The Devil's Sweetheart

The shocked faces didnot surprise Enzo. He was in the same state as them when he first discovered the truth. Clearing his throat, Enzo broke the silence to bring their attention back from the firehouse. ''Not all Police are sincere. They need an evidence to close the case, and they did. But the fact is Ruth doesn't know her son is alive, and Enger doesn't know where his mother is hiding. But to the world, both are dead."

''Did you figure out where Ruth is?'' Francis's voice was laced with anguish as if he was undergoing heartbreak. Fredrick's comforting pat on Francis's shoulder brought nothing but more heaviness to Francis's heart. The two eyes of his life have suffered hell on earth, and he has to be blamed for it.

''It's not your mistake, Francis.'' Arnold comforted him.

''I was unable to find her whereabouts, Francis,'' Enzo said. ''Ruth is very good at hiding.'' He then glanced at Devin. ''A psychopath's like him are not easy to deal. Wealth and influence are not enough to bring that man down.''

Devin didnot not need to be told, not after hearing Enger's story. Move in silence, and speak only when it's time to say checkmate. 

''It's time to leave,'' Francis said, getting up from his chair. ''Thanks, Enzo.''

''What for?'' Enzo chuckled.

''For everything.'' Francis sighed. ''Taking time in gathering information.''

Enzo smiled. It was not the usual bright smile he wears on his face, a bland smile, as dry as a desert. Only if Francis knew the reason for his investigation. His daughter has become a pawn in Enger's hands. The very thought made him bring Enger to his knees.

Before leaving, Arnold and Fredrick exchanged pleasantries with Enzo since they have met after a long time.

''Don't you dare to report my whereabouts, Arnold.'' Enzo threatened.

''Chill, bro.'' Arnold shrugged. ''Your case is not in my country zone.'' Arnold no doubt knows Enzo was faultily accused of the crime because he loved his wife dearly. What went wrong? He wondered.

After they left, Enzo went into the kitchen to make a strong coffee, and not after he put the lid on the stove, he heard footsteps. So, he made his way back to the hall and was surprised to see Devin again. Why did he come here? ''Have you forgotten anything?''

''I haven't,'' Replied Devin. He studied Enzo for a good time before coming to the point. ''Do you know that your daughter was responsible for my memory loss?''

Devin neither noticed Enzo's startled expression nor his denial look, which confirmed he is aware of it. Devin already knows who it is, but he wanted a solid confirmation that it is him. ''Is it Enger?''

''My daughter is not bad, just that you met her in the wrong circumstances,'' Instead of answering the question Devin asked, Enzo diverted the topic.

''I am also not bad as long as she doesn't brew trouble with my wife.'' Countered Devin. ''Tell her I will soon find out the reason.''

Devin turned around to leave, and not before he took few steps, he heard Enzo ''It's not Enger.''

''What?'' Devin swiftly turned around and stared at the man, bewildered.

''It's not Enger who made a deal with my daughter.'' Replied Enzo. ''Don't ask me who it is. I don't know because my daughter wouldn't tell me.''

Turning back, Devin stormed out in silence. Who is this new person, if not Enger? If he had gone by old methods, he would have forced the truth from Enzo. But he can't. The man helped them.

By the time Devin reached home, it was three in the morning. Getting fresh, he slipped into the sheets without making a noise. 

Moments later, he heard a murmur. ''What took you so long?'' 

''You haven't slept?'' 

''Hmmm..No.'' Leena stared at him, opening her eyes. ''Waiting for you. Why did you go to that place?

Devin didnot keep the secret about Enger anymore. He explained the incidents that happened in the past. By the time he finished, Leena was wide awake. She wondered if she and her Francy had wronged these two in their past life. Leena couldn't disagree with the statement, like mother, like son.

....

The following Day Nick straight away dropped Leena at the office and went back without uttering a word. Leena tried to speak with him, but his cold shoulder was starting to irk her. 

Late in the morning, Leena finished a client meeting and called Merl after checking the emails.

''You called me, Leena?'' Merl asked.

''I received your resignation email,'' Added Leena. ''May I know the reason?''

''I am finding it hard without my parents. I want to go back to my home.'' Merl said. ''I am sorry if I had disappointed you.''

''It's your wish to stay in my company or find another. I will accept your resignation'' Leena watched a smiling twinkle on Merl's face. ''But...'' She paused, studying the girl attentively. ''Once the employee joins Bliss, they have to serve one month after resignation.''

''But..but..I have joined two weeks back.'' Merl quickly interrupted Leena. ''I_I am ready to pay if it is money_''

''My company doesn't work with money alone.'' Leena suspended Merl's thoughts. ''Serve the one-month notice, and you are ready to go,''

"Okay." Merl smiled and walked out of the room, but the inner turmoil was raging like mount doom. She felt Leena behaved like a total stranger. ''Is it because she is disappointed over my resignation?''

Merl thought of escaping without actually telling Leena, but she has two problems sitting on her neck. One is, Leena would definitely perform a background check on her if she escapes. The other trouble is Nick. She didnot think he is such a nuisance, lovesick fool.

.....

''She changed Nick into a completely different person,'' Reese said. ''What are you planning to do with her?''

''Nick is in danger, Reese. We have to save him from this woman.'' Leena exhaled a deep sigh. ''We have got one month time.. Before she escapes, we will find the actual Merl.''