The Devil's Sweetheart

176

Over and done talking with her model friend, Jennie was back to where Lisa was standing. Her brows jutted into a frown, seeing him stare at a grinning joker showpiece inside a store, half of its face covered in a mask, and the rest half painted in blood red.

''Behind every mask, there is a face, and behind that a story.''

''Hmm?'' Lisa snapped awake, shifting his attention next to the woman standing next to him. ''What did you say just now?'' Is it a deja-vu? Jennie spoke out loud of the conversation running in his head.

''It's a quote.'' Jennie pointed her eyes to the joker showpiece to boot. ''..the quote board is hung to the joker's neck.''

Lisa took a quick look at the quote, the hidden meaning behind it took him to the depths of a bottomless pit again.

Jennie stared at the grinning joker and back to Lisa's expressionless gaze now and again. ''Lisa?'' Jennie tapped on his shoulder to draw him out of whatever thoughts he was in. ''What took your interest in a showpiece?'' Is that empty head more interesting than her? Jennie pouted, jabbing his arm lightly.

''Don't you find a similarity? The joker piece looks exactly like you.'' He teased, bringing his attention back from his negative thoughts.

''Sorry, what did you say? I was too busy thinking about how gorgeous I am.''

''Damn right! you narcissist.'' He squished her cheeks.

''It's not narcissism! I am truly better than anyone else.'' She linked her arms into his possessively when she saw a girl ogling at Lisa from a distance.

''Arguing with a narcissist is like getting arrested, isn't it?'' Everything he says, Jennie will use it to her advantage and twist according to the situation. Before she counters back his reply, Lisa locked her arm with his and dragged her out, overwriting the glum thoughts his brain had ventured earlier.

Happily, Jennie went home in thoughts of trying the new dress without being aware that a dark cloud was slowly settling above her to push her into an abyss.

...

Days passed in a blink of an eye. In a brightly lit room, a man threw the last spray paint can onto the floor, his hands lacquered in a mixture of colors. The supposed white wall turned into a truly artistic work of expressionistic art of a Goddess. It was evident from his tired eyes that he didnot catch a wink of sleep since yesterday.

Stepping back, he gazed at the graffiti portrait with reverence, like a devotee worshipping a goddess. 'Happy birthday, Jennie.'' Enger wished, a smile on his face. He felt like he had met a cute little kid just yesterday, and when he woke up today, she has grown into a beautiful princess. ''Time sure runs fast.'' After spending his alone time with the portraiture for a while, Enger made his way out of the room, closing the door shut.

''Hey, Nash. When did you come?'' Enger greeted his friend cheerfully as he sat on the sofa.

''An hour back. I hate to disguise every time I come to meet you.''

''Blame on Jennie,'' Enger smirked.

''You got a reply from her, isn't it?'' Nash grinned, passing him the coffee cup. ''The happiness on your face tells it.''

''She did. But it was in the morning'' Enger sipped the coffee, its warmth bringing additional happiness on his face. He sent her a long, happy birthday message at sharp twelve and received just 'Thank You' in the morning. He didnot like the fact that Jennie treated him like all other friends.

Enger scoffed when his sources told him that Lisa had spent his night in the office and only returned home at dawn. Enger wished to celebrate Jennie's birthday grandly, like no one ever did, but not unless she is by his side. ''Soon.'' He muttered under his breath.