The Devil's Sweetheart

Although Kurt dropped her at the house nearby, he didnot start the car. He wanted to ensure Kyle reaches her home safely unless he has to listen to his dad's talking-tos. A surprise had filled his face when he saw Kyle changing the course of her direction.

Kyle removed her sandals and held them in her hand. She glanced back for one last time, climbed the compound wall covered with bushes, and then jumped onto the other side. Without making a noise, she slipped into the home.

''Why did she sneak into her house like a thief?'' He wondered in disbelief. It's not his place to worry about her. He reversed the car and was off home.

Meanwhile, tired of taking a shower, Kyle collapsed on the bed after changing into comfy wear. She texted Leena that she had reached home safely and closed her eyes. She had one of the best days in her life today. The fun, and the banterings with all those people, clearly she had never experienced anywhere before. Had she gone with Landon, she would have been stuck in the same boring hotel eating the rich yet dull food. A happy smile plastered across her face as she closed her eyes, and in the next second, he had appeared again. 

Kyle flared up from her bed instantly. ''What's wrong with me? Why does my mind keep running to him? No...no... I shouldn't think about him,'' She shook her head and began watching a movie to remove him from her thoughts.

....

With all the guests had gone, the house was still lively with Cutie around. Except for grandpa Arthur, and Adney everybody has come, and she felt a little sad that grandpa Arthur was not around to make fun.

''I feel like I am already tired tomorrow.'' Leena held Devin's arm as they reached downstairs.

''Put an out-of-order stick on your head, and go to sleep.'' Replied Devin, and when Leena fiercely looked at him, he has to take back his words.

 ''Tootie, come here. Time to sleep.'' Cutie shortly looked at Leena without replying and then resumed playing with Nick and Carrot with the new remote car that Devin brought to her. When Carrot rushes to crush the car, it will immediately turn in another direction and slip out of her zone enraging the pupper. 

''Nini, once mole.'' Cutie clapped her hands excitedly.

''Didn't you hear my words?'' Leena asked again.

''Eena..no..distub.'' She paused and looked at Leena with her pitiful face. ''Pease..I want to pay.''

Processing the broken words and then understood what she meant, Leena debated. ''You can play tomorrow. Remember, you have Flute classes in the evening.''

Cutie hated the term schools and classes. Summer breaks are meant for relaxation, but Cutie has no such thing in her life. Elsie, her friend, started going to tennis classes during the summer break. So, her jealous dad did an extensive search and picked Music for her. Wilbur enrolled her in a music class without even asking her permission. At least, he has given a choice to pick the instrument on her own. After trying all the instruments over there, Cutie decided to go for the Flute because when she played, the out-of-sync notes drove her dad nuts. She can never forget the awful face her dad made as if he has stepped into sewerage. That made her join the classes without a second thought, but soon she lost interest.

''I am not going!'' Cutie stubbornly said.

''I didnot ask for your opinion. You have a class tomorrow, and you are attending.'' 

Cutie looked at Nick and Devin through her teary eyes as though she wanted them to support her. 

Her sad face tugged Devin's heartstrings. ''We can think about her classes later, Leena. Go, take a shower. I will bring her.''

As Leena went up angrily, Cutie's face glittered in happiness. Knowing that Leena takes at least an hour to come out of the bathroom, Devin joined Cutie. A while later, Carrot went into her room to sleep when Cutie drifted off to sleep. Devin gently picked her in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Leena was already fast asleep. He gingerly placed Cutie in the middle and tugged her with a dinosaur blanket. 

''Why does Wilbur buys all wild things for Savny?'' Devin kissed Leena's forehead and lay down on the bed. This is the first time he is sleeping without cuddling Leena when she is around him.

.....

The mottled sun blazed through the trees. A woman sitting in the garden sipped the lemon verbena relishing the morning summer breeze. She looked at the maid standing a little distance away from her. ''Has my granddaughter woke up?'' Her face revealed every crevice and wrinkle on her face as she asked.

''No, madam Imogen.'' The maid politely replied.

''Call my daughter-in-law here.'' Imogen ordered.

Within a minute, Mabel was standing in the garden wondering what this old dame will create trouble in the morning.

''Why is your daughter still in the bed?''

''She attended a party_''

''Whatever, I don't care. Discipline your daughter properly.'' She sternly declared. ''Also, tell my grandson that I want to talk with him.'' Very rarely her grandson comes home, and she will better straight out the things today.

Without asking the reason, Mabel turned to leave. Whatever it may be, she doesn't care if she can stay away from her. Mabel knocked on Jasper's bedroom door and walked in. ''Are you getting ready for the office?'' 

''Yes, mom,'' Jasper replied; glancing at the mirror, he straightened the suit and tucked the tie back down onto his vest.

''Your grandmother wants to talk to you,'' Mabel said.

''Regarding?'' He asked, raising an eyebrow. 

''I don't know. I didnot bother to ask.''

''You have learned ways to escape.'' He chuckled. The main reason he stays away from home is her grandmother. She wondered how her grandfather handled this woman for such a long time.

''I learned to escape from bad omen,'' Mabel said and went out.

Jasper got ready, and as he walked into the living room, he saw a maid massaging his grandmother's forehead. ''Grandmother, you called me for?''

''You are here?'' The older woman spoke up through closed eyes. She then dismissed the maid, waving her hands. ''About your marriage. I have chosen a girl for you.''

Mabel, Louis, and Reese also turned up hearing the news.

Jasper pinched his eyebrows in frustration. Until yesterday, it was his dad, and now his grandmother has started. ''I don't want to marry a random woman, grandmother.''

Imogen knew she would hear such a response from his grandson. Is he still not over that orphan girl? What had that vixen done to his grandson?