"Look!" shrieked Marisa in delight, sticking her hand under Rachel's nose. Resting her head against the door, a groggy Rachel stared at the offending hand for a minute before jerking awake.

"No way! Are you already engaged?" yelled Rachel in dismay, her eyes still on the tiny diamond winking on Marisa's left ring finger.

Marisa let out a giddy giggle, "No silly. It's a promise ring. Niam gave it to me last night!"

Rachel raised her brows, "What promise?"

Marisa smiled shyly as she stared at the ring lovingly. "A promise to love me a lifetime."

"That's a thing?" asked Rachel skeptically.

Marisa rolled her eyes and let out a laugh. "It's a thing."

Still dressed in her Barbie night suit with her tousled hair up in a casual knot, Rachel rubbed her eyes sleepily and pushed the door open wide. "Come on in, I am going to make coffee. You have passed on too much information for my brain to process."

With a spring to her steps, Marisa dutifully followed Rachel to the kitchen.

Rachel fetched the milk carton from the fridge before hunting for her coffee jar. Meticulously measuring out the appropriate amount of coffee beans, she put on the coffee machine. "How come you haven't gone bothering Monks instead of me?"

"Monks sent a message that she has gone to Wat Arun to pray."

Rachel banged her head on the overhead cabinet in her quest for clean mugs. "Ouch! Why did she go without us?"

"She said she wanted to spend some meditating there."

Rachel frowned as she filled the mugs with steaming hot coffee. Placing the other mug before her friend, she took a sip from her favorite mug and closed her eyes in delight. The caffeine kicked in, lifting away the fog of sleep and clearing her mind. "Now tell me what you were saying about Niam."

Marisa curled her hands around the mug and lifted it to her lips. "Niam said he needs time to stand up on his feet. The day he can afford to buy an apartment, he intends to propose to me. He is serious about the future of our relationship and wants it to culminate in marriage someday."

Rachel nodded her head in approval, "Niam is sensible and steady. You can rely on him."

"But we intend to move to Singapore after graduation. How will I maintain a long-distance relationship with Niam?"

Rachel shook her head at her friend's naivety, "We are only in the final year of engineering. We haven't yet applied for a job in Singapore. What are crying about? We will cross the bridge when we get to it."

"The semester exams are over. You topped as usual. What else is new?"

Rachel put away her empty mug and began to hunt for the ingredients needed to make a Thai omelet. "I have sent out internship applications to several tech companies. Once selected, I shall apply for a four-month leave from the university."

"If you're on a four-month leave, who will handle the Debate Club and the Student Council?" asked Marisa, her voice laced with trepidation.

Rachel let out a muffled oath as she sliced open her finger with a sharp knife. Washing away the blood under cold water, she allowed her friend to put a Band-Aid on.

"Are you okay?" Marisa let go of the injured finger.

Rachel gave a quick nod before proceeding to expertly chop the spring onions. She cracked four eggs in a bowl and added the spring onions along with fish sauce, chicken powder, spring onion, and lime juice. Frisking the concoction, she deftly poured it on hot oil. "I am stepping down from the Debate Club and handing over the captaincy to Atid."

Marisa scratched her head, "Atid from 3rd year electrical engineering?"

Rachel deftly flipped the omelet. "Hmm. He will prove to be an efficient and reliable Captain. As for the Student Council, I plan to appoint Monica as the VP."

"Under the guise of your election campaign, you forced Monks to join the SC for this reason?"

"She lost the post of the Class President because of me. I couldn't let it go at that!"

"Wouldn't the other Student Council members complain though?"

"They might," replied Rachel. She split the omelet in half and slid it onto a plate. "But the SC President gets the last word."

Putting two slices of bread in the toaster, Rachel finally gave Marisa her full attention. "Why are you so fidgety today? Are you alright?"

Marisa rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "I am fine."

Rachel stared at the bruise blossoming along Marisa's exposed collarbones till something clicked in her brain. "Don't tell me those are love bites? Were you with Niam last night?"

Not knowing where to look, Marisa blushed a rosy red, "Um!"

Rachel let out a muffled oath. "Tell me you used protection?"

Marisa's eyes widened like saucers. "I need to go," she mumbled as she raced away.

Rachel covered her face with her hands and swore profusely. Marisa was going to be the death of her someday.

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

Jay Zacharia put down his soup spoon. Delicately wiping his mouth with a white napkin, he picked up his glass of white wine. "The Tom Yum soup was delicious."

Mew smiled as he gestured for the hovering waiter to take away their empty bowls. He nodded at the men standing guard at a discreet distance. Immediately the restaurant was emptied of other occupants. "I am glad you liked it. This traditional Thai restaurant is one of Venom's latest acquisitions."

Jay glanced around approvingly at the traditional Thai decorations adorning the walls of the posh restaurant. "You have uncovered a hidden gem indeed."

Mew took a sip of his full-bodied red wine. "I heard you are having problems at OPG."

Jay waved a hand in dismissal. "Nothing I am unable to handle. Besides it is only fair that the Board wants to test Danish's capabilities. He is the future CEO."

"Not if problems were intentionally created to oust the Zacharia's from OPG."

Jay lifted a brow, "Whatever do you mean?"

"Supported by the Xenon gang, Director Kanarot has been dabbling in the illegal diamond trade. I recently uncovered that Augustus Daniel is one of the patrons of the Xenon gang. No doubt, the problems you are facing have been created at his behest."

Jay scoffed, "Why am I not surprised?"

Mew slid a file across the table. "You have a colorful Board of Directors. One is using his wife's inheritance to build a secret love nest for his Japanese mistress. Another is lavishing an exotic escort agency with extra attention." Mew shook his head, "Some details are too scandalous even to read aloud."

Jay stared a while at the black file before looking up again. "You dug up dirt on all the Directors to give me a handle on them at the next Board meeting? I never asked you to do this for me."

Mew smiled, "You don't have to."

Jay pushed the file back. "I won't be needing it at the moment. Danish is more than capable of succeeding in his current endeavor. However, I do ask you to hold on to this file for me. I might need it in the future."

Mew raised his glass in a toast. "Cheers to a gentleman like you."

Jay clinked his wine glass reluctantly. "You embarrass me so easily."

Mew grinned at his old benefactor. "Should I take care of Xenon? They must not be allowed to intrude into my territory."

"Teach them a lesson so they don't take you lightly, but let their association with Director Kanarot continue. Daniel must not get suspicious of your motives."

"I have more information on Rachel Daniel."

Concerned Jay sat back. "What is it?"

"Mr Daniel has been selfish enough not to place any assets in her name. Only an apartment in a posh tower and the Daniel Mansion belongs to her. The apartment was bought using ill-gotten gains, so she might lose it in the future. However, the Daniel Mansion was inherited from her late mother, Pamela Yoopasuk. She receives a generous stipend from her father for living expenses every month. He also bears the burden of her university fees."

Jay frowned; his children were better taken care of. He had transferred a portion of his OPG shares to them on their 18th birthday. "Create a secret fund for her. She would need it to escape Daniel."

Mew nodded as though he had expected such an answer. "She wishes to move to Singapore after graduation."

"Then make it happen."

Mew sighed in exasperation, "Why must you do so much for your enemy's daughter?"

Jay thoughtfully traced the rim of his wine glass. "I owe a debt to her grandfather, Late Mr Yoopasuk."

"Very well. I shall make the necessary arrangements."

"Have you collected enough evidence against Daniel without endangering your organization?"

"My man at VX Constructions has hidden his tracks well. He can never be traced back to Venom. However, till the expressway is completed it would be ill-advised to make a move against Mr Daniel."

"How much longer will the expressway take to complete?"

"Give or take another 6 to 8 months," Mew grimaced. "The demolition of the Bangkok Highland Tower has saved us time."

Jay nodded thoughtfully, "Take as much time as you must. There should be no loopholes for Daniel to escape."

Mew smiled bitterly, "Rest assured. There won't be."

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

Danish looked on in amusement as Niam unconsciously jiggled his knees. Putting down the file he had been scanning through, he lightly rapped a knuckle on the table to get his friend's attention. "You look incredibly happy. Perchance, it has something to do with Marisa?"

Niam looked up from his laptop and grinned, "I really can't hide anything from you, can I?"

Danish smiled, his gray eyes alive with mirth, "Asshole, why do you even try?"

Niam's face assumed a dreamy expression. "I gifted Marisa a promise ring last night. She has been supporting me unconditionally and is surprisingly mature about my inability to take her out on dates frequently. I can see myself marrying her one day!"

Danish looked away as envy coiled in his heart. He could never hope to experience the true love, that poets waxed lyrically of.

"How is Milan keeping? I haven't met him since I handed over the Swimming Club Captaincy to him."

Niam grimaced as he crash-landed back to reality. "He has begun training the juniors though the university hasn't reopened yet. I believe he has entered the swimming team in several competitions this year. We might not be seeing much of him."

"It is good he keeps busy. He needs the time and space to mend his broken heart."

Niam let out a weary sigh and shut down his laptop. He wouldn't be able to focus now. "Milan refuses to talk about it and Monica avoids us like the plague. I wish there were something we could do for them."

Danish wearily rubbed a hand over his face."In the end, what's meant to be will always find a way."

Distracted by brisk knocking, they turned to the glass door of the conference room.

"Sawasdee krab," Mark greeted them and wai'ed respectfully.

Danish rose from his chair, "You are my senior, P' Mark. Why do you insist on greeting me as such."

"It is gracious of you to consider a humble assistant like me a senior."

Niam chuckled, "No wonder Chairman Zacharia sings praises of you. But Danish here is only an intern, don't you think it inappropriate to wai?"

"I wai with respect before the future CEO. It would be foolish to consider myself his senior. It would be wiser still for Intern Zacharia to establish his superiority."

Danish quirked a brow and his gaze sharpened. "Please elaborate."

"Many in OPG are now confused about how to treat the young Zacharia heir as he has been challenged by the Board of Directors to prove his worth. So, should they treat him as their junior and relegate work to him to help him gain experience? Or should they follow his lead to save the chairmanship from the wrong hands? If they follow him, then questions arise about the existing hierarchy. It's a catch-22 situation artfully created by the rebel directors."

Niam slumped in his chair. "Hearing that gave me a headache, how are we supposed to sort it out?"

Danish raised a brow at his father's efficient secretary. "You must have a solution!"

"The answer to this riddle has been provided by the Chairman himself. Kindly allow me to introduce Chairman Zacharia's previous secretary and my predecessor, Mr Tong Khomsiri."

An old man with snow-white hair and a slouched posture shuffled into the conference room, using an ornate cane to shut the door. Danish gasped before rushing forward to embrace him. Perplexed, Niam watched the happy reunion in silence.

Tong Khomsiri fondly ruffled the hair of the young man who had grown up before him. "Young Master, how have you been?"

"Better now that I have met you," replied Danish with a smile. "Hadn't you retired a while back?"

"I did," acknowledged the man, now in his twilight years. "But your father asked me for help. How could I deny it?"

Mark cleared his throat, "The Chairman has appointed Mr Tong Khomsiri as the Chief Product Officer. He shall be personally overseeing the launch of the new Smartwatch and EarPod. The two of you are to complete your internship under his supervision."

Niam opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water. "Is he then taking over our Project?"

Tong Khomsiri smiled benignly, "You must be Intern Niam. I have heard quite a few things about you. Alas, I am only the smokescreen behind which the two of you shall operate."

Danish let out a strangled laugh, "A genius move on behalf of my father, but wouldn't your appointment be questioned by the Board?"

Tong Khomsiri's old eyes twinkled. "Your father had gifted me a five percent share on my retirement. They dare not object."

Marveling at his father's shrewdness, Danish let out a chuckle. Sliding his hand into his pocket, he casually leaned back against the table and crossed his legs. "Then, let the games begin."

Mark felt a chill race through his body. He had seen that expression before on his boss, Jay Zacharia's face. It had never boded well for his enemies. Vaguely, he remembered Director Nampan's wise parting words- "They escape a tiger only to meet a crocodile."

Mark slowly shook his head, that old fox was far more astute than he let on.

Hi guys, do leave a comment on which character you liked the most and why!