The Devil's Sweetheart

To confirm his suspicion, Devin asked little more details about the boy whom Leena saved when she was a child, and there was nothing all she could remember. He knows it's hard for a five-year-old kid to remember everything in detail. There is something about this boy, making him suspicious. Without confronting Leena, why has he been sending her snacks and other stuff? Why did her friend suddenly lose contact with Leena?so

Keeping the thoughts aside, he flipped the pages and began concentrating on the pictures. Again, there was one more picture that caught his attention. Leena, Reese, and Jane were posing for a photo wearing down jackets and gloves. That's not the only thing it caught Devin's attention, but the drop earrings Leena was wearing. The crystal drop somewhat looked like the one in his memory. He can't be sure, but he is finding a little similar to it. ''This picture...'' He pointed, questioning her.

''When I was still studying. All our friends went to Montana for a trip.'' Explained Leena. ''This trip was one of the nightmares in my life.'' She didnot got the chance to talk about this incident, and since she remembered, Leena thought of sharing with Devin.

''What happened?'' He calmly asked, still looking at the eardrops Leena was wearing, his thoughts in a jumble.

''Reese and I were skating in the snow, and the rookies are we. While teasing and playing with each other, we both fell into the thin ice. At a point in time, we got separated inside the cold waters. The shock of cold water made me drowned through the waters, and everything went blank. When I woke up, I was in the hospital, and Ethan was next to me.'' For months, Reese and Leena shuddered whenever they thought about ice.

Devin attentively listened to Leena, caressing her back, his expression disheartened. ''Sometimes, I get scared of you. You are very careless getting into the danger, do you know that?'' He gently chided.

''I know.'' She pouted, embracing his arm. ''Don't worry, Devin. I have been very cautious after my accident.'' The bad thing that happened in her life has put her on the path to the best things. That one incident has entirely changed her life. It taught her a life long lesson. Whom to trust, and whom not to trust.

''I will trust you.'' He kissed her head and got up. ''I will come in a while. Don't sleep. We will go home after I come back.''

''Roger that, sir.'' She gave him a military salute, earning a smile from him.

While keeping the album back into the wardrobe, Devin withdrew the picture of Leena and the other girl from the album. Winter, it is. His instincts are telling; Winter has played a significant role in Leena's life. To what extent, he has to find out soon. Devin then went out and dialed a number. It's the second time his nemesis is receiving his attention. 

''To what extent I owe you this call?'' Devin heard a sarcastic reply from the other end.

''Aren't we cousins?'' He questioned, plucking the bluegrass out of boredom.

Smooth talker! No wonder Leena fell for you badly, Ethan thought bitterly. ''Had you said this before Harley's accident, I would have accepted we are cousins.'' Ethan retorted. ''Why did you call me? Are you going to thank me again for saving your sister?'' Ethan thought he got away with the joke, but Devin's reply knocked him again when he told, in actuality, Devin called up to thank him.

''Golden words are not repeated,'' Devin said. ''I was not a part of Leena's life before, but thanks for protecting Leena from drowning.'' His words were genuine as if he poured from his heart.

Ethan's memory triggered back to that incident hearing Devin's thoughts. The day has shaken him when he couldn't locate Leena's whereabouts. ''I would be glad it was me, but I am not the right person you should be thanking.''

''What?'' Confusion sprawled across his face.

''It's not me who saved Leena from the waters.'' Ethan began. ''By evening, we were able to locate Reese, but not Leena. The search continued till the morning, and when we almost lost hope, I received a text from a number. It said Leena is safe, and there was a written address to pick her up.  I followed and found Leena safe in a house and I took her to the hospital.''

''Do you know who the person is?'' Devin's pitch was compelling.

''No. Leena was safe. So, I didnot bother to look after the person.'' Ethan shrugged matter of factly. Now that he thought, why didn't I check for that person?

''So, you literally took the credit of saving her while you were not.'' Devin hissed at him.

This bastard! Ethan wanted to and pluck Devin's hair to see how he looks without hair. If he has taken advantage, he would have readily agreed that he was the one who saved Leena when Devin asked. ''No matter what, that girl was hard to please. She is way tough.''

''No wonder she hates you.'' With that, Devin cut the call leaving Ethan cursing at him further.

There is some force shielding Leena whenever she is in danger. ''Who is this person?'' Devin wondered before going inside. Leena was organizing the wardrobe when he went into the room. Suddenly he remembered Leena asking for a bathroom brush, and that's what he called it. ''What exactly you do in the bathroom for two hours, Sweetheart?'' He asked.

There she got a chance to play with him. Turning to his side, like a wild seductress, Leena brushed close to kiss. ''First, I will slowly undress, thinking that it was you who is touching my body, and then..'' A finger on her lips stopped Leena. Her words crawled in to snuggle, causing him to drug himself in her venom. ''Sweetheart, don't play with the fire. Do you want to end up there?''

She pulled a face in front of him for spoiling the fun. ''Then I am not telling you.'' Leena ran towards the bed away from him, only to end up in Devin's arms. ''Not so easy, darling.''

''Leave me, idiot.'' She screamed when he started attacking her weakest spots and finally ended up indulging in their wild passion.

...,

The next day, the bright evening was lit up with the city's sparkling dazzles, but the atmosphere in a specific room was as cold as the winds of Antarctica. The new executive assistant was sweating buckets as she stood in front of Devin. ''There is a meeting in another half n hour, and you are now informing the file is not in the office. How careless can you get?'' His calm voice sent chills down her spine.

''Sir, I_until evening..'' She paused, swallowing hard, at the same time, giving her brain to think of an alibi. ''I thought the file is in Harley's office room, but then she informed_''

''Get out.''

''Sir...'' The executive assistant asked for confirmation.

''I don't repeat it twice, Bell.''

Bell was gone when Devin fast spoke his last words. She wondered when Harley would come and save her from the torture of this man. Her happiness knew no bounds when she learned she is replacing Harley for some days, but least she understood; it was torture working under him.

''Scared mouse.'' He muttered in irritation. By the time he goes and brings the file, it will take an hour, and he can't take the risk. ''Leena must be home.'' He dialed Leena's number immediately. ''Sweetheart, are you home?''

''Yeap. I am back. What's the matter?'' As honey as it calmed Devin's anger.

''There is a file in the office room in one of the lockers. Can you send it to the office? It's quite urgent and confidential.''

''Alright. I will send Nick to the office then. '' Leena ended the call and went to the office room.

Meanwhile, Devin was checking the presentation in the mail waiting for Nick to bring the file to the office. A while later, as if he was hit by the lightning bolt, Devin's face went head. He now remembered something important that Leena shouldn't see. ''No..no..She can't see now.'' He called Leena, and with no response, Devin immediately called Nick, and then again, there was no response from both.

Scratch with the meeting! He ordered Bell to cancel the meeting and drove home. 

''Why are you running?'' Nick shouted, pausing the Bat-Man cartoon, looking at Devin who was running as if his life depended on it.

Without answering, Devin opened the door, and when he saw Leena, there was no stopping. In the middle of the room, Leena was standing, holding a paper. There were some other letters and pictures scattered on the floor. 

''What are these?'' Leena fiercely gazed at him, demanding an answer, but Devin stood there with a catatonic expression.. The time has come to shed the truth.