His World

Chapter 23

Laylie

It's been a week and every day for hours I have been training like crazy physically. I am exhausted. But mentally, I feel empowered. Never in my life would I expect myself to handle a pistol. I was just a girl waiting for nothing. I wasn't sure if I was gonna end up dead the next day. I have no control. Not anymore. I feel in control and I know now what I want and I am not going to stop until I get it. I need to find my father. I need answers. And most importantly, I need to end this bloody battle. One step at a time though.

It is a Sunday. Finally a day off. When Elijah had told me my body needed to rest I had finally found something both him and I could agree on.

Although, even though I do have the day off I still feel like a prisoner in this mansion. However, nothing is really stopping me from leaving, so I suppose I can just go? I am empowered now. I am stronger now.

That's it. I am going to go out. Standing up from the bed I let out a sigh. Asher went to go and do some business as usual. That guy never takes a day off I swear.

I go to the bathroom and change into some nice clothes. Not the usual t-shirt and sweats I have been styling this past week. Asher went and got a few items from the stores a few days ago. It all seems like random articles of clothing, but it still works. I decide to go with a pair of baggy light washed ripped jeans and a sleeveless black turtleneck body suite. I grab a grey cardigan because even though it's LA, it's still December and can get chilly late in the day. The pants are a little loose. I need a belt or I'm gonna give people a free show out there. Rummaging through the giant closet– and man this closet is huge– I find a rack of belts to choose from. Who knew this many belts existed. I grab one that has what looks like "G's" on the front of it. Gucci maybe, I think Nace had this same belt. She was always good in fashion. I miss her. I smile and slip the belt around me.

Walking into the bathroom, I wash my face, fix my hair, and brush my teeth. Hm. I look...different? My skin is glowing and I look more... Alive. I touch my face running my hands through my hair. I let out a sigh. It's this Cali air. I grab a pair of black vans Asher got me and slip them on. I hate how he has been spending so much money on me, but he keeps telling to not worry about it and that it is not a whole lot of money to him.

Asher. Just thinking of him makes me feel at ease.

I grab my new phone reading that it's 12:38 pm. Take one last look in the mirror. And leave the bedroom.

Standing at the top of the staircase I can hear all the conversations of men around. Some walk by not noticing me. I walk down the marble stairs, and as I am about to open the front door I hear my name.

"Laylie." I turn and face Sebastian as he strides over to me in his tight black v-neck and light washed jeans.

"Hey," oh gosh this guy better not be stopping me from freedom.

"Are you heading out?" He asks as he crosses his arms.

"Uh," I clear my throat, "yeah for a bit to walk around town to get some air."

"Huh, well does Asher know you are leaving?" He raises his brow.

I need to leave this prison. "Yeah, of course. Do you really think I would just leave without telling Asher? Come on. He would literally slaughter me." He wouldn't but I just need to be a bit melodramatic to get the point across.

He looks at me for a second, "I guess, sure. Have fun."

And with that, he walks away. I sigh in relief and proceed out the door.

The gust of wind is like an entryway to heaven. The day is warm and the sky is blue. I begin to walk down the long driveway until I reach the tall black gates. Surrounding them are rows of trees accompanied by men standing there with heavy weaponry. The place is a fortress and I can't imagine someone ever breaking in. I continue to walk passing the men, they wave to me as I walk outside the gates. The neighborhood is foreign to me but I can manage on my own, well with the help of google maps. I walk down the street for about 10 minutes and now enter the city. LA is absolutely gorgeous and so different from what I am used to. People on the streets smile and laugh enjoying their lives. It is weird how just  10 minutes away is a house full of gang members.