Nympho

Young Volcanoes

As the car pulled up to the restaurant, I sighed reluctantly. Another night of forcing laughter and faking smiles. Ever since I was born I had been groomed for these kind of things. It felt like I never got to truly be a kid. When I was little, my parents always made me watch the news, told me I needed to keep up with the current events. SpongeBob had been off limits, it "fried my brain cells." Of course my nanny would always make sure I could slip in an episode before my parents got home.

As I reached for the door handle, Maximus opened the door before I could. Maximus was our driver and had been for up to 12 years. I smiled, "Thank you, Maximus. Gentlemanly as always."

"It's his job honey. No need to thank him," my mom said as she gracefully slipped out of the car. She was tucking her stray brown hairs into her intricate bun.

I looked at Max giving him an apologetic, tight smile. He shrugged his shoulders as per usual when my mother said something bitchy.

He took off his hat as my father, clad in a nice suit with a dark blue tie, stepped out of the car. "Mr. Vanderbilt," he said in greeting.

My father nodded to him. "Maximus," he said in acknowledgement. He then turned to me, "This is a very important dinner, Vanessa. All I ask is that you don't ruin it." Irritation flared within me like the small flame of a candle. I couldn't bring myself to become very angry. At least he wasn't as threatening as he usually was.

"As usual, Father. I'm merely an ornament like your wife. Speak glowingly about your business, laugh accordingly, and maybe make some small talk. No more, no less. Correct?" I said bitterly, pursing my lips.

"Watch the attitude, young lady," my mother said cutting into the conversation, "We need to go in, instead of just dawdling here, trying to pick fights," she looked at me pointedly. She put a fake smile on her face as she walked toward the restaurant, my father and I trailing behind her. "Ugh, why did Maximus not park closer? Should've let us get out in the front before he parked."

Ungrateful bitch.

As the young hostess at the front desk spotted us, she smiled brightly, "You must be the Vanderbilts. The Huntzbergers are waiting in the private room you requested." She said leading us to the room.

How the heck does she just know it's us? We're just rich. Not like we're celebrities or anything. As we walked into the room, I saw who I assumed to be the Huntzbergers. As I got a closer look I saw that it was Lucas whom I knew from school. Huh, never knew he was a Huntzberger.

My father walked forward shaking first Miles's then Lucas's hand, my mother following suit. Instead of shaking her hand, Miles took it and planted a light kiss. "Diane, isn't it?" My mother nodded. "You never told me your wife was so lovely, Richard." Miles smiled as Mother giggled and my dad brandished a tight smile.

We all took a seat as my father replied, "Yes, well she is quite the beauty."

Miles nodded then glanced at me, "As is your daughter. The charming Miss Vanessa, I assume?" He said raising and eyebrow questioningly.

"Yes, that would be me," I flashed a smile, "It's a pleasure to finally meet the famous Mr. Huntzberger. I've heard great things."

"Please, call me Miles. And this is my son Lucas," he said gesturing towards his son who had, until now, gone almost unnoticed. "I was hoping you guys could keep each other company through this boring business talk."

"Yeah, we've actually met before. We attend the same school. I wasn't aware that he was a part of the Huntzberger family, though. What a coink-a-dink right?" I let out a small laugh. I internally cringed at our overly polite and trite conversation.