Devils In disguise

Chapter 5

The blue Sedan dropped off Charlotte at the silent Blakemore street where their house was. She had hurriedly left the hospital after Glenn’s message without taking an excuse from her seniors. Her phone vibrated for the 9th time, the caller ID showed nurse Elena, and she switched the phone off. She was going to get a major strike for this if not a total dismissal.

She paid the taxi man and came out of the car then stood back for a moment to gaze at the entrance of the house like a stranger. It was Glenn’s house, not hers, she just realized it like one whose veil had fallen from her eyes. She was indeed a stranger only that she had paid a blind eye to that reality all these years. In a bid to escape from her trauma, she had led a make-believe life, where she was only being affirmed in her delusion; the delusion that she was married and safe. After all, how many wives in San Francisco get death threats from their “husbands” over the most minor of disagreements? Glenn was still inside the house, one of the limousines his boss had given him to use as staff property was parked outside the house.

The Halogen security lights outside the house were still all turned on and a neighbor’s dog barked from a distance not too far. She walked into the house with measured steps.

Inside the house Glenn was lying sprawled and shirtless on one of the chairs, the air was thick with the smell of alcohol.

“You’ve been drinking again.”

She said in a low voice almost to herself, watching him from where she stood.

He got up to sit, his face flushed red, and even his eyes were red.

He belched before he got up and started to approach her slowly. She took about two steps back. When he was close enough, he held her by the back of her neck.

“ I drink whenever I want to drink, woman and don’t you dare question me in my house” He snarled before he let her go pushing her slightly to the side.

He turned to sit back on the chair.

“Get dressed.” He said calmly, you’ll be leaving this house later in the day.

“I…What do you mean?” Charlotte stammered.

“My boss, wants you to work for him….as a maid, and you know you can’t say no.”

“But Glenn, I’m employed as a “nurse.” at San Jose, it…it doesn’t add up.” She stammered again tears welling up in the corner of her eyes.

“Get dressed.” He said a bored expression on his face.

“Was this ever real to you? I mean where were we ever married?” her voice was shaking, in a struggle to fight off the rising urge to cry.

“I don’t know about you girl, but maybe we were, but who says married people don’t get divorced.” He flaunted his fingers and said

“Tada, we’re divorced so get a f*****g grip on yourself!” He barked before picking himself up again and marching into his bedroom, leaving Charlotte transfixed and in a pool of her tears.

Glenn and Charlotte arrived at the Peterson’s estate in the evening beneath the dull golden glow of early dusk. After Glenn turned off the ignition he turned to Charlotte on the passenger’s seat right next to him.

“About the divorce thing earlier, I was only joking but anyway, right here in this place, I am only your brother while you are only my dear sister.” He let out a dry cackle.

“So if my boss inquires what kind of relationship we have, you’re going to tell him we’re just siblings. Are we good?”

He asked

Charlotte gave a faint nod staring straight ahead in the distance, her eyes vague and tired. There were white patches of dried tears on her cheeks.

“Here we go.” Glenn as he made the sign for them to get out of the car.

Miguel was standing near the living room bar when Glenn and Miguel entered.

He was in a more casual-looking wear. He was on a pair of knee-length shorts and a singlet that exposed his perfect bicep and tricep muscles. He lifted his face slowly and when his eyes met Charlotte it was an immediate connection they stared at each other for so long, that Glenn had to break the silence by asking.

“Sir do you know her from somewhere.”