High Society

Chapter 3

By the time the plane landed, the sky had already turned into shades of red and yellow. It was a breezy evening in New York as the late summer enveloped the night sky.

Talia walked across the cockpit to greet the pilot as the passengers slowly made their way off the plane.

"Miss. Vanderbilt, it was an honor flying you to New York this evening." the pilot greeted her politely while giving her a hug.

"No, thank you, Marco. I wouldn't have been able to get on this flight without your help. Also, I've told you many times to call me Talia" Talia beamed.

"You know, we need more people like you in this world Talia. I know a lot of girls with money like yours who don't think twice before flying private."

With a polite nod, Talia smiled at her good friend from boarding school. It was Marco who helped her through her first year at boarding school in Paris. He was two years older than her and didn't hesitate to lend her his hand when she struggled to find a true friend.

However, as time went on, Marco and Talia parted ways. He became a well-known pilot— wanted by agencies around the world. It was to Talia's surprise that he picked up her call the other day when she requested a seat on his flight; she didn't think he'd remember her.

But it was hard to forget someone like Talia.

"You know. If you're not too busy, I'd like to take you out for coffee. I'll be in New York this month and we could catch up. What do you say?" Marco asked while running a hand through his hair.

Talia paused. She had been mindful of boys' attention since boarding school and made sure to focus on her career rather than her dating life. But then, she is already 21, almost 22. It was time to give herself a break for once.

"That sounds great Marco. You can text me when you're free. I know you have my number."

With that, Talia gracefully exited the plane to her father's waiting Black SUV. She might have been able to reject her father's idea to come back with a private jet but she can't win all wars.

"Good evening Miss. Vanderbilt. Your father is waiting for you at the penthouse. We'll be there soon." a guy with a suit and an earpiece helped her into the car.

"Thank you, James" Talia replied. He was one of her father's new men. Although she hadn't met him, she made sure to know everyone who would be escorting her beforehand. With a sigh, she looked out the window over the skyline as the car drove away from LaGuardia Airport.

It was almost seven in the evening when the SUV finally pulled up to the private garage in Manhattan. Her father, with his newer investments in the city, had managed to purchase a new estate.

Two black sports cars parked neatly next to each other greeted her as she hopped out of the car.

"Your luggage will be placed in your room, Miss," James smiled at her, "Don't worry. I've seen your room during an inspection. I'm sure everything will be to your liking."

Pressing the button in the elevator to the 20th floor, Talia made her way to her family's penthouse. She was mentally preparing herself to see her family she hadn't really seen in almost 5 years. Her brothers still lived with her father as they helped him with the family business.

They would occasionally visit her once in a while in Paris but she made sure to inform them to not meddle in her life too much. After she got a taste of independence, she craved it every day.

When elevator doors slid open, two heads immediately turned in the foyer. Tristen and Aiden were on what looked like a business call but immediately ended it when Talia made her way over to them.