IT'S COMPLICATED

Gina's voice trembled, "I... I'm Gina." She hesitated, unsure what else to say.

Christine's gaze raked over Gina, dismissing her. "Jace, who is this?"

Jace's expression remained impassive, but his eyes flickered with guilt. "Gina is... my fiancée."

The words cut Gina like a knife. Fiancée. A title that should bring joy, now felt like a prison sentence.

Christine's laughter was like ice.  "Fiancée? You never mentioned anyone."

Jace's jaw clenched, "It's... complicated."

Gina's emotions boiled over. She couldn't bear the charade anymore. "Complicated?" she echoed, her voice rising. " You're already taken. Why pretend?"

The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Christine's eyes narrowed, Jace's face darkened.

  Christine recalled the conversations she had earlier with him where he talked about her.

  Lady Deborah walked in. Her steps degraded, and her shoulders sagged when she saw the intense drama.

"Gina, please-" Lady Deborah intervened, her voice soft.

But Gina wouldn't stop. "No, I won't please. I deserve to know the truth." Her voice cracked, tears streaming down her face.

Jace's expression softened, but he didn't move towards her. "Gina, I-"

"Don't," Christine snapped, her hand on Jace's arm tightening. "Don't comfort her. She's just a business arrangement."

Gina's world shattered. Business arrangement. Those words echoed in her mind, reinforcing her worst fears.

She turned and fled the room, leaving behind the suffocating silence.

   Jace scoffed gently. Christine stood before him with a large smile. She took his hands into hers and drew him towards his room. 

•

•

The next morning started with a golden glow rising high in the sky. The birds chirped sonorously.

     Gina stirred in her sleep. She gave her eyes a gentle rub and yawned lightly.

   The curtains were closed, blocking the entrance of the scorching rays of the morning sun. Her eyes were burning hard and reddish. She cried all the way deep into the night.

  Her stomach grumbled nosily, then she remembered that she hadn't eaten since the previous day. She placed her feet gently on the cold marbled floor. Her feet sucked in the cold.

  As she took the first step, her eyes swirled around their sockets. She fell back on the bed with a low grunt. Her heart palpitated.

    She took a deep breath and dragged herself up once more. This time she walked into the bathroom.

  The sharp LED lights struck her eyes, forcing her to close them shut. It left them stinging badly. She leaned on the wall for a while. She began to open her eyes gently. Her vision became normal. 

   She pulled off her clothes and stepped into the bathtub. The water was warm and refreshing. She sat still, unmoving in the warm water.

   Her heart wrenched as she recalled last night's event. Tears gathered in her eyes. Her face was contorted in a mixture of pain, anger and worry.

   Was she making the right choice?

   Should she accept this or pull out? But her father's business was on the line. She couldn't afford to make her suffer because of her choices.

   Her phone ringtone echoed from the room, breaking her short reverie. 

   She took the bath quickly and dashed out with a yellow posh towel. The phone rang again for the third time.

   She glanced at the phone's screen. It was 'Lincoln', her older brother. She saved his name with her sweet brother.

   She swiped green and placed the call on a loudspeaker.

"Gina" His voice echoed through the speaker. A rib cracking cough followed.

    Gina's brows rose in concern. She sat on the bed and tilted her head forward.

"How are you doing, Lin?" She quizzed with concern and also worry.

"Fine Gina.... How are you doing?" He returned wheezily.

  She nodded her head slowly, clamping her lips tightly. 

"How is Father?" She stood up and picked her body lotion from the dresser.

  She squirted some into her palms. She rubbed her palms together and then rubbed the lotion onto her skin. Her skin shimmered.

"Father..... Father is fine. He is off to work", Lincoln's wheezy voice replied.

"Gina... I hope you are fine" Lincoln echoed with care in his tone. 

  Gina felt a prick in her heart. 

 ' Should I just open up to him?', She questioned herself as she stared at the phone.

  No, why should she? 

  He was there when their father made plans to get her married off to a man whom she knew nothing about.

".... I am always looking out for you, Gina", Lincoln's last words breezed into her ears.

"I am fine Lin." She gave a sad smile and sat on the bed, "Don't hesitate to call me when things...." A cough held him and he paused.

     Gina stared intensely at the phone. Her heart rose high in panic. Lincoln wasn't okay. His countless erupting coughs confirmed it.

"Gina, Are you still there?" His wheezy voice echoed.

"Have you eaten?" She probed worriedly.

"Yeah, Vincent made erm.... erm... Some Avacado toast and sweetened coconut tea", he stuttered.

  He was lying. Gina felt it in her subconsciousness. But she had to agree.

"And Father..... Fredrick and Cornel?" She asked and opened up her wardrobe.

  "Yeah" Lincoln said.

"Take Care Lin".

"And you too, baby Sis". He chuckled and hung up.

   Gina sighed and pulled out a peach floral gown that stopped above her thighs. She pulled it over her head and moved to the vanity mirror.

   Her nose wriggled in displeasure. She looked younger than her age. She looked like a high school student.

"That's... Pretty" A sweet angelic voice complimented from the door. She spun around and saw Lady Deborah standing at the doorstep with a broad, gorgeous smile. 

"How was your night, Gina?" She questioned and walked in.

  Gina returned her smile, pulled her to a warm embrace and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

   Lady Deborah's heart raced wild. Her eyes sparkled with love when she released her. Her heart was drawn towards her.

"Great", Gina said, and went back to the wardrobe.

   Lady Deborah stared at her lovingly. Tears were already leaving her eyes.

   Gina ran her hands through the rack and selected a green turtle-necked pleated dress. It wasn't long nor short ---- it stopped on her knee.

"You did have a nice sleep" Lady Deborah professed sweetly and touched her arm.

   Gina nodded. Lady Deborah sniffed and picked up a cologne standing on the dresser. She spritzed some on her body. The cologne had a deep jasmine scent. Gina inhaled sharply with relish on her face.

"Breakfast is ready".

  Lady Deborah held her hands and led her out of the room.

  The workers jolted in and out of the mansion. They bowed each time she walked by.

"You are so daft" Christine's voice raved loudly from one of the rooms.

  Gina stopped in her tracks. She turned her gaze to the door.

  A sharp sound echoed in the room, filling her ears.

"I have warned you countless times... You should always change the flowers before I wake up" Christine's harsh voice resonated in the air.

"I am sorry, Ma'am" a soft voice apologized shakily. She hissed.

"Get out!" She ordered.

  The door gave a low squeak and a maid came out with wet eyes. Gina's heart stirred in pity for the girl.

  She bowed and went her way.

   Gina shook her head and strutted to the staircase.

••

Jace stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie for what felt like the hundredth time. His reflection stared back, a mask of calmness hiding the turmoil within. He thought of Gina, the innocent girl waiting for him in the dining room. A pang of guilt struck his chest.

"Damn it," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

Christine's laughter echoed from downstairs, a stark contrast to his dark mood. He descended the stairs, his eyes locking onto hers. She sparkled, radiant in her red dress, her smile carefree.

As he approached, Christine's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong, baby?" she asked, concern etching her face.

Jace forced a smile. "Just work stuff."

Christine's gaze lingered, sensing the lie. "You're not still thinking about that arrangement, are you?" Her voice dripped with disdain.

Jace's jaw clenched. "It's just business, Christine. It means nothing."

Christine's eyes flashed. "Nothing? You're marrying someone else, Jace. How can that mean nothing?"

Jace sighed, taking her hands. "You know I don't have a choice. Father's legacy-"

"I know, I know," Christine interrupted, her voice softening. "But that doesn't make it hurt any less."

Jace's grip on her hands tightened. "I love you, Christine. You're the only one I want."

Christine's eyes searched his. "Then why are you doing this?"

Jace's gaze dropped, shame washing over him." I have to secure the family's future. It's my duty."

The silence between them was heavy, filled with unspoken words.

" I'll do it right, Christine. I promise," Jace whispered.

Christine's smile was tinged with sadness. "I'll hold you to that."

 Christine pulled him into a hug. She released him and left for her room. He turned around.

   Gina felt a sharp stab in her heart. She locked eyes with him.

    He averted his gaze and stepped into the dining room. He took the seat opposite her.

"Good morning" Gina said serenely.

  Jace acknowledged with a small nod. Gina stood up. Jace stretched and tried to reach for the plate of chicken soup, but she beat him to it and grabbed it first.

  Their hands met. He slowly withdrew his. She beamed awkwardly and began to serve him.

"You know you don't have to do this" Jace remarked, keeping his gaze low.

  Gina's brows furrowed. Her hands hung mid-way.

" I can serve myself", he added, and grabbed the plate from her.

  Gina exhaled slowly and retreated to her seat. She watched him as he began to eat. Her heart throbbed roughly against her chest.

   She picked a French toast from her plate and gave it a small bite. 

"Get dressed", Jace's voice croaked. He placed his spoon on the place.

"Do... I have a place to go?" Gina questioned sharply.

   Jace raised his gaze to her face. His eyes shone viciously," Yes ".

     She melted under his gaze. She locked eyes with him. She saw a sharp glint in his eyes. It looked like care or.... Pity.

  He broke his gaze and rose up. 

"Don't keep me waiting" he opined in a hard, stern voice.

     He vanished out of the room. She released her breath and began to eat.

 Within some seconds, she was done. She adjusted her dress and gulped down a whole glass of water.

"I am ready", she announced, and walked up to him. She strapped a cream satchel over her left shoulder.

  He didn't give her a glance as he glided down to the garage. Gina scoffed and followed.

  A beep sound rang in the garage. Gina's eyes were awed when she stepped in.

  A fleet of cars stood gallantly in the garage. It looked like a car show. But does all this belong to him?

  She looked at him. He pushed open the door of a black Nissan car.

  A man dressed in blue striped trousers and a well-ironed sparkling white approached them.

"Sir", he bowed respectfully.

"I will drive". He grabbed the keys from his hands. It was a rough grab that left a scratch on the man's hand. 

  Gina gasped low when she saw a thin red crimson liquid in his hands. He hid it away behind his back. He raised his head, he smiled warmly at Gina and gave a small bow before leaving.

"Get in!" Jace ordered and started the ignition.

     Gina held onto the straps of her bag and walked around the car. She opened the door and walked in.

   Gina had no idea where they were going. She racked her head hard trying to figure out where they were going.

  He placed his hands on the steering wheel and steered the car out of the garage.

     Silence fell in the car. The car strode gently on the asphalt road. 

  Jace at one time was tempted to take a peek at her face. He heaved and raked his hair with one of his hands.

   A pang of guilt hit him. He was jeopardizing her life by bringing into this loveless marriage. He knew he was never going to love her.

    His phone rang. It was his father. He tapped on the bud in his ear.

"How is your bride?" His father's old croaky voice chimed.

    Jace mentally rolled his eyes.

"I am not married to her yet" he said contemptuously. At once, he began to regret saying that loudly.

  Gina turned her gaze sharply at him.

" Whatever son... Remember you can't pull out of this. We need this union. Our family does".

   "I heard you father".

"Where are you?" His father questioned.

" I am driving father.... I will talk to you later". He hung up.

 Gina's eyes welled up with tears. She tightened her fist and sucked her lips.

     She felt a metallic taste on her tongue. Then, it hit on her that she was biting hard on her lips. The car stopped abruptly.

  The loud slam of the door made her blink repeatedly. Jace had already gone a far distance from the car.

  She sniffed and walked out too. 

' CHARLOTTE'S BRIDAL WEARS '.