The Devil's Sweetheart

He was like a burning volcano ready to explode any time. Leena gulped hard as she watched his treacherous phlegmatic mien on his face. While she was combating with her scum father, she missed the footsteps that thundered the floor. But alas, he came for her aid.

A few steps away, Rosalie nervously glanced at the man blocking her husband's hand effortlessly. A cold wave embedded and her mouth ran dry in fear at the sight in front of her. "Francis!" Rosalie whispered.

"Are you always an idiot? or do you just show off when I am not around?" Francis muttered with the authority of a man who was not to be crossed.

"B_rother!" Max stuttered powerless to utter a word. His earlier dominant aura was replaced by panic, fear became tangible that crept over him like a hungry beast, immobilizing him. Had he knew, Francis would come to the party, he wouldn't have raised a hand on Leena. Despite he doesnt like him, he was powerless in front of Francis and he has to put up with his act to save his life. "I was only trying to_"

"Quiet!"

Max instantly shut his mouth.

"You have lots of guts to raise a hand on her!" Francis's voice ascended into a murderous falsetto. He twisted Max's hand earning a loud shriek from him.

Rosalie snapped back to reality from her reverie and hurriedly walked over to Francis and spoke in a friendly tone. "He did not slap her, Mr. Hayes. It was a misunder_"

Francis suddenly lifted his head and swept his eyes towards her, his expression was frighteningly arctic as he spoke. "Did I ask you?"

Rosalie froze, her smiling turned awkward. She knew when Francis is angered, he is the most dangerous.

"Slap her. I want to see how you do it under my watch." Francis shoved Max as if he was the most pathetic thing. If not for the fast reflexes of Rosalie coming to Max's aid to hold him, Max would have fallen on to the ground. Rosalie did not want her husband to become a laughing stock at his own daughter's birthday party.

"Do you want your mere jewel company to be burned down to ashes by tomorrow?" Francis seethed. His threat was inflicted on Rosalie and Max. Both quivered at the thought.

Francis's voice would have frightened everyone but not Leena. She found a warmth under his arctic tone which was only hidden for her. She gazed at Francis with fondness. The two pillars of her strength, Francis and Devin are always waiting, watching, keeping to the shadows but when needed, both will always step out of the shadows to protect her.

"Pardon him, Mr. Hayes." With gritted teeth, Rosalie controlled her anger as she spoke. "I will ensure this incident wouldn't happen in the future." While she was holding her husband, Rosaline looked at Francis and she did not miss the disgusted look on his face as if they were dirt in his eyes.

Without uttering a word, Francis grabbed Leena's hand, and before taking a step, he glanced at Reese. She was too dazed that she stood rooted to the floor all the time. One job and she failed to do it properly. Talking a hint, Leena pulled Reese along with her to the outside of the hall.

...

Leena did not utter any word in the car as Francis straight away drove home along with Reese and Leena.

"How dare that scum tried to slap my granddaughter?" Margaret spoke up with a disdain filled voice for Max.

Leena and Reese sighed. They lost count of the time, Margaret, uttering the same phrases.

"I am sorry for troubling you, Francy." Leena looked down in embarrassment. The first time, she manhandled. She didn't think her scum father would try to come for her throat suddenly.

"You are never a trouble to me, Leena." He patted her head gently. He was glad that he went to the party or else he can't imagine the consequences. He needs a give a little jerk to that scum tomorrow and that is targeting his company. Even if he begs, nothing can change. he has crossed the limits.

Glad that he chose to attend the party. A big fight happened between Devin and Francis. Both wanted to pick Leena and surprise her. Somehow Francis got an upper hand and with a happy smile, he reached the spot and waited outside to pick Leena but she didn't show up even when the party ended. His mind went into trouble when Leena and Reese did not pick the call. As he got down and walked into the party hall, all hell-bent loose when he saw Max trying to slap his baby.

"No one can harm you, Leena." He said. "Not under my watch."

"Thank you." She hugged and cried like a child in his arms. She would always ask a question to God. Why didn't such a sweet and protective Francis was not her father? Not being biologically related to him doesnt diminish her love towards him, in her eyes, he is always a fatherly figure but deep down, the thought would be always at the back of her mind. But nothing can be changed now. "You are the best in the world, Francy."

Francis proudly smiled hearing the comment from Leena. He planned to tell Devin to annoy him.

"Aren't you too much, Leena." Reese pursed her lips. "Even my dad is the best."

"Why did I ask you to accompany, Leena?" Francis turned his attention to Reese.

"I was about to block Max's hand but you stole the spotlight," Reese muttered taking two steps backward in fear.

"Care to repeat it?" Francis intimidated her crossing his arms over the chest.

"It's not her mistake, Francy." Leena laughed watching Reese's timid behavior. When Francis is not with them, she would curse him and when she is in front of him, she would become a scared cat.

"But I can't sleep without punishing her, Leena," Francis said.

"Fine then," Leena said. "I will call uncle Louis today and_"

"Hey! Hey! enough." Reese interrupted. When they fight, Leena would complain to Reese about her dad. Believing that his daughter is dating a girl, he would come for her throat.

"Umm. I will leave Francy" Leena started finally. Devin would get worried and he has called her several times already.

"If it is that brute, he is on the way." Francis sighed. Leena is not even ready to part with that brute for one day. To his surprise, he is also clinging on to Leena.

"Yay!!" She beamed in happiness.

....

Inside Max's house...

Max and Rosalie were sitting in a room while Emerie was tending to Max's swollen hand.

I clearly instructed you not to brawl with Leena." Rosalie spoke up. "

"She is jealous that I am giving more attention to our Emerie," Max grumbled.

"Are you okay, dad?" Emerie asked holding his hand that has turned red when Francis twisted it unruly. Why did Leena sister hold a grudge against dad? Is it because he is giving too much attention to me as he spoke? Emerie wondered.

"I am fine, sweety," Max said with a smile. This is the kind of daughter he liked. Emerie is always gentle, kind, and never raises her voice against him, unlike Leena. Even his son, born from his second wife is a scared cat in front of Max. Only Leena has turned to a short-tempered.

His marriage with Heather was on impulse. He was forced into it. If not Heather was in his room naked on that day, he wouldn't have believed Leena to be his daughter. None of his qualities sprayed on Leena, be it her looks or his behavior.

"Your dad is fine, Emerie," Rosalie said. "Go to your room."

"Okay, mom." She kissed her mom and dad on the cheek before leaving the two alone.

Rosalie locked the door and walked towards her husband, her hips swayed all the way. With a wicked smile, she sat on her husband's lap. unbuttoning his shirt, she tossed it aside. "Call Francis tomorrow and ask for forgiveness."

"I am not going to_"

Max gasped for air when his wife unbuckled his pants and looked at him with lust-filled eyes. Soon, their clothes unfastened and both went into haywire. Moans and grunts echoed in the room.

Max sucked his breath when his wife stopped pleasuring when he was close to his release. "P_lease don't stop, Rose. I will call him and beg for forgiveness." He knew Rosalie's tricks and she would make him surrender to all her wishes when he was lost in the pleasure. He has no words except to succumb to her wishes.

"That's my husband," Rosalie whispered in a husky voice and continued the unfinished job. She knew how to make her husband surrender to herself. The company was her blood and bones which they established from scratch. Judging by Francis's voice, she knew it would be no good tomorrow. She can't let the company go to ashes just like that for a mere quarrel.. She would do anything to get what she wants.