Cinderella's Stepsister

It was a very peaceful night in ruby city as it had always been, Diamond country was one of the most secure countries in the world until the night it all went down. The new five-star hotel in Riverdale went down in flames.

The hotel which had just been commissioned a month ago was the biggest and highest skyscraper in the whole city but unfortunately, an explosion occurred on the middle floor of the hotel. The first half was on fire while the other half was bent sideways.

Because of the festive season, the hotel had been filled up for New Year's eve but little did they know that they wouldn't even live to see the day.

There were several ambulances and firefighters surrounded the building as they did their best to minimize the effect of the fire but all their effort proved abortive. They were only lucky that the atmosphere, was cold and it was snowing.

In the second half of the hotel by the topmost floor was a girl screaming at the top of her lungs, her face was covered in sweat and dust and she has cuts all over her body but she was surprisingly in good shape, even better than those who had already escaped the building when the fire had started.

"Help! Anybody" she whimpered as her hands trembled in fear. She looked frail and weak. Her heart kept drumming against her chest, she shouldn't have come to Ruby city, all she wanted to do was to surprise her Older brother and Father but now not only was she trapped in the rubble, but someone was also dying and it was all her fault.

"Please, Please Help us!" She turned her head to look at the girl lying on the floor next to her, her body was stuck in a pile of iron and concrete, the floor was dyed red with her blood her face was disfigured.

If only the girl had left her in the elevator this wouldn't have happened.

She would have been safe.

She had risked her life to save hers but only got hurt in return.

Jasmine groaned and stood up, she had to get them help!

But how?

Just then she sighted a small golden box on the floor.

It was a phone, she hurriedly picked it up and thankfully the screen wasn't broken and there was no password, as she unlocked the phone a heartwarming picture of a very beautiful girl and a handsome boy filled the screen.

Tears filled her eyes as she glanced at the girl who was now lying in the pool of blood and compared her to the girl on the screen.

In the picture, she was grinning like a kid while the boy kissed her cheek. Her heart broke all over again, she was too kind-hearted.

She didn't even know her, yet she risked her life to save hers. She should have just let her die.

Just then she snapped out of her grief and went to her phone book. She put in a number and called it but it wasn't going through.

"Come on, Please" She cried and tried calling again but the same thing happened again.

After a while, she gave up and went to check on the girl. She took her hand and gasped. Her pulse was getting weak.

She stood up again and walked to the end of the room trying to find a signal and luckily the call went through. "Hello, Wilson speaking what may I do for you?" a cheery voice came through the phone.

"Willy, Help me" She sobbed, her voice broke and she bit her lips hard.

"Jasmine?" The receiver immediately recognised the voice. "Hold on, I'll go give the phone to Haylon now"

Jasmine waited for a while before a Toneless voice echoed in the background.

"Jasmine, did you get a new phone? Why are you calling so late in the night? Is everything okay?" The voice asked, no matter how cold he was on the outside, he always had a soft spot for his younger sister.

"Haylon, H..elp me, I'm at.... Riverdale Hotel a..and I'm Trapped, She's dying Haylon She is.... " Jasmine managed to talk in between her sobs.

"Riverdale Hotel here in Ruby City? What are you doing there?" The Voice thundered but she couldn't reply she just kept on pleading for help. "Just keep the phone on, I'll find you"

The receiver hung up and she walked back to where the girl was and held her hand "Big Bro is coming to save us, please hang on" She relayed, trying to comfort her but just then she felt her hand twitch and her heart gladded at the thought of her still being able to listen to her.

They didn't have to wait for long before help arrived, the men slowly removed the rubble from the other girl's body and her face was disfigured and bloody, they carried her body out and got taken to the hospital in a helicopter.

**********************

Five years later

It was another hectic day in Conserve Specialist Hospital, the usual hustle and bustle of the activity happened every day. On the topmost floor was the VIP ward, the environment there was very calm and surreal, Little or no noise was made in this ward.

In-room 246 were three nurses who had just finished cleaning up one of the patients. "Poor thing, it's been approximately five years and two months since she was brought here" One of the Nurses sighed while making her bed.

"I heard, she was a victim of the explosion that happened at Riverdale is that true?" A Student nurse asked staring at the beautiful girl that lay still on the sofa.

"Yes, I've been her nurse for five years now, and I can say she recovered faster than we predicted but it's almost like she doesn't want to wake up and besides none of her family members has come to claim her" An older looking nurse explained as she changed the pillowcase and reduced the lighting in the room.

"Really? But she's so Pretty" The student nurse stared at her dreamily. "Besides who is paying all her bills then?"

"It's said to be a shareholder of the hospital and for your information she had plastic surgery, she's not that pretty" The other nurse scoffed jealously. The older woman couldn't help but chuckle at her jealousy.

"When she was brought here, despite her face being disfigured, she was quite beautiful and it didn't even take too much effort in making her look like this, she's so lucky to be alive more than Seven hundred deaths were recorded and a hundred more were impaired. That accident left a hole in our hearts" The Older nurse spoke sadly.

No one spoke a word after that, they finished cleaning and laid the girl back on the bed before leaving but no one noticed the tear that slid down her beautiful pale face.

***********************

Two figures laid on the bed entangled in one another, the room was very warm and clothes were roughly scattered on the floor.

A pair of brown eyes flew open as his head throbbed, he looked beside him and saw his boyfriend sleeping peacefully, his body was filled with bite marks and crescents all over his body.

Haylon grunted and sat up, he had probably gotten drunk the previous night and took it out on Jason. He got off the bed and padded naked to the bathroom and by the time he returned, Jason was no longer in the room and the room had been arranged and also the sheets had been changed.

Haylon lips curved up in a smile and he walked into his closet. There were numerous Tailored suits and designer wristwatches and shoes, he moved to the casual section and decked out a white inner vest, and black pants with a leather and fur bomber jacket to match.

After dressing up, he picked up a pair of gloves and exited the room. The sweet scent of Jason's cooking filled the air as he walked into the kitchen.

A feminine man was standing close to the cooker with an apron tied around his waist, his blonde hair was tousled like spaghetti and his blue eyes stared at the frying pan.

"Morning baby, Wilson is already downstairs, I already packed your breakfast and there's also an extra pack for Wilson. Tell him I said hi" Jason rushed upon noticing Haylon's presence.

"Jason, did I hurt you yesterday night?" Haylon asked, his presence was domineering and Jason sighed. "N..no I actually liked it"

A smile broke out on Haylon's lips and he leaned forward and kissed Jason before carrying the bag. "I'll tell Wilson you said Hi" he grinned and walked out.

As soon as he walked out, he saw a familiar SUV and his face became cold, He walked towards it and the butler hurriedly opened the door.

He stepped into the car and bowed to the Middle-aged man sitting beside him. The Butler even while the butler was standing outside the car, he could still feel the choking aura that emitted from both father and son.

"What about what we both discussed?" The man asked without staring at his son. "I'm working on it father" He gritted his teeth and replied.

Suddenly a burst of light laughter broke out from his lips followed by a smack on Haylon's head. "You, unfilial Son! How are you going to give me a grandson if you keep sleeping around with other men? Hun? Tell me how do you plan on giving birth? Is the baby going to come out through his Anus?" The man kept up hitting his son.

Mr Carter had been so proud of his son for being very intelligent and Hardworking, he would always flaunt his perfect son around but when he discovered that he was gay, he almost lost it and he was always ridiculed by his partners.

Just then his phone rang and almost ignored it but when he was who was calling, he quickly picked it up and held it against his ear. "Yes, what is it?" He asked the caller impatiently but what he heard made his face light up like a Christmas tree. "She's Awake?"

At Conserve specialist hospital, in room 246, A very beautiful girl laid still, unmoving, only breathing. When suddenly her fingers moved, followed by her hand and then her eyes fluttered open, and just like that she was brought back to life.

The young lady slowly sat up and stared around, trying to get familiar with her environment.

She remembered everything, from her family, to the reason she was involved in the explosion at Riverdale Hotel, she remembered it all.

She groaned as a wave of headache hit her and held her head.

'How long have I been asleep' she thought and tried standing but she fell with a loud thud, her legs felt like jelly, her body felt very strange.

What in the world was going on?

Using all of her strength, she managed to carry herself but it wasn't long until she fell over again. Frustrated by all her fruitless efforts she groaned and to turned to face the other side. Then she noticed something weird, her hair was super long and black? What happened to her scarlet hair?

She frowned and decided to check her reflection in the mirror. She managed to stand up again and this time she didn't fall. She picked up a silver tray and screamed immediately after she saw her reflection. Someone else was staring at her through the tray. 'What happened to me?' She panicked.

Did get her soul swapped she usually watched in those TV series?

Just as she was thinking about what happened to her the door opened and an older-looking woman walked in with another young girl. "You're Awake?" The younger girl screamed and she flinched. The both of them kept staring at her as if they had just seen a ghost.

"I can't believe this, you shouldn't be standing, you are still very weak" The older woman hurriedly pushed her to her bed "Tell me are you feeling any pain anywhere? Can you remember who you are?"

She stared at them in a confused manner before blurting out "Of course, I remember, and the last time I checked, I didn't look like this! What did you do to me? How many hours have I been here, I need to go, My mother will be worried"

She tried getting up but the nurses held her down. "Hey! Listen to me, you were injured when you were brought here so......." The old nurse was hesitant and took a deep breath before continuing "They performed a plastic surgery on you and you've been here for more than five years now"

The room suddenly grew silent as only the sounds of their breathing could be heard.

Suddenly the girl busted into a hearty laughter. "Fine, you got me. Where are the cameras?" She asked wiping away a tear that had at gathered at the corner of her eyes but then she stopped and noticed the nurses had a guilty look on their faces.

We're they saying the truth?

Had she been here for Five Years?

Her heart skipped a beat and she stared at them in utter shock "What are you saying, where is my mother, I want to see her right now!" She yelled and jumped from the bed but the nurses held her down.

"Listen to me, Calm down. We don't know any one of your family members, there was no way we could Identify you either but now that you are awake we can contact them for you" The nurse said while patting her back. "You know, you should consider yourself lucky, almost a thousand innocent people lost their lives to that incident. You should be a little positive okay?"

The Nurse noticed that she was a little calm after she spoke those words. "I'll go and inform the doctor now, if there is anything you need you can ask her, she'll be at your service.

By the way, what is your name?" She noticed how the girl hesitated before saying "Ariel"

"Wow, such a pretty name" The younger nurse giggled and stayed with her while the older nurse went to fetch the doctor. "Ha, you must be hungry, let me fetch you something to eat, you can watch TV in the meantime" The younger nurse said before turning in the TV and handing the remote control over to her.

Ariel couldn't help but Sign at how giddy the young nurse was. She only tried to push all her thoughts away because her headache was getting worse. She picked up the remote and flipped the channel but something caught her attention and she stopped before increasing the volume.

"It's been a year since Popular Fashion designer Octavia Loftis, got married to Lance Loftis and from what I know, her Married life it's treating her well, Although she has gone through a lot lately with Her Step sister's disappearance and step mothers death she still managed to build Royalty Fashion and meanwhile Loftis Technologies is doing quite well in the hands of Her Husband. They are so perfect for each other, we are hoping for a baby soon and........."

Ariel couldn't listen anymore, tears started streaming down her face.

Octavia, her sweet innocent sister had stolen not only her boyfriend but also her dreams. Her heart ached badly. She bit her lips and dug her fingernails into her hand but it couldn't stop the pain and betrayal she was feeling.

Why was luck always against her?

Why did life hate her so much?

Octavia had taken the two things she love most in this world. The only two things she had but she didn't blame her, could she?

After all, she was the Wicked step sister, the one who bullied her and tormented her all through her life, the one who would hit her and embarrass her both at school and home. The one who turned her into a slave but even when she did all those things, no one noticed how bad she was hurting inside, no one knew how she was struggling deep down, she didn't do all those things because she wanted to but no one seemed to care, Everyone thought that it was yet another Cinderella story. The usual Tyranical Step sister - Pitiful Daughter kind of story.

Suddenly she noticed she had difficulty breathing and her nose was wet. She tried to wipe it but noticed it was sticky, She was having a nosebleed.

Her condition became worse as she kept on gasping but couldn't breathe. She weakly moved her hands to press the alarm button but stopped midway.

Why should she bother, her whole life was over, there was nothing to continue living for just then she dropped her hand and fell into darkness.

**********************

"She's awake?" Mr Carter asked and the receiver confirmed it. He felt overjoyed. Finally, after so many years of waiting, she woke up. He turned around and glared at his son. "Get out" He shot. Haylon only bowed and stepped out of the car. The butler who was outside almost stumbled at the piercing gaze of the young master.

He quickly walked to the other side and got in. "Brian, take me to the hospital" Mr Carter grinned and Brian started the car immediately.

He couldn't understand why Mr Carter was so happy but on the other hand, the young master looked like he would stuff anyone who crossed him in a jar.

After a long drive, they finally arrived at the huge hospital. Brian immediately jumped down to open the door for Mr Carter who was impatient, as they got to the VIP ward they saw the doctor in charge of the girl in the corridor. "Master Carter!" The man bowed respectfully before leading him to his office.

When they had settled down the doctor proceeded to talk about the matter at hand.

"Master Carter although she has woken up, we discovered that she has Epistaxsis (Nose Bleed) I think it's due to an injury in her head and unfortunately, she also has asthma. Having these two together might cause issues but Luckily for him,she has a good immune system and as long as she doesn't get too upset or sad it wouldn't trigger her nosebleed" The doctor explained everything. "Oh and also, she doesn't want to talk about her family and I don't think we should pressure her yet" He added.

Mr Carter couldn't help but simile, that wasn't an issue. He would make sure she was happy for the rest of her life, to him whenever he look at her, he felt like he saw his wife through her and besides she also had something of Jasmine's so it felt like a blessing to him. "So when can I see her?" He asked and the doctor stared at him like all he said wasn't going through his head at all.

Ariel stood at the end of her room looking out through the glass window, winter was already fading away, it had stopped snowing, and it was only a matter of days before spring arrived.

She leaned on the windows and thought for a while, if it had been there for five years, that meant she was Twenty-two years old and almost Twenty three in a few months. Her eyes widened in realization. Was she that old already? But looking at her reflection she looked like she was just about to be twenty years old.

"Argh! If I'm this old where do I start from? I didn't even go to college" She groaned in frustration.

"Don't worry, I can settle that for you" A stentorian voice settled in the room and Ariel turned to see a handsome man with the doctor. "Hi, Ariel. I'm Jasmine's Father" Ariel's eyes widened in shock at how young he looked.

"Hi, Ariel. I'm Jasmine's Father"

Ariel studied him more closely. He had perfectly flawless skin, clear brown eyes and even if his hair was already turning grey, it suited him even more. He could be on any magazine cover without even having to bat an eye.

Ariel rapidly snapped out of her trance and bowed, as a form of greeting.

"You don't need to be so polite, come here." He stated, "How are you?"

Ariel didn't know how to reply to that question.

Why was this stranger showing her such care?

She knew for sure that he had no ulterior motives because no one in their right senses would pay her hospital bills for five years just because they wanted to traffic her or anything like that.

She took a deep breath and replied. "I'm fine sir".

The Doctor motioned her to do closer and she did. " Uh, did Jasmine come along with you? I would like to thank her for----" Mr Carter cut her short with a sigh.

"I told you to stop being so polite, you're going to make my heart act up again. Besides Jasmine is studying abroad for the time being"

Ariel could hardly believe her ears, she had never met such a childish old man before, but strangely his presence made it easy for her to relax.

She finally looked up to meet his eyes and offered an awkward smile.

"See, there we go. That wasn't hard was it?" Mr Carter Smiled at her and sat down on the couch also motioning her to take her seat in front of him.

"I'm very grateful for how you saved my daughter back then, Jasmine explained everything to me but before anything I want to ask you about your family?"

Ariel's heart skipped a beat when that question was asked. Her gaze lowered and her hand clutched onto her blue hospital dress. She shuddered and bit her lips to prevent an outburst. 'Family'? What was that? Did she have one? For all she knew she was just another random number in the country's population.

"Ariel?" Mr Carter called out expecting an answer but he was only shocked to his wits when she stood up and knelt on the floor. Her face twisted with pain, she couldn't take it anymore and if this was what it took to start a new, then she wasn't going to let go for anything in this world.

"Please, is it okay if I don't return?" She cried and the duo stared at her in shock.

Who in their right senses wouldn't want to be reunited with her family after staying apart for almost five years?

Or was there something else that they were missing?

It could be put into consideration by remembering the fact that even when she was out of danger, she didn't wake up from her coma, it was almost like she didn't want to wake up.

Could her reason have been something related to her family?

"Ariel, you don't have to beg. If you do not want to go back no one will force me. I believe that you are past twenty and you are of legal age to decide for yourself what you want" Mr Carter stated sternly.

Ariel felt goosebumps course through her body. Was he serious and not bothered by the fact that he knew nothing about her? 'People are so gullible' She thought before rising to take her seat.

"You could come home with me, Jasmine is gone for the time being and that Unfilial son of mine wouldn't even come to visit his own father." Me carter paused, dramatically holding his left hand on his chest and wiping his fake tears.

Ariel almost chuckled at his childish display.

"It would be an honour to go with you Mr Carter" She smiled warmly and her smile lit up the room. Ariel didn't want to be controlled by anyone but Mr Carter appeared to be cheerful, what could go wrong?

********************

Winter was finally fading and it had stopped snowing, the chilly February climate felt like nothing short of a blessing because it had snowed heavily the previous month. In a very expensive Italian restaurant, a man sat lazily checking her wristwatch every now and then.

Octavia Loftis had booked an appointment with Haylon Carter the previous week but he was yet to drive even after forty-five minutes.

She didn't want to call because she knew how hot-tempered Haylon Carter was and she needed him to model for Royalty Fashion house's new spring collection. She decided to wait for an extra fifteen minutes to make it an hour.

"Mrs Loftis would you like me to take your order now?" A sharply dressed waiter smiled warmly at her. Octavia wasn't surprised at how they knew her name. She was the uprising queen of the fashion world, besides being very successful she was also beautiful.

She had creamé dyed hair which was styled in an Asymmetric cut, her brown eyes were as clear as spring water and her slightly tan skin shone like a million stars had been strewn on them she also had a silhouette many could only dream of.

"Hun, Just a cup of Iced American for now" She smiled back at the waiter who left grinning like a kid.

A whole twenty-five minutes had passed before she finally got up and left. Even if Haylon Carter was one of the most popular Models in the world, that was no reason for him to waste her time like that.

She drove directly to his Agency and parked in the underground parking lot. Even if she was quite popular and influential, she had to drop the act when it came to The Carters.

Although they liked to keep a low profile, everyone knew not to mess with them as they were the most powerful family on the whole continent. Even political leaders and kings bowed before them.

Octavia took her black quilted bag and breathed in, adjusting her polarized glasses before walking stepping out of her car to the elevator. Fortunately for her, she saw someone familiar rushing out of the elevator. "What a pleasant surprise. Dawn, I was just about to go see you" She smiled at the sight of Mr Carter's Assistant.

"Mrs Loftis I rang your assistant a few hours ago let you know that Mr Carter wouldn't be meeting you today. An Emergency came up" Willson explained and Octavia gnashed her teeth.

Did Gracie really forget to inform her?

That dumb assistant of hers was so dead!

"Ahh, is that so? I'm sorry for keeping you waiting Mr Dawn" Octavia smiled politely and they parted ways. Immediately she got into the car her face twisted and she angrily picked up her phone and put a call across to her manager.

"Hello, Mrs Loftis is there anything I can do for you?" The receiver greeted politely and she yelled. "I give you five minutes to fire Gracie or you're dead" She hung up the phone immediately and hissed before putting her car on reverse and heading home.

After a long hour's drive, she got home exhausted and just parked her car clumsily before throwing the key at the butler. "Good Evening Mrs Loftis" The maids greeted and she made her way into the Mansion.

The Loftis Mansion was quite distinguished and huge. Her father was the only child and he didn't have many friends. When her grandparents and her mother died it was only her and her father until the witch (Her Stepmother) showed up.

"Octavia, you're home, What took you so long?" A heavy voice echoed through the room.

Lance Loftis was Octavia Loftis's Husband, and even though they were married she insisted her husband took her family name instead.

"It's that pompous Haylon Carter's fault, he cancelled our meeting at the last minute and Gracie didn't even bother to put a call across to me" She complained, her eyes blazed with anger as she made for the stairs. "And there I was making a fool out of myself, I waited for more than two hours in that Goddamned restaurant!"

Lance only shook his head, it was very normal for Octavia to throw tantrums when she was displeased by something, saying something would only worsen her mood so he let her be.

Octavia walked into her room and flung her bag on the bed. A scrawny-looking girl was already waiting for her as she helped her with her clothes and knelt to remove her shoes. "Run a hot bath for me" She ordered and the girl hurried to get it done knowing what would happen if she made a slight mistake.

Octavia let her eyes wander around the elegant bedroom which had a huge king-sized bed and a closet filled only with limited edition wears and Tailored dresses. Octavia was simply living the life of royalty.

Her gaze finally settled on the paper next to the bed. She picked it up and inspected the old and rough sketch on it, at the bottom of the paper were the initials 'D.L' boldly written in cursive handwriting.

The corners of Octavia's mouth quirked up in a creepy smile as she stared at the paper. "Thank you for being such a Genius Little Sis" she grinned and placed it down on the table before walking into the bathroom.