Beyond Boundaries

CHAPTER 13:

At the hospital, despair, sadness, and sorrow filled the air as everyone waited anxiously outside the surgery room. They were all devastated, especially Nolan, who sat on the floor, hitting his head against the wall. Both Lisa and Simon had entered the operating room to check on Estelle since they were doctors. Steven stood against the wall, feeling guilty. Kevin and Zack were there for support as well. The tension and worry were indescribable. Bob, keeping his cold demeanor, had his mind and heart focused on his granddaughter.

Michael and Layla came rushing in, but Bob stopped them, looking disgustedly into Layla's tear-filled eyes.

Bob: How can you come here? Michael, you must take your wife away and leave, or I will end up hurting both of you.

Michael, trying to stay calm: Father, this isn't the time for blame. We're here for Estelle. We all want her to be safe.

Bob, annoyed and raising his voice: Yeah, and she’s the reason everything happened! My poor granddaughter is facing death because of this indecent woman.

Michael, stepping closer to Bob and lowering his voice: Layla is my wife. Blaming her right now won’t help anything. Please, Father, let's focus on Estelle, I even wasn't informed until I hear she was here even i fi am her father

Bob, still furious: You expect me to just stand here and pretend she's innocent? My granddaughter is in surgery because of her!

Layla, with her face down in sadness, then approached Nolan, putting her hands on his cheeks.

Layla, in a sad, deep tone: How is Estelle?

Nolan removed his mother’s hand and spoke in a cold, indifferent voice: Can’t you see? We’re waiting outside, so we don’t know.

Steven spoke with Zack in regret: Why didn’t I shoot him earlier? I feel like this is all my fault.

Zack, reassuring Steven: It's no one's fault. You were too far away to stop his shot, even if you had shot both of his hands at the same time.

Layla, looking pained: What happened?

Nolan, looking at Layla with disgust: Someone like you doesn’t have the right to ask.

Layla's eyes were filled with tears: Why are you treating me like this?

Nolan, with his eyes filled with guilt and sorrow: Because I discovered your true nature, Mom. You don't have to hide yourself. Someone like you doesn't have the right to be sad. The kidnapper was my cousin. He told me such an interesting story, you know. It was about you and my poor father.

Layla shoved her hands over her mouth and started trembling in denial. Her tears began to fall as she lost her balance and fell to the floor. Michael rushed to help her.

Nolan, in regret: And Estelle, just to not make me like him—like my father—protected me. It’s my fault. She had to jump in front of the shot to save someone like me!

Layla, keeping her hands over her mouth in tears and denial: It's not what you think. The story isn't fully like that.

Nolan, in a cold tone: Who cares? Now, the only thing that matters is Estelle!

Lisa and Simon managed to get outside the room, Lisa showed an upset look, took a deep breath, stood up full of worries rushed to Lisa

Nolan: How is she, Lisa?

Lisa couldn't speak, so Simon intervened.

Simon, in a serious tone: "Luckily, they managed to remove the bullet from her body, but she is still under surveillance. She lost a lot of blood, so we just have to wait and hope she will wake up."

Nolan, troubled: "So she will be okay?"

Lisa, preoccupied and angry at Nolan: "Yes, but she might never wake up!"

Nolan's eyes filled with tears as he looked at Lisa with determination: "She's your friend. I am sure she will wake up, so don't ever say those words again, because she is the strongest girl I have ever seen!"

Michael, in a worried tone: "Can we see her?"

Simon: "It's a bit risky, so it's better to watch her through the glass until everything becomes stable and they move her out of the intensive care room."

Nolan hurried to the intensive care room. He pressed his hand against the glass, looking at Estelle with a broken expression, his heart heavy.

Nolan, in a low, cracked voice: "You better wake up, Estelle! I won't forgive you if you don't!"

While everyone was engaged in their tasks, their minds racing with thoughts full of worries, anxiously waiting for good news about Estelle, she lay unconscious, immersed in memories of the past.

Seven years ago:

In the high school of Northens, a private school that gathered the wealthiest people in the world and scholarship students, Estelle sat on a bench taking selfies. She was the most popular girl in high school. The test results were announced, and everyone was worried about them, but Estelle kept doing her makeup. As everyone noticed, she had failed the test and showed a careless expression. Lisa rushed to her with Georgia and Robert, who were dating at the time.

Lisa, stressed: "How can you be so calm after failing a test?"

Estelle, arrogantly: "And does that matter? I am still a beautiful princess!"

Lisa, annoyed: "It matters, of course. Have you forgotten your dad's position? How can you face him?"

Estelle, indifferently: "I don't care about this!"

Georgia, confidently: "I guess you can't even reach my ranking!"

Estelle, sarcastically smiling: "You are right! Nobody can reach your ranking of dumbness."

Robert, annoyed: "Let's go, Georgia. She doesn't deserve our time since she failed her test."

Robert and Georgia left.

Estelle rolled her eyes in a careless tone: "So get lost!"

Lisa, annoyed: "Shouldn't you at least focus on your studies a bit?"

Estelle, annoyingly: "I never asked you to stay."

Lisa angrily left Estelle on her own.

A student named Flynn, who seemed to be dating Estelle, approached her with his friends. Estelle straightened herself, adjusting her hair confidently and smiling as Flynn arrived.

Flynn, arrogantly: "Can't my girlfriend be less than a failure? Truly, as your boyfriend ranks second-top."

Estelle's smile disappeared as she spoke, frustrated: "What do you mean?"

Flynn, showing a mocking smile: "I don't need a doll with no brain."

Estelle laughed annoyingly: "Well, I don't need someone like you either! Because you starve for fame, and this is disgusting. You are in a far worse state than being with someone like me, a mother's baby."

Flynn, annoyed, grabbed Estelle's hands, so she slapped him and left.

As Estelle entered the canteen, everybody refused her at their tables. She confidently primped her hair, walking straight to an empty seat near the window in a calm place. As she found one, she kept looking at the students with a bright smile, not realizing she had sat on someone. She stood up in shock.

Estelle, shocked by the student: "Hey, move from my seat!"

The student removed his glasses, moved his book away, and took out his earbuds.

Student, in a cold tone: "Well, it's my seat, and you are bothering me. I was focused on my book."

Estelle, sarcastically: "Excuse me? You must be joking. I like this place, so I will sit here. Move!"

Student, carelessly: "If you stand away, I will move."

Estelle, realizing the table, stood up and let the guy move. Since it was a table for two, he moved to the other side, put his earbuds back, and remained in his book!

Estelle, in shock: "How funny! He didn't even bother finding another table!"

Students began talking and murmuring, saying, "Estelle is sitting next to a scholarship student." Estelle was surprised.

Estelle, surprised: "You're a scholarship student?"

The student, in a cold tone, smiled: "Yes, my name is Lucas, by the way."

He returned to his book. Estelle felt uncomfortable. Everybody was looking at her, but she didn't care. Suddenly, a higher-ranking student came to her.

Student girl, arrogantly: "You ended up joining the scholarship team. You failed to represent your family."

Estelle, confidently with sharp eyes: "Wow, I feel bad for you. You might end up at the entry of the school someday. I guess scholarships are way more cultivated than you. And I know Flynn was your crush. Since I threw him in the trash can, you can take him back."

The student girl left, annoyed. Estelle continued eating confidently. Lucas looked at her.

Lucas, smiling: "I guess you failed a test because of unnecessary people. You should work hard and get it next time. Someone like you must have the highest rank. I am sure you would."

Estelle was surprised: "What's wrong with you, scholarship student? Are you aware of who you are talking to?"

Lucas gave such a warm and beautiful smile: "Of course, I am aware!"

Then he took his stuff and left the table. Estelle was stunned by Lucas's unexpected answer. She felt uneasy.

Lisa heading to Estelle,

Lisa showing a nice face: Will you join us at today’s party, Estelle?

Estelle carelessly bored: Is there a party today? I don't think I will enjoy it. It's so boring!

Lisa disinterested: Do whatever suits you!

Lisa left toward her friends while Estelle, yawning, headed to the library on her own. She opened her books and started reading while remembering Lucas’s words. She began studying in a hidden corner but eventually fell asleep. Lucas was walking inside the library, searching for a corner to read his book in peace. He noticed Estelle drowning in papers and asleep. She looked very pretty in his eyes, and he kept admiring her. Then he hit her head with his book, trying to wake her! Estelle opened her eyes in pain.

Estelle, in an angry state: Hey, how can you hit me? Can't I have some sleep?

Lucas removed his glasses and looked at her with sharp eyes: The library isn’t made for sleeping. Aren’t you wealthy? You should enjoy your bed made of the highest leather quality!

Estelle annoyed: Are you envying me for having such a life?

Lucas, serious: But can’t you push yourself a little for having such a gift!

Estelle frustrated: It’s none of your business! You, for example, keep struggling to have a proper life! I am sure you have a reason and work night and day to pay your bills. However, I have no reason to push myself harder!

Lucas surprised: You described it like it’s better than yours. Well, we must do this to realize our dreams.

Estelle careless: But I have no dreams.

Lucas surprised: How can someone like you have no dream?

Estelle sarcastically: Someone like me? What about your dreams?

Lucas, serious: Having an advertisement company!

Estelle surprised: It looks hard to achieve!

Lucas shrugging: So true, that’s why I learned all the programs of next year. I want to reach the top!

Estelle curious: You didn’t answer. How is someone like me?

Lucas looked deeply into Estelle’s eyes, her heart racing: Beautiful, strong, and confident. With this, you can achieve more than me. I know it’s hard to study, but a girl like you, if she started to learn, she will make all the candles light up and become unbeatable.

Estelle showed a sad smile after a surprised look: You truly think like that of me?

Lucas returned to his cold voice: Why wouldn’t I think like that?

Estelle showed a warm smile, looking right into his eyes. Then the phone rang, and it was an alarm for Estelle to attend the party.

Estelle in a hurry: I should rush to the party!

Lucas in shock: Party?

Then while she was leaving, she returned back and hugged Lucas.

Estelle smiling: This is a secret, don’t inform anyone. Thank you, Lucas!

She left Lucas in shock.

Estelle headed to the party after changing her clothes, looking confident and showing herself with a sharp demeanor as she entered. Everyone was surprised at how the one who failed a test comes to party.

The student girl from earlier: You came without an invitation, loser.

Estelle, looking in rage: You dare call me loser? Have you forgotten yourself, running after the man who ran after me and getting many refusals, without forgetting your relationship loss with your best friend’s date? Also, don’t play in my arena, you will lose!

Estelle ignored the presence and went to drink some cocktails. Mateo, who is Gustaph’s son, drew up near Estelle in a lower voice,

Mateo: Can I join you? You seem lonely.

Estelle in a cold tone: Not interested. Having a delicious drink is what matters to me now!

Mateo smiling confidently: But in the end, you will belong to me.

Estelle was disgusted: The drink became rotten. I guess I have to throw it in the trash.

Estelle grabbed the glass of cocktail and threw it at Mateo!

Estelle, playing surprised: Oh, the trash was just near me. I didn’t realize.

Estelle changed her expression to a smiling, cold, sharp look: In your dreams, Mateo.

Mateo enraged, grabbed Estelle tightly by her hands. Estelle, trying to release herself, wanted to slap Mateo but couldn’t. All of a sudden, a familiar figure intervened, releasing Estelle’s hands in a cold tone.

Lucas: You are disturbing my reading! I was right by the window. I should ask both of you to stop.

Mateo, trying to hit him angrily, said: It’s none of your business, you scholarship student.

Lucas stopped Mateo’s hand, looking at him coldly: Don’t ever try! There is media here; your reputation will be ruined! He took Estelle’s hand and led her outside. She was charmed by him and couldn’t keep her eyes away from him. Then he suddenly stopped.

Lucas kept his cold expression, feeling guilty: I am sorry for holding your hands like that!

Estelle smiling, kept looking at him: I don’t mind if it’s you. You looked so charming!

Lucas in shock: What? I did it because I was so focused on my book and got bothered, that’s all.

Estelle didn’t keep her look away, showing such a happy smile: I don’t care! You truly charmed me, Lucas. For the first time, I felt something different.

Lucas moved away awkwardly: You are saying nonsense. You should leave and go home. What is this all of a sudden?

Estelle smiling in happiness gets closer to Lucas’s face: I think I started falling for you.

Lucas was frozen by Estelle’s look, and he started looking at her differently.

Lucas kept his demeanor: I am leaving!

Estelle waved at Lucas, showing a happy face: See you tomorrow.

The next morning, Estelle passed a test and was confident about the results. She met with Lisa.

Lisa was confused: What are you happy about? You failed a test yesterday!

Estelle happily: I don’t care.

Lisa, almost surprised: What is happening to you? You are looking scary!

Lisa, tired: I am exhausted from the one from the class upstairs sending me gifts and songs and my favorite flowers. He doesn't give up, even if I throw everything in the trash and refuse to even see his face, he still insists.

Estelle, confused: Well, he is trying. Why don't you give him a chance?

Lisa, sarcastically: I like mature, responsible guys, not youngsters. A bit older than me, like seven years! And don’t forget, I am into handsome, charismatic men.

Estelle, indifferent: They seem boring sometimes. You will need that cool guy in your life when you are desperate in the future. And you didn’t even want to see this poor guy. He seems into you.

Lisa, denying: No way! I imagine him as the ugliest nerd. Being stuck around him is disgusting. They even told me he was a scholarship student.

Estelle tried to show Lisa she was mistaken: You are misjudging him. Scholarship students aren't that bad.

Lisa, annoyed: What's with defending them all of a sudden? I saw you with someone yesterday.

Estelle changed the topic: Anyway, have you seen Lucas somewhere?

Lisa, confused: Who's Lucas? The scholarship student you met yesterday? Since when have you been this close? Calling him Lucas all of a sudden!

Estelle, careless: Yes, yes, have you seen him?

Lisa, shrugging: No!

Estelle, annoyed: You should have answered me from the beginning!

Estelle rushed looking for Lucas everywhere. She was thinking, "Why didn't he appear?" She started blaming herself for meeting him and saying such words. She bumped into Mateo, and she was angry.

Estelle, in rage: Why did you appear in my way? Didn't I warn you yesterday?

Mateo, frustrated: Don't think too highly of yourself. Weren't you the one who bumped first? If you're searching for your hero, I wanted to expel him. He won't be here after one month.

Estelle, showing an angry look: How dare you interfere in someone’s life and ruin it?

Mateo, arrogantly: Weren't you disinterested? What happened to the harsh, cold Estelle?

Estelle, sarcastically: She's still here, but she can also make valued people and throw the others behind her!

Estelle, holding her fists tightly: So, cancel this right now, or I will make you regret it.

Mateo, smiling sarcastically: What will you do?

All of a sudden, a voice intervened.

Lucas, in anger: Hey, enough! I don't need someone to ask others to keep me here. If the headmaster accepted their offer, that means there is no need for me here. So I will gladly leave. Stop wasting your time with people who don't deserve your attention.

Estelle looked at Lucas with warm eyes: Lucas! I thought you left!

Lucas returned to his calm, cold voice: I still have one month left.

Mateo smiled mockingly, waving his hand: Bye! Then he left.

Lucas, annoyed: Get lost!

Estelle rushed toward Lucas.

Lucas smiled with warm eyes: How was your test?

Estelle, smiling: Good.

Estelle showed a concerned look: Are you truly leaving?

Lucas answered in a calm tone: Yes, I was registering into another school today, and luckily, I got accepted!

Estelle, smiling sadly: I am happy you managed to attend another school!

Lucas petted Estelle's head: Why do you seem very sad?

Estelle, with an upsetting look: One month is not enough to fall in love.

Lucas, in shock and cold: I am sorry, but who said I want to be in love with you?

Estelle looked at Lucas in his eyes sadly: So you don't want to?

Lucas, nervously: Stop showing such a sad look! I never said anything about the topic.

Estelle, laying her hand smiling: So let's start getting to know each other first. I think one month is enough!

Lucas, smiling back and giving her his hand: Alright, Estelle.

Lucas, with tender eyes: You are very sweet, Estelle!

Estelle, smiling annoyingly: Stop making my heart race!

The next day was new for them. The results of the test were revealed. It turned out Estelle was third on the list. She hugged Lucas in front of everyone, surprising him like always, and kept these happy memories until that month ended. On the day of their departure.

At the train station,

Estelle, filled with tears: I don't want to say goodbye to you. How can I feel all alone?

Lucas, looking deeply and caressing her cheeks: It's okay, don't cry. I will call you every week.

Estelle kept hugging Lucas tightly, sobbing: How can I let the only friend I have leave me?

Lucas, hugging her back: When I come back, I promise to make everything clear, but not right now. I will stay near you, I promise, and never leave your sight.

Estelle wiped her tears: So leave. Don't look at me before we say something that won’t allow you to leave.

Two years passed, and Estelle and Lucas stayed away from each other, not knowing any information about each other. It was the first day at Harvard College when Estelle was showing off her beautiful car until she scratched it and took it to the repair shop. Annoyed, she arrived at someone near, so she called for the employees but no one answered her. She kept looking around to help her with her car and then realized someone with glasses was immersed in a book. Her eyes filled with tears. The man suddenly sensed her presence, surprised his book fell from his hands, showing a sorrowful look. It was Lucas.

Lucas: Estelle? How have you been? Do you know how much I...

Estelle cut him off in a cold tone: Can you check my car, please, mister? I am in a hurry.

Lucas was concerned: You didn't answer me?

Lucas noticed Estelle's book from Harvard.

Lucas smiled: You attended Harvard. I am proud of you!

Estelle avoided him in a cold, irritated voice: Can you please check my car?

Lucas, showing a sad smile: Yes, as you wish, miss!

Lucas headed to the car, looking at it seriously: It's a small scratch. We can fix it right away!

Lucas, worried: You didn’t have a car accident, by the way?

Estelle, furiously raising her voice: Why do you care about this? Who are you to care? You just left me and never checked on me? Is this my value? And I found you working in a place like this! What happened to the ambitious guy who likes studying, and why aren’t you at university?

Lucas lowered his head, showing a sad look: I had to help the director of the orphanage because she needed to do a surgery, and I can't afford university fees. So I am working and studying to get a scholarship at Harvard to meet you properly!

Estelle, frustrated: Until when? And why do I care? I am absolutely no one to you!

Estelle turned her head away and said in a cold tone: I will take the car in one hour, so hurry and do your job! I am leaving this place because it’s pressing on me.

Lucas stopped Estelle by hugging her from the back tightly. Estelle tried to liberate herself, her eyes filled with tears!

Estelle in a sad, angry tone: Leave me alone! I told you I am no one to you and you too!

Lucas pressed hard, hugging her with a cracked voice: No! Don't say that! I cherish you so much! I missed you! I don't want to be away from you again. I am so happy I managed to see your face again!

Estelle kept sobbing, saying in such an unstable voice: Why did you disappear? You just think you can appear in my life easily!

Lucas released Estelle in an emotional tone: I will join Harvard as soon as possible. Wait for me until then!

Estelle announced: And what after that? Do you think I have no one but you?

Lucas, with determined eyes: Because I will ask you to be my girlfriend, if you accept that, of course!

Estelle was surprised: How can you say this and you didn’t even reveal what you feel about me?

Lucas, keeping his serious look: Do you want me to say it?

Estelle covered her ears, raising her voice: Just fix the car already!

Lucas focused on the car, fixed it, then called out to Estelle who was still covering her ears. She then took her keys and left, her heart racing, saying to herself: "You have no dignity, Estelle."

One week after that, Estelle was at Harvard, sitting on a bench and still taking selfies of herself. Someone sat down near her with a familiar voice. It was Lucas.

Lucas, smiling in a calm voice: You're still the same! Estelle Jefferson.

Estelle, in shock, threw her bottle of water at Lucas.

Lucas, laughing: Is that a welcoming tip?

Estelle, surprised: What are you doing here?

Lucas proudly showed her his card: I am an official student at Harvard.

He pulled out roses from his bag and a microphone. Estelle was stunned by this. He knelt down, showing the bouquet and putting the microphone near his mouth as he started speaking.

Lucas, with eyes full of warmth: Estelle Jefferson, I apologize for making you wait this long, but I wanted to be near you after the words I am going to say. I think I have fallen for you since I saw you at the library sleeping in peace. I saw how wonderful, brilliant, and talented you are. Someone like you surely deserves someone better than me, but I can't keep these feelings inside me anymore. Just seeing you made my miserable life brighter. I love you, Estelle Jefferson!

Lucas handed the flowers to Estelle, then continued his speech.

Lucas, looking into Estelle's eyes which were filled with tears: Estelle, do you accept to be my girlfriend?

Estelle tried to catch her tears and spoke with emotion and nodded: Yes, I accept because I like you too.

Lucas jumped, carrying and hugging Estelle and started turning around with her. Well, after that, they started dating. One day when he prepared a surprise for her at an aquarium, Estelle left to the restroom, and he met someone with a cold demeanor.

He was Michael, Estelle's father, with his strict, fearsome demeanor.

Michael, in a cruel tone: I heard you are dating my daughter.

Lucas stood up respectfully, speaking seriously: Yes, my name is Lucas Craver.

Michael, maintaining his cruel tone: Well, you were at the orphanage for years. What was its name again? Remind me.

Lucas, confidently: I know you think I am not suitable for her, and you are right. But I will finish my studies and become the most proper man for your daughter.

Michael, smiling mockingly: Whatever you do, you won't reach Estelle's level. She's in another universe! How can you even get to fifty percent of her? You have no one, an orphan with no parents. You are less than nothing. I won't allow her to be with someone who ignores his origins. What can you do other than be a simple employee at a company?

Michael’s tone grew serious: You should think logically. What can you achieve? Can a peasant make a princess happy? No way, so stop trying and leave my daughter alone.

Lucas, annoyed but determined: I might be a peasant, a nobody, but I can perform miracles. Don’t underestimate someone like me, or you’ll regret it!

Michael, showing a furious look: You dare challenge me?

Estelle rushed in: Dad! Stop it! I also have no family; I just have wealth. So we are pretty alike. I won’t give up on him, and he will do the same because I love him.

Michael, annoyed: Excuse me? Love doesn’t matter! You will just fight in the future because of your differences!

Lucas held Estelle’s hand, his look determined: I will make sure we won’t!

Estelle, glaring at her father: So can you give us some privacy?

Michael, strictly: We will discuss this at home.

Then Michael left in a rage.

Estelle, concerned: I’m sure he said many harsh things to you. Are you okay?

Lucas reassured Estelle, gently petting her head: No way, just a few words from him can’t affect me, you know that well. I understand that he’s just thinking about what’s best for his daughter.

Estelle took a deep breath, then held Lucas's hand: I still feel guilty. I can’t imagine how painful it was to hear his awful words. Promise you won’t leave me because of him.

Lucas placed his hands on Estelle’s cheeks, his gaze warm: I promise, I will never give up on you because of your father. I also promise I will always be by your side, in both good and bad times. I’ll be there to support you.

Estelle, feeling uneasy: Don’t make promises you won’t keep!

Lucas, looking into Estelle’s eyes with a smile: I would never do that.

Estelle smiled back at him: I promise that too.

Lucas kissed Estelle's forehead, and then they kissed each other, creating an unforgettable moment for both of them. Suddenly, Estelle seemed to wake up in a dark surrounding. Everything was black. She started calling out Lucas's name, but nobody responded. An unknown man appeared before her, and Estelle backed away, wondering who the man was.

Estelle, in fear: Who are you? Where is Lucas?

The unknown man answered: Have you truly forgotten about me? I’m Nolan.

When Estelle heard the name, it sounded familiar to her. She was torn between her past and present. Suddenly, as soon as she said Nolan's name, memories of him and her flashed through her mind like a cassette. She realized who he was and rushed toward him.

Estelle, in a deep voice: Nolan!

Nolan smiled warmly: You finally remembered.

Estelle, worried: Are you okay? What happened? I can't remember clearly.

Nolan, looking deep into her eyes: You saved me, and now you’re sleeping at the hospital. Can’t you hear my voice calling you?

Estelle, astonished by Nolan's words, then looked relieved: So, at least I managed to save you!

Nolan placed his hand on Estelle's shoulder with concern: Don’t say that. Everyone is waiting for you. I need you to come back to me!

Nolan looked determinedly into Estelle's eyes: What do you want to choose?

Estelle, confused: What about my memories with Lucas? They were so beautiful.

Nolan moved his hand away, worried: So, you want to stay locked in the shadows of the past, or do you want to come back to us—to me specifically?

Estelle, still confused: I don’t know. Coming back and facing the present scares me. I’ve started feeling strange about you. I’m afraid of facing such emotions. What if I lose you? I don’t want another challenge.

Nolan, with a warm look: Shouldn’t you reveal this to him directly? Wake up!

Then Nolan left in a hurry.

Estelle, scared: Nolan! Where are you?

"The past fades, but the present matters.Realising this, she turned and followed Nolan's voice, then opened her eyes.