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Over and done talking with her model friend, Leena was back to where Devin 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?'' Devin snapped awake, shifting his attention next to the woman standing next to him. ''What did you say just now?'' Is it a deja-vu? Leena spoke out loud of the conversation running in his head.

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

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

Leena stared at the grinning joker and back to Devin's expressionless gaze now and again. ''Devin?'' Leena 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? Leena 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 Devin from a distance.

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

Happily, Leena 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, Leena.'' 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 Leena,'' 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 Leena treated him like all other friends.

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

''Do you know what's today's speical in her life?'' Nash asked, shifting to the serious topic.

''WD's anniversary,'' Enger stated as a matter-of-factly. The mere name of his enemy's company itself caused his grip to tighten over the coffee mug. It's the depth of his hatred for Devin that runs down his bones. ''Why are you asking about this now?''

''Nothing. I just feel Leena and Devin are destined to be together.'' Nash leaned back on the chair, enjoying Enger's darkened gaze. To add fuel to the fire, Nash said. ''What a coincidence that Leena's birthday and Devin's company's inauguration day shares the same day.'' Nash is well aware that Enger has buried deep secrets. His love for Leena, the sudden intervention of Morvena in his marriage, and the unexpected wedding with Winter..Nash felt all these characters are connected by one string. What are these people hiding?

''There is no coincidence.'' Enger rose, pacing to the window, avoiding Nash's scrutinizing stare. ''Can you please stop mentioning his name? You are spoiling my mood.''

''Fine, fine.'' He raised his arms in surrender. ''Coming to the point, It's a once in the rare chance we have got. We can easily bring Leena from the party.'' Nash continued. ''Your order....our troops will be ready.'' With no response from Enger, Nash took his silence as a positive sign and attempted to call their batallion. Before Nash proceeded, Enger stopped. ''Not now, Nash!''

''Why_''

''You know nothing about Leena!'' Enger snorted at his friend in irritation. If he brings her home forcefully, Leena will hate him forever even if he is a man of gold. First thing first, he has to erase her memories of Devin completely. ''Don't do anything stupid without my word.''

Ever since Nash knew Enger, he devoted himself to Leena, but she is like a mirage in a desert land. The nearer he goes, she is all a vanishing wind. Keeping the thoughts aside, Nash glanced at Enger, who was walking towards the secret door. ''Where are you going?''

Enger's grin deepened on his face as he cracked his knuckles. ''Time for some exercise.''

''Landon! You are doomed again!'' Nash sighed, feeling bad for him. Ever since they brought him out of bail, Enger threw him into the torture base. Landon's mother has been making a ruckus, yet Enger didnot give a damn to her pleas. Nash wondered if ever comes a day Landon would come out of the darkroom with his bones intact. 

....

''Happy Birthday, Leena,'' Naomi shouted.

''Hey, Birthday girl! Happy Birthday.'' Megan cheered.

Mandy, who was munching on chocolates, scoffed. ''Why did this witch not take a leave on her birthday?''

The employees in the office cheered Leena with wishes. Giving a forced smile, Leena acknowledged them and stormed into Reese's office room directly. ''Reese, come to my office.'' And then Leena was off.

''Why did she come to the office today?'' Reese gave a surprise shout to see Leena in a simple dress, which is unlike her. In a matter of seconds, without knocking on the door, Reese entered Leena's cabin. ''Birthday Girl! You are supposed to be on leave today. Don't you know tonight is your big day?''

''I am not going to the party.'' Leena declared. She decided to stand on her words this time.

''Why!'' Reese shouted. ''Did you fight with Devin?''

''Don't talk about that brute!'' Leena slammed her fists on the table, releasing her anger on the poor immovable object. ''What kind of husband forget a wife's birthday? Not to mention, it's my first birthday after our marriage.'' For the past two weeks, the additional burden of anniversary events and company affairs had burdened Devin. Leena didnot had a happy five-minute conversation with him, yet she didnot complain. And yesterday night, she went to the terrace at sharp twelve, hoping to see boomers, sky shots, and surprised fireworks in the sky.

At last, Leena has to return to her bedroom with a sad face. She doesn't know when he returned home and slept, but he was up before she woke up. Leaving all her pride, Leena hinted at him in every obvious way, but that dumbo didnot even catch the sign. He kissed her forehead, told her to get ready by evening for the party, and was off to the office. 

''I am not asking for a grand birthday party, Reese.'' Leena was almost on the verge of tears. ''Don't I deserve a wish?'' All her friends, family members know that it's her big day, including Enger.

''Maybe he really forgot Leena. Devin would never hurt your feelings. You have also seen how busy he is lately. People forget things when they have priority things.'' Reese consoled, giving positive points to Devin, but internally, she was cursing him. Given her love for clothes, Leena would doll up like a princess on her birthday, and she is wearing an old dress today.

''So, I am not his priority?'' Laying her head on the table, she staring at her mobile, hoping his name would appear on the display screen anytime. She was happy knowing that her birthday and WD's birthday are on the same day.. Now she doesn't like it anymore.