• The night seemed quiet, as I prepared a meal for my step-mother and sisters; the mice seemed to settle down, exhausted from scampering from a hole to another. I smiled thinking about that. The smell of cottage cheese irritated me, though I had to bear it for Anastasia's serving. To their liking, they preferred fresh chicken; reminiscing about the gore from the poor animal, I wiped a drop of sweat from my face from the arid temperature from the boiling water from which the chicken is being consumed in. After plucking the light brown feathers, I roasted the flesh in the fireplace, loading more heavy coals to upgrade the heat. My dainty hands were bearing the colors of red and black of the hot water and charcoal. I twisted the stick that held the deceased chicken. The food is almost ready to eat. China plates were set on the kitchen table as I picked out the bones from the chicken. I carefully sliced the flesh into thin pieces, fancifully arranging them in a proper pattern on the plates; adding fresh green onions, then adding cottage cheese to one of the plates on the side that was meant for my step sister, Anastasia.

    The dining table was already set up to place the plates in the right area. Anastasia, Drusilla, and Lady Tremaine sat impatiently there.

    "You prepared the food in a quite fashionable way; a match for my likings," Drucilla gave a mischievous smile.

    "I hope you enjoy it," I slightly bowed, leaving the dining room, but then..

    "Why won't you sit with us, Cinderella?" Lady Tremaine said, I stopped. I didn't want to make myself look nor seem disrespectful. I feel a chill down my spine, hearing that from her. My step sisters turned to me, saying,

    "Yes, Cinderella. Do what she says.." they sneered. I walked over towards Lady Tremaine, trying to hide the discomfort from their presence..

    "--- I think it's alright when you guys don't have me around to dine with.." I slowly said. They all gave me a disgusted facial expression; I looked a little pale.

    "No, no my dear. There is something I would like to remind you before you go to bed." Lady Tremaine said. I stepped a little closer to her; "darling, I checked the storage room; you need to go to the market, located in the center. Nearby the royal castle; and please polish the floor before you go as well. We're expecting a guest tomorrow before the evening," She handed a sealed envelop filled with money for food.

    I slowly nodded, "Yes Madam." I proceeded to collect the empty dishes from my step sisters and Lady Tremaine's. After washing them, and sweeping the kitchen; I strolled to my small attic room. I lit up a candle, seeing the royal castle in the distance. I dreamed of meeting a prince that could save me from this reality of serving my step siblings and mother. My father is out there somewhere too, leaving me behind here. I accepted it the way I should have. I felt envy of the step siblings for having a living mother.

    As to my usual routine, I woke up before the sun appeared in the sky; I prepared an early breakfast for my step family. I chopped the large amount of chicken left over from last night, mixing it with mixed garlic and pepper. I tasted it, trying to make the texture compatible of a taste. This time, I prepared water to drink for the meal. I hustled, slowly placing the plate on each of their individual tables in their bedroom. They were amused by the spiced smell of their breakfast. Lady Tremaine complimented me from my cooking, I bowed and moved to to the back yard of the house. Filling a bucket of water and mixed soap; I carefully rushed into the living room from which dirt and dust has been bedded the shining white floors of the house. I quietly heard my sisters practicing songs for their entertainment; I smiled knowing that they were fooling around.

    After scrubbing the floors with a soft brush, I dressed up in a white bonnet, with black flats that I only used to wear to go on errands, a white long sleeved plain dress with an old brown apron. I grabbed the envelop and a fabricated tan bag from the nail hooks from the end of my beaten bed. I reached for the door afterwards, locking the front doors before I left.