sion taught me one thing: wealth

ther staff moved like shadows, barely speaking unless spoken to. Every surface wa

learned

n't go near

wer calls meant for

: Never as

break t

n pur

a way of crawling

ed just a

ry, and I was sent to refill the glass water

ard voices low and urgent.

of the month," Chinedu's voice snapped.

softer. "No, she doesn't

art k

alking a

reaked slightly, just enough to reveal his silhouette inside leaning against

d, and suddenly his eyes

fr

ent, the doo

like I was a sta

did yo

"Nothing, sir. I...

this side with

sor

ve, intoxicating. Then his voice, low and deliberate.In

. It won't

Good. Because I don't

ckly, he turned a

r slamm

ached the kitchen, my hands were shaking. I kept washing

you?" one of the j

a smile.

ess. It was fear. And some

intimidation he was my b

nd of his voice kee

remember the n

behind the mansion. I had barely touched my

ts his room cle

ai

it that morning. B

e, climbed the staircase, a

bed, head bowed, shirt half unbuttone

't look

id without lif

ith shaky hands, unsure if he was watching. The

u from?" he a

"Ojuele

ins the ca

n't r

in places like t

kn

, more quietly: Then

rprised. "Becau

, his eye

I saw something raw.

n it wa

past me, and whis

eful, T

e that, he l