The Devil's Sweetheart

Leena stifled her frown as she watched Enger arriving in her direction. While she didnot hate the man since he saved her life, Leena hated that he was the reason she missed seeing Devin when he woke up from the accident. Guilt-tripped when Leena thought back to the day she left without a word leaving him alone to finish the dinner.

\'\'Hi, Leena,\'\' Enger asked, smiling at her. The anger when he spoke with Nash dissipated away in seconds, seeing her face. That\'s what the power of Leena has over his heart. \'\'I have a friend working in the hospital. I happen to bring something, he asked. So, yeah, I thought, why not talk without before going.\'\'

\'\'So, how are you doing?\'\' Enger questioned again.

\'\'I am good,\'\' Leena added. \'\'Sorry that I left you alone on that day_\'\'

\'\'It must be imperative if you had to leave. I understand.\'\' His tone sounded calm, but a jealousy emotion was eating him up. Enger has to find strength from every nerve of his body, not to burn up.

\'\'Thank you,\'\' Leena said as she sat on the bench.

\'\'I know your husband warned me not to make calls, but I was very depressed seeing your state over the past two weeks. I hope you don\'t mind that I called you without your consent.\'\'

\'\'No problem.\'\' Does it matter? Why asking my opinion when you already made the decision? But Leena didnot voice her opinion. If it were any other person, she would have lashed out on the spot, but she cannot bring herself together to scold Enger. The man saved her life.

\'\'You are still searching for the one behind Devin\'s accident?\'\' Enger asked. \'\'Or you found already?\'\'

\'\'Not yet.\'\' Was the short reply from Leena without probing into the actual matter. \'\'I am actually eager to meet the person.\'\'

\'\'Why?\'\' He chuckled. Is my beloved excited to see me after knowing how brilliantly I executed the plan?

\'\'To show him or her hell on the earth. Soon, It\'s going to happen.\'\' Leena\'s voice sounded so resolute that Enger\'s fingers went clammy.

He forced a smile as he looked at Leena\'s burning eyes. So, she hates me to the core. For the first time, he let himself out, but not anymore. He will make sure Leena would never find he was the one behind Devin\'s accident, and if that happened, he knows what exactly to do. For now, Enger subdued the thought and focused on utilizing his time with Leena. \'\'How is your husband? Did he recover?\'\'

\'\'Slowly, but surely, he is recovering,\'\' Leena replied curtly.

\'\'Good to hear. I wish to meet your husband, but he doesn\'t seem to like me.\'\' Planting a seed of doubt in minds is the effective plan Enger laid out to trap people.

\'\'Ah! My husband is a little possessive.\'\' Leena talked as if she was not bothered by Enger\'s words, which irked him. What is this man trying to imply? Leena wondered. The mysterious friend she knew is hell contradictory to the character she sees in Enger today. Sure, Enger has planted a seed of doubt in Leena\'s mind.

\'\'Oh,\'\' Enger forced a smile as usual, but envy crossed his eyes. \'\'I will take my leave_\'\'

Enger paused as Leena raised her hand to stop him from talking when she received a call from Devin. The second she lifted the call, Devin\'s angry voice boomed. \'\'What are you still doing there?\'\'

\'\'Are you missing me?\'\' Leena whispered in a low voice, but still, Enger heard it.

\'\'Why ask when you know it?\'\'

\'\'I am on my way, my dear sweet husband.\'\' Leena ended the call, pressing her lips to control her laughter. Turning to Enger, Leena said. \'\'I will have to go. You don\'t need to make an effort to come here anymore. My husband is doing well, and he is getting discharged soon.\'\' Leena clearly drew a line before she left.

Enger glanced at the flower pot sitting beside the bench and kicked it furiously.

.....

The moment Leena entered the hospital room, she sensed a burning smell.

\'\'Why did you come when you could have left with him to home?\'\'

\'\'Jelly Jelly Devin.\'\' Leena giggled, climbing into the bed. \'\'Francis went a while ago. When I was coming back, I met Enger.\'\'

\'\'You what?\'\' Devin was surprised at her admission. On top of it, Leena is calling him by his first name, which bothered him. 

\'\'He has come to check on your health,\'\' Leena explained to Devin the number of times Enger visited.

The more Devin heard, the more his ire spiked up. So, Enger was the reason he missed seeing Leena when he woke up. Sensing Devin was going out of the thoughts, Leena cupped Devin\'s face and spoke up. \'\'Don\'t get jealous, Devin. I only see him as my savior. Nothing more.\'\'

\'\'I know, Sweetheart.\'\' He said, kissing her forehead, and pulled Leena\'s head to rest on his shoulder. \'\'Take rest. You have been working diligently for the past two days.\'\'

Leena hummed in response and closed her eyes. Devin\'s mind was restless the more he thought of him. He is now sure, Enger is hiding his actual identity and approaching Leena in disguise. But why? Is he holding any secrets? Devin looked into the distance with the chaotic thoughts swirling inside.

.....

Two days passed, Devin\'s wound almost recovered, and happiness caressing Leena like summer mornings. On the other end, a storm was brewing. Harley was watching a movie when Evelyn entered her bedroom. \'\'I would like you to do productive work instead of watching movies.\'\'

\'\'It\'s weekend, mom.\'\' Harley said without lifting her head.

Evelyn snatched the laptop and threw it on the bed, causing Harley to scream. \'\'Mom!\'\'

\'\'Where did you learn to raise your voice on me, dear daughter?\'\' Evelyn gently cowed her daughter as she placed a picture on Harley\'s lap. \'\'You dad\'s selection. His name is Callan, and you are going on a date tomorrow.\'\'

\'\'I don\'t want to.\'\' Harley rejected it without a second thought.

\'\'Harley!\'\' Evelyn raised her voice, causing Harley to flinch. \'\'Tomorrow evening at 5 O clock at Safirh hotel.\'\'

\'\'Mom, please, I don\'t want to.\'\'

\'\'Are you dating anyone?\'\' Evelyn asked, looking keenly into Harley\'s eyes to hunt for an answer.

\'\'No.\'\'

\'\'Then do you love anyone?\'\' Evelyn questioned again, assuming Harley would spill it.

\'\'I_I no.\'\' Harley lied, gazing on the floor.

\'\'Then what\'s the problem?\'\' Evelyn knew her daughter is lying. She is curious to see how long she would pretend.

Quickly, Harley cooked a story that she learned from Leena. \'\'Devin is still recovering. So, I suggest we postpone for a while.\'\'

\'\'You can tell your demands in front of your dad and grandfather,\'\' Evelyn said and left the room.

Harley pulled her hair in frustration. Her favorite movie didnot interest her anymore. She lost the count of men she rejected. Her grandfather and dad will come to her throat before she raises her voice. Her heart refuses to accept anyone except him. \'\'Why is life so difficult to handle?\'\' Harley slumped on the bed to prepare her mind.

...

The next day evening, Evelyn made sure to doll her daughter for the date. 

\'\'All the best, Harley.\'\' Her whole family wished good luck before she stepped into the car.

Did they think it is an exam?

The moment Harley was out of Evelyn\'s sight, she rushed into her room and locked the door. She then sent a text to someone desperately. [Future son-in-law: She has started now]

An instant reply came over.

[Mother-in-law: I will take care of it]

[Future son-in-law: This is the last time I am giving a chance. If you mess it up, forget about my daughter]

[Mother-in-law: I will live up to your expectations]

Evelyn smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. She only hoped everything would go well today.

...

The business talks bored Harley to the core. Her eyes darted to the water bottle now and then. Her hands itched to uncap it, and throw it on the man\'s face, and run away. A spill of the word, her mom will start etiquette lectures. Better to bear this tadpole for a while. Harley thought.

\'\'How about we start dating before we consider marriage?\'\'\' Callan suggested.

Harley internally rolled her eyes. This man sure has high standards. She should have asked Leena for some tips to ruin a date instead of fretting overnight.

\'\'What are your opinions on me?\'\' Callen asked, eagerly waiting for Harley\'s reply.

[What else? A Nincompoop!]

Callen jerked with a start at the reply, but in a split second, he sensed it was not a woman\'s voice. He glanced over his shoulders and noticed a tall man standing beside him. Callen cleared his throat to catch his attention, but nothing he expected has happened. Did this man call me a Nincompoop? 

[You bonehead, I didnot call you. Can\'t you see we are talking over the phone]

Callen gazed at the man and then at the mobile placed over his ear. Callan noticed he is having a conversation with someone over the phone, but why does he feel like the curses are directed towards him? Callen then glanced at Harley. As usual, she feigned ignorance to him.

\'\'Excuse me, sir,\'\' Callen called him gently, causing the man to turn at him.

\'\'Yes?\'\'

\'\'If you don\'t mind, can you talk in private. It\'s disturbing our privacy.\'\'

\'\'Ah! I am sorry.\'\' He apologized before walking ahead. 

With a sigh of relief, Callen glanced at Harley to resume his unfinished talks. \'\'Does your work stresses you a lot?\'\'

\'\'I can manage,\'\' Harley replied curtly.

\'\'Do you plan to work after our marriage_\'\'

[You better turn into a widow than marrying him] The familiar mocking again interrupted Callen ears, making his blood boil.

[Have you looked at his face? A tadpole is better than him]

\'\'Excuse me, sir,\'\' Callen interrupted the man standing beside him, pretending to be on the phone but purposefully here to ruin his date. Does Harley like him? 

\'\'Yes?\'\' The man snapped at him.

\'\'Can you please talk decently? I feel your words are directing at me.\'\' Callan wondered why Harley\'s father didnot book a private room when they are rolling in money.

\'\'Decency? How dare you teach Decency to the great criminal lawyer, Andrew Dawson?\'\'