Chapter 423 - Sacrifice

With her ears held back and her tail jutted out with a wide sweeping wag, Carrot sniffed Cutie, inviting her to pet. Cutie giggled as she stroked Carrot's favorite places across her fur. Nick joined Cutie for fun.

Meanwhile, Kurt ordered the men to take the unconscious Rosalie to their base in secret because they were too tired to think of a fitting sentence for the ancient criminal. One by one, all returned to the party before someone noticed their missing presence.

''Where did you all leave?'' Kyle and Harley demanded as soon as Leena arrived at the party ground. Soon, they noticed the missing people's presence as well. 

Half-n-hour back, Kurt told Kyle to enjoy the party and slipped off without giving much information to her. Later, Leena and Aunt Heather went along with Uncle Francis god knows where. Then Aunt Evelyn went missing, followed by Wilbur, Jane, and Reese...she lost the count of names. With each passing minute, one or the other person would go missing in the name of fresh air, and to the end, Harley, Andrew, Jasper, and Carrot were left alone. Kyle, Harley guessed that Andrew and Jasper knew something because they would give a lame excuse and divert their attention whenever they talked about those people.

''Later, girls..I am tired.'' Leena was too tired to tell the story that took place there. She just wants to go home and sleep in his arms with no worries.

Harley and Kyle nodded, not forcing Leena.

After the party ended, everybody started to their homes in relief. Although Heather wanted to talk with her daughter, she noticed the weariness on Leena's face. So, she let the matter aside for today.

...,,

''You should have kicked that booger's face's butt instead of her back, Carrot.'' Aunt Jalapeno's face was gloomy as she took out Carrot's headband. She would have definitely kicked that bummer's butt if she hadn't fallen unconscious in the end.

Carrot made a face, agreeing with Aunt Jalapeno. She was too focused on saving Leena, so she forgot about the position her kick would land. Anyway, nothing matters to her because she rescued her beloved Leena, and on top of that, she became a hero in everybody's eyes, especially Devin.

''It's fine, Carrot. I am happy that you taught her a lesson in the end.'' Aunt Jalapeno said, beckoning Carrot to come close as she needed to pull out her frock. 

To her surprise, Devin offered himself to doff Carrot's frock.

''Holy Banana Pants!'' Leena exclaimed.

''In the name of my sacred butt!'' Aunt Jalapeno cried out.

''What's with you two?'' Devin gave them an indecisive look. Can't they come up with something neat? Every time it is bananas or butts. One is a Banana devotee, and another one is a Butt freak.

''Babylicious, are you unwell?'' Leena hurriedly placed the back of her palm on Devin's forehead. Weird, Leena thought. The man who runs away at the sight of Carrot has offered himself to change her dress? ''When did you become a friend with Carrot?''

''We were always best friends.'' Replied Devin, clearing his throat. ''Isn't it Carrot? Sorry...Hero Carrot, right?''

Carrot was in the seventh heaven today. First, this spunky thanked and praised her for her bravery. Now he is claiming her as his friend? Carrot did a full-body wag and licked Devin's feet in response. 

Devin silently clenched his fists not to lose his pride in front of Leena. Did I make a mistake praising this hound? 

Leena giggled, seeing Devin steadying his breath in fear. ''Enjoy with your best friend then.'' She kissed Devin's cheek and was off to her bedroom. Aunt Jalapeno also left when she received a call.

Devin turned his gaze to Carrot. Swallowing hard, he slowly approached her. ''No licking..okay?'' To tame her, Devin hit her weak spot. ''I heard you have a crush. Wanna meet your friend?''

Carrot's eyes perked up at the mention of her crush. It's been a long since she went to DewGarden park. Instantly Carrot cocked her head for 'no licking your feet'. 

''That's my girl!'' Devin smiled. 

Devin told her that he would take her to DewGarden on coming Sunday. So, Carrot was very excited about it.

After a while of talking with her, Devin opened the door of Carrot's room. As he observed Carrot jumping into her luxury marshmallow bed, he closed the door shut and made his way to the bedroom.

Upon opening the door, Devin noticed Leena working on something seriously on her laptop. She couldn't see him because her back was facing him. He walked towards the bed at a snail's pace and leaned forward a little. ''A ghost offered a date invitation at Cemetary. Wanna go?'' He whispered.

Leena jumped from her bed at his low voice, her heart racing like lightning speed. ''Devin!'' She screamed. ''Can't you stop bringing those ghost stories?''

''How about you stop writing about how to torture a husband in your blog? Then I might consider your opinion.'' He shut down her laptop before taking a glimpse of the content she was updating on her blog. A smile curved on his lips. ''So, you are not angry at me anymore?'' He wrapped the blanket around her securely and slipped into it.

Wrapping her leg around his waist, Leena snaked her hands into his shirt slowly. ''I really thought you forgot my birthday until I saw the video. But I loved the surprise.'' Leena drew orbitals on his chest out of her habit. How did she even get a thought that her babylicious would forget her birthday?

''And I got curses for planning a surprise.'' He complained, pulling her hand out of his shirt. Her simple gestures would be a huge turn-on.

''Is it too late to say sorry?'' Leena said, her lips jutted into a pout. ''How about I write an apology poem and_''

''Apology accepted.'' Devin was quick in reply. He shuddered in revulsion, recalling her past poems.

Why do people get jealous of her talent? She scorned internally.

Changing the topic, Leena asked. ''Did Ruth change her appearance exactly as Rosalie? I can't believe she has been hiding in our presence.''

''Evil hides among us is not an ancient theme. We need to open our eyes and see.'' Tucking a fallen hair stand behind her ear, Devin added. ''Won-Shik was the one who operated on Ruth. Although she has undergone cosmetic surgery, she doesn't entirely look like Rosalie. The things we see in movies are altogether bogus. Facial skeletons differ with each person. People undergone surgery may look like the donor to some extent, but not exactly like themselves.''

Leena nodded, feeding the information to her brain. But she still has some doubts. ''How did Rosalie became the sacrifice to Ruth?''

''Rosalie and Ruth are distant relatives. I guess Ruth caught the hint when you visited her jewelry store. On quick alert, she destroyed the remaining evidence of actual Rosalie, not to raise suspicion on us. I investigating her when I felt everything about her felt a little suspicious. She has been transferring money to a person named Isabella anonymously. The person is none other than actual Rosalie's mother.''

''Rosalie's father died at a young age. She doesn't have many friends. But she stayed at one of her friend's house during her last three days. It took me three days to get a contact of her friend's. According to her friend, Rosalie had acted strange for the three days she stayed there..she was not willing to go home for some reason. She keeps blabbering her that she had seen someone falling off the bridge_''

''Is it my mother?'' 

''That's the only theory I could come up with. Her friend also did not see her after the third day. My guess is Rosalie might have witnessed the incident. So, Ruth killed and took her identity.'' Devin concluded.

''I feel bad for Rosalie. How are you going to deal with her? Are you going to expose all her crimes?''

''We will talk about that later.'' Replied Devin. ''You are tired. Go to sleep.''

Leena nodded and closed her eyes. Her body was utterly tired of today's stressful events. Within seconds, she drifted into a deep slumber. Devin waited till the hour's hand and minutes hand overlapped at twelve in the clock ''Happy birthday again, love you lots.'' He was the first to wish her and the last one to wish her today. He made sure of that.. He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes, a smile on his face.