The Devil's Sweetheart

Leena's expression would have remained hackneyed if it was any other person, but it's Kurt. The man who runs away at the sight of girls asks her for tips to propose a girl? ''Is it for a mission?'' Leena doubtfully asked. She remembered last time Kurt had asked about the girl's favorite things on the name of a mission. 

''I_'' Kurt hesitated for a brief second. It took only a moment for Kurt to say no. ''It's not a mission. I love her.''

Leena suppressed her giggle, not that Kurt shouldn't fall in love. But she is finding him cute. ''So, what's her name?''

''I will bring her to your home directly,'' Kurt replied timidly. It would be a surprise to Leena once she sees Kyle with him. ''I don't have friends who are girls except you. So, will you help me?''

Considering Francy's proposal, which utterly failed, Leena thought hard. ''Can you give me some time to think?''

''Okay,'' Kurt said dejectedly. ''How many days?''

''I don't know how long because I need to prepare a long speech,'' Added Leena. ''Are you sure you don't want to tell her name?'' 

''If you can find me the location of that nutty Elysian, I will tell her name.'' Kurt teased.

''Get lost, Kurt Weller.'' Leena hung up, kicking the car front's seat fiercely. She agrees she had openly challenged him twice, which would have hurt his ego, but why can't he see the cases she had helped? The child exploitation case was a breakthrough to his career, and he took all the credits.

....

At the other end, chaos poured into a house. Enger's rage spiked to Everest when he woke up to hear news about his company being tarnished by a man he trusted. The house looked a mess, and undoubtedly it was Enger's wrath. ''Did you talk with him?'' Enger turned to the attorney.

''Yes.'' Replied the Attorney. ''I can say he hadn't spilled much about the company or you after talking with him.''

''Get him on bail, and bring him here.'' Enger dismissed the attorney.

Once the attorney left, Nash sat next to his friend. ''What do we do with Landon?'' Nash worriedly asked. Had Enger considered the matter seriously and investigated a little about the woman Landon was dating, they could have cut the tree before the roots have occupied a stronghold on the ground.

Enger turned silent, for he has no answer to Nash's question.

''Why don't you take up the CEO position, Enger?'' Nash suggested. ''The company is your sweat and blood, and only you can deserve to sit in that chair.''

Enger gazed at a distance as Nash's suggestion swirled through his mind. Enger knows it's not possible. The one mistake he made in the past is the fruit of his sufferings. When he sits on the throne, his competitors will dig his past, and it will not take much time to know about his criminal records. He lost his identity, and most importantly, he is stuck in finding his mother. The wealth, the influence he has, nothing has helped him in locating her. 

''I can't, Nash. I can't.'' Enger got up, turning his attention to Nash. ''Tomorrow is the most important day in my life. Cancel all my_''

''You don't need to remind me, Enger,'' Nash said. ''I know it's a very important day in your life. I will take care of everything. You can go to Mexico and return happily.''

''Thanks, Nash.'' Before leaving, Enger smiled.

The following day, upon reaching Mexico, Enger went to the hospital his mother worked at during their stay in Mexico. He distributed sweets to the patients, staff. Throwing the empty bags into the bin, Enger strolled towards a Tule tree and sat under it. 

Things have changed in two decades. The hospital he is seeing was a tiny building when he was young, and it has emerged into a multi-specialty hospital now. 

The irony is her mother's birthday and his birthday are on the same date. Every year, his mother would bring him to the hospital on his birthday. They would spend the entire day chatting under this Tule tree. ''I wish I can find you soon, mom.'' 

Closing his eyes, Enger stayed under the Tule tree, remembering his mother's sweet smile, her sweet talks.

The evening breeze hit his skin, and that's when Enger remembered he has to catch a train.

The cab stopped at a signal. As the car waited, Enger noticed a man playing the Vihuela on the street. A smile appeared on his face, remembering his mother playing his favorite song on his birthday. He checked the time, and with two hours left for his train, he ordered the driver to turn to Kordz music store where his mother frequented to fix her Vihuela. 

.....

A few hours before..

A car pulled in front of a cemetery. 

''Please wait until I return.'' A woman pulled her mask high up the nose and stepped out of the car, a bouquet in her hand. She lifted the rusty latch, pushed open the gate, and entered the cemetery. The morning breeze caused her shivers to button up her overcoat.

She walked past the headstones and stopped in front of a gravestone near the wire fence. A person's name dear to her heart was inscribed on it. 

Arsen Lennox. 

She cleaned the leaves that staggered around the headstone and placed the white roses. ''Happy Birthday, my son.''

''How are you? I regret not being at home on that night, Enger.'' Tears escaped her eyes, streaming down her cheeks. ''Why did you leave me alone? Why didn't you escape the fire? I am living like a corpse after you left me.'' Wiping her tears, she said. ''I will not stop taking revenge on the man responsible for your death. He will be left with no one in the end.''

Ruth spent her day sitting next to the headstone. It was evening, she got up when it was time to leave.

''Take me to Kordz music store,'' Ruth said, getting into the taxi.