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,
GLENDA'S POVMy time spent with Elsa had been splendid. Nana had insisted that Elsa join us to go to the saloon so I had enough time to catch up with Elsa.I had not had this much fun in a very long time. Nana was such an exquisite woman and I was beginning to fall in love with her.She was so full of wisdom and nothing like the boring, nagging old woman often said about older women. Even Elsa had commented on the liveliness of Nana. It was so easy to talk to her.Initially I didn't feel like going out when Nana asked but now, I'm glad I did. I was enjoying myself so much that I didn't want the day to end, but nothing lasts forever, does it? By mid-day, Nana was worn out. "I apologize for ruining the fun girls, but this old hag needs a break. My legs are beginning to hurt from all the walking."I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips when I saw Elsa pouting sadly as Nana announced her tiredness. It was obvious I wasn't the only one enjoying the day."Oh no!... Argh… why?..." E
MAURICE'S POVI scrunched my face at Lucy's deafening squeal when I informed her of my decision to travel to Los Angeles."Wonderful! You'll love every bit of the trip, I promise!""It's work Lucy." I reminded her in a slight reprimanding tone."Yes, yes. It's work." She agreed, still unable to contain her excitement. "I should go let the office know you'll be present… I should go get prepared." She added the last part a little too enthusiastically, scurrying off before I corrected her again.I shook my head as I mentally slapped myself in the face. Women! I hope I don't regret this split second decision I had taken. Lucy was beginning to take this relationship seriously and I didn't want her to.I don't want anything more than a physical relationship. I might have to remind her about the terms of our relationship. It seemed to me she was beginning to forget. "What's all that about? Why's your doll all over the place, disrupting the peace of the house?"I huffed in irritation. The fa
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
GLENDA'S POV I didn't want to accept how foolish I had been. How gullible I was. How blindingly trusting I was. “Elsa, please tell me this is all not true. Tell me this is all a prank. Say it. Laugh all this off… Say you're joking!” I yelled at her. I shook my head as though doing that would dispel everything that I had heard. “You are a liar! I don't believe you!” I broke into a sob. “I trusted you, Elsa. I loved you! I trusted you!... You were my sister! That's how much I cherished you.” I spilled through my teary, pain-filled voice. “And I hate you! I hate you Glenda! I hate you!” She countered, panting with dark rage. The room was filled with the heat of the hate emanating from her. The stench of her loath towards me was palpable in the ambience of the room. It felt so surreal. Like acting out a scene with the evil villain. Only, this was far from a dream or a movie. It was my sick reality. I could never have thought Elsa, whom I considered akin to my sister, harbored su
MAURICE POV It was a long drive. It had been two hours ago since Lucy agreed to take me to the place she talked about, yet we still hadn't reached. We kept taking neverending turns and corners. “Are we there yet?” I asked like an impatient child eager to reach the park sooner. “No. It's right up that corner.” Lucy replied. “How many more corners are we going to take?” Exasperation embellished my tone. “How did you even come to know about this place?” I asked out of my impatience and eagerness to quickly reach Glenda. The long hours of driving was beginning to make me rethink my decision. I couldn't help but begin to consider that this may be a ploy to distract me. “Um, he brought me here one time when we needed to talk privately. This is his hideout.” she spoke shyly. From the sound of her voice and the expression on her face, I understood that this was where they came to do all their plotting. Could Brian and Lucy still be working together? Could this also be one of
BRIAN'S POVI repeatedly slapped the passport against my palm, relishing in immense satisfaction as I walked to my car. It had taken longer than I had anticipated to get it done but I was finally holding it. My ticket to leave this place without being spotted by anyone.Best part, I was taking the woman I love along. Everything was falling into place. I smiled to myself as I got in my car. Aunt Helena had no idea how smart I could be. By the time she'll realize anything, we'd be long gone. Far long gone! To a place where no one can ever find us! Our disappearance would be a huge disappointment to Aunt Helena. It would put a big hole in her plans.As I sat in my car, my hand rested idling on the steering wheel. I gaze through the windshield, staring fixated at nothing ahead, my mind traveling back to that day at the hospital.★★★Flash back★★★“I've lost him.” She was crying profusely. “We failed.”I glanced over to Lucy curled on the gurney, an irritated look draped my expression.