Layla woke up to the sight of her maid opening the curtains. Sunlight flooded into her neat, beautifully decorated and much too large for one person room.

"It's time to get up mistress." Said the 20 year old woman with plated brown hair and hazel eyes as she stood by her bed in her usual maids outfit.

"I thought I said you didn't have to call me that." Layla told her sitting up. The maid smiled at her.

"It's my job to treat you with the highest respect. If I didn't call you mistress I would not be showing that." Layla looked at her as if she was insane. She might well have been after what had just come out of her mouth. Layla just sighed and swung her legs out of her warm queen sized bed. She placed them on the soft carpet that covered her room and yawned. This was the cushioned life that she lived. Her Father was the founder of a largely successful clothing company. The made everything ranging from children's wear to men and women's underwear. He had married Layla's Mother Clara when he was still fairly young. 19 to be exact. They then had Layla 2 years afterwards. Layla was the only daughter of the 2 and because of this she was spoilt rotten. She always wore the best clothes, was home schooled only by the best teachers however every aspect of her life was planned out for her. She was told what to wear, how she should speak, when she was in the public eye she had to put on the fakest act going all on her Father's orders of course. His plan was to marry her off to the son of another very powerful clothing company, his company's rival. Thier children's engagement would bring the two companies together, not that anyone asked what Layla wanted. She was just expected to go along with it. Layla's maid held up a beautiful blue dress for her too look at.

"This is what you will be wearing today and you're Father has also requested that you join him and your Mother for breakfast this morning so we must hurry."

"Right." Was all Layla said in response. She stood up and ran a hand through her long black hair. She threw her sleeping gown on the bed and with her maid's help slipped into the blue dress. She delicately brushes her hair and then looked at herself in the body length mirror. Her pale skin and blue eyes complimented the dress and her soft black hair hung loosely around her shoulders. "You look lovely Mistress." The maid said. Layla was known for her beauty although that didn't mean much to her. Her outwards appearance mattered more to her Mother than it did to her. If it was up to Layla she would have cut her hair into a neat bob but like many things in her life, she didn't get a say on the matter.

"Thank you. Now if you'll excuse me I must go." Layla said in the most polite way. The maid bowed her head slightly and Layla left the room. Layla let out a sigh as she walked down the long hallways of the family mansion. She looked out of the windows to her right and saw the gardens underneath. A large stone fountain stood in the middle surrounded by luscious green grass and more flowers than Layla could count. It was a beautiful sight but nothing less was expected of the Crawford family. Layla stood in front of the large oak doors that lead to the dinner room and waited patiently while the family butlers opened them for her. She nodded her thanks and entered the room to find her parents already there. Her Mother was buttering some french toast while her Father was reading the newspaper having already finished his own breakfast. Her Mother smiled when she saw her daughter come into the room. She opened her mouth to say good morning but was cut off by Layla's Father before she got the chance.

"You're late." He said coldly not looking away from his newspaper.

"Sorry Father. I seem to have overslept." She said hanging her head in shame.

"You are a member of the Crawford family Layla. Tardiness is not an option for you. You need to remember that you mistakes reflect badly on me and therefore on the business." He said sternly as she took a seat. Typical Father. Always thinking about the business. Sometimes Layla wasn't sure that he really saw her, or if he just saw an opportunity to make him and the company more powerful.

"It won't happen again Father, you have my word." She told him.

"Well either way you look lovely darling. I picked that dress out the other day went I went shopping with you in mind. Doesn't she look beautiful Andrew?"

"Yes dear she does." Answered her Father without so much as glancing at her. Her Father had always been cold towards her, Layla had gotten used to it but her Mother was kind and gently. Well for the most part. Her Mother was a very old fashioned woman. She believed that appearances were the utmost importance for a lady. She had given Layla strict lesson when she was younger about the ways in which a lady acts. Even going as far as placing a metal pole down the back of her daughter's dress to fix her poor posture. She could go from the loving Mother to the cold and strict one in the blink of an eye. They were like two separate people. Layla had never liked the strict one because her Mother was the only place Layla received love from. That was why she did everything she could to please her Mother s that she stayed the nice one that loved her daughter more than anything.

"We're having a ball tonight and Francis is coming." Layla flashed a weak smile at her Mother. Francis was her fiance and honestly Layla hated the guy. He was a lady's man, thought he was irresistible and was constantly reminding Layla how lucky she was to be with him. He was the son of Layla's Father's biggest rival company so of course there eventually married was inevitable really. They planned to marry in a year, when Layla turned 18 however Francis was already 22.

"Yes I expect you will dance with Frances and act as a finance should, despite what your feelings may be towards him." Layla's Father warned her. He knew of her dislike for him but he didn't care for her feelings. "Don't do anything stupid that would cause him to call off the engagement."

"Of course Father. I will be the perfect daughter as I am required to be..."