Awakened fury

Rrringgg! Gina was rudely awakened from sleep by the abrupt sound of her phone as it rang. She looked at the phone and swiped her thumb across the screen, permitting the high-pitched voice that screeched in her ears; “GINA, WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU…” She hung up in irritation, cutting short her step-mother’s annoying screech and threw the phone on the bed. 

She looked up to see Chris already dressed. He looked ready for work. 

“I have a business meeting to attend to. There's a car waiting downstairs to take you home whenever you're ready.” He offered. 

“Thank you, Mr?” Gina raised an eyebrow as she looked at him in hopes that she could know his name at least.

He patted her hair, and lowered himself to give her a peck on the forehead. 

“Don’t bother your pretty head over unnecessary things.” He hinted. 

She knew what he meant, this man was making it clear to her that this was nothing but a one night stand. Not that she expected more anyway, she would soon be married off to a strange billionaire heir. Gina shrugged. 

Gina awkwardly shifted her gaze from him. For some reason, she felt that he had been avoiding her gaze since she woke up. 

Chris had seen the blood-stained spot on the white Egyptian bedding. Although she looked innocent, he did not expect that she was still pure right before he took her. A sense of guilt gnawed at his heart for taking her innocence without a prior relationship or commitment of any sort or even a potential one.

He could not offer her a relationship as he did not want one at the moment. Even if he wanted one, it was not with a woman her age, he thought. So he offered her what he had. 

Pulling out his checkbook from his breast pocket, he signed a blank check and gave it to her. 

“Fill in any amount you desire and you will have it.” His outstretched hand held the detached check slip.

Gina’s face twisted in blinding rage. She understood his gesture for what it was. He was paying her for her supposed service. Did he think she was a call girl right after deflowering her? Her face turned red with anger and she felt insulted. 

How can you look at others so lowly? Do I look like I am in desperate need of your money?” Gina flared. Her tone was sharp.

She left the bed at once, darting to the bathroom to wash herself.

Chris didn't expect her to be so angry. He was slightly amazed and dumbfounded at her outburst. What had he done wrong? He had a dazed expression on his face.

As soon as Gina was completely dressed, she grabbed her phone and hurried out of the room without looking back. 

****

As soon as she got home, she stumbled on her step-mother and sisters just rounding up their breakfast. 

“Where have you been since last night, Gina? You dishonorable child!” Nicole glared at her. If looks could kill, Gina would have dropped dead on the spot. 

Gina rolled her eyes. “Is there a child more dishonorable than this daughter of yours?” she flicked her fingers at Nina. 

“I won't have you talk about your older sister in that manner. She is the oldest daughter of this family and you must give her that respect.” Nicole yelled in anger, raising her arm to hit her but abruptly brought down her hand as she saw that Gina was indifferent to her action.  

Gina looked at her step-mother with a death glare. Few days ago, she would recoil and cower in fear while she got hit at the slightest provocation. 

Presently, she was no longer the Gina they were all used to, that version of Gina was trashed last night. This present one was very much different. 

“Welcome, sis.” Mia greeted, she walked past all three, leaving them in the dining hall, and took a seat in the living room. Gina gave a small nod to acknowledge Mia’s greeting. Her eyes did not leave the evil duo of Mother and daughter.

Gina threw back her head in a small laugh, as she took deliberately slow steps towards Nina. She raised her chin, staring dead into Nina's eyes. “As the oldest daughter of the family, shouldn’t you be making conscious efforts to save the family’s business?” 

“Say whatever you wish, Gina. You can't change the fact that she's a legitimate daughter of the Thompson family.” Nicole shot out with a hint of ridicule. She always reminded Gina that she was the child of a mistress and thus, an illegitimate child. 

Gina's eyes flashed with hatred. “She can as well be the ONLY daughter of the Thompson family. I. Don't. Care.” she scowled.

As Gina made her way to her room, she halted in her steps, and turned to face them, “Mind you, I only have a few days to remain here until I'm married. Trust me when I say I would not hesitate to mete out the same energy any of you directs towards me. You better not provoke me.” She warned with a chilling coldness in her voice. 

Nicole and Nina froze on the spot as Gina swept past them. One person's gaze met the other, their eyes mirroring the same height of shock and disbelief. Their gaze carried an understanding of the unspoken words they were too stunned to voice out.