The high level of security present wasn’t going to intimidate me.
Prince and I had met at a gala thrown in his father’s honour by the president and I was sure I was the least bigwig present there –hell! I wasn’t even a public figure to begin with, yet, he had noticed me. He was the heir to the third richest man in the country and I was an orphan that had been job hunting for
the better part of four years while squatting with a family friend, Lydia and her younger sister. It was the former who had lent me the jumpsuit and loafers (which she had sworn she got from the store that
sold only two pieces of the same size, of everything). Lydia had made me swear to be back early as she
wanted to wear the same outfit to a club that same day. In my defence I hadn’t planned to go for the event, she had made me go in her place because she had accepted the invite and didn’t feel like going anymore. So I had gone, and met Prince who took to me at once and said my dressing represented his
alter ego, the simple and down-to-earth side of him. Initially, I had been as frightened as a fish swept off to dry land, but after we had got off very quickly and easily, I couldn’t believe my luck. Even when he asked to dance with me, I had been so lightheaded from swooning so much, I missed the first step. My God! How he laughed so richly and genuinely to my fallibility! For a moment it had felt like it was just
us at the gala, making up scenarios and finding something about everybody to make fun of.
the better part of four years while squatting with a family friend, Lydia and her younger sister. It was the former who had lent me the jumpsuit and loafers (which she had sworn she got from the store that
sold only two pieces of the same size, of everything). Lydia had made me swear to be back early as she
wanted to wear the same outfit to a club that same day. In my defence I hadn’t planned to go for the event, she had made me go in her place because she had accepted the invite and didn’t feel like going anymore. So I had gone, and met Prince who took to me at once and said my dressing represented his
alter ego, the simple and down-to-earth side of him. Initially, I had been as frightened as a fish swept off to dry land, but after we had got off very quickly and easily, I couldn’t believe my luck. Even when he asked to dance with me, I had been so lightheaded from swooning so much, I missed the first step. My God! How he laughed so richly and genuinely to my fallibility! For a moment it had felt like it was just
us at the gala, making up scenarios and finding something about everybody to make fun of.
And then, I remembered I had to get back to Lydia.
I couldn’t afford to piss off my benefactor and so I told prince I had to leave to get back home. He promised to personally drop me off at my house after the gala and got me to stay a few more minutes.
When the calls and angry texts started to roll in, I knew I had passed my boundary. Prince knew nothing of my life and who was I kidding to think he’d want to take this further? He hadn’t even asked for my contact details! At least I could count on Lydia to an extent. The devil you know, right…? I dashed out
with that thought, not bothering to look back to say goodbyes, or even bothering to pick up Lydia’s shoe when it got stuck and pulled from my foot. All I wanted to do was honour my promise to Lydia. I couldn’t find the cab I came with so I hailed another. Anything to get me back early to Lydia. It was all cold and
quiet when I got back. Lydia had worn something else out and raved all the while to anyone who cared to listen about how ungrateful I was. She had even gone as far as outlining reasons why I was so misfortunate, to her listeners. That night, I had wept well into my dreams.
When the calls and angry texts started to roll in, I knew I had passed my boundary. Prince knew nothing of my life and who was I kidding to think he’d want to take this further? He hadn’t even asked for my contact details! At least I could count on Lydia to an extent. The devil you know, right…? I dashed out
with that thought, not bothering to look back to say goodbyes, or even bothering to pick up Lydia’s shoe when it got stuck and pulled from my foot. All I wanted to do was honour my promise to Lydia. I couldn’t find the cab I came with so I hailed another. Anything to get me back early to Lydia. It was all cold and
quiet when I got back. Lydia had worn something else out and raved all the while to anyone who cared to listen about how ungrateful I was. She had even gone as far as outlining reasons why I was so misfortunate, to her listeners. That night, I had wept well into my dreams.
How was I going to tell her I has lost a foot of her one-in-town shoe!
Now, 13months later, standing outside this grand cathedral, looking down at the spot where a lone tear had smudged the wedding invite I was holding, I realised maybe Lydia had being right about my fortunes. How else could I explain why it wasn’t my name on the invite and not hers? To be fair, Prince had tried
to find me with the only clue he had then, the shoe and asking the cab driver who and where I was; but he had only picked me halfway and had no clue where I lived. After many questions and inquiries, he had finally traced me to Lydia’s residence but had found Lydia instead who had pulled off a perfect representation of me. The shoe had fit of course, it was hers and she had the gala invite to prove she had been there. So here I was, being the invitee instead of the celebrant. I had sworn never to have anything to do with Lydia again, but she had touched the tail of a dragon and must now live with the burns. I had not been able to live with myself after she humiliated me that way, I needed to get closure, and to let her know I never forgot; the shotgun in my pocket would make sure of that.
to find me with the only clue he had then, the shoe and asking the cab driver who and where I was; but he had only picked me halfway and had no clue where I lived. After many questions and inquiries, he had finally traced me to Lydia’s residence but had found Lydia instead who had pulled off a perfect representation of me. The shoe had fit of course, it was hers and she had the gala invite to prove she had been there. So here I was, being the invitee instead of the celebrant. I had sworn never to have anything to do with Lydia again, but she had touched the tail of a dragon and must now live with the burns. I had not been able to live with myself after she humiliated me that way, I needed to get closure, and to let her know I never forgot; the shotgun in my pocket would make sure of that.
My name is Cinderella, and I am a fiery-tailed princess.