Cinderella And The Beast

"Knock"

"Knock

"Knock"

Cinderella knocked repeatedly on the door. However, there was no response from inside. Just as the ponytailed girl was about to knock again, the door suddenly opened to reveal a middle-aged woman.

"Why are you coming home so late at night? You must have spent some time with that guy!!! Where's the money you promised!" snapped Laras-Cinderella's stepmother. 

Cinderella took out some red pieces of paper from her pocket. "This is Ma. Sorry, that's all Cinderella got, I didn't receive anything from them. Remember, I'm just a friend with them Ma. Sorry if the money isn't enough." Cinderella bowed her head. 

From behind appeared Odelia still in her work shirt approaching her biological mother and half-sister who were busy arguing. "What's going on at this time of night?" Before they could answer Odelia said, "It must be because of you, Cinderella!"

Cinderella bravely straightened up and looked back. "It's not like that. I didn't mean to cause trouble, sis."

"Don't call me Sis. We're half-sisters. Don't expect me to consider you and don't ever claim to be your sister in public!" snapped Odelia in a high tone, "otherwise I'll do anything to your father," threatened Odelia with a smirk.

Cinderella squeezed her skirt hard. Cold sweat continued to pour down her forehead. Cinderella's heart was in turmoil, if Odelia had said something like this, Cinderella was sure that something had happened to her father. 

"Where is dad now?" asked Cinderella with teary eyes. 

Still with her smirking smile, Odelia turned to Laras - Odelia's biological mother. "Just ask mom."

Cinderella shifted her gaze from Odelia to Laras. "Please, answer honestly mom, where is dad now?" 

Laras gave her stepdaughter a stern look. "Are you accusing me?" 

Cinderella fought back her tears by closing her eyes. In a hoarse voice she said, "please Ma, Sis, answer Ella where is daddy?"

Odelia rolled her eyes in disgust, she was forced to tell the truth that Junaedi-her stepfather had died. 

Cinderella's attempts to hold back her sobs ended in vain when she heard the news that her father had died after being pushed by her stepmother from the third floor. 

How could that be? Where were the neighbors in this housing complex? Of course it's natural that they live in an elite housing complex, but caring is difficult.

"Then where is father's body now?" asked Cinderella resignedly. 

"The river near the cafe you work at," Laras replied lightly. 

Without thinking, Cinderella called the police. Did she want to complain about her mother who had killed her father? Of course not, what's on her mind right now is that her father's body can be found and given a proper burial. 

After 15 minutes, the police arrived and interrogated Cinderella. Cinderella answered as best she could. 

That night, the Search and Rescue team also intervened in the search for the body of Mr. Junaedi - Cinderella's father.

***

That morning, the sun's rays broke through the vents creating a glare for anyone who looked, including Cinderella who was still wrapped in a blanket. 

With stumbling steps, Cinderella headed to the bathroom to wash her face. After that she prepared breakfast for Laras and Odelia.

Without waiting long, Cinderella immediately knocked on Odelia's room and then continued to Laras' room. They seemed to eat in harmony even though it was punctuated by a little small commotion just because Cinderella was sitting at the same table as her stepsister and stepmother. 

After feeding the worms in her stomach, Cinderella immediately rushed to river x, the place where Laras had dumped Junaedi's body because she had received news that her father-Junaedi-had been found.

The sad news spread so fast that Rikho, Chiko, and Luna also heard it.

The body was scheduled to be buried at 10am. The magnificent house complete with Javanese oriental which was usually full of laughter even though it was fake was now shrouded in tears. 

At the funeral x Cinderella was still faithfully standing in front of her father's grave accompanied by Odelia, Laras, Rikho, Chiko, and Luna. 

Odelia and Laras had hidden their small grins because they had managed to get rid of Junaedi and control the property after Junaedi's death. 

The traces of Odelia and Laras' departure still lingered. Cinderella had not yet left her father's grave, she was still reciting prayers with Rikho, Chiko and Luna.

"Already La, let your father go. Inshallah he is placed in the best place by his side," comforted Rikho while stroking Cinderella's shoulder.

Chiko shifted Cinderella's gaze from Junaedi's grave to look at her. "Listen to me La even if your family doesn't care about you, we are always there for you." 

Luna who had been silent. Unable to comfort her friend, she could only stare at Cinderella intently, trying to convince her that she would always be by Cinderella's side no matter what.

Cinderella nodded and smiled slightly at the extra attention from her friends. Yes, Cinderella had to get back up and stand on her own feet, not wanting to waste her best friend's kindness. 

"Ok, let's go home," said Cinderella with her spirit back.

Rikho, Chiko, and Luna smiled happily as they were able to bring their friend back from the brink. They escorted Cinderella home. 

When they arrived at Cinderella's house, they didn't get a warm welcome, but a cold and horrible aura coming from Laras and Odelia. 

Just as Cinderella set foot in front of the house, there was already a suitcase containing her belongings. Rikho, Chiko, and Luna understood very well that their best friend was being evicted from her own home. However, Cinderella didn't just give up. 

The door had just been knocked, and there was already a response from inside as if the person inside was waiting for Cinderella's arrival. 

Odelia folded her arms over her chest. Ready to spray Cinderella with scathing words. "Did you just get home?" asked Odelia curtly, "You don't need to show off your sadness in front of me. I'm fed up."

"I know you don't like me and neither does my mother, but I'm still part of this family even though my father is gone. I still have the right to live here," Cinderella said.

Odelia smiled wryly. "Yes, but not anymore because the land title has been transferred to my mother's name 'Laras Nugroho'," Odelia retorted. 

Cinderella let out a harsh sigh. She couldn't understand her half-sister. "Then why did you spread nails on the road to the extent that Rikho and Chiko's car tires were punctured."

Rikho and Chiko frowned with gaping lips. Still in shock at what Cinderella had said.

Odelia shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know why you asked me."

Cinderella chuckled in annoyance. "Sis."

"It's okay La. We're sincere," Rikho and Chiko said with thin smiles that never faded. 

Cinderella turned to Rikho and Chiko and returned the twins' smiles. "But I feel guilty for making you uncomfortable, Chik, Rikh." Cinderella looked down. Not daring to look at the two burly boys in front of her. 

"This is purely your sister Odelia's fault, La, so you don't have to feel guilty," Luna added soothingly. 

Rikho cleared his throat. "Yes, La. You don't have to feel guilty," said Chiko. 

Odelia, who overheard the conversation, was disgusted. She did not hesitate to slam the door. "Too much," said Odelia, who had entered the house. 

"Whoops, there's a tiger on the loose," said Chiko, creating a roar of laughter.

Cinderella instantly stopped her laughter. She realized she now had no shelter. So, what was Cinderella's next plan? Sleep on the side of the road? A storefront? Or hitchhiking with Rikho and Chiko is out of the question, right?