The Devil's Sweetheart

Leena watched Catalina\'s car drove past the buildings, the car turning more miniature until it went out of her sight. She smiled to herself, recalling Catalina\'s words. \'\'A daughter like me? She has pretty good taste.\'\'

Not intended to disturb the new couple with her presence, Leena planned to go home alone, but Francis beat out of it. He dragged her along with him. Throughout the ride, Leena enjoyed her dearest mother and beloved Francy\'s bickering. Somehow, their sallies reminded her of Devin and her. Speaking of that idiot, she checked her mobile if he had replied to the couple\'s picture she had sent. Indeed, her babylicious did. [Deep-V-Diver: I told you, you better start a marriage agency for a side business]

Pursing her lips, Leena texted him back. [Orthodox saint: With your permission, I am set, dear sweet husband]

[Deep-V-Diver: What an obedient wife you have become]

[Orhodox saint: Of course, I have to be obedient. You are the fund kitty of my new business]

[Orthodox saint: Babilicious, are you there]

[Orthodox Saint: Fund kitty, are you there]

And there was no reply from Devin. \'\'Miser.\'\' Leena scoffed at him before she went back to converse with Francis and Heather. An hour later, the car pulled to the house entrance, and as they entered inside, floating balloons above their head infiltrated their vision. In the nick of time, they burst out, raining them in flowers.

\'\'Congratulations!\'\' 

\'\'Finally, you did it, Francis.\'\' Evelyn, Fredrick, Margaret gathered to congratulate Francis on his victory.

Silently, Francis stood there in embarrassment. They are treating him like he had won a world football cup for the country.

\'\'You know..\'\' Fredrick started, staring at his friend. \'\'I am the organizer of the plan,\'\'

\'\'Father-in-law!\'\' Leena butted in. If she were not listening, her father-in-law would not back out in telling everybody that he is the one who persuaded Catalina.

\'\'Oh, you are listening? Then it\'s the plan organized by Leena and me.\'\' Fredrick turned the plates in an instant. \'\'Alright Leena..go and talk with your mother and Eve.\'\'

\'\'Why?\'\' 

\'\'Just go.\'\' He urged until Leena left. With nobody paying attention to him, Fredrick pulled Francis to the side. He flushed out a box from his pocket and passed it to Francis. \'\'Wedding rings...It\'s my gift...I bet Heather will not say no. Since it\'s Sunday today, the courthouse is closed. Take a leave tomorrow, and spend time with her. Don\'t delay anymore.\'\'

\'\'You are the best, Rick.\'\' Francis squeezed the box and slipped it into his pocket. Now that he confessed his feelings, Francis doesn\'t want to delay anymore. He has only one life, and no matter what, he wants to live happily with Heather hereafter. \'\'I will see the rings later.\'\'

\'\'Also.\'\' Fredrick pulled another box, wrapped in blue decorative paper. \'\'Keep this treasure in secret.\'\' He whispered.

\'\'What\'s this?\'\' Francis was preparing to unwrap it, but Fredrick hastily clasped his hands shut. \'\'You can\'t open here, Francis.\'\' He scolded, and in a low whisper, he told the content inside the box.

\'\'Seriously, Rick! You have gifted a c...\'\' Francis threw the gift box onto Fredrick\'s chest, which he caught on his fast reflexes. For some reason, Francis\'s face turned hot as his gaze shifted to Heather. He doesn\'t know if his eyes skewered her back, Heather turned to him and smiled. His heart skipped a beat.

\'\'What\'s wrong with that?\'\' Fredrick grew serious, bringing back Francis\'s attention. \'\'Besides, I will not sit and watch you messing up with the generations.\'\'

\'\'Rick.\'\' Francis gritted his teeth. \'\'If you don\'t stop your drama, I don\'t know about Evelyn killing you, but I will gladly offer myself to take the opportunity.\'\' 

Fredrick quaffed arduously. Why does his friend bring his timebomb wife into the picture every time? Not intended to continue the argument, Fredrick called off the topic and joined the celebrations.

....

Two days passed since Francis confessed his feelings, but Heather felt surreal to this day. Nothing has changed. The same house, same people, but the ring on her finger was an exception. Heather caressed the simple tulip-shaped diamond on her finger with a smile on her face. She woke up yesterday to get ready for the hospital as usual, but Francis surprised her, taking her to the courthouse. 

\'Let\'s get married, Heather.\' He gently said. His vow was simple, but she knew he is a man of promises. Probably he knows her answer already, and he even prepared rings. The funny thing was, her daughter and son-in-law were the witnesses of their marriage.

Back to the present..Completing her lunch, Heather arrived at the hospital lawn to call Francis. Just she was about to make a call, she heard someone calling out her name. Heather blinked her eyes for a second to let her brain scan the face of a woman. Then she remembered. It\'s Max\'s wife..What was her name..Rose..Rosalie?

\'\'I hope I am not disturbing your free time.\'\' Rosalie approached Heather, along with her daughter. \'\'I haven\'t introduced my daughter on that day.\'\' Rosalie tapped her daughter\'s shoulder. \'\'Introduce yourself, Emerie.\'\'

\'Hello, Auntie. My name is Emerie.\'\' Emerie curiously glanced at Heather\'s pretty features.

\'\'Hello.\'\' Heather greeted both. \'\'How is your health?\'\' She addressed Emerie.

\'\'She has almost recovered,\'\' Rosalie replied. \'\'Doctors suggested staying in the hospital for four more days."

\'\'Don\'t worry. Your daughter will be fine. Hydration is essential. Keep urging her to drink water.\'\' Heather could see Rosalie\'s genuine concern for her daughter.

\'\'Thanks for your suggestion.\'\' Rosalie heartily smiled. \'\'I assume we are staying in the same corridor. You can visit us if you have free time.\'\'

\'\'Well..\'\' Heather hesitated. Rosalie looks cool, but she doesn\'t want to run into Max again. While Heather was contemplating, she got a call from Leena, asking her if she is free to talk. \'\'My daughter has come. I need to_\'\'

\'\'It\'s Leena?\'\' Rosalie exclaimed in delight. \'\'Call her here. We can talk together.\'\'

Heather hesitantly nodded and texted her daughter, and to her astonishment, she readily agreed.

Five minutes later, Leena arrived. \'\'Hey, mom.\'\' She kissed her mother on the cheek and turned to Rosalie. \'\'Hello, Aunt Rosalie.\'\' She then addressed Emerie. \'\'How is your health, Emerie?\'\'

\'\'I am recovering, sister,\'\' Emerie replied. She confirmed her suspicion. The pretty aunt is Leena\'s mother.

Strange! Heather muttered in her head. How did Leena know Rosalie\'s daughter\'s health? Is she close to them? Brushing the thoughts aside, Heather asked. \'\'What\'s this sudden visit, Leena?\'\'

\'\'I came here to invite Kyle to WD anniversary, mom,\'\' Leena said.

\'\'Wow!\'\' Rosalie beamed. \'\'WD\'s anniversary is a talk of the city. Everybody wants to be part of it. Too bad, the invitees are limited. Wish I would be part of it.\'\'

It was apparent that Rosalie is indirectly asking for the invitation. Devin handed her a hundred cards to invite her friends. Leena hesitated for a second before pulling out an invitation. \'\'Here, Aunt Rosalie. Hope to see you there."

\'\'Are you seriously giving it to me, Leena?\'\' Rosalie watched the invitation card in glee. She gingerly took the invitation from Leena\'s hands. \'\'Thank you.. I am glad to be part of the event."