The Devil's Sweetheart

The party hall was booming with loud chatters. Leena recognized many of the actors and actresses, after all, she is in the modeling industry. A waiter walked past her with wine and juices but Leena did not touch it. She is always cautious when she attends parties.

"I hate when parties are lavish," Leena remarked as she glanced at the curious woman eyeing her from head to toe. "Argh! I can't handle this crowd, Reese."

"Your sister, Emerie is a child actor," Reese whispered. "Obviously, it would be sumptuous."

"She is not my s.i.s.t.e.r." Leena enunciated each word to make Reese understand her message.

"Fine." Reese Sighed. "I heard your brother-in-law is in a relationship with her," Reese whispered. "They are studying in the same university."

"I knew his taste is terrible but did not think it's egregious," Leena commented with disdain for him. Not all have a good taste like my babylicious. But she planned to call Aunt Evelyn and Fredrick to have a serious talk about Adney. I will not let that poop head into the family.

"Where did you hear this gossip?"

"Mandy," Reese said. Emerie birthday was a topic of discussion in the office for one whole week. That's when she got to know Adney is dating Emerie.

"She is a scandalmonger," Leena remarked. "And what about her studies."

"She barely passes the tests."

"What can you expect from a poop head." Leena shook her head with disinterest.

Just then the mob raved when a woman stepped into the hall elegantly in a princess ball gown. She looked like a princess of fairyland as she sheepishly smiled at everyone.

"I don't know how she has become a famous actor, Leena," Reese muttered. "Her acting is mediocre and her looks are below average."

"Because her butt is bigger than her looks."

Both giggled looking at Emerie's back and when they were close to leaving the place for fresh air, Leena heard a voice behind her.

"Leena! How are you, child?"

Leena turned around and her eyes shifted to the woman standing in front of her. She recognized her. Rosalie Miles. The third wife of Max Hayes. Without her, he is a zero. After Francis threw him out, Max had only peanut shares in his hand. He barely had anything to spend but after meeting Rosalie, he started a Jewelry business along with her. They fell in love with each other in the process and got married eventually. Leena must say, Rosalie's business skills are remarkable.

"I am doing good, Mrs. Hayes." Leena politely replied. She rarely met this family and haven't conversed much with them in the past. Nevertheless, she doesn't want to sound rude without answering back when the person asked with a good intention.

"You can call me aunty or better Mom." She smiled and greeted Reese also.

"I would prefer Mrs. Hayes," Leena denied instantly. The title of mom is only for her mummy.

"Oh!" Rosalie nodded in agreement with an awkward smile. "How is your mom?"

"She is fine," Leena replied clutching Reese's hand. She doesn't like it if someone from her father's side brings the topic of her mom. But it's not Rosalie's fault for being married to this family. It was only his second wife that acted like a bitch fooling around his father when he was still married.

As far as her grandmother told, Max Hayes never cared about her mom, and when they got divorced, he married his mistress and had a son with her and within five years of their marriage, his second wife eloped with another man giving him a green hat. As if nothing has happened, he married for the third time.

"I heard you are dating the Wang family's first son," Rosalie asked. "Why didn't you_"

"Leena sister."

Rosalie halted her words when she heard her daughter's voice.

"Thanks for coming to my birthday." With an exciting voice, she asked. "I was surprised to hear you are in a relationship with Devin."

"It's Mr. Wang for you. You are sounding as if you are close to him." Leena doesn't understand this character. From the many elite families she heard, stepsister and stepmother's are vicious. But it seems different here. They treat her well unlike her scum father. Nonetheless, she doesn't want to talk much with these people.

"I am sorry. I did not mean it, sister." Emerie politely replied in a whisper. She has many actor friends and they were trained by Leena and everybody would praise for Leena's outstanding achievements. She likes Leena a lot but the latter would always give a cold shoulder. Not all stepsisters are the same.

"Sorry if she has offended you, Leena," Rosalie said and turned to her daughter. "It's time for your party. Let's go."

Emerie nodded her head and walked along with her giving one last smile to Leena.

Just when the party started, Leena felt sleepy. Along with Reese, she found a place where she could get a breath of fresh air and settled in the chair. Despite their hunger, both didn't even touch a drop of water. Francis and Devin were against the idea of sending her alone but since she insisted, they gave her the freedom to go alone but posed a restriction. Neither she should eat nor drink anything offered here. She readily accepted it.

Leena looked at the father and daughter pair acting lovey-dovey and scoffed at him.

"We can leave the place, Leena." Reese insisted. She thought he would at least come and talk to Leena but even after spotting her, he is showing off to make Leena jealous.

"I never craved for his attention, Reese." Leena shrugged. If he is putting up an act to make her jealous, then he is wasting his energy. If it was Francis in that place, Leena would have ripped the girl's skin alive by now.

"He is coming towards you, Leena," Reese whispered when she saw him coming in their direction.

"You don't even come to greet your father?" Max asked putting his hands behind the back like a stern soldier.

"I don't have a father."

"Why didn't you bring Devin?" He asked ignoring her witty replies. He has seen the news of their relationship and he felt Emerie would be better suited next to Devin.

"Why? You want to patch him up with your daughter?" Leena lazily asked. "Whatever your concern is, I don't care. As long as you stay away from scheming_"

"What did you say?" He interrupted and raised his voice. "You dared to call me schemer?"

"Look, Mr. Hayes. You have anger management issues." Leena calmly continued. "You are in dire need of meditation classes to keep your anger in check. Come to my office, I will give you a fifty percent discount since you are lacking money."

Max looked at the people and there were very few people loitering since they are at a very far end.

It's time to teach her a lesson.

He couldn't control his anger and raised his hand. Before a slap landed on her face, Leena held his wrist.

"Very brittle wrists. Need to work out a lot." With pity, Leena pushed him aside. Pathetic man. How did he become my father and how did mom marry this weak scum?

Leena grabbed Reese's hand and she was about to walk away, he pulled her by the wrist. He raised his hand and was about to go for her throat.

A hand-blocked it.