I was used to a cold home, a broken home which consisted of broken souls. I hadn't looked into his eyes for years, the silence between us had been there for years - ever since mother passed away. Their relationship began with drugs, their only connection was drugs and my mother's death was caused by drugs. I was bound to fail, I was bound to end up like them. I had promised myself to stay away from everything that had to do with drugs, I couldn't let myself become a victim of the substances. I believed that I could because I was raised by the dark side of addiction. The screaming, the pain, the blood and the shame surrounded me during my childhood. I had to be rational and act as the adult of the broken family, even though I was a child.

I tried to shake the thought of my childhood away as I took a sip of my coffee. My eyes were carefully reading the headlines in the newspaper until I reached the ads, I already had a part-time job but one more couldn't hurt, right? The college I was attending was a huge expense for me, I had no one to turn to therefore part-time jobs were my only solution. As I was scanning through the ads one in particular drew my attention.

"Part-time maid. We are searching for a part-time maid, perhaps a student. We offer a good salary including a room to stay in. Food and beverages are also included. For more information please contact Leila Lyonheart" a number was also attached to the ad.

The ad seemed to be too good to be true, there was something about it. It truly gave me an odd vibe, a feeling of something hidden. At the same time it would be a great opportunity to get rid off the monthly rent for my small apartment - nonsense Emiliana, you will probably not even get the job I thought to myself as I ran my hand through my dark hair. For some reason I couldn't quit thinking about the great advantages of working for the person. I wouldn't have to worry about the rent and food, everything would be there for me, included. I didn't process it any further, I immediately typed in the number and with shaky hands pressed the "call button". The signals were going through and with each signal I could feel my breathing getting heavier. I wasn't too fond of speaking to strangers over the phone. Each second felt as a year, I was hoping that the woman, the so called Leila Lyonheart would answer her phone - right now.

"You are speaking to Leila Lyonheart. How can I help you?" a cold feminine voice from the other side of the line answered.

"Good afternoon, Mrs Lyonheart. I'm calling regarding the ad in the newspaper. I would appreciate if you gave me the opportunity to introduce myself and present my ability of being a part-time maid in your household" I said, the confidence raising with each spoken word.

"Since you're the first one to call me, I will offer you a test period. If I'm pleased by your work, I will gladly hire you. If I'm not, you will be out within a second" she said casually, no emotions could be found in her voice.

"Thank you so much, Mrs Lyonheart. I won't disappoint you" I gladly responded. The happiness was evident in my tone.

"Let's hope not. I will message you the adress. I'll see you tomorrow, 3 PM, sharp." with that being said, she ended the call.

Seconds later I received the message as promised, I couldn't help but question the whole conversation. Her voice was bitter, it was cold. Her authority struck me and I almost didn't know how to react to the way she spoke. Perhaps I was being wrong, maybe I would be greeted by the most sweet, loving woman. My gut was -however telling me otherwise. I took a deep breath in order to calm myself down a tiny bit. An odd sensation struck me, the feeling of an upcoming change. Little did I know that my somehow calm life would change into something I couldn't even imagine. My life was about to change into status: complicated.

As I approached the mansion I felt the nervousness in the pit of my stomach, I wasn't ready to meet Leila Lyonheart, yet. There was something about her voice that intimidated me. The mansion was surrounded by huge gates, outside of the gate stood two armed men. What the hell was I getting myself involved with?

"You must be Emiliana DiMarco" one of the guards spoke, his voice was deep. His eyes were dark which matched his appearance -perfectly.

"Yes I am. I don't recall introducing myself properly to Mrs Lyonheart, how do you know my name?" I asked, my voice was steady. The guard chuckled and shook his head at the same time, he mumbled something under his breath.

"You're naive, kid. If you think anyone can approach these gates with its identity being held a secret, you're very wrong. We have already done a background check, for our own safety." the guard informed me. His accent revealed his roots, I immediately connected him to a country belonging to the Balkans.

"Wh- what?" I stuttered, he couldn't be serious but judging the way he spoke and his appearance he didn't come off as the guy who joked a lot.

"You heard me. If I'm not confusing myself, I'm pretty sure that Mrs Lyonheart is waiting for you inside." I took a deep breath and walked past him, only to be met by another bunch of guards. Their eyes inspected every piece of me, I decided to keep my gaze on the asphalted path which led to the porch. While walking by the fountain I could feel my heart thumping loudly, I was nervous and afraid of who I would come across. The mansion itself was absolutely breathtaking, beautiful details and a very well taken care of environment. I assumed that the individual who owned the place was packed, rich was an understatement. As I was about to knock on the door, the door was opened by a woman in her late fifties. Her gaze met mine for a second, she immediately turned her back and made a motion with her hand, telling me to follow her. I didn't have time to soak in the details of the household, the place left me in awe.

"You must be Emiliana" she stated, her voice was lacking emotions as before.

"Yes, Mrs Lyonheart" I responded, I tried to give her a smile but she understood that it was a forced one.

"Your task is simple, you will be responsible for the household to be perfectly clean and also make dinner for the family, every night unless told otherwise." Leila explained.

"I will not disappoint you" I confidently said, deep inside I was feeling the total opposite of confidence.

"Yeah, yeah" she brushed me off.

A silence filled the room, it was an uncomfortable silence which almost made me want to run away from the perfect looking mansion. It was rather difficult to find something to say to Leila since I was afraid of her response. Her eyes had drifted away, she was radiating power which was fascinating but at the same time terrifying.

"Is there anything else I should know?" I carefully asked, my gaze met hers for a second.

"The family consists of six members. There is me, my husband Zlatko, our three sons and a daughter in law. You will most likely see them around" she carefully explained.

"Do you all live together?" I asked and she shot me a questioning glance.

"Of course." she shortly replied, I swallowed hard wanting to escape this conversation. "As I mentioned yesterday, you will have a room in the basement. Feel free to bring your belongings before dinner. I expect a decent and a well cooked dinner for my family this evening, therefore I suggest you to start now." she ordered and I was officially dismissed.

Preparing dinner in a kitchen I wasn't used to was very interesting, using a high tech stove took quite the amount of nerves. I tried to heat the oven for at least thirty minutes before it even started heating. In all honestly, I wasn't the best cook. I usually prepared quick meals, nothing too complicated. Based on Leila's tone I understood that I had to deliver something proper. I decided to make lasagna with two different sallads, I didn't know if it was too simple but I hoped they would appreciate it. As I was setting the table I could feel two eyes carefully watching me, giving me the creeps. As I looked up I met two brown orbs, her hair was long and dark. Her face was pale and her face expression was chilly. Her energy was low and her eyes were judging every single move I made.

"You must be the new maid" she spoke while intensely glaring at me.

"That's me, I guess" I continued setting the table and turning my eyes away from her.

"What have you made for dinner?" she asked, zero friendliness could be found in her voice.

"Uhm, I made lasagna and salad" I responded with a small smile.

"And? What more? Any dessert?" she asked, her tone was raising by each question.

"Oh, no I didn't. I can probably figure something out" I quickly said, how could I forget  the dessert, how could I be so stupid?

"Ugh, which part of town do you come from? You think that lasagna and sallad will please the family? You're so in for it" she ranted as a smile crept its way to her face.

"Oh Emiliana, you must have met Anessa" a voice interrupted our conversation, both of us turned around. Leila stood in front of us dressed in a knee length black skirt with a beautiful white blouse.

"Yes, Mrs Lyonheart" I quickly responded. Leila ignored my answer and changed the topic.

"I see that dinner is almost finished. Off you go and make dessert since it's clearly missing" she stated, I nodded and made my way back to the kitchen. Bloody hell, how could I forget? I didn't have much time left so I decided to make brownies topped with caramel and whipped cream. Hopefully it would be enough to please the wolves.

As I was plating up the lasagna and sallad on each plate, the rest of the family entered. One by one, wearing suits. First to take a seat was an older man, his facial expression was stone cold. I didn't dare to glance at him for too long. He was quite fit for his age event hough his hair was grey. He didn't even look my way, his eyes were focused on Leila. Anessa had already taken a seat and beside her a rather handsome man sat down, he was probably in his late twenties. Dark brown, short hair styled the best he could based on the length of his hair. A golden chain was detached to his neck. Next to the golden chain man sat a much younger fellow. To judge based on his looks, he was not older than twenty-five. He was pretty skinny yet his muscles could be seen under the suit. He quickly waved at me before taking a seat, next to his what I assumed was brother. Everyone had a plate in front of them, the glasses were filled with red wine when he walked in. When I heard his steps approaching the table I could feel my heart skip a beat. I bit my lip when my eyes landed on him. His physical appearance didn't match the others, his hair was a tad bit longer, styled with class. His body was tensed and he looked like a Greek God. My breath hitched and I had to turn my eyes away from him. When he approached the table the family immediately shut their mouths, they turned their full attention to him. He had an intimidating aura around him. He didn't even give me a look, he walked past me.

"Good evening, son" Leila greeted him, he slightly nodded in response.

"I suggest we start eating" Zlatko's dark voice announced

"Is this it for dinner?" an incredibly cold voice spoke, I slowly lifted my eyes from the corner I stood in and saw that it was him speaking.

"Yes, unfortunately. We have a new maid and she is obviously from the lower class. This is considered much for her" Anessa answered bitterly. She couldn't care less that I stood in the same room.

"What did I tell you about hiring young, immature and poor fucking maids, huh?" he barked, my breathing increased. What the hell was he saying? How could he yell at his own mother?

"No one else was contacting me regarding the ad, Haris" she responded. Haris, his name sounded odd in my mind. I had never heard the name before, it was unique to me. Haris, it suited his coldness and authority.

"I rather eat dinner in a restaurant than have this shit served to me every night" Haris cooly stated, I felt my heart sink. I couldn't wrap my head around my own feelings, his words hit me.

"Emiliana. Clean this mess off the table. We are ordering something tonight." Leila announced. I bit my lip as I approached the table, I could barely breathe when I stood next to him. His eyes were full of despise, a black hole. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disappoint you" I mumbled under my breath, I wasn't expecting him to hear a single word, to my surprise he heard everything.

"Your whole existence seems to be a disappointment to me" Haris harshly spoke, I closed my eyes for a second, reminding myself to ignore whatever he was uttering. I couldn't put my emotions on display in front of him, even though I felt like crying. Who gave him the right to judge me while knowing nothing about me?

"You don't know me Mr. Lyonheart therefore it's very difficult for you to assume anything about me" I gathered all the confidence I had to give him a proper answer.

"Wow, she talks" he cockily replied to my honest statement. I bit my lip, hard. Keeping myself from telling him to go straight to hell.

"She speaks in order to teach shortsighted and incompetent individuals as you to quit being judgemental" I replied before turning around and leaving the table with the plates gathered. I knew that their jaws had dropped, his didn't. The last look I caught was filled with pure hate and the last thing I heard was clear.

"She needs to be taught a lesson. May so God help her, if the teacher has to be me" I didn't need to think twice, it was him speaking.