Throngs of youngsters grooved to the loud music and pulsating lights as still more crammed on the leather couches and knocked back expensive drinks with abandon. It was a regular scene from the most popular nightspot in Bangkok's nightlife. Mr Mew grinned with pleasure as he surveyed his kingdom from his exalted office.

"How many outside dealers did you catch?" he asked, toying with his heavy signet ring.

"Three tonight, Master. They have been dealt with accordingly and their stash has been confiscated," replied the Manager.

Mew took a sip of his whiskey, "The outsiders are becoming quite brave, trying to sell their wares here without getting our approval. Forward the stash to our dealers."

The Manager swallowed audibly, "Master, we shall henceforth become more vigilant".

There was a knock on the door and John, Mew's assistant entered.

John bowed respectfully. "Master, Mr. Daniel is here to see you."

A look of irritation passed on Mew's face before it returned to its usual bland expression.

"Send him in," he ordered as he strode back to his desk and pocketed the pen drive attached to his laptop.

When Augustus Daniel entered, he found Mew casually lounging in his chair, a drink in hand.

"Welcome Mr Daniel," he drawled from his perch. "Have a seat. John, send the usual for Mr Daniel.

"Tell me Mr Daniel, what brings you to my humble office?" he asked as Mr Daniel coldly smiled in response and unbuttoned his coat to sit down. The apparent sarcasm was not lost on him.

"Well, Mr Mew has been too busy to come meet me. So, I have come instead."

Mew merely laughed in response.

"Rather disappointingly I haven't yet received the information I asked for," continued Mr Daniel with a frown.

Mew fingered the pen drive in his pocket, "The person of interest you want to be investigated has been rather interesting to locate till now. It would take longer as he has already gone into hiding".

Mr Daniel cocked his head to the side, "I wonder who tipped off that troublemaker."

Mew shrugged, "Venom has its fair share of enemies".

"I hope you are not withholding information from me. It would be detrimental to our business."

Mew smirked, "As long as our business remains mutually beneficial, you have no reason to doubt me".

John returned with a bottle of neat whisky and a glass. Mew gestured for him to serve them and leave. Once John retreated, Mr Daniel downed a peg before pouring himself another. Mew watched in distaste. After all, it was a ten-thousand-dollar bottle of imported whiskey; it was meant to be savored not chugged down.

"How can I be assured that you are not favoring your old benefactor over me?" questioned Mr. Daniel twirling his glass.

"Jay Zacharia saved my life and pulled me off the streets when I was but a child. Without him, I would not be here today, and nor would Venom. His family remains under my protection."

"Then ask your benefactor to stay out of my business. If he keeps causing me trouble, there are other mafia gangs out there who wouldn't mind taking care of him," retorted Mr Daniel.

Mew began to laugh though his grip on the pen drive had hardened. "We both know Mr. Zacharia doesn't have the balls to mess with you, he can only ever create minor nuisances".

"That is why I still allow him to exist," replied Mr Daniel. "By the way, the tender for the expressway shall be out soon. Are you ready?"

"My men are on it", confirmed Mew idly tracing the rim of his glass.

"Another matter has come to my attention. I need you to warn off the Nova gang".

Mew looked surprised. "Nova led by the Techaapaikhun family?"

Daniel nodded, "It has come to my attention rather belatedly that their young master dares to mess with my daughter."

Mew smiled, "Consider it done."

Daniel finished his drink and got up from his chair, "I no longer want information on that troublesome journalist, I want him dead."

"Where can he go? He will be dead soon enough," assured Mew.

With a nod, Mr Daniel stalked away.

With his guest out of sight, Mew picked up his phone and made a call.

"Get Zacharia's man across the border tonight but first put on some makeup for him and stage a few snaps of his fake dead body."

Mew smiled dangerously. Nobody threatened a lion in his den, not even Augustus Daniel.

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

Unaware of the threat looming over him, Jay Zacharia huddled with his old friend, Professor Patrick Gabriel in the University President's office.

"How did Hans get out of hand under your watch, Patrick?" scowled Jay as he sipped the lukewarm tea Professor Gabriel preferred to serve his guests.

Professor Gabriel sighed heavily, "The students never complained so his bullying went unchecked."

"What will happen now?"

Professor Gabriel put down his teacup. "A disciplinary inquiry has been initiated against him; it shall conclude this Saturday. But if you ask me, he shall most likely be rusticated."

It wouldn't be that simple, worried Jay. "And the Techaapaikhun family?"

"They have tried to bribe, coerce, and threaten me, not necessarily in that order. I have even had to send my family to Malaysia for a few days."

"Don't worry I will take care of it. Which professor called for the inquiry? I shall see to his safety too," soothed Jay, taking note of the slight quiver in his friend's voice.

Professor Gabriel smirked, "It wasn't a professor who finally took a stand, it was a student."

Jay couldn't hide his surprise.
Professor Gabriel laughed at his friend's comical expression. "Rachel is our university topper. You've seen her around. Feisty she is."

Jay smiled, "I would love to meet her but first I have to arrange security for her."

"No need," replied Professor Gabriel. "She is a politician's daughter. She must already be taken care of."

Jay shook his head, "A politician's offspring has scruples. Never thought I would live to see the day."

"Speaking of offspring, your son has improved his grades greatly. Keep him out of swimming competitions for the rest of this year, it would do him a world of good."

Jay shrugged, "Then keep your swimming club suspended longer."

Professor Gabriel burst out laughing. "What about your daughter? Has she applied here as yet?"

"She will be coming here for the Open House tomorrow and intends to submit her application."

"Good," replied Professor Gabriel. "I look forward to having her here."

Jay rose to his feet. "Then old friend, I shall take my leave. Keep me posted on the Hans matter."

Professor Gabriel smiled, "Let me escort you to the parking. It's been a while since I have taken a round of the university."

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

It was just one of those days concluded Rachel as she watched the chocolate shake trickling down her white shirt. Wiping its remnants from her face, she glared at the rebellious fresher who had dared to dunk her.

"A hundred laps around the university track," she snapped at the insolent girl.

Rachel pointed at the girl standing beside the offender. "You're her friend right? Record her punishment and submit it to the Student Council before the day is out. If you fail to do so, be prepared to run laps tomorrow."

"What if I don't?" challenged the rebel even as her friend tried to pull her away.

"Student ID 234687, Year 1, Chemical" read Rachel from the student ID card she had snatched from the girl before being dunked. "I shall complain to the Council. Your parents can then answer on your behalf."

Finally, the furious girl ran out of steam and her cowering friend began to drag her towards the race track.

Rachel groaned. The lunch hour had just gotten over and despite not having any more classes today, she still had to oversee the decorations of her faculty common room. The spare shirt she usually left in her locker had also been ruined a few days back and this shirt would take hours if not days of scrubbing to get back to its pristine white. She would have to beg Monica for her spare.

Dialling Monica's number, Rachel hurried to her faculty building.

"Hi Monks, do you have a spare shirt in your locker?" asked Rachel desperately. "You do! Thank God! What's your locker combination?"

Monica's voice was drowned out by a loud screech.

"What was that?" asked Rachel as she ground to a halt, ready to run to Monica's assistance.

"Nothing," replied Monica nervously. "The defense got too aggressive. I swear the Debate Club is going to be the death of me."

"Hang in there, Monks. I just got dunked with a chocolate shake," replied Rachel wryly.

Monica groaned, "Not again. Was it a banana smoothie last time?"

"No, raspberry shake. I have to wash up now. Bye".

Rachel had barely set foot inside her faculty building when an authoritative voice called her name.

Shit, she thought and turned to face Professor Gabriel standing beside a middle-aged man with a pleasant face. Somehow, he seemed familiar thought Rachel, as she changed directions and stood before the University President.

"Sawasdee ka Professor," she said politely and wai'ed.

"It is very unbecoming of a Student Council member to be dressed in such an undignified manner," he thundered.

"Tell that to the incoming chocolate shake," muttered Rachel under her breath.

The middle-aged man sniggered and then pretended to cough. Luckily for her, Professor Gabriel chose to ignore her comment.

"What happened?" asked the middle-aged man kindly.

"Sir, a freshman was arguing with her love rival in the Chemical Engineering canteen. When I tried to intercede, the jilted lover turned her wrath on me. This is the second incident this week. One would think the lunch lady is handing out free drinks."

This time both, Professor Gabriel and his companion burst into laughter. Rachel just shook her head and waited for them.

Professor Gabriel cleared his throat awkwardly, "How did you deal with the errant student?"

"I have ordered her to run a hundred laps. Only after submitting the video evidence of her completing the said punishment will the Student Council give back her student ID."

"Aren't a hundred laps too harsh?" enquired Professor Gabriel's companion.

"Sir, I doubt she will make it beyond thirty laps. Even then, that should be enough to calm down her temper and make her use her rational mind."

"Good, go home then," ordered Professor Gabriel.

"Respectfully Professor, I can't. I still have to put up the decorations in my faculty common room for the Open House," sighed Rachel. "But before that, I shall change into a spare shirt."

Professor Gabriel's friend smiled. "It is rare to see such dedication. Only if my son focussed on anything besides swimming."

As if on cue, the said son walked up to them.

"Hi Dad, Sawasdee krab Professor", wai'ed Danish with a huge smile.

Jay smiled back at his son while Professor Gabriel merely nodded.

"You!" exclaimed Danish at Rachel.

"That's your dad!" exclaimed Rachel. "No wonder he looked familiar."

Danish raised a brow as he scrutinized her appearance. "Did you walk into a chocolate tower? I couldn't recognize you."

Rachel grimaced, "If I look in the mirror now, I doubt I will recognize myself."

"You know each other?" interrupted Jay Zacharia.

"Yes, Sir" replied Rachel. "He is my partner."

"She meant lab and assignment partner," Danish hurried to explain lest his dad assumed something else.

A flustered Rachel stammered, "Yes, same thing."

"No wonder your grades have been improving, Danish" commented Professor Gabriel. "You teamed up with the University topper".

Jay smiled at Rachel, "You have my gratitude for putting up with my son. You are indeed one brave woman".

"Hey Dad!", protested Danish.

Rachel squirmed uncomfortably. "Thank you, Sir. I look forward to meeting you again preferably when I am less sticky. Kindly allow me to go and wash up."

Jay waved his hand, "Go on then. Danish help your partner, lab or otherwise".

Danish shook his head at his father's mischievous grin and hurried to catch up with Rachel. No doubt his family would be ribbing him at the next family dinner.

Poor Rachel, she has OCD. Cleaning those stains will be a nightmare for her. What do you think? Kindly vote and comment.