The Devil's Sweetheart

Leena buried her head on his chest, his heartbeat was a tune that soothed her body. Her silent whimpers were tormenting him without a pause, like a fist clutched around his heart, squeezing it anarchically.

Devin has no impression of what transpired with Leena in the past to get scared of Ethan but he knew she is not at ease when Ethan is around. He had observed it when she passed out in Seattle.

In disbelief, Ethan stared at the trembling girl. He has been thinking of Leena\'s words and when he rewind them, he felt a strong misunderstanding has occurred between them. Before Ethan took a step forward to clear the misunderstanding, he heard a bone-chilling voice.

"Don\'t!"

"Devin...Please let me talk to Leena once." Ethan begged. "She has got a false impression_"

"What have you done to her, bastard." Devin spat out. Beneath his eyes was the rage burning like hellfire. Adrenaline was up to his throat ready to detonate the man in front of him. If Leena was not in his arms trembling, the office would be a battleground by now. He has to take care of Leena first before he vents up his anger.

He was glad Leena messaged him beforehand unlike last time she has come to the office unannounced. Devin was a little late in seeing her message due to back-to-back meetings and by the time, he reached the office, Leena was in the same room with someone she loathes.

"Devin," Leena spoke up in a trembling voice. "Can you take me home if you don\'t have a meet_"

"Shhh!!" He silenced her. "We will go home." Devin lifted her and carried her out of the room without sparing a single glance at Ethan.

The room fell dead silent. Ethan could hear his own breathing. At a distance, Harley stood there and witnessed the entire scene. She was in shambles. What happened here? How does Leena know Ethan? Coming out of her trance, she stepped into the office room to ask Ethan, and before she could speak a word, he left the room.

....

All the while, Devin did not speak a word. When he reached home, he stepped out of the car and straight away carried Leena to the bedroom. Before he took a step forward to fetch hot water, Leena held his arm.

"I am not going anywhere, sweetheart." He squeezed her arm and assured her. "I will go fetch hot water and come back."

Leena disagreed silently and pulled him to the bed. He removed his suit jacket and threw it onto the floor. He then climbed the bed and settled next to Leena. "Sleep. I will be here." He stroked her back in rhythm until she dozed off. His thoughts were wavering on her cries in the office. It pained him to see when Leena recollects her memories.

....

It was late in the evening, Leena opened her eyes. Her upper body was lying on Devin\'s chest and her left leg was around his torso. He wrapped his arms around her waist securely. It was displaying his protectiveness towards her.

Leena smiled at their position. Devin never compelled or got mad at her for not talking about Ethan. He patiently waited for her to reveal everything by herself. He could have asked Francis or Wilbur but he respected her choice. Where can I get a man like him? When you can tell each other everything without any secrets and lies, that\'s called a true relationship. Keeping secret from him is no different than lying to him. He has given all the respect and I have to give something to him in return.

"Devin..." With a smile, she pressed her lips on his forehead.

"Hmmm.."

"Are you awake?" Leena removed her leg thinking he would feel numbness in his body.

"I did not sleep." He opened his eyes and grabbed her leg and put it around his waist again.

"Did you had urgent work in the office? Did I disturb_"

"Nothing is important than you." He veered around her body so that he could look into her sheen eyes.

"Why did you get scared in the office?" Devin gently asked gazing into her shimmering eyes. "If you are not comfortable, I will wait_"

"I wish you would be demanding sometimes." She pouted. He would only care about her and not understanding he is hurting in the process.

"Making continuous demands on a relationship will weaken it." He spoke up as he stroked her head.

"So will never allowing the other person to reciprocate." Leena countered.

"Alright." He smiled at her stubbornness. "I will be more demanding in the future. So, why are you scared of him?" He gently asked scooping her in his arms.

"My only confusion in life was to either eat a banana or an apple for a snack until he came along and wrecked my happy life." Taking a deep breath, she started.

...

Years ago...

A young girl was lying on the bed with her legs crossed with a laptop on her thighs. Loads of fruits were sitting next to her and she would occasionally pick a random fruit and put it in her mouth while watching a bugs bunny cartoon program.

"Open the door, crazy girl." She ignored the screams of her brother and stepped out of the bed when she heard a bell. It was an indication that her food has arrived. With a smile, she walked out of the room. It\'s been three days, she has locked herself in the room without stepping out of the room because she has a reason.

Outside the room...

"Let her go to Seattle, Francy." Wilbur sighed. Francis is not allowing her to step out of New York for her studies and Leena is throwing tantrums.

"No." Francis instantly denied.

"She is not eating anything for three days," Wilbur yelled. "Do you want to starve her to death?"

"Do you think she is really starving?" Francis chuckled. Wilbur has just arrived home for a break and he doesn\'t know his sister stunts for the past three days.

....

Leena walked into the balcony along with a curtain and skimmed the surroundings to check whether she was being watched by the guards. There was none for the moment.

"All clear, Meemaw." With her words, Margaret came out of the hiding bushes. Leena tied a curtain to the balcony and let it hung loosely. A basket was tied to the curtain and the moment Margaret placed her lunch on it, Leena quickly pulled back.

"How long are you going to continue your protest? I am tired of bringing food every day?" Margaret yelled. She is scared of getting caught by her son, Francis, and if that happens her doom would begin.

"Until he approves." Leena untied the curtain knot and happily went inside the room with the basket full of fruits and her lunch.

Margaret stomped her feet and took a peek at her sides. There was no sign of guards watching her and she quietly slipped into the house. But she froze suddenly when she heard a voice.

"Where did you go, mom?" Francis demanded. He knew she both Leena and his mom are playing hide and seek for the past three days.

"I_I went to a salon. My friend\'s granddaughter\'s wedding is approaching. What a pity...The salon is crowded and I have to wait for a long time. Let me sleep for some time, son. I am very tired." She blabbered and dashed inside the room.

"Let\'s see long will you will cover-up?" Francis muttered.

Francis waited for another day and still, Leena did not open the door. He knew she is taking food from time to time but it was bothering him when he is not able to see her face. With a tired sigh, he got up and walked towards her room.

"Leena!" Francis knocked on the door. "Come out of the room."

There was no reply.

"I_I I will let you go to Seattle." Within seconds, the door was opened from the inside.

"Yay!!! Thank you, Francy." Leena jumped around the house happily.

"But you have to be careful." He said.

"Check." She beamed. "I am always careful around strangers."

"And no dating." He declared sternly.

"Double check because no one can match my beauty." She winked.

"Glad you are a narcissist, crazy Leena." Wilbur joined.

"Thank you, bathroom brother." Leena stuck her tongue out and dashed into her meemaw\'s room to share the news.

"Bratty girl." He yelled.

Leena\'s happiness would bring a smile to Francis\'s face but right now pain was evident on his face. when he thought Leena would leave him soon. She has been in front of his eyes from her childhood and it pained him to send her to an unknown place where he wouldn\'t be there to look after her.

"Don\'t worry, France. I know a friend in the university she is going to. I will ask him to assist her in case she needs anything." Wilbur said. He did not mention the name since Francis doesn\'t like their family. But his friend could be a great help.

"No." Francis denied. "Don\'t trust anyone, Wilbur."

Francis\'s only concern was to keep Leena safe and he doesn\'t like to trust anyone easily.. Little did he know, soon a storm was going to wreak havoc on their lives.