The Devil's Sweetheart

149

Evelyn didnot wait to hear the man's nonsense; she hung up the call, called Ethan, and asked him to meet at the lawn.

''Thanks for coming on time, Ethan. I owe you a big thanks.'' Evelyn said, looking at the tall figure walking towards her, a few steps away.

''O negative blood is scarce. I am happy that you called me, aunty Evelyn. Nayeon is safe.'' Ethan sat at the corner of the bench and gazed at the ablaze sky with the fire of the setting sun. ''How did you know my blood group is O negative? I suppose you don't know my mother's blood group.''

Ethan curiously questioned. When he received a call, Aunt Evelyn's voice sounded as if she was sure about his blood group.

Clearing her throat, Evelyn said. ''You are not supposed to ask questions to your elders.''

Ethan rigorously nodded his head. There was an awkward silence, for both didnot had a topic to proceed with the conversation. It was Ethan who broke the silence at last. ''Nayeon is my best companion during my school days. She will cry if I forget to give her a chocolate one day even. I also named her twiggy for being skinny.'' Ethan explained an incident that made both Ethan and Nayeon got to know each other.

''Is it?'' Evelyn turned to Ethan in surprise. So, the brother and sister bond started during their childhood? Evelyn smiled at the thought. ''Nayeon never told me.''

''She might be scared that you would reprimand her for talking with me,'' Ethan joked, a smile on his lips. Once Lisa saw Nayeon accepting chocolate from him, he dragged her away, throwing laser atomic glares, which is still evident in his memory.

''I never hated you. You are welcome to visit our house any time, Ethan'' Evelyn genuinely said. When Nayeon comes back from school, the first thing she does is complain about Lisa and Ethan's fights. It's all because of that vicious woman planting ego in Ethan's mind, which has sprouted into a tree along with his growth.

''I know. Thank you, Aunty'' Ethan smiled. He has learned lessons from the worst mistakes. His mother has made him into a puppet for her selfish needs, and he suffered beyond repair. ''I will take my leave then. I will come back on the weekend to see Nayeon again.''

''I hope your visit here remains a secret. I don't want your dad to know as well,''

Ethan nodded and left. He understood Aunt Evelyn's predicament. His dad has been bugging ever since asking for his childhood friend's whereabouts. But, unfortunately, he doesn't know what exactly happened, but Aunt Evelyn refuses to answer his questions.

....

As Evelyn walked back to the hospital, Lisa dragged her mother to the corridor. ''What's happening here? Why did Ethan suddenly show up?''

''B-ecause he has O negative blood group,'' Evelyn said, looking at the water purifier. She felt the design was more beautiful than her son's brooding stares.

''As if I don't know that fact. You are hiding something-''

''I have urgent work at home. I have to go back.'' Evelyn flared her hands from her son's grip and dashed out of place.

Lisa looked at the retreating figure and sighed. She is hiding something. With that thought, he went to Nayeon's room, where Jennie and Rosé were sitting next to her.

Lisa gently stroked Nayeon's forehead. She has lost her charm in a day, he thought. If not for Jennie's quick reflexes to track the exact location, the situation would have worsened.

He glanced at Jennie, a smile on his lips. ''Where is Savny?''

''She is sleeping. Aunt Jalapeno is taking care of her.'' Irene and Seulgi wanted to come the moment they knew about Nayeon, but Jennie stopped assuring them that she is out of danger.