Cinderella's Endgame

THREE

“What’s this I heard about you getting into a fight again, huh, Cindy?”

I froze in the middle of serving breakfast when I heard Aunt Eula’s question. She sat down at the dining table and sipped her coffee. Then she lifted her gaze to me, one eyebrow raised. I gulped and immediately looked down. “I-It’s nothing, Auntie. J-Just a small argument,” I said quickly, denying it.

If she found out about the field trip, I’d definitely get kicked out of the house. I hurriedly transferred some fried rice onto her plate and served it to her right away. I had intentionally woken up earlier than Aunt Eula so that maybe, somehow, she’d be in a better mood and wouldn’t get irritated at me right away.

I was also thankful that her friends hadn’t come over, which meant I could actually eat with her today. I made extra fried rice too, so at least I could eat until I was full before heading to school. When I finished serving her food, I sat down in my seat and began eating quietly.

“Who did you fight with this time? The same ones as before?” she asked once I sat down.

I cleared my throat and slowly nodded. “I-It’s fine now, Auntie. It wasn’t really a big deal—”

“Better behave yourself, Cindy,” she snapped. “I’m sending you to that public school because tuition’s cheaper. If you get expelled from there, I don’t know what I’ll do with you. I can’t afford to send you to some private school like your damn parents did,” she harshly remarked, making me lower my head. “I didn’t even get married just so I wouldn’t have a child to worry about. Then your mother dies early and dumps you on me—without leaving a single cent!”

I wanted to defend Mom, but I chose to stay silent instead. After all, she wasn’t entirely wrong. No matter how I twisted it, Aunt Eula was right. The responsibility just fell onto her when Mom died. I still felt guilty about that. She’d reminded me plenty of times that I was a burden to her… and even if I didn’t want to admit it, she was right.

I took a deep sigh and began eating. I’d barely taken a few bites when she spoke again.

“You’re entering Senior High next year, right? Where do you plan to go?”

I didn’t answer immediately—I didn’t even know what to say. I took another bite while thinking, but before I could even put my utensils down, she suddenly smacked my hand. My eyes went wide as I looked at her. “I’m asking you a question! Why aren’t you answering me, huh?” she snapped, irritation clear in her tone. I swallowed nervously.

I set my utensils down and looked down. “I-I’m still thinking about it, A-Auntie. I-I don’t know yet where to enroll, t-that’s why I didn’t answer right away. I-I’m sorry,” I said nervously.

She sighed heavily, stood up abruptly, and pushed her chair back with a loud scrape. I immediately looked up at her. “I lost my appetite because of you. Damn it, you really are exactly like your useless mother in every way. Stay here and lock the door,” she said before walking away.

I just pressed my lips together and let her go. When she finally left, I exhaled deeply in relief. Finally!

A wide smile spread across my lips when I saw how much food was still left on the table. Thank God! At least today, luck was on my side… just this once. Good thing I cooked plenty earlier.

I ate quickly and made sure to eat a lot since I might not get food later at school. Besides, it’s rare for me to eat this much. Usually, breakfast meant stealing a piece of bread or a few bites of plain rice when Aunt Eula and her friends weren’t looking. At school, my allowance was just twenty pesos—barely enough to buy anything filling.

When I finished eating, I packed the leftover fried rice and egg into a tupperware for lunch. After getting everything ready, I started walking to school.

The day passed quickly. Before I knew it, I was walking out of the school gate holding an empty paper bag. I wanted to scream or cry out of frustration, but I didn’t. I forced myself to stay calm because I didn’t want to cause more trouble.

Who wouldn’t be mad? I only left my seat for a few minutes to go to the bathroom, and when I came back, my lunchbox was gone. I asked around if anyone saw or took it, but what did I expect? As usual, no one answered—just quiet giggles like it was some kind of joke.

I’m not saying I’m a saint, but at least I’m not as cruel as them. I pouted as I walked out of school, my stomach loudly growling in protest. If they hadn’t stolen my food, I wouldn’t be starving right now. And later, if Aunt Eula decided not to feed me dinner again—like the other night when she ate out—I’d have nothing to eat at all.

I sighed loudly and stopped by the fishball stall near the school gate. I didn’t want to spend my allowance, but what choice did I have? I’d probably faint on the way home if I didn’t eat something.

“Ate, ten pesos worth of fishballs, please,” I said, handing the vendor a ten-peso coin. I tucked the remaining ten pesos back into my pocket.

She gave me a small cup for the fishballs. I quickly grabbed a stick and started skewering. I got about twenty pieces and added sauce. Then I left right away, planning to eat while walking home—because if I got home late, Aunt Eula might get mad again. She’d probably assume I went out to hang with friends… not that I had any.

I eagerly ate the fishballs as I walked, even though it was practically the only thing I ever ate. It was cheap and filling. When I had a bit more money, I’d buy kikiam—one peso each. On rare days when Aunt Eula was in a good mood and gave me extra, I could afford kwek-kwek—but that barely ever happened. She rarely had “good days” with me.

She just… really hated me, for some reason.

After a while, my mouth started burning from the spicy sauce, and I was getting tired of walking, so I stopped by the roadside and set my cup down on a small table—probably used earlier by street vendors. I placed my food there and took out the bottle of water from my bag.

Good thing I always brought my own water. Otherwise, my stomach would’ve been empty all day—water at the canteen was too expensive. I drank quickly and put the bottle back into my bag. Just as I was about to pick up my cup of fishballs again, something caught my attention from the corner of my eye.

From my peripheral vision, I noticed a familiar car not far from where I stood. I’d seen that same car near the school earlier, but I thought it had already passed. Why was it behind me now?

I swallowed hard, grabbed my cup of food, and quickly turned away from the car. I walked faster while eating, knowing I was already close to home and needed to finish before Aunt Eula arrived.

My breathing grew heavy as I walked. After a while, I dared to glance back. My eyes widened immediately—it was the same car. It was still behind me, following me.

I wanted to just run home, but curiosity kept me rooted in place. Gathering my courage, I turned to face the car—which had now stopped too.

There was no doubt now. That car was following me.

Despite the fear and tension creeping up my spine, I walked toward it. The car didn’t move, so when I got close enough, I knocked on its window.

“Excuse me? Hello? Are you following me?” I asked boldly, knocking again.

I wondered if bad people were inside—maybe planning to kidnap me. But honestly, I didn’t even care if they did. It’s not like anyone would come looking for me anyway. They wouldn’t get any ransom money either. And I knew self-defense—I took taekwondo when I was in elementary school. I could handle myself.

“Hello? Excuse me?” I knocked again. “I’m just asking if you’re follow—”

I almost jumped in shock when the car window suddenly rolled down. My eyes widened even more as the driver’s face came into view. My gaze met his bloodshot eyes, and a chill ran down my spine.

I swallowed hard, frozen where I stood, unable to believe that after all these years, he was right in front of me again… so close. No longer just a memory from afar.

“Gideon?”