IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING, THE
sun was barely up when James ran through the yellow fields that were ready to be tilled. He saw the familiar figure of his father jogging and decided to change course and join the man.

"What's happened? My son is up so early?" he asked.

"I thought I was training before school like you said." replied James.

"Oh yeah. Race to the bank," said the men, picking up their pace. Two stubborn people, unwilling to give up the fight, ran towards the bank.
James' father, Mortimer, cheered as he won the race. James bent down to catch his breath.

"I let you beat me!" he then said, out of breath.
They sat down on the bench.
There was a long silence between them, filled with their heavy breathing, when James decided to break it.

"I need to get back to the lacrosse field, Dad," he said, and his father nodded.

"We've got our hands full right now with preparations for the investor reception and the new line," he started talking about business again. It was all his father talked about. As much as James liked the way his father's eyes filled with pride that his son would soon be running the company, it was beginning to annoy him that the man couldn't talk about anything else.

"You! The face of young Beaufort," his father finished and James nodded.

"We're on the verge of winning our third title in a row this season! It's never happened at Maxton Hall before." he continued, knowing it was hard to talk to his father about his sport.

"Well, that's not surprising considering it's a girls' sport," his father replied and James felt disappointment overtake him.
He fell silent.

"Are you going to talk to Lexington or should I? Please Dad, it's my last year!" he begged.

"James, you have a company to run, a new line to present, and enemies ready to tear our business apart, and all you can think about is this pathetic sport?!" his father's voice became stern and annoyed, causing James to stop pushing the issue.

"What about that Ashwand girl, did you get rid of her?" Mortimer asked, knowing exactly the answer.

"No." James gulped, embarrassed and anger starting to boil in him. He hated it when he got humbled by his father.

"And why is that?" The man asked.

"She's just a little girl trying to keep things together, and you can't possibly tell me that you're unable to find something that threatens her or ruins her reputation." His father scolded him. James, of course, couldn't tell him what Livia Ashwand knew.
He couldn't tell his father about the scandal Lydia had gotten herself into again. Mortimer had already discredited his sister enough.

"You will focus now on the moments that will shape our future." His father continued talking.

"And the first of these moments is the reception. You will concentrate fully and give them a perfect performance. The image of the company needs that to happen. The image of our whole family does. Do that and silence that girl." He said with a strict voice, growing louder towards the end. He then stood up.

"Meanwhile we found a new athletic activity for you to practice.." he sighed.

"Next time I want you to win the race."

•

Livia sat at the table, in a meeting with her manager and Emma, her organizer for any events. Talking about the future plans of the company and everything that has to be done in the following period of time, the girl had both of her parents sitting next to her, leading the conversation. She found herself drifting off, when her phone buzzed.

It was a message from Ruby in the group of the Event committee.

—

Ruby
The gown for our poster is taking shape here!

She sent a photo along of her sister, which caused  Liv to grin.

Ruby
Thanks to James.. NOT!

Camille
Awesome! <3 <3 <3

Lin
O.M.G

Jessalyn
Wow, Ruby!

Kieran
Great!

—

Liv put her phone away to follow the conversation.

"Of course, Livia you'll have to tell the family Speller that the line of Ashwand will appear in the next month, yourself. She will probably take the most of the dresses for her daughters.." Livia nodded smiling. It was always the same that was said. Talk to these, talk to them, tell those that the brand and the line is this and that. It was exhausting.

A new buzz came from her phone and she looked down.

-

James
After I brought the idea and the concept, I am happy to see that the lead of the committee also contributed something.

P.S.: Who is your seamstress?

-

Livia had to suppress a roll of her eyes because of James Beaufort's common arrogance.

-

James
She's doing a good job though the machine looks like it's from a dumpster.

-

Liv scoffed, before moving her fingers on the screen of her phone.

Livia
Says the one who doesn't even know how to stick a thread through a needle.

-

"Livia?"
The girl's head shot up as her mother smiled at her and her father looked disapproving.

"Sorry, I had to answer an important message, what did you say?" she grinned politely and Emma smiled.

"I was asking if you were free tonight so we could go straight over to pick the main subjects you want to choose for the series?" she asked in her small voice.

"Oh, I'm actually invited to a friend's birthday party, but if it's not too long, we can do it!" She nodded.

"All right! And with that, all I need is a signature from you!" Said her manager Mr. Sons, holding out a piece of paper and a pen.

"For what exactly?" She asked, smiling sheepishly.

"Well, just the formalities for the contract! So you don't back out of the deal!" He said and everyone around them burst out laughing. Liv's smile washed off her face as she looked at them. She felt like they were laughing at her. Like the slightest chance that she wouldn't want to do this whole job was completely eliminated from the table. She suddenly felt suffocated by their laughs.

"O- of course!" She said, biting her lip and gripping the pen tighter. She looked back onto the paper in front of her, hesitating and then put her hand down and signed the contract.

As it was said before, Livia Ashwand was an ambivalent person. By day she was the leader of the cheerleading team, the best student in most of her classes and the leader of the young Ashwand, and by night she went to parties and clubs with her friends, losing all measure of manners.
The colored lights fell lightly on her loose blue dress, which flattered her figure and barely covered her tights. Her dark hair shone as she moved it with her body while she danced.
The girls around her cheered and laughed, sometimes singing along to the music and having a great time.
James watched her from a distance, taking in her performance. He had never really been interested in Livia, as he was far too focused on Theo Ashwand.
But now that he was focused on her, he had to admit that she was quite good looking, not that he'd ever found her ugly. He also suspected it was the rivalry between them that drew him more to her.

The air was filled with laughter, chatter and the occasional shattering of glass. Neon lights cast a colorful glow on the dancing bodies, creating a chaotic, lively atmosphere.

Liv made her way through the throng of partygoers, holding a solo cup filled with a colorful punch.
She hadn't expected James to show up, but there he was, leaning against the kitchen counter with a confident smile on his face as he chatted with a group of seniors. His eyes scanned the room, and when they fell on Liv, his smile widened even more. He broke off the conversation and walked towards her.

"Ashwand," he called out, his voice drowning out the music.

"I didn't expect to see you here." He stated, which made Liv turning around, her expression guarded.

"Why?" She asked pulling her eyebrows up and letting her eyes scan over him.

"Well seeing you're a top student and have all hands full with your company.." He started putting his hands into his pockets.

"I thought you're a bit too all-mighty to go to simple house parties." He shrugged and Livia grinned ironically.

"Says the one who insults sewing machines all high and mighty because he doesn't get his hands dirty." She responded, taking a sip from her cup while looking him in the eye challengingly. James scoffed.

"I didn't insult the sewing machine, I insulted the sewer." He said in an arrogant tone. Livia rolled her eyes.

"Right that's even worse, but at least you're admitting it." She said tilting her head.

"I'm just criticizing, it's not my problem that people can't handle that." He leaned forward to her, which made Liv lean back and look at him in a hostile manner.

"That was not criticism, that was arrogance. You couldn't even see two pieces of clothes together if you tried!" She said leaning back forward.

"I got people doing that for me but I guess your family doesn't have enough money for that?" His tone got mean, his expression cold.
Liv felt it hit into her stomach, but kept her composure. She forced herself to smile, but the tension that rose between them was almost touchable.

"Oh you don't have to worry about that!" She said, tilting her head.

"We don't throw it out the window, to hide scandals." She said sufficiently, stepping closer to him.

"Really? What does your brother say about that?"

—
1638 words