1. A not so Princess life

"Bye, loser!" Anastasia said as she walked out of the restaurant they were working. Her friend, Jasmine, who was walking the other way, gave her a finger that made her laugh more. They have been friends since they were in high school. They even worked in the same restaurant after they graduated. She shook her head and went to the other block to buy some cigarettes and noodles at a mini-grocery store for her boyfriend.

Anastasia was just like the other average woman who worked hard every day to live. At the age of twenty-five, she had a lot of experience already in life. She was only eight years old when her mother died of sickness. Since then, she has lived with her auntie, the only sister of her mother, who was ashamed of her. Her mother got pregnant without anyone knowing who the guy was. That was why her mother's family disowned them. Anastasia didn't have a place to go so she endured her auntie and cousins. Her cousins always bully her because of her smooth light brown skin tone and curly wavy hair. Unlike those who had fair white skin and long blonde hair.

But Anastasia's life was good when her mother was still alive. There was always laughter even though they were poor. Anastasia never thought of money because they were good. Her mother always told her that money was never important. As long as they ate three times a day, they were good. And though Anastasia never grew up with a father, her mother always read her princess's stories. Saying that there will always be a man who will give her a happily ever after life just like Cinderella.

Well, that was not what happened. Living with her auntie, Anastasia was no more than like Cinderella. She became their maid in exchange for her having food to eat and a house to live in. They also let her study in a public school, unlike them. But living with them was too much. They were constantly bullying her. Her auntie always strikes her for a simple reason. Like if she cannot swipe the floor because they had an exam. That was why Anastasia decided to leave the house and try to be independent. After she graduated from high school, she became a working student. She worked at night and studied during the day. But life was really too much for Anastasia.

In her second year, she decided to stop and work instead. There she meets her boyfriend, Marcus. He might not be like the prince charming Anastasia's mother was telling her. But she believed they two connected with each other. Marcus was good to her and made her feel loved. That was more important for her. In their first year of relationship, she decided to live together. But at that time, Marcus was laid off from his job. Since then, he became a delivery boy while Anastasia kept on working in the restaurant.

"Good evening, Fatima," Anastasia greeted the owner of the store and the cashier at the same time. In the daytime, there was a teen working there as a cashier. Anastasia worked here too, before she was hired in the restaurant.

Fatima was already in her sixties. But she was still strong and could kick out anyone who tried to harm her. She had thick-graded glasses and short hair that had bangs.

"Princess Anastasia. Are you going to buy your lazy boyfriend a cigarette again?" Fatima asked. She had been calling Anastasia a princess because she said her name was like a princess. But she was no Princess Anastasia.

"Shut up, Fatima. Marcus has a job," Fatima answered, laughing. She got three spicy noodles from the rack and Fatima took out a box of cigarettes that she usually bought.

"Yes. He is working on another pussy now."

Anastasia smirked. "Shut it out, Fatima. Will you? I'm tired." She put the noodles on the table counter and Fatima started checking them out.

"Sure. Whatever you say, Princess."

Anastasia just frowned at her because she called her princess again. But she only shook her head and did not say anything anymore. She paid for it and then said goodbye to Fatima. Their apartment was only two blocks away from her work. That was why she always walked to work. It was already nine in the evening, so she was sure that Marcus was already at their apartment.

"I'm here!" Anastasia said as she entered the house. She closed the door and looked around. She frowned because she immediately felt something weird. Her heart pumped like someone was draining her blood.

Nothing changed. Their sofa has Marcus's t-shirt and blanket. The ashtray was on the small table. It still had a cigarette stick that was still on. The window was still open and so the cold breeze of the night air was going in. Their apartment was studio type and had one room only. Anastasia went to the kitchen and put the plastic bag on top of the counter.

"Marcus?" she called. Anastasia removed her jacket and put it on the sofa. She then went to their room to check on Marcus and saw him there lying on the bed. He was already looking at the door like he was expecting him already.

Marcus has brown hair and blue eyes. Unlike her, he has fair skin. He was tall and lovable. He was like the charming prince that Anastasia always dreamed of.

"H-Hey! Ana. I didn't know you were here," Marcus said and laughed tensely.

"I've been calling for you. Why are you not answering?" She smiled and went to bed. But Marcus went away from her, which confused her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing! Everything is okay." Marcus smiled and tried to kiss Anastasia. But she pulled the blanket covering his body instead. "Whoa!"

Anastasia stood up and looked at Marcus, surprised. "What is the meaning of this? Why are you naked?"

"Whoa! Look." Marcus covered his body again and stood up. "I was about to sleep. You know this is how I usually sleep, right?"

But Anastasia had a different feeling. She looked around their room. Their wood cabinet wouldn't fit anyone.

"Anastasia. Come on. Let's go outside first." Marcus touched her arms but Anastasia pushed them.

She then went to the bathroom. No one was there. She also looked under their bed but still saw nothing there. She stood up and scanned their room. Marcus kept on bluffing and trying to get her attention. Then her heart stopped when she heard a small voice outside of their window. She immediately went there. There she saw a woman with blonde hair hanging on the side of the window. Trying to hide from Anastasia.