Lucky's (Mis)Fortune: CHAPTER SEVEN

It might have looked like I accepted the facts right away. You know, the fact that I now live in a house of people who run some sort of illegal organization. However, on the inside, I was hyperventilating and having a dozen panic attacks all at once. Even with all the food in front of me which was more than I had eaten in the last two months, I couldn't get myself to move. Only stare and think.

"I promise that it's not as dangerous as it sounds," the auburn-haired boy, who was directly in front of me, tells me in a quiet voice with a reassuring smile, dimples popping out.

I'm sorry, but not reassuring at all.

I returned the gesture by slightly grinning at him, nodding curtly as a response. I then turned my head down to look at my plate which was magically full now. I pick up my fork, determined to get at least part of it into my stomach but I find myself moving it around with the utensil. Not only was my mind going in circles but so was my stomach. I was so close to feeling sick.

"Drink some water," the same boy says, a worried expression on his face. "You're looking rather pale." He hands me the glass and the look on the boys sitting on either side of him says 'take it or else' so I decide not to risk my life. "I'm Aiden, by the way." He turns to the grey-eyed guy. "That's Elliot. And then there's Khael." His smile was boyish and admiring as he looked between the two. "They're my boyfriends."

If I had actually taken a sip of the water, I would have to spit it out in shock but instead, I simply widened my eyes. I blink rapidly but decide otherwise from saying anything.

"You have a problem?" Elliot asks coldly.

"N- no! O- of course not! I live by the motto 'mind your own damn business' so I don't really care," I shrug awkwardly. For a moment, I think about telling them that I'm gay just so they know that I'm actually really okay with it but I decide not to.

"Finish breakfast and then I will walk you through your tasks," Mr. Sawyer says, turning an iPad on and looking down at it.

"Mr. Sawyer I can-" Mr. Sawyer stops Mr. Lewis from continuing.

"It's fine, I'll do it," he smiles at him before looking back at the screen.

"I, um, I'm done," I say when just a couple of seconds went by. I didn't have the appetite to even look at food right now.

"You sure?" Mr. Sawyer asks with a raised eyebrow. "You didn't even touch anything on your plate."

"You should at least eat a slice of bread. You'll be starving before noon," Elliot added in a mumble, his eyes on some documents.

"I'm good," I reassure with a slight grin.

Mr. Sawyer sighs. "Fine then." He stands up from his seat. "Come on."

He stood up and kissed both boys on their foreheads before pushing his chair in and walking without looking back. My heart twitched a little, craving that type of love but I didn't let myself show it. I stand up, smile at the three men, and walk behind Mr. Sawyer without a word.

The silence was loud as we walked through the house until we reached a room far down a hallway. "This is the wine cellar," he says, opening the door and letting me in before he also steps inside. "You have to learn the name of every single wine in here. You'll be responsible for this room from now on. Go on, take a look around."

There were at least one hundred different types of wines here. I let myself be fascinated by the items. My mouth was agape throughout every slow step I took inside. I could feel the eyes boring into my back but I let it be and instead just admired.

Every single bottle probably costs more than anything I have ever possessed.

"One of these would pay for three months of rent..." I mumble to myself as my eyes continue to look through each bottle.

I hear a snicker behind me, leading to me snapping my head to look at the other male, my cheeks turning hot out of embarrassment. "The cheapest bottle in here is one-thousand sixty-four dollars, so you're not wrong." He steps further into the room, standing three feet apart from me. "I trust I can leave these in your care?"

"Yes, sir."

He choked, making me look up at him in confusion. He cleared his throat and looked away, however. "Just call me Khael or Mr. Sawyer, if that's what you're comfortable with."

"Okay, Mr. Sawyer." I grin at him slightly before looking back at the bottles, tracing them delicately with my fingers.

"Hey, Jordan?"

I hum. "Yes, Mr. Sawyer?"

"I'm sorry for how I've been acting, truly, I've been very unwelcoming but it's not because of you. The attack just has me under stress so, forgive me."

I stand up straight and look at him. "It's okay. I get it. No need for any apologies and you don't need to give me any explanations. I should see the worst parts of you now, right?"

"Right..."

"What will be my other duties?" I ask, breaking through the thoughtful gaze the man was holding.

"Greeting guests, preparing rooms, doing grocery shopping, serving meals, etc, nothing you wouldn't expect from a job like this." He shrugs, looking away with a thinking face, probably waiting to see if any more thoughts would pop into his head. "Assisting Elliot, Aiden, and I will also be part of the job but I think that's about it." He nods to himself firmly before looking at me. "You can get started on your tasks tomorrow. You've seen the living room and kitchen, I'll escort you to your room after we're done. The wing you stayed at was where we stay," Elliot, Aiden, and him, "The employees' wing has two doors. One leading to the kitchen and the other to our wing." He hums, thinking. "I think that's about it. Shall we leave?" He smiles at me and I cannot help but blush. Nonetheless, I nod and follow after him.

"You're twenty, right, Jordan?" He asks as we go through one of the many hallways. I was sure I would get lost a million times before being able to navigate through this house.

"I am. Twenty-one in two months," I respond curtly.

"And you attend the communal college?"

"I, um, I do." I wasn't too comfortable answering his questions even if they were basic. "I plan to be an accountant."

"Accountant? God, boring as hell." I didn't disagree. "Then, how did you end up here?"

"Leo. He heard I needed a job and approached me... Don't you need some type of education to become a butler?" I hadn't thought about it till now. Shouldn't butlers get some type of training? Is there like a butler school or something similar?

"We aren't picky. We've been looking for a butler for some time now. Most of the maids have quit, we have Mr. Lewis but we also need someone..." he laughs. "Younger." I allow myself to chuckle at his statement. "Kidding. He just needs some help and so does Ms. Angelica so we thought it was best to hire someone new."

"Well, I'm glad I got the job."

You know, just forget the fact that the house got shot on the day and at the time I was moving in but all good.

"No, you aren't." He sighs. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this. Your contract is for six months and then you can leave, don't worry. You can then decide on staying or leaving."

"I needed the job. I needed a place to stay. I'm okay with the job."

We don't say anything else. I trailed behind the man who was walking pretty slow for someone with such long legs but I liked the tempo we were going at, it wasn't pressuring me to hurry which I was grateful for.

We came across a maid named Rosie who looked at least ten years older than me and gave me a bitter look. Mr. Sawyer scowled at her but continued walking. We then saw Mr. Lewis sitting at the people-deprived dining table though there was a bunch of papers scattered around him. He gave us a soft smile and a wave before we went on with our journey. Mr. Sawyer opened the door leading to the employee's wing for me before taking the lead again. I diligently followed, determined to remember each step.

Thankfully, this side of the house wasn't as big as the other side. There were around six rooms and three hallways which were easy to manage.

My room was on the left hall, at the end of the hallway. There was a restroom in the room which I was grateful for. Just like I remembered, this room was smaller than the one I had slept in but not significantly so. I scanned the room and noted that my things were inside, on the floor, next to the bed.

"Welcome to the Sawyer Manor, Jordan Lucky Anderson."

There was something not so joyful at the sound of that anymore but I still gave Mr. Sawyer a nod and a smile before turning back to look at the room. My temporary home.