ESPERANZA HOUSE, Makati

The days drew nearer. Sophie’s smile was replaced with a far off look, as if she was staring at something that was about to approach her. She did not speak often, and when she did, it was as a response. When she listened, it was as if she was preoccupied, like a ghost had taken over her body.

Lucas would come more often, too. He would try to cheer up Sophie by talking to her, but it would fail. 

Zephyr didn’t mean to hear their conversation. He happened to almost walk into the room when it happened. 

“Sophie, I know you’re scared. You don’t have to marry him.” Lucas paused with hesitation. “You could run away. With me.”

Zephyr peeked inside the lounge to see Sophie’s reaction. Dani, who was beside Sophie, looked almost repulsed by Lucas’ boldness, giving him a cold glare. Sophie put her hand on Dani’s. Sophie’s eyes softened. She relaxed at her seat and held Lucas’ face. “I don’t want to run away. And you, Lucas, you have your whole life ahead of you. You’re twenty years old. I’m an old maid.”

“Twenty one,” Lucas corrected.

“Lucas,” said Sophie. “I know you’ll always be here to make sure I’m alright. I know my family has been unkind to me for a long time. But It’s time I make the family that I want.”

Lucas embraced Sophie, scrunching up the folds of the back of her dress. Once Zephyr had heard the sound of the car engine trail off outside the estate, he entered the lounge area.

Before Zephyr could even face Sophie, she asked him, “Was I too harsh?” 

Zephyr collected himself after he was surprised that she knew of his presence. “You dealt with it very gracefully. As you always are.”

Zephyr fiddled with his holster. “You are anxious though, aren’t you? It’s okay if you are. Anyone would be.” 

“There’s no use in being anxious. There are times I wonder what kind of man Don Sidapa would be like. If he’s handsome, or if he’s kind, or funny.” Sophie sighed. “But again, I’d just disappoint myself if I had any expectations.”

“You’re right.” said Dani. Dani’s face lit up which Zephyr found to be refreshing from her cold aura. He couldn’t help but smile too. 

“How about instead of thinking of your life in two days, we focus on the present.” 

“What do you propose, doctor?”

“A bachelorette party,” said Dani. “I could give you your blood transfusion then we can go dancing somewhere.”

Sophie looked up to think. “I like the idea. Okay, let’s do it.”

“Great! You wouldn’t mind if I brought one of my friends along, would you?”

Zephyr’s eyes widened which Dani caught. “Don’t worry, Zephyr. You can check my friend for weapons. And you’ll love her, Sophie. She’s a great dancer.”

────── ⋆⋅ 𖤓 ⋅⋆ ──────

SOPHIE’S ROOM

“Do you really have to be here?” Dani asked as she stood by Sophie, who was preparing a needle for blood transfusion.

“I’m just curious about what you do as Sophie’s physician,” said Zephyr.

“Well, until you enchant Sophie with the immortality spell, she’s stuck to blood transfusions.” said Dani. “How’s that going for you?”

Zephyr reached out a small notebook from inside his coat. “Well, I’m trying to piece it together. I wasn’t exactly cursed yesterday. But I’ll remember it by the ceremony. It is quite something you don’t forget in your three hundred-something year lifetime.”

“Ah,” said Dani. 

Zephyr hated when Dani sounded like she didn’t care about what he had to say. But he also wondered why he cared so much about what Dani thought of him. He figured it’s best to befriend Dani by being useful to Sophie.

“Sophie, if you ever feel like you’re in danger. I’ll be in the corner of the club.” said Zephyr.

“Wait, you’re not dancing?” said Sophie.

“I don’t feel like going up to random people and dancing with them.”

“You could dance with Dani,” said Sophie.

Dani’s face gave away a look of surprise that Zephyr tried to convince himself wasn’t a look of disgust. “What matters is that Sophie has the time of her life,” Dani said, changing the subject.

────── ⋆⋅ 𖤓 ⋅⋆ ──────

BINONDO, Manila

Dani seemed to be friendly with the bouncer since they let them in once they saw her. She didn’t seem like the partying type, Zephyr thought. Then again, Zephyr did see Dani leave the estate back and forth at night. He didn’t follow her, knowing he had to be near Sophie at all times, but he always found it suspicious. If she was just going to dance clubs, then that would be a relief to Sophie’s safety.

The dance club had a strange sound. It wasn’t the regular rhythm and blues or jazz band. It was louder, and a different kind of tempo and overall vibe. “What’s this?” he asked Dani. 

“It’s called rock and roll!” she smiled. The way Dani smiled made Zephyr’s heart skip a beat. She rarely smiled so he must’ve been surprised. Yes, that was why it skipped a beat.

Dani took Sophie dancing which she enjoyed. Dani led the dance, making sure Sophie would be able to follow despite her frail disposition. He loved that Dani was considerate with Sophie. She genuinely wanted Sophie to enjoy and live a full life. And there was something about Sophie tonight. She was much livelier. It must have been her blood transfusion earlier that afternoon.

A figure walked closer to them after a few songs, which Zephyr told himself to be wary of but not enough to be aggressive. She was tall and had wine red hair to her shoulders. She was handsome in a dark grey suit. Sophie must have noticed too, as she looked quite enraptured by her, her eyes widening. 

“Sophie, Zephyr, this is Robin. She’s my friend from way back. She lives around here.” said Dani. 

“I’m pleased to meet you both.” said Robin. She looked at Sophie. “I saw you dancing earlier with Dani. Would you like to dance with me?” 

“Yes, I’d like that.” Sophie said. 

Robin gave Sophie his hand and led her to the dance floor. Robin’s moves were polished but natural. She moved with a certain elegance that you’d find in royalty. The whole dance, she looked at Sophie and made sure Sophie could follow. 

“Are you just gonna stare at them both?” asked Dani.

“Is this you, inviting me to dance?” said Zephyr.

“Maybe,” said Dani.

Dani and Zephyr made their way to the dance floor. Zephyr made sure to be respectful and put a decent level of space between them.

“You’re a good dancer,” said Dani. 

“Is that sarcasm?”

“No,” Dani laughed.

Zephyr couldn’t help but laugh too. The next second, they were both laughing. “I had practice for a few centuries,” said Zephyr.

“Oh, so you’re a playboy,” said Dani.

“Well, I wouldn’t call myself—”

“Stop.”

“Ah! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“No, look. Sophie and Robin aren’t here anymore!”