Cinderella walked through the ocean of billionaires and socialites without missing a step, her gold silk gown shimmering under the crystal lights like it was woven from sunlight itself. The slit on her dress threatened the sanity of every man she passed. But she didn’t see any of them. Only him... Nero sat at the Vergara table, controlled, dangerous in his silence, observing her with eyes so dark they seemed to be drawing the entire world into him. Sa bawat hakbang niya palapit ay ramdam niya ang init ng titig ni Nero na parang dumudulas sa kanyang balat. Nero remained seated... untouchable and unbothered. But inside? He was counting every slow, deliberate step she made toward him. Three.. Two.. One. When Cinderella finally stopped in front of him, the energy between them was so heavy. Walang sinoman sa kanila ang nagsalita. The entire hall filled with the most powerful people in New York faded into irrelevant background noise. Nero lifted his gaze, lazily dragging it f
Tahimik ang powder room nang pumasok si Cinderella. The soft hum of the chandelier overhead, the marble counters lined with gold accents, and the heavy velvet drapes made the place feel like a secret sanctuary.She approached the vanity, her reflection regal, the gold silk of her gown clinging to her like molten power, the Vergara emerald earrings flashing with every turn of her head.Tumigil siya sandali at naglabas ng lipstick... ready to retouch when the heavy door slammed open behind her.Cinderella didn’t even flinch. She kept her hand steady and continued fixing her lipstick with precision.Sa gilid ng salamin, she saw them.Colleen Fuentabella. Ang stepsister niyang may mukha ng anghel, pero ang puso, punong-puno ng kasinungalingan at galit. Parang tila anghel sa itsura, pero sa likod ng mga ngiti, tanging pagkamuhi at inggit ang umiiral.At sa tabi niya ay si Samantha Montenegro. The one and only Colleen's bestfriend na walang ginawa kundi magtago sa likod ng mga mahahabang ku
"Miss Cinderella."Mabilis na napalingon si Cinderella, agad na nakasalubong ang matalim at walang bakas na ekspresyon ni Marie, siya ang pinagkakatiwalaang sekretarya ng kanyang ama. Tahimik ngunit may awtoridad ang bawat hakbang nito, ang tunog ng kanyang takong dumadagundong sa sahig habang papasok sa silid. Sa kanyang mga kamay ay isang gown ang marahang nakasampay—isang obra ng pinakamamahaling haute couture designer. Deep crimson, shimmering under the golden light, each intricate detail screaming elegance and power.Dumiretso si Marie sa kama na marahang inilapag ang gown na parang isang kayamanang hindi dapat madungisan. She crossed her arms and maintained an unyielding stance.“Wear this,” Marie’s voice was firm; there was no room for argument. “Darating ang makeup artist at hairdresser mo by six.”Tumingin si Cinderella sa orasan—5 PM. May isang oras pa. Isang oras para mag isip para matakasan ito.Narinig niya ang mahinang buntong-hininga ni Marie bago ito muling nagsalita.
Cinderella sat at the corner of the dimly lit restaurant, the soft clink of silverware and the murmur of voices around her fading into the background as she checked her watch—again. It was already 8:15 PM, and Nero Vergara was nowhere in sight. Her patience, which she had been holding onto with a thread, was starting to snap.She had dressed up for this dinner. She had shown up early, tried to put on a smile, pretended to be the perfect fiancée that the world expected. But where was he? His secretary had sent a message earlier in the evening, saying that he would be late. But an hour late? That was pushing it.Her jaw tightened as she glanced at her phone. No new messages. No apology. Not even a “I’m running late” text. Just silence from Nero.Pilit niyang nilalabanan ang inis, pero hindi maikakailang unti-unti nang sumisikip ang kanyang dibdib sa pagkainip. Mula sa gilid ng kanyang mata ay napansin niya ang waitress na palihim na sumusulyap sa kanya. Nahihiya tuloy siyang umorder ng
The Underground Racing Arena was alive with energy—engines roared, neon lights flashed against the night, and the air smelled of fuel, sweat, and danger. Ang hiyawan ng mga tao, ang tunog ng makina na parang halimaw na handang kumawala, at ang lagkit ng tensyon sa paligid ay sapat para iparamdam sa lahat na ngayong gabi, may isang laban na hindi dapat palampasin.At sa gitna ng lahat ng ito, dumating si Cinderella.She walked in like she owned the place—mataas ang noo, walang takot sa mga matang tumingin sa kanya, at may dalang misteryo na nagpainit sa paligid. Suot niya ang isang black leather racer jacket na bumagay sa kanyang matangkad at balingkinitang katawan. Her raven-black hair cascaded down her back in perfect waves, habang ang emerald green eyes niya ay matalim na tila binabasa ang bawat kaluluwa na tumingin sa kanya.From a distance, Chase watched her arrival. Isang mapanuring tingin ang ibinigay niya bago marahang umiling na parang hindi makapaniwala. "You actually showed
The world faded the moment the engines roared to life. Ang hangin ay tila huminto at ang bawat mata ng mga tao sa paligid ay nakatutok sa linya ng pagsisimulan ng karera.Sa ilalim ng maliwanag na ilaw ng underground racing circuit, isang itim na Ferrari LaFerrari at isang itim na McLaren P1 ang nakahanay ay parehong parang mga mabangis na hayop na handang sumabak sa digmaan. Ang usok mula sa mga tambutso ay sumasayaw sa ere at ang mabibigat na tunog ng makina ay tila mga dagundong ng kulog bago ang isang matinding bagyo.“Sigurado ka ba dito?” tanong ni Chase na nakapamulsa habang tinitigan si Cinderella.Wala siyang makitang alinlangan sa babae. Sa halip ay isang nakakalokong ngisi ang bumungad sa kanya. “Chase, you know me. I don’t back down.”Napailing si Chase habang hindi maitago ang amusement sa kanyang mukha. “You’re insane.”Napataas ang kilay ni Cinderella. “Correction. I’m fearless.”Mula sa kabilang panig ng track ay tahimik na inoobserbahan ni Nero ang eksena. Ang kanyang
Ang sikat ng araw ay dahan-dahang sumilip sa malalawak na bintana ng Fuentabella Estate na binabalot ng gintong sinag ang eleganteng hapag-kainan. Kumikinang ang mga crystal glasses habang humahalo ang matapang na aroma ng freshly brewed coffee sa malamyos na halimuyak ng buttered almond croissants at fresh strawberries. Lahat ay perpekto... sa panlabas kahit papaano. Sa dulo ng mesa ay nakaupo si Colleen na parang isang reyna sa kanyang trono. Ang silk robe niya ay eleganteng nakalapat sa kanyang balikat habang hawak niya ang isang tasa ng espresso. Iniinom ito na may kagandahan na tila siya ang may hawak ng mundo. Habang nagbubuklat ng isang mamahaling fashion magazine."Have you seen the news?" aniya na may bahid ng kaswal na pananadya sa boses. "Apparently, the most sought-after bachelor in the country was seen last night… kissing someone." Walang gaanong reaksyon si Cinderella. Hindi man lang siya nag-angat ng tingin habang marahang pinapahiran ng butter ang kanyang toast. "Hmm
After a day of shopping and eating, Cinderella and Angie unwind at the spa. The secluded area, the use of essential oils, and the background music are all designed to create a relaxing atmosphere. Si Cinderella ay nakaupo habang iniinom ang kanyang kape. Samantalang si Angie naman ay abala sa pagchecheck ng iba pang treatment nang biglang mahulog ang kanyang tingin sa isang magazine na nakapatong sa gilid ng table. Agad niya itong dinampot at ang cover ay walang iba kundi si Nero Vergara.Sa makapangyarihang headline na "The Unstoppable," ang matalim at dominante niyang ekspresyon ay tila sumusunog sa pahina.Napataas ng kilay si Angie na pinag-aralan ang larawan bago marahang iniangat ang tingin kay Cinderella, ang ngiti niya mapang-asar ngunit may halong matinding interes."C, grabe. This man... he really is everywhere, isn’t he? The Unstoppable?" aniya na kalahating amused at kalahating impressed. Inikot niya ang magazine sa kamay at saka dahan-dahang ngumiti. “And he's engaged to
Tahimik ang powder room nang pumasok si Cinderella. The soft hum of the chandelier overhead, the marble counters lined with gold accents, and the heavy velvet drapes made the place feel like a secret sanctuary.She approached the vanity, her reflection regal, the gold silk of her gown clinging to her like molten power, the Vergara emerald earrings flashing with every turn of her head.Tumigil siya sandali at naglabas ng lipstick... ready to retouch when the heavy door slammed open behind her.Cinderella didn’t even flinch. She kept her hand steady and continued fixing her lipstick with precision.Sa gilid ng salamin, she saw them.Colleen Fuentabella. Ang stepsister niyang may mukha ng anghel, pero ang puso, punong-puno ng kasinungalingan at galit. Parang tila anghel sa itsura, pero sa likod ng mga ngiti, tanging pagkamuhi at inggit ang umiiral.At sa tabi niya ay si Samantha Montenegro. The one and only Colleen's bestfriend na walang ginawa kundi magtago sa likod ng mga mahahabang ku
Cinderella walked through the ocean of billionaires and socialites without missing a step, her gold silk gown shimmering under the crystal lights like it was woven from sunlight itself. The slit on her dress threatened the sanity of every man she passed. But she didn’t see any of them. Only him... Nero sat at the Vergara table, controlled, dangerous in his silence, observing her with eyes so dark they seemed to be drawing the entire world into him. Sa bawat hakbang niya palapit ay ramdam niya ang init ng titig ni Nero na parang dumudulas sa kanyang balat. Nero remained seated... untouchable and unbothered. But inside? He was counting every slow, deliberate step she made toward him. Three.. Two.. One. When Cinderella finally stopped in front of him, the energy between them was so heavy. Walang sinoman sa kanila ang nagsalita. The entire hall filled with the most powerful people in New York faded into irrelevant background noise. Nero lifted his gaze, lazily dragging it f
The warm lighting sent a golden glow over the room, reflecting off the racks of couture dresses and shelves lined with designer heels.Tahimik si Cinderella habang tinatapos ng stylist ang pag-pin ng final touches sa suot niyang gown. It hugged her like a second skin, fierce and blinding, a silent warning wrapped in beauty.The fabric kissed her curves, flowing like molten gold with every subtle shift of her body. But it was the slit... dangerously high and almost daring gravity itself that turned the dress from mere elegance into a weapon.One wrong move, and it would be scandal.One right move, and it would be power.And Cinderella? She didn’t move wrong.Not tonight.She straightened her posture, rolling her shoulders back, lifting her chin just enough to command. In the full-length mirror, she didn’t just see herself... she saw the weapon she had become.This wasn’t just a dress.This was war paint.Then a soft knock.Vera entered, cradling a small velvet box in her hands—black, w
The heavy doors to Nero’s office burst open.Lumabas sina Belle at Bianca na halatang hindi nila nakuha ang gusto nila. Tumutunog ang stilettos nila sa marble floor na may galit, mabilis at may mayabang pa rin ang mga tindig nila pero ang mga mukha nila? Puno sa kahihiyan.They held their heads high… pero halata sa mata nila na natalo sila.Nakatayo si Zylan sa tabi ng elevetor at hindi siya gumagalaw sa kinatatayuan niya. Nakasandal lang siya sa pader habang pinagmamasdan sina Bianca at Belle. He watched them walk past as if they were part of a scene he had anticipated.Hindi nakaligtas sa kanyang mga mata ang panginginig ng kamay ni Bianca pati iyong pag-adjust ni Belle sa designer clutch niya na parang kailangan niya ng pampalakas ng loob.They didn’t even look at him.They couldn’t.The door behind them closed with a soft but final thud.Zylan paused for a second before reopening the door and walking inside. Nero was present, standing calmly behind his desk, as if the storm neve
Vera sat alone in front of her monitor, arms crossed as the boutique footage played. Cinderella stood straight as her hand landed on Bianca's face, creating a crisp snap that resonated throughout the room. She paused the video. “Damn,” she muttered. “That’s what I call brand protection.” She looked at the boutique manager next to her. “Delete this from your system,” Vera instructed in a loud and commanding voice. "No copies, backups, or leaks. There's not even a whisper online. Or I'll personally ensure that your boutique never works with the Vergaras again." The manager nodded immediately. “Y-Yes, Ms. Vera. N-No problem at all.” Vera saved the footage on an encrypted device and handed it to her assistant. "Secure the line. Please send straight to Mr. Vergara. Keep track of it. There are no copies." Her assistant replied with a faint but firm nod. VERGARA CORPORATE TOWER – 40th Floor, Executive Private Office Nero was sitting alone in his own office. The lights were dim,
“Y-You slapped me!” galit na sigaw ni Bianca, halos nanginginig sa inis.Cinderella didn’t flinch at all. Her voice was icy, steady, and threatening. “I let you in out of courtesy,” she said coldly. “Pero pumasok ka na parang pag-aari mo ang mundo. Someone had to remind you, not everyone who smiles will tolerate bastos behavior.”Belle made a slight movement beside her like she was about to step in.But Cinderella cut her off with a single lethal glare. “Don’t,” she said sharply, her voice calm but laced with warning. “I’m not exactly in the mood to make it two slaps today. But please, feel free to test how fast my hands can be.”Sa isang tingin lang ay nanigas si Belle. Hindi na siya gumalaw sa kinatatayuan niya dahil alam niyang hindi ito isang banta lang. Kayang-kaya ni Cinderella panindigan iyon.Bianca’s cheek was still burning, but her pride? Mas masakit. Mas malalim ang sugat. And like any overindulged Vergara na nasanay sa yaman pero kulang sa breeding, she did what she always
Manhattan’s elite district. Isang boutique na hindi basta-basta pinapasok ng kahit sino. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls, chandeliers imported from Milan, and racks lined with couture evening gowns flown in straight from Paris.At the center of it all ay naka-upo sa velvet armchair na parang reyna sa sariling kaharian si Cinderella na kalmado habang pinapanood si Vera.She was wearing a silk champagne slip dress, legs crossed, eyes half-lidded as she sipped her iced espresso. Beside her stood Vera. Chic in all black, iPad in hand at halatang sanay makipagsabayan sa boardroom at barilan ng matataray na babae.Pinuno ni Vera ang ilang fitting rooms ng mga bagong damit para kay Cinderella. Mula casual streetwear perfect for a chilly New York stroll, hanggang sa bold, body-hugging party dresses na parang isinukat para sa isang paparazzi-filled event. Designer pieces lined up like an armor of transformation for one week’s worth of curated luxury.“Lahat ng gown dito ay personally picked ni Ne
KinabukasanShe woke up with her head pounding like hell… parang may pumuwersang dumagan sa sentido niya. Her stomach churned, and she wasn't sure if she was dizzy, sick, or both. Lahat parang blur at gusto niyang magtago sa kumot at kalimutan ang lahat.She inhaled slowly, one hand shielding her eyes from the soft golden light streaming in through the curtains. Everything felt too bright, too still, too… real."Never again," she whispered to herself. Not just the hangover from the alcohol but from the night itself. From the chaos, the vulnerability, and everything she allowed her heart to feel.She groaned, her eyes narrowing against the soft glow coming from the window. Sinubukan niyang umupo pero may mainit na braso na mahigpit na nakayakap sa baywang niya at hindi siya nag-iisa sa kama.Then it hit her.Yes... She wasn’t alone in bed.Dahan-dahan siyang lumingon and there he was… Nero.He is soundly sleeping next to her.Ang braso nito ay nakapulupot sa kanya, hawak siya na para b
Nakahawak pa rin si Nero sa baywang ni Cinderella. Malalim ang bawat hinga niya pero nanatiling banayad ang pagkakahawak ng kamay niya sa baywang nito. His grip firm yet gentle, possessive yet controlled.His thumb moved slowly against her bare skin and tracing small circles just above her hip. Every stroke was intentional like he knew exactly what he was doing and how it was driving her mad.She inhaled sharply.A soft shiver ran down her spine... At hindi niya alam kung dahil sa lamig ng hangin o sa init ng bawat dampi ng daliri nito sa kanya.It was not just a touch.It was a silent conversation.Wala pa ring kibo si Nero pero parang sinasabi ng katawan niya na 'I can go further but I'm letting you choose'.But his eyes… those dark… burning eyes are never left her face. Lalo na iyong mga mata niyang parang sinisilip ang lahat ng tinatago mo at lahat ng gusto mong itago.Hindi napigilan ni Cinderella na mapatingin sa mapulang labi ni Nero. That quiet, perfect curve na kanina pa nana