"It was alright, Mom. Thank you for your concern," Michelle answered politely. Michelle saw Cynthia as a graceful and elegant lady, from a world very different from hers.

  "Come on, Michelle. You don't have to be so formal with me. Have fun and be safe," Cynthia urged. She had never looked down on Michelle because of her humble background. She strongly believed that Edward and Luke didn't need to marry women from rich backgrounds, but they needed women who were strong enough to stand by their side at all times.

  "Don't worry, Mom. I will," said Michelle obediently. Though Jonathan and Cynthia always treated Luke as their own son, it still wouldn't change the fact that Luke was an adopted son. He treated the members of the Mu family with utmost respect. And as Luke's wife, Michelle also made sure to be the same.

  "You must be tired. Get some rest. Bye!" said Cynthia. She felt that Michelle was being too polite to her. Michelle talked to her as if she were talking to her boss, and not her mother-in-law. Cynthia decided that she needed to have a long talk with Michelle when she returned.

  "Okay, Mom. Bye!" Michelle hung up and heaved a long sigh of relief.

  "Michelle, why were you being so polite to your mom?" Hilda asked, confused. She didn't understand why Michelle was being so formal to her mother.

  "Oh, my mom is a distant, austere person. Never mind. Let's go buy our swimsuits," Michelle said, as she took out her wallet and walked out of the room with Hilda. Erin was at the hot spring too, but Michelle decided to ignore her and have fun in the hot waters.

  "Michelle, are you really going to buy me one too? It's rather expensive he

  were always trying to flirt with Erin, except Bradley He.

  "Really? Are you kidding me? Haven't you noticed all the girls who come to our classroom during breaks? They come to our class to get close to Bradley. He, however, is too aloof to be interested in anyone." Hilda's expression amused Michelle.

  "So, you have a thing for him as well?" Michelle asked smiling.

  "I do. But there's no way that he will fall in love with a girl like me," Hilda said, dejected. She had no self-confidence because of her figure and her humble family background.

  "Don't say that. Who knows, he might just fall for you some day," Michelle said reassuringly. She didn't say that just for the sake of it; she really meant it. Hilda was such a sweet girl, anyone would be lucky to have her.

  Hilda shook her head slightly and smiled. She knew that Michelle was just being kind to her.

  Michelle had no interest in the so-called school hunk, for she gave all her attention to Luke. Luke, on the other hand, showed no interest in her at all. He had said that he didn't need her love, which had made her really downhearted.