CROSS PATHS

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Zoe, baby! Come on, or you'll be late for your first day," that was a loud cry of emthusiasm from outside my room. I just knew who it was.

"Coming!' I screamed back in response.

"Remember your ID, your ..." there was a long list of reminders that I could not even take into now.

"Yes, mother!" I just simply responded.

That was a joke and she hissed in annoyance after hearing it. It is my older sister, Alex. We are not related by blood, but I already consider her as my older sister. She is the daughter of my papa's boss.

Usually, things will turn smoothly for me. I will excitedly go to my school on the first day. However, this time was different. It's going to college. It makes me nervous, but at the same time, I am excited about my new chapter.

The wall clock says 6:45 am. I was standing in front of the life-size mirror in my room. I have become more conscious as I grow old. My body changed a lot as I grew up. My sissy Alex bought me a dress that I will be wearing on my first day, so I have to wear it.

It's a long-sleeve corduroy old-rose-colored maxi dress. I paired it with a white shoe that was also a gift from my sissy. I sighed and cheered myself.

You can do this!

Before I took my backpack and my glasses, I made my way out of my room and walked downstairs because I knew sissy Alex was already waiting for me there. The grand staircase of the house just always amazes me.

Last night, I slept at the mansion since my father was out-of-town with Mr. Young for a business trip. I am not sure if I will be able to see him today before going to school because their expected arrival was today. I just don't know the exact time.

I have my room in the mansion – a space equivalent to the Young siblings' room since I was also treated as their own child. I am more like the adopted kid, but not legally since they still want my father to have every right on me. This makes me appreciate more of the family because of how kind they are.

A car suddenly stopped in front of the house. Then I saw my father assist Mr. Young out of the vehicle. They just arrived. It made me smile as the person I wanted to see who gave me strength every day came.

I ran excitedly like a kid towards them. "Pa!" I shouted. He opened his arms widely for me. I went to directly hug him.

"Good morning, Paulina," he greeted and gave me a kiss on my forehead.

"How about my hug?" Mr. Young commented, which made my father chuckle.

"Good morning, Baba," I also went to hug Mr. Young. I call him Baba because I will be scolded if I address him formally.

(Baba means papa in Chinese)

"Heading to school?" he asked me, and I nodded.

"Enjoy college, Zoe," Mr. Young tapped my head so gently as he reminded me. I could only nod from the advice. I went back to papa.

"Paulina, remember what I told you. You don't need to be the best," my father started. He was instructing me again early in the morning. "Keep in mind that you are already the best for papa. I will always be proud of my only child," I smiled at my father as he reminded me to think of the positive things only.

He looks tired. He must have driven so far, and looking at him working hard for me as he aged to send me to school and provide for me was just gratifying.

College.

It sounds too fancy and astonishing. It is pressuring and frightening too. But as I said, I was excited at the same time, appalled since this was a brand new journey.

Jiejie Alex told me that college is different from all of the years I have studied. It is more of a survival.

"Paulina, do you hear me?" I was dazed for a moment while staring at my father, who began to clean the car they had used.

Papa used to call me Zoe when I was still a kid. However, he changed and started calling me Paulina when I got older. Mama named me Zoe Pauline, yet papa will alter it to whatever he wanted. I am okay with anything. I am used to it. Whatever makes papa happy.

"Yes, pa. I hear you. And I will take note of that," I smiled even brightly. Papa doesn't want me to look terrified or sad in the morning. He constantly feeds me with positivity and love.

"Lezz go, Zow!" Alex jiejie and I became even closer even when we were far from each other. After finishing her degree here, she went to the States to study again, leaving me behind. She's eight years older than me.

Alex unnie didn't even come home regularly anymore after Mrs. Young died. The sad thing was she lost her mom too. Alex unnie preoccupied herself, which I understood. But she came back to attend my high school graduation as she promised me.

Time just flies so fast as I'll be entering college now. Whew!

"Coming!" I said and ran towards her car. But before that, I kissed papa on his cheeks.

"Sleep and rest well, papa. Love you!" I said before waving goodbye.

Alex was the one in charge of sending me to school today since papa needs rest. I can commute since the school was just near, but she's stubborn and really wanted to send me to the university. I sat on the shotgun seat, and immediately, Alex came started the engine.

"Ready?" she asked, and I just nodded and smiled. "Are you sure already?" I heard Alex ask, and I just know what she's talking all about.

"I am, unnie," I responded before the car moved out of the house, and she sent me to my university.

It was just a couple-of-minutes ride from our house, the reason why I didn't need to take a dormitory or boarding house near the university. I decided to just take the public transportation, or if papa could route there, I would just ride with him to save money.

Prestige University of Science and Technology

When I saw the signboard of the university, it looked so incredible for me. It feels unreal. PU was one of the most outstanding universities in the country. The Youngs finished their first degrees here before going to other countries to study again.

The thing was that it was an expensive university. It was for the students who could afford first-class learning. This school was originally for the elites unless you have the scholarship to attend the famed school.

I was supposed to get a scholarship because papa and I obviously can't afford thousands of dollars spent for my college degree. However, as I told you before, my father's boss was the kindest. They shouldered all of my expenses in college. I am their scholar, so I should not disappoint them, or they'll be wasting a lot of money on me.

I was treated as part of the whole. Instead of a servant's daughter or a servant in the Young house. Although, my dad, who has been working for them as a driver for years. They provided for my needs as a kid. They enrolled me in the most prominent schools that my father couldn't afford.

They will also celebrate my achievements. They will bring me to the dreamiest vacation places during summer breaks. May it be local or foreign. Like last summer break before entering college, I was brought to Singapore by the Young siblings. The reason why I am so thankful for them.

All I could do to repay them was do good even when they didn't ask me to.

"Hey, go now. Or you will be late for your orientation," I was startled when Alex unnie talked.

It's just that it still feels unbelievable that I am attending many people's dream schools. I wonder how my life will be here right now. Some of my previous classmates took the same school, but we weren't taking the same courses, of course. There's a need to adjust again.

I was about to go out of her car when Alex unnie talked, "Zoe, remember to enjoy college. Those flying colors don't really mean it can take you to any job you want, okay? Yes, it can give you an advantage, but it will not define you," I smiled at the comforting words she's showering me.

"Don't just study, okay? Learn new things. That is the essential thing in college. Go there and look for a boyfriend too for inspiration," I chuckled at that comment. Will I get one finally?

"Zoe, don't stress out too much. Just enjoy. But if you want to still study at Stanford, call me. I got you," I laughed at that. Alex unnie came home hoping to bring me with her back abroad. We talked about studying there, but eventually, I chose to stay.

"Again, remember to enjoy, Zoe Pauline. I'll see you after your class? Call me so I can pick you up again," I was out of her car after that.

Alex unnie only has a week before she goes back again. So, I only have a few moments to be with her again. She's a lawyer there, so she can't spend a lot of time here with me.

"I will! Bye!" I said, walking backward. She waited until I entered the university gates before going.

I was smiling brightly, waving and waving at her. Finally turned my back when she disappeared from my sight. But a loud car honk made me leap into my place.

Good Lord. What was that?