Chapter 12: How much is your allowance?

The day was Thursday, and my first class was economics. It was 8:50 and the class would start at 9. I saw my blockmates and they waved at me to sit with them. Oh well, might as well.

"How come you're not in our class for environmental science? Did you take physics or chemistry this semester?" Camille asked.

"No, I'm also taking environmental science, but I'm taking it on a different schedule."

"I see. That's too bad. Marts have been looking for you all over. Haha!" Camille joked.

I just pretended that I did not understand what she meant. Sorry, I'm not interested then, and definitely not interested now. My only interest lies with handsome men… ehem ehem… I mean only with my husband.

Like any other day, my blockmates were enjoying chatting amongst themselves. They have become friends just like before. Anyway, it's not difficult for the students to form bonds as our university caters mostly to students from the upper class given the high tuition fee, unless of course, one gets a scholarship.

The process of getting in was difficult. A student must pass the entrance exam, must be from a good high school, must have good grades, and should have a recommendation. Every year, at least a hundred thousand students apply, and the university only accepts 2000 at most. Even those from my circle, not everyone can simply get in. To the tell truth, I was even wait listed.

Given this, it's inevitable that most students have the need-to-brag attitude. Whether the basis be academics, where they graduated high school, their social status, and just like their topic that instance, how much their allowance was.

In the past, I gave them an eyeroll and started bragging myself. What? Although my family was not part of the exclusive-exclusive group, we were still part of that social circle.

Anyway, there were only 8 families in that exclusive group, the Sy which was the top of the food chain, followed by the Ren, Chua, Peng, Lee, Yu, Tan, and Kho. Not to say that all people with those surnames were part of the circle, but you get my drift. So, in my generation, there were only 8 people who has higher status than me, at least before we went bankrupt.

Except for Anthony who I never even had the courage to pursue in my last lifetime, I never got to talk or converse with any of them. Also, the only ones I knew of were Lara and Andy. The rest were a secretive bunch.

"So how much is your allowance Vitto?" Joanie asked.

Vitto grinned and brought out his Balenciaga wallet. "See for yourself." He said as he opened it to show what's inside.

My blockmates made an ooh and aah sound when they saw the inside of his wallet filled with 50 yuan bills and some 100s.

"How about you Jock?" Vitto asked.

Jock, not wanting to fall behind took out his Bottega Veneta wallet, opened it, took out the thick pile of 100 yuan bills and waved it in front of my blockmates.

"Woohoo Vitto! Burn!!!!" Eduardo commented as the others laughed.

I could not help myself from wanting to laugh along. Gosh! this nouveau riche people! Okay, why did I make that comment in my head? I should be mature enough to not find what they're doing funny.

Vitto turned red, and out of nowhere, or maybe because he wanted to put Jock on his place, he mentioned my name.

"Michelle, how about you?" he asked.

Huh? What did I have to do with whatever they were doing?

"Yeah Michelle, I'm curious too." Jock seconded.

So, I took out my Hermes wallet, and just took out my platinum credit card. "I don't have a lot of cash, but I do have this."

"Whooohoo!!! In your faces Jock and Vitto! With hers, sky is the limit baby!" Eduardo exclaimed and everyone laughed.

I shook my head and smiled. Gosh, these children.

--

After that short episode, our professor, Mr. Ciel Ho, arrived. He started introducing himself, then gave out the class syllabus. Then, unlike my classes yesterday, he started giving an introductory lecture. He was really good, and I can still recall that when I first took this subject, I was so impressed.

When we were dismissed, it was already 10:20.

"Michelle, wanna join us for brunch?" Camille asked.

It was strange as they were being really friendly with me, while in the past, my only friend was Janina. Anyway, my next class, ES laboratory was at noon so might as well have brunch now. "Okay." I replied.

This time, since our whole block was in that same economics class, we all went to the canteen together. Since it was not yet time for lunch, there were still many vacant tables.

We occupied one long table and started placing our bags on top of it. Marts volunteered to look at our things as we go and buy our food.

I was in line at the cashier holding the stub for my order when suddenly, someone used his/her hand to cover my eyes.

Eh? Who could it be? I don't remember being friends with a lot of people at this time, and the person was not speaking.

"Who is it?" I asked, at least speak so that I can take a guess based on your voice, weirdo!

The person did not answer but I can hear suppressed laughter.

I held out my hand to touch the person's hand, and by the size, I could tell that it was a male.

Finally, he asked with a sing song voice, "Guess who?"

Recognizing the voice immediately because of the number of times I heard it from the television, I took a guess, "Andy?"

Satisfied with my answer, he took his hands off as I turned to look at him.

Andy gave me a beaming smile. "How did you get that right on the first try?"

Ok, it's official. I am no idiot when it comes to this. The nation's husband is flirting with me. Does he like me? Am I too pretty to handle? Hahaha!

I was about to flirt back when I was reminded by the physical evidence that I have a husband. He was standing behind Andy and was glaring at me like I owe him some millions.

ABORT MISSION!

--

TBC