Once Upon a Star

Chapter 18

*roof top*

“Why didn’t you tell me that you were the son of the CEO?” Jenny asked Stanley, looking upset. “I… I wanted to befriend you, I thought people won’t befriend me if they knew I was the son of the highest person in this company,” Stanley explained. Jenny faced Stanley with teary eyes. “But you tricked me,” said Jenny. “I would tell you, I was waiting for the right time,” he explained again. Stanley went to Jenny and held her arms. “Please, trust me,” he told Jenny.

Jenny walked away from him. “The first time I saw you, I wanted to meet you, and I wanted to know you,” Stanley said in a loud voice. Jenny stopped walking and listened. “My father said a lot of good things about you, and that he actually liked you. But I had to fly to Australia; I had to sort things out there for my father. He told me that he will help me with you, so that I can know you more. He was planning on fixing my marriage with you, I had no problems with that, you were really suitable for me. But then he told me, he can’t force it; that it was something beyond his control. I quickly did what I had to do in Australia, I followed everything he wanted me to do but still, he cannot help me,” Stanley explained as he walked closer to Jenny.

“Then I realized, I had to go back, I had to meet you for myself. I had to know you personally, I had to win you by effort, by action, and… by love,” Stanley said as his eyes became teary. “I’m sorry if I hurt you for not telling you who I really was. I knew I should’ve done that on the first place, but I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable around me. I’m sorry. Please don’t get mad at my father. It was really nice meeting you, Jenny. The like I felt grew to something bigger, and much better than what I felt before. I also promised my father that if I failed in winning your heart, he would send me back to Australia to manage our business. I agreed, just so he would let me come back and win you. But… I failed,” Stanley explained.

Hanna was walking when she thought of visiting her father and Sean’s mother. “I came by surprise, I came from the mall and thought of passing by here,” Hanna said as she peeled apples for her father and Grace. “How’s Sean?” Grace asked her as she smiled, “He’s doing fine… But there was this one time when he was… (I can’t make auntie worry) sick,” Hanna said as she peeled. “What happened to him?” asked Grace with concern. “Don’t worry, he’s doing fine now,” Hanna smiled as she held Grace’s hand. “Do take care of him for me,” she pleaded. Hanna nodded and smiled.

Hanna went back home and called for Sean. “Sean?” Hanna called and looked for him. Hanna opened Sean’s room and saw him. She immediately ran beside him and felt his temperature. “Sean? Are you not feeling well again?” Sean looked at Hanna as he caught his breath. Sean took Hanna’s hand and held it. Hanna took her phone and called Ian.

Ian injected the syringe and covered the small wound left. Ian looked at Hanna who was very worried, “At least you’re not panicking now,” Ian said as he removed his glove. “Why is he being like this? He didn’t even go out, he stayed inside all day, I think…” Hanna said. Ian took a deep breath, “Can we talk outside?” Ian asked him.

They sat in the living room and remained silent. “His father visited him today,” Ian told Hanna. Hanna looked at him, “How did you know?” she asked him. “His father is my brother, he called me and told me that he visited Sean, and that he was doing fine, and that he looked well,” Ian explained as he laid his back on the couch. “You’re probably confused now,” he told her. “I’m Sean’s uncle, and also, Sean’s personal doctor. I know his medical history since birth,” he told Hanna. “Then can you please explain me what’s happening to him?” Hanna asked with teary eyes.

“Sean… He…” uttered Ian, as he took another deep breath; “He has this heart condition,” answered Ian as Hanna’s tears fell. “It’s not really that bad, but it’s also not the condition to be disregarded. Extreme physical activities like sports, running for too long, just so they were done for a long time without resting, they can trigger the condition Sean has,” Ian explained. “But he didn’t do anything these past few days, I restricted him to do so, as you advised,” Hanna told Ian with confusion.

“He was given medicines to take to prevent the occurrence of the condition, and vitamins as well to keep him stronger. He hasn’t been taking them ever since he felt depressed because of his family, that’s when he needed the medicines the most, depression or any emotional instability can also trigger the condition,” Ian told Hanna. “But why wouldn’t he take his medicines?” Hanna asked as she wept. “Rebellion; he’s holding this grudge towards his father, and…” Ian uttered, “Stepmother…” Hanna uttered as she gently cried and wiped her tears.

“Exactly… How did you…” Ian was about to ask, “I met his mother,” Hanna said and looked at Ian. “If you want him to get well, make him take his medicines. I know he’d listen to you, you told me he took the medicine when you told him to. You have to remind him. You also have to eliminate bad emotions from him,” Ian advised Hanna. Hanna watched Sean sleeping as she sat on the floor. “Maybe it’s time for me to make you happy, to give you your happiness,” Hanna whispered as she held his hand.

Jenny went out of the company. Stanley stood outside and waited for her, he saw her and waved. “I’m so sorry, but the condominium unit was sold,” the sales representative told them. “That unit meant a lot to my family,” Jenny told Stanley. Stanley held her hand, “I know,” he told her.

“Is there something bothering you?” Hanna asked Sean as they stood outside the balcony. Hanna hugged Sean’s back, “I know there is,” Hanna told him. “It’s nothing,” he told her. “If it’s nothing, then it’s definitely something,” Hanna said and looked at Sean. Sean took Hanna’s hands off and faced her. He hugged her and said, “I’m fine, I assure you,” he told her.

Hanna woke up alone in Sean’s room. “Where did he go?” Hanna asked as she stood up and looked for Sean. “Good morning! Eat breakfast! I just went somewhere, don’t wait for me,” a note said. Hanna took the note from the dining table and ate breakfast. “Take your medicines, okay? And don’t exhaust yourself, please” Hanna sent Sean a text message.

Hanna stood outside a big company and looked at the address she was holding. “Why would you want to know?” Ian asked Hanna, “I’m following your advice,” Hanna told Ian. “Very well then,” Ian said and gave the address. “This must be it,” Hanna said and entered.