Unfortunately, I'm an Evil Villainess

Chapter 16 - Why I Had To

I must have been about six when I first got a taste of the world.

It was a fancy dinner party from Dad's work. They dressed me in my nicest clothes and told me to be on my best behaviour. It was the first time I was going to an event like this. Apparently Dad's boss told everyone to bring their kids so they could play with his daughter.

The lights were too bright, the air was too hot, there were too many people. I hid behind Mom.

"My, what a cute child!"

A woman tried to pick me up, but I moved away, terrified. Physical contact was rare in our household, for as long as I could remember. Plus, her perfume stank.

"Be polite, Jenny. Greet the nice lady."

Mom's tone was nicer than I had ever heard, and I obeyed, like always. I said hi, I swore I did, just in a really low voice. They laughed. Mom didn't react, I didn't know anything was wrong.

We went around to greet everyone. My feet were tired, I was hungry, I wanted to go home. I tried to put on a smile and be polite, I really tried.

The food was awful. I devoured a bowl of rice to keep me from starving and managed not to throw up anything else. I thought my expression was perfectly neutral, even more pleasant than I felt. The adults talked and laughed, and I stayed quiet, like a good little girl.

A wail came from the other side of the room. A girl my age in a pretty puffy dress was stomping her feet and crying and screaming. People crowded around her, cooing and offering treats.

"I wanna go see the fish!"

Her wish was their command, and instantly someone picked her up. They went out to the lobby, where the fish tank was. I remembered that one of the people was Dad's boss, and the girl was his daughter. She looked like a princess.

The adult wouldn't stop talking and I stared into space. When there was a short pause in conversation, I tugged Mom's sleeve gently.

"Can I go see the fish?"

"You just stay put."

So I did. I wanted to make them proud. I thought I had succeeded, even on the car ride home. Mom and Dad didn't talk, but I thought it was just because they were as tired as I was. I didn't know this would be a warning sign.

At home, I didn't pick up anything wrong with the tone they spoke in. When Dad came to my room before I went to bed, I thought he was just saying good night.

"You were rude today."

Dad never yelled. When he got mad, his voice raised, but it wasn't yelling. It was worse.

"You didn't greet any of them. They'll think we didn't teach you properly. When you act like that in public, you're making us look bad."

"But that girl was worse!"

"How can you compare yourself to the boss's daughter? We aren't rich or powerful like them. You should know better!"

Tears rushed to my eyes and I sniffled. He continued.

"You're six, people won't excuse you just because you're a child anymore. You have to be more mature! Who knows what they're saying behind your back! People won't like you if you're like this. You have to be nice to people, because you'll need them later on."

"W-why d-didn't that girl have to?"

Dad laughed coldly. It scared me.

"The boss might not have taught her well, but I hope I did for you. And she doesn't need anyone, her family has enough power to do that."