Chapter 2 Michael McGregor - II

Sixteen years ago, in the city of Lenford...

-

There was a single petal floating before his eyes.

It was a cherry blossom petal, one that signaled the beginning of the tree's full bloom in spring.

It was the first thing that Michael McGregor saw before a girl about his age suddenly came up to him, her hand firmly gripping the strap of her shoulder bag.

She was a pretty girl, with long dark hair and distinctive olive-green eyes. She had an intelligent look about her that was mixed with elegance and beauty, catching the eyes of a few boys who passed by. Her hair was so long that it reached her waist, and she left it loose with the wind blowing the strands behind her.

It was like a picturesque moment that could've been a little romantic if it weren't for the words that came out of her mouth the next moment.

"What are you doing with that cigarette?"

-

At 15 years old, Michael McGregor had just arrived on the first day of high school. In middle school, he was notorious for his rebellion against his family and the teachers. He smoked, he drank, he skipped classes, and he never studied.

Nobody dared to say anything against him because he was a rich kid who had a CEO as a father. Needless to say, Michael always had his way, and he would never back down from anyone.

He was a kid who had the money but had no dreams.

But all of it changed the day he first met Hailey van Gowen.

Hailey was the daughter of a business tycoon who owned several hotels around the country. She was the eldest daughter who had a lot of potential to become a capable businesswoman in the future. She was strict, disciplined, and liked to stick to her morals. She was also quite studious and would often scold the other kids for doing something wrong.

It was probably why she volunteered to become the student council president.

Hailey was a year older than Michael. On his first day of high school, she came up to him after noticing that he held a cigarette in his hand.

"Student, smoking is forbidden in this school," she said with a polite smile on her face. "Hmm... Aren't you a freshman?"

Michael was in a bad mood at that time. He had gotten a heavy scolding from his father which made him think twice about going to school today, but after a veiled threat about canceling his credit cards for a lifetime, he decided to endure at least a year of school.

He took for granted the fact that his parents seemed to favor him the most and were lenient towards him. His brother, William, was the one his father was training to become the next company heir. His sister Joanna, on the other hand, was being given etiquette classes and various lessons for her future. Basically, she was to work in the family business and get married to who her father would choose for her.

Michael was the one who didn't seem to have any extraordinary talents whatsoever. His mother was always careful with him and took care of him the most because of an old injury to his leg that prevented him from doing anything physically strenuous, like sports. His father, on the other hand, seemed to pity him and couldn't punish him severely.

Michael hated it. The pity, the careful behavior... all of it.

There were various reasons why he rebelled against them, but most of all, he was just tired of this world and the environment that was around him.

He thought that maybe, if he kept on displaying bad behavior like this, his parents would finally treat him differently.

Back to the present, Michael glanced at the yellow-colored line on the breast pocket of the girl's uniform which indicated that she was a sophomore. Under the line was a name tag that had the words 'Hailey van Gowen' printed on it.

"It's none of your business," Michael said before walking past her.

However, Hailey grabbed him by the arm with a smile still plastered on her face. "As the president of the student council, I'd say that it is indeed my business. What's your name?" She turned him around with surprising strength to gaze at the name tag on his breast pocket. "Michael Noah... McGregor. Ah, you're the youngest son of the Haynes-McGregor Industries' CEO. I've heard that Mr. McGregor's business has been flourishing these past few years."

She said it in such a matter-of-fact tone that it was like she simply recited the words from a textbook.

Michael's expression darkened. "And what do my father's accomplishments have to do with me?"

"Nothing, really. It's just that you're related to him as his son, so I simply told you what I know."

"If you're just here to brag about your knowledge, then buzz off, you showoff," Michael snarled before yanking his arm away from her grip.

The smile never faded from Hailey's face. "Ah, a stubborn one, aren't you?"

She watched Michael's retreating figure for a while before calling out, "Remember, smoking is forbidden!"

Michael shook his head, thinking that he had just met one of the most annoying people here at school.

-

Present Time, the city of Penburg...

-

It was twenty minutes past ten when Michael finally arrived at his apartment.

It was empty as always. Nobody waited for him to return home, and he had no friends he could talk to. He didn't have any pets, either.

Just him, all alone.

Michael sighed heavily as he sat down on his couch, raising his hand to rub at his temple. Had he gone too far earlier?

However, he couldn't bring himself to feel bad about it. After all, his relationship with his family had changed drastically from what it had been back in the past.

Too many things had happened now, and he felt that it was already too late to face his internal problems. He was probably just running away from conflict, but he was honestly too tired to deal with it right now. His world remained a dark shade of gray, and it would probably not see any color anytime soon.

At least, until-

Suddenly, at that moment, Michael's phone rang. Puzzled as to who could be calling his private number at this hour, he glanced at the screen.

It was his personal assistant, Grady.

If Grady himself was calling outside of work hours, then that meant this must be something important.

Michael answered the call without further delay. "Hello? Is there a problem?" he asked, going straight to the point.

"Mr. McGregor," Grady said in a hurried tone, "we've found her."

Michael instantly froze in place. "What?"

"We've found her," Grady repeated. "We've found the woman you've been looking for. The woman with the name of Hailey van Gowen."

Michael's heart began to race. "You-You have?" His voice cracked a little, which rarely ever happened. However, he barely even noticed due to the numerous emotions that rose inside of him. "Where... Where is she now? Is she in the city? Has she finally returned?"

"Yes, Mr. McGregor. However..." Grady paused for a moment, seeming a little hesitant to relay the news. "There is one thing I need to tell you."

Michael's heart was suddenly filled with dread.

Did something happen to Hailey? Was it related to the reason why she had left so suddenly?

Or worse... was she sick?

"Her name is no longer Hailey van Gowen," Grady said. "She had thrown away her last name years ago and has now taken on a new identity. She is now Camille Parker, and she has been transferred to the Callahan Group branch here in Penburg, as Christian Callahan's personal secretary."

Michael sat there, stunned.

It was no secret in the country that the Callahans and the McGregors had bad blood between them.

And now Hailey was working for them?

She also changed her name?

What in the world was going on?