Unsurprisingly the entire university was sombre on Monday morning. After the fiasco at the Freshers' Welcome party, most students were wary of the administration's stern response. It was not well known that the three drunk girls and their parents had been summoned to the University President's office today.

Sarah took a deep breath before entering her classroom, the events of Friday night still etched in her mind. Kris was the first to spot her and he alerted the others to her presence. Her group of friends immediately returned to their seats. Sarah pretended not to notice that they had been gossiping about her as she nervously took her seat beside Hazel.

"Hi," said Kris. "Where had you disappeared to? We couldn't find you on Friday night?"

Patty jabbed him in the ribs. "Ah. What was that for?" moaned Kris in pain.

Patty glared at him before looking over at Sarah. "Hey babe, are you okay?"

Sarah smiled, "Surprisingly I am".

Prom shook his head in utter bafflement. "You're the nicest girl I know, this shouldn't have happened to you."

"What do you mean? Are Hazel and I not nice," Patty was quick to ask.

"I didn't mean it that way," sputtered Prom.

"Shit happens," mumbled Luke giving Sarah a sympathetic smile.

Hazel eyed him narrowly, "Your vocabulary amazes me."

"Thank you," said Luke rather delighted as Hazel rolled her eyes.

Kris leaned over. "It's called sarcasm, Luke. That wasn't meant as a compliment."

"Huh?" replied Luke confused.

Sarah grinned, "Thanks, guys. What would I do without you?"

She took out Luke's jacket from her bag and handed it over. "Thanks for this, Luke. I had it laundered."

"Thank God. I won't need to get it cleaned."

Sarah smiled, "No, you wouldn't. So, what's up? What were you gossiping about when I walked in?"

"You noticed?" asked Patty fidgeting uncomfortably.

"P' Gia, P' Flora and Cherry along with their parents are in Professor Gabriel's office at the moment," answered Hazel. "We were wondering what punishment they would receive."

Sarah was surprised. "How did you know?"

Prom scratched his head. "Your dad is also present. Don't you know?"

When Sarah shook her head in refusal, Hazel handed over her phone. "There is this unofficial Facebook group created by the university students, we were reading the live updates there."

Sarah scrolled through the page, pretty amazed at how well-updated it was. When she came across the pictures of Gia pouring wine on her, she grimly returned the phone.

"Hi, Sarah!"

Sarah turned to face Night. "Hi!"

"I wanted to apologize for my behavior. Even though I witnessed Gia and Flora bullying you multiple times, I never stood up for you. That was wrong of me, I realize that now."

"It's okay, I understand. They would have made your life miserable. After all P' Flora is your mentor," comforted Sarah.

"No, it's not okay. He came to this realization very conveniently when the others are getting punished for their deeds," scowled Prom.

"Prom, don't be so harsh. He was the one that brought P' Rachel there on time," corrected Sarah.

"Really" asked Patty sceptically. "In that case, thank you for helping out our friend".

"Come on Patty, be a little more generous. Night's life wasn't a walk in the park either. He was bullied by them too," remarked Kris.

"Fine. Allow him in our group," huffed Luke.

"What group?" muttered Prom annoyed.

"Guys, there is an update. Cherry, P' Gia, and P' Flora have been suspended for the rest of the semester. They will be allowed to sit for the exams but won't be allowed to submit assignments or lab reports," read Hazel. "P' Ben has been assigned as Night's mentor."

Sarah and Night let out a relieved sigh, glad their nightmare was finally over.

"Justice has been done," crowed Luke in delight.

"Hey, there's a video of P' Rachel!" exclaimed Hazel.

Sarah snatched the phone and hit the play button as the others surrounded her. They watched in silence as Rachel sternly rebuked those who had dared to heckle Gia outside Professor Gabriel's office. The video ended with a short conversation between Rachel and Gia before panning onto Gia's stricken face.

"I am so conflicted," muttered Patty. "I feel proud she stood up for the right thing and at the same time I wish she had stepped aside and let P' Gia get a taste of her own medicine."

"P' Rachel would never turn a blind eye to something wrong", disagreed Sarah.

"Look, P' Rachel has been voted Ms Popular," pointed out Kris.

"How can the strict disciplinarian of our university be popular?" mused Luke.

"There is nothing more attractive than the courage to make a difference," stammered Night.

"You're a fair one to speak about courage," muttered Prom under his breath. Night stiffened in response and though he remained silent, he did move away.

Night felt his pants vibrate, he took out his phone and checked the message. The Student Council had summoned him to the Council room to meet P' Ben.

..........................................................................

Later that evening as Rachel drove them home, Marisa fidgeted in her front passenger seat.

"The debate went quite well today", enthused Monica. "They are getting quite good at it".

Rachel smiled back at her friend through the rearview mirror as the traffic lights flashed green. "I think they are almost ready for the Championship."

"Rache..... I have something to say," stammered Marisa unhappily.

Rachel turned on the right indicator as she waited her turn at the junction. Finding her path clear, she smoothly turned the steering wheel.

"You were voted Ms Popular on the unofficial Facebook group, a minute after your video was put up."

The car swerved off the road as Rachel executed a rather sharp right turn, coming to a jarring stop before a tree.

"What was that?" exclaimed Marisa her heart in her mouth.

"We were in a near collision because of your idiocy," scolded Monica from the back, grateful for the seatbelt that had held her in place preventing her from sustaining injuries.

"What video?" asked Rachel as she shivered.

"That is not important," gulped Marisa.

"Show me," demanded Rachel as her breathing hollowed.

Marisa pulled out her phone and played the relevant video for Rachel.

"That has to go before Dad sees it," moaned Rachel. "Please get it removed".

"I will," promised Marisa. "Just breathe."

Monica struggled with her seat belt which seemed to be stuck. "We will handle it, Rache. Calm down."

There was a knock on the window. They turned to see Danish, Milan, and Niam standing at Rachel's door.

Marisa unlocked her seatbelt and leaned over Rachel's stiff form to open her car door. Danish was quick to pull the door open and unlock Rachel's seatbelt, pulling her into his arms. As the warmth of his embrace soaked into her skin, Rachel snuggled into his neck and began to cry in earnest. Hearing her sobs, Danish felt his heart shudder.

Meanwhile, Niam helped a traumatized Marisa out of the car even as Milan unlocked Monica's seatbelt for her. They gathered around Rachel and Danish, not sure what to do.

Spent, Rachel collapsed in Danish's arms.

"Rachel is usually careful. How did she lose control?" demanded Niam.

"It was my fault," admitted Marisa. "I distracted her."

Milan scowled, "You could have been badly injured if she hadn't braked in time. All of you are damn lucky."

"Believe me, we are aware," retorted Monica brusquely. "But this isn't the time to discuss that. We need to take Rache back."

"The airbags weren't deployed since Rachel narrowly avoided a collision," said Niam. "I can bring the car back on the road and Danish will drive you home. Milan and I follow in Danish's car".

"That's a plan," approved Monica.

They moved out of the way as Niam did the arduous task of backing Rachel's BMW onto the road. Once in position, he pulled the handbrake and got off.

Danish helped a lifeless Rachel into the front passenger seat. Putting on her seatbelt, he stared into her dull eyes. Marisa and Monica got into the back seats, as Danish rounded over to the driver's seat. Wordlessly, he started the car and drove off. Allowing Rachel, the peace she desperately needed. Marisa swiveled back to see Danish's Audi follow behind them.

"Where is the parking slot?" asked Danish as he drove down the ramp of Vivera Tower.

"Level 2, slot 23F," replied Monica. "It's the second left from the right."

Danish nodded as he turned the car, peering at each pillar they crossed before turning into the right slot. Rachel was fast asleep beside him.

"Do you mind telling me what was wrong with Rachel earlier?" he asked as he turned off the car engine.

Monica and Marisa glanced at each other.

Marisa cleared her parched throat. "She had a panic attack."

"She doesn't have it very often," clarified Monica. "Only when she is severely stressed."

Danish was quiet as he digested this new information.

"She will be feeling better now. We can wake her up," ascertained Monica.

"Is that necessary? I can carry her up," offered Danish.

"No, please don't. We rather you didn't!" exclaimed Marisa. "Rache would be very embarrassed."

Danish leaned over Rachel and unlocked her seatbelt before tenderly shaking her awake.

Rachel blinked her eyes sleepily before they abruptly widened as she noted her surroundings. "We are back?"

"Come on Rache. Let's go," said Monica. She carefully opened Rachel's car door and helped her out.

Danish watched Rachel lean on Monica as they headed towards the elevators.

"Thank you, for the help. Please could you keep this to yourself? Rache would be mortified if everyone learned about her panic attacks." Marisa eyed Danish nervously.

Danish handed over the car keys to her. "Don't worry. Rachel's secret is safe with me. I won't tell anybody nor will I ask her anything. She can confide in me if she wishes to."

A honk distracted them. Danish's Audi waited at the entrance of the ramp. Danish nodded at Marisa and walked away. She watched as Niam expertly maneuvered the car back on the ramp and drove away. Shaking her head, she hurried to the elevators.

.........................................................................

Davis gently placed the coffee mug on Mr Daniel's office desk. Seeing Mr Daniel engrossed in a pile of files, he swiftly backed away.

"Wait," said Mr Daniel without looking up. "Has Venom contacted you?"

"Yes Sir," replied Davis. "Mr Mew has forwarded the details of the payment he has made in your overseas account."

Mr Daniel put down the file he had been reading and stared at Davis expectantly.

Davis cleared his throat nervously, "Mr. Mew has also forwarded a copy of the contract he has signed with our suppliers for the construction materials."

"Good," nodded Mr Daniel as he picked up the file again.

Davis let out a sigh and turned back for the door.

"How is Rachel doing? Any news of her?" asked Mr Daniel as he made a few notations.

Sweat broke out on Davis's forehead. "She is doing a good job as the Vice President of the Student Council."

Mr Daniel smiled as he leaned back in his leather chair. "She is following in my footsteps. One day she will also enter politics."

Davis faked a smile as he surreptitiously hid his shivering hands behind his back. "Yes sir."

Mr Daniel picked up the next file. "Send Taylor in."

Davis stumbled out of the room, closing the door behind him. He hurried to his small cabin and collapsed in his chair. Taylor observed him from his perch on the armchair.

"You didn't blurt out the truth before him, did you?" asked Taylor.

"How could I?" sighed Davis. "Marisa begged me. Do you even know how many times she has bothered to call me in her life?"

"If only you let your daughter know how much you love her," drawled Taylor as he drew on his cigarette.

"Those are problems for another day. Have you got the hackers to take down Rachel's video and delete that idiotic Ms Popular thing?"

Taylor breathed out the smoke. "It's done, but it was spotted by two media outlets."

Davis gasped in horror, "What are we going to do if it makes it to the news? I just lied to Mr Daniel. We are so dead."

Taylor smiled smugly; his feral eyes gleaming. "Don't worry. Our men have hacked into their system and deleted all the information about Rachel. They even planted a good old virus to keep them busy."

Davis heaved a sigh of relief. "This whole cloak and dagger thing will be the end of me."

Taylor let out an inelegant snort. "A little late to think about that considering who are boss is."

"Boss? Oh no! Mr Daniel asked for you just now," shrieked Davis.

Taylor smashed his cigarette into the ashtray and swiftly got up from his seat, "You might have mentioned that earlier. You know how much he hates waiting."

"Sorry," muttered Davis. He loosened his tie as Taylor strode out.

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