baby [h.s.]

thirty two

            Vinny demanded a meeting with Vega over dinner. I wasn't sure why I was included in this interrogative five star meal, yet I was pushed into my room and told to make myself look like a movie star.

An hour after, my hair was in curls on top of my head and I wore a long maroon dress with a faux fur coat on top and heels. Riddle and Harry both wore suits.

"Let's get this show on the road." I said as I walked towards the door of the hotel room.

People gawked at us, in our fancy clothes, as we walked through the lobby. We walked side by side. When the doormen swung open the entrance, the bitter wind bit at my cheeks. I huddled close to Riddle as we shuffled to the limousine Harry waved us towards.

Vinny was seated inside. In his right hand, he held a glass of champagne. His forehead was creased.

"All of you look wonderful." he said. He pursed his lips. "You're here, you know, because London was convenient and I couldn't stand to put up with Perkins. Good man, but he doesn't shut up."

It was what we all figured.

"Right, sir, glad to be here." Riddle said.

The car began to move. None of us said anything. I glanced out the window, at the dazzling urban scene around us. It wasn't all glamorous. A woman toted a shopping cart full of what looked to be trash on one side of the street and a man dressed in an Armani suit walked on the other.

Life wasn't like this in London. This was fascinating.

We arrived at a restaurant that looked like it belonged to Hollywood. The extravagant entrance housed the valet and marble columns that shielded the building from the busy street.

The four of us filed out of the car. I strutted into the restaurant behind Riddle. A woman played the piano in the corner, glasses of wine clinked together.

A man with buzzed hair approached us. He wore a suit and his hands were clasped together.

"Mr. Briar, we welcome you and your guests. Follow me, right this way." The man said. I glanced at Harry, but he was focused on something else.

We followed the man to a secluded area of the restaurant. There was a table covered in a silk cloth with an older man seated at its head. He looked unsettled.

"Thomas Vega," Vinny said, strictly. The man, Thomas, stood. The man that led us to the table scurried off.

Riddle, Harry, and I stood behind Vinny, watching the two men apprehensively.

"Sit," Vinny said. "Everyone."

I shuffled to a chair and Harry took the one next to me. I sat across from Thomas. A wine glass already sat ahead of me.

Vinny picked up his wine glass with the tips of his fingers and swirled the liquid around. He leaned back in his chair and narrowed his eyes.

"You know why we're here, no?"

Thomas licked his lips. "Yes, sir. If I may ask, with whom are we dining?"

"You may not ask. They are here with the business." Vinny said. "Tell us about your spending spree, though. Must have been fun, using my money, yes?"

"Vinny, I can explain-"

"You can call me Mr. Briar."

Thomas' mouth opened and closed. His forehead glistened. I shifted in my seat; it was uncomfortable to watch.