Annabella, now known as Laylah, sat on the couch in her and Natalie's cozy apartment they'd just moved into, staring out the window at the bustling streets of Boston. It had been three years since she'd escaped her father's estate, and so much had changed.
She thought back to that fateful night, the fear and adrenaline that ran through her veins as she eloped for her life. She'd been so desperate to escape, to start anew.
And she had...
With Natalie's help, Laylah had built a new life for herself. She'd gotten a new identity, a social security number.
She had completed law school; a passion her dad stopped her from pursuing after his return from his travels.
Despite that, she had written LSAT's, studied and had gotten a diploma in law. She'd landed a job at a prestigious law firm, and was loving every minute of it.
Well, almost every minute.
Laylah's mind drifted to her boss, Mr. Jenkins. He was a middle-aged man with a charming smile and a wandering eye. He'd been hitting on her for months, and she was getting tired of it.
She sighed, pushing the thoughts aside. She didn't want to think about Mr. Jenkins right now. She wanted to focus on the positive side of her life.
She thought about Natalie, her partner in crime, her best friend. They'd been through so much together, and she couldn't imagine her life without her.
She thought about her job, the sense of fulfillment she got from helping people. She thought about the city, the energy and excitement that went through its streets as she passed by.
Laylah smiled, feeling grateful for this new life she'd built. She knew it wasn't perfect, but it was hers.
And that's all that mattered.
Just then, Natalie walked into the room, a cup of coffee in her hand. "Hey, girl," she said, sitting down lazily beside her on the couch. "What's up?"
She turned to her, smiling. "Just thinking about life," she said.
Natalie nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. "And?" she asked.
Laylah shrugged. "It's good. I'm happy."
She smiled, putting her arm around her shoulders. "I'm glad," she said. "You deserve it."
She leaned into her hug, feeling grateful for her friend's unwavering support.
"Laylah, what do you think about this dude?, doesn't he look handsome, hot, and classy?." Natalie asked showing her a picture of a guy on her cellphone much to the dislike of her friend.
"No, definitely not my type, under that handsome face, is one crass and uncouth soul, so leave me out of it." Laylah said as she started her Pilates workout.
"Okay workout warrior, what do you have against guys? " she asked seriously as she took the dumbbell away from her reach.
Laylah sighed, seeming to have fallen into a trance but quickly snapped out of it but it didn't go unnoticed.
" What happened? is there something you are not telling me? Wait a minute... are you in love with someone? ", she asked excitedly but also disappointed that she didn't trust her.
Laylah smacked her head, " don't go about saying nonsense and having useless thoughts, I don't do relationships now help me up", that seems to lighten up Natalie's expression
" Yes, your Majesty ", she said helping her up and grinning widely.
"You better get ready for work to avoid loosing hot trending topics today ", she said with a serious expression why pointing at her with raised eyebrows,
" Aye, aye captain ", Natalie smiled mischievously.
She dashed into the bathroom, " no, you Dumbo, get out of the bathroom ", Laylah yelled in anger. Their childish banter continued till they arrived late to work.
___
" Lawyer Laylah, you are late today of all days?, that's so unprofessional of you, did you forget that a board meeting is supposed to hold today by nine o'clock ", Eileen, an Attorney questioned.
"And you're supposed to be a civil rights lawyer? "
Eileen had always been jealous of Layla's looks and working demeanor and considers her an arrogant woman because of her reserved attitude and high standards.
"Sorry, won't happen again. " she apologized curtly and walked off.
" You better be, Mr. Parker will be very angry at you by now..."
"And there you go walking out on me with that lousy assistant of your's with so much confidence ", Eileen grunted. She hated her guts.
No one dares her because she is the cousin to the owner of the law firm but Layla's had a way of getting under her skin. She stumped her feet, hissing, and walked off to her office.
Laylah went straight to the manager's office, she was in deep thought when she bumped into someone. Glaring at the man, she picked up her files, and walked on.
"Just as he described her, wild tigress." The strange man muttered and walked off.
She hated men, it was her fear, and she wants nothing to do with them except work.
Love was a weakness.
"Hello Mr. Parker, let's go straight to the point." She announced as she walked in and sat down. She rolled her eyes as his eyes surveyed her body from head to toe.
She had always rejected his advances but seems he wasn't ready to give up and accept defeat.
Laylah would definitely had cracked his skull open if he had tried this with her back then.
Jenkins was a handsome and well-built man but he was no match to her and will never be.
Laylah's striking beauty and aura would always announce her presence before she did. She is the definition of perfect; her hourglass figure, quick wit, elegance and dedication to her passion made her standout
"Okay pretty, Devon's law firm wants you to take up a case because of some crises happening lately you'll have to go because their offer in return for your help is huge. "
" The case has been dragged to court and you know very well that dealing with the underworld means a lot of risks, here take a look at the files and sign the agreement when you wish but you have till next month. " He said without prying his eyes away from her's.
Laylah frowned at the mention of the underworld, she knew better than anyone what it entails since she was the Mafia king's daughter.
The underworld was ruled over by the mafias and they delt in illegal activities like hard drugs, prostitution, murder and selling of human parts.
It was more like the survivor of the fittest.
Her father ranked third in the business world chart. He was so cruel that he started her training from the tender age of four.
He took away her childhood as her training commenced sucking her deep into a miserable dark realm. She had to engage in very advance martial art and combat and also skillful cunning tactics to thrive in business and amass wealth, since she was to succeed him as a mafia queen.
It was all for nothing because the wealth she amassed belonged to her father and she had some to herself which was taken away by her father the moment she eloped. He freezed her account and took away all her assets.
Her sacrifice was worth it. All she wanted was to live a normal life, making friends, working hard, cooking and washing, visiting places, and just being herself without fear or heavy guards.
"I would think about it." She replied before leaving
As she stared at herself in the mirror of the female washroom, she wondered why Don Marco hated her. She punched the mirror in anger as blood seeped out of her wound.
"Miss Laylah, what are you doing?", her assistant Veda asked. She stared at her as she tied her wound with a pocket handkerchief.
" Let's proceed for the board meeting ", Laylah said walking out briskly.
As they sat at the conference room, she confirmed once more that she had made the right decision. She'd taken a chance on a new life, and it had paid off.
But little did she know, her past was about to come back to haunt her.