The Devil's Sweetheart

Despite the fact that his words hurt Leena, she didnot allow the anger to get the better of her. Her only thought was to get this dunderhead from the trap Merl laid out to him. ''I know you don't believe my words, but you have to see this.'' Unlocking her mobile, Leena tried to show him the school picture of Merl, but he swatted it away. 

''Why are you.. forget it. I can't believe you are blaming my Merl who saved you, putting her life at risk.'' Nick was about to get up, but a hand pulled him back again,

''I don't care if you see me as a villain. But I am neither allowing you to date nor marry that woman.'' Leena sternly declared.

''You don't have the command over my life.'' He pushed her hand away and stormed inside the house.

''Stupid. You will soon eat your own words.'' Leena's clenched fists were the only outward sign of her anger. Ten minutes later, Leena found herself in the bedroom staring at Cutie and Devin playing a game. 

''Leena,'' Devin stated. ''The neurosurgeon I consulted is out of the station. Can we postpone it to the day after tomorrow?''

''Why can't we go to some other hospital?''

''Well,'' Devin threw a glare at Leena for talking out of the script dialogues. ''The doctor I consulted is one of the best.''

Leena stared at the bug piece before she spoke. ''Fine. We can go day-after-tomorrow.''

''It's sleeping time, Tootie.'' Leena threw the gaming chart aside, earning a cute pout from the kid. ''Come on, sleep now.'' When Leena was about to cover Cutie with a Kiwi blanket, she threw it away and demanded a Burrito blanket. ''No! Gime Bullito banket.''

''I thought you are the only one weird in your family,'' Devin stared at the blanket with no expression on his face. ''Your whole family is off the wall.''

''Aren't you crazily in love with that 'off the wall'?'' Leena securely tucked Cutie and laid down on the bed.

''Let me show my love.'' Devin leaned forward to kiss Leena, but she pushed him to the bed. She sharply pointed her eyes towards the bedside table, alerting him of the bug. Devin mumbled few curses before he closed his eyes.

The following day Nick didnot talk with either Leena or Devin over breakfast. Although Devin wanted to knock some sense into him, he realized it would only push Nick over the edge. Sometimes, holding on to the rope does more damage than letting it go.

At the office, as usual, Merl tried her luck again. She asked Leena if they can go out for breakfast at a newly opened restaurant far reach her office. Leena didnot object, and the happiness in Merl's face flourished like a summer blooming flower. Together, they drove along with Reese, Cutie, and Carrot.

''I asked them to make a special banana smoothie,'' Merl said as the waiter placed the glass on the table.

''So, sweet of you, Merl.'' Leena could see the anticipation in her eyes as the glass touched the tip of her lips. ''Damn it!'' Leena cursed, placing the glass back on the table.

''What happened!''

 ''My mom sent me a text to call her urgently, and I completely forgot. I put my mobile in the car. Will you please do me a favor, Merl?''

''N_ow?'' Merl fidgeted. ''We are almost done..''

''Nevermind,'' Leena said. ''I will get it.'' Leena took a step forward when Merl volunteered herself for the job. Within five minutes, she came back empty-handed, and the first thing she was the empty glass. Merl sighed in releif.

''Umm..I didnot find your mobile in the car, Leena.'' 

''Is it? I am sure it is in the car. Let's go and check..'' Leena held her head in pain. Moments later, she fainted on the table, pulling a little bit of acting. Reese thought Leena could start an acting company. The same old story happened again, and this Time everything was under Leena's control. 

''Time to resign from the job, and most importantly, get rid of that dog'' Merl threw the bug into the trashcan in fit without knowing it's Leena's play.

....

The same day, Devin and Kurt started to Mexico in the evening. When Devin informed Kurt he would get a breakthrough in the case through Enger, Kurt managed to collect all the possible information of Enger within a day. Along with them, three oldies joined to give them company, more likely to annoy them. It was none other than Francis, Fredrick, and Arnold.

''I still don't understand the reason you want to come with us.'' Devin addressed the two persons lazily sitting in the backseat.

''It's my baby's matter, and I have a reason to come. As far as these two fools.'' Francis briefly eyed Fredrick and Arnold. ''I am not bothered.''

''It's my son's matter, and I have a reason to come,'' Fredrick mimicked his friend, angering Francis. ''As far as these two fools,'' He glanced at Arnold and Francis. ''I am not bothered.''

Francis and Fredrick started picking on each other again. Arnold was too busy to reply because he was busy chatting.

''These three!'' Kurt sighed.

Devin cursed at himself for revealing his Mexico trip to Francis. 

Six hours later, they reached Mexico and boarded the car, and an hour later, the car turned left and entered into a small village, Tznalope. ''Are you sure this is the correct address?'' Devin asked, staring at the barren lands.

''Yes,'' Kurt said.

The car moved on the concreted roads and drove past the old buildings, finally halted at the entrance of a shabby house. Devin frowned, staring at the tiny house from outside of the glass window. The rusty door of the house was barely hanging to the hinges.

Kurt called the number, and moments later, a short man wearing a Huichol dress came out of the house.

''You were the one who called me...''

''Please come inside.'' The short man interrupted Kurt and led them inside the house. 

Devin found a man lying on the bedless cot, his foot sprouting off the bed base. He woke up like a dead man waking up from the pyre when a Huichol-dressed man whispered something into his ear.

 ''It's you!'' Devin can't believe if his eyes were playing tricks on him.

''Thought I was dead?'' The man chuckled and slowly walked towards the group. ''To the world, yes. I am dead.''

''Enzo! You are alive?'' Along with Devin, there were three more people who were equally shocked.

''Well, yes, I am alive, my dear old friends,'' Enzo said, his eyes crinkled when he laughed. ''Unless you people think I am a ghost.'' 

''You know him?'' Devin and Kurt asked in unison, glancing at the three men.

 ''My brother and Enzo worked in the military for five years. So, we know him quite well.''

Devin wanted to ask about his memories, but he doubted his dad and France would mock him. Besides, he wants to keep his memory loss a secret. ''What connection do you have with Enger?''

''Sit down. We have lots to talk about.'' Tired, all the four settled on the chair except Devin. He doesn't know how this man is sleeping in such a kind of environment. Everywhere he eyed, garbage was piled up like a horse stable.

''What's your relationship with Enger?'' Devin straight away questioned.

''Nothing.'' He said. ''Enger was adopted by my brother, Philip.''

''Adopted?'' Devin asked, thundered. When he investigated, no sources told him he was adopted. All he knew was, Enger grew in an orphanage.

''Well, well. Enger got a knack to twist nothing into everything and everything into nothingness.'' Enzo smirked. ''He is a master of treachery.''

''You haven't told why he is visiting Mexico.'' Kurt brought the topic on to the track.

''Every man has a weak spot, young man,'' Enzo addressed Kurt. ''Unfortunately, Enger has got two weaknesses. One is...'' Without uttering the name, Enzo looked at Devin decisively.

''What is the other?'' Devin pressed.

''His mother.''

''His mother is alive?''

''Why do you think he is visiting Mexico secretly?'' Enzo probed, glancing at the four tensed faces.

''Why secretly?''

''Because he can't search her openly.''

''Who is she, Enzo?'' Francis asked impatiently. "Come to the point."

"You know her quite well, Francis." 

"Me?" Francis did not understand how he is related to Enger's mother. "I am not able to recall who_"

''Ruth Vaughan.'' Enzo lazily glanced at Francis, knowing that he would be as shocked as he was when he first found about Enger's secret.

''Are you reminiscing old memories? The little boy, the fire accident...''