TAMING THE BEAST IN HIM ( His Red Phoenix )

Phoenix can be seen coming out of the hospital and walking toward her car. Her face was all gloomy, clouded in sadness and disappointment. She still can’t believe that her mom is suffering from such a dangerous sickness and, on top of all things, she needs to get one million for her surgery.

” Where am I going to get that kind of money from? ” Was the only question playing on in her mind since she left the doctor’s office.

On entering her car, she gripped tightly on the steering wheel, resting her head fully on the chair. She closed her eyes and strands of tears rolled down her cheeks.

” Why my Mom, why? ” She almost yelled.

” How in this world am I going to raise one million in two days, how?! ” She yelled this time around, hitting the steering wheel repeatedly in anger as more tears fell freely.

” Why? ” She mumbled, already tired of hitting the steering wheel. She ran her hands through her hair, frustrated. After crying for like up to two minutes, she quickly wiped her tears. Putting on the seatbelt, she ignited the engine and drove off.

Moments later, she packed her car before a building and stepped out. Exhaling deeply,

” You can do this, Phoenix ” She gingered before approaching the gate. There turned out to be two muscular-built security guards before the gate.

” How can I be of help to you, Miss? ” One of them demanded on seeing Phoenix.

” I.. erm… I’m here to see Mrs. Monica ” Phoenix answered.

” I’m sorry, Miss, but you can’t. Ma’am gave out an instruction not to let any visitor in after 8 pm ” The guard replied.

” Huh? ” Phoenix’s eyes widened a bit.

” But… it’s urgent ” She said.

” I’m sorry Miss, I’m only following orders. Come back tomorrow morning ” The guard replied.

” Please, it’s really important I see Mrs. Monica now. Tell her… her niece, Phoenix wants to see her, please ” Phoenix pleaded, not giving up.

” Miss…”

” Please ” She insisted. The guard eyed her for some time before letting out a sigh.

” Wait right here,” He said and opened the gate, locking it from the inside. Phoenix exhaled once again, waiting for the guard to be back. Minutes later, the gate opened.

” You can come in, ” The guard said, and a little wave of happiness ran through Phoenix.

” Thank you,” She said, entering inside. The building turned out to be a huge, beautiful, and expensive mansion, but as it is now, that wasn’t Phoenix’s problem.

” Have a seat ” The guard offered and Phoenix sat down. Minutes later, a lady can be seen climbing down the stairs. She was putting on a robe and one could see her heavy makeup. In her hand was a cigarette stick. On spotting her, Phoenix stood up.

” Aunt ” She greeted her with a faint smile.

” Oh, Phoenix my dear ” Monica smiled broadly. They both hugged each other.

” How have you been, Phoenix? It’s been a long time. since we’ve seen each other, right? ” She said as they both pulled out of the short hug.

” I’m fine aunt… and you? ” Phoenix asked as she sat back down. Monica too sat down.

” I’m great, as you can see ” She laughed slightly, puffing out some cigarette smoke.

” So, what’s with the usual visit at this time of the night? What could be urgent that you wanted to see me? ” Monica demanded.

” You know, it’s unfair how you and your mother forgot about me. Are you both still angry with me, tell me? ”

” It’s not like that, aunt. We just didn’t want to bother you ” Phoenix defended immediately.

” Why are you here then? ” Monica raised a brow at her.

” It’s about my mom ” Phoenix answered.

” What happened to Lily? ” Monica scoffed.

” She collapsed all of a sudden today and was rushed to the hospital. The doctor just revealed to me that… she has an intestinal failure and needs to undergo a modified multi-visceral transplant ” Monica gasped in shock immediately.

” Oh my God! ” She exclaimed.

” What?! That’s one of the most expensive surgical operations, from what I know. When did all this happen? ” She asked and Phoenix bowed down her head in sadness.

” I just found out today ” She muttered before looking up, her eyes clouded with tears.

” I need your help aunt. I don’t want to lose my mom, please ” She pleaded, letting her tears fall. Monica’s face softened on seeing her tears and she kept her cigarette aside.

” Shush, don’t cry Phoenix, OK? Tell me… how much do you need? ” She inquired and Phoenix beamed on hearing that. She slowly wiped her tears.

” I need one million, aunt ” Monica’s eyes widened.

” That’s a lot of money, Phoenix, jeez! ” She exclaimed.

” I know aunt. But I swear, I’ll pay you back gradually. I don’t know how I’ll be able to do it, but I swear, even if it means giving my life in exchange, I’ll find a way to pay you back. Please help me, aunt please ” Phoenix pleaded, going down on her knees, another strand of tears rolling down.

” Don’t say such a thing, Phoenix my dear. Come on, get up. You don’t have to kneel before me, huh? ” Monica instructed and Phoenix slowly got up, sitting back down as she sniffed back her tears.

” The thing is, as it is now… I don’t have that amount of money ” Phoenix’s face died down in disappointment on hearing that.

” But I know of someone who can help you out ” Monica added, and hope flashed through Phoenix’s face again.

” But…

” Are you ready to give anything for this money? ” Monica demanded.

” Of course, aunt, I’m ready to give anything just so I won’t lose my mom” Phoenix answered.

” Hmm. Are you sure? ” Phoenix nodded firmly.

” Are you willing to even give yourself up for this money? ” Monica questioned once again.

” I don’t understand, aunt ” Phoenix frowned her brows in confusion.

” Jackson Wong, a very rich business tycoon. He is looking for a beautiful young lady as a wife who can bear him an heir ” Monica explained, showing Phoenix the picture of the man on her phone. Phoenix’s eyes widened in horror on seeing the old man Monica was talking about. She sprang up immediately.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

” Aunt! Are you on about this again? How many times will I tell you? I’m not interested in marrying anyone! ” She snapped in anger. Monica only took her cigarette and resumed smoking.

” Hey, sit down ” She commanded, making Phoenix scoff, looking away.

” Listen, Jackson is filthy rich and owns a lot of famous companies all over the world. As it is now, he is the only person who can help you, Phoenix ” Monica explained in a calm tone.

” I’m not getting married to an old man, aunt, never! ” Phoenix hissed.

” Do you want to lose your Mom, young lady?! ” Monica snapped, making Phoenix look at her.

” Do you want to lose your Mom?! ” She asked once again and Phoenix slowly nodded a ‘no’.

” Then sit down and let’s talk ” She snapped. Having no other option, Phoenix complied. Letting out a sigh,

” Listen to me Phoenix. I never intended this in the first place, but according to the situation at hand, you have no choice. If you still want your Mom to live, then you have to. Besides, there are so many good advantages if you marry him. You’ll finally stop stripping and find your purpose in life ”

Phoenix only stared at Monica with parted lips as she couldn’t believe the nonsense spilling out of her mouth.

” How can I get married to an old man? ” Was the question playing on in her mind.

” Listen Phoenix, life is all about making sacrifices for the sake of our loved ones. Now is the time to make that sacrifice. Lilly has done more than enough for you Phoenix, hasn’t she? ” Phoenix’s face softened on hearing that. She nodded slowly.

” Can’t you do this… for her sake? To save her? Remember, she is in this condition partly because of you “Phoenix’s face clouded in sadness this time around as she looked down in shame.

Monica is right though. Her Mom must have been suffering for a long time but never told her just because she didn’t want her to worry. Ever since her life, her mom had always put her first before anything and the time had finally come for her to repay her, and was she being hesitant? What type of a daughter is she?

” Don’t worry Phoenix, I’ll give you enough time to think about it. Two days… give me your final answer in two days ” Monica snapped her out of her thoughts.

” Two days! That’s so soon, aunt ” Phoenix muttered in shock. Monica only stood up.

” I’ve done what I can, Phoenix. It is now left to you to decide whether to save your mom… or let her die ”

” You can leave. I was about to go to bed before you interrupted ” She hissed, eyeing Phoenix who stood up.

” Ok ” Phoenix mumbled sadly, sniffing back the tears threatening to fall.

” Thanks, aunt ” She added and headed to the door. She was about to leave when,

“Phoenix…” Monica called out to her and she turned.

” Remember… family first in everything we do, ” Veronica said, and she only nodded slightly before leaving.

Seeing she had left, Monica took out her phone.

” The job is done. She will be ready… in three days…” She said over the phone before ending the call. A wide evil smirk could be seen creeping up her lips…