DO OVER 100

CHAPTER TWO PART 2

Crystal and I walked side by side through the crowded campus , the morning sun casting a golden glow over the university . Students rushed past , late for classes , laughing or chatting , or loitered in groups ,  is loitered even a word now , I sound so old . ok not the point but you get it.

I tried to focus on Crystal's excited rambling about their group project , but my mind was elsewhere , still reeling from the shock of waking up in my old life. I took in every detail around me -the familiar paths , the buildings , the vibrant energy of youth that buzzed through the air . It felt surreal , like living inside a memory . A dark -more like uncertain one.

My second chance was really real . But what now? Could I really avoid the same mistakes I made before?

"Mackenzie! you okay?" Crystal asked , glancing over at me. 

"Yeah, just....a lot on my mind ," I replied , forcing a some what smile . "You know how it is" Crystal nodded, oblivious to the deeper truth beneath my words , and we continued walking toward the main building where our class was.

As we rounded a corner , I suddenly collided with something-no , someone . Hard.  I stumbled back , blinking in surprise. "Watch where you're going,"came a deep , authoritative voice. I looked up , my eyes locking onto the figure before me . Daniel Bright. The name sent a shiver of recognition through me .

Daniel Bright was the heir to the Bright enterprises, Bright hotel , Bright electronics  , Bright foundation and a rumoured Bright dawn mafia . He's family is so powerful the literally run the country , you'd have to be living under a rock not to know who he is and fate just had to through a curve ball at me by sending him right in front of me literally .

Tall and imposing . Daniel stood out even among the crowd of students. His broad shoulders and muscular build filled the space around him with an almost tangible presence . His crisp white shirt clung to his frame , perfectly tailored , while his dark jeans suggested he didn't need to dress flashy to show his wealth . 

It was his face' though , that was really striking . His sharp jawline could have been sculpted from marble , with high cheekbones and piercing gray eyes  that flickered with cold arrogance . His perfectly styled hair only added to his almost too-perfect appearance.

In my past life Daniel Bright had barely been a blip on my radar . He was the heir to a multi-billion dollar conglomerate. Cold, calculating , and used to getting his way , he'd been a subject of whispers and gossip on campus. Everyone knew who he was , even if he barely acknowledged their existence .

"Sorry ?", I said quickly, regaining my. balance . But Daniel didn't move. Instead , he stood there , staring down at me with a slight tilt of his head , as if trying to asses her like one of his business acquisitions. "Sorry?" he repeated , his voice laced with disdain."Is that all?"

Crystal shifted uncomfortably beside me , clearly aware of who we were dealing with . "MC, lets go-". But Daniel  stepped forward, blocking our path. "I don't think 'sorry' is enough," he said smoothly . "You nearly knocked me over .People like you should know how to show respect."

My pulse quickened, but not out of fear. Something inside me flared-a sense of indignation I hadn't felt in years . I had been given a second chance at life , and I wasn't going to let this spoiled, arrogant  heir intimidate me .

"What do you want then?" An apology ?" I asked , my tone sharper than before. Daniel's cold gray eyes flickered with amusement . "An apology ?" he echoed, as though the idea were beneath him. "How about this-you kneel , right here, and apologise properly . I'll even pay you for it."

Crystal gasped beside me, and my stomach twisted , but I held Daniel's gaze , refusing to back down . "You're kidding right?" I asked , my voice incredulous. Daniel reached into his back pocket and pulled out a sleek, black wallet . He opened it and, with a practiced flick , pulled out a check book . "50,000k," he said , scribbling down the amount with a flourish . "Kneel , apologise for your lack of manners , and its yours."

The students nearby had started to notice the scene unfolding , glancing over and whispering amongst themselves. I felt all eyes on me , but didn't care . My heart raced, not out of shame , but anger. I stared at the check in his hand , that money could easily pay off my college debts and fix so many problems, I thought . It would have been tempting to the old Mackenzie , the one who let life crush her , who had accepted things because she thought she had no other choice.

But not this Mackenzie. Not anymore.

I took a deep breath , squaring my shoulders, and met Daniel's gaze without flinching."Keep your money," I said, my voice steady and clear. "I don't need it , and I'm certainly not going to kneel to anyone . Least of all to a spoiled motherfucker like you."

The crowd around us seemed to hold its breath . Daniel's expression faltered for just a split second , surprise flickering in his steely eyes. He wasn't used to being told no . Especially not by someone who wasn't afraid of him or his wealth . "You think you're above this princess?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous .

"No," I replied , my chin held high . "I think I'm above begging for money and don't call me princess . we're not close ." A silence fell over the group as Daniel's jaw tightened , his perfect features hardening with irritation. For a moment , I wondered if he would lash out , If his bruised ego would push him into something more drastic. 

But instead, Daniel  slid the check back into his wallet , his eyes narrowing as if calculating something in his head . "Interesting ," he murmured , almost to himself . Then he stepped aside, giving me and Crystal a clear path. "We'll see how long that attitude lasts."

I didn't look back as we walked passed him , my heart still pounding . But I could feel his eyes on me , and something told me that this encounter wasn't over. Daniel Bright wasn't  the kind of man who easily let things go. But for the first time in my entire life , I didn't care . I stood my ground , and would do it again . This was my second chance, and I wasn't going to let anyone - no matter how rich or powerful-stand in my way .