The Devil's Sweetheart

Devin's hope-filled eyes and his helplessness put Walter in a paradoxical situation, but he could do nothing about it. Devin is requesting something with a price higher than his capability. He will never be able to bring him back alive if they go deep into his memories. ''I doubt there is a way, Devin. Only the person who has done this to you can bring your memories back safely.''

''I understand.'' Devin was considering the thought of contacting Morvena, but there is no certainty that she would agree. Skimming the ideas from his brain, Devin looked up at Walter's face, filled with helplessness. ''Don't feel bad. You did what you could do. Thanks for everything. You were a great help.''

Walter smiled, rising to full height. ''Let's go. If I find a way, I will contact you.''

''Alright,'' Devin expressed his gratitude with a nod. He knows Walter is only trying to appease him, not to lose hope when infact, regaining his memories is not possible. He was happy that he discovered his lost love, and his present love is none other than his sweetheart, but somewhere there is regret, a regret that he has to drown in his lost memories forever.

By the time Devin entered the city, twilight had diffused into the sky. He called Harley to check if he had got any important meeting around the evening. After Harley listed them, Devin found them all minute, which doesn't require his presence. He told her to handle it by herself and turned the car back to home. 

Following inside the house, Devin was surprised to see the living room was empty. Aunt Jalapeno and Nick's bantering, Carrot, and Leena's dance practice would greet him after returning home, but the empty house welcomed him today.

 ''Where did everyone go?'' Just the words traveled out of his mouth, Devin heard the grating noises from the kitchen. He doesn't need to look at the person to see who it was. 

''She must be doing another experiment.'' Without making his footsteps obvious, he made his way towards the kitchen. The scene he witnessed was so beautiful that he wanted to run to her and squish her adorable cheeks. 

A few steps away, Devin saw a few strands of Leena's hair fell in front of her eyes when she leaned forward to grab the sugar jar. With both her arms mussed up with the flour, Leena pouted before swaying them back with the back on her hand, and the next second she leaned forward again, her silky hair was back like a curtain to her face. 

''Argh! I should have put on a pony.'' Before Leena swung them back over her shoulders, she felt a familiar presence behind her, startling her. She fluttered as his fingers deliberately caressed her swam neck before pulling her hair back. ''I love when you let your hair loose.'' He wrapped his hands around her waist.

''So, I always let them fall in your presence.'' Leena laid her head back on his chest. ''You are early to home. Don't have meetings?''

''I wanted to see you badly. So, I let Harley handle them.'' Devin's sweet sugary words brought a smile to Leena's face.

''What are you making?'' Devin asked as he stared at the spilled flour, vanilla extract bottle, and other ingredients he was unaware of. ''Am I going to become a victim of your experimental dishes again?''

''It's a vegan cake, and yes, you are my experimental baby. I am learning to bake a cake to do it on your birthday. It's a birthday present from your sweetheart.'' Leena spun around and stood in front of Devin face to face.

 ''Birthday present should come as a surprise. Not like this.''

''Not surprising is also a surprise. On your birthday, you will have to act surprised, hug me tightly, and appreciate my efforts in front of the guests when I pull the cake cover. Happy tears are also accepted. Am I clear?'' Leena closed her eyes to imagine the scene.

''Sadistic Leena.'' He pinched her cheeks until Leena swatted them away. Their funny, playful conversation ended as Aunt Jalapeon entered home with shopping bags. Carrot and Nick followed behind her. Leena could feel the atmosphere took one eighty-degree swift turn as she noticed the frown on Aunt Jalapeno's face and the rage in her eyes. Devin went upstairs to shower, leaving Leena to deal with the matter.

''How dare that bastard smile at me!''

''Umm...who is that bastard, Aunt Jalapeno?'' Leena cautiously asked. Leena, Nick stood in silence as Aunt Jalapeno ranted a string of curses. 

''I should have thwacked his butt without caring about the public.'' Aunt Jalapeno made a fist, throwing an imaginary blow at the air. ''How dare he show up with his new boyfriend in front of me?'' She got up and strolled into the kitchen to vent her frustration by cooking a pumpkin dish.

The moment Aunt Jalapeno was out of their sight, Nick explained Leena. ''It's her ex-husband,''

''That's the reason she is angry? Did you see him?'' There was a surprise in Leena's voice.

''Unfortunately, no. I was at the billing counter. So, I missed him. Carrot saw him, and she can't describe.'' Nick explained. Too bad he missed the beauty who stole a butt's heart.

''What's the store name?''

''Don't tell me you are going to hack into the security camera?'' Watching Leena's 'ofcourse yes, you dumbo' eyes, Nick blazed at her murderously. ''I am not going to tell. I don't care how influential your husband is. I am going to complain to Kurt about your illegal hacking activities. Let the FBI deal with you.''

Leena scoffed. ''Ask him to find a single piece of evidence. I will myself surrender.'' Leena was about to leave but took a step back and proudly stood in front of Nick. ''Along with that, I will change my name in the reverse order of letters if he catches me.''

''Leena..aneel..Ah! not good.'' Nick's face twisted like he had smelled the horse poop. ''Is she that confident no one can find her illegal activities? Obviously, she is under the protection of husband and father.'' Shaking his head, he went back to his room.

Two hours later, Aunt Jalapeno called them for dinner. The famished three hoped to eat the dishes from the magic hand just like every day until they saw the whole dinner table filled with orange dishes—pumpkin soup, pumpkin chill, curried pumpkin...pumpkin juice. Leena stopped listing the names. Even the rice was made with pumpkin. Leena wondered if Aunt Jalapeno is a pumpkin lover, just like she loves bananas.

It's not the first time they have suffered Aunt Jalapeno's wrath. Her anger would always turn into dishes made of pumpkin. The three finished the dinner with the utmost reluctance.

Post dinner, Leena immediately climbed onto the bed. Devin was about to leave the room to make a call, but Leena pulled him back to the bed in time. ''No work at home.'' She sternly said.

''Roger that, my lady.'' Leena giggled at the way Devin addressed her. Laying her head on his chest, she threw her right leg on his waist like she always does. ''Are you sleeping, babylicious?'' She lifted her arms and peeked at his eyes which were staring at a distance. ''What are you thinking?'' She poked his arm.

Playing with her locks, Devin replied. ''Can I ask you a question, sweetheart?''

''Yesss...'' Stressed Leena like an enthusiastic kid. 

''You still think I loved someone other than you before I lost memories?'' Leena's body stiffened at once, which he felt in every muscle of his body. It was a sensitive topic to bring when their life is leading without any mishaps, but he wants to know if Leena has not let the thought out of her mind.

Leena raised her head and stared at him for a while without letting her expression reveal. ''Why do you bring this_''

''Will you believe me if I tell you I had not loved anyone other than you?'' He cut her off.

Leena internally cursed Devin for bringing the topic when she had almost forgotten the past incident. Even if Devin wants to, he can't change the fact that his first love is Morvena. He constantly taunts her that she had given her first kiss to a stranger. Give the situation, she could mock him for spending passionate nights with that woman. But she doesn't want to create another misunderstanding. She had accepted the reality.

 ''I believe in you.'' She smiled at him. ''I am sleepy. Good night.'' She kissed his cheek and went back to bed. Leena closed her eyes before Devin tried to pry another question and break her mood completely.

Not breaking her eyes off, Devin gazed at the sleeping face. He is not dumb to know what's going on in her head. Grabbing his mobile, Devin texted Nick. [I want Morvena here by tomorrow. Don't hesitate to use the force if she doesn't oblige.]

Keeping aside his mobile, Devin leaned forward to Leena's sleeping face. ''Soon, you will know the truth.'' He kissed her cheek, pulled Leena's head to his chest before closing his eyes.

....

The day was supposed to be bright amidst the trees, but she is sitting gripping her heart in fear in an unknown place. Morvena sat in the chair, fidgeting her hands under the table nervously. Not once she lifted her head to take a peek at the intimidating man. 

''What you did to me in the past, do it now. Bring back my memories safely.'' Devin's voice sounded echoed into her ears like hell's invitation.

''It's not in my hands,'' Morvena timidly replied despite the fear. ''I am no help here.''

''My Leena doesn't like violence. But if you keep denying it, I may have to use it against you.''

Morvena clenched her fists. Even now, he is concerned about her likes and dislikes. 

''Who ordered you to erase my memories?''

Morvena silently stared at him.

''Tell the truth, Damn it!'' His fist furiously pounded on the table. Morvena flinched in fear. The vase on the table trembled, dropping to the floor. ''Was it Enger?''

''Am I that famous you keep chanting my name?'' Morven's eyes widened, fear gripping her heart, as she watched the nightmare of her life walk into the room.