Everything is adding up. I remember now. Ciarra Lake came over to the King mansion with Mrs King. Mrs King wasn't hiding the fact that she very much wanted Ciarra to become her daughter-in-law and even used "curing Panda's phobia" as an excuse to bring them closer.
Ciarra stayed over for two days, using every opportunity she could find to stick close to Panda. Panda wanted me to block her advances and I obediently did. Then that day, she was getting really close to Panda and offered him some champagne she had brought over.
Panda looked uncomfortable and I saved him by barging into the room and snatching the glass from him. I bravely drank the wine, planning to finish it all but Panda took it back from me before I could and finished the rest of it for some reason.
The only possible answer here is that Ciarra Lake intentionally spiked the drink. But did she want to drug Panda? Why?
I can't think of her motive. She hadn't expected me to interrupt and drink it instead. Why would she drug Panda if she liked him? And since her mother is friends with Mrs King, would she willingly take the risk?
I sigh, I'm back at square one. I have no evidence to make my suspicions concrete and I don't know what Ciarra Lake's motive could be other than seducing an intoxicated man.
My gut and intuition is pointing towards Ciarra but I have nothing else to prove it. I can't even share my thoughts with anyone. I haven't told Hans anything because I know he will hunt Panda King down and beat him up.
All this thinking is giving me a headache. Holding my head, I walk downstairs and find Hans sprawls across the sofa. I sit down on the corner and nudge him to move his leg.
"Headache?" He asks, staring up at me.
I nod. He knows me too well. "I've just been thinking too much."
Hans sits up and pats my head, "Don't stress yourself Tina. Talk to me."
"It's nothing. I just have a few unanswered questions which I can't find the answers to." I admit vaguely.
He nods understandingly, "I'll be right next to you when you want to tell me. For now, have some of this delicious steak jerky. Your favourite." He holds out the packet to me.
The smell wafts towards me and I suddenly gag. Covering my mouth, I run up to the bathroom and throw up into the toilet. What just happened? I usually love eating them.
"Tina, are you okay?" Hans asks from the other side of the bathroom door.
I wash my mouth, "Y–yes, it's nothing. I probably caught a bug." It's probably because my diet has been awful and I have only been able to stomach Hans' porridge since I have been living here.
Wiping my face, I leave the bathroom and smile at Hans' worried face.
"I really am fine. Don't look at me like that." I reassure him and pat his arm.
***
The second week of me experiencing random bouts of nausea, Hans is adamant on taking me to the hospital. I stubbornly refuse. I am still not ready to enter a hospital after my mother's passing.
As I stand up to get the laptop Hans gave me to relieve my boredom, I suddenly feel dizzy and my eyes blur. I fall onto my bed, holding my head.
Once the dizziness stops, I slowly stand up and pick up the laptop. Sitting cross legged on my bed, I search "Panda King" in Google. The latest news appears to be about Panda King and his new girlfriend.
Scrolling down, my suspicions are confirmed. Ciarra Lake has achieved her goal of becoming closer to him. I stare at the images which seem to be purposely taken at an angle which shows the couple's close proximity although I know for a fact that Panda is probably keeping his distance from her due to his phobia.
Why am I still worried about him? My chest squeezes as I think about how he could be in danger at any moment without me. I know now that what I am feeling is something stronger than the "like" I had originally thought I felt for Panda King.
I laugh bitterly as my eyes water. Why am I suddenly crying for no reason?
Through blurry, teary eyes, I open another tab and type in the symptoms I have experienced. I am afraid to visit the hospital but I can easily figure out what my illness could be from the internet.
As I click on the top link, it takes me to a forum type of page where others with similar symptoms have had discussions. Most of them have had nausea caused by certain smells and food, dizziness and frequent mood swings. I ponder over the cause of my vomiting. Does it occur when I smell something or when I try eating?
The first time was the steak jerky and the other times were also smells of food. The other symptoms are correct too. I scroll further for the answer. My eyebrows scrunch together as I frown.
Why are they suddenly congratulating each other instead of naming the illness?
Irritated at not receiving the answer, I click on another link. Hopefully, this will be more straightforward and tell me what I am suffering from.
"Tina! Let's go for a walk." Hans calls. I quickly shut my laptop and walk out of my room. I need some fresh air.