Chapter 1: Cinderella Does Not Need A Prince

"Hello sir! Good morning, and welcome to Nathalia!"

"Why, good morning Jeff," the first customer in line has flashed me a smile. "Aren't you energetic today as well?"

I giggled. "I got to be, El."

"Haven't your father ga—"

I held up one finger and she stops. "Your order? The usual?"

"Come on.." Elaine sighs, resting an arm against the counter as I turn myself around to get her coffee ready. "Jeff.. why don't you just let them help you? Don't you want to go to college and become a lawyer, just like your mother?"

"Stop it, Elaine," I glared at her. "I don't want to talk about it."

"But—"

"Next customer please!"

Elaine groans and I could feel her glaring at me but I didn't care. She turns herself around as she found herself a vacant table, with her eyes still on me, I focused on the next customer in line and tried not to mind Elaine who was sitting right in front of the counter.

Hi, my name is Sef Janessa Addison. Well people around me call me Jeff, and I really don't know why, they have their reasons though. They said Sef sounds like a man's name while Janessa is too long, and so they stick up with Jeff (which totally makes me sound and look like a brute). I'm attending Jameson University, which is where everyone is an elite. Sometimes I really feel like I don't belong there but for my dream, I've learned to deal with it. Cinderellas of today do not rely on their Prince Charming anymore, they do not even bother looking for them no more. I mean, princes of this generation aren't like before- they are mean, ruthless and arrogant. Compare to princes before who are gentlemen, caring with a golden heart.

Anyway, me, attending that super elite school does not mean I'm rich. No- I'm just a scholar. I have had tough times in trying to maintain my good grades but despite of all that, it was all worth it. Because here I am, three months from now, about to graduate! Yay!

Anyway, the reason why I'm working is that, I needed to save up for myself so I could finally leave that house. Ever since my mother died which was eight years ago, my father remarried but his wife was not as nice as he thinks. Plus, she has got daughter who was at the same age as me. I have tried telling my dad about how his "family" treats me, but he just would not believe me. My father sees that woman as sweet, nice and caring- ugh! It disgusts me, if only he knows what his wife's true color is.

As I was cleaning table number seven, since nobody is around, I started humming a song.

You with the sad eyes, don't be discouraged

Though I realize, it's hard to take courage

In a world full of people, you can lose sight of it all

The darkness inside you, could make you feel so small

As I finished table number seven, I hopped my way to number four. Throwing the rag onto the counter and giggling, I twirled around as I grabbed the broom from the storage room.

Show me a smile then, don't be unhappy

Can't remember when last saw you laughing

This world makes you crazy

And you've taken all you can get

Just call me up, cause I will always be there

With closed eyes, I chuckled to myself. Using the broom as my microphone, I spread my arms out wide as if I'm on the stage and having my own concert. I may not look like it, but I have been dreaming of becoming a famous singer. It's never going to happen, I know, so I just decided to study law and become the world's best lawyer just like my mother.

—And that's why I love you

I froze just as someone has started clapping behind me. I panicked, turning myself around to see a man in a navy blue polo shirt and brown pants partnered up with almost black shoes, who definitely looks like in his early twenty's, his eyes were bluish green as he smiles at me while leaning against the door frame.

"I-I'm sorry, sir.." I lowered my head as the customer shakes his with a smile on his face still. Giggling, he walks towards me as he takes out some piece of card or paper from his wallet. Then shoving his hands back into his pocket after handing it to me, as he does not look like a dangerous man to me, I took it and my eyes widened when I saw the card.

"Y-you're a producer!?" I shouted. "A-a mu-music producer!? Are you kidding me?!"

Lowering his head down with a soft chuckle, the man in front of me rubs the tip of his nose as he looks down to me. "My name is Steven," he said and extended a hand out to me.

"O-oh!" I gasped, letting go of the broom as it falls down with a soft thud. I grabbed Steven's hand and replied, "I'm Sef."

Steven's eyebrows furrowed which had caused me to laugh. I rolled my eyes, "I know.. it sounds manly, huh?"

"Yes, but anyway," Steven clapped his hands while he was smiling down to me. "I'm looking for the perfect person to sing my songs and it looks like I have found her."

My jaw dropped. "You're kidding. Are you serious? No, it can't be me! Haven't you found anybody?"

Steven dragged the chair beside him and carefully sits on it, resting an arm upon the table and sighs before looking up to me. "Yeah... I met some and thought that they can finally be person that I was searching for. But I have never heard somebody sing as beautiful as you do ever before!"

I blushed, being praised by a gentleman like Steven feels really embarrassing but hearing that from a producer of music, it makes me feel really proud and happy. I tightened my grip around the broom as I cleared my throat.

"You gotta be kidding me," I groaned. "There is no way that a person like me can sing your songs! Besides, I'm still too young. I believe that the person you're looking for has got to be in their twenty's too!"

"Sweetheart, teens like yourself can become an artist," Steven rested his chin on his hand with his elbow for support. "I'm pretty sure you know some young artists, some are even younger than you. Hm?"

I couldn't say anything, he was right. I have heard that there are recording artists who are younger than my age, and that amazes me. Does he really want me to sing the songs he has composed? Or is this man just joking, playing tricks on the mind of a nineteen-year-old girl? Steven does not look like a bad guy though, from the way he dresses I really don't think he is somebody who walks around the city and looking for the right person to sing his songs for fun. Plus, he's got a business card!

"Um-" I cleared my throat and Steven looks up, "—let me think about it."

Steven ran a hand through his brown hair, standing up from his seat as he grabbed my shoulders. "Okay! I-I'll let you think about it! I will come back after three days!"

Is he happy? We do not know if I'm going to say yes though, ah whatever.

"Fine... I'll see you in three days then."

Steven smiles down to me - he was really tall - his eyes are shining so bright and suddenly, he pulled me into a tight hug. I was frozen, this is probably the first time that a guy has hugged me. It feels really weird, so I pushed him away.

"I'm sorry, I was just- excited," he laughs as I nodded. Looking at his wrist watch that has started beeping, Steven gasps. "I have to go! I'll see you in three days! Don't forget!"

I laughed. "Yes sir, I won't."

"You promised!" He exclaims, "Then I'll get going! Bye!"

Steven turned around to leave the coffee shop while I was shaking my head in amusement. Gahh, I can't believe that somebody wants me to be the one to sing his songs!! Is this a dream? Wait- maybe I'm dreaming, hold on.

"Ouch!" I whined as I turned myself around to see Drey behind me. "What did you do that for?!"

He clicked his tongue. "Girl, I've been standing here for a while now. You hadn't even noticed," he rolled his eyes on me.

"I'm sorry, I was jus—"

"I know," he cuts me off, sitting on the soft couch as he crosses his legs and arms as well. "Do you really think you are the one he's looking for?"

I shrugged and continued sweeping the floor. "I don't know.. but that's what he said. But this could be the start for me, Drey!" I sat beside me and he shifted on his seat to face me, I grabbed his shoulders.

"This has always been my dream! I mean, the opportunity is knocking on my door and this is not just any other job.. Drey, my dream is now in my reach, can you believe it?!"

Slowly, his lips have curved up to form a smile across his face as those gray eyes were looking back to my plain ones. Drey is my classmate, also seatmate. He's a nice guy and I really owe him so much. I mean, if it wasn't for his help, I wouldn't have this job. Drey has always helped me with everything, I don't know but whenever I need it, he is there. Elaine once told me that he could be doing all this because Drey is in love with me but I refuse to believe that, duh.. he told me he was in love with Elaine. How am I supposed to believe Elaine if Drey himself told me?

"You deserve it, Nessa," he smiles.

"I told you not to call me that!" I groaned as he laughs.

"What, it sounds cute!" Drey replied with raised shoulders and I pushed him away. "Come on.. Sef sounds manly, Janessa is too long and Jeff is a man's name as well.."

I stood up from beside him to get back to cleaning the coffee shop while there still aren't any customers around. I sighed, "I don't understand why my parents gave me that name... however, I don't dislike it. Honestly, my name is really unique."

"So is the person, duh.. there is no one in this world but you, that hate pizza. That makes you different and of course, weird. Really, why don't you like pizza? I mean me, I can't live without pizza!" Drey exclaims, also standing up from the couch and getting beside me with his hands into his pocket.

"I really don't know," I answered. "There is just this part of me that really don't like it and that stops me from eating pizza. I actually feel so digusted when I see pizza in front of m- ouch! What the hell, Drey!" I shouted and gave him a death glare after smacking my head.

"That's for hating pizza, and saying it digusts you- ouch! What the hell was that for?!" He whined after I stepped on his left foot, hopping with his other foot, I smirked.

"That's for earlier-" when he has stopped hopping, I stepped on his right foot as Drey cried. "—that's for just now."

"You know what, I think I know now why your parents had given you the name Sef!" He shouts, seated on the floor as he was massaging his feet. "You have the strength and weight of a man!"

I bite up my bottom lip, this guy is really making me hurt him. "What did you say?"

"I'm leaving, is what I said!"

As Drey yelled that, he left the shop while praying for my dream to slip away from my fingers and for Mr. Steven to find somebody else who he wants to sing his songs. Wow, he's such a good friend. I really appreciate him.

***

I do cherish you, for the rest of my life

You don't have to think twice

I will love you still, from the depths of my soul

It's beyond my control

I've waited so long, to say this to you

If you're asking do I love you this much,

I do...

I did my best singing this song beautifully, and I think I did it as the people around me look really moved, some were even crying. No I was kidding, it was not because of me that they are crying, it was because of the couple who is having their wedding today. I mentioned that I was saving for myself earlier, I have multiple jobs for that. I sing for special occasions just like this one, people who know me recommend me to the ones who are going to be holding a special event or whatever. That's why I'm really thankful that the Lord has blessed me with this voice, I can make good use of it haha.

After the ceremony, everyone headed to the reception. As I got inside I was in awe, wow this place is really big! It's like thrice as big as my room! I did not think that the couple was this rich, I mean they gave me a high pay but to have such a beautiful and big place like this, wow. Looking ahead, I saw the buffet table and I quickly ran towards it as I was really starving.

Looking around, the couple and the others seem to be having so much fun. I can only imagine how happy they all feel, to get married is like one of the best feeling in the world, I don't know about the others. But isn't marrying the one you want to spend the rest of your days with so wonderful? To be with the one that you love until your last breath, doesn't that sound so romantic? And to grow old with them, wow.... I want something like that.

"Hey-"

"Ahh!!!" I screamed and breaking the plate -which had food in it - that I was holding, as everyone turned to look at me. This is so embarrassing.. gee why did this person have to scare me? I lowered my head down to apologize, "I'm sorry..."

I turned around to leave but not really leave the place, I went upstairs and found a balcony where I can get some fresh air. I smiled, spreading my arms out wide and resting my hands on the small wall of the balcony as I closed my eyes. "Wow this is life... I want my life to become like this someday.."

"Well you have to work hard for it."

I literally jumped, spinning myself around to see a man with blonde hair in a suit as he was holding a wine glass in his right hand, the other inside of his pocket. He was leaning against the door frame with I think, a smile on his face and his feet were crossed.

"Who are you?" I asked, squinting my eyes but it's too dark, I can't see his face.

The brunette chuckles, removing his hand from his pocket and starts walking towards me. And wow, is he handsome... looking at him this close, I think he is really good-looking. It is dark so I don't really know whether my eyes were just deceiving me but I have never seen a face so angelic ever before. He smiles, and I could swear to God, I almost melted. My knees are wobbling and my palms are sweaty.

"Hello?" He waved a hand in front of me, "Are you okay? Miss, is there something wrong?"

"My heart is racing.."

I just couldn't take my eyes off of him, he looks so beautiful to me and his big green eyes are reflecting to the moonlight. I have never seen a face like this before. I mean, Drey is handsome but this man before me is truly beautiful, I'm speechless. It must be that I really am not fond of men that I refuse to look at them, yeah that must be the reason why this guy just looks so beautiful and charming to me.

Green eyes chuckles, "Your heart is racing..?"

"Eh?" I was snapped out of my thoughts, quickly turning away from him and started chewing on my lip. What the hell did I say? Why did I say that out loud?

"So I make your heart race, huh?"

"No!" I glared up at him while he raises an eyebrow, having his hands on his back with an attractive smirk on his face.

Green eyes leaned in as I backed away, "Oh really? I don't?"

"I-I... y-you don't!" I exclaimed which has caused him to laugh. "I don't even know who you are! Get away from me! You reek of alcohol!"

Green eyes laugh, yes I decided to call him that since I don't know his name. Not that I want to know, he's actually creeping me out..

"Jeff!"

Turning my head to the side, I saw Bethany, who had recommended me to the couple, from the inside and smiling at me. I looked back up to the man in front of me and before he can speak, I left him standing outside.

"Hey!" I gasped as I landed in front of Bethany whose smile had faded. "Is something wrong?"

"Eh? Oh!" Bethany nods, "I guess.. y-you know that guy?" She asks, rubbing a finger against her cheek.

"Huh?" I looked back to the man with dark hair who was leaned against the wall of the balcony, his arms crossed and resting on it as he was drinking up his alcohol. "Oh him?"

"Are you... friends?"

"What, pft-" I giggled. "This is the first time we met. You know the reason why I'm here in this place, and you're the only person that I know. There is no way that he and I are friends," I replied as I run my hand through my hair. "And besides, I don't really like him."

"Oh? Why?"

I shrugged. "He's so full of himself."

Bethany bursted out laughing, I had to cover up her mouth with my hand as we hid behind the curtain so green eyes could not see us.

"Stop laughing! He might hear us!"

"Okay okay," she sighs. "Anyway, Evo and Antonette are looking for you."

"Oh yeah? Then let's go back down there," I laced my arm into hers as she nodded her head with a lovely smile across her face. Before walking down the stairs, I had one last look of that stranger with dark hair and beautiful green eyes. He was looking up to the sky, I think he was staring at the big and round  full moon. His back was hunched as he lets out a heavy sigh I think, is he sad? What could be the reason he is feeling that way?

Wait, why am I even concerned? This is the first time we have met and I don't think we are ever going to see each other again. But I do hope that everything is going to be all right with him, since he looked really sad and worried.

***

BONUS:

"Sir? Are you okay?" The lady asked the young man as she poked his shoulder.

"Oh-" as the man turns himself around, he almost lost his balance and tried to hold onto something.

"Are you alright!?" The lady asked once again, wrapping an arm around him and helped him to stand. As the moonlight illuminates his face, the girl was in awe- green bright eyes, dark hair, tall nose and pink lips. Wow.

"Hey," he called as the young girl stands by his side, with her arm around his still as he helps him to stand still. His eyes blinked rather slowly than usual, then he licks his lower lip before turning his head down to lool at her. The young lady gulped, her heart was beating ten times faster as she lowered her gaze.

"Ye-yes, sir?"

"What's your name?"

"Eh? Uh-"

"Tell me!"

"Ah- eh- Bethany! Bethany!"

Green eyes smiled, with his eyes closed and a light chuckle has escaped his soft pink lips. "That's a pretty name." He complimented as she blushes. "Anyway! Bethany...."

"Ye-yes...?"

He smiles beautifully, looking into her eyes and then tucking her hair behind her ear. "Knock knock.."

"Wh-who's there?"

The green eyed man has started laughing, backing away from Bethany with a hand on his stomach. As Bethany watched him roll over the ground like a small puppy, she crossed her arms.

"HAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAA! You're stupid!"

"Hah, excuse me?"

"You're stupid, is what I said!" He screams, "What door would ever answer to you? They aren't living things! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Bethany bites her lip hard. "I dare you to say that one more time!"

"HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You're really a stupid person!"

And let's just say, Bethany has locked him in and has spent the entire night on that balcony.