Layla Peterson loathes life and everything it encompasses. In a world where only the strong-hearted survive and the weak are left to fend for themselves, she always finds herself on the negative part of it. Life just couldn't give her a break even for a day, could it? Growing up in a foster system for some yielded a lot of happy endings and memories, but definitely not for Layla. She believes that from the moment her birth parents; whoever they were; dropped her at the orphanage home when she was born, that was the onset of her suffering. Every single family she landed in either didn't like her because of her striking facial features; which consisted of a dazzling shade of chestnut brown hair and the lightest set of ocean blue eyes a child could dream of having; or they just ended up abusing her. Layla always waited patiently for the day she would finally break free from the system even when she knew there was nothing out there in the real world for her; no money, no food nor any roof over her head but she was determined to make it out. Growing up that way made her wary of ever having kids or letting people get too close to her hence it compelled her to always stay within the shadows. She did her best to make herself as unattractive as possible to blend in. The only good thing the foster care gave her was her best friend Melody, the closest thing Layla had to family. Together they broke free from the system and went into the real world fighting every battle one day at a time. Life was going as smoothly as it could be for someone with such unruly luck up until she turned 24. That was when she landed herself in an unbudgeted debt that could put her life on the line and Layla needed a desperate fix. That was when Melody stepped in, with a surreal job opportunity to waitress for an event. Not just any event but one of the most high-end exclusive events of the year that happens annually at a private island owned by the biggest business tycoon in the continent of Europe. The event was a week-long affair and the income she was banking on would be enough to pay for her debt. So she sets her sights there vowing to not get into trouble but she sure is a trouble magnet. The event consisted of many wealthy and affluent individuals all over the continent, seeing a lot of them was something she never thought possible and due to her physical features she was always lusted after by said tycoons. She did her best to escape their gazes until a certain oil mogul cornered her and tried to make his way with her, feeling rather defeated and resigned to fate she fought against it but to no avail. Luckily for her, she had caught the eyes of a certain billionaire who lost sight of his little mouse and went in search of her. Getting there at the right time he rescued her and made hell burn over for those who hurt her. Being eternally grateful for that she offered her assistance in any way she could unbeknownst to her Damon Elores had other plans in mind. Meet Damon Elores, the only heir to the Elores diamond corporation. He wasn't just born into the role, he was made for it. He earned his position as CEO, his father made sure of it. He owed his cold and stoic demeanor to his father's brutal upbringing so of course his hands weren't clean. Someone of such high status doesn't just get there without getting their hands dirty now do they? To those who didn't know him, he was a ruthless playboy and businessman, but to the few he let in, he was a kind-hearted man who was often misunderstood. Being as wealthy as he was attracted a lot of hungry sharks which included his ex fiancé Chanel. Although she birthed his son, he wanted nothing to do with her for reasons best known to him. He saw this week-long event as an opportunity to mingle with people of his caliber with hopes of making his father more proud but nothing could have prepared him for the petite little mouse that captured his attention. He was entrapped and enchanted by her beauty and mannerisms and was determined to make her his. He didn't know what emotion he felt towards her but he sure as hell was attracted to her. When his little mouse is in trouble he finds himself blind with rage and gets rid of her oppressor. It was at that moment he solidified what he knew for sure, that no one but him is allowed to go near her. What does one do when the one you are trying to save doesn't want to be saved? Layla who didn't have the time of day for a relationship unfortunately becomes drawn to this handsome billionaire but promises herself not to get close to him after all nothing good ever lasts when it comes to her. Damon so determined to win her blindly gives her a job at his corporation even at the risk of his father's wrath and it is an offer even Layla couldn't refuse. Would this be the much-needed opportunity that Damon needs to overcome his stoic exterior and prove to her that not everyone in life is bad? Would she be able to give the dashing CEO a trial at love?
Chapter 1 Layla
8 years ago [Ma Cleo's residence]
The sound of the ticking clock and my pulsating heart were the only things keeping my far too weakened body from shutting down as I continued at a hastened pace. I carry on cleaning the surface of the table till it's squeaky clean making sure not to leave a single spot cause ma Cleo hates that. The strike of the hand of the clock at 6 pm was my only indication that I was running out of precious time.
"Oh no! Ma Cleo will soon be back and I haven't done all the laundry". I whispered to myself in a panicked state soon realizing that no matter what I did today I'd still pay dearly.
Increasing my pace till I could not feel my fingers anymore I was finally done and I hurriedly went to the laundry.
"Incompetent fools all around me, always have to clean up their dirty mess" a squeaky grumble I've grown accustomed to sounded from the front door. "Layla get your bony ass here this moment!" Ma Cleo all but screeched aiming it at me and my heart dropped several beats already resigning myself to fate.
With hurried steps I stood in front of her, my head and gaze already accustomed to the floor, and as my anxious gaze roamed around I noticed an awful trail on the ground that must have resulted when I finished tending to the garden. Tears began gathering in my eyes as I thought of the numerous ways I knew she would punish me.
"You look horrid when you cry, don't u dare taint my floor with those pathetic tears of yours and look me in the eyes when I'm speaking to you child " she berated me in a stern voice.
Almost immediately my head snapped up and my eyes dried up of any last remnant of tears I had left.
"I'm sure you already know why I've called you here you little demon. You were fully aware that I'd be having guests coming over soon yet you decided to make that horrible mess at the entrance of my house. You wanted to make a mockery out of me isn't it?" She snides at me with every bit of venom seeping out of her voice as she holds my chin up in a vicious grip.
"Go get the toothbrush from upstairs now" she spat to me.
Not wasting any more time I ran up the stairs as fast as my tired body could carry me. I quickly grabbed my toothbrush and zoomed down the stairs making sure the sound of my steps wasn't too loud. Ma hates that so I've learned to adjust. When I got down I went to stand before her showing her the toothbrush I had now in my hands.
"Now I want you to start sweeping the floor of the entire entryway with that toothbrush and make sure that everywhere is spotless when I'm back. I give you 30 minutes" she said as she exited the house again almost as soon as she came in not even giving me a chance to react or speak.
With a hardened gaze I robotically went into action firstly getting soapy water and a bowl and I bent down to begin the task at hand. Joining the tasks I did earlier in the day, any 16-year-old such as myself would have collapsed but not me. My body has given up on me far too long ago.
******
Present day
"Have you gotten the orders from the customers that just came in Layla" Samantha, my colleague asked over me over the chatter from the back.
"Table 7 requested 2 double-decked cheeseburgers, 2 scones, and 4 strawberry milkshakes, Table 12 requested just a chocolate mocha, and Table 9 requested a pumpkin pie and a creamy latte" I replied to her reading out from the little clipboard I wrote orders dow. She acknowledges me with a nod while I round the corner to get into the kitchen.
It was around 2 pm and the eatery I work in, BiteBuzz was having a rush hour and it was supposed to be my break time. At the sound of my rumbling stomach, I was immediately reminded that I'd had nothing to eat all day. With a groan, I began serving out the orders to each table with the best fake smile I could muster on an empty stomach. I've perfected the art over the years, wearing false emotion was akin to second nature for me. A smile can dissuade people from knowing what's going on in your life. Shaking reminisces of the past from my head I continued taking and handing out orders till the diner was almost empty. Checking the time on my phone I saw that my shift was over and a sigh of relief immediately left me. Pulling off my apron I grabbed my change of clothes and headed to the mart for some grocery shopping
Shooting out a quick text to Melody letting her know I've got the groceries handled I headed over to Target. I was mentally calculating the tips I made today to know how much I had to spare for a cheat meal I easily took some Cheetos with a satisfied grin on my mouth. At least it's something to look forward to for the day. As I was heading over to the counter I stumbled upon Daisy, an awful awful awful reminder of my tragic past. My steps faltered a bit and my smile wavered but I carried on headstrong constantly reminding myself that I'm no longer where I was before and I've become stronger. I started between aisles in order to avoid her but my attempts proved futile.
"Well well who do we have here, Layla it's always a pleasure to see you," Daisy says with mock excitement in her voice. Putting on a fake smile I turned over to engage her.
"Daisy it's been ages hasn't it, How have you been and Ma Cleo? Heard she's been in the hospital for a while" I say with false concern dripping from my voice.
"Oh drop the act. We all know you are delighted by the news of my mum's fizzling health, and to answer ur first question I've been great actually, much better than you look thank God" she says with an annoying smirk plastered on her face.
"Looks like you haven't lost your bitchiness over the years Daisy, now if you'd excuse me I rather exit this conversation right now. Wouldn't want those awful frown lies marring my face like yours now would I?" I threw at her as I began walking out not before seeing her hands flying to her frown lines.
Walking away with a small sense of victory I headed over to the checkout counter to pay for my groceries and got on my merry way. While waiting for the next bus to get here I heard my phone ping. I picked it up and saw a very distressing message from Melody and all the colour immediately drained from my face.
Life when would you just stop fucking with me?