A NEW DAWN

" Yeah, whatever" Gina snorted, rolling her eyes mentally.

  The loud applause died down. Jace turned to the crowd of guests, pulling a broad smile.

 "Hey, Jace !!!" A scream rang from the right wing of the church hall. Some group of men -- maybe his clique of friends were waving and grinning from ear to ear. 

       His face turned sour and somber when he glanced in their direction.

  The wedding ended, and the guests began to leave after taking some selfies with the newly wedded couple.

"My boy" Jace's father walked up to them. He gave Jace a small pat on his back. Gina stood beside them looking forlorn.

"Gina" Salvador's voice boomed as he dragged her to a hug. Her face protruded with a happy look. His hug was so tight that she could barely breathe properly.

"Welcome to the family, girlie," He said, releasing her finally from the suffocating hug.

    Gina took a deep breath.

  Salvador smiled widely. Washington joined them with his sons.

"Congratulations, Mr. Jace" Washington shook hands with him. Jace's face was stern and cold as he returned the handshake. Vincent walked up with a large smile which Gina found disgusting.

  Gina wriggled her nose in contempt and tried to look away, but Cornel hung his hands around her neck and pulled her aside.

"Hey, Sis... How does it feel to be married?" He asked, drawing a sharp breath at the end. He had a fascinated smile on his face as he pinched her cheek lightly.

"Stop it, jerk," Gina said and hit his arm playfully. Small streaks of tears escaped through the corners of her eyes.

"Don't do that now." Joel, her other brother, held her shoulders. She placed her head on his chest and sobbed lightly.

   Joel gave her a little kiss on her hair. The banana scent of her hair shampoo wafted into his nose. He nodded in delight.

   Jace rubbed his temples. Tired wrinkles gathered on his forehead.

"We have to let the latest couples have their time," Salvador humored.

 Salvador and Washington echoed into heavy laughter.

  Jace shook his head with a boring look on his face. He marched to his car. He got in immediately without waiting for Gina.

"Come on now Sis...." Joel said. She took turns hugging both her brothers -- Cornel and Joel.

  Vincent approached them with a cryptic smile on his face and his hands dug into his pockets.

"Happy married Life, Gina" He jeered with his shoulders held high and his brows upturned.

  Gina felt a bitter knot in her stomach. She grabbed the folds of her dress, cast one last scornful look at him, and began to walk to the car.

"Woah!!!" Vincent puffed air and loosened his tie. A big grimace spread on his face.

  Joel and Cornel stared hard at him.

"I tried to congra...."

  Cornel gave him a pissed look and his words hung in his throat.

"You must be happy now, Vincent," Joel remarked, emphasizing his name. He crossed his hands around his chest and stood with his legs apart.

  His head cocked left. His face was void of emotions.

"What are you saying, dude?" Vincent chuckled, and he bumped his fist into his arm.

"This is for our own best interest....".

   " Stop the pretense, Vincent. Finally, you will get to run the family business. You will get to be the boss," Cornel cut him short with a bitter smirk hanging at the edge of his lips.

" Boys..." Washington clapped his hands. His face was wrinkled at first, but gradually, a small smile spurred to his face.

"Say Goodbye to your sister," He said, nudging towards her car, which was leaving the churchyard.

  Gina popped her head out the window. The sad expression on her face stood out. Joel waved at her, giving her an encouraging smile.

  Gina returned it with a small nod. Vincent smirked widely and blew a kiss to her.

  The car sped off, leaving behind a mountain of dust.

"Let's go home," Washington said, not sparing the boys a glance.

  Joel and Cornel glared at Vincent, who gave them a big smirk in return.

"Welcome to a new dawn." He sniffed in, feeling ecstasy rising to climax. He threw his head backward and broke into short laughter. He got into the car and drove off.

•

•

  Gina knew she had walked into another phase of life the moment she walked through the doors of the house. The maids stood at the side with pretty smiles of admiration on their faces.

  She tried to return the smile without breaking down in tears.

"Congratulations, Gina," Lady Deborah said warmly with a sweet smile that stretched into her eyes. Gina let her lids loose. She broke down in heavy torrents of tears as she fell into her arms.

  Gina didn't know why but Lady Deborah felt like a mother to her. She showered love and affection which she had never gotten for the past few years.

     Someone cleared their throats and they broke the hug.

" My friends will be coming over tomorrow" Jace spoke in a hard tone, staring sternly into everyone's eyes.

   Everyone froze, standing at attention. His voice echoed across the walls of the building.

"Make sure the dishes are well-prepared... The house should be clean as well" he said and took a glance to Gina.

  Gina sniffed and dabbed her cheek, wiping off the tear stains.

"You have to prepare a meal for them" He spoke sedately. Gina nodded slowly.

  Jace felt a sharp prick on his chest. He could sense pain, hurt, and sorrow in her eyes. His lips quivered. 

  Was he feeling pity for her now?!

  He pinched himself mentally.

  Gina didn't wait for him to break his gaze, she turned around and began to head for her room.

  Jace did the same and took the other route to his room.

   Lady Deborah dismissed the maids. A worried look curled up on her face; she looked in the direction of Gina's room.

  She felt this push to go to her. She felt like she was drowning in tears. The thought of this crushed her heart. She raced up the stairs to Gina's room.

  True to her word, the girl was in tears. Her wedding dress was soaked in tears. Moved by affection and love, she walked to her. 

She placed her head on her legs and caressed her hair gently while speaking softly to her, " I know this will be too much for you, dear. But, you have to embrace this. Marriage is a good thing".

"I didn't want this" Gina sniveled bitterly, holding onto her hands.

" I feel alone...sad" Gina sobbed.

"You are not alone, Gina," Lady Deborah spoke assuringly and patted her back.

"I am with you, Gina. I will stand by you" Lady Deborah promised.

  Gina raised her head and looked up to her with a red nose and puffy eyes. She threw her hands around her neck, drawing her to a warm embrace.

  The moment felt like one of mother and daughter.

~~

"I didn't want this," Jace said, feeling a pang of guilt, staring out the window.

  It was late. The wind was calm and serene. The stars were twinkling away in the sky, illuminating his face.

"I know Jace", Christine strode to him. She hugged him from behind.

  She was wearing a transparent nightie. 

"It was for your family's legacy, dear. You had to save it", Christine trilled softly. Jace turned around. He threw his hands around her waist.

"Remember Christine... It is just for business. It is you I wish to spend the rest of my life with", Jace assured.

"That won't be possible," Christine said with a gleam igniting from her eyes. She moved away from his grip.

"You are married to her now Jace... It was a real wedding, Jace," Christine almost yelled with bitterness in her voice.

"I expected some sort of fake..." She said lowly in hurt, draping her hands around her body.

  Jace groaned and ran his hands through his hair.

"I tried to make it fake" Christine placed her hands on his lips.

"It's fine. You can always divorce her. It is for business, right?" She reminded and held his bulky arm.

  Jace nodded. His gaze riveted on hers. Her face lit up with a pretty smile that got into her eyes.

"I am always here with you, Jace" She mouthed. He nodded and hugged her.

•

•

MORNING

    The next morning came by quickly. With a loud yawn, Gina stretched out of bed.

 The sun's rays danced into her room when she rolled the curtains away. She gave another loud yawn. She felt like a new dawn had just broken. She entered the bathroom and had a snappy bath.

  She folded her arms around her body. Lady Deborah walked in with a loud morning call.

"Good morning Debbie" Gina replied cheerily.

   Deborah felt flutters in her heart when she saw the sweet smile she had.

"Are you ready?".

  Gina nodded, feeling jitters in her stomach.

"I hope I won't mess it up," Gina hummed as they left the room.

  Lady Deborah chuckled, "You are in good hands Gina. I'm here with you".

  "Thanks" Gina beamed.

     But the happy beam turned to sour beams. Jace walked out of his room with Christine in his arms. 

  Lady Deborah swallowed hard. She looked at Jace, Christine, and then at Gina, who was dumbfounded.

  Jace, whose face was all glittery with smiles, turned serious when he saw Gina. Christine noticed the change in his countenance.

"What's wrong babe?" She questioned.

   When she saw Gina, her mouth hung open.

"Gina", she called.

  Gina cast a glare at her and hurdled off. Christine giggled and ran her hands into Jace's hair. 

   Jace placed a small kiss on her hair and placed her on her feet.

   Jace tried to speak, but she cut him short, shaking her head slowly.

"I know.. I know... Your friends are coming over".

    A deep frown covered her face.

"Listen, Christine, I promise I will be with you once they leave. My father might come too", Jace explained.

  Christine nodded and gave him another hug. She threw a kiss in the air and finally walked out.

    Meanwhile, Gina was having the best time of her life in the kitchen. She was having a hearty discussion with the maids.

   It was lovely that she soon forgot all her pains and hurts. Her life had never gotten to this stage before. She has never gotten an opportunity to be among crowds.

  Yeah, Crowds. She had like twenty maids working with her. 

   All her life it has always been her brothers or father. Even at school, she never got an opportunity to speak to others. She was always in the company of her brothers.

    "Gina " Lady Deborah called loudly, and splashed water on her face. She jerked as the cold substance met her face.

"Geez, where were you?".

  She trailed off in thoughts.

"The food is ready" two maids informed her.

   Her eyes widened in awe when she saw the long train of meals assembled before her.

 The delicious aroma of the food hit her nostrils, making her stomach grumble hungrily.

"This is..." She gasped.

"How did you manage to get this done in no time?" She asked with an excited beam.

"Forget that Gina..." Lady Deborah winked.

" Master's friends should have arrived" Lady Deborah glanced at the wall clock.

"First things first Gina.... We offer appetizers first", Lady Deborah instructed.

  The maids got a cart loaded with sweet-smelling appetizers.

"Come on" Lady Deborah beamed and held her hands.

   They left the kitchen for the lobby where Jace and his friends were waiting.

"Hey bro, your wife is pretty" One of the men sitting with Jace complimented.

  The others acknowledged with much chattering.

   Gina began to feel nervous. She knitted her fingers together and threw her gaze down.

"She is a shy one?!" Another asked, throwing a querying glance at Jace.

  Jace's brows furrowed. He crossed his legs and leaned backward in his seat.

"But Man... I thought you didn't like shy girls," another one said, hitting Jace's shoulders.

  Jace shot him a glare. He threw his hands up, "I was just saying".

   "You will be okay" Gina heard Lady Deborah mutter into her ears. She nodded slowly and raised her gaze.

  Her gaze first landed on Jace, who had a bored look. She moved her gaze to the man on his left.

"Hey, Pretty... I'm George," He introduced himself and waved at her. She moved on.

" I'm Theophilus... Theo for short" He said in a gentle tone that made Gina smile broadly.

" Dude, would you be able to stick with this one?"The last one said rolling his eyes contemptuously at her.

" I mean, your other girls are better than this, "He added with disdain.

    Gina felt her spirit being trampled on. Her eyes stung as she turned to Jace. He only chuckled and picked up his phone. Her throat burnt harshly as she kept her gaze on him. He didn't bother to spare her a glance.

" Serve us already before the food turns cold"Jace's harsh voice intoned, shattering what was left of her heart.