Michael arrives at his grandmother’s funeral. He was her only grandchild, and they always had a special bond, but in recent years, Michael rarely visited her because he was always working. He hoped to inherit the house where he grew up, but the lawyer tells Michael she left him only one dollar and the house would go to an unknown person.
Michael stood at his grandmother’s funeral, his heart heavy with sorrow. Although they hadn’t seen each other often lately, he loved her deeply. She had been his rock, his guiding star.
After his parents left, she took him in and gave him a home filled with love and care. As he grew older, Michael vowed to repay her in any way he could.
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Michael found a good job and quickly climbed the corporate ladder to become the head of the company. He earned plenty of money and made sure to send a generous amount to his grandmother every month. However, she always complained that he rarely visited.
After the funeral, Michael drove to the lawyer’s office to discuss his grandmother’s will. He entered the office, a dimly lit room with shelves lined with thick law books, and sat down at the large mahogany table.
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His grandmother had a house where he grew up, and Michael was certain it would go to him. It was only logical, he thought.
The lawyer, a stern-looking man in his fifties, opened a file and cleared his throat. “Michael, your grandmother has left you… one dollar.”
Michael’s eyes widened in shock and anger. “What? Just one dollar? What about the house?”
The lawyer adjusted his glasses. “I’m sorry, but she requested that the information regarding the house’s inheritance not be disclosed.”
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Michael clenched his fists. “This is ridiculous! Who got the house?”
The lawyer remained calm. “I’m afraid I cannot reveal that, per your grandmother’s wishes. Here’s the dollar she left you.”
Fuming, Michael snatched the envelope and stormed out of the office. He jumped into his car and drove to his grandmother’s house, his mind racing.
As he navigated the familiar streets, he thought about the job he had applied for in another state.
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Michael arrived at his grandmother’s house and stepped inside, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.
He walked through the house slowly, touching the walls and furniture, each piece telling a story of his past. He made his way to his old bedroom and sat on the bed, the mattress creaking under his weight.
Michael took a deep breath and opened the envelope containing the dollar. As he did, a note fluttered out, landing on his lap.
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It was written in his grandmother’s neat handwriting: “There are things in life more important than money.”
Michael stared at the note, his heart heavy with emotion. He unfolded the dollar bill and turned it over, noticing coordinates written on the back.
Intrigued, he entered the coordinates into his phone and realized they pointed to a location at the other end of the city.
Determined to uncover the mystery, Michael left the house, got into his car, and drove to the specified address. He soon arrived at a small, quaint house and noticed the lawyer’s car parked nearby.
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Confused and curious, Michael got out of his car and approached the house. He knocked on the door and waited, his mind racing with questions.
After a few moments, a young woman opened the door, looking at him with a mix of curiosity and caution. “How can I help you?” she asked.
“Did you know Grace, my grandmother?” Michael said, trying to keep his voice calm.
“Yes, I did,” she replied.
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“Can we talk?” he asked, hoping for answers.
The woman stepped aside and let him in. “I’m Emily,” she introduced herself.
Michael walked into the living room and saw the lawyer sitting there. Confused and angry, he turned to him. “What are you doing here?”
The lawyer met his gaze calmly. “Michael, I can’t tell you that.”
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Michael’s eyes widened as he pieced it together. “She left the house to her? To a stranger?!”
“Michael, with all due respect, it’s none of your business,” the lawyer said firmly.
“None of my business?!” Michael shouted, his face turning red. “It’s my house! I grew up in it!”
Emily stepped forward, her face sincere. “Michael, I didn’t know. I really don’t need the house. I’ll give it back to you.”
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“You bet you will,” Michael snapped. “Expect a court summons.” Without another word, he stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him.
Michael spent the night in his grandmother’s house, pacing the rooms and waiting for the police to come and evict him, but no one came.
The next day, as the evening fell, Michael heard a knock on the door. His heart pounded as he walked to open it, expecting trouble. Instead, he saw Emily standing there, looking hesitant but determined.
“I think we need to talk,” Emily said, standing at the door.
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“I have nothing to say to you,” Michael replied, his voice cold.
“But I have something to say,” she insisted, not moving.
Michael sighed, then stepped aside to let her in. They walked to the living room and sat on the couch. The room felt heavy with unspoken words.
“Grace, your grandmother, was my friend,” Emily began softly.
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“A friend? Couldn’t you find someone your age? How old are you, 20?” Michael scoffed, unable to hide his skepticism.
“I’m 26,” Emily corrected him, keeping her voice steady. “But that’s not the point. We met at a literary club. We both went there to socialize and meet new people. Unexpectedly, even to me, Grace became my friend.”
Michael raised an eyebrow. “As far as I know, friends don’t just give away houses.”
“I was just as shocked when the lawyer came yesterday and said Grace left me the house. I never wanted to take what wasn’t mine. I don’t need it. So, I’m ready to sign all the necessary documents to return it to you,” Emily said sincerely.
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Michael felt a pang of guilt for his behavior the previous day. Now, it was clear that Emily didn’t want to harm him.
“I’ve been thinking about it,” Michael admitted. “There must be a reason she left it to you.”
“I don’t know, honestly,” Emily said, looking down.
“Thank you for being there when she needed someone,” he added quietly.
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“It was a joy for me, not a duty,” Emily replied with a gentle smile.
Michael’s phone rang, breaking the silence. “Excuse me,” he said, stepping aside to answer it.
The voice on the other end was excited, informing him that he had been accepted for a job in another state. Michael felt a rush of joy and relief. Finally, he understood what he needed to do.
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He returned to Emily, a newfound resolve in his eyes. “You can keep the house,” he said, “but only on the condition that I can visit it sometimes.”
Emily smiled, relieved. “Of course, Michael. You’re always welcome here.”
Michael felt a weight lift off his shoulders. “Come on,” he said, “I’ll show you around the house.”
They walked together to his childhood room. Emily’s eyes widened as she noticed an old telescope in the corner. She approached it with fascination, gently touching the cool metal. “This is amazing,” she said, turning to Michael.
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“I dreamed of becoming an astronomer when I was a child,” Michael said, looking at the old telescope.
“Why didn’t you?” Emily asked, her eyes curious.
“It turned out that this profession didn’t pay as much as I wanted,” Michael admitted.
Emily smiled a bit sadly. “Grace always told me that if you truly love what you do, it will bring good money sooner or later.”
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“I’m not sure it works that way,” Michael replied, shaking his head.
“Do you like your job now?” Emily asked, looking straight at him.
“It pays well,” Michael said with a shrug.
“That’s not quite what I asked,” Emily pointed out gently.
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Michael sighed. “I’m content with it. What would you like to do with your life?”
“I’m a writer. A beginner. It doesn’t bring much money now, but I hope it will change someday,” Emily said, her voice filled with quiet hope.
There was a pause between them, filled with unspoken thoughts. Emily picked up the telescope, feeling its weight. “Can we take it to the roof? You could tell me about the stars,” she said.
Michael hesitated. “Uh, I don’t know. It’s been a long time since I did that. I’m not sure I can.”
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“Please,” Emily said, her eyes pleading. “I don’t know anything about it anyway, so you can just make something up.”
Michael laughed, picked up the telescope, and headed to the roof with Emily close behind. The cool night air greeted them as they stepped onto the rooftop, the city lights twinkling below.
Michael set up the telescope with practiced ease, positioning it toward the clear sky.
“Go ahead, take a look,” he said, stepping back.
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Emily leaned in and peered through the telescope. “Wow, it’s beautiful!” she exclaimed, her voice full of wonder.
Michael smiled, feeling a sense of joy he hadn’t felt in a long time. “That’s Orion’s Belt,” he explained, pointing to the constellation. “And over there is the Big Dipper.”
Emily looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. “You really know your stuff.”
After a while, Emily and Michael sat on the roof next to the telescope, the night sky spreading above them like a vast, star-studded canvas.
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“I’ve always been fascinated and frightened by the stars,” Emily said, her voice soft. “We are so small compared to them.”
Michael nodded. “That’s why I like them. Considering the size of our universe, all our problems seem insignificant.”
Emily thought about this and nodded slowly. “Maybe you’re right.”
Michael looked up at the sky. “Did you know that the stars we see have already died?”
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Emily turned to him, surprised. “That sounds pretty depressing.”
“I find it inspiring,” Michael said. “Even after death, they continue to shine.”
Emily smiled, thinking about his words. “Grace managed to do that, too. Even after her death, she managed to shake us up.”
Michael chuckled. “She was always like that.”
Michael noticed Emily shivering from the cold. “Shall we go inside?” he asked.
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Emily nodded, grateful. “Yes, it’s getting chilly.”
Michael helped her up, and they started to walk toward the door. “Aren’t you taking the telescope?” Emily asked.
Michael looked back at the telescope and then at the stars. “No,” he said, smiling. “I think this is the perfect spot for it.”
They went down the stairs from the roof, as they descended, Emily tripped on a step and nearly fell. Michael quickly reached out and caught her, pulling her close.
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Their faces were just inches apart, and they looked into each other’s eyes, the moment stretching out. Without thinking, Michael leaned in and kissed Emily. She kissed him back, their emotions swirling together.
They paused, both a little breathless, and then smiled at each other. The connection was undeniable. That night, they stayed together. It was a night neither would forget.
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The next day, Emily and Michael woke up together, the morning light streaming through the window. Emily stretched and smiled at Michael.
“How about we make breakfast together?” she suggested, her voice filled with warmth.
Michael hesitated. “I’d like to, but I have to go,” he said, his tone apologetic.
Emily’s smile faded. “Where to?” she asked, confusion in her eyes.
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“I applied for a job in another state. Yesterday, they called me back and said I was accepted,” Michael replied, avoiding her gaze.
Emily sat up, the realization striking her. “So, you knew yesterday that you wouldn’t stay here?”
Michael nodded slowly. “Yes, but…”
Emily got out of bed, her face flushed with anger. “What was I thinking? How could I fall for this?” she muttered, more to herself than to him.
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“Emily, I really didn’t mean to hurt you,” Michael pleaded. “Last night… I don’t know, something changed in me. I felt something I’ve never felt before.”
Emily shook her head, gathering her clothes. “Don’t tell me fairy tales. How could I be such an idiot?” She got quickly dressed, her movements sharp and hurried.
“Emily, wait!” Michael shouted, but she didn’t stop. She left the room, and moments later, he heard the front door close with a finality that made his heartache.
He lay back on the bed and covered his face with his hands, feeling the weight of regret and confusion. After lying there for what felt like an eternity, Michael forced himself to get up.
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He threw his bags into the car and drove back to the city where he lived, his mind racing with thoughts of Emily and what could have been.
A week later, Michael was already working at his new job. He had a higher position and a bigger salary, just as he had always dreamed of. But as he sat at his desk, staring at the paperwork in front of him, he felt a hollow emptiness inside.
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Almost without realizing it, Michael began to search for Emily online. He found the novels she had written and clicked on the latest one. It was about stars.
Impulsively, Michael left his office and drove to the city where his grandmother had lived and where Emily still lived.
When he arrived at Emily’s house and knocked on the door, no one answered. Desperate, Michael remembered the literary club Emily had mentioned.
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He returned to his car and drove there, his heart pounding with anticipation. Michael entered the literary club and immediately spotted Emily among the crowd. His heart raced as he approached her.
“Emily, can I talk to you in private?” he asked, his voice urgent.
Emily looked shocked and a bit wary. “We have nothing to talk about,” she replied, turning away.
“Fine,” Michael said, raising his voice slightly to be heard over the murmur of the room. “Then I’ll say it right here. My grandmother left me only one dollar with coordinates and a note saying there are things more important than money.”
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Emily paused, then stood up and walked over to him. “I already told you, Michael, I’m ready to give you the house back,” she said, her voice steady but sad.
“No, you don’t understand,” Michael insisted. “The coordinates on the dollar led to your house. She wanted me to find you.”
Emily looked confused. “What does that have to do with anything?”
Michael took a deep breath. “I wasn’t lying when I said I felt something that night that I had never felt before. I realized that Grace was right; there are things more important than money. You are more important, Emily. More than anything in my life.”
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Emily’s eyes softened, but she remained guarded. “But you chose your job,” she said quietly.
“I quit,” Michael confessed. “I drove all the way here just to see you. I don’t want to shine after death; I want to shine now. With you.”
For a moment, there was silence. Then Emily stepped forward, closing the distance between them. She pulled Michael by the neck and kissed him deeply. The people in the literary club noticed and started applauding.
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“Just like in the books,” one of the women remarked with a smile.
Michael and Emily pulled back, smiling at each other. They kissed again, this time knowing they had found something truly special.
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