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 “Brian!” I bellowed. “What are you doing!” 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. “What are you trying to do!” 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. “Gl… Gle… Glenda.” Dad said breathlessly. I was completely bewildered. “Da.. da.. dad?” I stuttered. “He is trying to say something.” 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. “Dad.” I bent over and leaned in to him. “I'm here Dad.” 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. “Dad.” I repeated in a teary voice. It w
BRIAN'S POVWe all stood by the corridor after the nurse led us out of Mr Fredrick's room. Glenda stood by the door. Her gaze was set and intently staring through the vision panel on the door. She watched with a breaking heart as the doctors tried to save her father.My heart tugged at seeing her like that. But there was little I could do. I had to protect myself too.It didn't take long before we got news regarding Mr Fredrick. The doctor stepped out of the room, a forlorn expression adorned his face. He was immediately met with Glenda's apprehensive gaze. Her tearful and fearful eyes asked him so many questions. “How is my father?” she asked restlessly.The doctor heaved deeply. “We did our best.”I rushed to Glenda and held her on both sides of her arm to prevent her from falling to the ground.The news of her father's death was a big blow to her. Tears streamed down her face non-stop. She was absolutely devastated.“What do you mean by you tried your best?” Aunt Helena jumped i
GLENDA'S POVLike a moving gallery, memories of my childhood flashed before my eyes. My father, my mother, the joy, the happy moments and suddenly darkness, pain, agony and misery. Mom slowly exited, receding further and deeper into the darkness. Dad held my hand but soon, he too was fading away. Everything faded before my very eyes leaving me to drown in the lonely darkness of pain.I was all alone now. I had no one. Staled tears lined my face as I had no more tears left in me. My head ached and my airways felt restricted. I had cried so much and it did so little to cure the pain.I was still seated on the floor in the hallway of the hospital, consumed in my grief when I felt the hand on my shoulder.I lifted my heavy lids up and a blurred vision of Brian materialized before me.“Glenda, we should go home.” He spoke softly and his voice sounded distant.I returned my gaze to the wall. “Dad wants to say something to me. I won't leave until I hear him.”I had to hear what Dad had to
MAURICE'S POV“Why haven't you called Glenda?” Sam asked from the doorway as he barged into my room. He didn't even wait to fully enter the room before he began interrogating me.“Does that explain why you didn't knock?” I asked as I dried my hair. I had just taken a shower and still had the towel draped around my waist.“Don’t you give me that!” He warned sternly.I moved past him to the wardrobe. “We had a fight.” I said over my shoulders as I shuffled through the rack for an outfit.“You had a fight! Is that reason enough for you to abandon your wife for three weeks?... Three weeks! No calls, no text, nothing! What the heck man!”I pulled out a boxer and put it on. “I don't understand why you are so concerned about my wife and our fight.” I said casually.“Since when did you become so insensitive?” His tone was reproving.“Sam what have you come to say? Maybe you should just go straight to the point instead of shouting at me like I was your child.”“Then stop acting like one!” He s
GLENDA'S POV“Are you ready?” Brian asked me as I stepped out of the house.I nodded at him and walked up to the car where he was waiting.It has been three weeks since Dad died and I didn't feel any better. It still feels as though it only happened yesterday. The pain was still fresh and alive in my heart.Today is Dad's funeral and Brian had offered to take me there. He has been of great help to me since my father's death.Maurice was still missing-in-action. After trying to get in touch with him for several weeks without success, I remembered to reach Jane instead to tell her what happened.I wasn't sure if my message got to Maurice because there was still no call from him. Not even a text.“What are you thinking about?” Brian's voice invaded my thoughts.I peeled my gaze to him, just as he returned his gaze to the road. I didn't realize he had been stealing glances at me.I sighed. “Yeah. I'm fine.” My response was abstract from what he asked.“Don’t worry too much. Everything wil
MAURICE'S POVI turned around to look at Lucy. Why did she choose now to do this? What was she trying to prove? I had already explained everything to her before we arrived here. Why was she trying to be stubborn?I glanced at Glenda who had her red, teary curious eyes on me before returning my gaze to Lucy.“Not now Lucy.” I said calmly.“It can't wait. It's important.” She insisted defiantly.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to calm myself. “Okay. I'll be back shortly.” I said to her and continued leading Glenda up the stairs.Glenda glanced behind at Lucy, then at me before she moved her feet forward. I averted meeting her gaze. I knew they would only be filled with questions. Questions I couldn't yet give answers to.“I'm sorry. Glenda, I'm sorry. Sorry for not being here with you. Sorry for not being a shoulder to cry on. Sorry for not calling you.” I blabbered away once I got Glenda into our room and settled her on the mattress.She was seated at the edge of the bed and I
BRIAN'S POV“That was too much. You shouldn't have stopped her from attending the funeral. He was her father.” I calmly reprimanded Aunt Helena.After taking Glenda in and she ran to embrace my father, I snuck out to call Aunt Helena.“”If I had known this was what you planned, I wouldn't have brought her along.” “You did a good job bringing her.” Aunt Helena commended.“You caused her too much pain. It was too much for her to suffer.”“That's exactly how I want her to suffer!” Aunt Helena's tone had a sharp satisfying edge to it.“She should feel the pain her miserable mother caused me and my daughter. That witch made Elsa grow up without her father. My stupid husband loved my brother's wife more than his own family! He was willing to do anything for that she-fox! Even die for her, which he did. I hope he rot in hell with her!” She spat. Her anger was rising.She was getting furious. I could tell by the tone of her voice. Earlier, she had refused to tell me the actual reason for the
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.