Rachel's PoV

Rachel thought of making a decision to choose between the two men, both of whom wanted her. She couldn't deal with the troubles of the future now, so decided to seek answers from Ethan.

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Anna's merry voice instructed everyone around "Did you all get your stuff?"

Both Marc and Finn nodded in agreement. Rachel raised her hand, differing. "I have to get a human so.. No.."

They all laughed at her quick wit. It was an improvement from the time she joined the team. Her confidence has scaled up & so has her self-esteem. She doesn't cower under pressure anymore. After Marc helped her with the panic attack, she realized that she doesn't have to live in hiding.

People were progressive. They have flaws, problems, mental ailments and what nots' and they all carry the big suitcases; baggages. Lug them around by their lonesome self. It was nice to have helping hands to ease the burden of carrying it. Marc made her realize it.

"Okay. It's one hour till we regroup again guys. Finn is coming with me." Anna's enthusiasm with the planning was infectious. But Rachel seemed to have caught something in between statements.

"And why?" she teased her to confess.

"Because he did not pack his gift.."

Marc's joined Rachel's tease train, "Ohh yes.. remind me Rach.. do we always pack the cake or is to only for special occasions.."

She giggled, answering. "Special occasions Marc.. definitely special occasions.."

They both laughed at Anna and her little mischief plan as they went to fetch Miley. Marc decided to give her company. Also because his gift was neatly packed; Anna let him go.

Walking out, Rachel checked the maps to see if they were heading the right way. "It says right turn"

"Okay. Great.. now you can get your new favorite Philly coffee too" he looked at her, she twirled the phone, redirecting the map.

"Awesome.." a couple of steps ahead, she halted, "Wait.. Turn. It was left.. sorry it was showing left.."

"What.. God" he nodded his head, walking. They turned around and walked left.

"Is there any place on the left which is interesting?" she hopped, walking and talking gleefully.

"Not much.. but the person I walk with is.."

She blush at his comment. Looking at her phone, she sighed as the maps reroute and reassemble, "Wait.. It was right.. We are going wrong"

Slapping his forehead, Marc huffed, "Are you kidding. Give me that.." he took the phone out of her hand. "You should scratch map reading abilities out of your resume"

She laughed at his comeback, "I don't have that mentioned in there.."

"Good because you suck at it. I won't trust you with my life if it comes to reading maps"

She shoved him lightly. "You can't put the whole blame on me. That's not fair.. Anyone would vouch for the fact that google maps don't always work right"

"Yes Pirate Rach.. I completely believe you"

"Good aye mate" she tried to impersonate Pirate Jack Sparrow.

"And what was that?" he questioned, confused.

She smiled casually, "Pirate voice"

"From which movie?"

"Pirates of the Caribbean"

"God woman.." he turned her towards him, holding her hands to make her stop. "That's not the pirate voice That's the voice of a parrot. We have to re-watch Pirates of the Caribbean for you don't know the difference between a pirate and parrot sound"

Rachel almost choked on her laughter.

'Did I really make the parrot voice' she thought to herself but felt warmth in her heart for the part where Marc made a movie night plan with her. She especially felt joyful when he referred to them as 'we'. She really wanted to spend more time with him.

After a while of walking and talking, they both reached Miley's office building.

Once in front, Marc bended, catching his breath. "And we have to teach Anna how to read and tell distance." His breath hitched while speaking, "That's clearly not 4 blocks away. It's 14 blocks away.. we might as well be in another district altogether."

Rachel pulled him up, "What do you mean?. It's not that far."

He booped her nose and she pushed him playfully. Marc was hilarious, trying all ways possible to make Rachel laugh. He pulled her close and kissing, gently holding her hair and pressing her towards his lips.

Public display of affection was never her thing but she didn't mind being wrapped around him. Marc dialed Miley and before they realized it, she stood in front of them.

"Hey guys.. Ohh you must be the new girl.." she pointed at Rachel with that nasal voice of hers.

"Yes I am Rachael.. Hi" she extended her hand but Miley walked away. She reluctantly drew it back but Marc took it.

"Hi I am Marc"

Rachel smiled at his sweet gesture. He had time and again surprised her in ways that made her feel special. Little beautiful gestures that had her feel like a hanger stuck inside her mouth. She was always smiling around Marc.

"What was that for.." she questioned his rescue.

"Well she was rude.. And I remember not properly introducing myself on your first day.. So I took this as an opportunity.."

She kissed him on his cheeks. He made her smile all the time and that was something which she cherished about him. Something which made her feel getting drawn onto him.

Miley, even in her high heels was fast to have walked in front of them. She turned saying, "Guys.. Where is the party?"

Rachel answered, immediately falling victim to her shrill voice.

'God I understand what Anna means when she says every time Miley opens her mouth, she feels like hurling a shoe at her'

"Don't you guys know I don't drink!" a shrill voice complained.

'She is damn annoying. Was Ethan high on drugs to be with her.. And most of, be engaged to her?' Rachel's thoughts made her laugh.

Marc responded, "Yes we do.. But Ethan does.. and it's his birthday."

Miley scanned their interlocked hands giving a sly smile before walking again. Rachel didn't like the vibe she received from her. After what seemed like an hour of walking and listening to a truckload of Miley's critique on almost all restaurants passed by; everyone made it to Sam's.

The minute Rachel got in the first thing she did was to chug a couple of shots.

"Wow..wow..what happened?" Finn's voice got to her.

"Miley happened..." She replied in between chugs, turning on her vengeful tone, "Where is that girlfriend of yours?"

He blushed at her comment. She realized Finn liked Anna and they weren't just fooling around.

Anna's voice dispersed them, "What's up?"

"You own me your next salary" Rachel pointed as Anna who stood confused with a puppy face. She knew the reason for it, "Not gonna work Anna.. You sent me to fetch Satan herself"

Finn taunted her, "And we all thought Satan was a 'he'.."

Rachel mocked back, "Well it's confirmed, it's a she and She is here to make our life hell"

Anna's voice peaked, yelling, "Yay.. Welcome to the club." Seeing a question on Rachel's face, she clarifies. "We hate Miley club.."

Before Ethan made it to the bar, everyone got ready. Thanks to Anna he already knew of the surprise. Once he entered the bar, all yelled 'happy birthday' to him. It was only Miley who yelled 'surprise'.

"Guys... You didn't tell me he already knew" she complained. Ethan comforted her, patting her back and telling about Anna's accidental reveal for which she whined, "Ohh Anna.. You always do that.. Accidentally"

She even made the air quotes for it. Rachel pulled Anna away who was about to charge onto Miley.

"Let me just punch her once.." struggling, Anna told Rachel who pulled her to the bar.

"No we can't.. We are gonna have a drink instead" sitting beside Anna, they got shots for everyone. "Okay guys.. Cheers to Ethan..."

As everyone raised their toast, it was Miley who complained, yet again. "I don't drink but I will cheers with water.. Okay honey..."

Ethan nodded and kissed her cheek, "That's fine..."

Seeing that made Rachel feel blood boil inside of her.

'What does he see in her.. is she amazing in bed or something...God what if she is.. fuck, and if I follow her after she breaks up with him and I'm not that good.. then... No nope.. Not gonna do that again.. not going to self doubt myself into another panic attack. I am here to enjoy and not worry about the future..'

By midnight, everyone was completely sloshed and out of their minds, blabbering stuff. Finn picked up a neatly wrapped gift.

"Ohh hey Ethan.. Before I forget to give it to you"

Ethan opened the vintage wine bottle, his eyes light up. It was a costly one and Rachel knew Ethan's love for vintage wines.

"Did you like it?" she still confirmed.

"Oh god I love it.. I was searching for it everywhere... How did you guys..."

Marc answered the unasked question. "We got it at a wine auction..."

Ethan's expressions conveyed the happiness on receiving the gift. As the boys continue talking, Anna pulls Rachel to the bar, talking.

"You are giving me company for drinks" Shots after shots results in the earlier tipsiness to now be a proper high. "You are the best Rach..."

"No.. no.. you are" hugging Anna, she stutters.

Enveloping over both, Finn joined, "No you two are awesome."

Finn was also high. It was Ethan, who was sober to let everyone lean onto him.

"You are sloshed aren't you?" he whispers to Rachel, who leaned onto his muscular chest.

She nodded sidewise. It was a lie. She was drunk out of her mind.

"How about we get you all home" he proposed but Rachel protested.

"No party more.. more aclohol"

Chuckling, he responded, "Yes Rach.. when you call alcohol, aclohol, it's time to stop."

"You suck Ethan" she blurted out harshly. With the sensation of a bile rise, she pushed him aside and ran to the washroom.

Holding onto the sidewalls of the cubicles, she hurled all the excess alcohol. Only when her stomach was completely empty, did she get the feeling of sobering up. Quickly washing her face and clearing all the makeup she felt good, splashing cold water onto the flushed face. Anna walked into the same cubicle, following Rachel's routine. Slowly massaging her back, she picked herself up as Rachel pulled her to the basin to get cleaned up.

"You are a really good friend Rach.." Anna cried.

"You too baby..." she responded, cleaning her face.

Once cleaned and afresh, they both walked back, managing not to walk into walls. At the exit, even opening the door seemed like a herculean task. Managing to push it, both stumbled onto Miley kissing a man.

'God it's happening.. it's happening as predicted by Ethan.. The future one..'

"Fuuuckkk" Anna dragged her words.

Hearing Anna, Miley pulled back immediately, her face flushed and guilt ran all across it. Rachel, on the other hand, was more astonished and taken aback.

The man she was kissing was Marc.

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Author's notes

Hello all you beautiful people. Did you enjoy this chapter?

Marc kissed Miley. Do you think Rachel will be okay after this?

And how would Ethan react when he comes to know of this?