The Devil's Sweetheart

Merl swore on her boss for rendering a tedious mission. When she first accepted, she considered it's a cakewalk, but she later realized it's more challenging than she thought. With the micro transmitter pushed out of Leena's ear, her boss hadn't paid any attention to her. She knows that's the way things work with him. Her boss could have taken her out of this situation with his influence, but that man is not concerned at all.

As days passed, Merl was finding it hard to manage using the fake identity. On top of that, she got another burden. Nick! He arrived at her doorstep today morning with packed bags.

''Did something happen between you and Leena?'' Merl asked, sharing her fake concern for Nick. Lately, she had observed Leena and Nick are not on good terms. She tried to pry on the matter several times, but Nick would brush off, telling her that it's a small fight. Nick rendering his full attention to her irked Leena? Quite a plausible scenario.

''Nothing happened. We are good. I have come here to stay with you.'' Replied Nick in agitation. Merl would be heartbroken if she knows that the fight started because of her. She is too innocent for the world.

''But you cannot stay here, Nick.'' She said sternly.

''Why? Am I a burden to you?'' Nick looked from foot to foot. ''I will leave if it bothers you.'' 

''Not at all. I didnot mean in that way. You can stay here as long as you want.'' Merl forced a smile. ''Take rest. I will prepare something for you to eat.''

''Thank you, Merl.'' Nick hugged her tightly before letting her leave.

A strange emotion crawled in her as Nick hugged her, but she brushed it off.

With no work to do, Nick grabbed the book resting on the bedside table. His mobile buzzed with an incoming message, but he ignored it, knowing that it's Leena. ''Is she turning into a villain in my love story?''

While he was reading, Nick heard a vibration. He paused reading and glanced at the source. At the edge of the bed, he found a mobile. ''It must be Merl's.''

''Merl. You got a call.'' He shouted, walking into the hall at first and then the kitchen, but the house looked empty. 

''Where did she go?'' He muttered in disbelief. Just in time, the mobile in his hand vibrated again. Nick lifted the call, assuming it was an emergency. ''Hello.._''

''You bloody witch!'' Nick heard a man's curse the moment he lifted the call.

''How long are you going to keep my daughter with you. I don't care about your threats anymore. I am going to file a complaint if you don't give her by today." 

A daughter? What is he talking about? Nick was stunned for few seconds. ''I am sorry, sir. You called the wrong number.''

''Who are you? Are you her assis....''

Suddenly, he felt a slight sting at the tip of his ear. Before he knew what's happening, the mobile slipped out of his hands. Nick turned back to see the mobile in Merl's hands now. ''It's not good to invade your girlfriend's privacy, dear boyfriend.''

''I didnot find you in the house,'' Nick said, embarrassed for trespassing. ''I thought the call might be an emergency.''

''I will ignore it for today.'' She smiled in return.

''Who is that man? He is talking something about his daughter's kidnap. '' A hint of suspicion flashed across his face. 

''I don't know who it is, Nick.'' Merl threw her arms around Nick's neck, sobbing herself free of tears. ''He got a mental problem, I suppose. He keeps calling, accusing me of her daughter's kidnapping. Why would I kidnap his daughter? He has got a serious problem with his brain.''

''Why didn't you tell me this before?'' Nick patted her back worriedly. Mental problem? Something was bothering him. Nick sensed concern when the man swore at him in the call.

''I don't want to burden you with my problems,'' Merl muttered. Nick was close to finding the truth today if not for her fast reflexes. She is scared if she can keep up with her fake identity for a month.

''You are not a burden, Merl.'' Nick c.a.r.e.s.sed her cheek softly. ''You are the love of my life. Your problems are my problems. I cannot promise to fix all your problems, but I promise you won't have to face them alone.''

His words moved Merl a little. What's happening to me? Brushing the thought off her mind, she said. ''Let's go. I prepared food.''

Nick hummed in reply.

.....

A week passed, Merl was in a state of deep confusion with her feelings. Within a couple of days, her emotions took a significant shift. Nick's attention, his time, his love, his deep concern was starting to shake her. Is it a sign that she is falling for Nick? No one had ever treated her with regard except him.

On the other hand, Nick was in his own thoughts. A week passed since Nick had talked with Leena and Devin. Although he has Merl on his side, he is missing home. Leena's bantering, Devin's company, Aunt Jalapeno's food, Carrot's playful nature, he is not feeling home here. Something about Merl also ticked him off. Recently her suspicious calls raised a red flag.

With the thoughts around, Nick was unable to sleep. The message notification he had briefly seen in Merl's mobile two days back was crossing his brain now and then. [Had my daughter well taken car...]

''Is it him again?'' Nick unlocked the mobile and scrolled down his messages. He tapped on Leena's contact name and stared at the latest message she had sent. [Leena: Dunderhead, if you still don't want to believe me, visit WestOyster school. That's the school where Merl studied. I hope organizations never lie of a person's identity]

''Dunderhead,'' Nick muttered, a smile on his face. How long has it been since he heard swearings from the great Leena?

''Nick. What are you doing?'' Nick quickly locked the mobile as he saw Merl dashing into his room like a race car.

''Slow down. Slow down. What's the rush?''

''I missed you.'' Merl jumped onto the bed, gathered him in a deep hug. Her feelings for Nick every day are strengthening like the roots of a tree. Will he accept me if he knows the truth about my identity? The thought of Nick turning down scared her. 

''Merl.'' He softly called her, bringing her out of thoughts.

''Tell me, my dear boyfriend.''

''Nothing.'' He said. ''I was wondering which school you attended.''

In a trice, Nick sensed Merl's rigid stance in his embrace.

''Which school?'' He questioned again, his voice toned down to gentleness.

The sudden offbeat question alarmed Merl. Which school was it? Something starts with West..West..Westside. That's it. ''Westside it is.''

''Is it?'' His grip tightened over the mobile instantly.