Free The Lesson by Bella D'Amato Page B

yourself that. You might
actually believe it, but will they?
    Shut up!
    Vivian ignored her son, fixing her gaze on
Bianca. “Tell us dear, where did you meet my ill-bred son?”
    “Um, economics.” Bianca tried to keep her
hands still, even though they insisted on twisting together
nervously. “At PSU.”
    “Are you studying business?” Mason the First
asked.
    “No. Yes. Business administration,” Bianca
amended lamely.
    “Ah,” Mason the First nodded. “Perhaps when
you finish you’ll apply at Freeman Industries. We’re always on the
lookout for competent secretaries.”
    Bianca flushed and wished the floor
would open up and swallow her. A
secretary? she thought. Really? He thinks I’m going to be nothing more than a
glorified receptionist?
    Nothing wrong with
that, the little voice inside her mocked. Honest work. The most someone like you could
expect.
    Bullshit.
    The voice remained silent for once.
    She glanced up at Mason. He smiled, but his
jaw clenched and she knew he was angry. Still, he said nothing.
    “How kind of you to offer,” she replied,
smiling as sweetly as she knew how.
    “Not at all,” Mason the First replied,
finishing his drink and signaling a waiter for another. “Tell me,
Bianca, what do your parents do?”
    Of course he’d ask about
your parents. Bianca felt like crying. She’d never
been so far out of her depth in her life. Even if they were alive, it wouldn’t matter. They still
wouldn’t be good enough. I wouldn’t be good enough.
    I told you this would
happen, the voice practically screamed at her. This was never going to be more than a fling.
Your world and his are too far apart.
    “My parents died when I was young,” Bianca
answered faintly. “My grandfather raised me.”
    “Well, that’s just awful, isn’t it?” Vivian
shuddered.
    “Yes, yes, just awful,” echoed Mason the
First as the waiter returned with his drink. “And what does your
grandfather do?”
    They’re like a dog with a
bone, she thought with astonishment. They pretend to be pleasant but they’re horrible.
Awful. She glanced up at Mason again, who still wore
the same unhappy smile.
    And still remained silent. Bianca found
herself growing angry.
    “My grandfather was a clerk in a small
grocery store for thirty years,” she answered. “He’s been an
amazing role model, kind and loving, and has always supported me,
whatever my goals have been. I’m very lucky to have him.”
    “I’m sure you are, dear,” Mason the First
nodded. “Now myself, I prefer ambition!” He pointed at Mason with
his forefinger, tumbler still in hand. “This one should be coming
to work for us soon, and about damn time, I say.”
    Mason nodded slightly. “Yes, father. When
school is done.”
    Bianca stared at him. What about his art?
His parents didn’t seem to care about anything but status and money
and what they wanted. Her anger mushroomed inside her and she spoke
before she could stop herself. “Seems a waste of talent to me.”
    “What?” Mason the First growled. “What do
you mean?”
    “Bianca, let it go,” Mason murmured in her
ear.
    She ignored him. “Mason is an incredible
artist. Surely you’ve seen his work?”
    “He’s never going to make a living with his
little drawings,” Mason the First practically thundered. “Business.
Commerce. That’s the way to success. Besides, someone needs to
follow in my footsteps.”
    Vivian gave her a sharp look before
covering it with a saccharine smile. “You know, dear, now that I
think about it, you do look familiar. Where have I seen you?” She glanced at Mason and
pretended to deliberate.
    “Mother,” he said, a warning in his
voice.
    Vivian snapped her gloved fingers. “I
remember now! Isn’t she the model for that lovely nude I saw in
your studio the last time I was at your apartment?”
    Bianca felt all the blood rush from her face
as she peered up at Mason. “You showed her the painting?” she
whispered.
    “Painting s , my dear,” Vivian