Chapter 7: Wishing upon the stars

In a city called Villa Milpa Alta, a borough in Mexico City which lies in the southeast corner of the nation's capital, bordering the State of Mexico and Morelos. It is the second-largest and most rural of all the boroughs with the lowest population. 

"Yes, when is she arriving," the man on the call asked.

"Okay, that is no problem at all. You just need to give me my usual," he said, laughing sarcastically.

The man put the receiver back on the phone. Just then the door opened and the cold wind blew in. Standing at the door was a woman in a black chevron maxi puffer coat. She had her face covered with a black scarf and wore sunglasses. She walked into the inn and politely gave the man a gentle nod in greeting. She placed a gold card with a tiger symbol on the counter. The man looked at it and said to the woman.

"Come with me,"

The man used the back door to the inn and the lady followed him. 

At Shawns' residence, Lily was happy about her newfound friends, especially Derrick. She enjoys going to school. Even though Derrick was now at a higher grade level, she could see him during games and lunch breaks. Today is just like every school day. Lily ran down the stairs to the dining area, saying bye to Nora, she ran out to meet the driver outside and they both left the compound for school.

At school, Lily walked with her school bag behind her back towards her class. She met Nina and Agnes and enquired about Kate. Just then Kate waved at them from the classroom entrance and they both ran to meet up with her. 

The black Rose Royce drove into the school compound but Derrick was not in the car this time. A man in a black expensive suit stepped out of the car and headed for the principal's office. Fifteen minutes later, the principal's office door was opened, and the man and the principal walked together towards the Rose Royce. The principal stood and watched the car drive out of the school compound. That was it, Derrick left the school. Lily was sad but could not find out why Derrick left the school. 

Thirteen years later

Lily woke up to a bright and sunny day. After freshening up, she went downstairs to the dining area. She greeted Nora lovingly, kissed her dad good morning and asked about Abigail. Abigail came downstairs fully dressed, ready to step out of the house. She greeted everyone and asked Nora to pack her lunch. She took the packed lunch and hurriedly left the house. Lily after taking breakfast, helped Nora clean up and went back to her room and was on her phone chatting with her friends.  It was a Saturday and there was nothing to do.

Lily was awoken by a knock on her door. She still had her phone in hand and was not sure when she had fallen asleep. Her dad walked in upon her invitation.  He held in his hands a big box with a ribbon tied into a big bow.

"Happy birthday,"

Lily's face lit up immediately and she said,

"Thank you, Daddy," She appreciated and quickly removed the ribbon, tore the wrapper and opened the box. 

In the box was a beautiful sea-blue dress with a white ribbon at the waist with a bow at the back. The dress was sleeveless and had a big flare from the waist down.

"Put it on," his father said and Lily quickly walked into the bathroom and changed into the dress.

She stepped out and was looking very beautiful. She found a pair of blue stiletto heels to go with the dress. She left her long wavy brown hair loose which flows down to her waist. Her dad looked at how gorgeous his daughter looked. She was so beautiful. He took her hand and walked her out of the door. The lights were out when she stepped out of her room. Her father guided her toward the staircase. The lights of the house were switched on revealing lots of people, Kate and Nina together with a few people from her dad's company shouted; surprise and it was followed by a birthday song.

Lily was so happy. There was music and a lot to eat. Lily danced and kept on chatting happily with her friends. It was time for the cake-cutting. Nora pushed the table with the three-tier cake to the party area. Lily stood behind the cake. 

"Make a wish and cut the cake," The gathered crowd shouted 

Lily closed her eyes and remembered Derrick. She wished she could see him again. Not sure of what to wish for she just closed her eyes. She cut the cake when she opened her eyes. There were drinks, cakes, and food and everyone was having fun. Lily and her friends went out into the garden and sat under the summer hut. They talked about school and some other things. It was 10 pm and the people had started leaving the Shawn residence. Kate and Lily saw a shooting star in the skies.

"Quick, make a wish," Kate urged her

Lily looked up into the skies. She now felt the need to make a wish, she knew what she wanted now. She wants to see Derrick again. She remembered a saying, wishes come true when you wish upon the stars. She closed her eyes and made her wish.

"Derrick Mingles, I wish to see you again," she wished in her heart with her eyes closed.

If wishing upon the stars will grant that then she will. 

The next morning, Lily got out of bed and went downstairs after freshening up. Mr Shawn and Lily discussed Lily working with him at his company. He went through some company files and documents with her. Lily was not so interested but since it was about helping her dad she decided to learn something.

She accompanied her father to the office later that afternoon. They used the elevator and walked through a long hall to the end of the room. The employees were very busy with work but managed to steal glances at the father and daughter walking together. The door opened into a big space with a desk situated in the centre. A shelf with some documents and a couch to the right side of the room. The decor was not so loud. The floor was covered in brown marble floor tiles. On the wall was a painting of two lions standing on a mountain overlooking a fall. There was a door to the right side of the office, away from the couch. There was another office well decorated.

"This is your office. You are free to make changes to suit your desire if you don't like what you see," said Mr Shawn.

"It's fine," said Lily. 

Lily after working on some documents for two hours decided to step out to the cafe nearby to grab a cup of coffee. After getting her coffee she headed for the door with her head lowered. She ran into a hard chest, spilling her coffee over her hands.

"Ouch!" She cried from the pain. 

A red patch appeared on her hand. She was angry and was about to lash out at the person when she saw who it was.

"Derrick?" she whispered his name on her lips.