Tears Of Cinderella

Chapter 7 - Cinderella's Secret

Hindi mapalagay ang kanyang kalooban habang nakikipananghalian siya kasama ang pamilya. Her mind was fully occupied with Gareth. Nag-aalala pa rin siya para rito. He was really in a bad shape when she found him last night. It was definitely a good thing that her doctors responded to her distress call quickly, otherwise...

Napailing na lamang siya. She immediately erased her thoughts. Para siyang nabunutan ng tinik sa lalamunan nang sabihin ni Dr. Flyheight na natanggal na nito ang nakabaong bala sa kaliwang balikat nito. He assured her that he was definitely on the right track for fast recovery. Hindi na mahalaga ang kung ano mang bagay, mas mahalaga na ligtas na ito sa kung anumang kapahamakan.

"Kumusta naman ang iyong pag-aaral Steffanie," isang tinig ang pumutol sa kanyang pag-iisip. It came from his father.

His father gave her a very calculating look.

"Maayos naman po. I am completing my art pieces for my final exhibit," she replied.

"Mabuti naman kung ganoon. So this means that you'll graduate this year, right?"

Isang pagtango na lamang ang kanyang naisagot.

"Then, this calls for a celebration! Congratulations sis," it was her brother, Micheal Angelo.

Napangiti siya. Napakagiliw talaga ng kapatid niya sa kanya. He was always supportive of her endeavors.

"Salamat po," she humbly expressed her gratitude.

From across the large dining table, she could see the sudden shift on the mood of his father's wife. From being nonchalant, her eyes emitted daggering stares directed towards her.

"There is no need to be overjoyed, Michael Angelo. There is nothing new. Natural lang naman na maka-graduate ang babaeng yan ngayong taon," his father's wife said.

Ang babaeng yan. Her voice started to echo in her head. Pansamantalang nakalimutan niya ang kanyang kalulugaran sa pamamahay na ito. It was a good thing that his father's wife put her in her rightful place. That way, hindi na siya aasa. She will never hope

"Mom, please don't call her that. Her name is Steffanie."

Ngunit hindi nito pinansin ang anak. Napatuloy lamang ito sa pagkain.

Gayundin ang kanyang ginawa, sinubukan niyang magpatuloy na lamang sa kanyang pagkain. She felt the brewing tension between them. Alam niyang hindi nagustuhan ng kanyang kuya ang sinabi ng ina nito. That, she was thankful of. Her brother always took care of her. His genuine affection towards her is the only connection she has for a family.

Mariin niyang tinitigan ang pagkain. It was a very sumptuous meal, a grilled turkey glazed with wild honey. This was cooked by one of Camelot's finest chef. Maging ang hawak niyang kubiertos ay sumisigaw ng karangyaan. It was made of the finest silverware from the Pendragon's mining capital, El Dorado.

Hindi nagpahuli ang kanyang kapaligiran. The dining hall was the epitome of the word grandeur, high ceilings embellished with crystal chandeliers, cardinal red draperies, intricately carved dining table. Pawang lahat ng naroroon ay gawa sa materials fuertes. Everything fitted the status of her father. And why wouldn't it? Her father was none other than 'the' Gerard Sutherland, the Duke of Sutherland.

"Nais ko sanang pumunta sa Graduation mo Steff, when would that be?"

Nagulat siya sa sinabi ng ama. Was that true? Did he really say that? May kaunting kiliti ang bumalot sa kanyang puso.

But it was short-lived. Naunahan siya ng asawa nito sa pagsagot.

"There is no need for that Gerard. Why would the Duke of Sutherland be present there? Magtataka lamang ang mga tao," her father's duchess of a wife said.