The Fearless Cinderella

Cinderella sat at the corner of the dimly lit restaurant, the soft clink of silverware and the murmur of voices around her fading into the background as she checked her watch—again. It was already 8:15 PM, and Nero Vergara was nowhere in sight. Her patience, which she had been holding onto with a thread, was starting to snap.She had dressed up for this dinner. She had shown up early, tried to put on a smile, pretended to be the perfect fiancée that the world expected. But where was he? His secretary had sent a message earlier in the evening, saying that he would be late. But an hour late? That was pushing it.Her jaw tightened as she glanced at her phone. No new messages. No apology. Not even a “I’m running late” text. Just silence from Nero.Pilit niyang nilalabanan ang inis, pero hindi maikakailang unti-unti nang sumisikip ang kanyang dibdib sa pagkainip. Mula sa gilid ng kanyang mata ay napansin niya ang waitress na palihim na sumusulyap sa kanya. Nahihiya tuloy siyang umorder ng

The world faded the moment the engines roared to life. Ang hangin ay tila huminto at ang bawat mata ng mga tao sa paligid ay nakatutok sa linya ng pagsisimulan ng karera.Sa ilalim ng maliwanag na ilaw ng underground racing circuit, isang itim na Ferrari LaFerrari at isang itim na McLaren P1 ang nakahanay ay parehong parang mga mabangis na hayop na handang sumabak sa digmaan. Ang usok mula sa mga tambutso ay sumasayaw sa ere at ang mabibigat na tunog ng makina ay tila mga dagundong ng kulog bago ang isang matinding bagyo.“Sigurado ka ba dito?” tanong ni Chase na nakapamulsa habang tinitigan si Cinderella.Wala siyang makitang alinlangan sa babae. Sa halip ay isang nakakalokong ngisi ang bumungad sa kanya. “Chase, you know me. I don’t back down.”Napailing si Chase habang hindi maitago ang amusement sa kanyang mukha. “You’re insane.”Napataas ang kilay ni Cinderella. “Correction. I’m fearless.”Mula sa kabilang panig ng track ay tahimik na inoobserbahan ni Nero ang eksena. Ang kanyang

After a day of shopping and eating, Cinderella and Angie unwind at the spa. The secluded area, the use of essential oils, and the background music are all designed to create a relaxing atmosphere. Si Cinderella ay nakaupo habang iniinom ang kanyang kape. Samantalang si Angie naman ay abala sa pagchecheck ng iba pang treatment nang biglang mahulog ang kanyang tingin sa isang magazine na nakapatong sa gilid ng table. Agad niya itong dinampot at ang cover ay walang iba kundi si Nero Vergara.Sa makapangyarihang headline na "The Unstoppable," ang matalim at dominante niyang ekspresyon ay tila sumusunog sa pahina.Napataas ng kilay si Angie na pinag-aralan ang larawan bago marahang iniangat ang tingin kay Cinderella, ang ngiti niya mapang-asar ngunit may halong matinding interes."C, grabe. This man... he really is everywhere, isn’t he? The Unstoppable?" aniya na kalahating amused at kalahating impressed. Inikot niya ang magazine sa kamay at saka dahan-dahang ngumiti. “And he's engaged to

They looked at each other, and the silence between them was filled with fire rather than wrath. This is not merely unfinished business. However, it was a dangerous form of electricity that hovered on the edge of desire. Every breath represented a silent challenge… Each heartbeat represents a war.Her voice was furious, yet there was something unspoken beneath it. "Wala kang karapatan."Nero’s laugh was low, dark and arrogant. “Wala? Are you sure?”Mapanghamon na ngumiti si Cinderella. She carefully raised her hand and let her fingertips slide along his jawline. "Because the last time I checked…" She leaned in and her lips almost brushing his cheeks. "I'm not wearing your last name."Nero paused for a beat. Their gazes locked once again, and something sparks in his eyes—is it amusement? Frustration? Hunger? Hanggang sa dahan-dahang sumilay ang isang mapanganib ngiti sa labi nito.That was her opportunity. Cinderella pushed on his chest, this time more forcefully. And he let her go. Mab

Sa loob ng tinted na sasakyan ay tahimik. Pero hindi iyon tahimik na nakakakalma kundi tahimik na parang bagyong naghihintay lang ng tamang oras para sumabog.Nakaupo si Cinderella sa gilid, ang mga mata’y nakatuon sa labas ng bintana habang dumadaan sila sa highway. Ang mga ilaw sa daan ay lumilipas na parang mga alaala.Samantalang si Nero ay nakasandal sa kabilang side, kalmado ang hitsura pero ramdam na ramdam ni Cinderella ang tensyon sa paligid nila. Parang kahit ang driver ay nahihirapang huminga dahil sa kanila.“Wala kang balak magpaliwanag?” tanong ni Cinderella, ang boses ay malamig pero pinipilit maging kalmado. “You just let my father announce the engagement?”Tumalikod si Nero sa kanya,. “Hindi ko siya pinilit. He did what he thought was best… For you.”Napatawa si Cinderella, hindi dahil natutuwa siya kundi dahil sa sobrang inis. “Best for me?” she repeated. “Nero, ang ginawa niyo ay hindi nakakatuwa. It’s control. Do you even understand how humiliating that was for me?