Sara - Lucas - Harith

Weekend came and went quickly as it arrived. Sara's weekend was uneventful apart from donating blood. Although people have stopped harassing her, bombarding her with questions on ways to seduce Lucas, she is still receiving pretty obvious long stares and people pointing fingers in her direction.

Against her will, she has become well known in the institution. There were those who treated her nicely and there were those who mistreated her, all because of one person - Lucas. Either way, she does not like the attention. Her tranquillity has now long gone. Nowhere - apart from staying at home - would she find peace.

Fortunately Bryce has been kind enough to help her buy groceries on his way home from time to time since the Lucas incident. He was very considerate that never once he uttered the word Lucas. 'That or Bryce is not aware and not bothered with gossips,' Sara thought.

Bryce actually still feels slightly guilty of the previous argument with Sara. He had looked down of her friendship with Adrianna during the early days of Sara's moving in and regretted ever since. He assumed it would be much better to keep his distance and to offer help whenever he deemed fit.

The day he heard the rumours about Sara and Lucas, he had been following her the next day from afar, making sure she reached her work safely. Although they managed to swarm around Sara, Bryce made sure to give deathly stare to each and every one of them. And boy do they scampered.

Bryce knew the true nature of Lucas, the same as Harith. Even though there was no event made for Harith, deep down he knew Adrianna to Harith is Sara to Lucas, with the exception of love. He felt a sense of déjà vu happening, fear that history is bound to repeat itself if Sara were to fall one-sidedly for Lucas.

Everyone who knew Lucas' true nature also knew that it is impossible for him to like Sara, let alone love. Sara would be twice the victim if it does happen. Bryce sense of overprotectiveness grew towards Sara, worried that she might be the next Adrianna but at the same time he would love to be proved wrong.

Regardless what went on Bryce's mind, Sara was completely oblivious of the situation. She was not aware Bryce was worried about what she would consider as small matter – an argument that was not worth remembering. She would rather let bygones be bygones and she presumed Bryce was the same.

That afternoon Harith texted Sara that he has got some free time for a couple of hours and wanted to have dinner together before his late-night shift began. He also let Sara knew that Bryce took a day off from work and will be in charge of buying fresh ingredients for dinner. By the end of the work day, Harith came to pick Sara up and together the three prepared their dinner.

Harith and Bryce were mostly the ones who do the talking while Sara was in her own world. There was nothing interesting for her to share. Through the conversation exchange, she found out that Bryce now has slight changes to his working hours – a week during daytime and the rest night time and over time, he hoped to work daytime fully but Harith seemed satisfied and had no qualms with his schedule at the moment.

"So how about you? What is new?" Harith tilted his head, looking at Sara inquisitively.

"Oh, the usual. Nothing much," Sara shrugged nonchalantly.

"I thought your life would be hectic since your name is now linked to Lucas, eh Miss Popular?" Harith teased but at the same time, trying to fish for some information.

"She was swarmed by people," Bryce added, unaware he is contributing laughing materials to Harith.

"Oh, my apologies, Miss Celebrity," Harith poked fun of the matter as he bowed down in a mocking politeness.

Sara ignored them, knowing full well it will backfire if she rebuked.

"Oh, you're no fun! Come and play along with us," Harith harrumphed as he tried to elbow her.

"Lisa managed to control the situation by sending a letter to the upper management and it was settled within two hours," she explained.

Bryce and Harith applauded Lisa's actions and was amazed by her sheer commitment to work. That does explain why she was not stampeded by strangers.

"Sara went to donate blood too on Saturday. She did invite me but I could not make it," Bryce commented.

"Oh, that's nice. But how come you did not invite me?"

"You would flat out reject my invitation anyway."

"I…ehem…heard your…ehem…I mean, Lucas was there too and you got a special treatment?" Harith asked cautiously and cleared his throat several times.

Sara groaned as she suddenly remembered the incident. Bryce took it that she does not want to continue talking about Lucas but Harith is ever so persistent.

"I gathered that he did stop by? To see you?" Harith pried.

"I doubt it. He just happened to pass by."

"And how would you know that?"

"Because Mr. Nosy Parker, he was wearing a formal attire with his entourage behind him."

"I heard there was an event held that day, someone's wedding or something, that could be it," Bryce answered, trying to help Sara out. He did not understand why Harith is trying to push Sara to Lucas. Harith should know better to avoid that, especially when it is one of his closest friends involved.

Harith responded with a simple "Oh!" and kept quiet.

Sara found his response odd and wondered to herself 'Could it be..? No, I don't think so…or is he…?'

"Are you…jealous?" Sara asked boldly.

"Of what?" Harith does not understand where Sara is leading the conversation to.

"Of Lucas seeing me?"

"What?" Her question baffled both of the men on the dinner table.

Bryce eyes widened and unconsciously held his breath, internally cringing at the thought that Sara possibly misunderstood Harith and thought Harith had feelings for her.

He knew she was bold and blunt but he never thought she would be THIS straightforward. He tried to think of an excuse to change the topic. Anything to prevent Sara from embarrassing herself.

But the words that came out of Sara's mouth floored him. He was stunned and partly relief.

"You. You are jealous because you like Lucas…?"