Once Upon a Star

Chapter 9

“I told you to rest,” Sean reminded her. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Your friends… They’re worrying about you,” he added. Hanna was outside the balcony, watching the stars in the sky. Sean went to the balcony and placed a jacket on Hanna. Hanna looked at him, he looked at her; Hanna looked away.

Sean looked at the night sky, “You should tell them your problems, they’re your friends,” Sean told Hanna. Hanna looked at Sean, “They won’t understand,” she told him. Sean faced Hanna, “They don’t have to understand. They just have to know. They need answers to their questions, Hanna,” Sean claimed. “I’m afraid to lose them; they’re my only friends,” Hanna told Sean. “I’m not your friend; but did you lose me when I found out?” Sean asked Hanna. Hanna suddenly looked at Sean, “Think about it and, stop talking to the stars, they can’t hear you,” he added.

“They can hear me, I know it,” Hanna said with a smile, and then she looked at Sean with his serious eyes looking at her. Her smile faded away, she heard her heartbeats again. “I think I should go in now…” she said and walked. Sean grabbed her arm, “If you tell Debby, will she let you move to their place?” Sean asked Hanna.

Hanna looked at Sean, “I’ll look for another place to stay at, I’m not going to stay here for too long, don’t worry,” Hanna assured Sean. Sean let go of her and looked at her, “Goodnight,” Sean told her and went ahead.

Sean was sitting up on his bed, looking at some documents. He placed them on his lap. “The unit is being sold in the market right now. Some sources said that the unit was being sold to pay off some debts of the previous owner. The previous owner was Mr. Edward Park, apparently the borrower of the money; he used the unit as collateral for the debts he made, particularly at ACE Lending Company. He used to live there with his two daughters, Jenny Park and Hanna Park. The unit has been evacuated since last month. And, sir, the unit is right next to yours,” Dave explained.

“Mr. Edward Park didn’t run away from paying the bills, he didn’t disappear nor hide; he was actually hospitalized since last year. He’s currently admitted at Lourdes Medical Center. He was diagnosed with Tuberculosis and advised to stay in the hospital for observations. As for Ms. Jenny Park, she works in a law firm owned by your godfather Mr. Richard Cha. It’s been said that she was working to pay the debts as well; she was paying the debts her father made with Lily Lending Corporation. Jenny’s the one paying the bills of the hospital right now too. She owns a small apartment near the law firm.

“Mr. Edward Park was a business tycoon, but then he got sick, and some of his affiliates betrayed him, that’s why he ended up like this. Lara Park, the deceased wife of Mr. Park died of pneumonia, causing Mr. Park a great loss,” Dave reported. Sean kept the documents in his vault and went back to bed. “It must be very difficult for her,” he whispered.

Hanna was watering the plants, “There, you’re all fresh now,” said Hanna as she stood up and saw Sean sitting in the living room. Hanna sat with Sean in the living room, Sean wore a serious face, and he was thinking deeply.

“Aside from your sister, who else do you have in your family?” Sean asked then looked at Hanna. Hanna looked at Sean and then at the table, “I… I have a father,” she answered. Hanna looked back at Sean, “But, I don’t know where he is right now. It’s been almost two years since he left us,” she went on. “I’d rather think that he’s hiding from his debts, instead of hiding from us because he didn’t want to hurt us, because of who he is right now, and because he thought we hated him,” Hanna went on as started to cry.

“I hated him, but through hating him I realized that I only love him more,” Hanna said as she cried in front of Sean. She smiled and cried at him, how painful could that be. “We were actually well-off back then, and then my father’s business went down. He lost a lot back then, his business and most especially, mom. My mom got really sick and was hospitalized, but she didn’t make it,” Hanna said as she wiped her tears.

“I’m sorry for crying in front of you,” said Hanna and she forced a smile on her face. “I think I should tell Debby, you’re right. I can’t carry this burden by myself,” Hanna told Sean. Sean was on the phone with someone, “Really?” he smiled, “Then I’ll see you real soon,” he said and hanged up. “Nothing hurts more to see someone crying in front you, and you just stay still, because you can’t do anything.”

“Can you teach me how?” Debby asked Hanna as she watched Hanna do their assignments right after they’re given. “I should come over to your place so you can teach me!” Debby happily told Hanna. Hanna stopped, and then slowly, she looked at Debby with teary eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Debby asked Hanna with concern as she hugged her. “I thought you won’t understand, I thought you wouldn’t want me anymore, I thought you’d leave me,” Hanna said as she cried. “Foolish, I’m your best friend; why would I desert you?” said Debby as she cried and comforted her best friend.

Hanna went back to the unit and stood in front of 2302. She smiled at the unit’s door, where she used to live at. She went to Sean’s unit and looked at the door, then at the electronic lock. She thought and smiled, and then she entered the pass code; the door opened and she got in. She saw Sean at the balcony, and went there.

“I already told Debby,” Hanna told Sean. “She was very worried, and…” she went on. “She offered me to stay at their place,” she said. Sean stopped looking at the sky, and turned his attention to Hanna. They were looking at each other. “Thank you so much for looking after me,” Hanna said and bowed. She walked to the glass door when Sean grabbed her arm. Hanna stopped, and looked at Sean.