ESPERANZA HOUSE, Makati

It was a week before the wedding and the Esperanza house was busy with the preparations. Zephyr’s door was open as he stitched the fabric of Sophie’s wedding attire. It was a bright red blouse with the skirt and long hem having intricate gold embroidery. Zephyr had also asked to have gold jewelry sent. This piqued the interest of Dani as she went inside Zephyr’s room to watch.

“This traditional clothing…it’s from the far south of this island, isn’t it?”

“Yes, I’m trying to remember it from my memory. I’ve also been looking through older books for reference. Hopefully, the don will be pleased.”

“I’m sure he will appreciate the effort,” Dani said. Before Dani could watch more of Zephyr’s stitch work, the matriarch, whom Zephyr learned her name to be Renata, called on them. Zephyr put off his sewing first and went down.

Renata was smiling as she brought her two daughters to her side. “Zephyr, thank you for making Sophie’s wedding attire.”

“It is no trouble at my expense.”

Renata looked at her daughter, Sophie, for any reaction and she came up with a half smile. For the past few days, Zephyr had been looking for how Sophie felt about her betrothal but had failed to see Sophie with anything but a smile. He found her to be very compliant, which did not annoy Zephyr, but made him wonder how much of it was out of obligation.

Renata called the maid to tell her that they would not be eating at the house for lunch. “We will be shopping. Unfortunately, Sophie does not go outside much because of her condition. But now, since she will be the wife of such a…”

Renata did not know if the don would be considered a “man” since he was after all, a vampire. 

Dani went to say “Figure of importance?”

“Yes! Thank you, Danila.” Renata said. “Since Sophie will be the wife of such a figure of importance, she will have to look the part.”

That was when Zephyr heard a knock at the door. He opened it to see Lucas. “Hello, Zephyr. How’s your stay here? I was assigned by the Secretary to make sure your plans are all well.”

“We were about to go shopping for some of Sophie’s new clothes. Are you sure you would want to come with us? It wouldn’t be too much of a punch in the gut?”

Lucas laughed awkwardly. “Not really. I’m happy if Sophie’s happy.”

“Okay, pal. But you should know that I’m driving.”

“Haha, yeah. I figured.”

────── ⋆⋅ 𖤓 ⋅⋆ ──────

ESCOLTA, Manila

They went to several shops of exquisite fashion. 

“I don’t see why you’d like me in this color…it doesn’t really match my complexion,” said Sophie. One of the few times she disagreed.

“Red is a lucky color! The color of passion.” 

When Sophie heard the last word she was flustered. 

“Also the color of blood. Which vampires drink?” said Sophie’s sister, Ramona. 

“You should know that Don Sidapa is an unfanged vampire, which means he had his fangs removed as part of the truce. He doesn’t crave blood or actively drink it.” said Lucas.

Ramona looked at Lucas with annoyance. She was obviously trying to scare Sophie. Sophie remained composed throughout all of this.

Lucas tried to change the subject. “I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to wear your favorite color, lilac?”

“Aww, you remembered?” Sophie smiled. This one was genuine. The same one she gave Zephyr when he first arrived at the house, weeks ago. 

“We can get one in pink. Pink is a color close to red. For it to still be lucky.” said Dani.

“Believe me, she’ll need all the luck she can get.” muttered Ramona.

After all the shopping and lunch, they were about to go to the car when Renata asked that they stay there and asked if Lucas could accompany her somewhere. 

“Are you enjoying this?” said Ramona to Sophie. “Anyway, it’s the best you can do for your family. And it’s all you’ll ever do.”

Zephyr was about to say something when Dani grabbed his hand. Ramona didn’t see this.

“Take it from a married woman. You might like the glamour of everything before and during your wedding but remember, you’re marrying a monster. A monster that kills people and does dirty business.” Ramona looks Sophie in the eyes. “Do you even know what your fiancé does? He has his men trap cargo trucks in the forest and smuggle goods from it. If those drivers don’t comply with his terms, you can guess where they end up. Let’s hope you’ll be as compliant to him as you are now.”

Zephyr looked at Sophie and saw a face of fear. Her smile broke from her sister’s words. It looked like it finally dawned on Sophie that she was marrying someone she didn’t know anything about except that he was a criminal.

Renata’s mother returned to give her a wrapped gift. She remarked it was for her wedding night. Ramona looked at her sister in triumph as Sophie looked terrified of her fate.

“Sophie, are you okay?” said Lucas.

“Yes, I’m perfectly fine,” said Sophie. She smiled again, but her eyes spoke the truth.