"Tell me, how do you know he's allergic to walnuts?" Sweety questioned, her eyes narrowing at Sara.
Sara froze. Vicky glanced at Sara's face, his expression unreadable.
"Yeah, Ms. Sara," David drawled, tapping a finger against his chin. "How do you know I'm allergic to walnuts? I've never told anyone." His tone was teasing, but his eyes were sharp.
Sara felt her throat go dry. Before she could stammer out an answer, Jake and Stella cut into the conversation.
"Hey guys, had lunch yet?" Jake asked casually, but his gaze flicked to Sara.
"How are you feeling now, Sara? Does your head still hurt?" He gestured toward her temple, his concern obvious.
The distraction worked. Everyone's attention shifted. Sara looked at Jake like he'd just thrown her a lifeline. 'Finally. Someone rescued me.'_
"Yeah, I'm feeling much better now," Sara said, forcing a bright smile.
'Escaped'. David exhaled and shook his head, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Vicky and Sweety exchanged suspicious glances. 'There's something between Sara and David.'_ The thought was loud in both their minds.
David's eyes darkened when they landed on Stella, who stood there feigning innocence. Fury simmered in his gaze.
"Okay, Sara, take some rest. I have business with Mr. David." Jake's voice turned formal. After a beat, he added, "Mr. David, I'd like a word."
David nodded and followed Jake. Stella lingered, turning to Sara. "How are you feeling now? Does it still hurt?"
Sara shook her head silently. Sweety stared at Stella, incredulous. 'Seriously?' she thought.
"Don't worry, Ms. Stella. She's fine now. Her tracker failed, that's why she ended up there," Sweety said, watching Stella's reaction closely.
Just as Sweety expected, Stella's face twitched at the word tracker. "Wait! Ms. Stella, you're responsible for checking the trackers, right?" Sweety pressed.
"Yes. When I checked, all the trackers were working. I don't know why Sara's failed," Stella replied, her voice laced with fake innocence.
"Let's drop it, guys. We're here for a trip, right? Let's enjoy," Sara interrupted, desperate to end the tension.
Sweety fell silent. David returned. Stella immediately turned to him. "Yeah, I forgot to ask. Are you hurt, Mr. David? From falling into that pit?"
"No." His answer was curt. He didn't look at her.
He walked to Sara and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Take some rest. If you need anything, call me, okay?"
Sara's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She nodded.
"Ms. Stella, I need to speak with you. Privately," David said, his voice ice.
"Sure." Stella beamed. At last. Now I have a chance to tell him how much I like him, she thought, oblivious.
David led Stella to a secluded spot. Sweety itched to follow. She turned to Sara. "Okay, Sara, you rest. Vicky and I have some business to handle."
"What business?" Vicky frowned, confused.
Sweety kicked his foot and widened her eyes. "Don't you remember? That thing."
"Oh, right! Yes, Sara, we have to update the student list for the trip," Vicky lied smoothly.
"Okay, you guys carry on. I won't interrupt," Sara said with a knowing wink and a smile.
"It's not what you think..." Vicky started, flustered.
Sweety dragged him away before he could explain.
Sara watched them go, smiling to herself. They'd definitely make a good pair.
_
From their hiding spot, Vicky and Sweety watched David and Stella.
"What are they talking about?" Sweety whispered.
"I don't know, but should we really be doing this? Hiding and eavesdropping?" Vicky muttered.
Sweety glared. "There. Let's move there. They can't see us."
Vicky nodded.
David's gaze locked on Stella. "Do you have something to confess?"
"How did you know, David? Can you read my heart? Yes, I do," Stella said, nodding with a hopeful smile.
"Actually, I like you, David... No. I Love You. From the moment I saw you. And I am completely lost...."
"That's not what I'm asking," David cut her off, his voice cold. "I'm asking about what you did. What you did was wrong."
Sweety overheard her confession. "How dare she? I'm going to kill her today," she whispered, starting forward. Vicky wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "SHHH! Be quiet," he whispered.
Sweety looked up at him - his sharp eyes, straight nose, neatly trimmed beard and got lost staring at his lips.
"Look," Vicky whispered, "Mr. David is talking about something else."
She snapped back to reality and focused on them.
"Why did you do it?" David demanded, his voice sharp as a blade.
"You were in charge of the trackers. So how did Sara's end up faulty?" He paused. "Answer me." He yelled the last part.
"David, it's not what you think. I swear I don't know why Sara's tracker failed. I promise," Stella pleaded.
David raised his hand. "Enough. I don't know why you're targeting Sara. But if you dare hurt her again..." He pointed his index finger at her in warning.
"And one more thing." His voice dropped to a lethal calm. "I'm not interested in you. So don't waste your time on me. It's pointless."
"Why are you saying this? Is it because of that bi***." Stella yelled.
"Don't you dare talk about her like that." David's eyes were red, his jaw clenched with barely controlled rage.
Stella flinched at his tone. But her jealousy won. "What's so special about her that I don't have? Did she seduce you?" she screamed.
"ENOUGH!" David roared.
"If you say one more word about her, you'll regret it." His warning was a low, dangerous promise.
_
Sweety and Vicky were stunned. "I can't believe this. Mr. David likes Sara," they both thought, speaking in unison.
_
"David... No... I'm sorry. I won't talk about her like that. But please, try to understand me. I really love you," Stella said, her voice breaking.
"Love?" David let out a bitter laugh. "Is this what you call love? Sabotaging a tracker and nearly getting someone I care about killed?"
"What does she have that I don't? I'm beautiful, successful, single. So why don't you love me?" Stella cried.
David's expression softened for a second, but only with pity. "A good and pure heart. She has a pure heart. That you don't have."
He turned and walked away, leaving her standing there.
Stella watched his retreating back, her mind spiraling. Sara... he loves you. I know he loves you. But why? Why? Why does he love YOU? You must have done something to him. I won't spare you, Sara. she promised herself.