"One day he goes and takes a glimpse in the mirror but he doesn't recognize his own face. His health is fading and he doesn't know why. Three letters took him to his final resting place," Waterfalls, TLC

Murdered.

Not hit by a car. Not natural causes.

Murdered.

And no one could tell me how it happened, why it happened, or when it happened. No one could even tell me who did it or why there wasn't any information discussing that. No one could tell me why no one seemed to talk about it.

But there were people who knew.

I still didn't know why Chevonne told me because now my curiosity was going to get the best of me. 

The night of the anniversary function had come and I had just finished helping the chefs put the finishing touches on the cake. It was a large and beautiful white cake with raspberry pureé garnished all over with white chocolate ganache coating. This was going to knock the pants off Eve and Leon. I just knew it. "Yay! We make a great team!" Chevonne hugged me and I stiffened, not liking human contact like that and so abruptly. "Y-yea, we sure do," I rubbed her back, urging her to move.

"Ezra," I heard a voice from behind me and I turned to see Michael standing there. I hadn't seen him since he was so busy preparing for tonight. I didn't know if I wanted to see him considering all that information I had just learned. I mean, I didn't even know what their second daughter's name was. Chevonne had mentioned that she was a sore topic for everyone here and it piqued my interest to think that Michael had known of it.

"Yes?" I walked over to him as Chevonne began cooling the cake. "Since you'll be here tonight, I made arrangements for you to dress up as well," He nodded and I internally died at the thought of having to dress up. "Okay," I stated, checking the time. It was 4:03, meaning that we had two hours before the guests started to arrive. "Is everything prepared?" I asked, remembering that he wanted me to go out and get a bunch of groceries. "Yes," He nodded. "All that's left is for us to get dressed and make sure that the house is impeccable before people get here. Natalie is already ready, Eve and Leon are working on that right now," He sighed, shaking his head.

"And Nishan won't be here until 6 since he's working. Time will be of the essence for him," He grumbled before motioning for me to go to one of the empty rooms to change. "You can go to the third room on the right," Michael pointed as he walked me down the hall. "There are some toiletries, so feel free to shower," He patted me on the back and I grimaced, walking towards the door.

I didn't want to be here, but I was. I stepped inside the room, closing the door to see an outfit laid out for me on the plush sheets. I let out a sigh and went to go take care of my business, showering for about 45 minutes, having my own concert. 

Once I was done, I got out, dried myself off and moisturized, putting my clothes on as I was finished. "You clean up nicely," Michael hummed as I came out of the room. I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly, not knowing how to take the compliment. I just stood there awkwardly as he chuckled, motioning for me to follow him, the sound of people working and putting things together greeting us.

"Your job will just be serving the drinks and the snacks until the chefs come out with the three-course meals," Michael said, watching me fluff up my hair so I didn't look as dead. "I can do that," I replied. How hard could it be? "Good," He nodded in satisfaction. "I know you'll do well. I understand that this isn't part of your job description, but you have done so well thus far," He folded his arms, fixing me with a stare. "You seem to know how things go around here," I, for one, had no idea what the hell he was talking about, but I just went along with it. No harm, no foul.

"So it makes sense to leave it up to you." His words were so cryptic and it was as if he was telling me that there was some quest that I had to solve in order for things to be normal again. Wow, I played too many fantasy games online. 

"Another thing, if there's anyone who is not on the guest list and they show up," He handed me the long list to look over. "Let me know immediately," His eyes twinkled with a hint of knowing like something unaccounted for would happen. "We do have people to check the guests in, but you know how things go sometimes," No, I really didn't. If they didn't do their job well, why were they working in the first place?

I didn't get this family.

I left him to go make sure that the ballroom was decent and exquisite for taste as we only had about 40 minutes left. Time really did seem to fly by. "Ezra, where do you think we should put the cake?" I nearly jumped to the ceiling as Chevonne came from behind me, a horde of chefs in tow. "Um," I paused, wondering why she was asking me. Didn't they have people for those type of jobs? "Put it on that back table," I pointed to the gold and circular table in the back of the ballroom. "No can do anything to it while it's back there," I shrugged, hoping that wasn't a bad a choice. 

"Good," She walked away and I sighed, ready to go eat some pizza and crash in my bed. This job and senior year together was no joke. "Ezra!" I heard Michael call me. "It's time!" I nodded, following him out of the room to the front entrance. There, we saw a bunch of limos and fancy cars parked around the fountain and in the parking lot, a lot of faces that belonged to the rich people of San Antonio greeting us as they stepped up.

"I'm going to go get the food," I tapped on Michael's shoulder, making my way towards the kitchen. There was an overwhelming number of people coming in and I could hear their chatter. God, I hated crowds. "Hey," I spoke quietly. "May I get that plate, please?" The chef nodded, handing me the plate and I held it up, making my way towards the ballroom.

As I entered, I could hear the cheers as Eve waltzed in with her blue and silver Neiman Marcus dress and silver heels, hair curled around her shoulders. She looked stunning. My jaw nearly dropped when I took in Leon's figure, clad in his blue and grey suit, hair gelled back. Why must they be so pretty and I so ugly? 

No time for these thoughts. I had food to serve. I plastered a fake smile on my face as I walked through the crowd of people, soft music playing and the chatter of people. Everything was going well until it wasn't.

When I looked at them again after serving a few treats, I could see Eve and Leon having a mild disagreement as Eve glared with hatred at someone in particular and I couldn't see who it was since I was on the other side of the room. Her eyes were burning with fire and she stormed off, saying one last thing to Leon. I raised my brow, wondering what was wrong with her, but Leon rubbed his face, horror etched in his features as he turned around, going after Eve.

Something was up.

I carried the plate of hor's d'oeuvres as I walked around, faintly smiling at the some of the faces of the people who worked in the business, people who were extensively wealthy, people who were all on the same page here. "Hi," I muttered to one of the women as she grinned at me, walking past me. I felt so out of place in my white button-up and black pants, wishing that I could be home cuddling Jigglypuff. It was okay though because Eve was going to pay me twice my rate for tonight.

Bless.

"Hey," Someone tapped on me from behind and I turned around to see a young woman, maybe about 25 years old. "You're the maid, aren't you?" She asked with a hidden notion in her voice and I nodded with unease, wondering what she wanted from me. "Good," She stepped closer, eyes rolling with malice as she sized me up and down. Did I know her or something? "Can you do me a favor?" She tilted her head sweetly and I frowned, nodding with apprehension. "Tell him that Cassidy Novak is here to see him," The curly-haired girl folded her arms, a wicked grin playing at her lips. "He'll definitely know who I am."

I didn't like the sound of her tone and I definitely didn't like the way that people were eyeing with judgment written in their eyes, scanning her from head to toe as if she didn't belong here. I looked over the guest list once, and I didn't think I saw her name but she seemed hellbent on me getting Leon for her. 

"Don't know why they let her come."

"Look at her. She belongs on a pole."

"Leon should be ashamed of himself. I feel sorry for Eve."

"I don't know why she puts up with him."

I nodded, slowly turning around to make my way back towards the back hallways. I remembered seeing Leon make his way back here at the start of the event, so I followed my gut and walked down the silent hallway, making sure to put the plate of snacks down somewhere. I didn't know why I had a bad feeling about the situation, but I did. I could feel a churning in my stomach as I inched closer and closer to the only door in the hallway.

I didn't know why, but it felt like this moment was going to be the catalyst for the crumbling of the facade that each family member put on. Cassidy seemed as if she knew a lot more than what she was letting on and she seemed like she had a bigger role to play in whatever this shit was. 

I finally reached the door and I knocked slowly, hearing nothing inside. "Eve? Mr. Leon?" I called out as I turned the knob to enter. "Are you in here?" The door was open and I stepped in, seeing both bodies standing a bit away from the door. I had no idea what I had just walked into, but I could tell it was something bad. "How can I help you?" Eve had her arms folded as her eyes bored into her husband standing across from her. "T-this is actually a message for Mr. Leon," I fiddled with my fingers, watching her cheeks redden even more as I turned to look at Leon. "Sir, there's a Cassidy Novak looking for you," I relayed and I could see Eve's hands clenching tightly as Leon nodded with a crick his neck. 

Had I done something wrong?

"Ezra," Eve gritted her teeth as her voice came out in short frames. "Y-yes?" I replied meekly, sensing that something was going to happen as she stared at Leon, who shivered. "Do me a favor and take my son that shirt. He's in his room further down the second hall," She nodded to the red silk shirt thrown over the back of a chair. My skin was tightening as I gulped, watching them both stare at each other as if I wasn't in the room, electricity zinging from their eyes. 

Eve's were cold and frigid with anger.

Leon's were sad and soft with fear.

"S-sure," I stuttered, all but running over to grab the shirt. I really didn't want to interact with their son, so if Jude was somewhere around, I'd tell him to take it. "Is that all you want from me?" I asked uncertainly, missing the begging look in Leon's eyes directed at me. The pressure in the air was turning and turning, heading into a brick wall. I could sense that this was something entirely serious and Eve's expression was darkening each minute. "Please leave us, Ezra," She muttered curtly and that was all I needed to know that my presence had to be gone in less than five seconds.

I ran out of the room so fast, clutching the shirt to my chest, that I didn't even realize that my foot had gotten caught between the door and the frame. I quietly cursed as I stumbled across the hallway, landing on the wall. The door was cracked just a bit, but I didn't think anyone else but I knew that. I sighed, stepping up to go close it. 

"You made a damn fool of me, Leon!"

I heard a slap and my eyes widened, seeing Leon's head whip to the right with the force that Eve's carried, her rageful face daring him to say something back. I stifled my gasp as Leon looked down, a passive nature consuming him. "I ought to beat your ass right now for putting me through that!" Eve pointed angrily at him, pushing him back. I felt so sorry for him. "You no-good bastard, I should've left you when I had the chance," She slapped him once more, the sound of the force bouncing off the walls as he fell to his knees, clutching his cheek. With pure shock, I glanced in as Leon rubbed his cheek, a small amount of blood leaving a trail, Eve standing over him with a vase in her hand.

"You dare bring that homewrecker into my house!?"

Leon looked so broken and so afraid as Eve threatened to break the vase over his head. "I d-didn't tell her to come!" Leon pleaded and that only fueled Eve's hostile wrath. I blinked, closing the door in silence, leaning my back on the walls I breathed heavily. My heart started to beat at what I had just witnessed and I clutched the shirt to me. Holy shit. Holy fuck. I scrambled away with fear causing a scene inside of me, running to the hallway where the spawn of Satan's room was located.

It was all coming together. Why Eve warned me not to speak of what I saw here. Why she said so many scornful things when Leon was around. Why Leon always left when the tension between him and his wife increased. Why he always seemed to be giving me begging eyes. 

I shook that image from my mind as I dashed to where Nishan was. I couldn't think about that. I wouldn't think about that. Doing so would only lead me further into their trap. I told myself that I wouldn't get caught up in their affairs, despite how challenging and shocking it turned out to be.

I winced as I finally reached the door, knowing that whoever was behind it was likely to kill me on sight. I really wished Jude was here, but I had a feeling he was at the party, enjoying himself. "Okay, we can do this, Ezra," I hyped myself up, pushing my glasses up. I could feel my cheeks heating up at the thought of having to interact with this man. "Come on," I closed my eyes. "You are Ezra Kendrick Moore, remember? You're the man who will be a CEO in the near phone," I got out in a rapid tone, feeling myself sweating.

I really didn't want to do it. Could I just leave the shirt on the door and hope that he was intelligent enough to know that it was there?

No. Eve told me to do something and I had to. She didn't even know that I loathed her son and it was going to stay that way. I mustered up all of the balls that I had and knocked tentatively on the door. If I could just open the door and throw the shirt and run for my life, that would be great. I heard a deep voice utter something I wasn't sure if he said 'come in' or 'I'm coming', but I went with the former and entered the room.

In the midst of my actions, I hadn't realized that there was a box in front of the door as I stepped in and all of a sudden, my foot caught onto it and I found myself tumbling forward, desperately clutching at the air to help me, a loud cry leaving my lips. I heard a grunt and before I knew it, I had landed on something warm. I felt warmth blowing on my lips as time stood still, not giving me a tell on what was happening. I could feel my glasses leaving my face, crashing on the ground beside his head as thick arms came to wrap around my waist, reminding me of the first time. My hands were on broad tan shoulders, clutching for dear life as I realized the situation I was in.

There was an unfamiliar sensation and I looked down to see something out of the ordinary. My lips were heavily attached to his, soft and warm as he held me tightly. What in the hell? Our lips meshed together perfectly and I was too scared to move. How did this even happen? My eyes widened comically as we stared at each other in shock, a static charge in the air as my blue eyes looked into his one brown and one green, my breath leaving my body and entering his.

"O-oh..."