Twisted Fate

The Ball

I was five years old when I lost my parents in a domestic accident. After that, I was sent to an orphanage and stayed there until I was old enough to leave.

Ten years have passed since I left the orphanage (and luckily, with time, I've erased most of my memories from that horrible place). After I left, I got a full-time job at a coffee shop and managed to pay my college tuition, which helped me get a job at a well-known publishing company.

Five years ago I started as a receptionist, and through the years I became the CEO's secretary. Mr. McAdams is very strict when it comes to negotiations; he taught me how to handle them soon after his second daughter was born, so now I'm the one handling meetings at balls or art galleries.

"This week you have two important events, Abby," he said, holding out two invitations. I took them and looked at them quickly.

"The museum gala? But Mr. McAdams, that's your favorite!" He smiled at me.

"Can't go. It's Fiorenza's ballet presentation." He turned around and grabbed a big box. "Abby, you know I consider you my own daughter." He handed me the box. "I know you'll do great at the ball." He gave me a fatherly look while I opened it. Inside was a satin, dark green evening dress.

"Oh, Mr. McAdams." I was speechless. "I could never accept something like this," I said, looking at him.

"Abby, this negotiation is one of the most important ones this year, and I'm sure you can handle it perfectly." He grabbed his coat and briefcase. "Now, kid, I need to get going to another meeting, and with luck I'll be on time to pick up your little sister." He kissed my forehead and left me alone in his office.

Mr. McAdams had always given me advice, ever since I started working there. He motivated me to get promoted, and I finally made it to secretary. Now he was trusting me with one of our most important clients, to negotiate a new book deal. Of course, every time he left, I was in charge of rescheduling his appointments and making basic decisions throughout the day.

During lunch I was taking pictures in the park in front of the company building when suddenly something unexpected happened.

"Careful!" a man said, pulling me behind the bushes. He wrapped his arms around me so I wouldn't hit my head, then put a finger to his lips. "Shhh," he whispered, looking around.

"He's gone. Let's go to the metro," another man said, glancing around before finally making his way to the station. The man who'd pulled me down was still on top of me, looking straight into my eyes as if he'd found something precious. His green eyes were, somehow, familiar. He looked around once more to make sure the other men were gone, then helped me stand up — carefully, until he noticed my camera lying broken on the grass.

"I'm sorry, princess," he said, picking it up. "I promise I'll make it up to you," he added, smiling as he pocketed the camera.

"Wait, what?" I said, surprised. "Princess?"

He looked at me and laughed, then glanced toward the metro station and started walking the opposite way.

"I'll find you again, princess!" he called as he left, my broken camera still in his hands.

"Hey! Wait!" I shouted, but he'd already disappeared from sight.

Princess. That word stuck in my mind for days. I just went about my daily life as usual until the night of the museum gala. That day, Mr. McAdams let me leave early to get ready for the ball. The dress fit me perfectly — I felt like Cinderella. He'd taken care of every detail of my outfit. I just smiled at my reflection.

Mike, Mr. McAdams's personal driver, picked me up and took me to the museum.

"I'll be outside waiting for you, Miss Abby," he said while driving.