Chapter 10
745words
Joining now meant that I would receive stock options as part of the offer. Once the company went public, I would achieve financial freedom.
Low risk, high reward.
If I hadn't lived a second life, this opportunity would never have come my way.
The company was in a rapid growth phase, and the workload was intense. I was constantly on the move, busy for days.
It wasn't until I received a call from Lucy that I realized an entire year had passed without me realizing it. Her excitement crackled through the phone. "Amelia, I've got some huge gossip. Ginger's family went bankrupt!"
My heart skipped a beat. It had been a long time since I had heard that familiar name.
Lucy continued, "Recently, all of the Livingston family's illegal businesses were shut down. Her parents were arrested too. I heard they are facing serious jail time.
"Now, Ginger and Maverick are both unemployed. They are running a small food stall with their child right outside our old high school. Apparently, they fight every day. Sometimes it even turns physical."
I listened quietly and gave a short hum of acknowledgment. Nothing stirred within me.
Lucy asked curiously, "Amelia, don't you think Maverick deserves this? If he hadn't gone back to get Ginger's examination admission pass, he might have graduated from Bloomdale University by now, making seven figures a year. I wonder if he ever regrets it when he thinks about the past?"
I smiled. "Who knows?"
…
Two years later, the tech company I worked for successfully went public. I finally achieved complete financial freedom.
A friend introduced me to a guy three years younger than me—a local with thick eyebrows, sharp features, and a well-defined build.
We got along well.
During the New Year, I brought him back to my hometown.
When Lucy found out, she insisted we go out for a walk. She said she had to see this heartthrob she had been imagining, so I took Chris Henderson with me.
We chatted as we walked, and without realizing it, we ended up near our old high school.
With the New Year approaching, there were hardly any people around.
Suddenly, loud bickering broke the silence.
"There's no one at school anymore. Why are we still setting up our stall here?"
"If we don't, how are we supposed to make money? We need to pay for Lizzie's tuition fees next semester."
"This is all your fault! You're so useless! You dragged Lizzie and me into this miserable life."
"How is it my fault? If you hadn't forced me to go back for that exam admission pass, I would be a Bloomdale University graduate by now! You ruined my life!"
As they shouted, the two started fighting next to the tricycle. Screams rang out one after another.
Before Lucy and I could even react, Chris rushed forward. He pulled them apart and tried to console them. "Talk it out nicely. You shouldn't hit women."
Maverick was about to curse at him, then froze when he saw Lucy and me. "Amelia?"
Ginger noticed us. She darted out from behind Chris, lunged at Maverick, and slapped him hard. "You bastard!
"What are you staring at? No wonder you've been so short-tempered with me. You're still thinking about that skank, aren't you?"
Maverick snapped, grappling with her again. "It's all your fault, you idiot! You destroyed my life! If it weren't for you, I would have gone to Bloomdale University with Amelia. You owe me my future!"
I waved to Chris to come back, and the three of us left quickly.
After we were at a distance, Chris said shakily, "They were so violent… That was scary."
Lucy laughed so hard that she nearly doubled over. She said, "Amelia, your boyfriend is adorable. Oh my god!"
I smiled and reached up to ruffle his hair.
After saying goodbye to Lucy, Chris and I headed home. When we reached downstairs, he took my hand.
The northern afternoon sun was warm and bright.
He leaned down and kissed my forehead softly, his eyes glistening like stars. "Amelia, come home with me after the New Year. I want you to meet my parents."
I stared into his affectionate eyes and nodded gently. "Okay."
