"Frances is coming over this morning." Her Mother told Layla as they walked through the mansion hallway after they had eaten breakfast.

"But we only saw each other last night. What possible reason could he had for wishing to see me so soon?"

"Perhaps he just wishes to spend time with his fiance." Her Mother suggested. Through her Mother's eyes Francis was the perfect partner. He was polite, generous and kind although that was all a show put on for them. When it was just the two alone it was like they were strangers and of course she had no idea about the many mistress that he had. Only Layla knew about those but only because she had discovered the truth out herself. If she hadn't she was sure that he would never have told her. Layla tucked her hand into the folds of her dress and wrapped her hands around the concealed knife. She'd not wanted to put it down, when holding it she felt powerful, like for the first time in her life she was in control. It was just reassuring to have it there although she had no intention of using it like Jeff had. Maybe he wanted her to use it, maybe that was why he had left it there. Either way she wasn't going to do it. Yes she enjoyed having it close by but she wouldn't dream of actually using it. Layla let go of the knife and smiled at her Mother.

"Maybe. When will he arrive?"

"He already has. He is waiting for you in by the front door. The two of you should go for a walk in the garden, the flowers are all in full bloom at the moment." It sounded like a suggestion but in reality it was more of an order.

"Yes of course. I'm sure that would be lovely." Layla said with a fake smile. All her smiled were fake, it was only that morning when she had picked up the knife for the first time that she gave a genuine smile. She couldn't remember the last time such a thing had happened before that moment. Still there was an uneasy feeling in Layla's gut. It wasn't right that the first time she had smiled in years was because she was holding a knife. Layla and her Mother found Francis stood in the hallway.

"Good morning Ladies." He greeted them with a smile and a polite bow. He took Layla's Mother's hand and placed a small kiss on it before doing the exact same to Layla herself. Layla very discreetly wiped the kiss of in disgust.

"Good morning Frances." Layla's Mother said in a voice that almost sounded like she was flirting with him.

"I heard that you had quite a scare in the early hours of the morning." He said making conversation.

"Indeed we did. The police officers believed that Jeff the killer was on the premises and began charging through the house like a herd of animals. Quite ridiculous really, even charged into Layla's room at one point."

"Really? That must have been quite a scare." Francis said glancing at Layla who remained silent.

"Indeed it must have been. They didn't find anything though, not that I expected them too. This Jeff the killer might be a serial killer however I doubt that even he could get into the mansion with so many police officers patrolling the grounds." Layla felt herself smirk ever so slightly, how naive she was. "They were fired this morning. We couldn't possibly allow someone who had seen Layla in such indecent dress to continue to work here."

"No of course not." Francis said. "Anyway shall we go Layla?" He said holding his arm out for her to take. Layla flashed him a fake smile and took his arms.

"I thought we could go for a walk in the gardens today." She told him causing her Mother to smile proudly. Layla scoffed at herself inwardly, as if she was ever allowed to have a thought.

"I think that's a splendid idea." He replied. It was hard to believe with the way the people around her dressed and talked that it was the 21st century sometimes. The two left Layla's Mother and walked into the gardens arm in arm. Her Mother had been right. The flowers all looked lovely, all in full bloom with the rainbow of colours everywhere. It was nice although it would have been much niceir if she was there alone instead of the world's biggest womanizer.

"So tell me why are you here?" Layla asked breaking the silence. Francis let out a small chuckle.

"I can't get anything past you now can I Layla?" He asked but when he didn't get an answer he continued. "I wanted to ask you something. On the night of our wedding you will sleep with me will you not?"

"Is such a thing a requirement?"

"Not so much as a requirement however it is a tradition."

"I have never much cared about doing things because it is tradition." She replied coldly.

"So is it safe to assume that that's a no?"

"Indeed it is." Francis sighed heavily.

"I really don't understand you Layla. Any other girl would be jumping at the opportunity to share my bed."

"Then they clearly don't know you like I do." She said through gritted teeth.

"Ah, now I think that's a little harsh. I'm not all bad Layla besides you and I need to find some kind of middle ground. We are going to marry soon and spend the rest of our lives together."

"Is there really any middle ground with a man like you?" She asked. Francis smiled but did not answer her question.

"You do realise that at some point you are going to have to sleep with me. As my wife it will be your duty to provide me with heirs."

"I am painfully aware of that but you do not need to worry about me neglecting my duties. I will do what is required of me and in the public eye I will be the perfect wife. I'll be proper and convince them I'm in love with you. I shall do nothing but sing your praises but as soon as we are out of the public eye you and I are nothing but strangers. So having said that I must make one thing clear. The only time I shall sleep with you is to produce those heirs, I will not want to and I will get no enjoyment out of it but I shall do it because like you said...it is my duty. However I will not sleep with you for any other reason."

"I wouldn't be so sure in saying that you won't get any enjoyment out of it." Layla's mind wondered off a little. She was angry, this guy was so full of himself. He was annoying, ignorant and completely selfish. He didn't understand anything. It was then, while she was thinking these things that she first heard it. A voice. A voice that sounded much like her own in her mind. Like someone whispering in her ear. She couldn't at first make out what it was saying but soon she was able to make it out. It was a single word. Kill. She felt her hand twitch slightly, aching to take the knife that was concealed on her person. Layla shook her head. No, she would not use that knife as Jeff had. It was sure that she might not have been as sane as she thought she was. No sane person got pleasure out of holding a knife but that doesn't mean she would actually use it. She was not a killer. She only desired the feeling of power and control that the knife provided. She would not use it, she was not a killer like Jeff. Her internal argument seemed to have fought of the voice as everything had gone silent in her mind. Her hand which had been twitching relaxed and her moment of madness seemed to have passed.

"Layla are you even listening to me?" Francis asked. Layla looked at him and nodded slightly.

"Yes of course but I will not sleep with you for any other reason that to reproduce."