The Prince's Secret Cinderella

Chapter 1: Maid in Brunei A Life of Service The scent of freshly polished wood and expensive cologne filled the vast halls of the Al-Munir mansion. Nadia Dela Cruz moved swiftly, balancing a silver tray with steaming coffee as she navigated the luxurious home. At 24, she had spent the last two years working in Brunei as a housemaid, her life reduced to routines of scrubbing floors, washing dishes, and staying invisible. She had left the Philippines full of dreams, believing that working abroad would give her family a better future. But reality had crushed those dreams. "Nadia!" The sharp voice of Madam Farida echoed from the living room. She hurried inside, bowing her head. “Yes, ma’am?” The woman, draped in a silk robe, held a coffee cup between her manicured fingers, her lips pursed in distaste. “This coffee is awful,” she said, setting it down with a clink. “Do it again.” Nadia swallowed her frustration. “I’ll fix it right away, ma’am.” She reached for the cup when a deeper voice cut through the room. “You always mess up, don’t you?” Her fingers froze mid-air. Rayyan Al-Munir. Her employer’s eldest son. The Cold Prince Rayyan was seated on the leather couch, one leg crossed over the other, his phone in hand. He didn’t even look up as he criticized her. At 28, Rayyan was already a powerful figure in Brunei—heir to the Al-Munir Group, known for his ruthless business strategies and unshakable coldness. He had the kind of face that women worshipped—sharp jawline, hazel eyes, and an effortless elegance. But to Nadia, he was simply a pain in the ass. “Do you always have to insult the staff?” she asked before she could stop herself. The air froze. Rayyan finally looked up, his gaze locking onto hers. “Excuse me?” Nadia’s heart thundered. She messed up. “I-I meant, I’ll remake the coffee, sir.” She forced a smile. For a moment, he studied her, as if deciding whether to fire her on the spot. Then, with a sigh, he returned to his phone. “Make it fast.” Arrogant jerk. As she turned toward the kitchen, she muttered under her breath, “I hope you choke on it.” Unfortunately, he heard. "What did you just say?" Nadia’s stomach plummeted. She spun around, smiling way too brightly. “I said, I’ll make sure it’s perfect.” Rayyan’s gaze narrowed. But instead of lashing out, he just scoffed and went back to his phone. Nadia rushed to the kitchen, pressing a hand to her racing heart. One day, that mouth of yours is going to get you fired, Nadia. Dreams and Reality That night, after finishing her chores, Nadia collapsed onto her tiny bed inside her cramped maid’s quarters. She stared at the ceiling, her thoughts drifting to a life that could’ve been. As a child, she had imagined ballrooms, glittering dresses, and grand adventures. But here she was, scrubbing the floors of the wealthy instead. Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Hana, her closest friend in Brunei. Hana: Nadia! Guess what? Nadia: What? Hana: I GOT US INVITES TO THE GRAND MASQUERADE GALA!!! Nadia sat up so fast she nearly fell off the bed. The Grand Masquerade Gala. A once-a-year event where Brunei’s elite gathered in luxurious gowns and masks—a night of mystery, elegance, and magic. Nadia: Wait. WHAT?! How?! Hana: My employer’s cousin works for the event. She got extra invites! Nadia’s pulse raced. She knew she shouldn’t. She was just a maid. If anyone found out, she could lose everything. But for one night… For one night, she could be someone else. She took a deep breath and typed: Nadia: I’m in. A Dangerous Encounter The next evening, Nadia stepped out of the Al-Munir estate during her short break, meeting Hana near the bustling street market. "You better not back out," Hana teased. "I already found us dresses!" Nadia laughed. "I’m not backing out. But how will we even get in?" "Simple. We wear masks and act like we belong." Nadia wasn’t convinced, but the thrill in her veins wouldn’t let her say no. As they walked through the market, a black luxury car suddenly screeched to a halt near them. A group of men in suits stepped out. Nadia froze. She recognized that car. Rayyan Al-Munir. Oh, no. The back door opened, and out stepped Rayyan, his suit sharp, his presence commanding. And he was walking straight toward them.