GLENDA'S POVI chewed on my fingernails as I paced the length of the room. I was shivering with fear. The kind of fear that aggravated a headache but I couldn't keep still. I just couldn't keep still. Brian had his daring gaze on me the whole time as I climbed the stairs. His gaze was threatening and I feared what he'd tell his father.Why did he have to return? Why now when I was finally finding my footing with Maurice? Why did he have to come back just when I was experiencing a glimpse of happiness? Maurice knows nothing about my past with his son and I fear how he would react. “Glenda!” Maurice's authoritative voice echoed behind me.Too consumed in my thoughts, I hadn't realized when he entered the room. I spun swiftly on my heels to come face to face with a glare on Maurice's face.He knows! Oh my God! Brian told him and he's mad. He'd probably kick me out of the house. He'd want nothing to do with me. He'd hate me. My heart shattered into a million pieces at the thought of l
MAURICE'S POVAfter I had given my wife the pills and ensured she was asleep before leaving her, I set about to get her employment details ready.I had barely settled onto my seat before the phone in my study rang aloud. I suspected it had to be my brother because I had not spoken to him since after Nana's funeral when he and his wife returned to Fairbanks.My suspicions were confirmed once I took the call.“Hey brother.” Sam breathed into the phone.“Hey you. It's been a while.”“Sure has. You're doing absolutely fine so why bother about me?” Sam taunted.I laughed. “I did think of calling you later.” I said in my defense. “I just wanted to get a few things done to afford me more time to talk to you.” It was true I did think to call him after I had sorted Glenda's matter.“It's relieving to see you're handling things just fine. We were worried for you for no reason.”“What do you mean?” I asked.“You're happy. Glenda couldn't have come into your life at a better time… How is she by
GLENDA'S POV It was my first day at the office and I was pretty excited. Dressed in a beige top and black slacks, a beige pointed toe kitten heels and a black bag, I gave myself one last look in the mirror. With a nod of approval, I exited the room and headed downstairs. Maurice had left earlier and I was to arrive at the office on my own. It was my idea to go at separate times. I didn't want to be given any special treatments as the boss’s wife. “You're still here?” The surprised voice asked once I reached the foot of the stairs. I raised my gaze to come face to face with Lucy. She must have expected that I'd be long gone by the time she returned from her annual leave. She handed me the envelope containing the divorce papers with a victorious certainty that I'd leave after discovering everything. It was satisfying to see her crumbled expression at finding me in the house. The table had turned on her and I could only wait to see her crestfallen expression when she'd find out I g
MAURICE'S POV I came back into the office late at noon. I had an early meeting to attend so I wasn't present to welcome Glenda and Brian. Although I had made proper arrangements for them regardless of my absence. I had barely settled into my seat when my secretary walked in. “Elizabeth, how…” I stopped myself when I raised my head to see Lucy. Elizabeth was Lucy's fill-in while Lucy was on her annual leave. I had totally forgotten that Elizabeth had served her time and that Lucy was resuming today. I mentally slapped myself in the face and dragged a tired hand over it. I had gotten used to and was enjoying Elizabeth's proficiency. Gone were the days when I thought only Lucy was good enough to handle my business. “Are you trying to turn this office into a circus? What's with bringing Brian and ‘that Glenda’ to join the company?” I'm really going to miss Elizabeth. There was no nagging while she worked here. “You are back.” I said with disinterest as I fixed a few mispla
GLENDA'S POV Tsk! Darn! I just lost another chance to tell Maurice the truth. I thought I'd know my fate by today. Just when I mustered enough courage, a visitor had to come today. My mind immediately drifted to the cause of the interruption. I had to admit, I was surprised when Maurice informed me that the call had come for me and that I had a visitor. It was my first day at work and I wasn't expecting anyone. It didn't take long to find out who had come as the door slowly peeled open to reveal the said visitor. “Aunt Helena?” I shrieked once I saw her enter and pose by the door. My lips spread into a fearful smile, shock etched on my face. Why was she here? How did she find me? The last time I saw my aunt was during my wedding. “Is that how you greet your Aunt?” Her stern voice filtered through my thoughts. Automatedly, I moved to her and enveloped her in a half hearted hug. “Aunt Helena, how are you?” My small scared voice asked. As I hugged my aunt, my gaze rested
MAURICE'S POV Glenda was distraught after hearing the news of her father. All she wanted to do was go to see him and I obliged. I took her along with her aunt and cousin to the hospital where Fredrick was admitted. Glenda immediately rushed to his bedside once we entered the ward. She was crying profusely, begging him to wake up and say something to her. Even if it was a scolding. It was a pitiful sight to watch. I couldn't fathom how she could still love a father who married her off to a business associate in his bid to get rid of her. I expected she would hate him but there wasn't an iota of hatred or pretense in her reaction to her father being sick. Fredrick himself did love his daughter even though he never showed it to her. He did call me on specific occasions to check on Glenda. The conversations were usually clipped and intended to come off as him being disinterested, but I understood the emotions behind it all. I just wished he told her himself. Then Glenda wouldn't have
GLENDA'S POVI groggily opened my eyes to Maurice’s smiling face. He propped his head on his inclined elbow, his face towered over mine and his soft gaze intent on me. Had he been watching me while I slept. “Sunshine.” He said and shifted stray strands of my hair from my face. I managed a weak smile as I stretched and yawned.“Finally, a smile.” His smile widened into a boyish grin.“You were watching me sleep? That's creepy.” I yawn-talked. “I don't know what you're talking about.” He feigned ignorance. His rakish grin still plastered on his face.“You are creepy.” I insisted.“No, I’m not.” He was chuckling now.I rolled my eyes and shook my head with a smile. I shifted, turned and lay on my side to face him.“Thank you for yesterday.” It was a sincere appreciation that stemmed from the bottom of my heart.I turned into an emotional wreck yesterday after hearing the news of my father and I hadn't expected Maurice to stand by me. But he did. He was there with me all through the tim
BRIAN'S POVBeads of sweat formed on my temples. My palms became sweaty. I was visibly trembling. Glenda's aunt came here? Why would she come here? What is she up to now? My nervousness was palpable and Glenda didn't fail to notice.She eyed the length of me, disgust adorned her expression. “Are you alright?”I cleared my throat, trying to hide my anxiety. “Ahem. Yes. I'm fine…Your Aunt. I mean, your father… Where are you going?”“I just told you my father is ill. He's in a coma and I'm going to visit him at the hospital.” She hissed in irritation. “Please, leave my way.” She was out of sight before I could get out any more words. I stared at the empty stairway devoid of anyone but me.I stood there fixated for minutes. My mind was a whirlwind. I finally decided to go downstairs where my fear was seated.“Just the person I wanted to see.” Aunt Helena sneered at me once I reached the foot of the stairs. There was no way to avoid her. I had no option than to face her.“Why are you here
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.