MAURICE'S POV “You told Nana everything!” I snapped at Sam once he took my call. I could hear him inhale sharply and I sensed he was stretching. He sounded groggy when he spoke. “What?” “Who is that?” I heard the female voice ask in the background. I knew it was Jane. “It's my brother, Maurice.” Sam sniffed as he responded. “It's past midnight.” She whined. Then I heard the ruffles and then shifting. “Hey!” Sam said again. He seemed to have moved elsewhere. “What were you saying?” It was evident that the sleep was slowly clearing. “I said you told Nana everything! You big mouth!” “Is that what you called at this hour to tell me? I was asleep.” Sam sounded astonished. “Fuck your sleep! You put me on the hot seat with Nana. I've had to endure listening to her remind me how she groomed me and how wrong I was to attempt doing what I had in mind… As my brother, I expected you to have my back!” “It's because I have your back that's why I told Nana before you did something stupid
GLENDA'S POV I watched Maurice pace restlessly up and down the hospital hallway. If anxiety was a person, then it would be Maurice. He was making me dizzy just by watching him. I bowed my head and silently prayed that this turned out to be nothing serious. That nothing had happened to Nana. “You should sit. Your pacing is increasing my anxiousness.” I said lightly. My agitation was rising with his incessant walks, making me assume the worst. Maurice paused in front of me and I dared not to raise my head up to him. I could feel his hot gaze on me and I didn't want to be consumed in his emotions. I sat there, quiet, small and continuously diminishing. His presence chipped away my confidence. I breathed out a grateful sigh when the buzz of Maurice's phone ringing cut through the air. Still standing before me, Maurice dug his hand into his pocket and fished out his phone. “Sam.” His crisp tone resonated through the hall. “Sorry, I should have called earlier. I was distracted.” He sai
MAURICE'S POV“You look like you wet your pants.” Nana said to me once she saw my worried expression. “It'll take more than a slight fever to get rid of me. You should know that.” She bragged in her frail voice and laughed at her joke. A laughter that turned into a wheezing cough.Glenda immediately handed her the glass of water seated on the table beside her bed. “Thank you dear.” Nana greeted her.Nana had woken up half an hour ago and they just let us in to see her. Lying on the hospital bed, the IV tube feeding her veins, she looked weak and sickly. It seemed as though Nana grew older overnight. She didn't look like her usual self. Yet somehow she still managed to make a joke. Typical Nana.“It's not funny Nana.” I chided. “You shouldn't hide the fact that you're ill. You're not growing younger, your metabolism has slowed. Your resistance to ‘slight fever’, as you termed it, is not…”“Glenda, please kiss this man shut. He's giving me a headache.” Nana beamed brightly and Glenda
GLENDA'S POV “Sorry. I'll come back.” I apologized and tried to squeeze myself out through the door seeing that Maurice and Nana were not done talking.“No. It's fine. Come in.” Nana said with a smile.Skeptically, I trudged into the room. I avoided looking at Maurice whom I didn't want to feel awkward for the position I had I found him and Nana in.“I'll go talk to the doctor.” Maurice announced. He stood up and straightened his jacket. “Find out when I can be discharged. The smell of this place is killing me. I hate hospitals!’ Nana swore and cursed.Maurice just smiled and walked briskly out of the room.“Come here dear “ Nana's needled hand tapped on the bed, beckoning me to go sit near her.Nana didn't miss the sadness and fear in my eyes as I sat near her. “Not you too. I don't understand why all of you have long faces. I'm not dead yet.” Nana chuckled in an attempt to make me feel better.“You take dying so lightly. It's not something to joke about, Nana.” My voice was laden
MAURICE'S POVNana's death still came as a shocking surprise even though somewhere deep in my heart, I knew it was imminent.It hurt like hell to lose the one person that never gave up on me. The one person that could see past my flaws and still loved me regardless of it all.Nana was a gem, a rare one. Becoming a mother and taking up our responsibility after the tragic passing of her son, Sam's father. I never felt the demise of my adoptive parents with Nana around.Nana helped me become the man I am today. She groomed me, believed in me even when I had given up on myself. She gave me hope when I was drowning in despair. She stood by me, constantly reminding me that I wasn't alone even when I disbelieved it and pushed everyone away. She never left. She remained by my side until I believed I had a family who loved me.But today, Nana was gone. Snatched from me by the cold hands of death. I had lost the most important person in my life. I was suffocating in pain and sorrow. My heart t
GLENDA'S POVIt has been two weeks since I confessed my feelings to Maurice. Two weeks of nothing but passion, love and sex. Lots of sex.I stirred to look at the sleeping handsome man beside me. He looked so beautiful and peaceful asleep. I let my eyes wander over the smooth muscular outline of his naked body. The body that had dominated over mine and had me whimpering pleasurably underneath him. I traced the bulge of his bicep, hard and strong. He was everything I wanted. He is everything I love.I smiled to myself just thinking about it. Then my smile slowly faded as I recalled something. In all the times I've spent with Maurice making wild, hot, passionate love, he had never told me how he felt about me.I knew I said I didn't want anything but to be with Maurice, but it felt as though something was amiss. I didn't know how he really felt about all of this, about us.It made me wonder if I was only a convenient to pass time and take his mind away from his raging thoughts?I remem
MAURICE'S POVI had been thinking of doing something special for Glenda. I had earlier made dinner arrangements and it was supposed to be a surprise. So when she mentioned going out, I knew she would love the idea of dinner. Later that evening, we set about for our date night.The restaurant I chose was quite expensive and only admitted the elites of London.We were ushered in and showed our table. I drew the seat for Glenda, sat myself down and automatically a waiter appeared.“Anything you'd like to order?” I asked Glenda who was grossly examining the menu.“Indulge me.” She requested with a sly smile.I tittered. She was mesmerizing. The silk curtains of her golden hair draped over her beautiful face, just the way I loved her wearing her hair. Dressed in a short black bodycon sequin dress that clung to every inch of her figure, she looked ravishing and the only thing I wanted to do was to slowly peel that dress off her.I turned to the waiter and ordered a bottle of their finest w
GLENDA'S POV I was most certain I had pissed Maurice off yet again but I was least bothered about it. In my current state, I didn't give much thought to the words I blurted out. “Hey! Where are you going? This is not the route home.” I stated pointedly. “You called me old.” “I'm sorry.” Maurice ignored my apology and continued. “I want to show you what a date night with an oldie feels like.” He was concentrated on the road, a handsome smile splayed over his lips. “You're smiling. What are you up to?” I hiccupped just after speaking. “You'll see soon.” An excited mischievous glint shone in his eyes. It didn't take long before Maurice cut the ignition. He turned to me with a grin. “We are here.” He announced and got down. The gentleman also helped me out of the car. The cool night air hit me hard and I embraced myself, rubbing my hands over my arms in an attempt to warm up. Maurice’s jacket suddenly draped over me, bringing me warmth. “So you succeeded in getting me drunk. What
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
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.