The Devil's Sweetheart

Reese's heartbeat paced at an alarming rate. Andrew is at an inch range from her, and for the first time, she is watching him at a close distance, and it felt beautiful. When did he come here? Just now, she saw him standing next to her brother. 

''I like Reese,'' Andrew confessed. Reese's could hear her own heart beat. Did I hear correctly?

The equally shocked were the people in awe except for Jasper when Andrew stood in front of Reese.

'Andy likes, Reese!' Kurt wondered.

'The girl Andrew likes is Reese?' Wilbur gaped.

When Andrew took Reese's hand, Reese's senses stamped out. If Andrew were in his sights, he would have definitely noticed her damp hands, but Andrew was equally tensed. It has taken a whole lot of courage to stand in front of Reese and express his feelings. Andrew gently gazed into her eyes and smiled, which took Reese's breath away. ''We have not conversed much, but I liked you since long back, Ree. Every love story has a villain, and mine is your brother. So, I didnot get the chance to express my feelings'' Andrew shamelessly threw the blame on Jasper. 

Leena and all others cast her venomous little eyes at Jasper, and the latter looked away; Jasper's gaze landed on the remote controller lying on the table. The non-living thing was most attractive than these evil eyes. 'Annoying Monkey fellow, you not only dared to propose to my sister in front of my family and friends but also to shift the blame on me? Let everyone goes out of the house. I will deal with you personally.'

''I never had the chance to approach you and express my feelings because your brother was constantly destroying my plans. So, I kept my feelings bottled inside. I_I like you, Ree. I know it's all rush, but I may not get a better chance to tell my feelings. You don't need to answer me today. Take your time. I will wait for you.'' 

Reese was taken back at the sudden confession. Before she opened her mouth, Andrew was gone. He was standing next to his father. Reese wanted to tell that she shares the same feelings, but her courage is short compared to Andrew's. 'He likes me! Andrew also likes me, and not my brother!' Reese felt today is the happiest day in her life.

Leena gently knuckle-clapped, and rushed to Devin's side, and gave him a side hug. ''They are cute.'' She whispered into his ears. Devin shook his head, pulling her closer, a faint smile on his lips.

''My Andy is such a brave boy.'' Leon declared proudly. ''I am proud of you, son.''

''Leon, so, are we going to become in-laws?'' Louis grinned.

''Only if Reese likes Andy'' Lily joined them. ''Let her give some time. This is all too rushed for her.''

''You can take your time_''

''I am not going to approve of this relationship.'' Jasper butted in. ''I will not give my sister to this betrayer_.''

Jasper paused his thoughts when everybody got up, ready to leave. ''Dad, mom, listen to me. This monkey is_''

''Neither we have time nor energy to listen to your rantings,'' Louis said, closing the door shut.

Jasper's eyes turned to his sister, who was standing like a statue. Before he reached her to brainwash his sister, Leena forcefully dragged her out of the house, knowing that Jasper would try to manipulate her mind. Finally, Jasper was left alone... no, his mortal enemy is still with him. ''Hold your horses, monkey fellow, I will not let you win. Just because you got permission from my parents, you haven't succeeded. Ultimately, it's my decision.''

''Look, Jasper..sorry, future brother-in-law.'' Andrew corrected their relationship to pique Jasper's already raged flames.

''Stop calling me brother-in-law_.''

''Why, you were the one compelled me to call you brother-in-law. Don't you remember?'' Andrew reminded him of their old memories. ''I don't understand where you get the confidence to separate us. By proposing to your sister today, I have already won half the battle. Just watch, and see, I will become your brother-in-law soon.''

''Only if my sister likes you back, but does she? She will never like a betrayer like you.''

Andrew ignored Jasper's bombasts and spoke up. ''If Reese had no feelings, she would have rejected me on the spot. But she didnot.'' Tersely, Andrew said. ''So, I still have a chance.'' Andrew knew he is bluffing to nettle Jasper and make himself comfortable, But he will not give up. He has to take Leena's help and know if she is dating a girl or a plain rumor.

''Now, if you can get out of my house, I will have to get ready for the office, brother-in-law.'' Having said that, Andrew walked into his bedroom. His time has come.

Jasper's eyes glowed with savage fire. Wordlessly, he stormed out of the house and closed the door with a loud bang.

....

Along with Reese, Leena entered a cafe to have a personal chat with her. She sent Devin away, assuring him that she would take care of herself. ''Why didn't you tell your feelings to him, Reese?''

''I_I got scared, Leena.'' A panic of fear seized Reese at the sudden confession from Andrew. Until now, she had thought, Andrew likes her brother, but he has dropped a bomb declaring his feelings to her. So many things happened in a single day. So, it was all her brother's doing? Poor Ree, he suffered a lot in Jasper's hands.

''Good thing that you didnot confess right away.'' Leena hinted, which Reese didnot catch.

''What?''

 ''Alright, let me explain to you clearly. If you had confessed your feelings, your parents and Andrew's parents would have fixed your marriage right away.''

''Oh.. but..but...it's happy news, isn't it, Leena?'' Reese asked. At the thought of marriage with Rew, Reese timidly smiled.

''No.'' Leena denied. ''Have you ever had a proper conversation except greeting each other? No.. Firstly, go on a trip with him, and then you live together_.''

''Living together.'' Reese cried in exasperation. ''Jasper will kill me, Leena.''

''Your brother is a venomous snake.'' Leena sighed. '' We will think of a solution later. For now, let's be happy that your line got cleared.'' Leena felt bad for assuming Jasper and Andrew as a friend of Dorothy's. It's not her fault; their actions proved otherwise.

''Indeed.'' Reese smiled in peace. Just then, she received a message, and Reese ignored it, seeing it was from her brother. What happened in the past that he is holding a deep grudge against Rew? Both are childish.

While Leena and Reese were conversing, Leena received a message. [From Andrew: Sister, do you have time in the evening? I need to talk with you]

What does he want to talk about? His line is already cleared.. Leena replied to his message.[Okay, brother]