A Cinderella Story - ZeyBar

Chapter 1

Zeynep

When I arrived at this home I was only 8. I didn't want to be alone with my father, so after school I'd come to this huge mansion to help my mother, who works as an assistant - she takes care of the hygiene and food in this home. I'd rather spend my afternoons here than with Ekrem, my father. And if you're wondering why... he's not an exemplary father. Every penny my mother gives him goes for alcohol, gambling and loans. When I turned 16, I started getting paid for helping my mother in this big house. So at least my mom and I had some money. Then they gave me a staff room, which I turned into my own corner. I stayed at the mansion almost every night. Going home is always a mistake...

I am now 24 and a final year student at the University of Law. I continue to work at the Tunahan family estate, and in a few months I will be able to call myself a lawyer.

Being a lawyer has been my dream for many years. Why?... - every night when Dad was coming home drunk, there were scandals, he was constantly stealing money from Mom, he was so rude with her in front of my eyes ... Then I swore that one day I would change that. I will change my mother's life, my life and the life of every woman who goes through something like this.

Today is a very busy day at the Tunahan family home. Everyone has its work and has no time to rest. Mom hasn't been out of the kitchen all day, where she and Sultan are preparing everything for tonight. My task is to be responsible for the decor, which is a bean job and does not take much time. Mr. Kerem and Mrs. Özlem Tunahan want everything in perfect condition for the dinner they are organizing in honor of their son's arrival. 

I don't know why they are so excited, by the way ... Yes, he hasn't come home in so many years, but so much preparation for the kid who hit me on the head with a ball when I was 12 and didn't even apologize? This fat boy who left for Sofia at the age of 17, where he has lived for so many years? I heard that he had become quite successful in his profession, that he would open an office in Turkey, his homeland. Maybe that's why he thought of coming back only now, because he's a workaholic ... That makes sense ... he was so far away from his family, why now? I hope he won't stay long... I don't like selfish people.

"Zeynep, if you finished looking out the window, would you get to work?" - Mrs. Özlem interrupted my thoughts and mademe jump. As a child, I used to call her the "quiet step" and for good reason.

"Sorry, I got distracted."

"My son is coming home and I want everything to be perfect!" - I did not answer her, because she would definitely not like my answer.

...

The evening was approaching, my work was half done and I only had to prepare the room for the royalty's son, just  kidding, for the annoying kid that everyone is so looking forward to arrive.

When I entered his large room, I could smell a strange odor. Does a room no one lives in smell so nice? I approached the bed and before I could start arranging it I stared at the amazing view from the balcony of this room. All the greenery in the garden, the trees next to the mansion and part of Istanbul are clearly visible from here, if this room was mine, I would be on the balcony all the time! I shook my head and got down to work.

As I put on the last pillow, a strange noise behind me startled me for a moment. Behind me is the bathroom door. Yes, the prince has a private bathroom.. The sound repeated itself and I got scared. I walked slowly to the door and grabbed the vase from the small table next to me. I touched my ear to the door and I swear that there was someone inside. With one hand I grabbed the lock, and with the other, which was holding the vase, I lifted it ready to hit anyone who has decided to steal from the Tunahan family.

In seconds, I opened the door and swung the vase, accompanied by my scream. I closed my eyes a moment before I was supposed to hit the person in front of me, but my hand was stopped, someone grabbed my hand. I opened my eyes and started screaming in panic. The man let go of my hand and shut my mouth. I didn't think I would die so young, and I didn't even graduate from university. I kept screaming scared to death, and the man kept drowning out my cries.