The Devil's Sweetheart

A while ago.

For two decades, Heather has no connection to the outside world, and though she felt strange all of a sudden after coming home, she was slowly adjusting to this lifestyle. Lying on her bed, Heather pouted and took a selfie on her new mobile and send it to Leena. She loved this kiss and click expression, or pout selfie, whatever the internet calls. Leena gifted a mobile when Heather got discharged from the hospital. It was her first time using a smartphone, and she loved the inanimate object. From then on, even while eating, Heather doesn't put down her phone. Mobile is the last thing she sees at night and the first thing she woke up to every morning. 

While she was browsing on the internet, Margaret came into her room and reprimanded for overusing the mobile. Reluctantly, Heather put aside her mobile and went into Francis's study room to read a book at least. The moment she entered, Heather's mouth gaped at the sight of his book collections. She knew Francis is an avid reader but didnot expect to turn the room into a library. All the books were raked tidily on the bookshelf.

At first, Heather checked the bottom selves within her hand reach. "History, philosophy, crimes, thriller....'' Heather stopped listing. ''Boring man. As expected, there is not a single love genre book in his collections.'' Heather is at cat's-paw when it comes to love and romance genre books. While studying medicine, she and Evelyn would binge-read and wakes up with panda eyes in the morning. By chance, Francis sees her, he would give a big class for neglecting her health. She would attentively listen to his rantings and ignore them when he is out of sight.

A smile lit on her face when the old memories surfed. Putting aside her thoughts, Heather dragged the chair towards the bookshelf and slowly climbed to check the top shelves, unaware of the upshot about to happen.

....

Meanwhile, downstairs, Francis direly walked into the house and wordlessly strolled into his room. He rummaged his entire room for a project file, but nowhere his eyes spotted it. Furiously, he walked into the living room and shouted at Margaret. ''Mom, where did you throw the file I kept on the bedside table?'' Except for his mom and Leena, no one enters his room.

Margaret's concentration was solely focused on the TV, and Francis's words did not physically enter her ears. Feigning her ignorance, Francis forcefully grabbed the remote from her hands and turned off the TV.

''Francis! Switch on the TV this instant.'' Margaret screamed, glaring at his son. It was almost the time the sparks floating between the lead pair and her son disturbed the sweet moments.

''The file,'' Francis asked, not heeding to her words. Romantic dramas? Does she ever act according to her age?

''Absent-minded fellow. Didn't you work late at night sitting in your study room? Go and check there,'' Margaret yelled, grabbing the remote from his hands.

''I am not absent-minded. My head is quite busy,'' He w.h.i.n.ed, climbing the stairs. The moment he pushed the study room door open, his eyes fell on the woman's back, her slender hands reaching over the bookshelf. ''Why do you strain yourself, Heather? You could have asked Caleb.'' Francis walked towards her and picked the book from the self. When his hand slightly brushed past her, a surge of electricity passed on to his nerves at the sudden frail touch.

Hearing the familiar voice from behind, Heather inclined her body to get down. But in her clumsiness, she lost momentum, and her leg slipped. She instantly pressed her eyes shut, letting her body take the hit, but not before that, a firm hand caught her forearm. In the next moment, she was pulled into his arms.

Heather's heart was wildly beating, and she will not be surprised if Francis caught her red-handed. If only she knew of Francis state. He was already lost, looking into her captivating eyes sparkling from inside out.

But their moment short-lived when the sound of something falling on the floor drummed into their ears. Following the sight, Francis and Heather internally cursed themselves for getting caught by the person they least wanted to see. The person was none other than Leena!

''Leena_I _we.'' Heather started, but not a word came out of her mouth on how to explain this situation. Heather was scared that her daughter would misunderstand her.

''I_I am sorry. Please continue. I didnot see anything.'' Grinning from ear to ear, Leena picked the box from the floor and disappeared from the room like Usain Bolt.

''Wait, Leena. It's not what you think.'' Heather struggled to release herself from Francis's tight grip, but his grasp was so tight that she couldn't overpower him. ''Francis, you are still holding me,'' Heather whispered.

''I_I am sorry.'' Francis distanced himself with an awkward stance.

''I_I have urgent work at the office. I will leave.'' Before Heather uttered a word, Francis whisked away.

''What? Is he running away without clearing the misunderstanding? How do I face my daughter now?'' Heather cried in frustration and left the room. She needs to cook up a story before she confronts Leena. Her daughter is worse than an FBI agent in pulling information, and careful dealing is a must.

Francis wanted to go to the office and think appropriately before talking with Leena, but here he was, standing in front of Leena's room. Taking a deep breath, Francis knocked, tapping his foot on the floor impatiently. The moment the door opened, Francis closed his eyes and started. ''Whatever you saw in the room is not what you think. Heather slipped her leg, and I was scared she would get hurt. So, I caught her in time, and you happen to be open the door at the same time. So, you have misunderstood us.''

There was a moment of silence before Leena burst out into laughter hearing Francis's explanation. ''Why am I finding my Francy super cutesy today?''

''Leena, I am serious,'' Francis stated stoically

''Then you better seriously answer my question, Mr. Francis Hayes,'' Leena questioned, locking the door before taking a peek at the outside to see if her mom was roaming on nearby premises. ''Why are you so nice to my mom and me?'' Leena knew her tone sounded like she was keeping Francis at arm's length, and she could feel the instant pain in his eyes. Her heart troubled to see him hurt, but the time has come to take the matter into her hands and knock some sense into his wooden-headed brain.

'A lump formed on his throat when Leena's chilly words reverberated in every corner of the room. ''W_hat are you talking?''

''My mom's father turned his back when she got into an accident, yet you have taken care of my mom when you don't have any relationship with her. Why?'' Leena questioned again. She hoped he would at least open up his buried feelings.

"Heather is my best friend. We grew up together.'' Francis replied dryly. He is getting a hunch that Leena is up to no good today because he had never seen her speaking harshly to him.

''Then what about me? I am a mere relative, but you treat me like your family. Why didn't you throw me into the orphanage when my mom got into an accident? I can understand you shouldering Wilbur's responsibility because he is uncle Calvi's son, your own brother. I am nobody to you. I should be living in rags, but I lived like a princess in the castle under your care. Why?'' She screamed at him, her tone on the verge of breaking. ''Leave all that aside. Why didn't you marry when women literally threw at your feet.'' 

''I am afraid she would not take care of you_.''

''Liar! You are a big fat liar, Francy. You give the same excuse every time, but I am not listening to it today,'' Leena cut him off, her harsh tone scared Francis to the wits. ''You didnot marry because you loved someone and still love her.'' 

''No. I didnot love anyone.'' Francis declined, his gaze moved in all the directions except Leena. How did she know about that I had feelings for someone?

''If you didnot love anyone, why did you keep my mom's pictures in your locker safely?'' Leena calmly asked.

Francis widened his eyes at the divine revelation. When did this brat see it? He has kept the locker safe, afraid that Leena would accidentally open because by chance she sees it, hacking it would be like a duck soap for her. Caught red-handed, Francis shut his mouth, for he doesn't have any alibi to cover the truth. The question is, when did she found it?

Leena gently held his quivering hand. ''Don't deny your feelings anymore, Francy. I long knew you loved my mom.''

The secret he has buried deep in his memory, at last, surged out.