In Search for a Glass Slipper

“Wes?” Mia whispered with a hesitant tone.

It wasn’t a trick of her imagination, nor was it a fleeting glimpse of her wish. Even though he’s wearing a mask over his face and a cap on his head, she could tell it was him by his voice.

Their gazes met, shock in hers and relief in his. She felt her heart bouncing with elation, almost as if revived. Without a word, he stepped closer and took the chair across from her, rainwater dripping from his jacket.

“You sure like to throw me off guard. I never thought I’d find you in my first attempt.”

She inhaled sharply. “Y-You came back to…?”

“To request a continuation of our conversation two days ago.” She could imagine him smirking behind the mask, his expression turning mischievous. “You owe me your phone number and a proper invitation card for the ball, my fairy godmother... Or should I say, princess?”

She stared, dumbfounded. “…E-Excuse m-me?”

“You know, like that bedtime story. The princess forgets her glass slipper, and the prince goes searching for her. Kinda like us, don’t you think?”

“Umm… E-Except we both forgot something, a-and we both searched for each other?”

“Even better.” His eyes sparkled and shone with wonder before softening. “Really, I'm glad. I can’t believe you’re here too.”

In other words, he came for the same reason as her.

The silence inside the café and the rhythm of the rain outside wrapped around them. Warmth spread inside her chest—a mix of exhilaration, comfort, and something very bright. Whatever had been lost in her carelessness was found in the most unexpected way.

They stayed around for a good fraction of time, both still no better than strangers yet somehow intimately familiar.

---

“N-No… P-Please, stop it, Wes…”

“Hmm~? What’s that, Mia?”

“I-I can’t… Y-You shouldn’t do this…”

“If you don’t say it clearly, I will not know.”

Mia shivered as Wes whispered in her ear in a low, husky voice. He placed his arms on both sides of her head, pinning her against the wall, their bodies mere inches apart. She squeaked and tried to slip away, but then froze as her eyes caught a breathtaking sight.

‘This is…’

His skin was flawless, his face beautifully symmetrical.

Seeing such features, she could not help but gape in utter amazement. Without those thick-rimmed glasses of his in the way, any shred of self-esteem she had left would have already crumbled.

‘Not a single blemish…’ Mia began to space out, reality slowly drifting away while Wes kept her backed into the corner.

“What's wrong, Mia?”

“I-I said don’t… D-Don’t do it…” she stammered, heat crawling up to her cheeks.

“Don’t do what~?”

He seemed to be fully enjoying himself, even when she squirmed and wriggled. They had to snap out of it; they couldn’t do something so shameless in public. Before they crossed the line, she had to grit her teeth and push him off her.

“I s-s-said…” In a rare show of exasperation, Mia puffed out her cheeks and chest. “...Don’t pay for me, Wes!”

Wes fell silent in an instant. His eyes rounded in awe before narrowing slightly, glistening with some emotion she couldn't quite name—yet still, the amusement remained. After a moment, he flashed a sly smirk at her.

“Don’t… Don’t laugh! I-I told you to save your money for later, and you already paid for my taxi on the way here. Now, p-please give me back my wallet…!”

He stifled a chuckle and quickly turned away, making her pout. It wasn't fair; he wasn't taking her seriously at all. She braced herself, reaching for the hand gripping her wallet, but he swiftly dodged and held it higher in the air.

“Ugh, Wes! Stop teasing me,” she grumbled, though it appeared to have done nothing but entertain him more. “T-This is so embarrassing... People are l-looking at us…’

Today, their makeover project commenced.

They had met up at the mall, and for a while, talked with a decorous distance between them. But things began to spiral out of control the second Wes declared, “I'll pay for everything. You can go ahead and choose whatever you want, Mia,” to which she fiercely opposed, finding the very idea outrageous. She argued that she could handle her own expenses.

‘I mean, neither of us is rich. He’s even wearing the same shirt and pants! I can't possibly let him spend money when this is all my plan,’ she thought, unable to bear the guilt. ‘And I prepared for this! I have the payment from my commission, and I can just take on more next weekend to make up for today.’

That was when they found themselves right in the middle of a clothing store. 

He insisted, but she still refused, and it led to him poking fun on her so she'd quit being stubborn. They seemed to have developed a close enough relationship to be bantering. While the progress gladdened her, she also couldn't help but panic inside, not at all used to such friendly teasing.

Suddenly, he cupped her cheeks and squished them gently, eyes wrinkling into a grin. “Do you really think I can’t do that much, Mia? I have to return the favor, you know, and nothing you say will stop me.”

“But, um… M-Maybe do it after Ms. Alice finally accepts you?”

“Does that mean we’ll see each other again?”

“W-Well, if you want...? B-But you really don’t have to-”

“Okay. Let’s go with that.”

Wes looked fairly satisfied, as if they'd already accomplished everything they needed for the day. Although it had been a week since their first meeting, she still couldn’t read him at all.

His words and actions were shrouded in mystery. Even a single look roused her curiosity. He left her wishing to learn more about him each time.

While she pondered this, he finally stepped back, returning her personal space.

“Excuse me. May I help you two?”

A store assistant came forward, stealing both their attention. Despite her polite tone, her smile seemed forced, as if she was keeping herself from voicing out, ‘Are you just going to fool around here all day and not buy anything?’ Then again, they haven't spared a glance at the displays since arriving.

“Y-Yes, ma’am! Uh, actually, we’re searching for the men’s section…” Mia gestured to her companion. “...Um, for clothes for him.”

“For him, huh…? Oh…”

As soon as the woman turned to Wes, her eyes widened a touch. It was subtle, yet unmistakable. Even though she tried to hide it, Mia saw through her. She even started to examine him from head to toe.

She appeared, frankly, a bit grossed out.

“I think you've got the wrong place. I mean, nothing here will suit him.”

“What?” she muttered, brows scrunching together. “N-No, we’re-”

“Why don’t you check the thrift shop? Their clothes should be decent enough,” the woman scoffed.

“H-Hold on, ma’am! We really are here to buy something, s-so please-”

“Have you looked around yet? We only sell fancy and branded stuff. I am doing you a favor, okay? The likes of you can’t possibly afford anything here. You'll be wasting your time.”

Any other day, Mia would admit that's true in her case. If she’s not with Wes, she wouldn't mind being cheap. Also, she wouldn't be this indignant if the insult was directed at her.

But she's here with a different purpose, and she couldn't endure the sight of him being wronged.

“You know what? Let’s just go,” she grunted and grabbed Wes by the wrist, ready to head out. ‘Sure, his mismatching outfit can be an eyesore, and his hair is all over the place. But that doesn't justify her outright belittling him. It’s wrong to do it so openly, especially to a customer-'

“Wait, Mia. We’re not leaving,” the person in question said suddenly, stopping Mia mid-step.