Ivy's heart raced with a mixture of nerves and fear. She had not revealed her identity in the text message and there was a chance that her teacher would not recognize her.
"How should I introduce myself if he doesn't recognize me?" she thought.
Her former identity as Irene had long been buried, and she feared that mentioning it abruptly might startle her teacher.
As Mr. Zeeland, the teacher, emerged from the school gate, he immediately spotted Ivy.
She had not dressed up and wore a simple dress; her hair was tied in a ponytail, and her face unadorned, giving off a clean and mature aura.
Mr. Zeeland adjusted his glasses and carefully scrutinized Ivy, yet he could not recall who she was.
"Mr. Zeeland, do you have any classes today? It's just about time for dinner. Let me treat you to a meal," Ivy said, her face glowing with a bright smile.
Mr. Zeeland blushed slightly. "What's your name? I don't remember ever teaching you. In fact, I don't recall seeing you before. Are you sure you were my student?"
"I know your name, and I also know your phone number. You taught me for three years, and I'm absolutely certain you were my teacher," Ivy replied.
"Then what's your name?" Mr. Zeeland asked.
"Let's go have dinner first! I'll explain everything while we eat," Ivy suggested.
Glancing at the time, Mr. Zeeland agreed, "Alright! You've come all this way to see me, and I'm touched. Though I don't know who you are, I believe you're my student."
They settled at a nearby restaurant near the school and Ivy spoke again: "You treated me to dinner here before."
"Mr. Zeeland, I found my family three years ago, and they erased all traces of me in Taronia. I didn’t die. I'm just living as a different person in a different country."
Mr. Zeeland panted excitedly. "That's a miracle! I don't even know what to say... I'm so happy for you, but, at the same time, this feels like a dream... Are you really Irene?"
"Yeah. Mr. Zeeland, I was hoping that you can keep this a secret. I don't really want others to find out about this."
"Don't worry, I won't tell a soul," Mr. Zeeland said before taking off his glasses, sobbing.
"Mr. Zeeland, don't cry!"
"I was upset for so long when I heard that you died. You were an intelligent and hardworking student. You were about to get into a great university, and all of a sudden, they said that you were dead. I couldn't accept it. It's a good thing that you are alive... Just look at how well you are doing now!"
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