The Awakening of Independent Women

I was Sibley Pascall. On my birthday, my mom bought me a Chanel bag I'd been longing for.

But my boyfriend, Gerald Geis, was furious when he saw the bag.

"You spent 10,000 dollars on a bag? My mom only makes 400 dollars a month. She'd have to work for two years to earn that much. Sibley, I can't believe how materialistic and spendthrift you are!"

"Return the bag! Save the money! I'll buy you one online. It'll only cost me a few bucks, and it even comes with free shipping. It's just a bag."

I was shocked.

I retorted, "I don't care how much your mom makes a month. I didn't spend your money. Why are you so furious?"

——

Gerald was a senior above me.

He was tall, handsome, cheerful, and good at socializing. He was very popular in school.

We got together because he pursued me.

He pursued me relentlessly for a year.

I thought he was nice, so I agreed.

We had been together for six months and had never argued. I always thought he was gentle, except now he was losing his cool.

Sensing that I was angry, he immediately softened his tone and apologized to me.

"Sibley, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. Don't be upset."

He wanted to come and hug me, but I directly pushed him away.

He ruined my good mood which lasted for the whole day.

"Anything else? If not, I'm going back to the dorm."

Saying that, I walked past him and left.

He grabbed me and put a pot of plant the size of a palm into my hand.

"Sibley, happy birthday."

I didn't want it, but when I saw the sincere look on his face, I accepted it.

"Thanks."

Back in the dorm, I put the plant on the table, washed up, went to bed, and watched a TV series on my tablet.

Gerald kept messaging me, but I ignored him.

At ten o'clock in the evening, I turned off the tablet and was about to go to sleep. My roommate, Myra Beck, glanced at me from time to time. Her gaze was resentful, and it seemed she had something to say.

I couldn't stand her look, so I asked her, "What's up?"

She hesitated for a few seconds and then said, "Sibley, Gerald said he's waiting for you downstairs."

It was pouring rain at this time.

I got out of bed and walked to the window to look down. Sure enough, Gerald was standing downstairs, already drenched totally.

I frowned, unable to describe my feelings.

To be honest, I didn't have much feelings for Gerald. I agreed to be with him because he was nice. That was all.

I didn't feel sorry for him when he was caught in the rain, just helpless.

After thinking about it, I took the umbrella and went downstairs.

He saw me and smiled.

He hugged me tightly.

"Sibley, I'm really sorry. It was my fault today. I shouldn't have gotten angry with you. Can you please stop ignoring me?"

I remained expressionless and didn't say anything.

He continued to explain and coax me patiently.

"Sibley, I didn't mean to blame you for spending money recklessly. I just think that we are still students, and we shouldn't spend that kind of money on a bag. We might as well save the money. After we graduate, we'll have startup capital. Don't you think so?

"Besides, not many college girls have bags that expensive, right?

"I'm sure you don't wanna be different in that way compared to others. What if they get jealous and isolate you? I will feel bad for you and worried about you."

The more I listened to what he said, the more uncomfortable I felt.

I came from a rich family, and my parents owned a listed company.

My family had at least a billion dollars.

I had been trying to keep a low profile since I came to this school.

Gerald said I was different from others? All I did was get a bag worth 10,000 dollars.

Seemed he was trying to manipulate me emotionally.

I sneered inwardly. I looked up, met his gaze, and said tentatively, "You're right. Shall I return the bag?"