Chapter 15: SOM Mall

I want to continue smiling back at him, but I felt like my heart just shattered into a million pieces. Anthony, we just met yesterday, I was even your seatmate. Even if you didn't remember my name, at least you should have found my face familiar. How could you do this to me? I thought there was a connection between us. When you asked me in concern, I thought… huhuhu!!!!Can I just go dig a hole and bury myself?

"Hello, I'm… Michelle Lui." I replied as I tried not to clutch my chest from broken heartedness, it's so painful. Alright, maybe I'm over acting, but… should I still mention that we're seatmates in English? Ugh.

"Let's go." Steve said as he started walking away. Lara smiled apologetically at us then followed.

Ah, hubby, although you irritate me so in this timeline, I have never been so glad to hear your haughty voice again. I know it's just been 2 days since I met you and should not judge, but gods, your prince complex was so much worse than mine was.

Anyway, Anthony smiled at me and went to follow the two.

"Let's go?" Andy asked.

I smiled at him and nodded my head. Ah Andy, thank goodness you're still here. If not, I can just disappear and the 3 would not even notice.

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Arriving at the SOM mall, Lara chose the round table under the canopy where the 5 of us can sit.

Steve and Lara sat beside each other, Anthony and Andy were gentlemanly enough to let me choose my sit next, and since Anthony was standing closer to Lara, I just took the empty seat in between the two vacant ones.

Andy excused himself to buy snacks, telling us that it would be his treat.

The four of us remained seated, and Lara, the friendly soul that she seems to be, tried to engage us in a conversation. To make the vibe inclusive, since I'm the only one who was new to their group, her first question was directed to me.

"So, Michelle, what class do you have next after this?" she began.

"I have PE, table tennis, at 3pm, how about you?"

"Me, Andy, and Steve have English 11 at 3 pm too. How about you Tonton?"

Anthony looked at her, his pupils were all sparkly like she was the sun, and Steve's eyes narrowed. Gods, why am I here again?

"I have PE, basketball, at 3pm too."

"Oh! Maybe you and Michelle should walk together to the covered courts later. Since you're heading to the same direction." Lara suggested which made Steve smirk.

Did I just get to become the scapegoat?

Anthony smiled and nodded, then he looked at me to ask, "If it's ok with you, perhaps we can walk together?"

I stared at his too charming face that made my heart stutter over and over through the years and if I wasn't sitting, then I fear I would've fallen down because even now, I can feel that my knees have grown weak. What have become of my faculties?

Perhaps, I was taking too long to answer and that I was turning red, that I noticed his smile becoming a bit strained as he furrowed his brows. "Are you okay?" he asked in concern.

Remembering to breathe again, I gave him a shy smile. Ok my Thony, although you forgot all about me earlier, I still forgive you. Now, since you so kindly asked then, I shall 'reluctantly' agree. "Yes, I'm ok, and uh… if the offer still stands, then… yes, we can walk together. Thank you." I replied.

Gods Michelle, what the hell was that response? If the offer still stands?

Anthony just nodded his head and said, "Of course." Then turned to face his friends again.

I can feel my face flushing, and I don't know if Lara and Steve noticed, but if they did, they did not say anything about it. I peeked at Steve, just to check and see if he even cared.

But no, nothing on his face indicated that he even placed an iota of interest on whatever I do. I don't know if I should be thankful or hateful, but I have to keep in mind that he has no idea that I was his wife in another time.

"Michelle, I think Andy mentioned that he has seen you around in parties before, which means that we're moving in similar circles. Anyway, which high school did you go to?" Lara asked.

Ok, yeah, 'similar' not same. Thanks for stabbing me while keeping that smile, you two-faced biatch. But fine, you're still young, and I should be your auntie, so I will forgive you for the slight jab. As they say, keep your friends close, your enemies closer. Not that I have any personal issue with you, but sorry dear, we have clashing interests as the man beside you now? Yeah, he's my future hubby.

"I went to Jinhua high school for girls." I answered amicably. Hmpft! Even though you're from the top of the echelon, we're attending the same school now, and even my high school was not that bad. It was after all, at par with your high school.

Lara nodded her head, "Oh, I have some friends from Jinhua. My good friend, Charice Lo also studied there. Are you also friends with her?"

I wanted to roll my eyes, of course she's friends with the number 1 popular girl from my high school. By the way, the high school me, although has been catered to, was also a loner. Yes, a loner. I never did have a lot of friends because of my attitude, but I did have people who I considered were my cronies. Anyway, I did become friends with my high school batchmates later in my other timeline because of facebook. And well, one of my classmates became my coworker and suddenly we just clicked.

Moving on, I should also say that in the rich circle, I was also not that friendly. I have them as acquaintances but not really friends. Obviously, if I did, then I would have lots of connections and would have not needed to work my way up in the company I worked at.

Anyway, I shook my head to focus on the present and answer Lara's question.

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TBC