The Devil's Sweetheart

Wilson could feel nothing but blinded terror in Ruth\'s voice. He slowly and carefully approached her and hugged her from behind. "Calm down, Ruth. It\'s not good for your health. We are going to do this together."

Releasing herself from his grip, Ruth turned around and looked straight into his eyes. "Thank you for staying beside me, Wilson."

"You don\'t need to thank me. I volunteered to stay with you." Wilson smiled. "Can you at least call my real name when we are_"

"No." Walls have ears. Ruth Vaughan doesn\'t trust anyone.

"I will wait for that day you call me with my real name again." Wilson smiled gazing tenderly at the woman he loves and he also knew her heart has no place for him. She has given it to someone who doesn\'t even acknowledge it. "We will stay low for a while. I am asking you as a friend." She might not have feelings for him but he will protect her.

"Wilson, we have no time to_"

"Francis will immediately take Heather to his home after today\'s incident. With the tight security around her, we can\'t touch even a strand of her hair and Leena is under Devin\'s protection. His men are watching like hawks from every corner. There is a chance we might get caught if we throw the next attack without a proper plan. Let them put their guards down, then we attack."

"Fine." Ruth agreed. Even she felt that taking the rash decision has a high chance of exposure just like today. If they have not predicted the worst conditions before attacking Heather, Francis would have caught her by now. "Go to Korea and stay there for a while, Wilson."

"I can\'t leave you alone_"

"I will be fine," Ruth assured him. "Go to Korea. Call me only when necessary. Use public phone booth."

"Alright."

"I will leave now." Ruth strolled out while Wilson went back to the room again to the girls. He has an important job now.

....

The discharge procedures were completed at a faster rate than usual under Roman supervision. Leena dragged a wheelchair in front of her mom but Heather declined. "I can walk and_

"You are still not healed completely, Heather." Francis interrupted pulling the wheelchair in front of her but Heather stubbornly declined and looked at Margaret asking for help to deal with him.

"Francis," Margarett called up her son.

"Yes, mom."

"Heather has received physiotherapy in the hospital. She can walk." Margaret shoved her son and slowly helped Heather to stand position. Initially, she felt a little tightness in her legs but that slowly eased as she walked.

"If you feel even a little uneasy, tell me." Francis turned to Heather."I will_"

"Drag your Francy to the car, Leena. He is annoying us today."

"Okay, Meemaw." Grabbing the chance, Leena forcefully pulled Francis along with her despite his protests.

While in the car, Leena turned into a blabbermouth again. She was showing the places she visited, the big skyscrapers to her mom. Along the way to their home, Leena\'s office passed by and she screamed pointing towards the building."Mom, look there. It\'s my office. How is it?"

"I_t\'s beautiful." Heather looked over her daughter with a proud smile. "Just like y_ou."

"Of course mom, no one can beat your daughter in beauty. Devin tells that_"

"Leena," Francis\'s voice entered into her ears. "You are blabbering like a frog from the time you stepped into the car. Give a break to your mouth and also to your mom\'s brain."

Leena\'s lips twitched in vex. \'What is his problem now. He always finds some or other problems to start a fight with me.\'

Heather squeezed Leena\'s hand and whispered. "Don\'t mind him."

"I don\'t. He is just a paper tiger, mom." Leena giggled.

"Paper Tiger?" Francis sharply looked back at Leena.

"Leena did not mean it, Francis. Look straight while driving." Heather whispered with a half-smile.

"O_h, yeah. I_I am sorry." He apologized and turned front.

Leena covered her mouth to suppress her giggle.

...

When the car pulled at the entrance, Grace and Caleb reached towards the car. "I am so glad that you are back, Heather."

"Thank you, sister Grace." Smiling, Heather held Leena\'s hand and slowly walked into the house. It\'s been almost two decades, she has stepped out of the hospital. The nostalgia of her youth took a tour through its memories as the fragrance of flowers from the garden wafted into her nose. She felt as if she has walked out of the door towards her freedom.

Leena and Margaret helped Heather to a room and to let her rest for a while, Francis dragged everyone out of the room.

"When will Devin come back?" Francis asked.

"Probably by night."

"Go to your room and sleep. You look tired." Francis pushed her into Leena\'s room.

"I have to go to the office." She poured.

"Look at your dark circles," This is the only way Leena would listen. "You look like an aged grandma."

Leena scurried to the mirror and as Francis said, her dark circles are apparent. "I have to remove them before I go on my honeymoon." She jumped on the bed and while watching a cartoon program, she drifted to sleep.

....

It was in the evening Devin arrived home. Leena has already told him about the incident when he called. Devin was ready to come back but she assured him that it was taken care of by Francis.

"When did you come?" Feeling muzzy, she opened her eyes when she heard the footsteps.

"Just now, did I wake you up?"

"No. I had enough sleep already." She rose from her bed and rested her head on Devin\'s shoulders.

"I am scared, Devin. What if something happens like today?"

"France will take care. Don\'t worry." He said. Even Devin is worried about the next attack but he did not show it on the surface. "We can postpone our honeymoon for next month if you want."

"So sweet of you, babylicious but I am fine. Mom will feel bad if we do it for her sake."

"Fine madam."

"Rest for some time. I will take mom for a walk in the garden. Then we can have dinner and go home."

"Alright." He said.

....

The sweet smell of flowers drifted into her nose calming her body. She held Leena\'s hand and looked at her lovingly. "I am p_roud of you, Leena. Francis raised you well."

"Thank you, mom." She sheepishly replied and watched Heather\'s thoughts drifting. "Ma, Cherry blossoms ars your favorites, right?",

"Hmm..W_ho told about it?" Leena was very little when she was in an accident. Unless someone tells about her preferences, Leena would not know about it.

"Francy."

Heather smiled shaking her head. That annoying fellow! He still remembers it. "What all he told?" She asked in a whisper.

Watching Heather\'s reaction, a sly smile spread across her face. "You like sweets, you used to be a bully in the school, you like gardening..."

Leena list went on and on.. All the while, a sweet smile lingered on Heather\'s face.