(Michelle Lui's POV)
To my surprise, asking permission to go to Country A for sem-break was… shockingly easy.
So easy that I actually blinked at my parents for a full three seconds, waiting for the catch.
It never came.
Flashback – Sunday Morning at the Lui Residence
My mother sat at her vanity, securing pearl earrings as the morning sun spilled across her silk robe.
"Mama?" I said, stepping into her room. "Can I ask something?"
She hummed. "If it's money, ask your father. If it's clothing, tell me your size."
I laughed softly. "No, nothing like that. Um… Kate's family is planning a group trip for sem-break. To Country A."
She paused, meeting my reflection in the mirror.
"With whom?"
"Just the usual… Lara, Kate, Steven, Anthony…" I hesitated, "Andy will be there too. Well, he's already there."
"And Jasmine?"
Of course she knew. Mothers always knew.
I nodded slowly. "Yes, she'll be there too."
My mother studied me carefully before saying,
