Page 49 of Bittersweet Revenge

“I want to find out who gave it to me because it means it was someone she trusted, and I need to talk to him or her.”

“What are you looking for Esmeralda? Why is this person important?” She was not telling me everything. She was too nervous. There was something more.

“Truthfully, I’m not sure.”

I looked at her for a second. She bit her bottom lip, a clear tale of her nervousness, but I wouldn’t push her. Maybe it would be progressive. Maybe she’d end up trusting me more.

“Where did you get it?”

“In the library. It was on my desk.”

“Okay, who was there?”

“I think – I think it might be the librarian.”

I nodded. “Okay, let's go ask her.”

She let out a snort, looking at me clearly thinking it was a joke.

“I’m not joking,” I added, opening my door and getting out of the car.

“But.”” She rushed out of the car and stood in front of me. “It can’t be so easy!”

I shrugged. “Why not?”

“Because if she wanted me to know, she would’ve told me.”

I smiled at her. If only she knew how words didn’t mean much, not to me. That woman would probably be saying so much more without speaking.

I extended my hand to her. “Do you trust me?”

“To some extent.” She took my hand tentatively. “In theory.”

I liked the honesty behind her words. I nodded, intertwining our fingers together. “Just follow my lead.” I pulled her toward the library as the bell rang to announce the end of lunch.

“Caleb, we’re going to be late.”

“So? Don’t be scared. I won’t mess this up. I’m a master manipulator. Don't forget that.”

“How could I? This is why I have such a hard time trusting you. This is also one of the reasons why I left. I wasn’t sure what to trust.”

I froze. How could she reveal something that was so crucial in the middle of a corridor full of students? We didn’t have the time to address that now, but it would have to be addressed again because this was a revelation much more critical than she realized.

“Oh, Miss Forbes!” The librarian smiled at her. Her smile slipped a little when she saw me. She wasn’t a fan, but not a lot of people were. “Mr. Astor.”

I frowned. She looked familiar. “Librarian.”

Esmeralda rolled her eyes. She tried to let go of my hand, but I tightened my grip. I was not letting go yet. “It’s Ms. White!” She pulled me to the counter.

The librarian pushed her glasses up her nose and leaned on the counter, concentrating on Esmeralda alone.

“How have you been doing? I haven’t seen you for a while. I miss seeing you here.”

Esmeralda blushed a little with guilt. Why should she feel guilty? This woman was school staff. Esmeralda didn’t owe her a thing.

“I was busy with school and family. You know.”

“Oh, yes, your trip to Paris and everything!” The woman clapped her hand with glee, but her lips were turned down on one side. She was faking it. “Alors comment était Paris ?”

---