The Devil's Sweetheart

168

Nick didnot spare a glance at the woman who was useless to him. His sole concentration was on Jennie alone. ''Are you hurt, Jennie?'' Nick dropped to a squat to help her.

''Do you care? You should be tending to your girlfriend, not a stranger like me.'' Jennie swatted his hand away, refused to receive help from him. Turning to her left, she slowly rose to her feet and stood, dusting the dirt from her dress. Questions were running in her mind. Why did he come here? How did he know this place?

''Are you angry?'' Nick looked at her despondently. ''I know you are-''

''Nick.'' Nick heard a plaintive whimper that sent a rush of anger to his face.

''What?'' He distinctly glanced in Merl's direction, his icy stares bore into her, causing her not to back away.

''What's wrong with your tone all of a sudden?'' Merl was almost on the verge of tears. The Nick she has seen is a soft and gentle person, not an aloof and distant man she sees today. She hated the side of his. ''Do you know Jennie tried to kill me.''

Jennie watched her, a wry smile on her face and an amused twinkle in her eyes. So, I am her new target now? Jennie wondered, what's this hero going to do now? Will he soften up and rush into her lover's arms like old times?

''If you think I came here to protect you.'' Nick gave her a smug smile. ''It's time you stop living in delusion.''

''What are you-''

''Forgot to tell you, I visited Westside school recently'' Nick cut off to Merl's shock. ''But unfortunately, I didnot find any girl with the name Merl Jones studied over there.''

Merl felt like the world stopped in front of her. Did he investigate me?

''I assumed my girlfriend was too occupied to forget the school name. So, I did an extensive search.'' Nick looked at Jennie. Her eyes rolled in a way, telling him that it's her extensive search, not his. He grinned in response and came back to the topic again. ''..and at last, I found the school name you attended, WestOyster. Was I surprised to see the picture of Merl Jones? Man yes! You are one surprise bank.''

''Stop it, Nick!'' Merl pleaded.

Pretending that he didnot hear, Nick continued. ''I went in search of your parents, and guess what I saw? The old man whom you claim to be a mental patient was your father.'' Nick exclaimed. ''I was blown up by your surrounding mysteries. I couldn't believe the innocent mind of my girlfriend is packed up with criminality.''

''Why are you making things hard.'' Merl slowly walked up to him. Without a second thought, she hugged him tightly. ''I am sorry, Nick. I am sorry for hiding my identity. You have reasons to hate me. But trust me, all the things I did were because of my love for you. I was scared to lose you. I was scared you would hate me. I may be fake, but my love for you is not a play. I loved you with all my heart.''

''To the point of killing an innocent girl?'' Without any mercy, he pushed her away. He did not attempt to hide the disgust in his eyes. ''I don't need such kind of selfish love.''

''I wish I had given you poison on that day.'' Her words tinged with menace for Jennie. ''It's all because of you.''

''Oh! No! Will you stop, woman?'' Jennie sighed. ''You are not even a qualified second lead in his story.''

Jennie turned to Nick. ''Let's go.''

''Are you leaving me, Nick,'' Merl asked. ''You still love me.''

''I fell in love with the person you pretend to be.'' He walked out without waiting to hear her reply.

As they walked, Jennie could sense Nick pretending to be okay, but he is not. ''Are you okay?''