1 BEAST

" I'll skip breakfast, Nanny Fidel," said Phoneix from the stairs as she gracefully descended. Her ebony-curled hair gathered into a messy ponytail which exposed her flawless honey-beige face.

"Why not, honey?" Mr. Stanley asked from the table as he settled in with Mrs. Kalisa and Levis, her younger brother. Their gazes were directed right over to her.

"The day after tomorrow is the wedding, Dad..." She looked quite worked out just answering the question she felt had an obvious answer to.

" So it means starving yourself?~ you're on drugs for crying out loud, Phone." Kalisa blurted out.

Although diagnosed with heart issues with a very slim chance of survival, Phoneix hated the special treatment that came with it. Everything was basically done for her and even if given a chance to do any, it would be under close observation. It's quite a miracle she had a chance to join a company of her choice after graduating from the University.

" Del and I are checking out our outfits and a few stuff for the bridal shower" She explained. " We'll have something out there"

" It might not be healthy for your condition...."

" Mum..." She pouted, her eyes lined with dismay while they met with her dad. Stanley knew he had to step in. In a faint sigh, he softly gave Kalisa an eye which she hesitated for a moment but then, gave in.

It's not like she would be babysitting her after marriage. She'd be staying with her husband and as well as she knew Del, she believed she was in a safe hand.

" He's in" Her face shot with a smile at the sound of the gliding gates which echoed across the compound. " Catch you guys later." She sped out.

Levi had questions flooding in mind on noticing Berla from the window. She'd ridden in with Del and Phoneix didn't mention anything about her tagging along.

" Berla was joining as well?" He muttered and the latter traced along. They both felt even more relaxed knowing her closest cousin was in with her.

" I bet it's for the better~ it's not a new thing seeing them together like that." Kali passed but Levi felt things were more than their mother was thinking.

From the distance, he realized his sister's surprise.

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" Such a surprise " She howled, seeing Berla alight from the other end of the door, clenching in her hand a small gift bag.

" Well...you can say that~" She chuckled but her looks screamed. "What a pain in my neck!" Although outwardly, she was still all smiles. "Here, for you." She handed over the bag. Phoenix grabbed onto it with a broad smile. " Thanks..." she said.

" I didn't know you had plans today..." Berla went on. " I was fortunate to cross paths with Del at the shop..." She feigned an excuse. Her impenetrable eyes and inscrutable countenance gave little away.

Berla had spent the night with Del at his apartment. She detested the fact that he would soon be called Phone's husband. How on earth could someone like her be clutching onto things of life when she had a few months to spare? This is cruelty ~ she sneered, masking it with a soft smile.

" Just dropping by the store to check on our garment for tonight's bridal shower" She chuckled. "...care to join?"

"Of course..."She smiled. With that, they settled in with Phoneix joining Del in the front and Berla in the backseat. The feeling of demotion clustered Berla's ego~ for a second, she felt like extorting the very life out of her, seeing how she flaunted her possession over him as they drove on.

Her effort of masking her real intention and desire was so amusing.

She was like a maniac and a third wheel, totally invisible to them. Del saw how she felt even though she had her best mask on, not exposing her rage and jealousy.

His eyes apologized through the rearview mirror. " Don't take it to heart, babe~ I'm yours, you know right?" She blinked with a faint smile.

WEDDING DAY

Phoenix awakened on the morning of her wedding day to find the sunshine winking in at the window of the little porch gable and the warm breeze greeting from her curtains.

The birds unusually chirped to and fro as if paid for a morning orchestration to announce and welcome her to the most awaited day of her life~ her happiest moment.

Tossing over her bed, she flank off the covers and soon, she was in the bathroom. The florescent smell of the soap accompanied the water droplets that hit the floor in a continuous succession. She was already out and fully refreshed in the next few minutes.

She cross-checked the message she'd sent to Del before heading off to shower but realized it was still unread. " Can't believe in the next few minutes we'll be complete as one... let's make a life together. Can't wait to see you, sunshine." It read.

Phoenix kept gazing when it finally marked read. Her eyes instinctively lit with delight but were met with displeasure as a reply never came.

" Hey, are you awake?~ time to get ready" Levi called from the door. " Mum asked for you...need to get you fixed up." He added.

" Coming!!" She sprung to the door, wrapping up Levi in her bosom. " Shall we?" She chuckled and their voices faded along the corridors as they headed to her assigned dressing room.

" Berla called~ I think something urgent came up so she had to head out of the country for a day or two"

" Did she say what it was ?" Phone asked. She seemed quite worried even though disappointed her best pal wouldn't be around.

" No"

FLORAL VILLA

" Are you alright ?" the feminine soft voice called as he scanned the message. " yeah" Del answered, dropping off the phone on the bed stand.

" Good morning, babe..." He greeted. Her lips seized up in his and a perk on her cheeks, cuddling her up in his arm– their nakedness covered up to their chest under the sheet.

" Good morning, handsome." She smiled, her head buried in his chest. Looking up at him, their lustful eyes thrilled their desire, and slowly again, they felt hungry for each other.

He leaned in closer and caught her soft lips with his, her breath in his mouth, sweet and desiring. Her eyes instinctively shut as she reciprocated.

Her pulse thundered beneath her skin, singing a song of life and pleasure to him every time he touched her. Her fingers threaded through his hair and she welcomed the weight of him as he nudged her thighs open with his own.

Soon, she welled with pleasure. Their body rocked each other softly with soft moans invading the silence.

WEDDING HALL

The halls were already dazzlingly with well-orchestrated flower garlands and eye-catching designed tables with glasses and champagne on the lawn. The marquee was sweltering with guests.

Her very first parcel came from Berla. She sent her a bunch of fresh roses with a card stuck prominently in the middle of the flowers. " Breath and have fun...happy marriage life." It read. She was so delighted that she decided to use it for the wedding.

The occasion was already set to start but the groom couldn't be reached not even, the bride could get through to him.

" Isn't he in his hotel?" One of the bride's maids asked but the answer was quite unexpected.

" No~" Her mother mumbled as she joined the girls.

" He might be stuck in traffic..." Phon said. " Let's just start, he'll be in soon"

Even though she felt nervous about the sudden turn of events yet, her gorgeous white lace gown perfectly complimented her beauty.

With no further hesitations, the occasion proceeded. They had people from the workplace and others~ surprisingly enough, Mr. Irish Brew Stanford, out of his busy life was able to grace the occasion. Although he was the CEO of U&K GROUP OF COMPANY, he was scarce at events of his employees. Normally, a representative was sent in his name but not this time.

The piano with the orchestra intuitively responded to the MC's words as he invited the bride. The guests turned slowly as Phoneix passed by. Some with joy, others with judging hearts and disdain; except for Irish who for reasons unknown, had a twinge of pain in his eyes~ he looked like a kid deprived of his favorite toy.

The ladies in purple dresses formed two rows at either side of the altar. Phoenix stood in the middle, in the mist of her maiden veil and arms full of roses. Her gaze glowing with smiles expecting his Cheshire-cat smile down the aisle as he made his entry but seconds turned into minutes and minutes hours with no sign of him at all.

Her face gradually turned pale– she felt the cheers burn into murmurs and chuckles. " It serves her right." the voices hallucinated, making her vision blur out.

" Isn't it cruel ?~ marrying off your dying daughter to a perfectly abled person?" It kept hunting. All eyes seemed to be heavily devouring her and fingers raised at her.

Phoenix could no longer stand it~ she was going crazy at this point. Her feet trembled and they felt heavy. They seemed to be giving up on her as well as she staggered down the aisle. In an instance, she flees the reception into the sunset– gathering the ends of her gown in her hands.

" Phon...? Phoenix!! " Her parents and brother chased after her with the guest and bridesmaids tagging along but was of no use.

She knew a sickler like herself didn't deserve much but then she thought they all felt the same for each other since he never gave off any sign of regret. If he had made it known to her that he had fallen out of love or couldn't keep up, she would have given up. This was unexpected.

At this point, all she needed was answers. She needs to find Del no matter where he is to clear things up.

FLORAL VILLA

Berla... ?" She screamed in a near whisper as the door flared exposing their unapologetic gazes. Her eyes twitched with tears; her heart abruptly froze with pain and she collapsed, lying motionless at the doorpost.