Chapter 6 The cunning plot of Milana

Phoenix shivered with terror living her dad's deadly aura. This was so unexpected of her father. She was seeing the new side of her dad at the moment. Gathering her last ounce of courage she asked him pleadingly. "Dad, I will try to arrange money from my flower shop owner. Ms Patrick is a very kind lady. She will definitely help me and together we can get over these challenging times."

Gabriel gave out a sardonic laugh at Phoenix. "Two millions. Will you be able to arrange for the money?"

And Phoenix's face became as white as a sheet of paper.

Milana, who was eavesdropping on Phoenix and Gabriel's conversation, had a hearty laugh. She was having a lot of fun bringing havoc in the mind of Phoenix. "Yes, you bitch, what you heard is the truth." Milana called, coming out of her hiding place.

"Enough of the nuisance you created in this house and to us. Wait for a bald head, full tummy, ugly middle aged man to be your husband. He was going to come and pick you from our house tomorrow but because of some emergency there is a slight postponement." She dictated, surprising Gabriel.

Well, Asher was not such an ugly looking man. In fact he is very handsome, the heartthrob of many girls. Unfortunately Phoenix did not know Milana was trying to play a game upon her.

Phoenix's throat suddenly felt so dry that she choked in her breath. If Madonna hated her, she could understand. But if her dad saw her only as a piece of property, she felt uncared, abandoned and dejected. He is the only person for whom she is still staying in the house. Today, Milana's words about him and his face glowing beside her like a tubelight at her misery had broken her heart to pieces.

Her dad decided to sell her away to clear his debt. Was she an item that he decided to mortgage her for a few dollars? She is his daughter, his own flesh and blood. How could he be so uncaring towards her? Didn't she have the right to choose a man of her choice?

"How dare you do this to me dad? I'm not an item but a human. I have the right to live my life according to my choice, marry a man according to my liking. For years I had suffered your savagery upon me with a hope one day you would recognize me as your daughter and look at me with pure love but Alas! Today I realize, my dream is always going to stay only a dream." Phoenix shouted on Gabriel's face.

The jovial features of Gabriel transformed to a raging wolf. "Your wedding is already arranged. Do not try to act smart. Remember, if you try to run away, the billionaire is not an easy man. He is ruthless and dangerous. He will have your head for his next meal."

How did her life turn out to be so unliving after the death of her mother? Phoenix dropped on her bed with a soft sob. She emptied her tears into the pillow.

The next sunrise that is going to happen within a few hours is going to change everything about her life with no involvement of her and her willingness.

***""*

It was the day of her marriage. Gabriel was extremely tense instead of being happy. Asher was expecting Milana as his bride but the daughter he could offer to him was Phoenix. He was deeply anxious on how he was going to make this deal happen.

Asher was a really dangerous man. He wouldn't tolerate anybody's smartness upon him. Gabriel fears the savaging circumstances he was going to face from the billionaire once he comes to know the identity of his bride.

"I have no idea how this marriage is going to happen. That guy wants you to marry him and you made me set up Phoenix as his bride. Do you think he is blind? How are you going to make this happen? Had you agreed to this marriage, the situation would have been different, Milana. I am your father. I have looked after you in my better and worse circumstances. And is this what I get in return?" Gabriel grunted with his face seering red in fury.

Milana was furious at her father and stated sternly. "You have zero involvement in my brought-up. It is because of the little savings that Phoenix did, all of us are able to eat a three course meal today. You only drank like a cow and went into more and more debts forgetting your responsibilities."

"You bloody vulture, stop blowing accusations into my ears. You and I are sailing in the same boat. I tried to use you for my gains and you framed Phoenix in place of you. We are equal. Now if you are smart enough, you will cooperate with me so that our plan won't backfire regarding the merciless billionaire bulldog." Gabriel pulled Milana's ears in a volcano of fury.

Milana hissed in pain but thought for a while. He was right. This is not the time to exercise revenge but work in cooperation. "Dad, I'm going to take care of everything. As long as Asher can't see Phoenix's face, he is not familiar with me after all...

Gabriel did not allow Milana to complete her sentence. He looked at her alarmed and unbelievable "So are you going to make him blind?"

Seeing her dad's stunned features Milana felt sorry for him and rubbed his shoulder assuringly. "Ssh daddy. Why do you make such a hue and cry for everything? Why can't you allow things to happen in silence?"

Gabriel's eyes highlighted looking at his daughter. Gradually, a slow and sure smile crossed his features. "You are the best." He patted her back appreciatively.

Asher had sent Milana ten thousand dollars towards wedding dress and shoes. The next morning Milana accompanied Phoenix for shopping. She had specially selected a dress with a heavy veil so that nobody could see her face clearly.