Cinderella Contract

Chapter Two

I didn't know what to believe after my run-in with the prince. He really might've been the prince, or he might've just been the Prince's doppelgänger. I was walking with my head down trying to come up with an excuse to why it wasn't Prince Jacob who I had kicked with a rock.

"Stop right there!" Someone shouted. I stopped abruptly mid-step. A man wearing a dark suit and carrying a Manila folder walked over to me.

"Is there a problem sir?" I resisted the urge to call him officer.

"You just waltzed right into a crime scene." He states.

"A crime scene?"

"Yes."

"What happened? And why isn't there any police tape, or police for that matter?" I question.

He sighed. "This man," he takes out a picture from the folder and hands it to me. It was a smiling blonde. The only thing missing was the leaf atop his head. "Went missing this afternoon."

I burst out laughing. Maybe Jacobs brothers will kill him.

"Is there a problem miss?" He hissed.

"I'm Avery." I hold out my hand in an attempt to seem professional.

He scrunched his nose up in disgust. "Pleasure. I'm Brett Charming. The eldest of the brothers."

"Yes I know." I mentally slap myself for my idiotic comment.

"Have you seen Prince Jacob anywhere?"

"Um," I pause to consider if I should give away Jacob's location to Brett. "Yes, I saw him going this way." I point in the opposite direction that Jacob was going.

"Thank you for your assistance." He gives me a brisk nod and heads off to the left.

I turn and start walking the other way. No need to run into Brett again.

"Pssst." I freeze at the sudden whisper.

I see the tip of white dress shoes sticking out from the side of a bush to my left. "Oh wow!" I feign shock. "Look at this beautiful shrubbery! It talked to me. I wonder what would happen if I were to kick it?" I fail to hold back a laugh as I kick the bush, which in turn, kicks the prince hiding inside it. 

Jacob tumbles out of the bush in a heap of white suit and anti-manliness.

After nearly five minuets- I counted- he stood up and tried to brush off some of the many leaves that were covering his white suit.

"Anyways," he shoots me a glare. "Thank you for not selling me out to my brother."

"No problem-o. But I did have a question for you. Um, could you tell me where the raffle will be taking place?"

"Yes of course, I actually should be heading there too. I take you there." He the proceeded to skip down the sidewalk, grinning like the five year old he acted like.

I roll my eyes but still proceed to follow him, except I was ten feet away from him at all times.

He leads me to the park which rests in the complete center of the city. "Ok here we are. I'd better hurry. My brother will be coming this way soon and I do not want to be caught out here."

"Ok. Thanks." I probably could've got here on my own now that I think about it. There was no literal way you could miss this. Giant banners hung from every tree and people were mushed together everywhere. It would be hard to believe that this was once a serene and tranquil place.

A large stage had been set up in a field and people, mostly girls, swarmed around it like honeybees in a hive.

I stood on the outskirts of the honeybees straining to hear what was being said on the microphone.

"Everyone welcome to the Cinderella Raffle!" The crowd cheered at her words. "Get your tickets out we will start in just a moment but first we need to introduce the Princes." She clapped and stepped to the side as Brett entered onto the stage in the same suit I saw him in earlier.

He looked stiff and composed. Calm and collected. Cool as a cucumber.

"Here is Brett Charming!" The announcer announced as girls went crazy over the cool cucumber up on stage.

Next came the second oldest with the same stubborn leaf on his head.

"O-m-g! That's Jacob! He's so charming!" She squeals while a few chuckle at her unintentional pun.

Jacob's eyes find mine in the crowd and he shoots me a wink. I roll my eyes and tap the top of my head, hoping he gets the gesture.

He does and knocks the little green leaf off his head and pockets it. He gives me a tiny smile as blush spreads across his face.

"That was Jacob Charming and here is our next prince."

The next prince was taller than the others but definitely younger. I couldn't remember his name though. It started with a C I think-

"Christopher Charming!" Thank you to the fangirl in front of me for putting a name with a face that has incredible hair for a male. His hair fell in long dark curls to his shoulders.

Without announcement, the last prince walked on stage.

My breath gets stuck in my throat. It's the face that I could recognize anywhere. The face I've known since I was born.

"Blake." I whisper his name. His wheat blonde hair is the same as it used to be, just now it's tied into a low ponytail at his neck.

"So ladies, who's ready to become Cinderella?" The crowd goes wild snapping me back to reality.

A large box filled with pastel blue tickets was rolled out beside the announcer.

She sticks her hand in and she starts counting down into the mic.

"Three..."
Everyone else in the crowd joins in.

"Two..."
My heartbeat gets faster and louder.

"One..."
silencer washes over the crowd as she pulls out the winning ticket.

"Everyone get your ticket ready. The numbers are: 346459." Groans come from every side as people find out that they are not Cinderella.

Gripping onto my ticket, my heart drums into my ears.

"Number 346459 are you here?"

"Y-yes!" I thrust my hand into the air as my feet numbly propel me forward.

The announcer with perfect pastel blue nails, helps me up to the stage.

"What is your name dear?"

"A-Avery Cinder." I say, my mind in a daze.

"Avery Cinder! Congratulations for being Cinderella!" The crowd cheers loud for me. My vision turns dark as I feel my feet drain of strength and I tumble backwards onto the princes.
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Ok that was a little but longer than the last one, but hopefully just as good or better. Don't forget to give me feedback or to just comment to say hi. I love hearing from you guys.

See ya through the screen,
Starry

1145 words