The Devil's Sweetheart

Just entering the office, Devin opened the mailbox to check today\'s schedule. He was going through the meeting calendar, and the door burst open in the nick of time. He snapped, quick to reprimand the executive assistant, knowing that it\'s her who comes to eat his head in the early morning but seeing Francis slid to a stop in front of the table, panting heavily, Devin went hazard in surprise. \'\'What happened_\'\' Devin halted, watching Francis scooted face. What\'s got into him today? He deeply thought as he observed Francis\'s moves.

Grabbing the bottle, Francis gulped the water in one go. He later threw it onto the garbage and slumped on the chair to calm his erratic heartbeat. \'\'Why didn\'t you pick my call from morning? I was scared something happened to you.\'\'

Devin pulled his mobile, and indeed, he has loads of missed calls, and one was obviously from Francis. The DND mode switched on, automating the silent mode. \'\'I am sorry, France. It was in silent mode. But what\'s the matter?\'\' He came straight to the topic.

Francis iterated the trail of events that are happening recently around them. \'\'If I am not wrong, Won-Shik and Ruth must be working together, and their target is_\'\'

\'\'My company anniversary.\'\' Devin completed for him.

\'\'Precisely.\'\'

\'\'Fret not. The invitees are limited. Nothing suspicious will pass through without surveillance. We have a security check in every corner. We will set up a body scanner system at the entrance. No weapon or object will pass through without screening.\'\'

Devin\'s words assured him, but for some reason, Francis\'s heart didnot settle.

\'\'Trust me. I will not let any mishaps happen in the event. Leena is my safety.\'\' He assured him that everything would be fine.

\'\'Alright.\'\' Francis closed his eyes and nodded his head, keeping his trust in Devin. A minute later, he stood up, ready to leave, but Devin put a stop to his tracks by calling him. \'\'First time you have come to my office. How can I let my father-in-law leave just like that? Your daughter would start a war with me.\'\'

Francis quirked his brows, seeing through Devin\'s sarcasm. \'\'Put on the best father-in-law certificate on your table. That would suffice.\'\' Francis turned to leave, and by the doorstep, he heard Devin\'s cutting loud reply again.

\'\'I will do that.. Having you as father-in-law doesn\'t actually suck.\'\'

Francis shut the door with a bang, loud enough for the executive assistant to shudder, who was standing outside.

Happiness doesn\'t lie in big things. Annoying the father and daughter duo would make his day merrier. Shaking his head, Devin went back to work. With morning meetings ended and no appointments for the next two hours, he has enough time for lunch. Suddenly, Devin had the urge to eat lunch with his Sweetheart. He called her and learned she went to the hospital to spend time with her mother. \'\'How many times she visits the hospital?\'\' He grabbed the suit jacket and texted her to stay in the hospital. \'\'She doesn\'t properly sit in one place for an hour.\'\' Buttoning the coat, Devin was off to pick Leena.

...

Reese went on a trip to Hawaii with Andrew, and Nick is off to some work today. Leena ended a client session in the morning and was freed of meetings till four in the evening. With nothing to do, she went to spend her time with her mother. In between their talks, she received a text from her impatient husband to stay in the hospital.

\'\'Is Devin coming here?\'\' Heather asked. \'\'Rosalie wanted to see him once.\'\'

\'\'I see you have become quite close to Aunt Rosalie.\'\' 

Heather hummed in reply. \'\'She is fun.\'\' In four days, Rosalie has become close to her. Heather thought she was an arrogant woman considering her dressing style when she first met, but she proved her assumptions wrong.

 \'\'I am happy that you have a company. Why don\'t you join us for lunch, mom?\'\'

\'\'\'No, baby. I have a patient\'s appointment in another ten minutes. Please don\'t feel bad.\'\' Heather said. \'\'We will go together next time.\'\'

\'\'Sure.\'\' She smiled, understanding her mother\'s concern. Work is equally important. \'\'Carry on with your work, mom. It may take a while for Devin to turn up.\'\' 

\'\'Love you, baby.\'\' Heather kissed Leena\'s forehead and went back inside. 

Knowing the usual place Leena meets her mother, Devin straight away came to the hospital lawn. There his Sweetheart was. Resting under the tree, having freed of all the worries in her life.

\'\'Either I see you in this hospital or roaming in the shopping malls with your friends.\'\' Devin pulled Leena from the ground to her feet. \'\'I wonder you ever work.\'\' 

\'\'Unlike you, I do smart work.\'\' Lazily, Leena turned her back to Devin so that Devin can dust off the dirt on her dress.

\'\'Lazy bum.\'\' He used a little strong force to dust her dress and turned her around. Fondly, he pinched her cheeks. \'\'Are you hungry.\'\'

\'\'I have a place for another meal.\'\' The food brought happiness to her eyes. \'\'Let\'s go to_\'\'

\'\'Leena sister.\'\' Hearing her name called out, Leena turned back and followed her eyes to a girl in a hospital gown waving her hand at her.

\'\'Hi, Emerie.\'\' Smiled Leena at the girl. \'\'How is your health?\'\'

\'\'Good,\'\' Emerie slowly approached them, and her eyes scooted to Devin. \'\'Hello, brother-in-law.\'\'

\'\'Me?\'\' Devin pointed to himself for confirmation.

\'\'She is Max\'s daughter,\'\' Leena whispered to the clueless Devin. With a slight nod, he offered a smile to Emerie.

\'\'Emerie.I told you not to leave the room until your dad comes.\'\' Rosalie rushed towards her daughter. Watching Leena talking with her daughter, Rosalie apologized. \'\'Don\'t mind her, Leena. She is bored sitting alone. She must have seen you through the window and came here to talk with you.\'\' Rosalie said and moved her eyes to Devin. \'\'Hello. I am glad to meet you, finally.\'\'

Neither Devin opened his mouth nor greeted her. Instead, he didnot take her eyes off Rosalie.

Leena jabbed his forearm to bring him to this world, noticing Rosalie\'s discomfort under his piercing gaze. \'\'I..I am sorry. It was nice meeting you.\'\'

\'\'Likewise." Rosalie half smiled, feeling a little uneasy being scanned by Devin \'\'Please carry on with your work." Rosalie quickly excused herself, and went back into the hospital with her daughter in tow.

Devin started at the retreating figure until Leena practically dragged him along with her.

\'\'Were you staring at her all the time?\'\' Leena pulled Devin\'s hair after getting into the car.

\'\'I love your jealousy, Sweetheart, but remember my standards are very high.\'\' Igniting the engine, Devin winked. \'\'She has a secret."

\'\'And what\'s that.\'\'

\'\'Her face has undergone a knife.\'\' He added nonchalantly.

\'\'How did you...\'\' Leena suddenly remembered the flight journey to Seattle she had with him where he listed a woman\'s surgeries by merely looking at her picture.