Tears Of Cinderella

Chapter 24 - Sadness and Despair

Steffanie was running away. She had nowhere to go but forward. This was a leap of fate. Bahala na kung anong mangyayari sa kanya. Ang mahalaga, she was miles away from her father's home.

She was taken captive on her stay there. She was locked inside her room like a common criminal. Binibigyan lamang siya ng pagkain ng mga katiwala. There was no way for her to contact anybody. Her phone and laptop was taken away from her. For days, she had become a prisoner.

Hindi naman siya makahingi ng saklolo sa ama at kapatid. Umalis pala ang mga ito para sa isang convention. Nag-iwan pa nga ng note ang kuya niya. He wanted her to enjoy her stay. But what happened was the opposite.

Mabuti na lamang at may isang nagmagandang loob sa kanya. He freed her from her confinement. Umalis raw kasi ang Duchess kaya madali lamang para sa kanila na makatakas. Inihatid siya ng mga ito patungo sa istasyon ng Tren. From there, she was on her own.

She needed to get back at her condo unit. She wanted to talk to Gareth. Kanina pa niya sinusubukang kontakin ito. But she got no response from him. Her calls were not pushing through and her text messages were all unanswered.

Takot na takot na siya. Alam na kaya ng Duchess ang pagtakas niya? How many men were sent to get her? She needed to act fast.

She was about to send Gareth another text message when she finally received a response from him.

Meet me at your condo tonight.

A flicker of hope raised inside her. She knew that Gareth could help her. Handa na siyang ipagtapat dito ang kabuuan ng kanyang pagkatao. And in her heart she knew that he'll accept her no matter what.

Hinimas himas niya ang sinapupunan. Baby, just hang in there. Daddy will help us.

Gabi na nang makarating ang tren na sinasakyan niya. She suddenly felt relieved at the sight of the familiar view of the Arondight Palace. Somehow, she felt home.

Maulan ng gabing iyon. Kakaunting pera na lamang ang nalalabi sa kanyang bulsa. She took a ride in a public vehicle to her street. Sa wakas, kahit papaano, maiibsan na ang kanyang paghihirap. All she needed was Gareth.

She saw the familiar way to her block. Dali-dali niyang tinahak ang landas patungo sa kanyang condo. She was finally home.

Binuksan niya ang pinto ng kanyang unit. If there was one thing that she did not forget, it was her keys. She took a step forward and what she saw made her regret entering her home.

Gareth was there, laying on the floor, his eyes were smoked with lust. He was only wearing his pajamas. And together with him lay three women. One of which, she knew very well. It was Natalya. And the look on her face was taunting her.

Pawang hubad ang mga ito. Everyone was gyrating their bodies against his. Every one of them aimed to please him.

Her body became numb at the sight of them. She suddenly cannot feel anything. Her heart was squeezing tightly on her chest.

"Hey there sweetheart, want to join my harem?"

He suddenly kissed Natalya. It was a punishing kiss. One that forlorn lust and sex.

She was frozen in her tracks. Her mind refused to believe what she was seeing. Gareth would never do this to her. The Gareth she knew would never hurt her. But reality bit her in the ass; this time, it was hard and painful.

"W-why?"

"W-why did you do this?" her words were now stuttering.

Tumayo na ito mula pagkakahiga. Agad namang lumakad ito palapit sa kanya. He reeked of alcohol and nicotine.