1 THE GRAYED BEGINNING

The mechanical alarm clock rang loudly startling the man who was sleeping idly. He tiredly opened his eyes, feeling like he hadn't slept for the past hours. Well the truth is that, he didn't. He laid still on the soft bed, his body covered by a thick blanket and his mind empty. His gaze was focused outside. It was snowing, and the Sun has yet to rise. It has been like this for eighteen years.

He wakes up alone and sleeps alone. Rubbing his sleep deprived eyes, he stood up lazily, feeling his weight double due to the tiredness he felt. He practically dragged himself to the washroom for him to get ready. The lights flickered on and the wide room was lit. He immediately saw himself in the mirror.

His eyes were red as if he was on drugs, his hair was disheveled and his eyebags were very prominent. Grumbling, he waddled towards the sink and turned the faucet on. Warm water embraced his hands as he scooped a handful of the liquid for him to wash his face. It was soothing he thought.

He stripped his nightdress away and stepped into the shower before turning on the shower that spurted warm droplets of water. His eyes were closed as if they were craving sleep more than anything, but his mind was awake. Still empty, but awake. The water drizzled down his body and into the drain.

He had a tanned skin and a well-built figure that made girls in all ages fawn over him. He would sleep with some of them if he found them appealing or fun, but he never talks to them after having sex. He usually leaves when the other is asleep and goes home. He leaves a generous amount of money though, and for him, he thinks that the money is enough.

He doesn't want any attachment to anyone and he's not planning to have one any time soon. He walked out the shower while wrapping a towel around his torso. He did more hygiene routine before walking out to put on his usual attire for most of the day. A sleek pants with shiny shoes, along with an undershirt and a tuxedo. Usually this is how he lives.

He wakes up, goes to work and then comes back home. Sometimes if he find someone attractive fawning over him, he would spend the night with that person but leaves them after. He fixed his tie and looked at himself in the mirror. He looks practically the same. Walking out of his room, he was embraced by a surge of light that lit up the whole house, well more like a mansion but it's a house for him.

"Senior France, breakfast is served in the dining hall." Jannete informed.

Jannete is one among the few maids he hired to work for him. All of them have been working for him for eighteen years and throughout that time, he hasn't fired or hired anyone.

He doesn't want too many people in his environment. Quite ironic for him since he goes to his office every day and there are employees who come to his office to file reports and other business-related things.

He looked over to Jannete. Jannete was particularly short. She had dark hair and some of her strands were already starting to turn into white, showing that she was already aging. She was wearing the practical maid attire with an apron. She looked at France with a warm smile. France nodded and went past her. This was one of the reasons he chose to keep them.

They made him feel like he wasn't alone by just working around the house, reminding him to eat and assisting him throughout the start of the day. Their smiles were genuine, he knew that for sure because throughout his life, meeting new people each and every moment, he started to figure the smile they wore.

Some would smile over exaggeratedly, some too overly fake and in rare instances, would smile real. He kept his maids around because they're one of those who makes this mansion a home, keeps the mansion warm and lively with their chatter. Sometimes they would laugh lively, some of them would sing while cleaning and some of them would start scolding each other. Little things that made him feel, warm.

These maids might seem insignificant in his life, but he notices, and he knows. Usually, people like him would keep their maids in top shape, more like a mechanical machine if you would, would like them to work in a precise manner without making a noise but he does not like that.

Despite their status in life, he always looks at them as humans like him. Jannete followed him quietly while heading down towards the dining hall. He saw some of the maids that were cleaning. Kara was up in a ladder wiping some of the picture frames that were up against the wall. When she saw them, she immediately smiled and said her greetings.

Again, France just nodded and went past her. When he got into the dining area, he immediately smelt the luscious aroma of good food.

"Rosalie cooked your breakfast for today Senior." Of course, he knew that.

Every time they cooked for him, the smell always differ, in a good way.

The platter and utensils were already set on the table along with the napkin. Jannete pulled the chair for him as he was about to sit down while saying,

"Let me Senior." Rosalie came in the dining hall and brought more food in a silver platter.

"Good morning Senior!" She said showing of her smile while placing the food carefully on the table.

After that, Jannete and Rosalie stood behind him waiting for him to eat. He felt uncomfortable by the action and sighed.

"Is the food not good senior?"

"No-"

"You heard that Rosalie? I told you that I wanted to cook but you insisted!" Jannete snarled at Rosalie.

The other was taken back by the sudden outburst making her eyes grow wide and mouth hang open.

"H-How-w-well, y-you're not a good cook either!" Rosalie spat back. France sighed and clang his utensils on the platter making the both of the maids stop.

"The food is good, that you don't need to worry about." He said calmly. He heard the two bickers quietly making him sigh yet again.

"Call the others, we're eating together. Be fast, I don't want to wait." Jannete nodded and dragged Rosalie out of the dining room. He often eat with his maids during breakfast but there are also times where he prefers to eat alone, or he just can't if he's in a hurry.

Moments later, Jannete and Rosalie was with Kara, Sasha and Phoebe. Rosalie hurried back to the kitchen to get more plates and utensils. She then sat the plates and utensils on the table carefully while the others were already on their seats.

"Let me pray for today's early meal Senior." Phoebe suggested. The man only nodded and hanged his head low with his eyes closed.

"Dear holy being up above, bless this food with your grace and may this meal help us get through the day. I also take this prayer to thank you for everyone's good health, especially Senior. Help him get through the day as always and never put him or us in near danger. Amen."

"Thank you for the food Senior!" They all said unanimously after the prayer was done. France looked at them and smiled before saying;

"Let's eat."