The classroom was unusually quiet that Friday afternoon, sunlight streaming lazily through the windows of St. Benedict Law Faculty. Students were barely holding on, mentally halfway into the weekend. But not Sarah.
She sat upright with her fingers curled tightly around her pen. Her eyes were fixed on the whiteboard as Professor Daniels paced slowly in front of the class.
He tapped the board with a ruler and turned.
"By the end of this semester," he began, "you'll each be required to pick a specialization. This will define your legal career."
He paused and allowed the words to settle. A low murmur of curiosity passed between students.
"There are several paths," the professor continued. "Criminal Law. Corporate Law. Family Law. Human Rights Law. Intellectual Property Law. Constitutional Law. Each with its own fire. Each with its own battlefield."
He looked around as if weighing their spirits.
Sarah's heart thumped a little harder.
"Some of you are here because you've been told where to go," Professor Daniels added, his voice lowering. "Your parents, your sponsors, your mentors… They've already made that choice for you, haven't they?"
Sarah looked down. She didn't need to imagine it, her mother's voice was always precise:
"Human Rights, Sarah. You'll do good for the world. You'll carry our legacy."
And yet, her own dreams were louder. Corporate Law fascinated her, the fierce negotiations and the power plays behind boardroom doors. And then there was Criminal Law… the dark corners of justice where truth often wore a mask. It called to her in ways Human Rights never did.
She raised her hand, almost without thinking.
Professor Daniels nodded. "Yes, Miss…?"
"Sarah Bennett," she said confidently. "I wanted to ask… in corporate law, how often does it intersect with criminal law, say, in cases involving fraud or corporate misconduct?"
Professor Daniels smiled, folding his arms. "That, Miss Bennett, is a sharp question. And an important one."
He walked closer, gesturing with one hand.
"The line between corporate power and criminal behavior is thinner than many think. White-collar crime, embezzlement, insider trading, and financial fraud fall directly under both. If you're drawn to strategy and justice, that crossroad may suit you well."
Sarah caught a few surprised glances from classmates. A quiet pride bloomed in her chest.
Professor Daniels added with a knowing smile, "You're already thinking like a lawyer. Keep it up."
"..."
After class, the hallway buzzed with chatter and footsteps, full of students. Amelia Clark, Sarah's roommate, and occasional bad influence caught up with her and tossed her notebook into her bag.
"You're such a showoff," Amelia grinned. "Look at you, already winning points with Mr Daniels."
Sarah laughed while brushing her braids back from her face.
"I'm just trying to survive in this jungle."
"Uh-huh. So…" Amelia leaned closer. "Are you actually sleeping in the hostel tonight? Or am I pretending, again, that you're snoring beside me?"
Sarah shot her a playful look.
"You have to cover for me once more, my love."
Amelia groaned dramatically. "Unbelievable. You and Emma again?"
"And Alex. I've missed him," Sarah added with a soft smile. "Weekends are our escape."
Amelia nudged her. "You know I adore you, but one day, I'll charge you rent for using my silence."
"Fair," Sarah laughed. "Totally fair."
"..."
Sarah exited the law building and made her way toward the gate, the late afternoon light now golden and soft.
Then she saw him.
Leaning against a sleek obsidian BMW with tinted windows and a subtle glint of arrogance, Elliott.
His black shirt was hung on him like it was made by sin itself. His sunglasses rested atop his head, revealing sharp eyes that scanned her like a puzzle he couldn't wait to solve.
Sarah stiffened.
"Sarah," he called, straightening up with a slow smile. His voice was honeyed and dangerous, like a memory you shouldn't revisit.
She approached cautiously, arms crossed.
"What are you doing here again, Elliott?"
"Just wanted to see you. No motives. No games."
"You always have a motive," she said flatly. "I'm not in the mood."
"I've missed you."
She didn't reply. Just stared at him.
"I'm heading to Alex's," she said finally.
"Great," he said, taking a step closer. "Mind if I tag along?"
Sarah stared at him. "You know Alex won't like that. You both still have unresolved…"
Elliott raised a hand, his smile charming. "Relax. I promise he'll be glad to see me this time."
The word hung in the air between them.
She looked away. The part of her that remembered Alex's warning, "Stay away from him. He's not who you think he is." Tightened its grip on her chest. But curiosity was a beast, and Elliott always knew how to feed it.
She sighed, hesitated, then turned toward the car. "Fine. But if he throws a punch, I'm standing aside."
They both laughed, awkwardly. Then climbed into the car and drove off.
***
Alex stood motionless in the front yard, with his arms folded, and gaze fixed on nothing. The late afternoon light painted long shadows across the lawn, but he didn't seem to notice. His face was taut with thought, his mind clearly miles away from the quiet estate around him.
Down the street, a black car slowed to a stop. The engine went silent. Sarah and Elliott stepped out.
Elliott looked ahead, his tone laced with mock amusement.
"What could a man be thinking about so deeply, all alone like that?"
Alex turned, the trance broken. His eyes landed on them, Sarah first, then Elliott.
"Hey," he said simply, pulling Sarah into a soft embrace. It was brief but warm.
When he turned to Elliott, the warmth faded. His hand twitched at his side, unsure.
Elliott beat him to it, grinning faintly as he extended his hand.
"Come on," he said casually.
There was a pause. Then Alex took it. A shake, firm, and brief, thick with tension.
"Let's go inside," Sarah said, sensing the invisible war between the two.
But Elliott stepped back. "Nah. I'm just here to drop her off. I've got a few things to handle."
He turned to Alex. "Mind walking me to the car?"
Alex gave a nod, with an unreadable expression. "Sure."
Sarah walked inside, as they walked opposite her, heading for the street.
They were silent most of the way. Walked with their shoes softly against the gravel driveway. The car stood parked beneath a tree, still and waiting.
Finally, Elliott broke the silence.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing, bro?"
Alex didn't flinch.
"I know exactly what I'm doing now. I understand everything. I see everything."
Elliott stopped walking and turned to face him.
"No, you only see what they want you to see. Do you think you know something? No, you don't; you've barely scratched the surface."
His voice dropped and became colder.
"This thing you're playing with… it's not a game. It's dangerous, and it doesn't end well. Not for people like you."
Alex didn't blink. "I'm not alone. I have Mr. Carter."
Elliott chuckled, but there was no humor in it.
"You say that like it's a good thing. Hmmm, tell me, Alex… what do you really know about him?"
Silence.
Elliott leaned closer.
"You see? You're trusting a man who you don't even know that well. And you expect him to protect you? To protect Emma? Sarah?"
Alex clenched his jaw.
Elliott sighed and looked away briefly before locking eyes with him again.
"Once more, I'm asking you to change your mind. Walk away. If it's not already too late."
He opened the car door but paused, eyes narrowing.
"And just so you know," he added with a low and dangerous voice, "they made me who I am. I work for them. So if you're up against them…"
He stepped into the driver's seat, smirking grimly.
"…that makes us enemies. And this time, Alex, it's real."
The engine roared to life. With one last look, quite lingering. Elliott shut the door and drove off, leaving behind the echo of his threat and a stunned Alex who stood under the dying light, frozen not by fear, but by the terrible weight of the truth he had just heard.