The Devil's Sweetheart

''A fucking Pharma CEO!'' Leena burst out in surprise. She knew Leius is one of the leading Pharma companies in the world but haven't thought the CEO is a juvenile. ''What's stopping you from accepting then? Is he bad characterwise?''

''Nothing like that. I mean, Landon is a nice person but we have known each other for a very little time, Leena,'' Kyle replied. Landon Derwin is a sweet person but at the same time, there is something mysterious surrounding that man which is stopping Kyle to take a further step. Besides, his family is influential in society, and being an illegitimate daughter, she knew there would be conspiracies in the future. But somewhere, Kyle wanted to try, but a little push was needed.

''Get out that blocks, Kyle. Go on dates first. If you feel he is good, take a further step.'' Leena advised. 

''Should I?'' Questioned Kyle.

''Of course. If he is not up to the mark, tell him, ciao, ciao brown cow.'' Leena winked, taking a sip of orange juice.

''Where do you learn these funny phrases,'' Kyle asked with a smile. ''Your talks can lift anyone's mood.''

''By now you might have known, I am born intelligent.'' Shrugging her shoulder, Leena sipped the last drops of orange juice with the straw, noisily sucking air at the end. She often plays this game out of boredom.

''Yes Yes. I can't disagree with that.'' Kyle giggled. If she disagrees with the statement Leena will brag until Kyle agrees. It's better to play the safe game around her. Skipping Landon's topic, they resumed chatting, and in a while, Leena got a text from her mom.

 ''I will go. It's late already. My mom is calling.''

''Alright. Stay in touch.'' Before parting, Kyle hugged Leena and then walked in the other direction.

....

Leena didnot stay in the hospital for a long time. After reaching home, she got fresh, and just when she started preparing dinner for Devin, she heard the footsteps of her babylicious.

Without going inside the bedroom, Devin straight away walked into the kitchen and hugged Leena from behind. ''When did you come back?'' He asked, kissing her temple.

''An hour back. I had no work in the evening. So, I went to meet mom.'' She explained the story that is happening inside her office earning a deep chuckle from Devin.

''So, you reconciled with Kyle.'' He stated affirmatively. Devin was glad Kyle turned out to be innocent in the end. Even if they have gone to the same school, he wouldn't have spared if she had a hand on the spy cameras.

''Yeap,'' Leena stressed the word. ''Friendships are like a walk in the park.''

''Who said that?'' 

''Jurassic Park.'' 

''You are not gonna leave than name ever?'' He asked, grabbing the knife from her hands, and started chopping the vegetables. Devin has become an expert, not in cooking, but at least not in burning the kitchen.

''That's my favorite name.'' Leena leaned back on Devin's chest and gave a thought over the morning incident. ''Do you want to know how I met him?''

Devin neither nodded nor shook his head, and Leena took that as a positive sign and started.

''Jane, I and Reese used to visit lots of places every weekend during our university days. Once a local voluntary runaway fashion event was organized to highlight animal rights. Interested has to get dressed in full-body animal costumes and walk through the runaway. To support, we three of us also participated in the event. I picked a zebra outfit, Reese was dressed as a frog, while Jane was a cow. To make the event more interesting, we were to walk as a couple. I got a rabbit partner.'' Leena's thoughts recollected the day as she began explaining to Devin.

As Leena waited for the fashion show to start, a tall animal stood next to her. She tilted her head and cackled watching the person in a rabbit's costume.

''Are you my partner, rabbit?'' She shouted. Leena has to scream since her voice didnot reach the rabbits' ears with the loud music reverberating in the hall.

''Why would I stand next to you if I am not your partner?'' He shouted at the top of his voice, getting irritated by the ear-piercing songs.

Leena irritatingly glared at the rabbit in annoyance without replying to him. When the show started, both walked in the runaway, next to each other. After the show ended, before Leena was about to go towards her friends, the rabbit pulled her by her hoodie.

''What?'' Leena screamed

''Aren't you introducing yourself?''

''What if you sell my kidneys?''

''Rest assured! I am too lazy to clean your shit!"

Clenching her fists at his sharp tongue, Leena scanned the rabbit from head to toe and decided to play with him. ''John F.Kidney. My name."

''Nice name! In the same way, you can give your number also.''

''6.02214076*10^23. Avogadro number.'' Before walking away, Leena looked back and mocked the rabbit. ''Text me if you can solve it.''

Rabbit: " "

 After the show, the three friends went home. Getting exhausted from wearing the suffocating outfit for a long time, Leena slumped on the bed tiredly. Just when she was about to close her eyes, her mobile beeped. She lazily looked at the message and upon seeing the message, she shot out of the bed. [Are your kidneys healthy to sell?]

''What the hell! How did he get my number?'' Leena's mouth opened and closed like a cute goldfish. Instantly, she replied to the number.

[How did you get my number]

[How else? I solved Avogadro number you gave]

Leena pressed her lips to control her laughter. She should be getting angry at him, but instead burst out into laughter. ''Did he think I am a fool? He must have investigated after the show.'' That's how Leena got the mysterious friend.

.....

Getting out of thoughts, Leena turned around and sheepishly replied in a whisper. ''That's how I first met him.''

Wordlessly, Devin grabbed Leena's mobile from the kitchen countertop and deleted his number. ''6.02214076*10^23. That's my number. Solve it and text me.'' Having said that, Devin walked into the bedroom cursing the dim wit. 'Rabbit costume, my foot!'

Leena: '' ''

''Green-eyed idiot!'' Devin's number would be at the back of her mind. Shaking her head, Leena turned around to concentrate on making the dinner.

For the entire time during dinner, Leena has to coax the jelly Devin. Leena strolled into the balcony when Francis called her and talked about the morning incident that happened at Enger's house. Of course, she didnot forget to pester him about his love confession.

Ending the call, Leena walked into the bedroom where Devin was talking over the phone.

 ''Is that my father-in-law?'' Leena asked when Devin ended the call.

''He wants us to visit this weekend. France, your Meemaw aunt Heather is also coming home.'' 

''I am ready.'' Leena nodded her head fervently. She also got a mission to accomplish. That is to find, Devin's old mobile to see his past love.

....

Soon the weekend arrived. Devin and Leena drove to the Wang family. The house was filled with giggles and laughs in every corner as if it was a festive season. Francis and Fredrick were absorbed in chatting. On the other side, Sharon, Evelyn, and Heather were sitting with a bundle of clothes around them. Nick and Adney were giggling like chimpanzees. Grandpa Arthur was nowhere to be seen. He must be boasting about himself with Meemaw.

''Go to Harley's room,'' Devin said. ''She must be waiting for you.''

''What about you?'' Leena voiced her concern.

''Wilbur is on the way. He is bringing Jane and Cutie also.'' Devin replied looking at Leena's expression and as Devin expected, a flash of envy passed and disappeared in a blink.

''She will be ready for anywhere if my babylicious is involved,'' Leena grumbled and went into Harley's room.

''Harley!'' Leena's scream made Harley shot out of her stupor.

''Leena! I was waiting for you.'' Jumping out of the bed, Harley dashed to hug her.

''What are you sitting alone?'' Leena asked releasing herself from the hug.

''Mom, Aunt Heather, and Sharon are talking boring stuff. I better watch a Netflix series than listening to dads and Uncle Francis's old stories.'' Harley added passing the strawberry bowl to Leena. ''How was your honeymoon?''

''Didn't I tell you in the call?'' Closing her eyes, Leena savored the delicious strawberries.

''You completed the week-long story in ten minutes.'' Harley pouted.

''Go and get a boyfriend then.'' She threw the pillow towards Harley.

The word boyfriend made Harley gripped her fists. Removing the thought out of her head, Harley spoke up. ''Reese and Jane are not coming?''

''Jane is no the way, but I doubt Reese. Only if that lazy bum gets up, she may come.''

With a scoff, Harley lazily nodded her head. As expected, Reese's behavior is a replica of that person.

''What's going inside the house?'' Leena asked for some gossips.

''I forgot to tell you. Mom brought a dress and a custom-made bracelet for you, and you believe it or not, I was awed by the bracelet's beauty. She might give it to you today.''

''I can't control myself anymore.'' Leena squealed in excitement. When it comes to dresses, Leena's patience is at the wit ends. ''I want to see them right now.''

''Then sneak out into her room.'' Whispered Harley.

''No. She would definitely doubt if I come with you.'' Leena suggested. ''It's better you go and click the pictures.''

''Álright.'' Nodding her head, Harley went inside Evelyn's walk-in closet.

....

Evelyn brought Heather into her room and locked the doors. ''What did you want to discuss, Heather?''

''There is no one in your room right?'' Heather asked in a whisper.

''Nope. Everybody is busy with their activities.'' Eve added. ''Just tell me, Heather.''

Taking a deep breath, Heather started. 'Can we get the list of people who boarded the luxurious trip on Devin's second year birthday''?

''Why?'' Evelyn asked in confusion.

''I want to find Leena's dad,'' Heather stated as a matter of fact as if she was already aware of it for a long time.

"What do you mean.'' Eve pressed her words in a low whisper. Isn't Leena Max's_''

''Leena is not Max's daughter,'' Heather revealed.