"Bumble bee, how was work today?" An older looking man asked as he walked up too a young woman, no older than sixteen. She had long brown hair that fell in the softest of waves down her back, her soft brown eyes sparkled as she looked up at the man who also had brown hair but much shorter and soft fatherly brown eyes.

" As usual, Papa. I had a couple in wanting their wedding in the smaller ballroom next year." She smiled up at her father. He smiled and pulled his daughter into his side to hug her with an arm around her shoulder.

" Now, I wanted to ask you. How is the Mr Charming's ball coming along?" He asked looking over the main ballroom as people were wondering around the room admiring it.

" Very well. I have fairy lights from on the ceiling to look like the stars. And, oh Papa you will just love the center pieces for the tables. I promise you this will be a night to remember." She spoke with so much enthusiasm, she was pretty much jumping around on the spot.

" You said that about last years one as well." Her father smiled down at her.

" I know, but this year I out done myself as it is his son's birthday party as well." She muttered with a subtle blush on her cheeks. She tried to hid it from her father but failed in doing so.

" Nathan! There you are. I have been looking all over for you, now come on. We must go and see the dress maker about our dresses and outfits." A shrilling voice sounded in the hall making her cringe and it slightly.

" Don't worry Ella. you will do amazingly, now I really must go before your stepmother guts me." He chuckled as he kissed Ella's forehead and walked away towards the large open doors.

" Oh Ella darling. You can go and get your dress when you are finished work." Her step mother told her, imply she did not want her their to ruin her time as just the four. Ella's step mother has to twin daughters. Both are almost exactly the same as each other, cruel and unforgiving. Her stepmother was no different. She would always excluded Ella from family outings such as now with the subtlest ways she could muster. the only reason she puts up with it all is for her father. After loosing her mother they both took it very hard, and now seeing her father happy makes her happy.

" Bye bumble bee." Her father called and Ella smiled back to him.

" Bye bye Papa."

____________

The classical music drifted through the hall as the band played while the guests to Mr Charming's annual ball chatted amongst themselves. Ella stood in a black ball gown which hugged her body with lace down to her hips where it gently cascaded down to the ground. The long black lace sleeves hugged her thin arms as her right hand held her black sparkling purse.

" Ah Ella, you look absolutely amazing tonight. And might I say, what a wonderful job you have done this year." Mr Charming spoke as he approached her from behind. Ella bowed her head softly and smiled to him.

" Thank you, Mr Charming. It is a special year this year so I thought I would go further than before."
 She told him as he nodded and looked around the room.

" Your father did say you where good at this kind of thing before hiring you. I did not believe him at first but over the past few years you have shown me other wise." He smiled to her as Ella thanked him once again. "Now I do have a question. Where is your father? I would like to speak with him about a business deal."

" Now that you mention it, I have no idea. He should have been here by now." Ella said as she looked into her purse for her phone. Seeing she had no missed calls or texts from him.

" Well when you find out give me a shout." Mr Charming said as he walked away from Ella as she dialed her father's number into her phone and put it to her ear. She waited as it rung until it went to answer machine. It was very unusual for her father to be late to anything, which caused Ella to worry that little bit more.

After an hour or so of the ball being underway, Mr Charming made his way up onto stage. He tapped the mic getting everyone's attention to him on stage.

" I would like to thank everyone for attending this years annual ball. I would like to thank Ella, for making this all possible. For the past three years she has been organizing these balls and each years she managed to stun me even more. Which Is why I would like to give her this award. For the best employee of the company this year." He smiled making everyone clap and cheer her on as she walked up onto the stage. She smiled as she was handed the crystal plaque with her name and other word inscribed onto it.

" Well, this is a shook. I would like to say a thanks to everyone who supported me after everything and those who gave me this chance. My father apologizes for not attending this evening, and I am sure if he was attending he would be delighted you all turned up." Just as she had finished speaking someone rushed up and on stage to Ella and began whispered in her ear. The words that drifted through the air and to her made everything stop. There was no chattering she could hear, only the sound of her heart pumping louder and louder. Her free hand moved up to cover her mouth as tears pooled up in her brown eyes. The crystal trophy dropped from her hands and fell to the ground, smashing as it hit. She stumbled back unable to keep herself balance as Mr Charming's son rushed forwards to catch her.

" I have to go." She muttered as she tried to walk off the stage followed by Mr Charming and his son.

" Kit, what is wrong with her?" Mr Charming asked his son who looked down at Ella. His black hair well styled and suited him well with his black and white suit. 

" Ella, What has happened?" Kit looked down to her as he stood over a head taller. He held her by her shoulders as she looked into his deep dark blue eyes. Her tear soaked face stuck a cord within him as she looked at him helplessly.

" My father, He's been in an accident." She muttered as she pulled away from him and turned around.

" I have to get to the hospital." She said as Kit walked up to her.

" You are not driving in this state, come on I will drive you there."

Kit drove Ella as quick as he could to the hospital, while Mr Charming said he would join them as soon as he could after he told everyone to enjoy the rest of the party. Once they arrived at the hospital Ella and Kit made their way to the desk and asked where her father was. Only then did they learn he was in theater. They were told to wait in the waiting room until a doctor came and informed them.

Time slowly tick on by, half an hour, an hour until two hours later. Mr Charming had arrive half an hour after they did all three sat in the waiting room, anxiously awaiting any news on him. Ella had managed to wind herself up so much she was now sleeping against Kit's side as his arm was over her shoulder's to comfort her.

" Miss Daniels?" A doctor called out as Ella jumped up from her sleeping and looked at the doctor who was just in his scrubs. He had an upset look on his face as he looked to the woman and two men standing behind her.

" Can we go somewhere privet?" The doctor asked as Ella shook her head, not wanting to delay this anymore. For she knew by the look on the doctors face, it was not good at all.

" No, tell me. Is my father alright?" Ella asked trying to be strong. The doctor sighed and shook his head.

" I'm sorry. We did all we could but, I am afraid your father passed away on the operating table." He spoke as Ella shook her head.

" No! Your lying You have to be lying!" Ella yelled at the doctor stepping forwards only to have Kit move forward and wrapped her into a tight embrace, which she fought against harshly. But alas, Kit was stronger than her and soon she gave up and cried into him. Her knees collapsed form her as she now looked to Kit to hold her up. 

" Why me, Why did he have to die?" She muttered through her loud un-forgetting cries of total saddness.