Layla ( A Dark Beauty Novel) {Urban}

C H A P T E R 26 : Messenger.

Monday

8:00 p.m.

Aug, 8th, 2013

    After the whole episode between me, Diamond, and Angel went down, we became close again-kinda’. I went home after the whole show, and as soon as I stepped in the front door, the vibe with inside my apartment felt weird.

   Darien wasn’t home, and neither were the kids. It’s been months since I’ve been left alone in the house, and for the first time I felt scared. I sat my bag down on the island and began to search around the apartment. Satisfied that nothing was wrong and I was the only one home my nerves settled.

    I walked to my bedroom, and began to undress. I walked to the bathroom and hopped in the shower. I stuck my head under the water, and washed my hair. As the water flowed over me and inside my ears, I thought that I heard noises coming from outside the bathroom, but I chalked it up as to the apartment settling.

    Thirty minutes later, I stepped out the shower, wrapped the towel around my body, and emerged from the bathroom. The cold air quickly hit my body as the door opened. I walked back to the bedroom and towards my dresser. I grabbed one of my many Juicy Couture jumpsuits.

    As I turned around to place the outfit on the bed, my eyes hit the mirror. The words starring back at me; confirmed the gut feeling in my stomach. “T U R N A R O U N D” it read in bright, red paint. I did as it said, and as I turned around my worst nightmare appeared.

    I watched as he moved closer. The smile on his face was more sinister than the devil himself. As he moved closer I began to panic, my eyes racked the room for anything that I could use as protection. The only weapon I had was the gun that was taped under the vanity set on the other side of the room. “You just get finer and finer the more I see you.” he blabbed.

    Disregarding him I asked, “What do you want Nutz?”

“You already know.” he answered, now inches away from my face. It was no secret that Nutz worked for Joey, and when Joey sent him that means he was done playing games. We were now face to face, and feeling uncomfortable I took a step back. Nutz forcefully grabbed my arm, and pulled me back close. “Where the fuck you think you going?” he asked.

“Please Nutz don’t do this,” I begged.

    He laughed and then said, “Hell must’a frozen over, I thought I’d never see the day when Layla Lerenda begs.” he taunted.

“Please Nutz I’ll do anything.” I pleaded.

    He laughed and then asked, “Is that right?” he let go of me and then said, “Give me your phone.” When I didn’t answer he grabbed my hair. “Where is it bitch!” he yelled.

“Over there!” I yelled as I pointed toward the nightstand.

    Still grabbing me by the hair, we walked over to the nightstand and I picked up the phone. “Call him.” he instructed.

“Call who?” I questioned naively.

“Who else bitch?”

“No,” I refused.

“Do it.” He told me.

“I said no!” I yelled.

     He pulled a gun out and placed it to my neck. My heart skipped a beat as the silver, cold chrome touched my skin. “I don’t think you wanna’ refuse again.” A tear rolled down my cheek, as I dialed Darien’s number. I couldn’t think of anything else; I was defeated. “If he don’t pick up you’re getting the shit beat outta’ you.”

    As if god was listening my prayers were answered. After the third ring he answered. “Wassup baby?” he greeted.

“Darien you need to get-“

“Bitch shut the fuck up!” Nutz said as he grabbed the phone from my hand. “Wassup baby boy, long time no hear from you.”

“Put Layla back on the phone.” Darien demanded.

“Nah she good.” he told him.

“What the fuck you doing at my house?” Darien questioned.

“Well you know I had to pay my baby mama a li’l visit.” he joked. “In fact she just stepped out the shower too, I think I’ma have a little fun with her.”

“If you as so much as lay one finger on her I swear to god I’ma kill you.” Darien threatened.

    When Darien said that, I head butted him, and then kicked him in his dick; the phone fell to the ground. I only had one shot and I didn’t stop. I picked up the closest thing to me and began to beat him with it. I dropped the weapon and ran out the room. I quickly grabbed the keys off the island and for the door.

     I ran out the house and down the hall, as I rounded the corner I could see him coming out the door. It seemed as if every time I looked back he was gaining on me. I sent silent prayers up to god asking him to help me kick him off my tail.

Like magic the elevators doors opened and I practically sprinted inside. I couldn’t press the first floor fast enough. The two minute wait seemed like forever. When I finally reached the lobby, I ran and never looked back.