Once Upon a Star

Chapter 6

Mr. Andy Choi, one of the building’s officers responsible for client-related affairs, showed Hanna some documents. “These are the documents related to the ownership of the unit your father owns which is Unit 2302; contracts, payments, bills, and whatsoever. They’re all documented, and stored in our database. We got a phone call yesterday from Mr. George Lee, a lawyer representing ACE Lending Company, and he sent us some documents signed by your father, Mr. Edward Park,” Mr. Choi discussed as he showed more documents.

Hanna took all the documents and scanned them. [Closer] “Apparently, your father’s unit was pledged as collateral when he borrowed money from that lending company. And, according to their documents, they will be taking the unit next month. Mr. Lee also told me that they sent you a letter to inform you. Did you receive it?” Mr. Choi asked Hanna as she stared blankly with her tears falling down.

Mr. Choi saw Hanna’s tears and immediately looked for tissue; Hanna heard him and wiped her tears. “Yes, I received the letter, I was informed,” Hanna said in a shaking voice. Mr. Choi handed her some tissue, Hanna looked at the tissue and took it. Hanna can’t look Mr. Choi in his eyes, “Go ahead,” he told her as he fixed his eyeglasses. Hanna burst out in tears.

“I’m sorry but you’ll have to leave by the end of this month,” Hanna repeatedly thought and kept crying in the balcony. Sean was leaning on the wall with a serious face, thinking deeply.

“What happened to your eyes?” Debby asked as she sat with her best friend in the bleachers. “What’s wrong with my eyes?” Hanna asked, “They’re… Swollen,” Debby answered. Hanna looked away and watched the soccer game. “Debby,” Hanna called her, Debby looked at Hanna and waited for her to finish. “What if I lose everything, will you still want me as your best friend?” she asked Debby.

“What are you talking about?” Debby asked her back; Hanna remained quiet, waiting for Debby’s answer. Debby held Hanna’s hands, “I will always be here for you, Hanna. Keep that in mind,” Debby told her.

[Genie Acoustic] Hanna was looking around the condominium unit her father bought for them. “All the memories, they’ll all remain in my memory, in my heart, in my mind,” Hanna thought as she remembered every part of the unit. Not long, the door bell rang.

They sat in the living room, and silence filled the room. “I am sorry to inform you Ms. Park that you’ll have to leave today,” Mr. George Lee broke the silence. Mr. Choi was just sitting there quietly, as he cannot do anything. Hanna nodded. “This unit, Unit 2302, and everything in it, now belongs to ACE Lending Company. Just to let you know, this unit will be sold in the market to pay off your father’s debts,” he went on.

Mr. Lee gave Hanna a document, “You should keep this, to certify that the unit has been owned by the company, and that your father’s debts have been paid off,” said Mr. Lee as he handed it to Hanna. Hanna took the envelope and hugged it. “I… I know you have a sister; may I ask where she is?” Mr. Lee asked, “I don’t know. She never came back,” Hanna answered in a low voice. Mr. Choi looked at Hanna, “Can’t you just let her stay here until the unit gets sold?” Mr. Choi asked. “I’m sorry but we can’t, the company won’t allow it,” Mr. Lee said and looked at Hanna. “I’m so sorry,” he told Hanna.

Sean opened his door and was about to go out when he heard people outside. He held the door partly open and listened to the conversation. “The pass code has been changed,” Mr. Lee stated as he placed a note on the door. “We’ll be leaving now Ms. Park,” Mr. Lee said and walked to the elevator with Mr. Choi. “Wait for me Hanna,” Mr. Choi told her.

Hanna looked at the unit’s door with teary eyes. “Where should I go now? Why is this happening? Have I not been good? Have I done something wrong? I… can’t handle this by myself. Papa, Jenny… Where are you? I don’t know what to do,” she said as she cried. Sean heard them, and he also heard the crying of a vulnerable girl who cannot handle what was happening.

“How can this universe be too cruel?” Hanna asked herself as she cried. She slowly sat down, hugged her knees and put her face on her legs and cried hard beside her suit case. Sean opened his door and stood outside, only to see a crying Hanna. Hanna heard the door closed, and she knew someone was there. She wiped her tears and stood up, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb…” she uttered and saw Sean looking at her.

Hanna was surprised. “Didn’t you live on the 16th floor?” she whispered as she cried. Hanna slowly walked to him, “Are you…” Sean uttered when Hanna suddenly asked, “Can I hug you? I really need someone to cry on right now,” Sean remained quiet; Hanna then slowly hugged him and cried. Hanna cried real hard that she found it difficult to breathe, and lost consciousness. Sean immediately caught her the moment he knew she lost consciousness.

Hanna slowly opened her eyes, and saw the ceiling. She recalled what had happened before she lost consciousness, “I… I was hugging…” she whispered and suddenly sat up. She looked around, “Where am I?” she asked herself. Then when she looked behind her, she saw Sean looking at her. She sat properly and looked at Sean. “I… I’m sorry for hugging you awhile ago, I… I better go now. Thank you,” Hanna said and stood up. She took her suit case and walked to the door. “Where are you going?” Sean asked her in a loud and deep voice.

Hanna stopped. Sean stood up and went to where Hanna was standing, and looked at her. They went back to the living room. Hanna was sitting properly, while Sean crossed his legs and looked down at the table with a serious face. “Mr. Choi came for you,” Sean said as he looked at Hanna. Hanna looked at Sean, and felt shy. “He said he wanted to talk to you in his office,” Sean added. “Oh,” uttered Hanna. Hanna stood up and took her suit case; she walked and stopped beside Sean.