Monica nervously fingered the pleats of her formal skirt as she waited for Mr Daniel to arrive. Her impeccably dressed and equally stressed father, Taylor was seated opposite her, in the study of Daniel Mansion.

Taylor glanced at his watch and pulled at his tie; it was so unlike Mr Daniel to be late. If nothing else, he was a creature of habit. His sudden summons for Monica had taken them all back and none were wiser of the convoluted workings of his cunning mind.

The door swung open and Mr Daniel glided in, dashing as usual in his three-piece custom-made Italian suit. To her dismay, Monica felt her knees knocking together. She discreetly tucked her skirt in tight and gave a pleasant smile. Mr Daniel nodded at her absentmindedly as he strode to his oversized armchair. Lounging comfortably, he took the lit cigar from Taylor's hand.

"How are you doing, Monica? I hope you are making good use of the exorbitant fees I am paying for your education?" he asked casually.

Monica's smile froze and she nodded stiffly. "Yes, Sir. It is going rather well. Rachel once again topped the semester exams."

Mr Daniel took a puff from his cigar. "Yes, I received an invitation for the Awards Day. What a terrible waste of time! I attended several cabinet meetings instead."

Pity stirred in Monica's heart. "Well, the holidays are almost over and the fall semester begins the day after tomorrow."

Mr Daniel savoured the smoke before slowly exhaling it. "I hope the mentorship nonsense is over too?"

She nodded her head vigorously. "It is, though Rachel never allowed it to affect her performance in the Debate Club or the Student Council."

Mr Daniel thoughtfully twirled his cigar. "Any boyfriends I should know of?"

"No, Sir. We wouldn't dare!" She sputtered.

"Good. Now resign from your Class President duties and help Rachel prepare for the Student Council President elections. Though Professor Gabriel has promised to help, I dare not take chances. It is important for her future in politics."

As Mr Daniel gestured for Taylor to bring him a glass of whiskey, he failed to notice Monica's ashen face. "Get me the names of  the potential candidates threatening her victory."

She looked down at her hands and forced herself to voice her concern. "Would that be necessary, Sir?"

"Monica", warned Taylor as he returned with an exquisite tumbler of stiff whiskey.

Mr Daniel raised a brow at her impunity. "Perhaps, you forget your place."

Monica wrung her hands, "I am so sorry, Sir. I didn't mean to question your order. Of course, I shall do as you wish."

Mr Daniel gently rolled his cigar on the expensive ashtray before leaning forward to take the tumbler of whiskey Taylor offered. "I am not cruel. Should Rachel become the Student Council President, I shall grant you three girls a wish each."

"You are very kind," she murmured politely.

Though his eyes were stone cold, Mr Daniel smiled benignly. "Taylor is a discreet man and I hope you are equally discerning. Be careful with what you divulge to your two best friends about our little meeting."

She gulped, "Yes, Sir."

Mr Daniel waved his hand in dismissal, turning to Taylor instead. "Have you discovered the people behind Rawat's murder? I heard the Thai police have closed the case."

"Not yet," replied Taylor.

"Rawat's father, Thanawat Samthonglai is a major donor to the Independent Labour Party. There are rumours that he is now brokering a deal with the opposition to get the case reopened. We can't risk losing his support."

Taylor hung his head in shame. "We are trying our best"

"It seems like Venom is far more efficient than my men," rebuked Mr Daniel.

Monica glanced guiltily at her father before making a swift escape. She held a hand to her pounding heart even as the chauffeur-driven car pulled away from the grand entrance. She shuddered to think what would happen, should Mr Daniel discover her involvement in Rawat's death.

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

Grinning as Patty and Hazel traded witty insults, a distracted Sarah glanced at the door. Her jaw dropped open and the class buzzing with excitement for the new semester, fell silent. The three notoriously famous girls were back! Gia, her cousin Cherry and her best friend Flora stood at the classroom entrance.

Cherry chewed on her lower lip as she self-consciously flipped back her long hair. Unsure of the reception she would receive, she approached her former seatmate nervously. "Hi, Night. How have you been?"

Night gave her a long look though his expression remained impassive. "Good till now."

Cherry's smile faltered. "Could I sit here?"

Night shrugged casually, "Your presence will not bother me just as your absence didn't."

With a heavy heart, Cherry put down her bag. "Sarah, I am sorry for my behaviour. I was way out of line. My parents had me grounded the entire time I was suspended. I never wish to experience that punishment again. Please allow me to prove that I can be a better person."

Luke snorted, "You even apologise for selfish reasons."

Kris nudged his muscular friend. "Must you be this harsh?"

"Both, my cousin and I are deeply ashamed of our behaviour," said Gia softly. "We blamed Sarah for things she never did."

Snapping out of her daze, Sarah closed her jaw. "I am glad you have finally realised that, P' Gia."

Gia smiled wryly, "The suspension gave me time to ponder. If only I had thought things over before acting so rashly."

"Even though my friend Sarah is exceptionally kind, the humiliation her family had to face is unforgivable," declared Patty angrily.

Gia nodded in agreement, "You are right. Our sins are unforgivable."

Patty blinked in surprise having expected a sharp rebuttal. Did P' Gia have a change of heart?

"Everyone deserves a second chance," murmured Night softly. "Or good shall never truly triumph over evil."

"Would you have been so generous if you wore Sarah's shoes?" frowned Prom. "Besides what if this is a drama enacted to win our trust? How could we be sure they aren't backstabbers?

Gia closed her eyes in defeat. "I guess time will prove our sincerity."

"Is P' Flora also apologetic?" smirked Hazel.

Twirling the strand of her newly dyed hair around a finger, Flora chewed her gum and blew out a pink bubble. Smiling insolently, she winked at her juniors. "I made good use of the time by getting cosmetic surgery done. Do I look prettier than before?"

The entire class stared at Flora as though she had grown another head.

Unperturbed, Flora leaned over her former mentee. "Night, what do you think of my assets now? Aren't they the perfect size for your hands?"

Repulsed, Night shrank back. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

Flora tittered flirtatiously. "I don't mind you taking a good look."

"I am not interested in making a spectacle before my class. Kindly leave."

Humiliated by his public rejection, Flora's face reddened. "There are many things I could teach you. After all, I was your mentor."

"That's enough," yelled Prom. "His mentor, Ben has been kind enough to assist him well. He wouldn't need your help. Leave now before we complain against you."

With a feral expression on her heavily made-up face, Flora glared at Night. "You are going to regret this."

"Enough, Flora" countered Gia. "I don't need any more trouble. My parents have already threatened to pull me out of university and send me away. Apologise this instant."

Flora made a face and bad-naturedly stomped away.

Gia turned back to Night. "I apologise on behalf of my friend, Flora. It seems the suspension has had little effect on her temperament."

"As long as she stays away from me, I have no issues," replied Night.

Gia nodded, "I shall take care of it. Don't worry."

Prom pursed his lips tightly. Surely this wasn't the last time they witnessed the antics of that vicious vixen.

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

Aided by a spoon, Monica carefully wrapped the spicy rice noodles around her fork. As she lifted it to her open mouth, she found her two best friends staring at her. Quickly shoving the noodles in her mouth, she dived in for a shrimp.

"How was it?" asked Rachel patiently, letting her own Pad Thai go cold. 

Monica nodded her head enthusiastically. "Great as usual. I told you our Electronics Engineering canteen serves the best Pad Thai in the university."

Marisa raised a brow. "Should I get you another banana smoothie?"

"Sure," replied Monica as she vigorously chewed a generous scoop of scrambled egg.

"Really? I was not volunteering to fetch the third glass of banana smoothie. It's called sarcasm. Ever heard of it?"

Rachel shook her head in exasperation, "Monks, just spit it out."

Unfortunately for Rachel, bits of scrambled egg went flew her way while the remnants of a shrimp landed on Marisa's plate.

"Ew!" yelled Marisa leaping up from her seat.

"Sorry!" muttered a mortified Monica as she swiftly cleaned up the mess with spare tissues.

"Oh, Lord! Not the food," groaned Rachel. "I meant your secret. We have been together since childhood and the only time you eat like a hog is when you are trying to hide stuff from us."

If only you knew, thought Monica. She let out a strangled laugh, "Whatever do you mean?"

"Confess" demanded Marisa, holding her fork in a threatening manner. "You just killed my appetite and wasted this delicious Pad Thai. Wars have been fought for lesser reasons."

Rachel rolled her eyes and gestured at Marisa, "Why am I nicknamed the Ice Queen when her dramatics go unnoticed?"

"Mr Daniel has asked me to resign from the Class Presidentship."

"What? Why?", exclaimed the two.

"To help Rache campaign for the Student Council President elections. As a Campaign Manager's daughter, I am better suited for this responsibility."

"Good thing he has no expectations from me," muttered Marisa shrugging her shoulders. "I can barely keep the Debate Club running in your absence."

Rachel slammed her hand on the table. "He can't do that. It's unfair!"

"When has he ever been fair, Rache?" questioned Monica. "Let it go. The post of the Student Council President is far more important for your future in politics."

"How is that?" wondered Marisa as she noisily slurped her chocolate shake.

Monica huffed at her friend's naivety. "Charnock Beadon University of Technology is the best university in Bangkok. The Presidentship of the Student Council proves Rachel's ability to hold a position of authority. Once she graduates, it will qualify her for a seat in the youth wing of the Independent Labour Party."

Rachel grinned, "At least my dad rightly values your intelligence. Even I hadn't figured out that part yet."

Monica took a sip of her lukewarm banana smoothie. Grimacing in distaste, she pushed it away. "Once you join ILP, the opposition will go through your university records with a fine-tooth comb. You have to maintain a clean image. So do we."

Marisa angrily crossed her arms, "I am not going to give up Niam."

Rachel bit her lip, "What of the no dating rule? I assumed it didn't apply to Mars, so I played Cupid despite your repeated objections. But if my dad is still adamant about it, what shall we do?"

"There is a way," said Monica. She leaned back in her seat, raking a hand through her raven hair. Unknown to her, a boy across the crowded canteen almost fell off his perch on the table generally reserved for the swimming club seniors.

"Mr Daniel has promised to grant each of us a wish, once Rache becomes the SC President. Mars can request Mr Daniel to allow her to date whilst Rache can ask permission to apply for an internship."

Stupefied, Marisa and Rachel stared at Monica.

"He promised?" croaked Rachel. "What is the price that must be paid for his generosity?"

Monica crossed her arms. "That is for me to know. I can't reveal anything more."

"Then there is one other thing I wish to know!" declared Marisa stubbornly.

"What?" asked Monica, rudely. Perturbed, by the growing insistence of her friends in digging out secrets she rather stayed buried.

Marisa grinned like a devil. "What do you plan to request Mr Daniel for?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"What do you mean you haven't decided? It's a once-in-a-lifetime offer!" exclaimed Marisa incredulously.

Monica shook her head at her dramatic friend. "There is a lot of time for that. We first have to ensure Rache's victory."

Marisa laughed till tears adorned her pretty eyes. "Has Mr Daniel ever failed in achieving his goal? Even God could not stand in his way once he sets his sight on a goal."

Unhappy, Rachel looked away. Would she ever succeed in securing her dream job? Faraway, from her father's rising political ambitions.

"Rachel, could I have a word with you?" asked Gia tentatively. "If it is not too much trouble?"

Surprised the three stared at her as though they had seen a ghost.

The first to recover, Rachel gracefully rose to her feet. "Sure. Would you like to talk privately?"

Gia nervously eyed the other two, "We could talk here."

Monica didn't need to be told twice. "See you in class Rache," said Monica as she swiftly picked up her bag and collected the dirty food trays. "Come on Mars."

"But we don't bite!" groused Marisa loudly as she grudgingly followed Monica.

Rachel frowned as she stared at her rapidly disappearing friends. She would have to make a quick trip to their favourite deli to appease them.

Gia cleared her throat. "I am sorry to have rudely disturbed your meal. But you have a busy schedule and it is rather difficult to get you alone."

Curious, Rachel cocked her head to the side. "What is it that you wish to tell me?"   

Gia drew in a shaky breath. "I wanted to thank you. You stood up for me despite my misbehaviour. It made me realise how wrong I was in projecting my feelings and desires on other people. I had become the very bully I despised." 

Taken aback by the sincere confession, Rachel strangely found herself speechless.

"And I vow to do better. To be a better person for my family and friends. You inspire me to be better. So, thank you."

Gia felt the weight of overwhelming guilt lift from her heart. "See you around," she said with a smile and walked away.

It was a few moments before Rachel realised she had been vacantly standing and staring into space. Shaking her head, she made tracks for her next class.

Having overheard Gia's heartfelt admission albeit unintentionally, Ben marvelled at the earth-shattering change in the once haughty and wholly unlikeable ex-Class President. In his humble opinion, the new semester was rather interesting!