“Preparations for my WHAT?!!!

"Do you think it's nice?" Crystal Pembroke asks one of her father's countless hired helps.

Everyone in the Pembrokes mansion including Crystal herself knew she was a talented lady, especially when it concerned creating show stopping designs for the runway. But even so, Crystal preferred when the staff were honest with her. She was tired of the robotic response that followed every question she asked.

"Beautifully done Madam." Or "Your designs are out of this world Ma'am."

Don't get her wrong, she loved when her work was complimented but not as much as she hated it not being constructively criticized.

This was no doubt why she preferred Karen to be with her while she worked rather than the other helps who wasted no time in sucking up to her.

Karen was only a few years older than the twenty-four year old Crystal. She was initially only meant to be the daughter of Pembroke's most trusted chief maid, Madam Rosa, but her constant audacity and lack of restrain in speaking her mind, had led her to become the best and only friend of the equally audacious heiress. Some would add that their uncanny friendship was as a result of a lack of a better option.

Crystal's loneliness had begun right at birth. Unfortunately for the entire Pembrokes family, her older sister Ashely had been kidnapped during her one year birthday party in the midst of the celebration and had ultimately caused a drastic change in how the mansion was run.

Ryan Pembroke had sworn to never lose another child ever again, fortunately the news of his wife Aubrey being pregnant with Crystal had provided a much needed comfort at the time, because it was clear to not just his political nemesis but also to everyone else that the loss of his precious daughter had taken quite a toll on him.

Afraid of the incident happening again, he successfully hid the existence of Crystal from the entire world, irrespective of his striving political career that made his family affairs a thing of amusement to reporters and practically the entire country.

It was hard for Ryan Pembroke to hide the knowledge of his dear daughter to the world but even harder for Crystal who was forced to be home schooled from birth and robbed of the rights to a normal life.

Regardless, Crystal thought her life was a bearable one. Yes she couldn't go outside to meet new people and do things people her age could do without a bill zillion bodyguards accompanying her, or having to hide behind a mask each time, but it sure didn't hurt that she could get whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted it.

Her dream was to be the face of her equally striving fashion house amongst other things, where she could create designs and host fashion shows under her name and not hide behind a puppet, for fear of being exposed.

So she spent most of her afternoons creating amazing designs that she would release into the market without having to reveal her actual identity.

"It looks like something I'd have to beg my Grandma to put on." Karen says casually as she walks into her boss's workspace unapologetically.

"I know I said I wanted honesty but do you have to be so brutal?" Crystal retorts, though secretly pleased that she was finally hearing some honesty. Truthfully, she didn't like it very much either.

"You know I'm the only one here who would tell you the truth." Karen deadpans. "Now come downstairs your dad wants to speak to you."

"Why is he around at this hour? Shouldn't he be planning his campaign or something?" Crystal inquires, already losing interest in her sketch.

"I don't know but he said something about needing to make preparations for your marriage." Karen confesses while trying to hold in a chuckle, knowing fully well that her friend would rather jump off the roof than get married to one of her father's recommended suitors.

"PREPARATIONS FOR MY WHAT?!!!!!" Crystal exclaims.