The Devil's Sweetheart

Lying on the bed, Heather flipped through the album of Leena\'s childhood pictures, her innocent smile warmed her heart in a way that the sun never could. Five years after she opened her eyes from the deep coma, she could not hold her heartbreak, presuming the worst possible situation her daughter is living in. But she appeared in front of her, holding a man\'s hand, like a princess living in royalty. Francis swore to take care of Leena on that day, and he never broke the promise. Speaking of the devil, he doth appear. 

\'\'You are still awake?\'\' Francis glanced at the wall clock. \'\'It\'s twelve O clock, Heather. You need to take care of your health.\'\'

\'\'The same applies to you as well.\'\' Heather pulled him to the bed before he goes into the study room. \'\'Had your dinner? Did you find anything special today?\'\' Anticipation increased her pulse to hear his response.

\'\'As usual.\'\' He replied, sounding normal.

\'\'As usual?\'\' Heather\'s shoulders dropped. 

Francis pressed his lips to suppress his laugh, following Heather\'s every expression, from anticipation to anger and finally heading towards frustration. \'\'Now that I recall back, I find a little familiarity in the dishes.\'\'

\'\'What is it?\'\' Her hopes raised again.

Francis drew Heather into his arms. \'\'How can I ignore the fact that it is my Heather\'s magic hand?\'\' He had had important meetings for the whole day, so he called Heather to deliver the news. Exactly half n hour before the meeting, Caleb came to the office with dinner. At the first bite, he knew it\'s Heather\'s cooking. \'\'Thanks for taking time to cook.\'\'

\'\'Honor is mine, Sir.\'\' Replied Heather, snuggling closer to feel his warmth. \'\'Honestly, I was worried you would seize this chance and sneak out to eat fast-foods.\'\'

\'\'Before I had that thought, I was afraid you would ground me home.\'\' He pulled a sulking face. For long Heather started living in the home, he put a stop to hard foods.

\'\'I am concerned about your health.\'\' Heather snapped. Both Leena and Francis\'s bodies cannot withstand hard foods, yet they can\'t resist the temptation either. Without caring about tomorrow, both eat to their heart\'s content to fall sick on the next day.

\'\'Alright, alright.\'\' Francis stroked her creased forehead. \'\'Don\'t get angry. I was kidding. I love when you do that, Heather. It means you care a lot about me.\'\'

In response, Heather smiled. \'\'Francis.\'\' Heather started, remembering something important she is yet to discuss with him. \'\'About Leena\'s biological father_\'\'

\'\'Heather.\'\' Francis cut off before the conversation started. \'\'We are not going to talk about this with Leena. It turned out bad in our lives, directly or indirectly. Let\'s remove the cruise ship incident from our memories. Leena already has enough on her plate.\'\' On one side, it\'s Ruth, waiting to destroy her, and on the other side, it\'s that psycho waiting to take his baby away. Sometimes, he can\'t sleep if he remembers them.

\'\'I understand,\'\' Heather looked for the time on her mobile. It\'s already one in the morning. She pushed Francis to the bed and pulled the blanket upon them. \'\'It\'s time to sleep. Don\'t go working again.\'\'

Francis didnot refuse. Heather switched off the lights and threw one arm around his chest for extra safety.

An hour later, hearing her even breathing, Francis opened his eyes, gingerly lifted her arm, and moved his body to the edge of the bed. Placing a pillow on the bed, he laid her hand on it. \'\'I am sorry, Heather.\'\' He whispered and went off to the study room.

He had very little time to concentrate on Ruth\'s matter due to his hectic work at the company. But he can\'t delay anymore. Francis flipped the pages, studying Ruth\'s family and friends\' information. Leena is dealing with Max\'s wife to find more about Ruth. So, he doesn\'t need to worry about it.

As Francis flipped the pages, he caught a familiar name. \'\'Won-Shik from Korea.\'\' He has been having a hunch ever since he read Heather\'s DNA report. It turns out he is Ruth\'s best friend. It\'s more likely Won-Shik is either helping Ruth, or he has a personal agenda. \'\'Is he in Korea or staying with Ruth?\'\'

Since it\'s afternoon in the country, Francis took the number from the online source and called the Contazer reception. \'\'Good afternoon. Thanks for reaching out to Contazer. How may I help you?\'\' The woman spoke in English, but there was no mistaking the slight Korean stroke in her tongue.

\'\'Hi. I need an appointment for..\'\' Francis paused and quickly looked at their menu. \'\'Scar revision surgery.\'\' Of all the services they are offering, he found scar surgery a little decent. Rest all are yuck. Who goes for a tummy tuck, liposuction, ear sharping...he stopped thinking about the rest.

\'\'May I know your name, sir?\'\'

\'\'Fran Hay.\'\' Francis replied. That\'s a nice discovery of name, Francis muttered in his head.

\'\'Thanks for providing your details, sir. Would you please tell me the date you need an appointment for? I will pre-book for the day.\'\'

\'\'Coming Sunday.\'\' Francis blurted a date that came to his mind.

\'\'I will book an appointment with Mr._\'\'

\'\'Please make it under Doctor Won-Shik.\'\'

\'\'Sorry, sir.\'\' The woman apologized. \'\'Doctor Won-Shik is overseas and currently not available. We have other doctors who are equally expertized.\'\'

\'\'I will wait for him.\'\' Francis tested the waters. \'\'So, when is he returning?\'\'

\'\'I am not sure about his return. Tentatively, it might be next month.\'\'

\'\'Thank you. I will contact you once he returns.\'\' Francis hung up the phone before the receptionst persuades him to try other services. Cosmetic companies have a knack for business.

Francis called a friend working in the airforce and inquired about Won-Shik\'s recent flight journeys. Fifteen minutes later, Francis received a text. [one-way flight journey. Two weeks back, Won-Shik traveled to New York in a business class]

\'\'Two weeks back.\'\' Francis massaged his temples, thinking all the possibilities. If The security around Heather and Leena has been kept tight until now. With the guards high up, it\'s highly impossible to attack them individually. So, Ruth must be waiting for something big to happen. Anything special happened in their lives recently? Suddenly, the truth dawned on him. \'\'No..No..No..It can\'t be...WD\'s anniversary event was announced three weeks back. Is she planning for it?"