The Devil's Sweetheart

Leena and Carrot toured around the luxurious villa. Everything they needed was here—comfort, security, entertainment, with beautiful modern design. An indoor swimming pool with starry sky made of Led lights and an outdoor zero-edged pool with a panoramic view of nature, as if it disappears into the horizon. The outer view of their bedroom was breathtaking, where she could see the lush grass bending through the large picture windows when the wind blows.

''You have got a beautiful taste, Devin.'' Leena praised him, not taking her eyes off the beautiful architect of the house. Leena has been to the house before, but at that time, she was too muddle-headed with her feelings to concentrate on the interior of the house. The house in greenwyn village is lilliputian compared to this capacious villa. ''You didnot feel discomfort staying in Greenwyn village?'' She asked, glancing at him.

''No.'' He dismissed her thoughts without pause. ''Wherever you are, that is where my home is, my only home.''

''My heart. You know how to play with my emotions.'' Leena rushed to Devin and hugged him. ''You know, from the day you have been around, I smile a lot more than I use to.''

''I know, and for that, I am glad.'' He smiled, giving a lingering forehead kiss. He then led her to the couch, and Carrot also followed behind them.

''We might need servants. We can't alone keep this huge villa clean with our busy schedule.'' Leena moped, rubbing Carrot's tummy as she rested on Leena's l.a.p.

''Worry not, darling. I have made the arrangements already,'' Devin spoke up. ''I forgot to tell you, there is someone who will be staying with us from tomorrow.''

''Who is it?'' Leena asked, tilting her head enthused. 

''Aunt Jalapeno.''

''Jalapeno? You mean her name itself is Jalapeno? As in Jalapeno pepper fruit?'' Disbelief plastered across her face when Devin nodded his head. What a name for a woman? People are weird nowadays. Uncle Pumpkin, Jurassic, Lord Voldemort...she hears all odd names.

''Jalapeno is her real name?''

''I doubt it is. She likes everyone to call her Aunt Jalapeno. I quite forgot her real name because I have been calling her Aunt Jalapeno since I have known her,'' Devin added, after a pause. ''She works in Uncle Callison's restaurant as a chef. She plans to retire and go back to her hometown, Mexico. But she doesn't have a family over there. So, I asked her to stay with us if she is willing.''

''Aunt Jalapeno doesn't want to stay here for free_''

''And you asked her to work as a chef.'' Leena completed for him.

''Exactly.'' He said with a smile. ''She is an easy-going and hilarious person. I am sure you will like her company. Probably, she will come by tomorrow evening.''

''I am excited to meet her already.'' Leena grinned like a Chesire cat. Jalapeno as a name? The name sounds unique. ''Is she not married?'' Leena asked when her curiosity piqued for that woman.

''I have not pried into her personal matters. But according to Adney and Nick, she divorced her husband, and the reason they don't know.

''Those two chimpanzees have no work except bitching about others and playing pranks on others.'' Leena muttered. Thinking of Nick, Leena remembered she has to discuss an important point with Devin. 

''Can Nick stay with us?'' Leena asked. Never Nick talked about his parents, and if she brings the topic, Nick will evade it. If she asks Devin, he would tell everything about him, but it would hinder Nick's privacy. So, Leena didnot probe into his affairs. He might be a bodyguard to her, but Leena treats him as a part of her family. 

''If he is fine, I don't have a problem. But I doubt he will agree,'' Devin commented. He discussed this with Nick already, but he refused to stay with them. Since childhood, he stayed with the Wang family. After he completed his studies, Nick suddenly decided to work for him in the nether world. He didnot tell the reason, but Devin knows it. Speaking of it, he remembered Sara and Clara. Those two girls have messaged him lots of times. After his accident, the home was his world, and the world was his home. Leena has confined him to the bed for three weeks. He has to make time to pay a visit to Sara and Clara.

''Talk to Nick. Maybe, he will agree if you ask.'' 

''Of course, he will agree. My adoration is as big as my heart.'' Leena wide opened her hands to showcase it.

''Here I was thinking, it is as big as your butt?'' Before Leena would come to bang him, Devin got up and rushed towards the staircase.

Leena glared at his back for throwing a ridiculous comment. ''His flirting has no limits.'' She yelled at him and carried the sleeping Carrot to the room designed for her, and there was a cozy bed arranged in the middle of the room. ''He is scared of dogs but still designed a bed for Carrot.'' Smiling to herself, Leena closed the door and went into the open balcony to call Nick.

''What?'' Leena heard Nick's distant voice the moment the call got connected. 

''What's wrong with your tone?'' She questioned.

''Nothing. I suppose you are enjoying in the new house.'' He asked in a sulking tone. Now she remembers him? Does she treat him only as a bodyguard? He considers Leena as his family, but now he understood she doesn't. Nick had good company with her in greenwyn village, and now he is left alone. Leena, Carrot, Devin, and now Reese will get busy with Andrew. Leena used to make an extra portion of food for him every day, and hereafter, he has to make it for himself, and the thought alone irked him. ''Why did you call me? If you are worried about the office, I will come to your house tomorrow and pick you up.''

''Okay, bye. Pick me up at the usual time.'' Leena pressed her lips to stop her laughter. She can make out his anger and frustration in his voice. 

''Y_ou have nothing to say?'' Nick asked, trying his luck for one last time. He should have accepted Devin's offer at that time. 

''Maybe not?''

''Fine then, I will_''

''Probably, if I ask you to stay with us, will you consider it?'' Leena simpered coyly. She was sure Nick will be grinning now. 

''W_hy would I want to stay with you? Do you think I am homeless?'' Nick added in a deadpanned voice, but a smile returned on his face.

''Then stay in the same house_''

''I_I will think about it since you are requesting,'' Nick quickly answered before Leena would change her thoughts.

''I know you were waiting for my call, Mr. Nickolodeon. I will not wonder if you arrive at my doorstep in the next one hour.''

This girl! How did she find out? Nick thought. Anyway, his work is completed. Nick talked with Leena for a while and then ended the call when it was time to sleep.

When Leena walked into the bedroom, Devin was already asleep. His sleep routines and circadian rythm were off-kilter before, but it has changed now. Climbing into the bed, Leena snuggled closer to Devin. The new place was inhibiting her sleep, and when she has Nothing to do, she started playing with his eyelashes, pulling them, which Devin was not aware of.