" How did that happen without the nurses' notice?" Levi asked, anxiousness attached to his face.
" I don't know~" She sounded horrified. " We should get going...I need to find her. " Kalisa headed out first with the phone stuck to her ears. Levi instinctively hurried after her. Phoneix's line went through without a single answer but she kept calling anyway.
There was no way she was gonna relive that nightmare, she trembled. Her sense of foreboding increased–her thoughts continued to torment her and she quickened her pace to the garage.
Kalisa was going to drive but Levi disagreed. She wasn't in her right state of mind to do so~ looking at her, she was like a pack of destruction, ready to unleash anytime soon.
Clenched at the steer, Levi tore off with such a speed that the tires screeched, throwing off a lot of gravel. Their tail light diminished into the darkness and onto the main road. 
While driving through a few red lights, he felt his grip on the steering wheel slippery – he could not shake off the nagging fear, which gripped his heart each time he thought.
                                         🕸️🕸️🕸️🕸️🕸️🕸️
Phoenix had no qualms whatsoever about trampling on both of them to achieve her goal~ if they could do that to her, so could she too. That's what she told herself.
 Irish who noticed how down she felt, gently took her hand and gave an assuring and consoling squeeze. Their eyes met and she feigned a smile. " Thank you..." the act seemed to have calmed her a bit. 
With the next turn, Irish made a pullover in front of their destination. Inscribed boldly at the top, shone the name " LA VIDA HUB ". The deafening yet pleasant music and cheers of people filled the atmosphere like the sound of thunder as she flung down the car with Irish holding the door.
Phoenix's eyes widened, taking in her surroundings. This was quite new to her. She wasn't such a club girl or should we say forbidden to engage in such due to her health issues. This felt like a new beginning~ boldly stepping into the red shoes of the woman who stooped to conquer.
Under ordinary circumstances, she would seem like a friendly, cute, and warm lady but today she wore a determined look on her face. 
Irish pushed through the door into a steak house and they were greeted by a rush of warm air, a cloud of cigarette smoke, and a barrel-chested host who lights up when he sees him.
Irish smiled and waved at the man as he drew closer to them. He seemed to be a regular, her thoughts led on with a skeptical gaze.
" I didn't know you enjoy these kind of places." Phone stated underneath her breath but audible enough for him to hear. Without saying much, he just sniffed a laugh. 
" Long time no see..." The man greeted him as he closed up on them. Phone's eyes met his and he smiled, regarding her presence. "~ I thought you'd even traveled out of the country."
" I wouldn't just do that out of the blue, Martin." Irish opened his mouth for more small talk.
Martin Van Coleman had been one of the few childhood friends of Irish due to their parent's close friendship they'd kept over the years. He was such a free-spirited and witty guy– he knew Irish better than anyone else would.
" Not when I've been a victim of your said crime." He pointed in giggles, pointing out his claims. " ~after Govinna, your ex-girlfriend's sudden death at your old residence. You just turned into thin air ."
Her hope instantly evaporated. His words brought Phone's questioning gaze shooting at Irish whose gaze suddenly dropped into anxiousness and nervousness. He had wanted to stop him but it was rather too late. Her eyes just screamed the words, "What's the meaning of that ?"
" Umm, sorry...that was just a joke." Martin instinctively retracted his words, sensing the mood that hunged in the air. He didn't intend to but got carried away by the excitement. " I got a few urgent things to attend you know what I mean?" He tapped at Irish in a feigned smile. " ...CEO duties." He hurried off.
" Shall we go in?" Irish requested and she nodded, pacing after him.
Phoneix's trust now stands in doubt~ she'd thought she knew him well enough but she seemed to be a bad judge of character. There was something more to it even though the two had tried their best to shove it off as a mere joke. 
Her eyes scrutinized his back as if she could see through him but there was nothing visible to point out. Just like that, they made their way to an empty table almost to the back of the stage.
The entire hub was buzzing with life and well-to-do people from all across the city, she noticed. On Irish's order, a bottle and a glass of tequila and tequila cocktail were served along with some barbecue. 
Deliberately, her attention remained fixed on her drink but it wasn't helping. She needed something stronger than a cocktail to keep her calm. 
Phoenix felt uneasy at this point ~ she wasn't sure what kind of a person he was any longer. She needed to clear it up but how? She had a lot going on in her thoughts.
" It's actually not what you're thinking..." His voice cut into her thoughts, trying to sound convincing. She looked at him for a while, as if undecided about what to say and then resumed her meal. She put the food in her mouth and chewed it slowly but purposefully as she reflected on his words.  
She definitely has no luck in relationships and partners, Phone felt cheated by mother nature. The first one was a complete jerk and the second appeared to have many colors to himself~ she feared what the future was yet to uncover. 
A ring from his phone invaded the awkwardness. " Sorry, I need to attend to this~," He said, checking at the caller. It was from Levi and she noticed. She definitely knew the reason.
" Sure..." She nodded. Just when he trod off, she heaved a sigh of ease. She reached over for his glass of tequila and drained it in a go. Her gaze instinctively contorted.
The soft music in the background wafted over in an instant and for the first time, she noticed there were a few couples seated at tables near theirs. She scoffed and sniffled a laugh.
" Life really isn't fair with me, I guess" She giggled. " maybe I did something unforgivable in my past life."
The words ended on a gulg down of another round of a glass. Then the third and it continued. Irish returned to find her completely wasted. " Phoneix...." He sighed.
Phoenix glanced up and giggled like a fool. " Oh, you're here." She laughed, raising to her full length. Irish towered over her and she glanced up, her balance wasn't so great. She leaned in and he instinctively staggered back. " I can trust you right?...no I want to" She fumbled on her words. Her face was close up to his and he felt her breath. He was tensed.
She looked as if she had more to say but suddenly, she blacked out, falling into his bosom. Her head rested over his chest and he felt his heart skip.