Have you ever reached the stars?

Chapter 1

Hope

I completely lose track of time when I work. I love my job and I try to be as productive as I can each day. It doesn't make any difference to me if a project is meant for a big client or just a small brand. I've been working here for the past seven years and I really feel that this is my time to shine. The time to become head of my department has come and although I'm sick of hearing things like she's too young, she is a woman and other stupid misconceptions, I try to remain focused on my goal.

I have been working hard on this particular project, which will define my fate in the company. I have only showed the presentation to Nick, who was the one who introduced me to my boss. Nick and I met at university and we've been great friends ever since. I trust him and I always ask for advice when I am in the process of something big. He has great taste and he's always been honest with me.

Checking my phone, I realize it's a quarter to five and if I don't get going, I will be late. I promised to pick up my mom and head to my dad's exhibition together. I admire my father's creativity and I'm his greatest fan. His photographs are all so artistic, so unique and seem so lively that you feel like you can be transported in the place they show once you look at them. This time though, he hasn't said a word about what he has been working on. It must be something very special because he is always so open about his work and asks for our opinion.

We used to be very close, do many things together but ever since I moved in with Oliver, it's difficult for me to be in the city all the time. I know my parents don't really approve of my relationship with Oliver but they try to hide it. I get that it seems strange to them that I decided to be with a man ten years older than me, move to the suburbs and act like we are married but the truth is I was so tired and disappointed from bad dates, men who don't know what they want or just need a onetime thing.

I met Oliver outside a pub. I was meeting my friends for a drink after work and when I left the place, I was met with a downpour. I had to walk a few blocks to the station and I didn't have an umbrella. Placing my handbag over my head, I started running when I bumped into him. He smiled at me and offered to share his umbrella. We talked the whole way to the station and when the rain finally stopped we stared at each other silently.

He was so handsome but what made him stand out in my eyes was the way he treated me. We went out on five dates before he finally kissed me. Always kind, thoughtful but very serious. He prefers dinner parties with his colleagues over drinks with friends, holidays in his brother's place in France over travelling in different countries every year, staying in on a Saturday night watching a documentary over going to the movies, reading his newspaper over breakfast on Sundays than going for a picnic in the park nearby. You can't have it all though, can you?

He makes sure we have a comfortable life and although I contribute to the expenses he makes a fuss about it. He always says that he wants to take care of me, to provide for everything but I am not used to being spoiled. That's the only reason we are fighting from time to time. I am used to earning my money and spend it as I wish since a young age and when I am talking about equality, I mean it.

My parents are afraid that I will regret committing to one man and that I haven't lived my life to the full. They used to scold me for studying too much instead of partying when I was at school. I've been responsible and a realist ever since I remember myself. The only wild thing I've ever done is a small tattoo when I was 22. That was the last time I got drunk and let my friend Sandra talk me into anything.

Sandra is five months older than me. She was born in Serajevo and was among the hundreds of kids that lost their parents during the war thirty years ago. John, my godfather and my mother's best friend decided to adopt her and provide a better life for her in London. I love her as a sister and as much as it hurts me that she doesn't get along with Oliver as well, I appreciate her honesty. She always offers her advice and points out my mistakes without holding back or trying to sugarcoat the pill.