Chapter 2. Cinderella in Modern Era

Clara's point of view:

"Cinderella was bullied. She had a very bad childhood. But one day, she got freedom. She met her prince charming. All her miseries ended." I recalled the Cinderella tale. It's been my favourite since I was 6 years old. Back then I had no idea that it would be my tale in just a few days. But the only difference is the first half of the Cinderella tale is not ending anytime.

The only thing that discriminated me from Cinderella is I knew what I was doing and why I was enduring them. Also, we are super rich. I am thankful for that. I don't need to do all the household chores. But is it easier than what I am doing now? Living here with no self-respect is killing me every day.

"Sister, did grandma give you a punishment again?" Paxton asked, grabbing my hand. He is too mature for his age. One of the reasons to endure everything here is my brother.

"She can try forever. But I won't give her that satisfaction to break me" I kissed Paxton's forehead as he smiled shyly. He is too cute. 

"Father loves you. Why don't you share these all with your father?" His question made me remember the worst day of my life. 

Flashback

Many years ago. It was even before Paxton came into my life. 

"Dad, I am telling the truth. Grandma purposefully did it," The little me cried, showing the burned mark on my legs.

"Master, I didn't do this. I promise. Baby Clara fell herself. I tried to save her and even got my hands hurt," Elena, the old lady who is the head of all the housekeepers, spoke, trembling in fear. But she was glaring at me in intervals to send me shivers.

"Dad, she is lying." I felt a hot slap over my face. My father was the world's best dad to me. His slap was not just the first one but was a heavy one to crush my entire thing. I felt betrayed by my dad. He didn't only think that I was lying but also punished me for something that I had no idea about.

"I see that you started lying to me. These all happened because of your mother" My mom came to rescue me. But I was only glaring at my dad unbelievably. My mom was hugging me, but I was no longer crying. I saw the lady smile in victory. 

Is it her plan? But is it her fault? Not at all. It's my fault to trust my dad. 

Flashback ends.

That was the last day I called him dad. But after some days, I stopped talking to him except for some things. I don't want to remember every damn thing which made my family like this. I don't want to cry over the past. I always believe in building a beautiful future. And I know what to do to escape these people.

"Don't forget that power and status are the only things that can save us from evil people. Study when you are young. Apply them when it's time." I always teach Paxton these things. He is small. But I don't want him to be small forever. I want him to grow strong quickly. 

I stepped down from the room to get out of this hell at least sometime earlier than usual.

"Clara. Have breakfast, dear," I am used to this drama. I looked at the same old lady.

"No. I am not hungry." I replied as I turned to leave the place as soon as possible. I am getting suffocated here.

"Don't show your anger to the food, dear," Elena said with a smile as Ron Taylor looked at me with rage. He doesn't like whenever I disrespect anyone in this family.

"They have prepared food for you too. Don't create drama every day," Mr Taylor yelled at me. I flinched away at his tone. But I silently came and sat there. 

"You love pasta, right." Elena served me the hot Pasta. I took a bite slowly. I knew this woman loved to see me teared up. It was too spicy. I gulped them silently. I don't want to complain about anything. I took another bite and followed by a third. Damn, my tears formed in my eyes as Elena smirked at me. 

"Are you okay, dear" There comes my stepmom, Bella Taylor, daughter of Elena. Now everyone would have come to know what Elena planned for that day. Of course, to make her daughter Mrs Taylor by eliminating me and my mom. But I am left here as my mom died long long ago.

"I have an important meeting," I mumbled. I stood up and left the food untouched. I didn't want to hear Mr Taylor's yelling. 

I bumped into another thing in the early morning. Damn, my day and my mood. 

"Hi, dipstick. Everyone has eyes. But I don't find them in you," Elsa, my step-sister, just a year and a half younger than me, spoke with a sly smile. She would taunt me all the time.

"Same way that everyone has a brain, and I wish you to have them," I don't sit back to hear her words. I always pay back for words. But I know every time, my reply would weigh me more. She would complain to her grandma, and she would plot against me. 

Didn't I say that I am Cinderella in the first half? But yeah, she doesn't rebel or reply. But damn my mouth. I can't sit back like a fairy in distress. My mouth is the only enemy for me.

"Didn't you enjoy the spiciest Pasta? It was for flirting with my friend," Elsa spoke, and I remember the conversation with her friend, James. But it was he who was flirting with me. Whatever, It's Elsa's habit to torture me every time. I don't know why she holds so many grudges against me. 

"I loved it. Ask your grandma to work a little harder. It's getting boring nowadays" Again, damn my mouth. It was already burning, and I couldn't control my words. These people would make it even worse. Should I surrender to them?

I left the place as I didn't want to instigate her further. I entered my home finally. My Shopaholics. My fashion house. My mom's fashion house. The only thing I asked Mr Taylor. The only time I have ever kept my self-respect aside and talked to that person. 

"Ma'am, Miss. Florida is offering more for you to accept." Jenny came running as soon as I entered the office.

"Jenny, I am not running this for business or money. It's my passion. And I will choose my projects. I don't like Florida. And I don't want to design for her daughter's wedding," I spoke in a low voice. Her daughter was my classmate and Elsa's friend, and that's the end of the topic. 

"Don't disturb me. I will sleep now," Saying so, I lay on my couch. It is my favourite couch. My heart weighed so much with my daily routine. Why should I live like this? 

I feel like sleeping over my mom's lap whenever I sleep on this couch. My eyes teared up automatically.

"I miss you, Mom," I mumbled as tears rolled down my cheeks. I wish she was here with me. Maybe she would come here just like that fairy Godmother in that Cinderella tale to grant me any wishes.