GLENDA'S POV"You still have the old bad habit of listening in on people's conversation, don't you?" Brian sneered at Lucy who stood with arms at akimbo by the large entrance waiting for a reply to her question. I wondered just how much of our conversation she had heard."And you are still as rude as ever!" Lucy snapped back at him."Are you done licking my father's ass? You are lapsing on your job." Brian returned."And what is that supposed to mean?" Lucy glared at him. Her arms daringly crossed over her chest."I expected you to understand. You are a smart bimbo, aren't you?" Brian replied flatly and the sarcasm in his voice was evident.I quietly took my seat as I watched the two spit words of fire at each other. I didn't like the unwelcome intrusion, but it shifted Brian's rage away from me and that was something I was grateful for."I see you're spending time with your father's new wife. What's the catch? Getting to know your new mommy?" Lucy said. Her gaze was now resting on me
MAURICE'S POV "Dinner is ready sir." Nora announced, making me raise my head from the file I was so engrossed in. I nodded and dismissed her. I dropped the file on the table a few minutes after Nora left and headed for the dining room. I was famished as I had not had anything to eat all day. There's been so much going on at the office that needed my attention. Thankfully, I've been gradually able to tick them off the list. If I could wrap it up, then I could give more attention to Glenda and then work on getting her shares. I reached the dining room in time. Nana and Lucy were already seated, waiting for me. Nora began serving dinner as soon as I gave my consent. The aroma tingled my nose coupled with the fact that I was hungry. Just as I thought, the food was exquisite. I had just filled my mouth with another morsel when I noticed the empty seat by my left. "Where is Glenda?" I asked. "She's up in her room sir." Nora replied as she was making rounds dishing Nana's food
GLENDA'S POV My nose flared in anger as I watched Maurice's back move further and further away from me.I was so mad that I wanted to run after him, jump on him, and claw at his face, digging my fingers painfully into his eyes.The man was a bone in my throat, bossing me around like I was his secretary. Why wouldn't he just leave me alone?I was most certain he didn't like the fact that I questioned him. I didn't even know where I got the courage to do that. I was getting fed up with everyone taunting and degrading me in this house. Brian has been the biggest pain in my ass since I moved in here. Now, it wasn't just Brian I had to deal with. There was Lucy who was constantly breathing on my neck, reminding me how much of a misfit I was here.All these fuel my decision to remain in my room. To hide from all of them and maybe that way, I could get a measure of peace. But who was I kidding? When did I ever get what I wanted?I gaze at the door, missing and yearning for its enclosed com
MAURICE'S POVI lazily blinked open my eyes. The need for more sleep consumed me. My whole body felt alienated from my being. I stirred tiredly and blinked repeatedly as I tried to fight the sleep.Why did I feel so exhausted? My mind was gradually waking up but my body seemed to demand more rest. I forcefully raised my arm to my forehead, in an attempt to soothe the splitting ache I felt. I felt unusually tired.I struggled and kept my eyes open for longer and observed my surroundings. My eyes shot wide as the sleep cleared almost immediately. This was not my room.I tried to sit up, but I felt restricted. I looked down and that was when I noticed the slender arm wrapped around my bare chest. I smiled. "Lucy and her clinginess." I muttered to myself. Still feeling drowsy, I placed a hand on her back and began to stroke her back as I drifted off to sleep again.I was awakened a second time, when Lucy stirred. "Trying to escape from me?" I caught her and held her closer to me. It was
GLENDA'S POVI slammed the door hard and sat on the floor beside the bed dejectedly. Hugging and rocking myself, I cried bitterly. The pain in my chest was excruciating. Maurice's words echo in my head. 'A means to an end.' That was all I was to him. That's all I'll ever be.I didn't know if I could take solace in the fact that he at least found me useful to him or the fact that he saw me as only an object to be used.As I drowned in my sorrow and pain, I heard the soft knock on the door accompanied with Nana's small voice."Glenda." She called. Sincere concern bathed her voice. I peeled my eyes to the closed door. I would have loved to remain locked up in this room. Locked in here forever, away from everyone until life would slip away from me."Glenda open the door, please dear." Her soft plea waved my resolve.With trembling legs, I moved to the door and pulled down the bolt. I peeked at the small open space between the doors to ensure Nana was alone."It's just me." Nana answered
MAURICE'S POVI reached Lucy's room and tried to get inside. I turned the knob but was met with resistance. She had locked herself in and I was certain she was crying.I sighed tiredly knowing that it was going to be hard comforting her. I took a deep breath and braced myself. Gently I knocked on her door."Lucy." I called out to her softly.I scrunch my face as my gentleness is met with a high pitched hostility."Get out! I don't want to talk to you!" Her sobbing voice muffled by the confines of the room screamed at me.I hear a thud and then a clashing sound behind the door. I knew Lucy had thrown something against the door. It was probably the flower vase by her bed stand and the pieces would be lying on the floor in the room."Lucy please, don't be like this." I pleaded knowing very well that she was listening to me."Hear me out. Let me explain."My insistent pleading was met with silence and her coldness. "Lucy, c'mon open the door." I pleaded again and her response was the same
GLENDA'S POVI stood at the balcony that was becoming my favorite place in this house, reflecting on Nana's revelation. "Don't leave him… You'll be good for him, child." I shook my head at the thought.Didn't Nana recall how I became Maurice's wife? Although we didn't exactly know what the purpose was, but, Maurice had not been privy about the fact that he only married me for some purpose.Could it be that Nana knew about Maurice's plans and was urging me to support him? I closed my eyes, threw my head back and inhaled deeply. The cool air from around the lake was calming, but not enough to settle the erratic thoughts running through my mind."There you are! I've been looking all over for you."I jerked my head around to see Nana dragging her old leg into the balcony. She was beaming heartily at me."Good morning Nana." I managed a weak smile.The clever woman didn't miss my uneasiness. And she was also very thoughtful not to ask.As she trudged towàrds me she spoke. "I want to go t
MAURICE'S POV"Our partners in LA are requesting your presence in the annual board meeting. They would like to settle some matters personally with you." Lucy informed me.I had just finished my late breakfast and I was seated at the dining table. Today's newspaper in my hand and a cup of fresh hot coffee sat on the table before me. Lucy came in to join me and opted for fresh orange juice as she wasn't a coffee drinker."What did you tell them?" I asked her, my head buried in the papers for the morning."I'm yet to respond to them. I wanted to get your response first before I get back to them. I'm not sure if you'd want to go this time, since the last time you didn't go with me."I nodded at her thoughtfulness. It was one of the many reasons why she lasted longer as my PA. I had not made up my mind about going to LA and she was smart not to give a reply before first consulting with me."So would you be going? I'm looking forward to traveling with you. The last time I went without you,