AS I WASH my hair, I turn the water to cold. My eyes fall shut, and my mind wanders to the moment I shared with Parker this morning. He makes my brain hurt. I feel like every time we take one step forward, he shoves me back, and I can't help but wonder why. It's frustrating not knowing whether he's going to be hot or cold towards me every time we interact.

I wrap my towel around me before drying my hair with a t-shirt. We're having dinner in tonight since Mr Ashford won't be back until later.

Once I'm dressed, wearing a black skirt, a black long sleeve crop and black socks, I run my fingers through my hair very briefly, letting it fall down my back.

I hear faint voices from down the hallway as I leave my room, skipping down the stairs and almost slipping on the wood. When I turn the corner, the only ones at the table are Margot and Jackson.

She glances up over her glasses, smiling. "Hello dear, you look stunning."

"Thank you," I laugh. "So do you Margot."

I take a seat at the end of the table, turning to Jackson.

"Hey Jack," I whisper, bringing his attention to me. "Do you wanna hang out tomorrow?"

He smiles, nodding. "Can we paint?"

"Most definitely." I hold my fist out and he bumps it, just as the boys walk in to the dining area.

James sits beside me, Neki opposite him and Parker opposite me. He looks at me briefly, before diverting his eyes.

A couple people in chef outfits appear at the table, putting a dish in front of each of us. It's one of the fanciest burgers I've ever seen, accompanied with fries in this special little tin-cup-bowl-holder thing.

"Jackson picked our meal tonight." Margot smiles, looking at her son.

Parker, smiles, ruffling his brothers hair. "Thank god."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Margot, narrows her eyes, but she's still smiling.

"Hm? Nothing." he raises his eyebrows, pushing a fry in his mouth.

I would've found it funny if he wasn't annoying me.

We're halfway through dinner, laughing about stories of the last time they visited here when they were a little younger, when the front door opens. Mr Ashford stumbles in, looking slightly disheveled. It's a far cry from his usual pristine look.

He smiles as he makes his way towards his wife, the first time I've seen him display any emotion in general since the day I started working for the Ashfords'. I glance at Parker, and his face is hard. Not an emotion behind his eyes. I see where he gets that stone cold look from now.

Mr Ashford ruffles Parker's hair, kissing Jackson on the top of the head before moving along to the end of the table.

"Hello my love," Mr Ashford chuckles as he leans in, kissing Margot on the lips.

She winces. "You're drunk Daniel." she says under her breath.

He picks up her burger, taking a bite before discarding it on the plate again.

"No I'm not," he brings her face closer with his hand, planting a kiss on her cheek.

"Please go to bed Daniel. I'll come and speak with you in a moment." Margot closes her eyes, letting out a short breath.

"I'm not going without you." he replies.

I watch as Margot studies her husbands face, her eyes landing on his neck. Her eyes brim with tears and she pushes herself to her feet.

"Mar, stop, where are you going?" he takes hold of her wrist.

"There is lipstick-" she snaps, before lowering her voice. "On your collar."

He struggles to look at it, and she pulls her arm from his.

He chuckles. "Darling, it's nothing."

Margot turns to leave again, but Mr Ashford grips her again. Parker's chair scrapes noisily as he stands to his feet, looking at his father. Neki and James stand after him.

"Let her go." Parker stands tall and his father glances in his direction.

"You're... hurting me Daniel." she breathes, tears sliding down her cheeks.

"Let. her go." Parker takes a step towards him.

Mr Ashford laughs, dropping his wife's hand and turning to his son.

Before Neki gets the chance to hold him back, Parker takes two swift strides, lunging forward and slamming his fist into his father's jaw, knocking him to the floor. Margot screams as he climbs on top of him, striking him again as his friends move to stop him.

My eyes instantly go to Jackson, who is still sat at the table, watching. I stand up, making my way around and taking his hand.

"Come on Jack, let's go upstairs and get you ready for bed." I try to give him a reassuring smile.

I lead him away as he watches his mother, James and Neki try to pull Parker off his dad. He doesn't take his eyes off them until we're halfway up the stairs and his view is cut off.

Around ten minutes later, we're in the bathroom as I wash Jackson's hair silently. I can't even begin to think of what to say to him.

"Why was Parker hurting Daddy?" he asks, his voice small. I feel my heart break.

"Parker was just upset. He didn't mean to." I press my lips together.

"Is it because Daddy makes Mommy cry?"

My heart aches."What?"

"Sometimes, when I have nightmares I go to sleep in Mommy's room." he says, looking back at me. "She wipes her tears away when she sees me and says she's okay."

I bite the inside of my cheek as I try to push back the lump in my throat. I let out a short breath.

"Turn around buddy, I'm gonna rinse your hair now."