NOT GUILTY

CHAPTER 2 - THE DEATH

After they returned to their seats. Jessica tried to ignore what she'd just witnessed but she couldn't do it.

"Do Mom and Dad still fight like they used to?" Jessica asked.

"Fine! I am sorry for leaving you guys, okay. That is all you're getting from me," she finally said when her sisters stayed silent.

"The fights have only become worse over the years," Jackie told her.

"Can you believe they are arguing now? In front of all these people. What if someone notices," Jessica complained.

"You will get used to it," Jade told her.

"Only if she's here to stay," Jacinta murmured, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Oh, grow up Jacinta," Jessica snapped.

"I wonder what Dad did this time?" she added sarcastically, trying to provoke Jacinta.

"What's that supposed to mean? We all know Jenny started all of this," Jacinta overreacted as expected.

"I cannot believe she is still on Dad's side," Jessica mocked.

The argument between the Ntale daughters about which of their parents was at fault took all their attention. Jessica defended her mother. Jacinta was on her dad's side. Jackie didn't care.

And most importantly... Jade was gone.

"Those two are both at fault. Dad doesn't listen and Mom just does whatever comes to her mind. Just look at them," Jackie finally said.

They all turned to look at their parents' seats.

Empty. Jenny was not there. James was not there. Neither was Jade.

"Where are they?" Jacinta asked, panic in her voice.

"They probably just went looking for a good spot to argue from!" Jackie said, as if wishing it was true.

"What could be so important? Uncle Jordan is almost done with his speech and they will call Dad to the stage. Do you guys know what they are fighting about?" Jessica wondered.

In James Ntale's office, the door was half open.

Jenny was crying, begging him to change his mind about whatever he was planning to reveal in his forthcoming speech.

A huge struggle went on inside until James heard his name being called to the stage. It was time.

He walked out of his office and ran into Jade. He ignored her and walked straight to the stage.

"Are you alright Mommy?" Jade asked. It was obvious Jenny had been crying.

"I am fine baby," she replied. "And Dad?"

"He is fine. He is angry. But he is fine, everything is fine." Jenny wished it was as she said.

Jade left her mother fixing her makeup and walked back to the function. She went straight to the table with alcoholic drinks and picked up a glass.

Someone pulled it out of her hands.

"No alcohol Jade, we talked about this," Jenny told her.

"Sorry, wrong table," Jade explained.

"Oh Mommy just let her have a sip. Jade is no longer underage. Your baby is now eighteen," Jessica appeared out of nowhere.

"Why don't you take your suggestions back to London!" Jenny said angrily. She gave Jade a glass of juice and walked back to find her seat.

On stage, James had already started giving his speech. It was the same as the one he gave in previous years, but the guests were all ears.

The Ntale daughters cared less about it. Jessica was talking to a waiter, Jade was more focused on her juice, Jackie received a phone call and walked out to answer it.

Only Jacinta had time to listen.

Jenny's eyes moved from the clock to the main entrance, as if she expected someone.

James spoke about all his past hardships. Then his speech took a sudden turn.

"My wife and I..." he said, then coughed softly to clear his throat.

The coughing continued.

Until he started to bleed.

His nose, eyes and ears were all covered in blood as he struggled to breathe. He lost his balance and fell to the ground, fighting to keep his life.

Jenny, Jordan, the daughters and the audience stared in fright until it dawned on Jenny that her husband was dying.

She ran up to the stage and held him tightly as the blood continued to flow.

"Someone call an ambulance!" she screamed.

The ceremony that was going so well had taken a sudden twist. People mumbled and moved in circles.

The ambulance came immediately. James was rushed to the hospital with Jenny alongside him while his daughters watched in shock.

Jacinta did not believe her eyes. She paced in circles. "What just happened?" her voice shook. Her sisters had no answer.

At the hospital, doctors ran up and down, ignoring Jenny's questions.

The daughters walked in looking for their mom only to find her crying outside the ER.

Jessica walked towards her to comfort her but in vain. Jacinta just sat down crying even more than her mother. Jackie tried to talk to the nurses but they all ignored her.

And Jade...

"What... What just happened, why are we in a hospital?" she asked innocently. Her voice didn't break or shake. She was acting normal, which confused everyone.

Jenny walked to her eighteen-year-old baby and embraced her.

"Daddy is going to be fine."

Outside, Jordan Ntale was receiving calls from different news companies inquiring about James. He answered until he got so angry he threw his phone to the ground and it broke.

He was terrified for both his brother and himself.

He finally decided to enter the hospital only to find the doctors talking to Jenny. Though he was a little far, he could tell something wasn't right.

After the doctor's communication, Jenny ran into the room pushing the doctor out of her way. Her three daughters followed behind.

Jade took a different direction as if she had lost her sight for a minute. Jordan noticed her.

"Careful Jade, watch where you're going!" he almost yelled.

"What’s wrong Jade, are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

"Daddy is dead," Jade replied.

Then she fainted in his arms.