cinderella | sting x reader

Chapter 2- When She Came

I expected the days living without my mother to be depressing and long, dragging on and on.

Surprisingly, we unconsciously tried hard to enjoy ourselves, keeping the cheery atmosphere in our home.

That's what mother would have wanted.

3 Years Later...

I felt truly heartbroken.

I was naive, and I can't even tell the emotions of my own father any more.

Looking back, how did I never see behind that fragile mask of content?

The darkened color under his eyes?

His scattered thoughts, not able to concentrate on a conversation without asking "Pardon?".

It all happened on that day.

"Oh, but Miss (y/n), there is no need!" Beth cried, stirring firmly in a pot above the stove.

"No, let me do something!" I laugh, taking the scorching platter of mini croissants out of the oven.

When Beth frowned, but turned around to her own soup- I sneaked a croissant into my mouth.

"Miss (y/n)!" Beth accused, a twinkle of joy on her voice.

I give her a sheepish smile. "Sorry, Beth. But you're croissants are so good!" I praised.

The freckled girl blushed, not used to such comments. "But do you know what would make these better?" she said in a hushed voice, and I come forward to hear better.

"Vegetables!" the light-haired brunette yells out. " 'Specially carrots!"

I laugh, throwing my head back as we giggle together.

"Hey (y/n)!" a new voice comes from the kitchen entrance.

We both run around, seeing Risley stand there in her unusual outfit of a dark blue skirt and a lighter crop top.

Risley was a maid, while Beth worked in the gardens. However, she could never resist sneaking into the kitchen(*cough cough* don't forget me *cough cough*).

"Huh?"

"Your father wants to see you in his office. He would have come to get you himself, but he's so busy packing for his next journey he didn't have the time." Risley explained.

"Oh alright. Well, save a croissant for me!" I warned Beth, hopping out the kitchen.

I made my way to the front door, avoiding newly potted fresh plants, almost in bloom.

It was already summer, the sun's light streaming down like beams of warmth.

I knocked twice on the caramel door of my fathers office, my fingers twisting around my long shirt.

"Come in," my fathers voice vibrated through the door.

I gladly comply, smiling brightly at my father.

He smiled back, and my spirits flushed uneasily at the lost present of his twinkling (e/c) eyes.

"Ah, (y/n), come sit closer," he murmured, pulling me towards him instead.

My eyes widened in surprise, not used to the sudden burst of affection.

"(y/n), my dear, I just want you to know that I love you, very, very much..." he began, stroking my hair, his chin angling up to the ceiling as well as his eyes.