The Devil's Sweetheart

Leena turned on the system to look into Merl's profile. Education at Summerville school and Crystal Meadows college. 

She was about to take her mobile to text Reese but back down when Devin's words ringed in her ears. 'Someone is closely watching us.'

She keyed in the safe password and grasped the mobile she safely hid it. Her Satphone. Custom-built with robust encryption protocols. It will directly send and receive signals through orbiting satellites, and no one can track her.

She switched on the mobile and typed a message to Reese. [Reese, it's me, Leena. Did you do a thorough background screening on Merl before releasing the official letter to her?]

[Why am I receiving a message from a different number? Anyway, back to the question. We haven't yet visited her school or college, but her qualifications are good to go.]

[Leena: Can you go by yourself to her school and verify her background today?]

[Why? We start the diligence investigation at least after three months after the employee joins the company]

[Leena: Something about her is bothering me. I don't have time to wait for three months. Visit her school today. Call me when you finish the work.. no..Don't call..Text me to this number]

[Alright]

Assuring Reese with the work, Leena concentrated on her work, but the file dropped from her hands when the sudden pulsating pain started in her Ear. ''Curse you!'' She took the pill bottle from the desk and was about to put it in her mouth; the door pushed open. Nick barged in. ''I want to talk with you, Leena.'' His voice sounded serious and distant.

'"What is it?'' She tiredly looked at him.

''Devin is doubting Merl. She is hurt.''

''So? It has nothing to do with me. If you have issues with Devin, talk with him directly.'' Leena blankly replied. She didnot like the change in Nick. It didnot happen for good. Years of friendship with Devin, he tossed it aside for his one-week girlfriend. 

''Nothing to do with you?'' He scorned. ''How can you talk so casually? It's my girlfriend's..''

''You have changed, Nick.'' Leena interrupted him sharply. ''You have changed for bad.''

Change? That has never happened. Infact, it's Leena who is acting strange. Nick thought. ''I didnot..''

''I have been having constant headaches for a week. Did you at least bother to ask me?'' She calmly questioned. 

''What?'' Nick's tone softened at her words. ''Do you have a headache? Since..''

''Get out!'' She spat at him.

''Leena, I don't..'' Nick shuddered when Leena threw the file on the table, impacting with a loud thud. 

''I will not repeat.''

Clenching his fists, Nick stormed out and closed the door shut with a loud bang to show that he is also angry at her.

''Wanker idiot.'' Leena uncapped the bottle, poured three pills into her mouth and rested her head on the table. 'Am I going to die? How long do I have to rely on pills? Before, it was a headache, and now pain in the Ear.'

It was in the afternoon that Leena received a text from Reese to her Satellite phone. [Reese: Leena, a big mistake happened. I can't believe we are being deceived. Where do I start? But one thing is sure. The new girl working in our office is not Merl]

Leena's imagination went wild. [Leena: What do you mean!] 

[Reese: The girl working in our company is fake. I will explain Everything when I come to the office. But for now, I am sending the picture of actual Merl]

The picture Reese sent was a photo on the notice board of a school. 'Merl Jones.' A name was written under the picture. 

So, Devin was right all along. The girl in the office is a spy. She remembered the day she fainted, Reese and Nick were out of the office. She again texted Reese. [Leena: Did you meet Andrew on the day I fainted, Reese?]

[Reese: Nah. That stupid told he didnot text me. I gave him a big class]

So, a phishing message was sent to Reese from Andrew's mobile to separate her from me? Nick was already under Merl's control, and it was a cakewalk to send him out. I was left alone with Merl.

'Leena, I brought you the banana smoothie.'

'I am a big fan of you, Leena.'

'Nick told bananas are your favorite. Here is your usual banana smoothie.'

'Be careful around the new girl.'

'Something happened where you were unconscious in the hospital.'

'My head is aching, Devin. Now it started to spread my ear as well.'

Leena raised her hand to cup the left Ear. Her hands shook, disbelieving at the realization. No..no.. not until she sees with her eyes. Leena texted her mom. [Mom: Mom, this is me, Leena. Can you arrange a CT scan and an ENT doctor in secret? But not at the hospital] 

In a panic, Heather called Leena's number. Reluctantly, Leena hung up. [Mom: I can't talk with you, mom. I will explain Everything later.]

[Alright, baby. Give me some time. I will text you in a while.]

It didnot take much time. Heather texted Leena with an address in less than fifteen minutes. [It's my acquaintance and safe place]

[Mom: Love you, ma]

Before leaving, Leena knocked on Merl's office room. ''How is work?''

''Manageable, Leena. Credit goes to you.'' Merl grinned.

Fake girl! She muttered under her breath. ''I am going out to meet my mom. Can you look after the office for an hour?''

''Sure.'' Merl nodded her head.

Leena didnot dare to inform Nick. She fought with him just now. She wanted to tell Devin, but as he said, someone is closely watching her moves. She alone drove to the texted address.

Neither Heather nor the doctor spoke a word at Leena's request. The CT scan was carried out in pure silence. Although Heather was curious about why her daughter was behaving like an ADHD kid, she stayed in silence.

The moment she saw the radiological images on the monitor, Leena's soul left the body. A tiny black dot in the middle of her left Ear—the reason for the headache and the ear pain.. So, it's not the post food poisoning that's causing her headache.