The Devil's Sweetheart

The following day Jasper peeked left to right and held the doorknob of Harley's hospital room. Before he pressed the hilt of the door, he felt a pair of hands on his shoulder and then followed by a familiar voice. ''You should have also checked behind the hospital corridor to see if I am watching.''

Jasper turned around and swallowed hard, considering it was Fredrick. His future father-in-law already started the war against him. Jasper had the best night yesterday with Harley, not perversely. A heart-to-heart talk until the morning to clear their misunderstandings and made up for their two years. Finally, at dawn, he left home afraid that Uncle Fredrick or Aunt Evelyn would turn up anytime here to check upon Harley. Jasper dares to end up on the wrong side of the book. Sure, his evil grandmother had left a significant impact. She heard the news from Sara and Clara that they enjoyed the two gifts. Along with his grandmother, Celia is also enjoying a good time with her. Brushing the thoughts aside, Jasper turned to look at the serious face directing at him.

''Uncle, I_I am only trying to...see if the door is working...'' Jasper mumbled and cursed internally, clearly not the words he wanted to utter.

Fredrick looked at Jasper for a while seriously, and with a stern voice, he spoke up. ''Perhaps sneaking into my daughter's room, and_'' Before Fredrick completed his thoughts, he sensed a pair of hands clapping on his shoulders as well, and then his son's voice broke.

''Stop with your torture, dad. It's not his mistake.'' Devin motioned Jasper with his eyes to go inside, and before Fredrick snapped, Jasper was off and inside the room.

Fredrick jerked off his son's arms, veered around, and glanced at him with a server scowl. ''Don't you have work?'' He wished to tease Jasper a little more time, but his son has spoiled the game. At first, he was shocked when he learned Jasper and Harley loved each other which later, Evelyn told everything that happened in the past. Although Fredrick doesn't want to let Jasper near her daughter, Fredrick thought about her future for the whole night. He can force her daughter to marry another man, but he knows she will not lead a happy life. Her happiness lies in this man. Nevertheless, Jasper's sincerity for Harley has moved him and the only reason he let him enter near his daughter.

''Dad...are you there?'' Fredrick snapped out of his thoughts and glanced at his son. 

''Honestly, I am finding your serious acting funny. You better keep it to yourself'' Devin snapped and turned on his feet, and he was off the corridor.

Fredrick scowled at his son's blatant remark. I had acted in a movie when I was young, and how dare he call my acting funny. Had Devin listened, the next question he would have asked was: was the movie released at least.

Brushing the thoughts aside, Fredrick peeked into the room through the window where Jasper was feeding soup to Harley. Smiling to himself, he left not to disturb them.

On the other hand, as soon as Leena completed her work, Leena, Reese, and Cutie straight away landed on the hospital to keep Harley out of boredom. ''I heard you reconciled with my brother. Andrew told.'' Reese grinned as she grabbed the oranges from the basket to make juice. Her mother and father are discussing Jasper's and Harley's kids already just after their reconciliation. Her mom and dad never change.

''That Andrew doesn't keep anything to himself,'' Harley muttered. How did he know? Just morning, Jasper left, and he knows it already? Did they two become friends? Harley doubted it would ever happen. The world may come to an end, but not their enemyship.

''It's not because he can't keep for himself. He got a brilliant memory. Once he sees or hears anything, he will never forget.'' Reese brandished Andrew.

''Tell me about it.'' Harley laughed. ''Unlike my brother who goes and asks people if they have met each other already_'' Harley covered her mouth when Leena sharply turned in her direction.

''I shouldn't have said.'' Harley hollered. She made a mistake. Devin warned to keep a secret from Leena.

''What do you mean by asking people? Complete the sentence, Harley.'' Leena shouted.

''Nothing, Leena. I just blurted nonsense.'' Harley tried to reason. Devin will come for her throat if it goes into his ears.

''Sense or nonsense, I will decide. Now tell me.'' Leena beckoned Harley and then addressed Reese. ''Take Cutie out for a while.'' She doesn't want anyone to know Devin's memory loss.

''Why?'' Reese questioned, intrigued about the topic, but Leena's cold eyes caused her to shut her mouth, and she quietly slipped out, taking Cutie along with her.

''Now tell me?'' Leena demanded Harley.

Quickly, Harley told Leena about the panic attack when Devin received Birds of Paradise flowers from one of his fans on the day he returned to the office. Without keeping to herself, Harley explained the incident that happened at the hotel where he met a girl and asked weird questions. As Harley spoke, a sense of disquiet heightened in the atmosphere, and panic look crisscrossed on Leena's face. 

''I think he didnot mean it, Leena. He was just curious.'' Harley said, gulping hard. Did Leena misunderstand his intentions?

His condition is worsening, which is bothering Leena. So Devin didnot lift the call on that day because he got a panic attack again. Yet he didnot tell me.  So he is searching for that girl secretly, Leena thought bitterly. 

''Fret not. I will not bring this topic in front of Devin.'' Leena assured Harley. A while later, she returned home along with Cutie. Aunt Jalapeno and Nick invited Leena to play the magic mama game, but she turned the offer and hit the bed.

She flipped on the bed to catch a wink, but Devin's first love was keeping her thoughts insane. At the same time, she heard the footsteps, followed by a worried voice of Devin. ''Leena, are you not well?''

''I am fine.'' She leaned on the headboard, and following Devin's concerned gaze, she decided for truth. ''A little mood off perhaps.''

''Did something happen in the office?'' He climbed on the bed and gently pulled her into a hug, his chin resting on the shoulder, inhaling her scent. Finally, Devin thought. With Cutie's entry, forget about their lovemaking; kissing and hugging have become extinct in his dictionary as well. He cursed Wilbur for having his happy time while he has to have cold shoulders every day.

''How was your day?'' Leena changed the course of the topic, not intended to linger on that thought. ''Are you finding hectic without Harley?''

''Nothing as such, Sweetheart,'' Devin detached from the hug, pinched her cute nose. ''Apart from that, I have good news.'' 

Leena nodded in acknowledgment, and Devin continued. ''About the doctor consultation for my memory loss, I talked with him, and we will go and meet him this Sunday.'' As excited as Devin was, Leena's spirits dampened further with the sudden bomb drop. He seems to be very excited to know about that birds of paradise girl! But is she ready to know about her? Her answer is no, not now, and not in the future also. Life with Devin is flowing like a paradise, and why bring her into their life and ruin it?

''Can we postpone to some other day?'' Leena asked in a subdued tone. She has made up her mind. Every time Devin asks, she will give an excuse. Then, one day, he will understand that she is not interested to know about his memories.

''Why?'' Came his rather disappointing question. Devin sensed something is bothering Leena, but he knows she will not open her mouth if he asks now. Something is off with her.

''Cutie wants to go to the amus.e.m.e.nt park this Sunday. I want to go as well,'' Despite Devin's disappointment, Leena lied but planned to turn it into a reality. She doesn't need much effort, though. She has to ask Cutie, and she will readily agree. She likes anything playing with water.

''Alright,'' Devin smiled, hiding his despondency. If his sweetheart likes to go, he can't say no to her. ''I will take you there on Sunday.''

''Thank you, Devin.'' Leena squealed and hugged him tightly. ''Can I ask you a question, babylicious?''

''Of course, Sweetheart.'' Came his immediate reply. ''Anything you can ask.''

'Will you leave me if your first love comes back into your life.' Leena wanted to question but kept the thought to herself.  She knows the answer already, or perhaps, Leena convinced herself. It didnot matter.

Her heart pained to think about Devin holding some other woman's hand. 

Leena thought she escaped from restricting Devin knows about his first love, but little did she know that destiny is bound to take a course. Whatever is meant for you will come to you.