Chapter 8 The truth exposed

No matter what was his outward appearance Phoenix thought her father loved her in his heart of hearts. But Gabriel was a selfish man who could do anything to attain his needs. This was the new lesson Phoenix learnt just a fortnight ago.

Gabriel looked at Milana seated in the last row of seats agitated who gave him an assured smile. She directed her eyes to Asher who was rubbing his eyes and then back to her father.

But he was not satisfied with his daughter's reply. What if Asher finds out the bride was not Milana but Phoenix.

Gabriel's hands became cold as if they just held ice. Phoenix was equally pensive. She had heard enough bad rumors about the man. The family members behaved though not lovingly but courteously to her. Afterall she became a goat to be slaughtered to clear her dad's debts.

Phoenix did not know her father had deceived her, pushing her in a pit full of thorns to attain his selfish motive and the groom understands her to be Milana with whom he was going to marry.

Phoenix was carrying a bouquet of white roses in her left hand and the other was vested in the hand of Gabriel. Her heart was beating wild as if she just came out after running a marathon and eyes threatened tears. Phoenix slowly raised her head to look at the man she was going to marry very shortly. Every young unmarried girl has a dream that a handsome prince on a white horse will fall in love with her and hold her hand ever after in thick and thin.

Phoenix was no exception. She braced herself to find her groom short with a big fat tummy and bald head middle aged man like her sister described. But much to her sweet surprise Asher was the same man she met in the flower shop. Oh my God! It was then everything became clear to her. The poor girl who was pledged by her father to marry this heartless man was herself. The eyes which welled tears earlier were now free flowing. Thankfully her face was covered in a veil. Else every bit of this charade would have gone exposed by now.

The only thing for which she was a little happy unlike her sister described was, he was handsome man with an exercise body and bulging biceps which could be noticed even from his coat clad self. He was slim and tall with irresistibly hot and striking features. Unknowingly Phoenix breathed out an air of relief. She decided to negotiate with Asher to pay off her dad's dues rather than brood over the sudden unwilling marriage.

The previous night she could search for everything about Asher Rodriguez but for his pictures. Probably he was a private man and did not like to pose before cameras.

Phoenix read, Asher was a strict boss. People call him a Grinch, a stick in the mud. He was a beast who made his staff shiver with his orders, he was insensitive and a womanizer who changed women like clothes. How was she going to deal with such a tyrant?

Phoenix reached the aisle and she could smell a strong scent of alcohol from Asher. His eyes were dropping in his drunken state and he was looking everywhere around other than her.

Cameron guided Asher's hand to reach Phoenix and Gabriel placed her hand in Asher's. "Look after my daughter well." Gabriel said the customary line of a father though he had the least concern for Phoenix.

Asher glared at Gabriel and took the hand of Phoenix. But when she looked into his eyes she could see there was a hidden warmth and flaccidity. An unknown feeling of security and delectation wafted in her when his big warm hand held her soft cold one. There was a voice in her which was speaking from some corner of her heart that he was a man who posed a tough exterior but with hidden softness of her kernel. His eyes felt caring looking at someone and her eyes went to the place where he was looking .

She was the same little girl she played in the flower shop. Emerald. A smile laced her brims looking at her. Emerald was a sweet little girl. Her joyful squeals from the front row lightened her heart. She was in the lap of a young woman sitting and jumping with delight while watching her father. She had the same green eyes and sharp nose of Asher. Anybody who sees her even in his sleep could say without a doubt that she was Asher's daughter.

The priest initiated his vows and the groom and bride repeated them after him. Asher slid a 24 carat diamond ring on Phoenix finger and she repeated the same.

Though he was drunk he found something different about the bride. He had seen Milana quite a few times but the bride before him looked slimmer and taller.

"You may now kiss the bride." The priest announced. Phoenix fisted her dress tightly which did not go unnoticed to Asher's eyes. He lightly patted the back of her fist to comfort her. He was as much tied to her as she was to him for this year. Asher kissed her on the cheek in such a way that it would look like a kiss on her lips to the public. Phoenix unfisted the dress she was holding, relieved and Asher too breathed an air of relief unknowingly seeing Phoenix's relaxed stance.

The delight in the eyes of Aliza and Charles was unmatched. Aliza was crying with tears of joy. Emerald was sitting in her aunt Avery's lap who was clapping and cheering for the bride and the groom.

Everything was going quite well except the joy in bride and groom. After the cake tasting and couple dance Asher's condition became worse. He couldn't put up with this charade anymore. "Are you alright?" Phoenix whispered in concern to Asher. But was Asher willing to accept Phoenix's hospitality? Never. He is the insensitive, cold hearted and unemotional man since the death of his first wife.