The Devil's Sweetheart

Devin gazed up, staring at the pitch dark sky, with no emotions on his face. He knew it must be something important if Francis has come here to personally invite him. He wanted to know if there is any danger that is posing to Leena but without knowing the weight of the situation, he can't conclude. He will wait for the day.

"I will meet you soon, France."

"Alright. I am going inside. Your dad would throw tantrums if I am late." Francis said and strolled back into the house. Frederick would have set up everything and waiting for him by now.

For a moment, Devin's mind wandered around Francis's words and pondered what could be the problem. He sighed and made his way into the house.

The moment he entered, he looked for Leena in the kitchen but she was not in there. He straightaway went upstairs and heard his darling's voice from Harley's room. Before going in, he knocked on the door and when he got an acknowledgment from the other end, he went in. There she was, lying on the bed while eating apples and giggling at the stories which his mother was telling. She must be happy today. With a smile, he walked and settled next to Leena in the bed.

"Where did you go?" Leena enquired shifting her attention as soon as she came else he would sulk like a baby and throw tantrums.

"A walk with France." He stated, ignoring the details of the conversation, they talked about in the garden.

"Did you both fight again?" After her cooking classes with Uncle Callison, when she came back to the living room to talk with Devin, he was missing along with Francis and she thought both entered into silly fights.

"No, sweetheart." He chuckled at her wariness. He tugged a fallen strand behind her ear and spoke up. "We are back to normal now."

"You better be."

Looking at the lovey-dovey moments between them, Evelyn giggled like a giddy teenager. She was one step ahead in thinking of holding her first grandchild soon.

"Stay here for tonight, Leena." Evelyn pleaded. The house looked bright with her presence and she wanted to spend a little more time with her.

"Maybe next time, aunt Eve," Leena said.

"You aren't even fulfilling my one request I asked for." Eve pouted, a sullen look was evident on her face.

"You are acting like a drama queen, aunt Eve," Leena rebuked. She has become close to her in just one day and began speaking like a friend. Although, Leena wanted to stay with her a problem laid in front of her. That is dresses. "I didn't bring any dress."

"That's not a problem." Harley butted in. "You can wear mine."

"Don't mind, Harls. She only likes to wear her dresses alone." Devin explained while Leena smiled at how thought-full he has become to her even in small matters.

"I wouldn't mind but I have seen new clothes in Devin's room. You can try them, Leena." Harley illustrated hoping that Leena would stay so that they can have a girl's night. Little did she knew the devil has another plan for them.

"If you want to stay, I have all the new dresses in my closet." Devin professed.

"But why do you have them?" Leena asked in skepticism. He doesn't have any past girlfriends right?

"Don't jump to conclusions, Leena. I prepared everything for you in case you come here." Devin was amazed at how her emotions have shifted in seconds. She is still doubting him after all the confessions he made.

Finally, she was relieved when he clarified. Wrapping her arm around his waist, feeling a little guilty, she added. "I am sorry, Devin."

"Don't leap into_"

"I won't. Can we stay here?" She asked, she has yet to explore Devin's room.

"Okay." He nodded his head in agreement.

"Alright. Leena is staying with us." Harley clapped her hands in excitement and pushed Devin and Evelyn out of the room to have a chit chat with Leena.

"You haven't told me when and where you first met, my brother," Harley inquired. She was always curious about the coupe's first meeting.

"Do you want to know?" Leena asked earning an eager nod from her. This question would be hard to answer. How should I tell everyone that I have met him in the most bizarre circumstance? Left with no choice, Leena went with the same story which she has told Wilbur and explained it to Harley.

"Wow. A meet in the waterfalls. It's quite dramatic" Harley giggled. It would be a nice story for their kids in the future to tell. Harley thought these dramatic meets happen only in movies. Only if she has seen what exactly has happened, she wouldn't squeal like a frantic.

"I know right." Leena nodded, pleased that her theory was brought by everyone.

...

Right after Evelyn came out of the room, she understood two people were missing in the hall and she knew where those two would be. Balling her fists, she straight away went to the wine cellar. There she saw her husband and Francis ready for the booze. They are yet to start and both sensed someone's presence. Francis gulped seeing his wife here.

"Eve baby. I am sorry. I would never drink from tomorrow. We got a daughter-in-law and I am celebrating with my best friend.?" Fredrick started his drama and threw the blame onto Francis.

"You search for a new alibi every other day." She spoke up with gritted teeth. "Sleep in the guest room for today." Having said that, Evelyn walked away before glaring daggers at Francis.

"What did I do her now?" He grumbled taking a sip of alcohol.

"France, you should be happy that I am going to become your in-law." Fredrick started.

"Get lost brute. You should be happy that I am giving my baby even after that brat was involved in a scandal."

"Hey! It's all fake rumors. Do you have to bring that topic and spoil the mood?" Fredrick whined, remembering the days, Francis has given cold shoulders without lifting his phone calls. Finally, after the press meet, they reconciled. He was scared that his son almost created a rift between their years of friendship.

"Whatever." He muttered happily that everything is settled now.

"Ah! I forgot to tell you. I met Catalina at one of the business events and she asked your number." Fredrick said.

"Who is Catalina?" Francis asked in a lazy tone. He doesn't remember anyone with that name.

"Don't you remember her? It's the women who proposed to you when we were in the university," Fredrick explained. While they were studying, every day there would be a confession letter on Francis's desk. In an era of men following behind women with love letters, it was exactly the opposite in the case of Francis. Women would flock around him but sadly he rejected every one and he must have lost count of it then.

"I got so many proposals, Rick. So, I don't remember her exactly." Francis said.

"You are speaking as if you were the only handsome hunk back then," Fredrick grumbled under his breath. Even he got confessions but he was only behind his Eve. "By the way, she is not married." Catalina was a beauty to talk to. When every man was behind her, she was behind Francis but she was also rejected and this brute doesn't even remember the name.

"What should I do then?" Francis frowned. What exactly is his friend trying to say?

"I thought you will give it a try, at least now." Fredrick was trying to test his friend if he is still the old Francis he knew.

"Do you want me to tell Evelyn about the things you have done in the university?" Francis threatened.

"I am not scared of my wife." He bragged when alcohol is taking a toll. Only during this time, he would become a lion, in actuality, he is a scared cat in front of Evelyn.

"Do you want me to tell your secret to Leena?" With a sly smile, Fredrick asked.

"Which secret?" Francis knew what his friend is trying to convey.

"That you loved someone so dearly in the past and even now you love her and that's the reason you have rejected everyone's proposal and she is the reason, you didn't get married. Shall I tell the name_"

Francis shut his friend's mouth instantly before he blurts out nonsense again. His loud voice could reverberate the entire house and by chance, if Leena hears, she would nag him for eternity.

"Crap with your nonsense. I am going home." He got up to leave but Francis pulled down.

"You are drunk. I will ask someone to drop you." Fredrick grumbled, he was already high.

"Ashton is waiting in the car. He will take me." Francis strolled out of the room, his voice laced with pain when his friend brought back the memories again. She would be always at the back of his mind.. He may need another dose of alcohol to reminisce the memories of her now.