The Devil's Sweetheart

Fifteen minutes before, Heather was tamping down in frenzied rage at Catalina\'s self provocations. But Leena tightly held her arm, not letting her leave. Gradually Heather\'s heart cooled down a little, yet in a matter of seconds, it beat out her chest at the allusion of a childhood friend. Surely, but certainly, it was starting to dawn. It\'s all her daughter\'s plan. Heather stared at Leena, silently begging to confirm her suspicion. In contrast, Leena let her arms loose around her mother\'s hand and whispered. \'\'I don\'t need to tell you the name of the only childhood friend Francy has.\'\'

Hell broke loose, hearing Leena\'s thoughts. Heather embraced her arms around his frame firmly, afraid, afraid that it\'s happening in her dream, and the moment she wakes up, she has to espouse reality. \'\'Tell me..tell me..is the childhood friend you are referring to is Heather?\'\' Her tears coursed through her cheeks, dampening his shirt. 

\'\'Tell me..how many childhood friends Francis has?\'\' Francis threw her a question in response, yielded to her warm, strong hug. He was startled to see Heather here and more surprised to know Heather heard his secret.

Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, Heather craned her neck to look into his eyes. \'\'I want to hear from his mouth.\'\' Francis found her all but drilling holes into him with her eyes.

\'\'He assumed she was an arrogant kid when he first met.\'\' Francis, with little force, rubbed the tears from the corner of Heather\'s eyes as he spoke. \'\'There was a little girl who beat the shit out of a boy when he refused to give his backpack to her. He then complained to his parents to never let the arrogant girl into his house. But never did it happen. Instead, she was adored by his family. They fought every day, pulled pranks on each other. Once..\'\' He paused, his throat tightened. \'\'He pushed her into a dark room to scare her once for all. Sometime later, guilt passed him, and he opened the door. She ran into his arms and cried for leaving her side.\'\' 

\'\'And he never left her side because he promised.\'\' Her father, her ex-husband, turned their backs when she has fallen, but Francis alone stood by her.

\'\'Promised, not to leave her alone_\'\'

His mouth was squeezed shut when all of a sudden, Heather pressed her lips to his. His world stopped, and all that existed in front of him was Heather. His Heather. No noise, no thoughts, and no crowd that was staring at them, with mouths agape.

Gathering her into his arms, he deepened the kiss. He could taste her tears in his mouth. He enveloped his arms around her waist, sending her the warmth and making her feel safe. Heather pulled back a little and cupped his face in her arms. \'\'I know we fought a lot like crazy, but we didnot know our arguments were the seed of our love. I can\'t wait anymore, Francis. Say it.\'\'

Francis pulled back in mixed emotions. He looked into her eyes, seeking a clue but unable to decipher what she meant by \'say it.\'

\'\'Say the words I desperately want to hear.\'\' She repeated.

Slowly her words dawned on his mind. With a small smile, he said in his sincere tone. \'\'I love you, Heather.\'\' It took him a lifetime to confess the four seconds\' worth of words.

Hearing the three magical words, Heather felt she is the most special person born on this earth, even if not. Bursting into tears, she hugged him. \'\'I love you. I love you, Francis. The most beautiful thing I did was giving my heart to you. If there is a life after death, I will still choose to love you.\'\'

Leena covered her mouth to stop herself from screaming in happiness. They are so cute together. How many children are lucky to witness their parents confessing love to each other. Technically, Francis might not be her father, but he is more than that in her eyes.

\'\'Happy?\'\' Leena heard a soft voice in her ear.

\'\'Very happy.\'\' She briefly gazed at the woman standing next to her and turned back to the couple not to miss a moment. \'\'A big thanks for your help, Aunt Catalina.\'\'

\'\'Actually...\'\' Catalina said. \'\'I prefer, Cat.\'\'

\'\'Ah! I love Cats.\'\' Leena laughed cheerfully.

Gathering the noises, Heather and Francis broke from their reverie and looked around. People stared at them in wonder, yet his heart is screaming in happiness. This day would be forever imprinted in his life. He has prepared a lengthy speech, sitting for the entire night, but not a word from the paper came into his mind. Even if he stood in front of Heather, he would have stammered. Everything here happened on a whim. All thanks to Leena. She brought them at a perfect time. Francis apologetically turned to Catalina. \'\'I went a little overboard. I am sorry.\'\'

\'\'Apology accepted,\'\' Catalina smiled that reached her eyes. \'\'Leena is one in a gem. I never knew I had an actor in me." Catalina seriously started to think if she should consider this profession.

Heather patted Leena\'s head. \'\'She is my priceless gem.\'\' She still can\'t believe her daughter knew about her feelings.

\'\'Our.\'\' Francis corrected Heather. \'\'Our priceless gem.\'\'

Leena\'s eyes watered when the moment turned into colors in front of her eyes. 

The family of three brought a smile to Catalina\'s lips. All of a sudden, a thought occurred, but she brushed it off. \'\'I didnot lie when I told you I had a crush on you, Francis.\'\' Catalina brought Francis\'s attention back to her. \'\'But I ended my feelings soon after you rejected me. Please remember, the reason for not marrying is nothing to do with you. I did talk a lot, but it\'s just to pull out my acting.\'\'

\'\'Thanks for the clarification,\'\' Francis said. Another burden has been lifted of his shoulders.

Heather internally inhaled a deep sigh in relief for the explanation. She is neither ready for competition nor ready to share Francis.

\'\'My role ended here,\'\' Catalina said and turned to Leena. \'\'I have an appointment with a client. I need to go.\'\'

\'\'I will see you out.\'\'

Before stepping into the car, Catalina paused. She stared at Leena for a long time and exhaled a deep sigh. \'\'You know, Leena. I have been thinking this from the day I met you.\'\'

\'\'What is it?\'\'

 \'\'I had no regrets in my life until today,\'\' Catalina said.

\'\'Huh?\'\' Leena gazed at her in confusion.

\'\'I would have had a daughter like you if I had married at the right time..\'\' Catalina cast a merry chuckle, patting Leena on her head before she left.