NYC in 1890

It is still so vivid in my mind how one girl came and changed my life. I never get to tell her how much she meant to me. Until now I can only remember her teasing smile, unbothered laughter and caring eyes. I love her and that is all that matters. I want to be with her forever, but does forever really exist?....

De Vaughn Mansion and Estate                                             Newark, USA

I grew up in a sheltered and wealthy home. We are considered well off since my father owns a shipping company and this is what sets me apart from everyone. Vaughn Shipping company and magnates in this era are the cream of the crop in America and Europe. However, this is not the only thing that separates us from the ordinary people down the Bronx. It’s the high society’s formal, boring and calculated life that makes everything different and uncalled for. Many wanted to have the life I am living now but even though I already have everything I needed, there is still something missing and I couldn’t figure what that is, really! Ahh….maybe someone who loves or sees right through me and says, breathe…it’ll be alright!

Hmm….at two weeks old I believe I can already say mama and papa, because I was considered a child prodigy. My mom and dad said that it was true. Everyone in my family along with Times Review where I was featured for the week’s newspaper said, that I am a “Genius”, and I lived up to the name.

At five, I can draw and write simple words like eyes, smile, love and laughter. At ten, I can count up to 100 and though Science, Technology and Language are still developing at this time, I already have my own telescope, compass, binoculars, library and map of the world.

In this era we are still making a replica of the Earth and since it is already confirmed that the world is round. Globes can be bought on book and gift shops. We even have one in New York Street where a vendor sells it for five pence a-piece.

Ahh…this is the life and I love it!, Claude told himself while swaying his feet on top of a tree branch at their mansion’s veranda. I slightly tilted my head when dad came up to me holding something…..everything. A bicycle?! Haha….

Woaah! Dad thanks, this is insane!, Claude yelled since his dad bought him a bicycle and this is the latest work of the ever famous BMX. The bike is aluminum finished but has black over all coats which made it extraordinary unique considering that bikes these days are either girly or something newspaper delivery uses with that corny basket in front of them, yaiks!, Claude added.

I thought you could use a pick-me-up since I can’t be with you on your special day. I am sorry Claude! I really need to leave for London for that business deal I’ve talked to you about.

                                                        Countess Fame Cruz de Vaughn

                 Claude de Vaughn

I have always wanted to crack it since day one of our shipping company’s birth!, Lance explained.

I understand father! I know it is for our family’s sake. I bid you farewell and good luck on the deal! Thanks again for the gift. I love it!, Claude taking the bike from his dad’s hands and gave the old man a hug. At ten years old I am still oblivious of how the world truly works and why a man needs to have another woman just to be happy. Which I finally realized when I had Star considering that I am already engaged to Vanes and it’s confusing, Claude thought.

Dad always leaves every weekend and when on special occasions like Christmases, New Years’, birthdays or anniversaries, dad comes home or sometimes excuses himself again for business or work, as usual. However, I knew that there is something more than business when he goes away, dad makes sure me and mom are loved and showered with material things or gifts. And that is fine with me, but I don’t know about mom. Whenever we eat at the dinner table with all the extravagance of the meals done by our chef, and served by our butler and maids, she still looks sad. I always ask her if she is okay but every time I call her mom, she instantly smiles and says everything is alright. I am alright dear! What else would I be with you by my side!, Fame always says.

Mom, I know and I love you so much. I am here for you and I love you!, the phrases I wanted to tell her but I didn’t, Claude thought. Until one day when I came home from Oxford. I was about to surprise mom since I  got in for a scholarship even if I am only thirteen then, I found her on the bed lying as if lifeless.

I didn’t know what to do but called out to Flip and Sara, one of our maids who is close to me and stood as a mother-figure for me when mom was in the hospital. I overheard the doctor that mom committed suicide and drank the pills she always ask me to give her. They were sleeping pills since she couldn’t sleep maybe a couple of weeks from that day when dad left and said would be back in a couple of months, but didn’t. Since then I knew that something was wrong and finally all my suspicions about dad and mom’s relationship which was believed to be okay is indeed in a rocky situation. I was sad and crying almost all of the time hearing this, and Sara would just hug and comfort me every time I feel alone and wanted to sob, Claude thought.

Mom soon got better, thank God and since I told her about the good news of getting into Oxford for the scholarship, her eyes lit up. Mom is an intelligent woman who was also a graduate of the same school and a philosopher but needed to leave her research because of me and dad. Dad and I took up all of mom’s time and I felt guilty for not seeing how she suffered because of dad’s infidelity. Dad was a business graduate at Oxford and mom a philosophy magna cumlaude for her research on Bioengineered Humans.

Star

But where did dad go every time he says that he’d be out for business or whatever!?, Claude thought. I took care of mom and made sure she is happy and not left alone. I always tell Sara to look after mom or else I will send her away so she couldn’t see her boyfriend Flip.

Well, that’s just a joke but I would do it if she forgets to care for mum!, Claude said to himself while Sara and Flip laughs at me since I mimic dad’s low-pitched voice. Besides I am still a minor at thirteen, so definitely they see me as one and never take me seriously. Damn them!

Anyway, mum! Don’t forget to take your medicine and while I’m gone listen to Sara, alright! I’ll be back in a couple of hours and we will eat lunch together!, Claude told Fame whose eyes was filled with tears now. I am sorry honey! I am sorry that you need to carry the weight of your dad’s responsibilities and….!, Fame said hugging Claude. It is just alright mum! I am older now and understand that dad is not here to care for you. So as your son and I love you, I am doing this because I know you are going to be fine! We are fine!, Claude explained.

Fame….Claude!!!, Lance called out with tears flowing in his eyes. Papa!?, Claude replied and ran up to his father to hug him. Oh, my boy! I am sorry that I missed your birthday and our time together! Now, I won’t leave anymore! I came back to say that I love you!

I am sorry my love! Forgive me that I came late!, Lance said after putting Claude down from his embrace, he walked to Fame and hugged his wife. Fame sobbed and felt relieved that Lance came home at last. This was the start of our family life’s new chapter, then, I met Star. Dad was gone for two years and now that he’s back he came with a baggage, and it’s not a gift or a camera which I have always asked him to buy for me. It’s strikingly unique, smooth, beautiful, human, a girl!, Claude cried.

I am thirteen and the girl is maybe about five years old. She is strikingly shiny and pretty. I can’t figure out if she is real since her skin is sparkling and perfect. But she is real since she talks and all that!, Claude said. Hi!, the girl said and when I ignored her since thinking she is the reason why dad didn’t come home to us. I am angry at her, Claude thought. Hey, can you hear me? Helooooo!...I am Star by the way, what’s your name?, Star cried still pursuing Claude who is now running away from the girl like he never did before.

Hahaha….Lance and Fame laughed when they saw Star and Claude run after each other like siblings. They are indeed siblings, dear, I have done all I can to grant your wish. And here she is, her name is Star! Look at her! She is a cutie, right!?, Lance said and looked at Fame whose eyes are streaming with tears as she sees Star who is lively and pretty.

Stop following me! What are you, deaf!? I said I don’t want to talk to you!, Claude cried still walking away from the girl who kept bugging him. But yu are talking to me now. Wait up Claude!, Star yelled when the boy ran and climbed an oak tree that is about ten years old too just like Claude when it was planted by Flip as ordered by Fame when she was still carrying the boy inside her womb.