The Devil's Sweetheart

His initial reaction was utter silence. Then he tried to digest the information yet couldn't decode what that loose case meant. Numbness spread into his cheeks and then into his mouth. Kurt turned on his feet in a squatting position and looked at the retreating figure while his hands searched to pick the shear from the ground.

''She called me, Cute. Is it a compliment?'' Kurt slowly lifted his other hand and touched his face, and soon realized it was searing hot.

He maintains a distance from girls for no reason and barely interacts with them, school, or the office.

"Is it because I heard a compliment from a girl for the first time I am feeling this way? That's it.'' Kurt nodded his head vigorously by comforting himself with that thought.

He got up to leave but turned back. His gaze shifted from the rose plant and then to the sheer in his hands. As he emerged out of the back garden, the rose plant cut into pieces had fallen off the ground 

...

On the other hand, sitting in a bed, Kyle bit her nails anxiously while her footsteps tapped on the floor impatiently. She had made a big mistake today. What will he think of me? How on earth am I supposed to show up in front of him for the rest of the day?

''What's wrong with you, Kyle?'' Leena asked, examining her anxious face. After coming back from the garden, Leena felt Kyle is nervous over something. ''Did something happen over there?''

''No.'' Kyle shook her head. ''I am tired. Can I rest here for a while?'' Kyle pleaded. It's the only way to not show up in front of Kurt.

''You have come all the way to rest here? No way. At least, not today.'' Leena dragged Kyle by the arm out of the room. ''Let's go to the terrace and fill the water pot with flowers.''

Kyle was gripping her heart in her hands until they reached the terrace. She was relieved when she didnot find the man she is trying to avoid from the time she had come from the back garden. 

On the other hand, watching her brother and Nick enjoying playing with Cutie and Carrot, she fumed at them, ''Wilbur, and Nick.'' Both the men raised their brows questioningly.

''Devin is a patient, and you let him do all the work?'' She demanded and approached Devin. Dragging him to the nearby chair, she said. ''Sit, and enjoy the weather.''

Devin sighed as if it was a natural language of his heart. Patient again! How long I have to endure that title? ''I am fine, Sweetheart. My would is completely healed now.'' He suppressed the urge to lash at her.

Leena refused to harken Devin's words. Turning to the other two, she bashed at Nick and Wilbur again with her emotional drama of family and friends. Both murmured coherently and began working.

''You can make even the innocent guilty, Leena,'' Kyle smiled as she filled the roses on the outlying of the pot.

''I have some skills under my sleeves.'' Leena winked. A while later, Jane informed that Reese and Andrew have come. Leena introduced Kyle to Reese. Harley already knew Kyle as both have studied in the same school. A bit later Leah, and Austin also arrived. To Leena's surprise, even Jasper had turned up. Trying every possible way to meet Harley but failed in doing so, Jasper went to the terrace to chat with his friends at least. Every wall was filled with joy, and every room was holding laughter.

''You know Devin, but why don't you know Harley?'' Leena questioned Reese as she inflated the balloon. Had Reese knew about Harley, she should have recognized her when they first went to WD.

''I heard Harley's name but haven't met her. Jasper doesn't allow me to attend any family gatherings.'' Reese pouted. Her brother always comes up with an excuse and confine her to the house.

Leena nodded her head understanding the situation. Her Francy and Reese's brother are two peas in a pod. Devin was so close yet far away from her. Had she met him before, both might have fallen in love earlier and avoided all the dramas in their life—Devin losing his memories and forgetting his first love, and she could have avoided her accident. His first love always reminds her of a thorn in the heart. Brushing the thoughts aside, Leena asked the same question to Harley.

''I also know Reese's name but haven't met her.'' Harley lied smoothly. For fifteen years, Jasper had kept Reese away from Andrew for a silly misunderstanding. After they started dating, Harley tried to mend the sworn enemies' relationship, but both were equally stubborn. She can understand Andrew's predicament also. How Jasper tortured Andrew, she had witnessed it with her eyes. Once Jasper had gone overboard by playing a ghost prank on Andy. Poor Andrew was caught with psychogenic fever for three days due to chronic stress. Jasper didnot think things would turn out this way. From then on, both stopped playing pranks on each other, but their rivalry didnot end. 

Thinking of that man, Harley's mood soured, and she had no spirit to work. ''My back is aching. I will go and take a walk in the garden for a while,'' Harley said and went out when she heard a reply from the rest.

A while later, Reese got a call from Andrew, and she also left with another silly excuse.

''She is enjoying.'' Jane giggled.

''Let her.'' Leah grinned and turned to her cousin. ''How is your dating life, Kyle?''

''You are in a relationship?'' Jane exclaimed. ''What's his name?''

''His name is Landon.'' She said.

''How is your relationship progressing?'' Leah asked.

''I don't know, Leah. He is sometimes overbearing, which I am not liking.'' Kyle monotonously replied, brushing the bandage of her index finger thinking of some other person while answering the questions of her boyfriend. Where did he go? She hadn't seen him after she came back from the garden.

''If you are not sure, don't let him enter without protection until your...owww.'' Leah shrieked when a hand rapped her thigh. ''Leena! What did I do?''

''Because you are polluting her mind.'' Reprimanding her friend, Leena glanced at Kyle. ''Don't listen to her words, Kyle. When it comes to relationships, it's all about trust. Don't let someone change who you are. What you allow is what will continue. Remember this!'' Explained Leena thinking that Kyle could catch her point. She wonders how she got to be damn lucky to have Devin in her life.

''Thank you, Leena. I will keep your words in mind'' Kyle genuinely thanked her.

Meanwhile, Reese walked into the back garden, where Andrew asked her to meet him. The garden was so vast that it had enough privacy to have anyone enjoy themselves without getting noticed. Twilight was coming foreshadowing the rising sun. While waking down, Reese heard murmurs of a man, and woman, but soon they started to fade away. Curiosity killed the cat. Reese was about to follow the noises, but a hand yanked her, causing her back to fall into the sturdy chest.

''Rew.'' She smiled and turned around. 

''You can recognize me without looking at my face?'' Andrew asked, surprised. When Reese confessed her feelings, Andrew felt as if he was drowning in the clouds. Never he thought she harbored the same feelings for him.

''I missed you.'' The hint of mint scent on Reese caused him to lean forward. Unable to resist the temptation, he seized her lips and plunged into her mouth for a deep kiss. Within a week, both have progressed their relationship a leave ahead and share their first kiss as well.

When Andrew's hands began traveling south, Reese pulled back. Both were panting, catching their desperate breath. ''I am sorry, I lost my_''

Reese covered Andrew's mouth with the back of her hand. ''Don't. I don't want us to end up doing here.'' Reese whispered. ''Where were you all the time? Since morning, I haven't seen you.''

''Your brother is keeping a tight watch on me.'' Andrew sighed, hugging Reese tightly. 

''God! I don't know what to call you two! Why do you both fight in the first place?'' Andrew kept mum for the question. 

''I will let you brother answer the question, Ree.'' He would have told her the truth if there was no third person involved, but Harley's involvement in their rivalry had tied his mouth.

''I wonder I will ever get an answer from you or my brother,'' Reese sighed. ''The guests will start coming soon. Go inside.'' Reese said. It was a wonder that her brother hadn't come looking for them.

''Okay.'' Before leaving, Andrew kissed Reese's forehead making her blush. Calming her rapid beating heart, Reese was about to leave, she heard the faint voices again.

''Who could it be?'' She walked down the slope, and soon the noises started to flutter in her ears.

[I am telling you again, I haven't agreed to the breakup! Why can't you see my sincerity]

''Jasper!'' Reese whispered, covering her mouth. What is he doing here? She moved further down to have a clear idea of the other voice.

[....hell..I am not interested to hear your dramas. I was hoping you wouldn't make a scene, but I was wrong. I should have known you better]

''Isn't it Harley?'' Reese's eyes widened in shock. ''Jasper, and Harley! Why are they talking about a breakup? They were in a relationship before?.....''