: LIKE A CINDERELLA STORY

CHAPTER 5

Daphne's pov

"Mr Montgomery. It's such a pleasure to see you today. I was actually here to visit Henry, you know we have to at least get acquainted." I smiled respectfully as he wheeled himself towards me. "Henry is out with friends for now. He'll be back soon. Make yourself at home." He smiled as he wheeled away. He stopped in his tracks and turned to me. "I could swear you were a natural brown skinned like your mother." He said, narrowing his eyes at me. Panic! f**k! What do I say???? "Umm... yunno teenagers, we like to experiment. I got a skin Lightner, I had to for a modelling gig I locked down." I quickly covered up. He nodded and smiled. "I always preferred the brown skin. Make yourself at home. " He smiled and finally wheeled away, and I slumped on the sofa, sighing. That was wayyyy too close.

External pov

"Samantha! Breakfast's ready!!" Lucas screamed as Sam groaned and got out of the bed, slipping on her robe. She wore her slippers and walked downstairs.

"Hey Luc. What's up." She smiled, planting a kiss on his cheek. "My mama made some toast and coffee before she left for work. She ordered me to make sure you eat something, so sit down and eat up muchacha." He smiled warmly as he placed a bunch of toast on my plate and a large hot cup of coffee.

*****

External Narration

"Oh, Daphne, you're here." Henry said, shocked as he walked into the living room. "Yeah. I thought I'd bring you a few brownies as a peace offering. Since we are still getting to know each other, I can't possibly just invite you for a picnic or anything. That'd be absurd!" She chuckled, rolling her eyes sarcastically. "Maybe. And did I mention that Brownies are my favourite? Thank you. I really do appreciate it. Sorry I'm late, I had a few hangouts with old friends." He smiled as he sat down beside her and munched on a brownie piece. "It's totally fine. So how are you?" Daphne smiled, trying her best to seem polite. "Good enough. How're you?" Henry asked back, his smile welcoming. "I'm well," she replied as a maid walked in, holding a tray of cookies and warm milk. Dropping it on the table, the maid proceeded to pour but accidentally slipped, getting milk all over Daphne's dress.

"Oh my Gosh!!! You imbecile!" Daphne boomed, standing in anger and glaring at the maid. "Miss, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to. It just slipped. I..." The maid apologised. "Ttttttttt.... Don't! Just Zip, you little brat..." Daphne bombarded. "Daphne! That's enough!" Henry said authoritatively. "That's rude and uncalled for. She already apologized." He said, trying to reason. "She destroyed my dress! This stain is never going to come off! This dress costs a fortune!" Daphne whined. "Well, her respect costs more than that!" Henry said through gritted teeth, dismissing the maid. "I think you should leave," He sighed. "All because of the help!?" Daphne whined again. "If you don't leave this instant, I will kick you out," Henry warned. Huffing, Daphne grabbed her purse and car keys and sashayed out the living room.

*******

"YOU DID WHAT??!!" Victoria boomed as Daphne shrugged, munching on a sandwich. "I had to teach the little pest a lesson, but apparently Henry Montgomery is too much of a man of 'good character'...

" She said, air quoting. "...to be bothered to put the help in their place. " Daphne rolled her eyes and sipped her orange juice. "You stupid foolish girl!" Victoria seethed. "Oh good heavens, why must I be tortured countless times by my brainless excuse for a daughter?" She sighed worriedly, staring up at the ceiling as if waiting for answers. "Mama! Don't be so harsh towards me. I'm sorry. Yes, Henry's angry, but what do we do to calm him and reason with him so I can apologize?" Daphne whined, slumping on the chair. "I'll think of something dearest. But don't ever do this again. We're on thin ice as it is. We need this to pull through and understand?!" Victoria warned, and Daphne nodded, pouting sadly.

"Now....where is that Samantha girl? I give her the day off, and she disappears?!" Victoria scoffed, pulling out her phone and dialling Samantha.

*******

"Yh sure, Lols... I'll come over to your office and check out the details of the job... thanks. I'll call you back, " Samantha said and hung up as she picked her stepmother's call. "Stepmother?" She asked, trying to sound brave and not timid. "Samantha Evans, where have you gone off to now?" Victoria scoffed over the phone. "Away from you, that's what?! I'm never coming back. There's nothing you can do to make me come back to your family's horrible maltreatment." Samantha said, surprised by the bravery that burned in her words. The line was silent, and then Victoria laughed. "Dearest, it's funny to think you can just leave. You're binded to me by marriage to your good for nothing, father, and binded to me by law as your only surviving parent." Victoria started. "I'm over 18, I can take care of myself." Samantha said, her words faltering. "Without a job? A steady source of income, a place to live? Or do you plan on squatting with your Spanish immigrant friend over a room of your own in your family's house?" Victoria continued. "I wonder what the police will say when I report your Spanish immigrant friend and his sick mother, and they're deported back to the slums of Guadamala? Or when they see you running away from the only family who just wants to help you in your destitute state, unable to cater for yourself?" Victoria added.

Samantha went quiet and dead cold. Shivers of fear ran down her spine, and she could imagine Victoria's evil smirk of triumph. "Nothing to say, dear?" Victoria chuckled evily. "Come home this instant, or else these won't just be threats. They'll be reality," she threatened and hung up.

Samantha burst into tears, and she grabbed her stuff and left the house, not a note or an indication to Lucas.

4 Days Later

"What's the whining about?" Dominic chuckled as he sat on a chair in the living room and sipped his whine while Henry groaned in annoyance, and Julian tried to soothe him. "The Blackwoods invited him for brunch. And his father forced him to go." Julian explained. "So? Daphne's a cute girl, and she's pretty smart. I don't know why your problem man?" Dom shrugged and popped a berry into his mouth.

"Anyway... It's getting late, boys. I may as well face the music." Henry sighed, grabbing his car keys and driving off to the Blackwoods home.

*********

Samantha's pov

"Sammie dear," Victoria cooed as she walked up to me, a mischievous smile on her face. What did she want now? Hasn't she tormented me enough? "We're expecting a visitor today. He's of high status and Daphne's fiance." She started. DAPHNE'S WHAT???! I spat out my cereal. When did Daphne get engaged? What am I missing here???! "Oh," I just said, trying to hide my shock. "Yes. I need you to wear this today. Just to pose as a caretaker for our home. You understand we have to prove we're of high standards as well, " she purred as she brought out a maid's uniform. "There is no way in hell I'm wearing that ugly thing!" I spat as I stood up, chuckling humorlessly. "You will if you want your Spanish immigrant friend to remain a secret." Victoria smiled innocently. This woman is the Devil. I pursued my lips together, now in a tight corner with no choice but to do her bidding. "Fine!" I huffed and grabbed the outfit, marching up to my room to change.

******

External Narration

"Samantha, get the door," Victoria said as Sam scoffed and walked to the door, mumbling in anger.

She opened the door and placed the nicest smile she could muster in that horrible dress. "Good afternoon, and welcome to the Blackwoods home. They're waiting for you in the garden." She smiled as looked up to meet the strangers eyes. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. No! Fate is not this cruel! And she's never this lucky!

Henry's previous frown switched to a smile as he stared into the eyes of the young woman he saved a couple of days ago. "Well, if it isn't Sam Samantha," He smirked and eyed her uniform, raising an eyebrow sceptically. "Don't even go there," Samantha groaned.

Daphne strutted into the walkway. "What's taking so long, Henry?" Daphne giggled as she walked up to them, eyeing them both sceptically. "Oh... you've met the help," she purred, smirking pompously as she glared at Samantha daring her to speak. "I was just taking his coat," Samantha whistled and grabbed his coat, scurrying away.

Daphne led Henry to the garden as she placed him on a chair, the table already adorned with cookies and chocolate and tea. "Henry Montgomery, such a pleasure." Victoria smiled as she walked up to him and hugged him. "Ahem... Yes, Mrs Blackwood, a pleasure indeed. " Henry mustered a polite smile, his eye catching Samantha, who was stiffling a laugh.

The Lunch went as well as it could've, with Daphne apologising for her outburst the day before.

"So... I was thinking of speaking to your father about wedding preparations. I don't think we should waste another minute, " Victoria said, and Henry almost choked. "Ahem..yes..uh...one minute please...excuse me." He stuttered and left.

*******

"Daphne Blackwood is a lot, isn't she?" Samantha murmured, catching up to Henry in the hallway. "Yes, she is... apparently, she gets it from her mother. " Henry chuckled dryly. "Don't I know it?" Samantha scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You work for them? An in-house maid?" He asked, gesturing to the uniform. Samantha looked down on herself, regretting once again her decision to wear this and remembering why she hated her step family. "Something like that," she mumbled. "Ahhh. Well, I swear I could've mistaken you for a millionaire's daughter, " he chuckled, staring intently into her eyes. Samantha smiled, her eyes somehow lost in his black consuming ones. "Millionaire's daughter? You're funny, " she scoffed, shaking off the mezmirising feeling. "I should leave." Samantha quickly said, scurrying away on hearing footsteps, probably of one of her family members.

"Who're you talking to?" Daphne smiled, walking in. "No one" Henry simply said, his eyes staring into the hallway where Samantha had just walked through.