The Devil's Sweetheart

Celia was comforting Jasper to the outside, but a volcano was building up inside her body, ready to burst out any time. How long I have to wait for you, Jasper? Will you become mine if I get rid of her?

Her happiness had no bounds when Jasper and that orphan broke up two years ago. She joined in his office, tried every possible way to get close to him, and to some extent, she did. Jasper started treating her as his friend, but Celia could never cross the friend zone and become his only love. At the least, Celia thought he would agree to her grandmother's request after the breakup, but no. He is still hell-bent on going behind that woman despite the humiliation she is causing him.

''Don't you feel humiliated every time you go and beg her to love you back? If she has rejected you several times, she has moved on....'' Celia's words caught in the throat the moment Jasper pulled back his hand from her grip. ''Get out!''

''Jasper.'' Celia s.u.c.k.e.d in her breath. His eyes dripped with malice, cold, and spitefulness.

''Get out of my sight before I throw you out!'' Jasper spat out. Just because he treats her as his friend, she dares to cross the line.

The atmosphere around the room dropped a point, sending chills down Celie's spine. ''I didnot mean to_''

''Don't make me repeat.'' 

Celia pulled her lips in foil at the novelty of his voice. It's not wise to anger this man at this time. She got up and left the room, closing the door behind.

An implacable expression overlooked his face as he leaned his head on the chair. Harley's eyes carry hatred for him, but the same eyes also hold the love she once had for him. He doesn't want to admit it, but the fight between him and Andrew has caused him a great benefit. Harley's unexpected confession on the road, probably no one has received in such a weird approach, has caused him to realize his deep feelings. 

.....

Meanwhile, on the other end, silence conquered the park, except the whooshing summer winds blowing across them. Reese had a solemn look on her face, for she is unable to digest the news. She thought Jasper's love was Andrew, and she learned it was her misunderstanding. Yesterday, she found her brother likes Harley, and now she learned her brother has toyed with another woman breaking Harley's heart. 

''What exactly happened?'' Reese asked. ''Why didn't anyone know you and my brother were in a relationship?''

''We kept our relationship secret because..I wanted to. Everything was going fine until Celia appeared. She joined his office as an intern, and with the close family ties she had with the Allen family, I see in every business party she attends along with him. He assured me she is only an employer. But my insecurities grew, and we started having unnecessary arguments. One morning, I got up to see these pictures on my mobile.'' 

''Did you confront Jasper?'' Leena asked, grabbing Harley's hand. ''Did you ask him if he slept with her? Isn't it clear someone is deliberately trying to break your relationship?''

''It doesn't add it up to the fact that he cheated, Leena. The pictures have proved his loyalty.'' Harley s.u.c.k.e.d her breath, staring at a distance.

Reese gazed at Harley's teary eyes. She got up, squatted in front of her, and gently held Harley's hand. ''You might have mistaken. Jasper is not such kind of person to cheat_''

''Reese.'' Harley interrupted, not intended to agree to Reese's thoughts. ''Cheating is a choice, not a mistake. I know he is your brother, but sorry. He is a cheater. I can accept anything but deceiving. I am not going to accept him into my life again. Once a cheater, always a repeater.'' She spoke up in one breath.

While Reese and Harley were conversing, Leena was looking particularly at the pictures. She zoomed the pictures, trying to interpret them. The background seems inappropriate—blur background with no correct form of lines or shapes, Leena thought. Something is definitely wrong. The photos carried Leena back to the time she experienced a scandal in her university. Those fleeting memories, which she never wanted to remember, have haunted her for years. People sure like to play with the lives of others.

''Don't judge a person until you know the whole truth, Harley,'' Replied Leena as she turned to face Harley. ''If I say the pictures are fake, will you believe?''

Harley scrunched her brows as she looked at Leena. Did Leena mean they are fraudulent? But the man in the pictures, along with Celia, is him. ''It's Jasper in the pictures, Leena_''

''Give me a day. I will find if the person in the pictures is Jasper or not.'' Leena interrupted Harley's views. She has studied a lot about fakes after she had experienced the scandal. Jasper's two eyes are not focusing on the same things precisely, and the pose of his right shoulder doesn't match with the left. She is ninety-five percent sure the man in the pictures is not Jasper. 

''You are telling the pictures are fake?'' Harley's asked in surprise.

''I can't say hundred percent, but yes, there is a chance. I will find out the answers.'' Leena smiled—time for some hacking tonight. 

''Can you really do it, Leena?'' Hope raised, a smile returned on Harley's face.

''I wanted to tell you one thing, Harley.'' Leena continued. ''Love without communication is like life without oxygen. Checking the authenticity of the photos will solve the problem, but what if another issue arises in the future? Will you again throw him out of your life?''

Harley grazed her lips in between her teeth. She understood what Leena meant.

''Had I walked off from your brother's life without confronting him when he was involved in the scandal, we would never be the same even after I learned the truth. You have to build trust. The moment Devin knew of the scandal, he didnot keep me in the dark. We solved it together. You have wasted two years, and if you keep delaying, someone will come and take your man away. Do you want that to happen?''

Harley shook her head and stared at her palms with an intense gaze. Why didn't I confront him two years back? Is he really innocent?

''Don't stress your brain.'' Leena chuckled, watching Harley's deadened expressions.

''Take your time, and make a wise decision, Harley,'' Reese said, lifting Harley's chin. If Harley becomes her sister-in-law, she would be the happiest. 

''Thank you.'' Harley hugged Leena and Reese. ''I will think about what you said.''

''Good girl.'' Leena patted her head like a mother praising her children  ''Let's go. I have to drop Cutie in her music school.''

''I wonder why she chose Flute of all the instruments.'' Reese giggled, imagining Cutie playing off the sync notes.

''Obviously to scare people away.'' Leena shrugged.

All the three laughed. Harley drove to the office while Reese and Leena walked back to their office happily without knowing trouble was heading from the other end.

....

In a quiet room, a sobbing woman had laid her head on the l.a.p of another woman. ''Why can't he see my love, grandma. Every time he talks about that bitch; I feel like my soul has s.u.c.k.e.d out of my body. Two years back, we did everything to separate Jasper and that woman. Why does he prefer that orphan? Am I not beautiful?''

The older woman turned to her friend, who was sitting next to her with a serious expression. ''Imogen, I can't see my granddaughter crying. She has stayed with Jasper ever since he has taken up the company. Please do something. You promised that Celia would be the daughter-in-law of the Allen family.''

Imogen gently grasped her friend's hand while thinking of a plan to get rid of that orphan. ''I don't back down on my promise, Minerva, my friend. Celia will be Jasper's wife and the daughter-in-law of the Allen family. Wait, and see how I crush that girl. I will never let that orphan near my grandson,'' Having said that, Imogen dialed a number. Within an hour, a young man entered the hall and bowed down to Imogen.

''I have a job for you, Axel.'' Imogen handed a picture and said. ''I don't care if you break her hands or leg, but I want her to live,'' Imogen uttered with a malicious smile. Let's see if my grandson still goes behind that woman after she loses her beauty.

The man licked his lips, tracing the picture. ''She is beautiful. Can I have a taste before I dive into the work?''

''No.'' It was Celia who declined his request. It's not that Celia was showing mercy on Harley. She is only thinking of the possibilities that will end up leading to clues. By chance, if the police find s.e.m.e.n in her body, the man will become the prime suspect for the case. 

''Don't try anything stupid. Finish the job, and leave no trace of evidence behind.''