It was her!

Devon opened the door and the two stepped in. Leticia still couldn't help but stare at the art in awe. Masterpieces!

She followed Devon, who stopped im front of a wall full of art.

"I saw your painting. It was nice," Devon suddenly his voice low and neutral compared to the harshness in his voice earlier.

"Yours are amazing," Leticia replied quietly, her eyes wide with admiration." It's actually my dream to be an artist. But that's now impossible, isn't it?" She smiled bitterly, her voice laced with longing. She then realised she shouldn't have said that. She glanced at Devon but he had his back to her.

He didn't say anything and Leticia was grateful for that.

"Were you taught?" She asked causally

"It's a gene from my mom," He replied, his gaze drifting off.

Leticia nodded, a hint of wistfulness in her voice, "My mom too used to paint."

"Used to?"

"Uh, she passed away when I was 16," She said, her voice barely above a whisper, a sigh escaping her lips. Devon nodded, a very unheard sigh leaving his lips.

Leticia's gaze wandered to a drawing on the wall to her left, a small smile playing on her lips. "lovely," She murmured, her eyes returning to Devon's broad back. He wore a black shirt and pants, a colour that beautifully complements his whole existence.

"Why did you bring me here?" She asked, her voice soft and curious.

Devon still hadn't looked at her but he replied, "I just wanted to spend time with you," Leticia's heart skipped a beat as she looked at him, her pulse racing with a mix of emotions. Spend time with her?

She shook her head and walked to stand beside Devon, curious to see what he'd been staring at.

She then noticed a framed picture of a lady with long red hair and red eyes, standing beside Devon in an affectionate stance. They looked really close.

"Who is she?" She asked him, wondering if she was allowed to. He didn't say anything for about a minute and when he finally did, he simply said, "Jacinta Myles."

"Oh... Is she a close friend? Or very close to you?" Leticia asked. He seriously wasn't expecting her to know who Jacinta was.

"Was," He said with a smirk.

Leticia gaped, "Is she late?" ' But she's so pretty... '

"She left," He pursed his red lips in displeasure.

Leticia stammered, "Oh... That's sad. Um, well, maybe she didn't um, feel anything for you again."

Devon turned to look at her with a tiny smile, "Uh?" He asked like he didn't understand what she'd said.

Leticia quickly added, "Or maybe she felt you didn't like her like before..."

"I loved her," was Devon's reply.

Leticia blinked in awe. A tiny part of her heart squeezed in a way she couldn't fathom but she didn't pay much attention to it, "That's a strong word."

Devon suddenly smiled, "Okay, let's leave her. How about you?"

"What about me?" She blinked.

Devon asked, "Have you ever had a lover?" Leticia shook her head, "No."

Devon raised a brow, "How so?" Leticia shrugged, "I just haven't felt anything for anyone. You know, love is quite important in a relationship."

Leticia's gaze met Devon's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Leticia's heart raced with a mix of fear and something else. Devon's expression was flat, but eyes were piercing yet revealing nothing. She felt like he was sizing her up, and she didn't know what to make of it.

"You're very quiet," Devon said finally, his deep voice breaking the silence. Leticia shrugged, her eyes never leaving his. "I don't know what to say." Devon's gaze lingered on hers, as if searching for something. "You'll learn," he said, his tone cryptic.

And he looked away.

***

Ethan's living room was occupied but silent. He sat with his five year old daughter, Lillian and the two watched as a young lady paced the simple but lovely room before she finally snapped,

"So you left her there?!?" she exclaimed, incredulous. Ethan shrugged, defeat etched on his face. "What could I do? I'm powerless against Devon, Alisha."

Alisha's expression turned stern. "Devon has his own plans, which is why he hasn't sent Leticia's head in a parcel. That's the harsh truth."

Ethan nodded, his eyes pleading. "I don't have any influence over Devon, no backup. But if you can help me get her out of there..."

Alisha sighed and held his hand, determination in her voice. "I'll do my best, Uncle. I love her too."

Ethan's face contorted, his emotions raw. Lily, his five-year-old daughter, spoke up, "It's okay, Papa. Big sis said she's fine."

Ethan forced a smile, hugging Lily tight. "I know, honey. Don't worry. Alisha will make sure we see big sis again. Okay?"

Lily cheered, "Yay!!" and Ethan laughed softly, Alisha joining.

The memory of his eldest, Lissa, leaving still haunted him. Now, Leticia was stuck with Devon, the devil's incarnate. Ethan's heart ached, knowing the truth about Lissa's fate, but he kept it hidden. He didn't approve of Leticia being around with Devon, knowing that red-eyed individuals were not to be trusted, especially not Devon...

***

"Good news, the meeting in Peru went smoothly," Luis announced as he and Devon walked into Devon's room. It was very wide, with large and thick curtains blocking any possible intrusion of sunlight. The room was dimly lit, the glass furnitures shining subtly.

Devon began to unbutton the red shirt he wore, humming at Luis, "Have you seen Leticia?"

"I saw her in the library earlier, but she's asleep in her room now," Luis replied, watching as Devon dropped the shirt on the bed.

Devon nodded, "Please call Mr. Bernard to brief me on yesterday's discussions, and arrange a short meeting with Ruolan. That's all for now."

As Luis departed, Devon stripped off his remaining clothes and entered the expansive tub, more like a pool, filled to the brim.

He relaxed for a while, closing his eyes before his thoughts drifted to Ethan, the pitiful man who had lost his daughter in such a horrific way. Devon had watched Ethan bury Lissa with a sorrowful aura, knowing that if the truth hadn't been hidden, she would still be alive, and Leticia wouldn't be in this predicament.

Devon could remember the night she passed by him and he caught her scent. That was when he knew it was her!

He'll protect Leticia and teach her everything she needed to know for he sensed danger lurking, and he knew they were after her. The time was coming when she would need protection... He could feel it.

***

Leticia sat in the garden, on the swing, smiling to herself. The butterflies beautified the garden, and a beautiful blue and yellow bird on the wisteria tree caught her attention. She stood up, walking closer and it paused as though it was acknowledging her presence.

"What a pretty thing you are. But don't stay too long here. The people here love keeping things that aren't theirs to possess." She said softly, as if the bird would understand. Maybe it did, for it chirped twice and took off.

Leticia sighed, wishing she could grow wings and fly away.

Devon stared at Leticia, her long blonde hair whipped back by the wind. He took a few steps forward and touched her shoulder. Leticia was startled, turning to see Devon.

"Hi..."

He nodded as a reply, "I never knew you could talk to birds. That one seemed to understand you."

Embarrassed, she blushed and shook her head.

He stared down at her, "People like keep things that aren't theirs for a reason, Leticia. But once something is in my hands, it's mine. Forever." Leticia's heart sank, her words trailing off, "But I don't..."

Devon's index finger silenced her, his touch sending shivers down her spine. He couldn't resist tracing the softness of her lips, his eyes locked on hers. "Shh. Don't reject an offer yet, especially when you can't see the future." His smirk hinted a something she couldn't comprehend.

Leticia took a step back, her cheeks flushing as she broke eye contact, his touch still lingering on her lips. "My future holds happiness beyond this place," she said, having a feeling he'll flare and probably hit her.

But he only raised a mocking brow, his wicked grin unwavering. "Aren't you happy here?"

Leticia's silence spoke volumes. Devon shrugged, his tone casual. "It's normal to feel uneasy at first, but soon you'll get used to it. After all, I'm here." He flashed a charming smile.

Leticia's response was icy. "Your presence doesn't change a thing." Devon's reply was unsettlingly nonchalant. "And neither does your life, for that matter."

Leticia's eyes snapped back to his, her mind racing. What did he mean by that?