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 POV I stirred awake and heaved deeply. I had cried for most part of yesterday and it had exhausted me. But surprisingly, I had slept well. I felt well rested. It was more rest than I had gotten in the past few days. I smiled to myself as I recalled the reason for my good rest. “That's a beautiful sight to wake up to everyday. Feels good to see you smile.” Maurice's breath was warm against my face. I managed a shy smile. “I've told you to stop watching me sleep.” “You're too tempting. It's hard to stop.” I chuckled. Maurice was going to start his naughty jokes now. But his tone was serious and lacked the usual teasing that often clothed his words. “You cease every opportunity to tease me, don't you?” I joked. A playful smile splayed my lips. I expected him to come back with another tease directed at me, but there was nothing from Maurice. I looked into his eyes and there was sadness. Nothing like the usual joyous mischief in his eyes. It was very unlike him in the
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.
GLENDA'S POV “Don't you want to hear my story?” 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. “Elsa. What…” 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? “You don't get to ask the questions.” She commanded in an icy tone. “Now, back to the story.” 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. “There was a beautiful woman who fell in love with a man. But sadly, the man did not return the woman’s 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.“Did they find her?” A voice asked.I stopped and turned. I hadn't noticed the presence of anyone seated in the living room. Nora materialized before me. “Has she been found?” 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.“Why are you still here?” I interrogated her icily.She seemed to cower under my demeaning stare.“I was concerned.” 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. “I knew I'd find you here.” She whispered. Her alert gaze roved around the room. Oh thank Goodness! Finally someone was here to help me. “Elsa… Elsa.” I called out weakly, a tinge of excitement and hope adorned my gruff voice. “Elsa. Brian. Please get me out of here.” I mumbled. “I know.” She whispered in response and placed her right index finger over her lips. “Keep it down.” 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. “Don't worry, I'll get you out of here.” She reassured me and tried to help me sit up. “You're weak.” 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. “He 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 POV“What do you mean by you can't find Glenda? Isn't she at home?” 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.“I 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.” Nora explained over the phone.I found her