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GLENDA'S POVI groggily opened my eyes to Mauriceâs 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. âSunshine.â He said and shifted stray strands of my hair from my face. I managed a weak smile as I stretched and yawned.âFinally, a smile.â His smile widened into a boyish grin.âYou were watching me sleep? That's creepy.â I yawn-talked. âI don't know what you're talking about.â He feigned ignorance. His rakish grin still plastered on his face.âYou are creepy.â I insisted.âNo, Iâm not.â 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.âThank you for yesterday.â 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. âAre you alright?âI cleared my throat, trying to hide my anxiety. âAhem. Yes. I'm fineâŚYour Aunt. I mean, your father⌠Where are you going?ââI just told you my father is ill. He's in a coma and I'm going to visit him at the hospital.â She hissed in irritation. âPlease, leave my way.â 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.âJust the person I wanted to see.â 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.âWhy are you here
GLENDA'S POVâWhere is Aunt?â I asked, darting my gaze around the room in search of Aunt Helena, but there was no sight of her.âShe left.â He replied in a nervous, hoarse voice. He looked terrified, scared and afraid. What was he so afraid of?I eyed him in disbelief. âShe left?â My tone was heavy with incredulity.How could Aunt leave? She had come so we could go to the hospital together. I only went up to get dressed and she left? I was already finding the whole scenario absurd before Brian spoke in clarification.âNo. She went out⌠She is waiting⌠She said to tell you she will wait outside for you.âI watched him while he fumbled with words. I squinted as a thought hit me.âDid you kick her out?ââMe? No. Why would I?â He sounded defensive. As though he was trying to hide something.âWho were you talking to just now?â His behavior was raising many questions in my mind.âNo one... Listen, I'm sorry about your dad. I hope he gets better.â He smoothly changed the topic. He seemed to
BRIAN'S POVI closed my eyes and sighed in relief as Glenda walked out of the house. It was obvious that she suspected something but I was able to brush her off. At least that's what I thought.When I opened my eyes, I was faced with another problem. It turned out Glenda was only a soft nut to crack. The hard nut was standing before me, glaring at me.âWhat? Why are you staring at me like that?â I asked, trying to mirror her glare. Scare her so that she backed down. My method was as good as useless because she didn't soften one bit.âSheâs gone.â She said in reference to Glenda and crossed her arms over her chest.âI know.â I replied in defiance.âStart talking! Don't make me regret listening to your plea to hide. I heard you and that lady discussing and I could just as well have asked Glenda about what I heard.â Lucy threatened.I gazed at her trying to figure out just how much of our discussion she heard. Lucy had showed up just as Aunt Helena strode out of the house to wait for Gl
GLENDA'S POVI stayed longer with Dad since Maurice already told me he would be returning late. It was my attempt to make up for the lost times and I promised myself that when Dad regained consciousness, I would try to make amends, fix my relationship with him. It gave me hope to hear from Aunt Helena that Dad was responding to treatment and that he had a chance. Slim, but a chance still. The doctor had told her that.I would hold on to that glimmer of hope and wait for dad to recover. I almost didn't want to leave when I was asked to, but visiting hours were over and reluctantly, I returned home.I had dinner alone as Maurice was not yet back. Still seated at the dining table, my half eaten meal in front of me, my eyes roved around the empty chairs surrounding the table. The house felt big and empty without Maurice and Nana.I really did miss Nana. I was feeling lonely without Maurice. I wouldn't have been feeling this way if Nana was here. We would have been gisting and laughing. I
MAURICE'S POVI rubbed at my throbbing temples. Just when I thought everything was getting under control, a different problem arose.âI brought you guys coffee.â Jane, Sam's wife announced as she entered the study.âThanks darling.â Sam said with sincere appreciation in his eyes.âThank you Jane.â I said and picked up one of the mugs. I needed it to keep awake.âYou look beat. Should I get you something for that headache?â Jane asked after she noticed me massaging my temples relentlessly.âHe has had a lot to deal with today. First the problem at the London office and then he had to fly here impromptu to handle this new one.â Sam flexed his wrist and looked at his watch.âIt's midnight in London. He should be asleep now. It's a lot to give one a headache.â Sam responded in my stead.I looked up at Jane who stood waiting for my response regarding the âsomethingâ for the headache.I smiled wearily at her. âI'll manage Jane. Thank you.ââLet me know if you change your mind.â âWill do.â
GLENDA'S POVI had barely dropped the call before the surge of a sick, terrible feeling overwhelmed me. Maurice had hurt me with his words.Childish. The word echoed in my head. He called me childish for trying to look out for him. I blinked away the moisture that had formed in my eyes.Why was he being insensitive to my feelings? Was I really being childish for trying to protect my man? Was I being childish for being jealous? I trusted Maurice, but that Lucy, not one bit. I focused on my breathing, inhaling and exhaling deeply in an attempt to calm myself.I was caught between two conflicting emotions. Hurt and anger towards Maurice, joy and excitement for my father's health improvement.I tried to push the hurt and pain to the recess of my mind. If I didn't, the rest of my day would be sour like this morning.I forced myself to get ready for my visit to Dad. Every movement I took to get ready was slow and laborious. My heart was heavy and it was difficult to overlook the hurt I fel
GLENDA'S POV âBrian!â I bellowed. âWhat are you doing!â I screamed at him as I rushed over to Dad. Brian paused and stiffened as though he had been caught stealing. He slowly turned to me, his gaze full of fear. âWhat are you trying to do!â I queried him with wide shocked eyes. I pushed him aside to look at my father and that's when I heard the small weak hoarse voice. âGl⌠Gle⌠Glenda.â Dad said breathlessly. I was completely bewildered. âDa.. da.. dad?â I stuttered. âHe is trying to say something.â Brian spoke over my shoulders. I glanced up at him and returned my gaze to Dad. So that's why he was moving Dad's oxygen mask. âDad.â I bent over and leaned in to him. âI'm here Dad.â I said as he whispered my name again in the same hoarse manner. Tears streamed down my face. It felt so surreal having to hear Dad speak again. He has been so lifeless. No sounds or movement from him except the beeping of the hospital equipment. âDad.â I repeated in a teary voice. It w
GLENDA'S POV I didn't want to accept how foolish I had been. How gullible I was. How blindingly trusting I was. âElsa, 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!â I yelled at her. I shook my head as though doing that would dispel everything that I had heard. âYou are a liar! I don't believe you!â I broke into a sob. âI trusted you, Elsa. I loved you! I trusted you!... You were my sister! That's how much I cherished you.â I spilled through my teary, pain-filled voice. âAnd I hate you! I hate you Glenda! I hate you!â 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. âAre we there yet?â I asked like an impatient child eager to reach the park sooner. âNo. It's right up that corner.â Lucy replied. âHow many more corners are we going to take?â Exasperation embellished my tone. âHow did you even come to know about this place?â 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. âUm, he brought me here one time when we needed to talk privately. This is his hideout.â 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.â â â Flash backâ â â âI've lost him.â She was crying profusely. âWe failed.âI glanced over to Lucy curled on the gurney, an irritated look draped my expression.
GLENDA'S POV âDon't you want to hear my story?â She asked, pouting her lips, feigning childish annoyance. I was finding it difficult to understand everything going on. I had never seen this side of Elsa. She looked like some deranged psychopath. âElsa. WhatâŚâ I could barely formulate my thoughts into words before a forceful, painful sting shot through me. The electric sensation began from the cheek of my face, spreading pain, surprise and fear through my body. I stared at Elsa in utter disbelief. Did she⌠Did she just slap me? âYou don't get to ask the questions.â She commanded in an icy tone. âNow, back to the story.â The iciness in her voice disappeared almost immediately as it had appeared. She was acting like a person with multiple personalities. I stared at her speechlessly, still reeling from the pain of the slap she had given me. She cleared her throat and began. âThere was a beautiful woman who fell in love with a man. But sadly, the man did not return the womanâs love
MAURICE'S POV I walked back into the house taking quick long angry strides heading back to my study. My face contoured into a growl as I muttered angrily to myself.âDid they find her?â A voice asked.I stopped and turned. I hadn't noticed the presence of anyone seated in the living room. Nora materialized before me. âHas she been found?â She asked again. Worry and anticipation embellished her expression.The eagerness in her gaze only added to my fury. It was a stupid lead. A total waste of my time. Utterly pointless!There was no trace of Glenda where they had thought they had a lead. I wondered what their team was doing as regards to this case. Absolutely nothing! And my infuriation was growing with each passing time.I averted her gaze. I was too pissed to break the bad news to her. I scanned the area of the living room and then set my gaze on Lucy.âWhy are you still here?â I interrogated her icily.She seemed to cower under my demeaning stare.âI was concerned.â Her voice was
GLENDA'S POV She came closer and sat beside me, darting her head behind her constantly as though checking if she was being followed. âI knew I'd find you here.â She whispered. Her alert gaze roved around the room. Oh thank Goodness! Finally someone was here to help me. âElsa⌠Elsa.â I called out weakly, a tinge of excitement and hope adorned my gruff voice. âElsa. Brian. Please get me out of here.â I mumbled. âI know.â She whispered in response and placed her right index finger over her lips. âKeep it down.â She darted behind her again. I immediately understood. We needed to stay quiet so we didn't alert my captor. I nodded vigorously to the best of meager strength. âDon't worry, I'll get you out of here.â She reassured me and tried to help me sit up. âYou're weak.â She commented. She struggled to lift my limp body. It didn't help that I couldn't assist her by at least raising myself. Whatever Brian had been feeding me was still working actively inside me. âHe has been feedi
MAURICE'S POVI took the next available flight back to London. All the while keeping constant communication with Nora regarding Glenda's return.I could feel it in my guts that Glenda was in trouble. It was confirmed when I returned late that night and Glenda was still nowhere to be found.There was no trace of her except for the blood that stained the vanity table and the telltale of someone being dragged on the floor.Incompetent staffs! How could someone enter the house without being noticed? Were they all asleep?I wasted no time informing the police. The evidence present, all pointed to the fact that Glenda has been kidnapped and investigations kicked off immediately.That was three days ago. Three days since the investigation to determine Glenda's whereabouts began and three days of no result.No one knew how she left the house. No one had seen her and no one knew who had abducted her. It was all too mysterious.So chaotic that it turned me into a frantic mess. Not knowing the
GLENDA'S POV A loud thumping sound woke me from the darkness I was floating in. It seemed to grow louder, increasing in its disturbing volume. I felt dizzy, hazy, like a clouded mist. I tried to move but my limbs felt too heavy to comply. Slowly, I fluttered my eyelids open. I was welcomed by a dim yellow light shining brightly beside me. I shut back my eyes. My head was aching badly. I tried to move again, propel myself and access my environment, but the aching weight in my head kept pulling me down. I shut my eyes and cursed at my failed attempt. I opened my eyes again and squinted past the yellow light to look around my environment. My eyes roved over the strange and unfamiliar setting. This was not my room. Where was I? How did I get here? The throbbing pain in my head increased as I tried to remember. Such a simple task brought me such intense pain. After a minute of trying, the memories came flooding into my mind. The bathroom. The feeling that I was being watched. The fe
MAURICE'S POVâWhat do you mean by you can't find Glenda? Isn't she at home?â My cold voice shot at Nora.I had just checked into my hotel room and was calling to inform Glenda. Her phone had been ringing non-stop with no response. I did try calling her earlier too when my flight landed but there was no response either. I assumed she must have been napping or up to something that kept her busy.Regardless, I expected her to be with her phone and to return my call at the earliest. I took some time to get myself settled and tried calling her again.Feeling frustrated after several attempts of being unable to reach Glenda, I called the house line only for Nora to tell me that Glenda wasn't home.âI just came from her room. She asked me to make dinner and that she'll come down to have it. That was four hours ago. The food was getting cold, so I went upstairs to inquire from her if she had changed her mind regarding dinner. But she wasn't there.â Nora explained over the phone.I found her