JACE SALVADOR

Gina's eyes widened in awe as her gaze fixed on a gigantic and magnificent mansion ahead of them.

   "Is that where he lives?" She wondered and turned her gaze in his direction.

  His eyes were entirely on the phone in his hands. She felt ignored. Her eyes squinted as she studied his face from the side view.

  He looked perfect and handsome. 

     Jace, on the other hand, was so immersed in his thoughts. He didn't even want to look into her eyes. He avoided her hopeful gaze because he knew he would only end up disappointing her.

 He only agreed to this just to secure the family's legacy. His father's last words echoed in his mind; "'Marriage is a deal. We need this to secure the family's legacy."

    He sighed sadly. He peered at her face discreetly. She looked like a child in a candy store, awestruck and fascinated. She looked fragile, vulnerable. 

  His mind drifted back to Christine, his four-year-old girlfriend. She always understands him and finds a way to please him. She was the one he wanted, but his duty brought Gina to him.

      As the car drove into the compound, Gina's eyes had a glint of delight. Her stomach did a happy flip. The car came to a stop, Jace alighted without saying a word to her.

  She squinted her eyes in disappointment and walked out of the car.

  The grandeur and elegance of the mansion left her in a baffled state. A graceful waterfall stood regally at the center of the mansion.

  She twirled excitedly. Her heart sank in fear when she felt his icy and harsh look at her. She lowered her gaze and took in her lower lip.

    The door to the massive mansion opened up. A long procession of graceful maids stood at attention with their heads bowed low.

   Jace walked in with a cold look on his face.

"You are welcome, Master Jace" An older lady standing at the end of the procession beamed warmly.

   He acknowledged her with a small nod. The silence in the mansion enveloped its walls, only the sounds of his footsteps echoed through the walls as he walked up the staircase to his room.

   Gina stood in the doorway feeling like a stranger in a foreign land.

   The maids dispersed, leaving behind seven maids and the older lady.

  The older lady glanced at her with a warm smile that reached her eyes. She mirrored it with a lazy one.

  

     She appeared to be in her late thirties with shades of gray hair and brown-coloured eyes. She wore a red flowing skirt, a black shirt with a white pinafore over it.

"Lady Deborah". She introduced herself with a courteous bow.

"I'm the housekeeper and always at your service", She introduced herself.

" Come with us, My Lady"She beamed lightly.

   " My lady?"" Gina mumbled and placed her hands on her chest.

"Gina..." She squeaked. Lady Deborah nodded and led the way,"Okay".

   She followed them hesitantly. They led her to a magnimonus room. 

  She was awestruck by the grandeur of the room. She seemed thrilled by the enormosity of the room. She ran her hands through every item in the room. She loves it. It was painted in her mother's favorite color - pink. 

  It was huge. Everything in the room screamed opulence. She strode further into the room.

  She moved her gaze slowly from the queen-sized bed to the large vanity mirror. The wardrobe stood tall and had a regal design on it. Her eyes gleamed brightly with excitement.

     But then, the excitement waned off as her thoughts drifted back to her husband. His cold and unfriendly behavior towards her dampened her mood.

"What's wrong?" Lady Deborah inquired with concern, taking notice of the sudden change in her countenance.

"The room?" She gave a low squeak and sat at the edge of the soft Queen-sized bed. 

"Don't you like the room?" Lady Deborah probed.

"Should I change the color or the furniture?" She continued.

  Gina rose up and walked to the window. She stretched her gaze far out of the window.

" It is perfect. I love it ", Gina replied gently.

  Lady Deborah heaved in relief. She snapped her fingers at the other maids and sauntered out of the room. 

"You should have your bath now and change your dress" Lady Deborah chirped and arranged the bedding.

"Dress?" Gina's face fell.

"I have no clothes." Her shoulders slumped.

"That's not a problem dear" Lady Deborah warbled warmly and jolted to the wardrobe. She pulled it open. A large bulk of beautiful designer dresses filled the wardrobe.

  It was also filled with classy and expensive shoes of all kinds and all colors. Her heart raced wildly.

"Do they all belong to me?" She questioned with a grin at the tip of her lips.

  Lady Deborah nodded.

"Master Jace has been preparing for your arrival" Lady Deborah ran her hands through the racks. 

" Preparing for my arrival? ""Gina probed with raised brows and narrowed eyes.

     Lady Deborah flashed a sweet grin.

  Gina's nose flared," What?".

  All this had been going on, and she knew nothing all this time.

" Please help me out,'' Gina pleaded in a hitched breath.  "I know nothing about this. I don't know who my supposed husband is?".

"I don't know his name, age, what he likes or even his family," She complained soberly, "I don't know a thing about this man I'm getting married to. And right now, I'm losing it," She concluded, going out of breath finally.

   Lady Deborah gazed at her with a pitiable look, "I understand how you are feeling right now, but everything will be clear to you by tomorrow morning".

   Gina heaved softly with her eyes clamped together and raked her hair with her hands.

   Lady Deborah held her shoulders tenderly and spoke sweetly to her, "I don't know much dear.... But all I know is that this is an agreement between your family and the Salvador's''.

  Gina's eyes drooped.

"The Salvador's Family?" Gina mumbled and gave her a questioning look.

"The top richest family.....", Lady Deborah answered.

"I get it now", Gina cut her short, she lost her balance and staggered backwards.

"You have to take your bath now", Lady Deborah instructed, and moved back to the wardrobe.

  Gina pushed herself lazily into the bathroom. The bathroom was lightened by a soft LED light. The walls were clad with gray marble slabs.

  A posh tub sat at one end. She moved slowly into the bathroom. She moved her dress over her hair and jumped into the tub.

  The serene water passed its serenity to her troubled soul.

   She sank herself deep into the water, "How could Father do this to me?'' she whispered, her voice cracking. "Does he even love me?" The water rippled as she stirred, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty.

"What if I never get to love him? Will I have a happy life with him?"The questions echoed in her mind, refusing to be silenced.

As she washed her hair, Gina's thoughts drifted to her mother. She remembered the laughter, the warm hugs, and the whispered words of encouragement. Her mother's absence felt like a gaping hole.

Gina's eyes stung, and she let the tears fall, mixing with the bathwater. She wept for the loss of her freedom, for the life she never chose

After her bath, Gina stepped out, wrapping herself in a plush towel. Lady Deborah awaited her, a warm smile on her face.

"Time to get ready, my lady," she said, gesturing to the dresser.

Gina's gaze fell upon the elegant dress Lady Deborah had laid out – a sleeveless mini-sequin dress that sparkled in the soft light.

"It's beautiful," Gina breathed.

Lady Deborah helped Gina into the dress, the fabric hugging her curves. Gina's eyes widened as she gazed at her reflection.

The dress transformed her, making her look older, more sophisticated. But her eyes still held a hint of sadness.

Lady Deborah styled Gina's hair, curling it into soft waves. Gina's thoughts drifted to Jace, wondering what he would think of her.

A light touch on her shoulder broke her reverie. "You look stunning, Gina," Lady Deborah admired, her eyes warm.

Gina forced a smile, feeling like a pawn in a game she didn't understand.

"Thanks," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lady Deborah's expression softened. "You're going to be okay, Gina. Just remember, you're not alone.'"

   Gina hummed and forced a lazy smile on her face.

    "It's time for dinner"' a maid announced, bowing with respect.

   Gina rose and began to leave the room.

  They walked down the spiral staircase together. Gina perused the wonderful and amazing interior designs and decor. The entire mansion had beautiful carvings and paintings hung on each side.

  Also, there were antique statues standing at some strategic places. 

    A small door was widely opened. Gina peeked in. It was a towering shelf with books lined up. She pushed the door and stepped in. She saw a book open on a side table.

"This is Jace favorite place", Lady Deborah elaborated as she picked a picture lying on the ground.

   It was a picture of a beautiful lady and Jace. They looked happy together in the picture. Gina imagined taking the position of the lady.

"Christine," Lady Deborah said, snapping her out of her thoughts. She walked out to the dining room. Lady Deborah gave a short sigh and followed her.

    Her expression turned melancholy when she saw that there was no one in the dining room. She stretched her gaze at the long mahogany table.

   Varieties of savory dishes are laid on the table. 

"He has had his dinner" Lady Deborah spoke up, answering her unasked question.

  She drew out a chair for her. Gina tardily reclined on the chair.

   Lady Deborah held a meek look on her face as she served her.

"Thanks," Gina said in appreciation once she was done. Lady Deborah gave her a small smile.

"Eat and have your rest, Gina", Lady Deborah gave a small pat on her hair and left to the servants' quarter.   

  The whole mansion assumed a tranquil state. Gina was left alone with her thoughts. She tried to gulp down her food, but it felt too heavy to pass down her throat.

   She was feeling a pang of disappointment and betrayal. She felt dispirited and sober. She pushed the plate when she couldn't get the food down her throat.

  Meanwhile, Jace wore black joggers and a white singlet. His muscles bulged out. He stood in the garage staring blankly at the blue Rolls-Royce that was driving in.

  He was feeling a pang of guilt deep down. He wondered how Gina would be doing right now. He wondered if she had eaten her dinner yet. He began to have pity for her and wished he had never accepted the deal.

  Jake, his stepbrother, was there, but he felt it was his duty as the legal child of the family to secure the family's legacy. He didn't even love her and would never see himself loving a fragile and tender girl like her. He thought to himself.

  A pretty and curvaceous lady wearing ripped shorts and a crop top walked out of the car. She had an oval-shaped face with sharp cheek bones. Her lips were coated in thick red lipstick. Her lips spread wide as she trudged to him.

  He opened his arms wide and enveloped her in a warm embrace.

"When did you return, Jace?" She probed flirtatiously, keeping her arms hanging around his neck.

"Some hours ago" he replied somberly.

"What's wrong?" She warbled, and searched his eyes for answers.

  Jace smacked his lips, "I missed you a lot, Christine". He lowered his lips to her forehead.

  She giggled and held his hands, "Let us go inside".

  She drew him into the mansion.

 The mansion's silence enveloped Gina's whole being.

   She heard excited giggles coming from afar. She heaved in relief. She turned around with wide eyes.

"Oh My, Jace" The giggles came again.

  It sounded feminine. Gina arched her ears to hear more.

  Was it his sister?

  She wondered and stretched her neck to catch a glimpse. A rich feminine cologne wafted into her nostrils.

  Jace walked in with Christine. His hands were draped around her thin waist. Gina's countenance fell.

     Gina looked closely at her face. It was the same lady she saw in the picture earlier.

     Gina stood frozen, her eyes locked on Jace and Christine. The warmth of the dinner room seemed to

suffocate her. Christine's possessive grip on Jace's arm, the way he didn't pull away, it all screamed one thing: Jace was already taken.

Gina's heart sank, her mind reeling with despair. She felt like a pawn in a cruel game, forced to marry a man who didn't want her. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

"Who are you?" Christine's voice dripped with venom, her eyes flashing with hostility.