Shattered

-1-

Ever since I was born, my parents and I had lived in Chicago, mostly because of the family ties my dad had there. My aunt and uncle lived nearly 6 houses down and my grandparents just up the street. Convenient for my parents whenever they jet off to sell their multi million dollar ideas to multi million dollar companies.

My name is Taryn Smith, I was basically raised by my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Charlie until the age of 16, or now. My parents were and still are away a lot so I was forced to become very close with immediate family. My parents always returned back home to Chicago for a week or so after being gone for just as long, only to be sporting money, clothes, toys and other miscellaneous gifts to try and win over my affection and make up for missed birthdays and visits from the tooth fairy. But not so much lately, I guess I'm just used to their absence by now.

"Taryn!" my mothers loud screaming voice echoes through the loud halls of our 2.3 million dollar mansion, quite home-y if you ask me...not. Her 4 inch heels clack down the foyer with my dad soft-spoken in tow.

My parents are just returning from another whirl wind trip, Spain I think this time? Probably a big time investor but who even cares anymore, it's all the same to me.

I roll my eyes although she can't see me and stand up from my spot on the couch watching Netflix per usual and greet my oh-so-loving parents with a smile

"Hey mom, hey dad" I greet, giving them each a swift hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Is this all you've been doing while we we gone Tar, wasting your life away on this damn sofa when..."

"What your mom means Taryn," my dad cuts my lovely mother off with a glare, "Is that we missed you so much."

"Oh I'm sure that's exactly what she meant..." I mutter under my breath and I swear I hear a chuckle from our housekeeper slash cook Nadine. I let loose a giggle myself.

My mother sighs and adjusts her perfectly bleached hair. "Well then, that's enough for tonight. I'm going in for tonight. I assure you will be attending breakfast at the club tomorrow with your father and I. We have much to discuss."

"Yeah I'll meet you there at eleven." I dryly respond picking at my recently manicured nails. As much as I hate how much the money ruins our family dynamic, I can't lie and say I don't enjoy the perks of having money. Such as my perfectly sculpted nails, makeup closet, and wardrobe that looks like it could be in a movie. But I would never take advantage of the money to the point where I turned into a stuck up bitch like my mother.

"Spectacular. Goodnight love." My mother kisses both my cheeks and retreats to her grand suite up the grand staircase.

"Sweet dreams honey. She's just stressed about the upcoming months, don't take her cold shoulder too hard." My dad kisses my forehead and jogs up behind my mother.

I sigh and once again fall back onto the couch, thinking about what my dad meant about the 'upcoming months'. Did they have a major deal coming up? Probably, she got like this last time that happened.

I un-pause my current episode of Gossip Girl and next thing I know I'm fast asleep on the couch dreaming of Chuck Bass.