Novels by Sheila Blue

GLENDA'S POVONE WEEK LATER“Where is he? How is he?” Concern adorned my weary voice as my worried gaze rested on my brother-in-law.“He’ll live.” Sam said with a grin.Jane nudged him and gave him a warning glare. “Be serious for once! Don’t scare her with your silly jokes!” She reprimanded him.Sam pouted, but his eyes didn’t discard the mischievous glint they held. “I’m serious. I’m sharing good news.” He said with a shrug.Jane’s irritation at her husband stood up a notch. Her glares intensified. “Can’t you see that she’s worried?”Sam sighed resignedly. “I was only trying to lighten her mood.”“Well you’re doing a terrible job at it!”Sam raised his hands in surrender. He shifted and gave way for Jane to come closer to my gurney.Jane approached the bed with a sweet smile. “We came as soon as we heard. How are you feeling dear?” She helped adjust the gurney so my upper body was elevated. It gave me a better view.“I’m doing fine... Where is Maurice?" I asked again.It has been two

MAURICE'S POVBrian acted impulsively. That's what I thought and I couldn't resist the urge to scold him. He shouldn't have taken such a risky task upon himself. I was most certain that he had hurt himself, his hands were hurting and he was hiding it.“Scold me later, after we leave here.” He smiled at his deed, hiding his pain behind those genuine smile.I couldn't help but manage a half smile. He looked charming. Brian was a good boy. He just needed to be pointed in the right direction and I'm glad he found his way back home.I promised myself at that instance that things would be different from there on. He would be my son and I would be his father.I nodded for him to come along and went ahead with Glenda, expecting him to follow behind us. I had only taken a few steps when I heard the crash.I immediately turned around. “Brian!” I yelled, but it was already too late. “Dad.” He choked out in response. He blinked, sighed and seemed to relax. He looked calm, smiling up at me. As t

BRIAN'S POV“Elsa?” I asked him in surprise.It only meant Elsa had run after me when she couldn't stop me from going into the house. That crazy bitch!With everything that my father had told me, it was clear that she hadn't entered with good intentions. She must have sensed my intentions and she wanted to act ahead of me.She wanted to cement her plans, ensure everything happened according to how she wanted it. It was her house after all. She knew where she had left Glenda and could find her easily.Maybe it was a good thing she came in. This unit was large and finding my father and Glenda in this fiery mess was already proving difficult until I stumbled on the door, and heard the thudding coming from within. If she hadn't locked them in here, then maybe I would not have found them.I wanted to lift Glenda, carry her in my arms, but I thought against it and allowed my father to carry his wife.“I doubt that she's still in the building. Quick, let's get out of here.” I ordered and w

MAURICE'S POVA miracle did happen. Only it wasn't how I expected it.“Glenda!” I thought I was hallucinating someone calling Glenda. I braced myself. The thief had come. Death was near. It was so close, looming over us and breathing over my neck. I could feel it. But I wasn't scared. I wasn't afraid. I was ready for whatever was to come.“Glenda!” The call came again.My eyes flew wide open when I heard the second call. I was not hallucinating. I was not imagining things. Someone was indeed calling Glenda.Quickly, I raised myself from the forlorn stance I had assumed on the floor.My dead hope resurrected instantly. Someone was here. Someone had come for us.“Is anyone there? We are in here!” I yelled. My voice had become hoarse, dried from the smoke. I prayed whoever it was out there had heard me.“We are here!” I tried to increase my volume. I ended up wheezing from the strain.I guess my coughing gave away our location as I heard shuffling, then someone approaching.“Elsa?” I as

MAURICE'S POVHis reaction only confirmed my fears. Glenda was in that heat.I watched in horror as the flames grew taller into the sky. My breath hitched. My fears skyrocketed. Anxiety clothed my core. I was shaking with fright.That's when I caught sight of the approaching figure. A ray of hope stirred within me. Maybe. Just maybe.Brian strode past me like a zombie, his gaze set upon the fire like it was beckoning to him.Once the outline cleared to reveal Elsa, every ounce of hope and logical thinking within me vaporized.At that moment, nothing else mattered. Not Brian. Not Elsa. Not me. Only Glenda.I willed my legs to move and like a flash, I ran past Brian into the fire. The dense, hazy smoke welcomed me. Everything blurred in my vision. I squinted in an attempt to adjust to the smoky view.I squinted through the smoke and raised a hand to fan out the smoke. It didn't help to clear my view.“Glenda!” I called out. A raspy cough escaped my throat as the smoke filled my lungs.

BRIAN'S POVI caught a whiff of the familiar perfume as I entered the house. My heart began to beat at a double rate. My worst fears came alive when I stepped into the room to find it empty. Glenda was gone.“Shit! Shit!” I cussed and kicked.I exasperatedly ran a hand through my hair. Just when I had everything ready. When all my plans were ready and set. That sick bitch had to appear now. Why did I ever bring her here? What had I ever found attractive about that sick witch? I looked down at my crotch and cussed myself for my lack of control. But how could I have known then that this would come back to bite me in the ass? How could I have known that Elsa was as sick as the woman who birthed her?“Darn it!”Was this how all of my plans would be ruined? Would I not be able to protect Glenda? Would I allow Elsa and her mother to have the last laugh?No! I swore to protect Glenda and I would fulfill that promise.But where do I even begin to look for Glenda? Where could Elsa have taken

Jake and Sheena exchanged confused looks. What was Mirabel talking about? Their minds shared similar questions.'I need to tell you something about my father's death.' Mirabel announced.'What about our father's death?' Jake asked. They had moved to the study where they could converse in private. Sheena and Jake kept expectant eyes peeled on Mirabel.'I … I.-' she inhaled sharply before she continued. 'I know I've not been the best of persons but I'm working on myself. Hating the one man who had taken me in and had shown mercy on a lowly young orphan. I know now the old man loved me, loved us, even if he never showed it much. He's human after all and bound to make mistakes.' Mirabel swallowed before she began speaking again. 'I had always wanted him dead. Now that he's dead, I regret not having more time with him… I never had the courage to kill him even though I would have loved to, but I wouldn't have stopped anyone wanting to. This was before I knew the truth.''Mirabel, do you k

Sheena opened her eyes to bright blinding lights. She squinted trying to adjust her eyes to the lights, but shut them after an exhausting attempt. She let out a laborious breath so she could speak, but somehow, she didn't seem to find her voice. She felt parched, her throat overly dry and painful.She opened her eyes again, blinking severally to accommodate the light. After her success at it, she scanned the room. White pristine walls, huge beeping machines, a tray filled with medicines and needles. A hospital. It clicked. She was in the hospital.How did she get here? Memories of the previous day's event flood her mind as she wondered."Jake!" Was he okay? Did Damian shoot him too?Anxiety and fear hijacked every cell in her being. Her breathing hitched and she struggled to raise herself. The effects of the sedatives were still very much active, she felt dizzy but undeterred.'Hey! What are you trying to do?' The concerned voice filled the room as the intruder pushed the door hard,

'He didn't suspect a thing?' The skepticism in Jake's voice was evident.They had just finished making love. Sheena was resting her head on the muscled bare chest of Jake. She related her experience with Damian to Jake as she idly pulled on his chest hair, a sweet painful sensation for him.Sheena shrugged. 'I couldn't believe it myself. He just went to sleep without saying a word.''I think he is brewing something in that egregious mind of his. He can't be that collected after discovering you went out.' Jake spoke pensively. He paused weighing the possibilities before speaking again. 'And today?' He asked. 'Did he say anything to you today?''He left the house before anyone was up.' She raised her head to stare at him, studying his features. 'Maybe he's tired of paying me any attention. He's got too much trouble on his hand right now. You made sure of that… I don't think it's something to worry about.' She added.'I just have a bad feeling about this. It just doesn't seem right.' It

'I love you.' Jake whispered to Sheena as they lay on the large hotel mattress. His hand wrapped around her neck, he pulled her closer and planted a passionate kiss on her head.'I love you too.' Sheena replied and kissed him on his lips. She snuggled closer into his hold. Her desire to remain there glaring.Sheena and Jake have been meeting over the past few weeks. Sneaking in and out of hotels like teenage lovers. After that night at the Rollins house, it seemed as though they've never been more in love with each other. Always wanting to be near the other, making mad sweet love.'Hmm, delicious.' He said in reference to her kiss. He moved in to steal more kisses and Sheena laughed at his boyishness.'What?' He asked against her lips. 'You want it here?' He tickled her sides and she laughed harder. He nibbled on her lower lip as she laughed.'Or you want it here?' He trailed kisses down her neck and Sheena girlishily giggled. 'Or here?' He moved further down her breast and took a ni

'What do you want? Why are you here?' She turned to Mary. You let him into the house? 'Is he why you brought me here?' Sheena asked incredulously.'Please calm down, you're raising your voice. You'll make Damian come here ' Mary pleaded.'Let him come! At least, he'd get rid of this-' she eyes Jake in disgust, indecisive on what adjective to qualify him.'You'll wake up Jayden. Look at her, do you want to wake her?' Mary appealed to her reason and love for her child.Sheena turned her gaze to the bed and softened. Her anger rose again at the sight of Jake near Jayden. 'Get away from my daughter!' Sheena bellowed at Jake. She charged towards him and yanked his hand away from the child. She relaxed again as she watched the child. She smoothed her hand on the silk of Jayden's hair.The sigh of contentment and peace that escaped the child's lips, assured Sheena that everything was fine with Jayden and that she was only sleeping.Sheena bent over and kissed the top of Jayden's head before

Jake sat in the back seat of his car mulling over the events of the night. 'Drive faster.' He ordered his driver as he rested his head on the headrest, his face turned up staring at the roof of the car. He was thinking.'I can't. Damian keeps Sheena locked up like a prisoner. …It's difficult for me, even as her sister, to see her. We always have to sneak around to meet. …Sheena was waiting, waiting until you'll come to save her.'Elena's words played repeatedly in Jake's head like a mantra. Sheena had been suffering too, just like he suffered in jail. He shut his eyes tightly to drown out the pain, regret, and remorse he felt. He felt deeply foolish and sorry. He had wronged his woman. He had added salt to her painful wounds and he needed to tend to the wounds he had inflicted on Sheena fast.Regardless of the fact that Sheena didn't know that he thought so lowly of her, he still tortured himself for entertaining such thoughts about her. Jake wanted to meet Sheena so he could right

“You witch! What did you do to my son!” Helen barged into Ashley's ward steaming with rage. For some reasons unknown to Ashley, she had taken so long to arrive even after hearing about her son's accident.Ashley was now back in her room. She has been unable to talk to Paul. A nurse came in at that moment and kicked them out, all the while reprimanding Pamela for indulging Ashley.The nurse followed Ashley back to her room to ensure that she got back in bed. She refixed the IV on Ashley's hand and she sent Pamela out of the room.Ashley had gone to Paul's room seeking answers. Instead, she got more questions.Why did Pamela react like that? It only meant she knew Paul. How did she know Paul? What history did they share?Ashley was engrossed with these thoughts when Helen burst in.“What did you do to my son?” Helen repeated, stomping her feet as she approached Ashley's bed.“I'm fine Helen. Thanks for the concern.” Ashley's tone dripped with sarcasm.“You will tell me right now what-”

Ashley stubbornly sat up on the gurney despite the doctor's warning to lay still. The doctor had had to restitch her wound, fed her with a ton of pain killers and instructed her to rest. She didn't feel better. Her whole body felt as though she was run over by a bulldozer. The aching was almost unbearable. The effect of the anesthesia given to her had not worn off. She still felt sick, drowsy and lightheaded. Still, Ashley couldn't lay down peacefully. She was disturbed. Disturbed by the last words of Paul before he lost consciousness. He said he knew. He was aware of her secret. But how? Who could have told him? Only she and Pamela knew of this secret. Only Pamela did Ashley tell of this. So how? Paul had earlier warned her about Pamela and she didn't want to confront Pamela outrightly without proof. Could this be what Paul meant? Did Pamela tell him her secret? But Pamela had not even met Paul yet. Pamela didn't know of Ashley's relationship with Paul. Paul had seen

She couldn't give up like this. Not after winning this much.She snapped her eyes open, refusing to let oblivious take her. Her eyeballs bulged out of their sockets and the veins in her temples popped with strain.A whimper escaped her quivering lips. She jerked against his grasp and placed a hand on his arm. And then Paul stopped. He had been carried away by his rage. Her small touch transported him back to reality.He pulled himself away from her. Dazed, he watched her. Almost as though he couldn't believe he did any of it.“Baby. Baby. I'm sorry. Baby, I'm sorry.” He begged. His tone filled with regret.Ashley's eyes dimmed as release flooded her. She gasped and panted, her breath hitching as she tried to catch it. Paul neared her, tugged at her, pulling her closer to himself and wrapping his arms around her.“I'm sorry.” He apologized again, sounding hoarse, as though something got caught in his throat. Was he crying? Did he feel remorse?Ashley’s insides twisted with disgust. A

Ashley stayed up late in the study that used to be her father's. Now hers, she spent most of her time here, in solitude enjoying the quietness of this particular room.The space was set up like an office with a few homely items that added warmth. Mr Knox's large photo frame hung high on the wall just behind the large mahogany table. A part of the large desk housed Ashley's pictures from childhood into adulthood.To the right of the room, a L-shaped cupboard fitted to the wall providing ample space for file storage sat.The top of the cupboard was decorated with stringed art work of different kinds, Mr Knox's multiple business awards and two flower vases that stood like protectors at both edges of the cupboard.The left part of the office, where the curtains draped over the double windows in the room, accommodated a soft comfortable sofa, leaving the center of the room free and spacious.Ashley had turned off the lights, leaving only the desk lamp on. She sat in the office chair, her

Ashley's heart stopped beating for a moment. She sat there, motionless, fixated on DJ but not really looking at him.He had completely stunned her with the sudden proposal of marriage. She wasn't prepared for this.“Ashley.” DJ called gently. She had him worried with her sudden blankness causing regret to quickly fill his eyes as he waited for her to recover.He reached out and touched her hand on the table. It was a gentle, soft and pleading touch. She jolted back to reality and peeled her eyes to his, meeting his gaze. His eyes met hers with an apologetic look.“I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped that on you.” He apologized and she just stared at him, not knowing what to say.She couldn't formulate any words. Her mouth felt dry even though she had only moments ago drank from her glass of water.DJ chuckled nervously. His hand left hers and she felt inexplicably empty.“You know we'd have been married now if you hadn't had that accident. We'd be on our honeymoon at about this time

DJ drew the seat out for Ashley and helped her get settled like the proper gentleman that he was.He showed up at her office and had asked her out to lunch. Ashley was free. Her supposed meeting had been rescheduled and it had been a while since she went out with him, so she accepted to dine with him.“Mr Leon? Really?” A smile graced Ashley's lips. Her eyes followed DJ as he pulled out a seat for himself. His specific introduction at her office had her wondering why he didn't just use his name. She didn't think it was him. He didn't have a good standing with his family and had dissociated himself from them and the name. So she never imagined he would introduce himself as a Leon.“Well, you seem to be more concerned about my family these days than you're with me, so I thought the only way to get your attention would be to come to you as one of the Leon's.” DJ's brows rose, a gesture that asked if she agreed with his logic.Ashley chuckled. “It sounds bad when you put it that way. Be