The Devil's Sweetheart

While walking to the dining area, Leena checked her mobile to see if Devin has replied to her text. To her wonder, there was none. ''Is he that busy?'' She muttered, her face turned gloomy.

''Where is Heather, Leena? Is she not coming call for dinner?'' Margaret asked

''Mom is a little tired today, Meemaw.'' Leena gazed at Grace serving food for others. ''Send dinner to mom's room, Aunt Grace.''

''Alright, child.'' 

''Hey Leena,'' Nick called her, putting a grape into his mouth. ''Next time you are staying here, at least give me a heads up. At least I will pack clothes for the next day.''

''No worries. I will give you one of my dresses. Although it might not fit_.''

Not before Leena's thoughts ended, a grape flew over her, and in time she caught it with her two hands. Putting it into her mouth, Leena stuck her tongue at Nick. ''That's one sweet grape, Nicky boy. Can you throw one more?''

Ignoring her, Nick turned his attention over the food. 

Margaret, sitting next to Nick, slapped his knee under the table. ''I said not to mess with her.''

''Not to mess? She is asking me to wear a girl's dress.'' Nick shouted. Laughter filled soon with Leena, Margaret, and Nick's banterings.

Although Francis was eating, his thoughts were moving to Heather. 'Why did she get tired suddenly? She was fine before. Is she not eating well? I should go and check on her after dinner.'

....

Leena had a second round of dinner when the aroma of food tempted one of her sense organs. Tiredly, she collapsed on the bed and checked her mobile. Still, her babylicious hasn't replied. Leena wished he would come home today. ''Is he not missing me?'' Leena instantly composed a message and sent him. 

[My Deep-V-Diver: Have you reached home?]

Leena received an immediate reply this time.

[Yes]

''What the F!'' Leena screamed, seeing his message. ''Just one word?''

[Deep-V-Diver: Why didn't you reply to my first message?]

[Busy]

[Deep-V-Diver: Are you fine staying alone?]

[Yes]

''What is this single word answer? Is he mad at me?'' Leena texted him another message, but this time she didnot receive a reply. ''His mood swings are fluctuating as if he is undergoing menopause.'' Leena irritatingly muttered and closed her eyes.

... 

Francis knocked on Heather's room and pushed open the door when he received a response from inside. While Heather thought it's Leena, her face morphed into a blow, seeing Francis coming into the room.

''How are you? I heard you are tired.'' Francis asked, pulling a chair towards the bed.

''I am fine.'' Heather lied, forcing a smile. How she wished to tell him the actual reason but held back. With an internal sigh, her gaze shifted to the envelope Francis was holding. ''What is that?''

''Open it.'' Saying that he handed the envelope to her.

Impatiently, Heather tear opened the cover, and as she read the content inside, her whole face lit up into a pleasant smile. 

''You appointment letter at Langone University Hospital as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon.'' Francis could feel her face blossoming like a morning flower. ''I know you don't like recommending, so I have forwarded your resume to the Director-General Health office, and one of your mentors working over there referred to Langone.'' Heather was one of the tops Cardiothoracic surgeons back when she was practicing Medicine. The hospital head personally contacted Francis to invite Heather to join their hospital.

''Thank you, Francis.'' Heather meant it. She didnot expect Francis is one step ahead of her.

''You deserve it,'' Francis said brightly. ''Alright, it's already late. Go to sleep_.''

''It's been a long time we talked. Can you stay for a while if you are not working?'' Heather asked, hoping she would get a positive reply from him. Her condition didnot allow him to speak during her stay in the hospital, but she was happy that she could see him at least.

''Sure.'' Francis was internally bursting with joy. An opportunity to talk with Heather, he would gladly accept it. ''Even if I have work, I don't stretch when Leena is around. I will not wonder if she comes to beat me.''

''She is concerned over you.'' Heather smilingly added. ''Does she torture you?''

''I would be disappointed if she doesn't.'' Replied Francis. Leena's presence would lit up even if he is in the worst mood.

''Can I ask you a question?'' Heathe asked, and without waiting for Francis's reply, she inquired. ''For almost one and a half year, you didnot bring Leena to the hospital. Did Something happen to her?''

''Didn't I tell you she went for higher_.''

''She cannot stop herself from meeting me for a week, Francis. I can tell you are lying when I look into your eyes.'' Heather continued. ''At least tell me now. I have the right to know.''

Francis knew Heather will not stop until she gets her questions answered. She has every right to know the truth. Taking a deep breath, Francis explained the whole story that happened five years ago. The more Heather listened, her heart broke utterly, tears flooded from her eyes. Until now, she thought her ex-husband had a hand on it. But it seems someone has an immense hatred towards her and her daughter.

"She is a brave girl, Heather. She fought against all the odds and survived. Francis reassured. ''Sorry, I couldn't protect her at that time.''

''It's not your fault. Thanks for taking care of Leena, Francis. I will be forever grateful to you.'' Heather said, wiping her tears.

''You started with your philosophies?'' Francis asked to lit up the atmosphere.

''Don't forget the said person is one philosopher.'' Heather retorted, and their banterings continued for a while before Heather brought a topic of marriage. ''Why didn't you marry Francis?'' Before her accident, she would always think about what sort of woman Francis would marry, but that didnot happen. After her accident, Francis would visit her alone or bring Leena with him. Heather hated to admit, she can't bear to see some other woman next to Francis.

''I was afraid Leena wouldn't be treated well,'' Francis replied monotonously. He is getting frustrated telling the same reply to both mother and daughter. Is it that bad to stay single?

''Oh.'' Heather doesn't know if she should be happy that Francis saved the best for Leena or should get sad that he has sacrificed his entire youth.

Sensing Heather zoning out, Francis diverted the topic and talked about Leena's childhood tantrums to cool the atmosphere. Seconds turned to minutes, and minutes turned to hours, their chattings continued.

...

The next day, Leena left home early in the morning to see Devin before going to the office, but he has already left. Reluctantly, Leena went to the office, and for the whole day, Devin did not reply to Leena's messages.

"What's wrong with him? What did I do this time to start a cold war?" Leena muttered as she keyed in her house password. Getting fresh, she made dishes of Devin's liking. The moment she heard the footsteps, she rushed to the living room.

"I miss you, babylicious." Leena embraced him into a tight hug. "I made all your favorite dishes. Get yourself fresh."

"I had dinner with the clients. You carry on." Devin released himself from the hug and left the room.

Leena: '' ''

"Stupid fellow, do you know how long I struggled to prepare the dishes?" Leena screamed, following him.

"Go and feed to the juicy butt man." Ignoring her remarks, Devin replied. His fists clenched at the mention of a story he heard from Drew.

"Juicy butt? Where did I hear this name?" Leena realized at a shot. "Andrew Dawson! You are dead meat in my hands." Leena ran to the bedroom and hugged Devin from behind. "It was all acting, Devin. I was testing if Andrew was a friend of Dorothy or not. That wanton idiot can't keep a word in his mouth."

When she did not get any response, Leena turned Devin to face her. "That man's butt is as ugly as worn-out cab-horse." Still, when Devin was not talking with Leena, she kissed all over his face. That's it! The stoic pretense he has put on for the whole day broke. Devin lifted Leena and carried her to the bed. Gingerly placing her on the bed, he tickled her most sensitive parts until Leena couldn't take them anymore. "S_top it, idiot.''

"If you talk about other men_."

"Never," Leena replied, clutching his arms while gasping for a breath. Devin came on top of her and tantalized, kissing her face, except her lips. His teasing turned more serious, and in no time, both buried deep inside each other, forgetting the dinner.

....

 While Enger was working on his research, Nash came rushing into the room, his face anxious.

"Enger." He called up.

"Yes?"

"W_inter passed away." His voice laced with panic today more than pain.

''Didn't doctors tell it would take a month? It's only two weeks has passed now.'' Enger asked, looking at his friend in uncertainty. He doesn't want to admit but losing Winter pained him. She has been with him since they were children.

''Perhaps she couldn't handle,'' Nash replied, forcing a smile. ''Do you wish to see her one last time.''

''No.'' Enger closed his eyes when Winter's smiling face popped up causing him flinch a little With a sigh, he said. ''I trust in you, Nash. Bury all her evidence."

"Alright.'' Before leaving, Nash threw a question at his friend. ''You could have divorced her. Why go to the extent of killing?"

Enger looked at the retreating figure with a stoic face. ''You doesn't know anything about the past, Nash. Winter is alone enough to crash everything, including my Leena."

Enger strolled into a room where a cut-out of a person made of cardboard was put on a stand. He picked a dart and threw it onto the board. It straight away pierced into the chest. ''It's time you enjoyed with her. I will now torture you before taking her away.''

....

In the middle of his sleep, Devin woke up with a start clutching his chest. He breathed in and out to calm his raging heart. ''I didnot get any dream this time. But why is my heart screaming of danger around.'' He gazed at the sleeping Leena next to him.. Pulling her closer, he kissed her head and closed his eyes.