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 POVAfter we were done sorting out the outfits in Nana's room, I excused Nana to give her privacy to freshen up. Nana was very exhausted. I felt sticky myself too and needed a shower. So I went up to my room to change.Nana insisted that I join her for a snack afterwards. The old woman wanted me by her side every minute. I wasn't complaining. Rather, I enjoyed it. It took my mind away from the many problems in my life, not giving me time to wallow in pain.I changed into comfortable clothes, a T-shirt and sweatpants. I took one more look in the mirror, admiring my new look. The saloon Nana had taken us to did a wonderful job with my hair. And I loved it!Satisfied with my appearance, I made my way to the balcony. That's where Nana and I would be spending the afternoon.I was left tongue tied when I pulled the door knob only to find the one person I least expected to be there.Maurice! And he seemed fixated at the door to my room. Why was he standing there and staring at the d
GLENDA'S POVIt's been two days since Maurice left for business and the house felt empty. His absence only made me realize how deeply I was aware of his presence. I had thought I avoided him well enough not to notice his absence. This only proves how wrong I was.As I lay in bed, my thoughts involuntarily stirred towards Maurice, I felt the rise of bile in my throat, the urge to throw up. I immediately scampered out of the bed and headed for my bathroom.With my head bent over the water closet, I retched, expelling whatever was left in my stomach from the previous day. I raised my head slowly, heaving tiredly. The activity was exhausting.And this was becoming a habit. For the past few days, my visit to the restroom was becoming habitual. I would wake with the perpetual urge to vomit. My strength seemed to grow meager each passing day and with a growing need to stay in bed all the time.I was probably coming down with a fever, and a terrible one at that. I moved to the faucet to wash
GLENDA'S POVCold shivers ran down my spine. The hair on my neck stiffened. I held my breath for what seemed to be an eternity as I sat on the gurney waiting for the doctor to return with the test result. Elsa had occupied a seat opposite the doctor's large table. Her pitiful eyes occasionally glance at me.I prayed and hoped that Elsa's suspicions were wrong. Pregnant? Pregnant? How could I be pregnant? As though my life wasn't complicated enough as it is."I fear your veins would pop and spill blood on the white walls of this office." Elsa joked lightly, trying to ease the tension in the room. I appreciated the thought, but it did nothing to calm my angst.I could still feel my veins tense and tightly strained. My breath hitched. My heart thumbed as though they existed outside my body."Calm down. I could be wrong, you know." Elsa tried again. "And even if you're pregnant, it can't be that bad. You're already married and who knows, maybe the child will bring you and Maurice closer."
GLENDA'S POVI tossed restlessly on my bed. It was well into the night and sleep eluded me. My mind was a maze. The events of the day had stirred a torrential turmoil within me. The iota of peace I thought I was beginning to have dissipated into thin air as though it never existed.I was a mess! Both mentally and physically. Neither was beneficial to my health. Most especially now. I let my hand rest on my belly. A gentle reminder of the cause of my angst.God! I was pregnant. It seemed like a breath hitching nightmare, only it wasn't. It was my reality. I was pregnant for my husband's son. I shut my eyes tightly and turned my head to the sides of my pillow. Nothing I did made all of this disappear. I would always open my eyes to the same dilemma.Agitatedly, I passed a hand over my face, rubbing at it a little too hard. I felt lost. I had no inkling on what to do or how to even begin to address this mess.Elsa's idea was absurd! I understood she was trying to help but the solution sh
GLENDA'S POVAir sucked out of my lungs. My eyes popped with disbelief. Lost in a trance, my gaze focused on him. I tried to deafen the echoes of his words dancing about in my head."Kill it! Eliminate that bastard sprouting inside of you?"His words rang like a mantra. A spell of evil. Goosebumps bathed my skin and I felt a tightening knot tugged at my belly. Even the child roiled at his words.I turned my head and looked around aimlessly. The effects of his words disheveled me. I finally found my voice to say something and it sounded so alien to my ears."You can't possibly mean that." I was shaking my head at him.He snorted. "Do you want to keep it?"I jolted in shock at his question. How could he even ask that? "This is our baby, our child." I spoke with trembling lips. "I could never think of doing that to our baby."This time, he chuckled before throwing my words back at me. "You can't possibly mean that." His eyes watched me with disgust.Salted liquid slipped through the thin
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.