The Devil's Sweetheart

A rush of anger overwhelmed Nick. Merl has risked bringing Leena to the hospital, and Devin's cold tone towards her, instead of feeling gratitude, irritated Nick. He has no appreciation. 

Nick led Merl to the nearby rock and made her sit. ''Sorry that you have to see his aloof side on the first meeting. He is a little sensitive when it comes to Leena.''

''I understand,'' Merl said, her tone considerate. ''I am not offended. On a lighter note, I am glad to see him in person. He looks divine!'' For a second, when Devin arrived, Merl forgot she was on a mission and was feasting her eyes on him. 

''Oh.'' Nick looked at his foot to foot. ''Then why are you dating me?'' His voice lacked luster. It's not new to him that Devin is a feast to girls, but hearing from Merl, jealousy overpowered him.

Suppressing her smile, Merl turned Nick's face to her. She smiled upon seeing Nick giving her a black look. ''You look cute when you are jealous, Nick. Will you be happy if I say you are the most handsome in my eyes?'' Merl instantly found his cheerful face again. A smirk escaped before Nick could notice. She didnot know taming this dog was as easy as a cakewalk when she first encountered him. She will not be surprised if Nick comes behind her wagging his tail if she throws a biscuit at him.

''Of course, I am happy. I want to be that one and only one in your eyes,'' Nick said as he passed a paper bag. ''Here you go. The blueberry muffins you asked for.''

Merl gave an exasperated sigh. ''You carried them all the way here?''

''I thought you might be hungry.'' He sheepishly said. ''Anyway, let's go inside. Leena might have woken up.''

''Yes..'' Just then, Merl's phone vibrated again, and she pressed the lock button to keep the number being noticed by Nick.

''Who is it?'' He asked.

''Ah! It's my father.'' Merl said. A lie, which she mastered without batting an eye.

''When are you introducing your parents to me?'' Nick asked. He is excited to meet her parents and ask Merl's hand for marriage. 

''They are not staying with me..I will introduce them when they come to meet me.'' She replied faintly and changed the topic before Nick further questions her.''I haven't called my mom since morning. She must be worried. You carry on. I will be back in a while.''

After Nick headed into the hospital, Merl called the number. Her eyes darkened. Her aura changed like an evil witch who carelessly cut your body and laughs while you are bleeding. ''What's the matter.''

''Please..At least once..I want to see my daughter Merl..''

''Your daughter is safe! If you bother me again until I complete the mission, you better forget her. I will give her the most gruesome death you even wonder.'' With that, Merl hung up, not bothered hearing the cries of the old man. She got up to leave to not stir a suspicion for Nick. On the way, Merl threw the blueberry muffins into the trashcan. With a look of disgust, she looked at the trashcan and strolled into the hospital. If not for Nick, it wouldn't have been possible to succeed in her mission. She has to hold the leash of that dog around her for a while.

.....

Reese scratched the back of her neck nervously when Devin called him into the room. His brooding stares did nothing but brought trouble to her mind. ''Speak something. You are looking like a cold man that I read in the novels.''

''You are fooling with your boyfriend during office hours?''

''He asked me to meet him urgently. Besides, I asked Leena's permission.'' Reese muttered, dared to look at Devin. She went to the usual coffee shop they often visited and waited for half n hour, but that stupid hasn't come. She called back only to hear that he didnot send any message. Reese returned office, cursing at Andrew for lying, and then she received another shock. Leena has fallen sick.

''Leave her, Devin. You are acting like a kid blaming everyone. I fainted due to food poisoning. No one to be blamed here.'' Leena added. She swore on the banana, had her Francy been here, Reese would have fainted without food poisoning.

''I agree with Leena.'' Nick butted in, appearing out of nowhere. ''He scolded Merl when she risked her life to bring you here on time,'' Nick complained to Leena.

''Merl brought me here?''

''Yes,'' Nick explained everything that happened after she fainted in the office. Leena felt guilty for troubling that girl, but at the same time, her heart warmed with happiness.

Reese explained Mandy's bravery which Leena attentively listened to like a curious kid. Devin, on the other hand, his thoughts went haywire. Why did she drove one hour when she could practically find a hospital nearby?

''How are you, Leena?'' Devin jolted out of his thoughts, hearing someone call Leena. He looked at her appearance. Shyness in her face, innocence in her eyes, and simplicity in her dressing. Does her inner appearance feel the same?

''I will be fine'' Leena smiled with gratitude. ''Thank you for bringing me here.'' She nudged Devin to thank her, but he stood like a statue as if he didnot heed to her words.

Nick fumed flames at Devin, but he didnot dare to voice his thoughts.

Once they left, Leena turned to Devin. ''She brought me here to the hospital, and can't you say two words of thank you?''

''I will thank her later.'' He never trusts innocent people. Devin gently pushed Leena onto the bed. ''You will not be going to the office for at least two days.''

''Two days? I can't..''

''No more discussions.'' He cut off the discussion. ''Now sleep.''

When she closed her eyes, Leena slept until late in the evening. She went home in the evening; Aunt Jalapeno blamed herself for the food poisoning, although Leena assured her that it's not her fault.

The moment she walked into the bedroom, she tiredly collapsed and dozed off again.. She wanted to spend time with Devin, but one side of her head was exploding as if she has undergone an operation.