Ugly Duckling Becomes National Beauty Chapter 2

Ms. Fairchild replied almost instantaneously. "Got it. By the way, you have a lovely name!"

I responded politely, "Thank you. My grandma picked it out for me."

Mom and Dad had only given me the nickname "Blob", claiming a crude name would make me easier to raise. Then, like the trash my nickname implied, they had dumped me at Grandma's house right after I was born.

When I was five, I was about to start elementary school. I needed a legal name for my official records—a full name with a last name, the name I'd be known by for the rest of my life.

Grandma called Mom and Dad several times. Their answer was always the same.

"Yeah, yeah, we're thinking about it. We're super busy auditioning for roles and going on nationwide tours. It's literally just a name. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Months flew by, and before long, the first day of school was right around the corner. Afraid that I would miss enrollment and end up starting school a year later than the other children my age, Grandma took matters into her own hands and named me Aria Sterling.

"I don't need you to be wealthy and distinguished, sweetheart. I only hope you can be as beautiful as an aria."

Even as a child, I was well aware that if I remained Mom and Dad's "Blob", I would only be tossed around like garbage forever. So, I'd rather be Aria—the name that carried Grandma's love and blessings.

Just then, the housekeeper knocked on my door. "Ms. Blob, dinner's ready."

The housekeepers knew full well that I was also Mom and Dad's daughter. Yet, they called Vivian "Ms. Sterling" and relegated me to "Ms. Blob".

I wasn't sure if this was something Mom and Dad had instructed them to do or whether the housekeepers were simply treating people according to their status. Fortunately, I had always known that this place wasn't my home, so I hadn't harbored any unrealistic expectations.

However, when I went downstairs, even with my sunglasses on, I couldn't help but be dazzled by the scene before me.

Countless rows of gorgeous designer dresses and high heels were neatly arranged in the living room. The housekeepers were holding up fine jewelry for Vivian to pick and choose as she pleased.

Noticing me frozen on the stairs, taking it all in, Dad looked a little awkward. In a heartbeat, he began sizing me up.

"Vivian's birthday party's tomorrow, so she needs to be dressed to the nines. You, on the other hand, can wear your own clothes and keep things simple. There's nothing wrong with having ordinary looks, as long as you keep a low profile and don't draw attention. But if you apply lipstick on a pig, you'll just end up making a fool of yourself."

Mom and Dad had always been stingy about giving me even the slightest bit of their time, money, or companionship. Hence, I merely nodded.

Noticing how quiet and unbothered I was, Dad's face tightened. "At the end of the day, you're a teenager. I'm only telling you not to overdress, not that you should look like a mess. I'll ask your sister to pick out a few simple and understated clothes she hardly wears and bring them up to you later."