Laura started off her day in the usual fashion: breakfast served in her room's balcony. The sun shone brightly over the deep blue ocean, clouds looking like pieces of fluffy cotton on the morning sky, soft breeze keeping Laura comfortably refreshed. She watched the constant movement of the waves while taking bites of her scrambled eggs with sausage and toast, the strawberries of her small bowl, and taking sips of the richest coffee money could buy. Laura's meals always happened in this balcony, and she considered them as one of life's biggest pleasures. 

Her bodyguard Nathan opened one of the glass doors to let somebody inside the balcony. Laura had a fair guess as to who it might be, seeing as Nathan had an order from her to only allow a few specific people to interrupt her in this time, and none of them even bothered to. Of course, there was only one of the few who paid no attention to Laura's wishes of having a peaceful, stress-free breakfast. It was the same person who had never paid attention to Laura unless it was beneficial for herself.

"I just wanted to say good morning!" Lurieth said in the cheerfully hypocritical tone she used to keep appearances, walking into the balcony and standing beside Laura.

Laura took a long sip of her coffee. "Since when do you ever drop by to say something so superfluous, Mother?" she replied coldly, not even bothering to look at her. 

"Alright," Lurieth said, dropping her cheerfulness and taking on the brisk tone she'd always used with Laura. "Your father is asking for some of your precious time to run by the details of your coming-of-age ball."

Slowly, Laura turned her attention from the glorious view to place her icy glare upon Lurieth. Her mother was as flawless as always in a casual, bright yellow, spaghetti strapped Diane von Furstenberg dress with nude peep-toe Christopher Louboutin heels. Her latest gift from her husband Julius was also part of her ensemble: a diamond and white gold necklace and earring duo. With her shoulder-length blond hair, blue eyes and ever-young face (thanks to the help of plastic surgery, though Lurieth would never admit to it), Lurieth looked like the perfect definition of materialistic. 

"I thought I clearly expressed my disagreement with any kind of activity. And I also wonder who is really the one who's time is precious, seeing as I don't see Father here asking me this himself."

Lurieth gave an exasperated sigh. Laura always made her feel this way. "Laura, don't give me a hard time. Just give everything an okay and let your father know before the end of this week." she snapped, turning around to leave before her daughter could even reply. "I'll tell him to send you an e-mail with whatever it is he wants to know. Your dress fitting is scheduled for 3 PM sharp."

And with that, Nathan opened the door once again and Lurieth was gone.

_Just what I wanted, another useless social event in which I have to pretend to like everybody..._ Laura thought, turning her gaze back to the ocean. She once again continued to sip her coffee, now in hopes that the warm liquid and fantastic view could help erase her growing frustration.