Chapter 5 – My Fairy Godfather
1665 Words
(Elle’s POV)
5:15 a.m.
I almost fell off the bed when I heard my cell phone’s alarm, and because of what happened last night, I had forgotten entirely where I tossed my phone. I groaned, glancing at Belle, who was still sleeping beside me.
My phone was crying behind my bag, and I turned it off immediately when I found it. I never slept with my phone far from me because I always wake up early, and I hate disturbing Belle’s sleep. Unlike me, she is a light sleeper, but today, despite the noise of my alarm, she didn’t wake up, only rolled to her other side.
I sat on the carpeted floor, hugged my knees, and buried my face in my arms. My nostrils flared in anger as I remembered my encounter with Aiden last night. I rose to my feet and walked to the balcony, planning how to crush him. Who said I wanted to be part of this family? I never wanted Mom to get married anyway, but I was always the selfish one whenever I said no.
I breathed out, and my sigh seemed deeper than the sea level as I propped my elbow on the railing of the balcony. My lips twitched, asking myself why the sea waves suddenly made me feel I was in a lonely paradise.
It was still dark, but my heart stopped beating and my eyes squinting in anger when I saw a familiar figure jogging near the water. He could be Aiden or Caleb, but I was sure he was Aiden because of his hair color when he was near. His were darker than Caleb’s.
When Aiden was near, I gazed at him, studying him from head to foot, wondering how unfair it was to have everything except a good attitude. I made a face, sneering at him even though he couldn’t see me, but I ended up watching and admiring his perfect body.
As if Aiden knew I was staring at him, he slowed down and stopped, doing stretching just right in front of the balcony. When he raised his head, I felt like I had been shot and hit by a bullet, falling to the floor and crawled back to the bedroom, panicking that he saw me staring at him.
My cheeks got warm, and my heart wouldn’t stop pounding as I continued to crawl. I only stopped when I saw small feet blocking my way.
“Cinderella, what are you doing?” Belle asked, and her almond-shaped eyes went round as she watched me with much curiosity.
I raised my head, stretching my lips to curve a smile. “Exercising?”
She lowered her head and whispered, “But why are you crawling on the floor?”
My eyebrows raised. “I’m not crawling, Belle. I’m crunning,” I answered in a hushed tone, still not standing up. If I did, and Aiden was still there, he would definitely know I was watching him.
“Crunning?” she repeated, hearing the word for the first time.
“Yes, Belle. Better run before I catch you,” I growled and moved, crawl-running to get Belle. She squealed, running away from me. Our bedroom was filled with her giggles and screams as I ran after her.
“Mommy!” she giggled, running toward the door. I was laughing, coming to her, and we were both running and creating noise in the hallway. I caught Belle before she could reach the stairs, and we lay down on the floor, panting from running and laughing.
“I think you’re becoming a dog, Belle,” I teased her, glancing at Belle as she moved her arms above her head and legs as if doing a jumping jack while lying on her back on the floor.
“Huh? Why?” she asked curiously.
“You are running so fast now,” I chuckled, lying sideways to face her.
She giggled again, sitting crossed-legged.
“What do you want to do, Belle?” I got up, copying her, also sitting crossed-legged.
“Play in the sand,” she answered excitedly.
I nodded, standing up and giving her my hand. She held my hand, and together we walked down the stairs, going straight to the seashore.
I sat on the ground, letting my little sister play on the powdery sand. When I looked at my feet, it was only then I realized I didn’t have slippers. I had forgotten about them last night, and perhaps the water has taken them away. I heaved a deep sigh, wishing I could freeze this moment, watching Belle as she enjoyed the sand.
The sun was almost up in the sky when Belle stopped playing and walked toward me. “Elle, I’m hungry.”
I smiled. “What do you like to eat for breakfast?” I asked, forgetting that we were not at home. Mom usually leaves for work early, leaving Belle and me at home.
While Mom was busy earning money for us, I would have to take care of Belle, including preparing breakfast and getting her ready for the Daycare center, leaving her there in the morning before going to my classes.
I squat, letting Belle climb on my back. I rose to my feet carefully, making sure she wrapped her legs around my waist while I held her arms.
“Can we eat pancakes today, Elle?” she asked, resting her head on my shoulder.
“Of course!” I answered, walking toward the house. “Did you eat stones last night, Belle? You’re so heavy.”
“Yeah, I ate big ones,” she answered as she giggled.
Hernan met me when we got inside, taking Belle from my back. “Goodness, Miss Belle, you might break your sister’s back,” he said worriedly, putting her down. “Breakfast is ready.”
“Is there a pancake?” Her puppy eyes looked at Hernan.
His eyebrows puckered. “I’m sorry, Ms. Belle, but it wasn’t on the menu in the morning,” he said, leading us to the dining room. Everyone was already there when we arrived, and my eyes blinked as I looked at Bill and Mom.
“Oh!” Caleb exclaimed, pressing his lips like he was suppressing a laugh. “Somebody’s not informed that we don’t eat breakfast in our PJs.”
I squinted my eyes, eyeing my mom, who had the time to style her hair but forgot to inform me that they had a rule in this house.
“Where are your slippers, Cinderella?” she asked, looking at my feet. “You made the house dirty.” she hissed angrily.
I gasped at what my mom said, hurting me that my eyes brimmed with tears.
Aiden tilted his head and smirked. “Pfft! What do you expect?” he shook his head and glanced at his twins, insulting me when they laughed.
“You forgot to tell me that I should be wearing a ballgown when eating breakfast, Mom!” I snarled, walking away from them before my tears rolled down my cheeks in front of them.
“Cinderella, get back in here!” My mother yelled, but I did not look back. I ran back to the bedroom, and when I got there, I sat in the corner, hugging my knees.
If Belle weren’t there, I would have answered Mom back. Was it difficult to send me a text message, at least, to tell me I had to have a decent look when eating breakfast? She didn’t even check on us, if not me, at least Belle, last night.
Like Belle, I was hungry, too, but it seemed I had to forget getting one this morning. When I buried my face in my arms, I heard soft knocks, causing me to raise my head. The door opened, and I saw Hernan coming in with a tray and a paper bag.
“A breakfast for the Miss,” he smiled, walking to the balcony and placing the tray on the coffee table. He went back, extending his hand to help me get up.
“You shouldn’t have done this, Hernan,” I said as he pushed me gently to the balcony.
“Well, I couldn’t let you starve just because you’re still in your pajamas,” he chuckled, pulling the chair for me. I sat down, but my lips quivered, wanting to cry again, missing my father because he always allowed me to eat in my nightwear.
“Thank you, Hernan,” I wiped my tears.
“Let me tell you a secret, Miss Elle,” he moved his head closer to me and whispered, “When Sir William is not around, the twins also come to the dining room in their PJs.” He winked at me, causing me to laugh. “Oh, before I forget. A new pair of slippers for the beautiful Miss.”
He knelt and wore the slippers on my feet.
“It fits!” he said happily.
I laughed. “You must be my prince charming, then.”
Hernan laughed at me. “Maybe your fairy, not your prince charming.” His cheeks blushed as he placed his hand on his nape.
I grinned at him and looked at the pink bunny slippers. “Yeah! You’re indeed my fairy godfather.” I raised my head and smiled at Hernan. “Thank you, Hernan.”
He smiled gently at me. “Enjoy your breakfast, Ms. Elle. Dorothy will come here for the tray. Next time, if Belle wants something for breakfast, you could send me a message.” He pushed a small paper with his smartphone number written on it.
Hernan turned his back on me, but before he could leave, I called him.
“Hernan, thank you for easing my distress,” I uttered, wiping the tears that rolled down my cheeks.
“I’m your fairy godfather, after all.”
I laughed, watching him leave the room.
- Writer
