Chapter 2: Michelle Lui’s back story

I looked around my room. It was just as I remembered. The pink and white colors, my queen bed, and the overall princess theme it had because I used to fancy myself as, well, a princess.

Perhaps I was in a dream. Anyway, I went through the motions, took a hot shower, wore the jeans and white t-shirt, which was hanging on the handles of my cabinet, and carried my bag wherein inside were my wallet, pen, and a notebook. Soon, I was ready.

Upon walking to our dining room, I saw Rona, it has been over a decade since I last saw her.

"Good morning, miss. Please excuse me, I will inform Mr. Matt to ready the car."

I don't recall much of what happened this day, but I still knew the people who used to work for my family. I nodded my head. Mr. Matt has been my driver for the 4 years I spent in college.

I saw the food on the table and felt a bit hungry. I helped myself with the bacon and eggs. If this was me in my younger days, I would've scolded the maids already. I was so used to being pampered that a maid should have already poured water or orange juice on my glass for me.

This was a very strange dream though. I can vividly taste the bacon in my mouth.

After having my fill, I went outside the main door and saw the Porsche waiting to send me to school.

Mr. Matt opened the door for me, and I sat inside.

"Good morning miss! Aren't you excited for today? This was all you have talked about since the other day." He said.

This time, I stared at him through the rear mirror. He looked a lot younger than the last time I saw him. Ah… did I die on that elevator? I started to wonder. This situation is already freaking me out.

Or did I think too much about that question that I was brought back to this period in my life?

Anyway, some introspection will be needed. What was I like at this age?

If I remember correctly, I should be 18 years old. A young adult who was very excited to go to her dream university. Ah… I remembered the first year. I was infamous then. Some of my blockmates told me that I used to have a princess complex where the world revolved around me. I must admit on looking back, that was cringeworthy.

It should not be surprising though. Being born with a diamond spoon, I was used to having people cater to my every need.

I graduated from an exclusive private high school. However, college gave me a culture shock. The professors and my classmates did not consider me someone special. From being the pampered princess no one dared touch in high school, I became the butt of all jokes to the girls as I barely passed my subjects.

I never gave them too much thought though. As said, I was very self-centered, and I thought they were only criticizing about me because they were all envious of my beauty. Yes, I was also very narcissistic at that time. There was one time when a blockmate of mine, who I thought was my friend, asked me about who I think was beautiful in class. I did not think much of it and answered honestly. I ranked everyone and dared to place myself first. Apparently, that leaked and that was why all the girls hated me.

When it came to boys, my standard was very high, and I used to believe that the first boyfriend I will have become my husband in the future. Thus, when a boy approached me and I did not like his looks, or anything about him, I will directly ignore him.

Anyway, long story short, I did end up popular, but not in a good way. All those only changed when I was already in fourth year. Everyone became a little more mature and outgrew those childish things they used to do. On my part, from second year, I was able to adjust with the demands of each subject. Although my performance was still not stellar, I made it through until I graduated.

After, I went to graduate school abroad despite my less than stellar performance in college. I learned a lot there and graduated after 2 years. I recall that it was 2012 at that time. I was still living the life of a nth generation rich heiress.

Came 2013, my life turned upside down. My family's stocks suddenly plummeted, and we went bankrupt. I remember that I was suddenly called back home to help. Sadly, despite our best efforts, we had to give the company up. It did not mean that we ended up with nothing but clothes behind our back. We still had some assets, but things were not like before.

I chose to work a 9-5 office job as I can no longer rely on my inheritance for everything. It was not that bad though. I was able to grow as a person and it was also through that that I was able to meet my husband.

We met when we were both 27. I was delegated as a representative of the company I was working at for a certain project, and he turned out to be my counterpart. Later, we found out that we graduated from the same university but from different departments. I was from the Economics department, while he was from Engineering. It was funny that in our 4 years in the same school we never met until that moment.

After a year of dating, we got married, and another 3 years after, well, here I am.

After some contemplating, my car stopped.

"miss Michelle, we're here."

I looked through the window and smiled. The university was exactly as I remembered. I saw young adults wearing jeans and white t-shirts as instructed for the Orientation Seminar. Some were walking together in pairs, while some who didn't know anyone yet walked alone.

I opened the door and stepped on the school ground. I breathed the air which smelled like nostalgia. I vividly recalled my feelings when I first stepped foot inside this school. I was so excited at that time and thought that this was the beginning of my life.

So, here I am again. Will everything still be the same as I remember? Will I be meeting the same people I met previously? What should I do now that I have this chance?

I contemplated as I followed the people walking towards the orientation seminar venue.

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TBC