A BAD DAY

"Lincoln is Dead " Her father announced bitterly. Agony tore through her chest as she staggered back to the bed. She fell on the bed.

 It was as though her whole world had just crumbled before her. He was the main reason why she agreed to this sick marriage. He was the only one in the family that looked out for her and now he is dead.

 She released a loud heart cry. A loud wail sound that tore through the walls of the mansion. The phone fell off her hands and broke completely.

"Lincoln !!!" She shrieked grabbing both sides of her head in her hands.

 Lady Deborah and some of the maids waltzed into her room when they heard her screams.

"No... No.... Lincoln" Her eyes turned red. Her face swelled. No tears came out of her eyes but her face contorted in horrific pain.

"Gina?!" Lady Deborah shrieked fearfully and held her shoulders.

" Gina, What is wrong?" She asked, staring into her pain-stricken eyes.

"Lincoln is dead" She blurted, cringing at her own words.

 Lady Deborah gasped. She pulled her to a warm hug. 

"You will be fine, Gina," Lady Deborah said, the only words she could think of.

 She has heard stories about Lincoln. Gina always told her about him. She felt her loss and pain. She caressed her hair gently.

 Gina hiccuped and tightened her hands around Lady Deborah's body.

••

 Jace sat at the edge of the bed while Christine paced about the room.

 She just informed him that she would be leaving the country at the end of the year. She had bagged a contract to run as a model for an international company.

 That has been her sole desire since ---- To be a model for a prominent company.

" When will you be back?" Jace probed with his face buried in his hands.

" I don't know... But I won't take long," Christine replied and tugged her sleepwear.

 Jace remained mute. It felt as though she was leaving already. Christine climbed the bed. She wrapped her hands around his neck.

" It would be only for some months," She said in a sultry tone.

 Jace grunted and pinched his eyebrows, "I know. I don't want you to go".

"I will be back" Christine chortled and fell back on the bed.

 Jace sprang to his feet. His face was etched with turmoil and despair. He roughly tousled his hair, his eyes pale and sunken from unshed tears.

" I will take my bath," He told her and slipped into the bathroom. 

 Christine nodded and blew him kisses. She stared dreamily at the bathroom door. The loud sound of rushing water echoed across the room. A deceptive smirk perched on her lips. Her phone chimed loudly jolting her out of her reverie.

 She swiped green and placed the phone on her ears. She slithered out of the room speaking in hushed tones.

•••••

 Jace's thoughts were preoccupied. His thoughts lingered on the scene he beheld when he went to visit Christine. He was at his company but all he could think of was Christine.

 She was hugging a man. And she also kissed him !!!.

 He cringed and slammed his work device shut. A throbbing migraine hit his head as he thought hard about that.

 While he was still dwelling in so many thoughts, the door went open. His father walked in grinning from ear to ear. 

"Jace" He bellowed and sat before him.

 " Father !!" Jace let out a tired groan.

"Is your wife giving you a hard time ?" Salvador asked humorously.

 Jace's brows furrowed, "She isn't my wife".

 A cocky smile spread across Salvador's face. His gaze drifted to his hands. He wasn't wearing the wedding ring. A wide grin covered his face as he rubbed his beard.

" But you are married to her?" Salvador returned.

 " It was only for the deal" Jace snapped and rose to his feet.

 Salvador inhaled sharply. He adjusted himself on the seat and placed his gaze on his bland face.

" The reason why I asked you to get married to her wasn't only for the deal, Jace," Salvador confessed calmly and rose.

 Jace's eyes narrowed. He turned around sharply. Her ears tingled.

"It wasn't only for the deal?" Jace snarled lowly.

 Salvador nodded, "I need a grandchild as well, Jace."

 Jace felt hot rage rush down his blood as his blood began to boil. He loosened his tie and released an awry chuckle. He looked at his father's face. The seriousness in his father's tone hung in the air, laced with unwavering conviction, and it left no room for doubts.

 " What are you saying, Father?" Jace inquired, releasing hot breaths as he slammed his fist aggressively on the table.

" Am not getting any younger, Jace... I need to see your child before I..." Salvador paused and drew a sharp breath.

"You know. " He gave a one-shoulder shrug with a dry grin on his face.

" You are not serious here, Father. I can't have anything to do with that girl. She isn't my type...." Jace intoned with disdain in his voice. 

"Then who is?"Salvador queried at the top of his voice.

 Jace let out an exasperated sigh and ran his hands frustratingly into his hair.

"Oh, that Christine of a girl," Salvador said with a sarcastic smile at the end.

 The angry look on Salvador's face was enough to make Jace know just how much he hated Christine.

" Father, Listen here and Listen well ...... I won't have anything to do with that girl," Jace stated in a dismissive tone, " I got married to her only because of the deal and nothing more," he concluded and hurried out of the office. 

 He banged the door hard and it screeched loudly. Jace walked into his private elevator which took him down to the main office block where his staff worked tirelessly.

 He dug his hands into his pockets and stepped out of the elevator. His employees greeted him with warm smiles. 

 He returned their greetings with a scowl on his face. He walked in the direction of the cafeteria.

 Juliette Bush, his secretary ogled at him with a surprised look. She glanced at her wristwatch.

"It isn't lunchtime yet" She mumbled and left her workspace.

 She scuttled in his direction.

"Get the h*ll out of here!!!" Jace thrashed irritatedly at one of his employees who approached him with a document.

 Juliette's steps faltered. The employee bowed low with a sullen face and slogged back to his workspace.

 " Sir..." Juliette mumbled, standing a few distances away from him.

 Jace clamped his lips tightly and released a hot breath.

" Sir, Is anything the matter?" Juliette inquired, peering into his tired eyes.

 Jace shook his head slowly and strolled into the cafeteria. 

 Juliette stared at him as he took his seat. A pensive look hung visibly on his face. His lips were down-turned. Dark circles underlined his sunken eyes.

••••

  Gina was sitting in the garden with Lady Deborah. Her thoughts traveled afar as she rubbed her elbows.

"Tell me, Lady Deborah," Gina drawled, tilting her head, "Does he have any other family apart from his father?".

 " Who?" Lady Deborah questioned for clarity with her brows raised high.

" I mean.... Jace".

 Her stomach rumbled when she called his name. A bitter taste hung in her tongue as the rumble increased.

 Lady Deborah stared down at her stomach. Her stomach was flat as it had always been.

" Are you hungry again?" Lady Deborah asked with concern.

 Gina shook her head.

 Silence fell in their midst. Only the sounds of the airy wind echoed in their midst. The air fanned her face giving chills to her spine.

 Gina looked over at Lady Deborah, "Does he have any other family members?".

 Lady Deborah exhaled and placed her hands on her thighs. She tapped her thighs and took a deep breath, "He does".

 A warm glint flickered in Gina's eyes and she reclined on the seat. She leaned in, and a spark of curiosity ignited in her eyes.

" His stepmom and step-siblings," Lady Deborah squeaked and blew air through her slightly opened lips.

"Stepmom and siblings?" Gina repeated with her gaze afar.

"But they didn't come for his wedding..." She said but regretted making such a statement.

 He never considered their marriage to be legitimate from the onset, so she would be foolish to think it mattered.

"They are not actually on good terms," Lady Deborah said with a small frown.

  Gina nodded, her brows furrowed in comprehension.

"And his mom?".

"Dead... She died when he was six" Lady Deborah elaborated with a tint of sadness in her voice.

 Gina felt a sharp prick on her chest.

Six?!

 She was suddenly feeling pity for him. She knows how hard it is to grow up without a mother at such a young age. She has been there so she can attest to that.

 He must have found it difficult growing up without a mother's love. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill.

 A loud car honking at the gate made her blink back the tiny streak of tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"He is back" Lady Deborah forced a lazy smile to her face and rose.

 Gina returned the smile with a faint and weary one.

 Lady Deborah ambled through the back door into the kitchen.

 Gina rubbed her arms and stared up into the sky which was now turning gloomy and bleary. She became lost in stares watching as the star transited completely to a dark start night.

 The stars twinkled their little lights which gladdened her heart. She felt the joy and peace that she had lost in her marriage bubbling inside of her.

 She sensed another presence lurking behind her.

"Lady Deborah, Is that you?" Gina croaked and rose to her feet.

 Her palms went sweaty instantly when she heard no answers. The stealthy footsteps increased making her fears rise to climax.

"My lady, dinner is ready," A thin, small voice echoed in the dark.

 Gina released a sharp breath of relief, "I will be right there".

 Soft retreating steps returned into the mansion. She took a glance at the sky before moving into the house.

  Jace jogged down the staircase with his eyes buried on the screen of his phone. He almost bumped into Gina. 

"G.... G...Good Evening" She said shakily when his harsh gaze fell on her.

 A gloomy mask of apprehension etched his face. He narrowed his eyes and shifted his gaze. Gina walked past him. She drew out a chair and began to eat.

 Jace trotted to the cellar. He sat on the long bar stool and placed his head in both his hands. 

 For the umpteenth time, he gave out another sigh. He had tried countless times to reach Christine on the phone. His memories were still haunted by the heartbreaking scene he witnessed at her place.

 He withdrew a bottle of rum. He drank directly from the bottle. He gulped almost half of its contents at a goal.

 Gina cast a furtive glance at him. Her heart throbbed when he released a soft belch and grabbed the bottle. He downed the whole content within a twinkle of an eye.

 Fear engulfed her, she dropped her spoon and rose to her feet. She dragged her feet slowly to him. Her lips quivered.

 She has never seen him in the mood before. 

He would drink himself to stupor !!! 

 Her inner mind screamed at her. She placed her hands on her chest which was now beating in breaks. She always thought of him as a strict and well-mannered man, but what is going on?

 "J.... Jace" She stuttered shakily.

 Jace withdrew another bottle of rum. He pulled off the cork and took a quick gulp. Just like before, he drank almost half.

 Gina swallowed hard fighting back the fear that gripped her. She placed her hands on his shoulders.

" What happened at the office today?" She asked confidently, tightening her grip on his shoulders.

 Jace's eyes blazed with fury as he reeled sharply. He dropped the bottle roughly on the table and pushed her away. She fell hard on the ground.

"Go away, woman. You are the reason for my dilemma... I don't want to ever see your face again," His harsh voice echoed, shattering her heart into tiny million pieces.

 Gina winced softly and propped herself up to her feet. Her eyes were glossy as she looked up to him. Jace picked up his bottle and resumed from where he stopped.

 Gina gave him one last discreet glance before limping to her room.

 Jace slammed his fist hard on the table and gave out a sharp, agonizing scream that rang across the whole room.