Imperfect Cinderella

Chapter 01

December 24th, a cold night indeed, as cold as my shoulders, despite having multiple layers of coats the breeze still pierces through my leather protector. I could still feel the freezing winds on my heart as well.

Christmas Eve, well, looking around me right now, walking at the shopping area, couples, couples everywhere, for every single couple I saw with their hands clasped, it shot an ice arrow right through my heart, who never had a girlfriend before.

I am just a regular guy from village, after finished my higher education at the university near my hometown, I moved here to the city, on a whim. Without even thinking else other than to try my luck at the economical capital. Yet, it seems that was backfired.
My parent offered me to take over our farm, but I am here instead, working as an assistant producer at 346 Productions, they produces idols nationwide. What are they? Idols? I don't know much about them though, but I guess it would be a thing for my management degree from the college.

"Might as well grab some food and head home," I murmured.

I just worked for a moment today, Christmas events are everywhere for our idols, but for my job it was much lighter. And so I'm on my way home now through this usual path, and thinking what should I give myself for Christmas, I've always wanted a new camera actually.

Right after I feast my eyes with their expensive price tags, my eyes noticed a reflection of a woman behind me from the clear glass of camera shop.
Yet she is not standing, I wonder why someone stumbles there at the corner.

I turned my head to look at the brown-coated woman, looking at her for several seconds, I realized people are too busy with their own things, it's still unchanged even after I'm standing beside her.

"Excuse me, miss? Are you okay?" I lower my body to talk to her, but the silence is louder than her voice.
"Um, should I call someone? Ambulance?" I reached my hand to her, she turns her face to mine, our eyes met.

"Ah... I... I'm okay.... I just broke my heel..." That woman tries to stand up by herself, only to lose her balance and I ended up holding her arm.
"Whoa, you okay? Can you walk?"
"It's okay sir... I can..." that woman stood by herself, while regaining her balance, she thanked me and walk away, but not even ten meters passed, she is on the ground again.

"Hey, miss! You okay?"
"Ah, um, don't worry about me..."
"Come on, let me help you, let's sit there for a moment," I pointed to an empty bench near the fountain. She just silent and agrees as I hold her arm towards the wooden seat.

"Ah, it's completely broke," I inspect her left high heel for the damage, the glue was off, the heel now only held by a layer of silver fake leather.
"This seems repairable, I wonder if there's a cobbler open around here at this time." I said to her and looking at my surrounding.

"Ah, sir, its fine, I... I plan to throw it anyway".
"Eh? Why? This is not your favorite?" I wondered.
"No, I even just bought that today, I never had heels once before, I guess... I really am not suitable."
"But, this looks expensive..."
"It's okay sir, it can't be helped," the woman procured an used shoes from the bag she's been holding.

Ah, so it contains her used shoes inside the new box, but this seems wrong.
"Well... sir... can I have that half please? I shall get going," she stands up in front of me after wearing her black shoes.

"Wait a minute! Miss, would you wait here? Give me five minutes,"
"What do you mean?" She asks.
"Just... stay here, wait for me!" I pushed her back to the bench as my eyes pointed to a shop.
"I'll be back! Wait for me!" I dashed to that shop without hesitation.

Around 15 minutes later, I run towards her, yes I said to her for five yet I came in 15, but thankfully, she still sits there and rubbing her palms.