The Devil's Sweetheart

She was never a superstitious person; infact, Leena believes only in herself. When a black cat crosses her path, her Meemaw would consider it as ominous, and in her view, it signifies the animal is going somewhere. It might be because of listening to her Meemaw's stories when she was young, Leena's fear today has turned into a primary source of superstition.

''Leena, what's taking you so long?'' Leena snapped out from her dazed thoughts when she heard Devin's concerned voice. 

''What happened?'' Devin questioned, his gaze shifted to Leena's tightly gripped hand as he approached her. Unclasping her fingers, he glanced at the cracked Watch.

''I broke it.'' In a whisper, Leena took a guilty peek at Devin. ''I tripped over my ankle when I was_''

''Did you get hurt?'' He was only concerned about Leena. Although Devin treasured the Watch, Nothing is his priority in front of Leena.

''No.'' 

'Let me check then.'' Devin carried her to the bed and laid her on her back. He glanced at Leena's face as he gently pressed over her ankle bones to see if she feels tenderness at his touch.

''Don't worry.'' Leena rose from the bed and squeezed Devin's hand as a form of assurance. ''I don't feel any restricted movement.''

''I warned you not to jump around the house like a little fawn. Do you ever listen?'' He reprimanded, pulling her into his embrace. ''Don't scare me, Leena.''

''Sorry, I was in a hurry.'' Squeezing his body tightly, Leena spoke up her mind. ''I am scared, Devin. I_I heard broken things are ominous.''

''Where did you read these busted superstitions.'' Devin pulled back from the hug to know if Leena really meant it.

''Roman culture,'' 

''Being a science student, you believe them? Superstition is a poison to your mind.'' 

''I have no control over my beliefs and thoughts when it comes to you.'' Leena tightly enfolded her hands over his waist and sank into his chest. ''Can I ask you a question?''

''Of course, yes.'' 

''How important it is for you to go_''

RING RING

Leena's voice died down when Devin's mobile buzzed. 

''Give me a second, Leena.'' Devin excused and lifted the call. ''I am starting now, Harley...Don't postpone it. I will reach the airport in an hour.'' He ended the call and glanced at Leena. ''What were you telling, sweetheart?''

She has mustered up the courage to ask Devin if he can stay back, but her hopes died down with the incoming call. Forcing a smile, Leena said. ''Nothing. Call me whenever you find free time. I don't mind if you call from the bathroom also, but don't forget to call.''

''Thanks for planting the idea.'' He teased her. The last time they had a conversation about micturate topic, he didnot get the chance. A call from the bathroom? Gladly he will use it.

''I am serious, Devin.'' Smacking his chest, she glared at him for taking her words as a joke. She doesn't mind the place as long as she can hear his voice. Only then will she be relieved.

 ''Alright, alright. Please don't get mad at me, Sweetheart. I will definitely make time for us'' The most hardest part is being away from Leena. Although he is not speaking his inner thoughts, only he knew the pain he is bearing inside. Next time, even if Leena's schedule is tightly packed, Devin decided to take her with him. Kissing her forehead for one last time, Devin left.

....

Thinking of him, she was counting the days until they meet again. Morning arrived; Leena lazily stretched her body and picked her mobile to send a text to Devin. Six days passed since he went to Norway, but it felt like four decades. Although they have video chat every day, Leena was still not satisfied until she saw him in person.

This time, Devin's teasings went on another level. He purposefully lied that he was stuck in the meeting and found an excuse to call from the bathroom. At first, Leena didnot mind, but he has made it into practice.

Leena wished to dig a hole and bury herself.

''Idiot,'' She smiled and unlocked her mobile, but to her surprise, she had a notification from her beloved photographer.

[VinqueAero: A sunset without you is as good as a sunrise that never happened. I am missing you a lot]

''What a beautiful sunset!'' Leena exclaimed. ''No wonder your portraits touch the inner souls, my dear beloved teacher.''

''Missing you a lot? Who is that person?'' Leena giggled at the choice of words. ''Is VinqueAero He or She?'' She wished her beloved photographer to be a woman. Already, her babylicious is dancing with jealousy, and she doesn't want to add one more to the list. Shaking her head, Leena liked the picture and commented on it. Leena, as usual, sent a private message like she does every time, knowing that the person will not reply. ''One day, I will beat you in photography.''

''Yay! My babylicious is going to board the plane today.'' Her smile deepened at the thought of seeing Devin tomorrow. ''Laws should be made for superstitions.'' Leena sent a text message to Devin and got up to get ready for the day.

...

Norway, 4.00 P.M 

In the bright, spacious room, occupied by the board members, a young man was sitting with an aura powerful as a ruler. Except for the occasional flipping of pages, the room was eerily silent. The CEO of the Tricelleon, Rune Nills, held his breath, looking keenly at the stalwart figure sitting in front of him. One signature from Wang Devin today, his company would skyrocket. But since the day he has come to observe the company, he seems to be displeased by their aids. But still, he has his fingers crossed.

''I am pleased with your proposal, Mr. Nills. I approve this deal,'' Devin finally signed his name on the piece of paper. A signature reveals a man's character, and sometimes even his name, and Rune Nills felt it today.

''Thank you, Mr. Wang. I am delighted to work with the Wang Industries.'' He firmly shook his hand with Devin and smiled.

....

The moment Devin strolled out of the Tricelleon, William, the assistant director of the Wang industries, stepped forward when he couldn't bear the nagging from the team. ''Umm...Devin, why don't we stay here today and start tomorrow_''

''Absolutely, no. We are boarding the plane in another one hours.'' Before stepping into the car, Devin declared, leaving no room for discussions. It's been a week he has seen his Sweetheart, and he can't wait for a single second even.

William internally sighed and followed Devin.

....

Oslo Gardermoen airport, 5.00 P.M

Before the flight went airborne, Devin sent a text message to Leena. He wished to surprise her, but how does he call it a surprise when Leena keeps calling him every one hour asking his whereabouts. Within a minute, he got a reply from Leena. ''Didn't she sleep? It's eleven O clock."

[To : Orthodox Saint: Why are you not sleeping]

[To: DeepVDiver: I was waiting for your message. I think I am missing you a lot]

[To : Orthodox Saint: I am missing you infinity. Now, now, Go to sleep, it's already your bed time]

[To: DeepVDiver: I am not sleepy]

[To : Orthodox Saint: If you are not sleepy, then do me a favor]

[To: DeepVDiver: What is it]

[To : Orthodox Saint: Send your hot picture. You know what I mean, right?]

Leena indeed sent him a picture. A chilly picture to annoy him.

[To : Orthodox Saint: I hate you, Leena!]

[To: DeepVDiver: Well, I don't hate you, but you are the Monday of my life]

[To : Orthodox Saint: Not everyone has good taste]

Their cute sallies began until Devin turned off the mobile when the flight took off.

....

New York: Morning 05.30 A.M

Tightly clutching his mobile, Nash was waiting for a phone call from his men. The moment he received the call to his private number, he made a call to Enger. ''I received the news from the airport. The team has bifurcated at the airport and started in their home directions. Devin is traveling alone with no guards. Only the chauffeur is with him.''

''First time I am in love with Devin's arrival like a hunter in love with his prey,'' Enger spoke up. ''Is everything ready.''

''Yes.'' Nash said,

''Keep tracking him, and inform me of his every move.''

''I will take care of it.'' Nash replied and ended Enger's call. He doesn't know what sort of trouble it would bring in the future, but he can't go against Enger. An uproar will be raised that he was sure.

...

Examining the drafted proposal Tricellen has sent, Devin's concentration broke when the car suddenly screeched to a halt. ''What's wrong?'' He asked, lifting his head.

''There is an under-maintenance signboard, and we can't take this road further, Sir.'' The driver replied.

''I will have to take a detour, sir.'' The driver said, gazing back.

Devin nodded his head in approval and resumed his work. The car took a detour and entered the isolated road. When the car was moving according to the plan, Devin suddenly stopped the driver. ''Turn to the Wang's mansion.'' Before he went to Leena, Devin wanted to talk with his dad about the drafted proposal for today's meeting

''Yes, sir.'' The driver replied.

.....

''Damn it!'' Nash cursed and made an immediate call to Enger. ''Devin has changed the route. The car is moving out of sight. What do we_"

''Execute plan B.''