Before her, there stood the department she knew like the back of her hand. To anyone else, it might have seen that she was gone for only one week, but only she knew the truth.
It had taken her an entire lifetime to stand again in this hallways.
With measured steps, she approached the professor's cabin and paused at the doorway. Her gaze fixed on the slender man in his left fifties, dressed in a charcoal-coloured suit, sitting inside the cabin. He was Professor Alfred Morrison, the departmental head, her mentor, and one of the few people who truly loved her. Professor Morrison was carefully examining several documents on the table.
Her heart was now flooded with memories.
In her last life, she visited the university the same day, the day after her engagement; but for an entirely different purpose. That day she came to bid a final goodbye to her dream.
Vivienne's thoughts once again went back to that day.
When she arrived, Professor Morrison was sitting in the cabin in the same posture. The moment he saw her, his eyes lit up.
"Oh, Vivienne! Come in."
Vivienne went inside; there were a couple of other professors also. As she went inside, all of them congratulated her on her engagement, and then Professor Morrison stated. "Vivienne, there is a competition in four months, I really want you to participate in it. I am confident, you will win."
Vivienne noticed the spark in his eyes. She hesitated a bit, then in a low tone, answered. "Thanks, Professor, for considering me as a potential contestant, but..."
She paused a bit. "But I've decided to quit design."
The whole room fell silent for a minute. Everyone stared at her in surprise. Professor Morrison exclaimed. "What! But, why?"
She stayed silent for a few seconds before answering. "I've decided to focus on my family. After marriage, I won't be pursuing design again."
"Vivienne, have you lost your mind?" One of the professors chimed in. "You can always pursue your studies along with your family! Why quit?"
That day, the whole time, Vivienne kept her head lowered. Yes, she felt a pang of guilt for breaking her professors' aspirations for her, but for her, life with Damien was far more important.
She remembered the last thing Professor Morrison said that day. "Vivienne, you have talent and a bright future ahead. Don't lose it this way. I can't stop you from quitting; the only thing I can suggest is to take your time and think once again, reconsider your decision. Don't lose yourself or your identity to become a part of another's world. Because at the end of the day, if you don't have yourself for you, you'll be nothing in anyone's eye."
No. That day, Vivienne didn't listen.
Years later, she realized how important his words were, but by then, it was too late.
Five years later, she met Professor Morrison again. For five years, she had been slowly decaying from the inside; she had finally realized what mistake she had made. But the professor didn't hold a grudge against her. He smiled at her, slowly patting her head. "Vivienne, I know you realised your mistake, even though it is late. But believe me, there is nothing called finished yet! Start over, I know you can."
That night, Vivienne cried a lot. She finally decided she'd come out of this painful marriage. Maria was no longer there to stop her; she would divorce Damien and start a new life far away from his world.
But, that never happened. Before she could restart her life, she was killed. Brutally. By Damien and Sarah.
She didn't know when her eyes had clouded. Standing at the doorway, she couldn't help but smile! Life somehow, granted her wish! She had really restarted, but not late. Just at the right time.
Vivienne made a soft knock on the wooden door. None of the professors had noticed her earlier, with the sound of the knock, they turned at her. Vivienne slowly entered the room. And just like the last time, all the professors congratulated her on the engagement. She smiled at them, thanking them.
'Yeah, congratulations to me, for taking the right decision in this life.'
Professor Morrison looked at her. "Vivienne, there is a competition in four months, I really want you to participate in it. I am confident, you will win."
She smiled at him. "Sure professor, send me the details."
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As she entered the classroom, Vivienne met someone she knew very well. It was Abigail, her classmate, or better said, a tough competitor. Abigail was always behind her, the second-highest scorer after her, but she never tried any less to surpass her. Be it by studying, or sometimes — cunning. She never skipped even a little chance to slander her or try to tarnish her reputation. But she never reacted.
After she gave up on her studies, her spot automatically went to Abigail. However, she couldn't win the competition. Since she had gone out on her own, she agreed to help Sarah, and as a result, Sarah won the competition. Because of her, her own school was defeated.
Well, this time...
"Look, who's there! It's Vivienne! Congratulations!" She smiled at her, but the jealousy hidden behind her smile didn't escape her eyes.
"Ah, thanks, Abby." Vivienne went towards her seat bypassing her, but she called her name. "Are you gonna participate in the competition?"
Vivienne halted, then looked back. "Yap!"
She smiled. "Oh, I'm gonna participate, too. However, only one student will represent her college in the final. Well, wishing you good luck."
"Thank you, and... Same to you." She turned back to grab her seat.
Her brows were a little frowned. Abigail had already researched about the competition. If only one student could represent his or her college in the final, then it was a sure thing that everyone would give their hundred percent. But as much as she knew Abigail, she'd stop at nothing to eliminate Vivienne from the competition. So, she definitely had to be aware of her.