Chapter 169 - Tug of wrist

Leena pushed him away abruptly breaking the kiss when she heard a loud ring echoed around them. When she looked into the intercom, her jaw dropped to the floor seeing the person standing outside.

"Leena, calm down," Devin reassured and tried to soothe her body by stroking her arms. But she was unrest. "What happened? Who is it?"

"It's my Francy." She glanced at their clothes which are not yet disheveled. It was a relief that he was still starting up with the kiss. She couldn't imagine her state by the time he would end the marathon of his kisses. She wondered if he has been deprived of kisses in his past life to the point that he will not even let her breathe. If Francis would have seen the scene, he would not condone it with the current situation.

Leena tried to flatten his shirt in order not to raise any suspicion. With an urgent tone, she asked. "Do my lips look swollen?"

"A little."

Leena hit his shoulder. "Did you recently turn into a vampire? You are always in for biting. Last time, you nipped my neck and I have to use concealer to cover them for days." She hated makeup but she has to apply it to cover them. If that annoying Mandy would have seen, she would gossip to the entire team that Leena is maintaining a boyfriend, perhaps a girlfriend.

"I am glad that I marked my territory, sweetheart. At least you will remember me while putting on makeup." He wrapped his arms around her waist and bent down to peck her lips but Leena pushed him away.

"It's not the time for your jokes." She dragged him to the bedroom by the shirt and shoved him into her walk-in closet. "Stay here."

"Why?" Devin attempted to come out but Leena stopped him at the entrance.

"Francy might have known about the stupid mess you created outside. If you meet him, you both will end up in fights. I will deal with him and don't come out until I give a signal." Having said that, Leena scrambled to the living room forgetting to lock the door in the moment of anxiety.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and her heart exploded in panic upon seeing Francis's bloodshot eyes. She knew it would yield no good if he is angered. He might act calmly at times but when triggered he is a satan no one can trifle with. But Leena knew how to appease him.

"What a pleasant surprise, Francy." Leena greeted hugging him.

If it was any other time, Francis would have jumped in joy. A spasm of irritation occurred over his face when he thought back to the pictures he has seen in the morning. Shoving her aside, Francis threw daggers at the person coming out of the room. He knew he would be clinging to his Leena. "You dared to come after creating a big mess outside?"

Leena pressed her lips in animosity. Damn it, I forgot to lock him in the room. Didn't I tell him to stay in the room? Why can't this idiot listen? Now I have to reconcile two elephants.

"France! I know you are angry with what happened today. But it's all misunderstanding_"

Francis threw the file in front of Devin interrupting in the middle. The pictures of Devin hugging a woman intimately scattered onto the floor. They have been deliberately forged to gain popularity.

Francis has been watching Devin since childhood and as far as he observed, he was never the type of person to involve in any illicit affairs. But the pictures of him hugging some other woman have made him shook with rage and he acted on his instincts. Maybe if he calms down a little, he might think rationally.

"It's all fake Francy." Leena made an effort to speak on behalf of Devin when the atmosphere was turning serious. "I have seen_"

"Silence!"

"Who taught you to interfere in the middle?" His voice raised an octave and his face was pallid with anger. His blood was boiling from the very morning he has seen the pictures and when he saw Leena acting all carefree even after knowing the truth, his gut clenched with the force of restraint.

"Don't lash out on her when it's all my fault," Devin spoke up, his voice thick with insinuation.

"You are teaching me, behavioral classes, now?" Francis chuckled with a mocking tone. "You let your relationship leaked to the entire world with that woman when you claim Leena as yours. What is the meaning of this?"

"I have no idea that she would make a bold move, France. She is a nobody to me and deep down you know how much I care for_"

"If you had cared for Leena, you would have known the rumors floating in your office and you would have never hurt her feelings. The employees have acclaimed that the ugly woman is going to be your wife and someone in your family has already approved it." Francis has investigated Regina and he got to know that she is close to someone in Devin's family. She has been working with Devin for six long years and Francis wondered if Devin has hit his brain to not to take a hint of skepticism of the gossip that was running in his office.

"Rumor in the office?" He asked in disbelief. Harley has never brought to his notice. Had he knew, he would have cleared off then and there. Who is that someone in the family who approved her? Only mom has been telling me that she likes some other girl. Is she the one?

"You have my word, Francy. I will deal with everything. I will protect Leena and never let anyone harm her." He vowed.

"You don't even know that your ugly designer has come to Leena's office to threaten her. How are you going to protect her." Francis further instigated him.

"W_hat! Why didn't you tell me?" Devin glanced at Leena demanding an answer. He was shocked by all these unfolding events. Everything was directed to him as he spoke. Why I am thrown into the black all of a sudden.

"I_I" Leena stammered with her words. She thought Regina could be handled easily but didn't think of the outrageous things she would come up with. It was paining Leena to see Devin taking all the wrath from Francy but he was still maintaining calmness. He was not the man who would keep composed when he was being questioned but for her sake, he was enduring.

"She doesn't need to answer. It's the truth." Francis spoke up.

"Whatever you heard is all a misunderstanding. Give me a little time. I will fix everything."

"I don't entrust my daughter with you anymore." Tilting his head to Leena, Francis declared."You will be staying with me." He might be acting ashen but he can't let anything happen to Leena, not after a phsyco is shadowing her. If Devin can't take care of little things, then he will never be able to protect her from that person. He could sense calamity would soon strike.

"She will not stay with you." Devin pulled Leena and held her wrist tightly. Francis's wordings hinted at something more and Devin was scared that he would not be able to see her once she leaves.

"Leena!" Francis held the other hand and pulled her towards him.

Like a tug of rope, Francis and Devin were pulling her wrist to either sides. When it started to pain, she jerked them away at once."Are you both trying to break my wrists?"

Guilt amassed over their faces and stepped back a little to give space to Leena while throwing daggers at each other. From childhood, Devin was behind Francy and both have become close to the point despite their age differences but right now they were acting like mortal enemies. Leena sighed at their childish behavior.

"Francy." Leena started. "So, what I am telling is_"

"It's him or me. Decide." Francis looked away leaving no room for discussions.

"Why are you making it hard for_"

"Go along with him, Leena" Devin interrupted. He knew how important Francis is for Leena. He can't let her make a choice when he knew the answer already. Although Francis was giving them a hard time, he was indirectly stressing Devin to correct the blunders he made.

"Thank you." Leena was glad that Devin understood and she went into the bedroom to collect the things

...

"Don't call me France from now." Francis childishly declared before leaving the house. The moment Francis was out of sight, Leena rushed into the room and whispered something into his ears. Devin instantly understood what she meant. A smile crept on his lips.

"What a tragedy? I am left alone in her house?" He sighed and unlocked his broken mobile to message Harley.

[Typist Harley: Summon the IT team. I am coming to the office]