Reaching The Brightest Star

PROLOGUE

“When will you come home?”

I heard the familiar voice over my laptop screen. It is my friend Isabella, face-timing me while I pack my stuff that I will bring to my home country.

It’s been six years since I started living here in Norway with my aunt to continue my degree in Medicine. I have faced struggles everyday; communicating, learning, and even going home. The place was huge but later on I got used to it.

Aunt Mercy, my mom’s sister, is an official resident of Norway. She was married to a Norwegian national but as fate had planned, she got widowed early. Her husband was badly ill and she never knew about that until she married him. All of his properties, wealth and businesses were inherited and passed on under her name as his husband doesn’t have any relatives left that are close to them. She went to a legal process and the law confirmed her entitlement.

She brought me here to continue my studies and achieve my dreams. She insisted that I went to a prestigious university and as she wished, I did. I already finished my internship and residency at the accredited hospital of the university I went to. I never planned to stay there because I want to go back to the Philippines and continue my specialized fellowship and work there permanently.

Yes, I still plan on coming back. It’s been way so long since I last remembered my hometown. Have there been many changes?

"Will you make it at the reunion party?" Isabella asked.

This is actually the main reason why I’m coming back. The reunion of our batch. The persistence of my friends has made its way to my attention because they all wanted to see me. Because of my hectic schedule, I am still making time for them for video calls and chats to communicate. We are all busy doing our things and I am so happy that we are still in touch with each other.

“Maybe, I don’t know. It depends on what time my flight will be.” I answered while facing my laptop screen.

I saw how her face changed its expression to sad. Even if she’s now married and aging, her baby face is still visible and I know that her husband is treating her well. I thought that she didn't want to get settled up, but I guess it was planned all along.

“Does it mean that you still didn’t book your ticket? My goodness! Four days left before the party and you’re still there.” She said on the other side of the screen.

A man sat down beside her which I already recognized as her husband, Oliver. I can see in their eyes how in love and happy they have been ever since. They have been married for four years now but I never saw them with a child of their own yet. It was my friend’s decision and we all respect that. Oliver waved his hand at me and I waved back as greetings. He is Marco’s friend but we’re not really close before.

“I told you already that I am very busy. I am helping my aunt launch her business.” I said.

The business that my aunt has been working on is just starting. She uses her husband’s money as planned before. I helped her in terms of promoting her ideas and business cards to all my friends and fellow workers at the hospital. Supporting her and staying on her side all the time as she expands it by buying stocks and lands. She also planned on taking her real estate outside the country wherein she will be able to be known by other developers and businesspeople.

“Excuse me, Chloe Scarlet. What do you know about real estate even though you took Medicine?” She asked sarcastically while rolling her eyes at me.

She doesn't actually believe that I have some knowledge about real estate. Living and being with my aunt for so long helps me cope and understand the business. As per my advantage, I am also surrounded by business minded people which aids my curiosity. I always observed and when there’s something that I didn’t understand, I always asked.

“So full of yourself, ha? Anyhow! Please! Come over. Be at the reunion party. Okay? I’ll meet you there.” How can I resist, if you show me your puppy eyes?

"Don't use that on me! That doesn't work!" I fought my laughter as I watched her doing her cute faces.

Oliver's arm was resting on my friend's shoulder and gave her a sweet peck on her lips. I saw her blushed rapidly and smiled wildly while looking at her dashing husband. I felt happy watching them.

I wish I could be treated like that someday.

Our video call lasted hours which I cannot remember exactly. I also finished packing and I lined them up to the side of my bedroom. Two big luggages and one hand carry bag. Out of all of my friends, Isabella is the only one whom I can talk to a lot. Knowing that she’s also a doctor, it seems that she has more free time than mine. While my other friends are busy dealing with their work and families. The duty and responsibilities of being an adult.

"Chloe, I bought you a ticket. Your flight is scheduled this Wednesday afternoon. Is it okay for you?" My aunt entered my messy room. I never expected that she would do my ticket booking online. She is very busy and it bothers me now that I know about her meetings and appointments for today.

First class?! This is way too much!

"Thank you is enough, my dear. No need to fuss. Don't worry about my appointments, you will always be my priority." She said, as she walked towards my direction and sat on the edge of my bed.

Wearing a sophisticated bodycon velvety black dress with a three inch gold pair of stilettos, she looked younger and more bossy. Even in her fifties, she looked stunning. Her hair swayed naturally because of the big curls. I sat beside her and held her soft hands

"Thank you for this Aunt, but you shouldn't have. I don't want to bother you at all." I smiled and hugged her tight.

"It's okay my darling, this is nothing. By the way, I bought you a condo unit in Manila two years ago, I don't remember if it was somewhere in Makati or Taguig and I named the title after you. You should stay there and I want you to check it out." I broke my embrace on her waist and looked at her with shock. She was smiling brightly while I was agitated by what she said.

“Aunt Mercy, you should not have done that. It was never necessary and I can always rent a cheap partition there. You don’t need to put my name on it because it was not mine in the first place.” I can’t avoid raising my voice at her right now.

It is so easy for her to buy everything she thinks I need. I don't want to be a burden to her. I want to prove that I can do this on my own. If Uncle Fred is still alive and witnessing this scenario, he would have told her the same.

I am being spoiled when it comes to her. 

“Chloe, I don’t have a child to spoil and give all my attention. I treat you as my own daughter, so please let me do it. I want to do it. I need to do it because you're my only family that's left." She said softly. I just let out a sigh of surrender.

She was never given a chance of having her own child. My mother died when she gave birth to my youngest sibling. Mom never woke up as per my father’s story even though the baby didn’t survive. My mother was healthy so I couldn't believe that it happened. I was left with my Dad and she stands as both my caring mother and strong father. In my second year in college, my father died because of lung cancer. He didn't even bother to tell me because he didn't want me to worry. I consider myself as a pest, too much pain and agony. I couldn’t do anything while I watched them dying in front of me one by one.

Aunt Mercy will never understand why I don’t want to accept everything she is giving me. She never experienced being on my feet because she grew up comfortably that's why she's being like this. It cost too much and I don't know how to repay her. Even though she said that I don’t need to pay her anything and that I should have not thought about it.

It is still not my money!

"I cannot do anything, Aunt. You never really consulted my permission at first. How can I repay you? I don't know how to thank you. I don't know if thanking you is enough." I sighed and shifted on my bed.

When I lived here, everything that I needed was supported by her. My education, my status, my home, and even being comfortable in this country. She made sure of that.

"You don't need to, dear. Just being here by my side when I need you is enough payment for everything." She said.

I just can't contain my happiness and gratitude right now. Because of her, I managed to achieve my greatest dream in life. I feel like I am content because of these achievements.

This was all I dreamed of. This was what I wanted and I did it. Finally, I did it.

After that commotion with my aunt, I called Gab to meet me. Gabriel Hansen has been my friend ever since I started studying here. He is a family friend of Andersen and my aunt introduced him to me. He is the only person that stays patient and calm even when times that we cannot understand each other, a language barrier. He is trilingual, speaking Norwegian, Danish and English. And sometimes learning Tagalog as well. I understand a little but it is still difficult for me when I speak that language for too long. He speaks mostly Norwegian to me and when I asked for translation he refused.

“Did I keep you waiting for so long?” That is Gab's voice.

I looked at him holding the backrest of the chair in front of me looking so dashingly handsome. Wearing a taupe trench coat with a fitted grey sweater inside, a chino that slightly hugged his legs and brown leather shoes. His hair was a bit messy that matches his looks. Manly but charming.

“Just a little.” I answered using his language.

He got shocked and widened his eyes while taking a seat, not breaking the gaze at me. I just smiled at his reaction and slightly laughed with humor in my eyes. I called the waiter immediately and ordered some caramel macchiato and americano for Gab.

"You now know how to speak my language? You are so fluent!" He is still fueled about earlier even when our order arrived. I can't help but be amused by his reaction.

"Fluent? Not really, but I'm still learning." I sipped on my coffee and checked my phone for any notifications. 

"You are fluent. I considered that because you understand what I'm saying." He laughed.

"Well, okay." I said as an act of giving up.

"I can't get over it. You've learned so fast!" He grabbed his coffee and sipped on it.

He's a busy person, being the only son of his family puts a lot of pressure on him. His father looked upon him so much because he will be the heir of one of the largest skincare companies here in Norway. He's still young to manage a huge company but I didn't even get any hesitation in my guts because I know what he can do. I have witnessed his work. He's a perfectionist. And he will do a good job.

I saw his two bodyguards three tables away looking so observant at our direction. It is awkward on my side but I know that they are just doing their jobs. Typically, when you are a son or a daughter from a wealthy and powerful family, you really need protection whether you like it or not. You are prone to danger because of the interest especially of your family’s enemies and business competitors.

"I'm going home. I'm returning back to my home country." I suddenly changed the topic.

He was stunned by what I said. He lowered his cup and placed it on his platter and rested his back on the chair. He fisted his hands and clenched his jaw. I saw his eyes glaring at his hot coffee. I knew that this would be his reaction. I mentioned it before to him and he never changed his answers and actions. Because he never wanted me to leave.

"Is this the reason why you wanted to meet me?" He looked at me furiously and I couldn't help but to look away. I don’t want him to get mad at me about this because he is the only friend I have here. I need to do this for him to know.

"Yes. To properly say goodbye." I said.

He punched the table and I got startled and jumped my chest in fear that I even closed my eyes. His bodyguards got alarmed and quickly stood in their seats. The people inside the cafe couldn't help but to notice the happenings outside and went their gazes at us.

"Why is it so easy for you to say that? Am I just nothing to you?" It was almost a whisper that I could barely hear what he said. I couldn't help but to be shaken while I looked at him.

"Of course not! It's just that-" he slammed the table again and this time it was more loud. He stood up which caused interruption to what I’m trying to say. He sighed heavily and reached for his wallet to get three paper bills and placed it beside the platter of his coffee then left. His bodyguards tailed him and I was left here zoned out. 

“What a scene.”

“She doesn't have any manners.”

I was so ashamed at this time that I bowed my head.

Did he really need to do that? I know that he's upset. We've been friends for so long and I totally understand his actions. We've been so attached to each other that I thought of him as my brother.

I stood sadly and distressed and headed my way going to my aunt’s house.