Author's notes: I'm glad that people are reading and enjoying this story so far. Here are a few more chapters.

Chapter 7

The next day, Serena went to the well but frowned when she found a note attached to the bucket handle. She took it off and read it carefully.

Cinderella,

I apologize for not being able to see you today. I am afraid I may not see you again for a while. My family is facing a crisis and I must stay home with them. Do not think I have abandoned you. You are one of the best things to ever happen to me. Stay safe. Until next time.

Derek

Serena's heart broke, but she held back her tears until after she attended to her stepfamily's needs for the morning. Stepmother allowed her to take Rae to the market unsupervised and she was relieved. She entered the carriage after Rae and sat across from her. The carriage began moving and Rae looked up at Serena. "What's the matter, Serena?" she asked with concern.

She showed Rae Derek's letter and began to cry as she read it. "I'm going to miss him so much. He's the best friend I've ever had."

Rae folded her arms after giving Serena the letter back. "Are you sure that he isn't more than a friend?" she asked bluntly.

Serena thought about it for a moment. "Maybe," she said softly.

"I think it's love," Rae said. "I saw the way he was looking at you. He'll come back to you if it's true love."

Serena nodded and looked out the window. She never thought of the possibility that she may have fallen in love with Derek. If she wasn't in love with him, then why did it hurt so much when she found out what he said in the note? I guess I have fallen in love with him. Even with this new revelation Serena wasn't sure if she believed what Rae said about him coming back. It's just too good to be true.

*******

Serena and Rae made it to the market within the next half hour. "A frown really doesn't look right on you," Rae commented as they exited the carriage. Serena looked at her in confusion. "Ann said that once and now I think it's true. Come on," she said taking her hand. "Chad will at least make you laugh." Rae led the way through the crowd to the center of town. She stopped suddenly and stared at a man playing guitar by the fountain. "There he is," Rae said excitedly.

Serena took a good look at the musician strumming away at his guitar. He was much different from the dream man that Rae described so long ago. He had long brown hair and a scruffy face. It was hard to tell how his body was built because he was sitting down, but the music he played was beautiful. "He seems charming," Serena said.

"Oh he is," Rae said giddily. They walked closer to him and were in front of him as he finished singing his song. "Hello Chad," Rae said as she curtsied in front of him.

"How many times must I tell you there's no need for formalities, Rae-Rae?" Chad said endearingly. "It's only me."

Rae blushed. "It's just force of habit. I want you to meet my stepsister, Serena."

Serena half bowed in front of him. "I've heard a lot about you," she said as she shook his hand.

"Is this the same stepsister I saw you yelling at to carry all of your shoes?"

Rae blushed in embarrassment. "I was wrong. We came to an understanding last night."

"Well you should treat her right," Chad exclaimed. "She's really pretty. She could get a man like me to fall for her."

"Excuse me?" Rae said with hands on her hips. Serena giggled at her stepsister's antics. "It's not funny, Cinderella!" Serena stopped giggling.

"I was just kidding you, Rae-Rae," Chad said quickly taking her hands into his own. "No one's more beautiful than you are and you've already stolen my heart."

Rae relaxed and smiled at him. "You need to warn me next time. You know I don't have a lot of patience for jokes like that."

"But that's what I like about you, Rae-Rae." Chad said gently. Serena watched the couple flirt happily. She felt a little hurt, but tried to hide it. "Why are you looking so glum, Serena?"

"She fell in love," Rae said excitedly. "But she found out she's not going to see him for a while."

Chad frowned. "How sad," he said picking up his guitar again. "It sounds like you need a song to cheer you up."

"I'd appreciate that," Serena said.

Chad started playing a simple melody before singing. "Oh Serena, you're not a ballerina." Serena smiled. "You're so pretty today, but not like my Rae-Rae." He winked at Rae causing her to laugh. "Cheer up my friend, it's not the end. Just wear a smile and you will make it for a while." He strummed a final chord and earned applause from Rae and Serena.

"Thank you so much, Chad," Serena said genuinely. "You've made my day."

Chad bowed humbly. "That's what I live to do."

Serena looked at the time on the big clock and gasped. "We'd better get going," she said.

Rae frowned and sighed. "I guess you're right. I don't want you in trouble with Mother because of me." She looked at Chad. "I'll miss you."

Chad took her hand in his and kissed it. "I'll miss you more, but I'll see you again soon." Rae nodded slowly.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Chad."

"The pleasure was all mine, Serena-rena." The girls waved at him before turning to walk towards the carriage.

*******

Serena and Rae arrived back home and entered the front door carefully. They were about to pass the den until a voice stopped them. "Where have you been?" Lady Beryl asked shrilly. The girls entered the den cautiously. "You've been gone for hours."

"We were at the market as I told you this morning, Mother," Rae answered.

Lady Beryl looked at them with disbelief. "Well where is the dress you were going to buy?"

Rae shifted uncomfortably. "Someone else bought the one I wanted already," she lied. "We looked everywhere for another one, but I didn't see one for my liking."

"Liar!" Lady Beryl shouted. "You didn't even take the money bag with you so how did you expect to pay for it?" Rae looked down in shame. "You forced this little wench to see that musician, didn't you?"

"Yes, Mother," Rae said still looking down at the ground.

"How dare you disobey me and talk with that commoner again, Rachel?" Lady Beryl shouted in Rae's face. "We are a dignified people and simply cannot be associated with people like him." Beryl turned her attention to Serena. "And to think you let her wander off! Just because you're a peasant does not mean you make my daughter act like one."

"She's not a peasant, Mother," Rae interrupted. "I made her to go into town with me and made her come with me to see Chad."

"Silence!" Beryl screeched as she slammed her fist onto a table. "Rachel Marie McFarland, you go to your room and stay in there until I tell you it's all right to come out. Now!" Rae bowed and exited the den quickly. "As for you, Cinderella you little wretch, you will be punished for not taking better care of my daughter. In addition to all of your daily chores, you will attend to every single personal need of either of my daughters from the moment they wake up to the moment they fall asleep. You will bathe them, clothe them, feed them, and do whatever else they ask of you. Is that understood?"

Serena sighed sadly. She wasn't sure things could get any worse, but at that moment it did. First she wasn't sure if she would see the man she loved ever again. And now this cruel punishment became a burden to her. "Yes, Stepmother," she said quietly.

"Now get out of my sight!" Beryl screamed. Serena obeyed and ran up the stairs to her room and locked her door before she cried herself to sleep.