THE RED HIBISCUS HOTEL, Manila

The rest of the days before the wedding, more and more preparations were being held in the Esperanza house. Throughout this, Sophie remained calm and collected. She no longer bore the face of fear. Zephyr didn’t know whether to be relieved they met Robin beforehand or to be wary of Robin’s mischief. He later knew that it was Dani’s plan in the first place. He trusted Dani so he let it go. Robin was Don Sidapa’s first name. He had forgotten that vampires could shapeshift. So that’s what Dani meant in their conversation weeks ago. 

Since the wedding was to be held at night, Zephyr started to attach Sophie’s gold jewelry to Sophie by afternoon. Sophie was in good spirits the entire day which made Zephyr feel the same. He still kept a holster with a gun on his body, which Sophie noticed. Zephyr would fidget his holster and it made a small clicking sound. Sophie asked Zephyr, “What are you thinking?” 

“I’m just trying to remember the immortality spell.”

Sophie looked out the window of her room which gave a view of the venue. The middle of a mezzanine that was decorated to look like a beautiful red hibiscus garden. The roof was made of glass, which revealed the sun that was setting to the west. Sophie closed the curtain revealing all of this.

“I’m supposed to be Robin’s wife. Forever.” said Sophie. She said it as if she had just accepted it. “Can you love someone forever?”

Zephyr placed the final jewelry on Sophie. A golden cuff on her arm with intricate engravings. He kneeled to look at Sophie who was sitting in a chair. He held her hands. “Of course you can. But you don’t have to. Loving someone is a choice as much as it is a feeling.” 

“After all,” Zephyr chuckled. “It’s the reason why I’m still alive and the reason I’m here with you,”

Sophie embraced Zephyr. The more time he spent with Sophie, the more he felt closer to the family he once had.

“You stay here first,” said Zephyr. “I’ll call you when it’s time.”

Zephyr went down to the venue and looked around as the guests started to arrive. First, local and national politicians started to arrive with their partners. Then tall pale figures started arriving by the time the moon was in the sky. He figured those were the vampire mafia elite. They nodded at him, some even shaking hands with him. They were more friendly with Dani, who was glammed up today. She wore a swing dress, in again, a marigold print but this time, in red. 

“What’s with you and marigolds? Don’t you have any other flowery dresses?”

“You’re just jealous because they’re more chummy with me.” Dani said.

“Did you even see the last one?” said Zephyr. “The last guy even kissed me on both cheeks!”

“It’s a local custom! Do you really wanna know how many people wanna kiss you?”

“Woah there, lovebirds. Don’t try to upstage the ones to be wed.” A voice from the back said.

Zephyr and Dani looked to their backs to see a man in a tailored suit with slicked back hair. He had a calculated look and a confident smile that wouldn’t leave his face. 

“We aren’t—we’re not,” Zephyr stumbled on his words.

“I know, I was teasing. It’s nice to meet you, Zephyr. I’m the Secretary of the Department of the Supernatural. Solano Martin. Lucas gave me an updated profile of you.”

So that’s who Lucas was talking about. Zephyr guessed Lucas wouldn’t be here at such a big event. The Secretary smiled at Dani. “You’re Sophie’s physician?” asked Solano.

“Yes,” said Dani, who returned to her naturally cold manner. “Is there any message from you that you’d like for me to give her?”

The Secretary smiled. “I’d just want to make sure she’s still in her room and not escaping.” 

“It is almost time for the wedding,” said Zephyr.

Dani briskly walked heading to Sophie’s room while Zephyr followed. Dani then stopped in between the halls where there was an intersection. Dani then took a turn opposite to where Sophie’s room was. Dani walked fast, especially for someone in heels. Zephyr had beads of sweat on his head. “Where are we—”

Dani went inside what looked to be the kitchen. She looked around. Everyone was busy with their own assignment. “Everyone, stop what you’re doing.” She commanded.

The cooks began to look at her. “The food has been poisoned.” said Dani in a grave tone.