Masked

Chapter Eleven

“Elena!” her mother shouted at her when she arrived home. “What on earth are you thinking! You can’t go dressed out like that. You look like some slut!”

“I’m done with playing your game Mother,” she smirked. “From now on I get to wear what I want, no more expander and no more coating me in makeup. I have played by your rules and look where it got me. So now I’m going to do what makes me happy.”

“Oh no you…”

“She has a point Elizabeth,” Mr. Vandus said. “You’re too hard on her and well she is still young. Let her live her life a little.”

“She’ll do something stupid.”

Elena rolled her eyes. “No I’m not. You’re stupid if you think I will. Don’t you think you’ve raised me to be a proper young woman? Do you not trust me?”

“Look at what you’re wearing!” Mrs. Vandus shook her head.

“So our daughter has a figure.” Mr. Vandus crossed his arms. “It’s not like she’s showing a ton of skin or inviting boys. But she has a point. We’ve raised her as much as we could now its her time to make choices.”

“Thank you Dad.” She smiled at him. “Honestly I just want to start my own clothing line and have a little fun. No dirty clubs or anything just things normal people do my age. I’ve always had to be so proper I barely have any friends and how else am I going to meet a guy?”

“We will pick a guy…” But Elena cut her mother off.

“No you won’t.” Her mouth pressed into a thin line. “Look at what your choice did. I’m not dating another rich snob like that. Yes I will find someone of class and you get to approve but when the time comes it is my choice.”

“You’ve really thought about this haven’t you?” Mr. Vandus smiled down at his daughter. “About time you showed some drive.”

“Oh I always have you just haven’t been around and Mother is a bitch.” With that Elena went up to her room.

“Elena.” Mr. Vandus knocked on the door. “Can I come in?”

“Sure…”

“Look I know you think I haven’t been around and that’s my fault. But I want you to understand how. Growing up you and I were so close.” He came in and sat down on the edge of her bed. “And well your mom got jealous. You are a girl and therefor she thought you should spend more time with her and she was partly right. She can teach you how to behave and act like a lady where I can’t.”

“But she’s a bitch. She made me wear those expanders and never let me do anything.” She flopped down on the bed. “I was her puppet and you never helped me.”

He was silent for a moment. “But she loves you.”

“No she doesn’t.” Elena frowned. “I would like to think she does but I know she doesn’t care about me.”

“Elena… it’s about time I tell you.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Your mother isn’t really your biological mother…”

For a moment she was speechless. “Then why?”

“I was young and very in love with a young woman. She was beautiful and so smart, much like you. I see much of her in you.” He put his hand on her leg. “It was before Elizabeth and I were married. Since Elizabeth is unable to have children it was perfect. Nicole would be paid handsomely and Elizabeth and I would get married and the child would be ‘hers.’”

“It sounds terrible not perfect.”

“Elena you know life for us isn’t easy and sometimes we have to do things that are best for others.” Mr. Vandus sighed. “If we hadn’t had made that deal then I wouldn’t have you. You would be with your mother and I would never have gotten to know you. My father wanted to make sure the Vandus would have an heir and as long as you’re a Vandus it wouldn’t matter who your mother was. I know it’s terrible but it worked out best.”