Chapter 4: Bullying Tactics

Cinderella Farmington P.O.V

A week has passed since I was dragged away from the bushes by my stepmother and I still haven’t heard from Conrad. 

The least he could do, is to vist me or at least send me a letter to let me know that he's thinking about me. It's strange, the other night he seemed so eager to meet with Pricilia and talk to her about me, so I was positive that he liked me.

Was I wrong?

Did I read the whole situation wrong or am I just the stupid naive girl, my stepmother always says I am!

Seeing as Conrad didn't contact me, means only one thing....

Maybe he saw me as an easy target?

I mean any man who cared would be worried if they watched how I was being treated by my stepmom that night..

Conrad's silence on this issues scares me!

To top it all she’s being piling more and more responsibilities on me with each passing day. I barely have time to sleep, I can't even take a second to myself to catch my breath, am always so busy doing one thing or the other. If am not cleaning the house, am cooking or washing those spoilt brats party dresses. 

Susanna and Teresa has been telling me that their mom won't let me go to the ball, but have been ignoring them.

I haven't mentioned the ball to pricilia but I know, I'll have to talk to her about it. There isn't time to waste which means I can't ignore it forever. I still have to pick my dress for the ball few days before the ball.

Although have been trying my hand at making something for me to wear to the ball, last night I tried to create something out of some my old dresses. Piece by piece, I tried sewing an elaborate gown from what I had, but the more I stared at the dress the more of a waste of time it's turning out to be.

The dress was falling apart and the material is quite worn out and don't even get me started with the color, I hate the bland colour. And the white dress I stole a few days ago is now ruined by my constant alterations. 

There's no way I can attend the ball looking like some maid or servant. 

Next day...... 

Today's mission is simple, Indeed to go through my stepsisters’ wardrobe. Maybe that way I can find a old abandoned dress, they practically change their wardrobe every single week.

It won't hurt if I help myself to something they have no use for...

My thoughts were interrupted by a noise from outside. I heard someone arriving, so I went out to the porch, wondering if my stepmother is expecting anyone. Moments later, the horses stopped abruptly, and I saw an old school carriage that has seen better days.

I saw a man who was struggling to squeeze through the door of the carriage. His coachman is staring at the man inside, looking pretty amused, trying not to laugh. Apparently the guest has very short legs, and a huge stomach too. Eventually he slammed on the ground, ending up in a pile of mud and cursing loudly, I couldn't help but laugh a little. 

The guest looks like the sort of person that dosen’t have much money but he still doesn't look like a peasant either. He's also quite clumsy since he's carrying a few extra pounds. He picked his large black hat up off the ground and put it back on his head.

“Hello, welcome to our home. How can I help you?” Teresa asked, suddenly appearing in front of me...

She wore a very short skirt that her mother certainly won't approve of, and was smiling at the stranger, fluttering her eyelashes.

Ewwww!

Teresa has long ginger hair and a large jaw and it seems today is one of those days she decides to put an awful lot of makeup on to cover all of her freckles. Teresa knows she isn't one of the most beautiful girls, but she definitely isn't lacking anything in the chest area. Her boobs are quite large and she always love to wear revealing tops that showcased her cleavage.

The man jumped and nearly fell into the mud again, but somehow he managed to keep his balance this time around. Teresa giggled to herself, lifted her boobs with both hands and walked confidently towards the stranger. 

Well it seems my step sister doesn't really care if the man that she's about to flirt with is good looking or not. She would try to seduce him either way. Nothing or no one has ever stopped her from having fun.

The stranger’s eyes grew large and immediately went to her boobs and he smiled like a kid high on sugar. 

That was when I noticed he's missing one front teeth and I couldn't help but shudder in repulsion! 

“Yes, I need to see Miss pricilia. I was told she lives here,” he replied, trying to make himself look decent, but failing. His clothes were filthy, covered in mud..

“Teresa, don’t just stand out there and look pretty. Invite our guest into the drawing room!”My stepmother shouted from the porch, startling me.

“Please, please come in. My mother will be right with you,” Teresa quickly said, smiling.

I shook my head leaving them in the drawing room as I carried on with my work in the kitchen. I still need to cook dinner for everyone. 

My head still filled with thoughts about the ball which is just a few days away.

I continued my brainstorming while cooking, Sometime later when I was peeling the potatoes and singing to myself in the kitchen, my other stepsister Susanna barged in looking flustered.

“Mother is asking for you. She told me to tell you to make yourself look presentable and not to keep her waiting for too long,” Susanna stated, then tossed her black hair behind her and vanished before I could ask her what my stepmom wanted.

Since that incident in the forest we've barely exchanged more than a few words. Apparently now she knows she can't keep me in attic forever. I hurriedly washed my hands and headed to the drawing room, smoothing my sliver blond hair.

My purple dress might be filled with stains, but I don't have time to change. Five minutes later, I entered the drawing room. My stepmother was sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea in her hand. The male guest was opposite her, looking bored.

I thought that he was even more unattractive from this angle and wondered what kind of business my stepmother needed from him. The man had a wide head, was mostly bald.

“You called me, stepmother,” I say.

Pricilia narrowed her eyes at me and sipped the tea through her pursed lips. Her brown hair was tied up in a tight bun, and she wore a long black dress. In any other circumstances, I would have to say that my stepmother is an attractive woman, but the sour expression on her face made her look unappealing.

“Sit down, Cindy, there is something that I have to discuss with you,” she ordered.

I obeyed her immediately, sitting opposite her, placing my palms on my knees. The man stared at me with a stupid grin on his face, like he had just won a prize.

I suddenly feel the drawing room closing in on me and I have a feeling that I won't like the next thing she's going to say...

“So, is this the girl? Very pretty, and young. She should adapt well to my farm. Although, she doesn’t seems very strong, my lady. It’s hard work, you know,” the man said and pricilia sighed.

“Cindy, this is Mr. Barton. Your new husband, he’s been searching for a suitable wife for himself,”My stepmother stated. 

“We met in town and I suggested that you two should meet to discuss the further details of marriage. I believe that you will be perfectly suited to him.”

For a split second I thought, maybe...

Just maybe!

I might have misheard her.....

She didn't just suggest this!

My future husband can't be someone named Barton, I already have a good awful surname called Farmington!

So this man wants a wife and pricilia thinks am the perfect bride?

Just one night in his bed might be the death of me!!!

Is my stepmom really that eager to get rid of me? 

I could hear a giggle coming from the door behind me and noticed that my stepmother exhale sharply. I then realised that my stepsisters were listening to what was going on in the drawing room. All of a sudden I felt nauseous and wanted to run back to my room.

“There must be some mistake. I didn’t ask you to find me a husband,”I say to her, not ready to keep silent...

Like they say a closed mouth is a closed destiny!

The tension in the air cut through like a knife. My stepmother shot me an annoyed glare and stretched her lips further.

“This isn’t up for discussion, A girl your age should be settling down and Mr. Barton is available. He has a certain reputation in the neighbouring town. If you’re going to picky about it, you’ll never find a husband for yourself.” She says, sounding furious that I was actually questioning her.

“Darling, think of the positive side. You'll get to start a family of your own. It's not all that bad, Maybe if your stepmother will allow it, I could take you away with me, show you around. My home is very nice, but requires a woman’s touch, a good homemaker such as yourself,” Mr. Barton says smiling and revealing some of his missing teeth. 

I cringed.

This is a horrible mistake, an error on pricilla’s part.

What is she thinking?

“Of course you can take her away with you. Cindy would love to see everything for herself, wouldn’t you, Cindy? I think this is a tremendous idea,” She says pointedly, raising her perfectly sculpted eyebrows.

I suddenly feel like am about to throw up as the reality of the situation begins to loom over me.

“Stepmother, I don’t think I’m ready for such a huge step. May I speak to you privately?”I asked hoping she would try and see reasons with me. My head is spinning and my thoughts were racing a mile a minute. 

I can't possibly leave with this man, this stranger.

“Nonsense, of course you’re ready,”My stepmother snapped and then touched her head. “Oh, I suddenly don’t feel very well. Cindy, can you go and fetch me a glass of water. I think it’s my migraine flaring up again.”

The Cindy she's calling is definitely not listening, but a part of her stepmother’s request reached her ears. She stood up and left the drawing room as fast as she could. Her world was crashing down all around her, and she was losing control.

I'm definitely losing control!

This can't be happening, not now!

Not when things are finally falling into place...

“It looks like Mommy is going to sell your arse to that fatty over there. I bet you can’t wait to suck him off, right?” Susanna giggled and I suddenly felt like slapping her. 

I've never been a violent person but right now, I feel a potent rising anger rising from the pit of my stomach...

“There is no way I’m going to agree to marry that man. Your mother is crazy and I’m not an idiot. There’s a man out there who’s just right for me and it’s not him,” I shouted, knowing her stepmother most likely had heard me, but I don't care anymore. 

I've finally had enough....

“Too bad that she already made a deal with him. Besides, the forest ranger is way out of your league, so you better start looking for a nice wedding dress. Your future’s already decided.”Teresa says snickering...

I clenched my fists, trying to breathe at the same time, and left the room before I do something I'll definitely regret later. 

This time, am not going to let her have her way....

I barged into the room and said the only thing that could wipe out that smug look on pricilia’s face chasing her visitor away .....

“Am Pregnant!

“Am pregnant with another man's seed Mr Barton, so except you're ready to father someone else's child then I'll advise you to take your search for a suitable wife elsewhere”I scream out in anger and fear...

It probably might have been the stupidest card I played but it did the trick because the way pricilia annoyingly perfect face crumbles in horror made me smirk...