and my brows furrowed, nodding slowly. "Yes, I do at some point," I said the last part slowly because I wasn't too sure if there was anyone like that out there. "Hm," There was a coarse nod of her head. "When you do," She didn't even look up at me as her voice darkened.

"Just make sure you know that they won't do you wrong."

Eve's words continued to resonate with me as day turned into night. I had no idea what she had meant by that, but I knew it had to be something she was thinking about because she normally wouldn't have a conversation with me. Out of all of the 31 days I had been here, she conversed with me four times. She was just a mysterious woman and I didn't know it then, but she was slowly pulling on the chain around my neck, reeling me in closer and closer to the darkness that was their family.

"Okay, Ezra," I heard the sound of Givenchy heels hitting the floor as Eve smiled at me, Leon in tow. "We are going out for a few hours. It'll just be you here as the chefs and everyone else has left," I nodded, knowing that I could leave in an hour. "If you need anything, our son is a few feet away," Leon pointed to the house that was a bit away from the main house. I internally screamed at the thought of having to deal with him. I'd rather have sex with a girl than talk to him. "I'm s-sure everything will be fine, Mr. Leon," The man clapped my shoulder as he followed his wife outside to where a limo was waiting for them.

Ah, the privileges of the rich.

I watched them drive around the fountain and away, closing the door to go continue mopping the floor. I couldn't help but think about everything and despite all encounters, my mind kept drifting to that cold Chief of Police. I couldn't help but wonder why his eyes seemed guarded as if they were the only thing keeping up walls, not allowing anyone to see the true Nishan. I let out a sigh as I mopped the hardwood floors with oil. Such a job was taxing, but I signed up for it. I at least had the funds to pay for my rent and groceries. All was well. I could afford pizza now and I was going to splurge. Mmm, pizza.

"Aw, stop it, Monroe!" I heard a giggle coming from the entryway and I jumped, a bit startled. This house wasn't haunted, was it? If I recalled, Eve mentioned that no one was going to be home for a while tonight. She and Leon went out on the town and Nishan lived 100 feet away and Natalie, no one knew where the hell she went. I gulped, putting on my big boy pants as I put the mop against the wall, walking out of the kitchen.

I had no idea what I was going to see. If it was a demon or a ghost, I was going to flip my shit. This little guy did not want to deal with those things. "Oh!" I heard a voice pipe up and I turned to see Natalie standing in the foyer with an unknown man by her side, clutching her waist. Oh, this must be her man. "Ezra, you're here!" She sounded genuinely surprised and I waved awkwardly. "Y-yeah, your mother asked me to stay for a little while, no biggie," I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly as her date looked at me.

"Don't worry. He's just the maid," Natalie whispered to her date, who appeared uneasy. "Come on," She said to him, walking in the direction of her room. Before she left me, she turned over her shoulder with a finger up to her lips as if she was telling me to not say a word.

I blinked and made my way to leave the house. I could finish mopping in the morning. There was obviously no need for me to stay here as Natalie had it under control. I had no idea why she wanted me to keep quiet about what I had seen because there was no need. If she was in love and happy, then she should be boasting and cheering about it.

Whatever.

Before I had known, the next day came with a vengeance and I found myself in their house once again. I had quickly finished my classes with no problem, which I found was great. At least that part went well and I could work as peacefully as possible.

"Hand me the raspberry purée, please," I muttered to Chevonne, who beamed as she handed me the small bowl. "I'm so glad you're here, Ezra!" She clapped her hands together and I pushed my glasses up, grimacing a bit. Michael had given me a stern look when he saw me making my way towards the main kitchen. I didn't know what he was thinking but judging by the severe glare in his eyes, it was something heavy.

I sighed as I began to get to work on the cake that would make its debut tomorrow evening. I was sure it had to be a beautiful cake in order to make sure that Eve and Leon liked it because according to rumors, they disliked their precious cakes.

Big yikes.

I started humming to myself as the other chefs starting preparing their midday snack for the family. I honestly had no reason to be here. I wasn't a chef and I wasn't paid for this, so I couldn't figure out why I was here. I was continuously warned not to get close to anyone, but I just couldn't help it. Despite my shyness, I really wanted to make some more friends.

"Can you keep a secret, Ezra?" Chevonne murmured as she looked around, making sure no one was eavesdropping. "Y-yes," I replied hesitantly as I stirred the ingredients together, watching it form a perfect white mixture. She put a hand to her lip as she turned on the blender, making sure that no one else could hear what she had to tell me. She leaned in closer, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. "Have you ever wondered why there aren't any family pictures hanging up around?" I slowly nodded, realizing that in all of my days of cleaning, I had yet to come across those family portraits that everyone seemed to have in their house.

"Well, it's because there's a person in those pictures that is no longer with us," I furrowed my brow at her cryptic words. "What do you mean?" I rushed out in a breath and she bit her lip. "You do know that Natalie and Nishan had an older sister?" She raised a brow and I shook my head. This was complete news to me. That piece of information had been eradicated from all media sources, their biographies, their pictures, everything. In everything that I read, there was no mention of this girl.  "But how did she die?" I questioned, unsure if I should be hearing this sensitive information or not. Chevonne sighed, leaning in closer to whisper something dreadful in my ear.

"She was murdered."