An American Cinderella

“I tried to keep them apart. Your father was all fire and trouble back then. I didn’t want him corrupting Sarah.” The senator laughed. “But George loved her as soon as he saw her, and really, who could blame him? Your mother was wonderful.”

I cupped my chin in my hands, my elbows on my desk, and drank in her words. It had been a long time since anyone had spoken about my parents. Their names were magic words to my mind of a happier and simpler time. A time of love.

Senator Glenn’s eyes softened and came back from the past to focus on me. “I’d like to do something for you. In honor of them, and because I feel terrible about this job situation.”

“Senator Glenn-”

She held up her hands to stop me. “I’m not going to take no for an answer,” she informed me. “You will be going to the ball in style. I just need to call in a few favors. You need a dress, correct?”

I nodded. “I have a mask. It’s purple.”

“Then you need a mask, hair, makeup, shoes...” The senator pulled out her phone and began typing as she said the words.

“I don’t need all that,” I quickly interjected. “Just a dress. I can make do with everything else.”

The senator slowly lowered her phone and put the full weight of her piercing gaze on me. I suddenly understood why they called her a shark.

“Sarah and George’s daughter will not make do,” she informed me. “Not when I have the opportunity to do right by them. Understand?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I had the strange desire to curtsy.

“Good. Now stand over here and spin,” she told me.

I frowned, but did as she asked. “What is this for?”

She held up her phone and took a video.

“So they can bring the correct dress size,” she replied. She tapped a few things more on her phone before putting it away and smiling at me. “What are you doing just standing there? You need to get home and get ready for your ball. You don’t have much time.”

“What about Audrey?”

“You let me worry about her,” she replied. Her eyes hardened. “She has crossed the line this time. You go to the ball, and don’t give her a second thought. She’s going to have to deal with me this evening.”

I couldn’t stop the smile that filled my face. Audrey needed someone to put her in her place, plus, if the senator was keeping her busy, I didn’t need to worry about getting caught going to the ball. Audrey would be too busy to ruin my night.

“Thank you, Senator Glenn. I don’t know what you have planned for me, but I really appreciate it.”

She chuckled. “Call me Faye when we’re not in the office,” she replied, taking my hands in hers and squeezing. There was a magic to her that instantly gave me hope for the rest of the night. “You really do look like your mother.”

I smiled and hugged her. She chuckled and hugged me back before giving me a gentle push.

“Now get out of here. I don’t want you to be late for the ball!”

With a grin, I grabbed my things, thanked her one last time, and hurried to my apartment to see what Faye had in store for me.

Chapter 22

Two people sat outside the entrance of my apartment looking completely out of place. One was a tall, thin man with stylish silver hair wearing a tweed jacket. A young woman, with the most amazing eyeliner I have ever seen, sat on a large trunk next to him. She wore a simple red dress that fluttered in the early evening breeze.

“There she is,” the man said to the woman, his British accent deep and strong. It was similar to the Paradisian accent, but I definitely liked Henry’s better. The man held out his hand. “You must be Aria. The senator sent us.”

“I am,” I told him. He squeezed my hand rather than shaking it.

“Excellent. I’m Gunner,” the man introduced himself. “This is my associate, Lydia.”

“Hi,” the woman said, jumping down from the large trunk. “I’m going to be doing your hair and makeup once Gunner gets you dressed.” She motioned to the trunk behind her and I realized there was a second as well.

I stood there blinking for a moment, not quite comprehending what they were saying. I was expecting a dress, yet there were two people about to do a complete makeover for me. I was in shock.