Lorraine Lebedev

"She's certainly improved." I overheard my father whisper to my mother beside him.

The corner of my lips curled into a small smile. I grabbed two arnis sticks and tossed one to my father. He caught it and questioned. "Lorraine, are you sure you are ready to fight your father? It wouldn't be too pleasant to see you weep after I beat you."

stretching my arms out I gathered all my hair into a ponytail and smirked. "It wouldn't be nice to see you, father weep after your own daughter beats you."

One thing I despised is that my own father underestimated me. I'm not the same Lorraine from 2 months ago. I've changed.

I'm not the same girl who took crap from people.

I'm not the same girl who was weak and pathetic.

I'm not the same girl who allowed people to control me.

I'm different. I've changed mentality and physically

2 months can do a lot for an individual.

Without warning father sweeps out his legs, dropping me onto my back.

"Do not get distracted," he said.

I leap to my feet and slide the arnis stick closer to me then flip it up to my hand. Letting out a breath father and I both take our stance, ready to fight. I watch closely as he deathly spins the wooden weapon.

I swing my stick then my father steps back and uses his forearm to block the impact. He grips the weapon and yanks it out of me then tosses it to the side.

"Your moves are very predictable, Lora," he said. disappointment and embarrassment washed over me. "Here." Father tossed me his arnis stick, my brows furrowed.

"Let's go again."

I nod followed by a deep breath. Standing my ground, both toes face front and my body and face are facing forward. I strike first; swinging my weapon and heading for my father's abdomen, he pushes the weapon to the side and smirks.

"Don't go easy on me." He stated.

I swing the stick towards his abdomen his about to block the impact but I sweep him off his feet and his whole body drops to the floor. Spinning the stick I point it towards his forehead.

His eyes never left mine.

A small smile creeps onto his face. "Good." He said before standing up.

"Let's go again." I cheered breathlessly

⋅⋅⊰∙∘∙⊱⋅⋅

My birthday is coming up.

I thought to myself before jumping into the shower. I'm turning 19 which gives me the advantage to have a little more freedom.

The past 2 months have not been as bad as I imagined. Yes, my father took away my freedom and tripled my security but I managed to cope. The first few weeks were a living hell I will admit that.

That dickhead (his name shall not be mentioned) tormented me. Every time I woke up I thought of him. Every time I went to sleep I thought of him.

Eating, training, partying for fucks sake breathing! I thought of him.

The worst part was that he was a cross of the globe not giving two shits about me. I did not know why...

But I missed him. I craved him... Every single inch of his body.

But who would blame me back then? He was the first guy to ever touch me in that way.

To see me so...

Exposed and vulnerable.

And yet he didn't take advantage of me. I wanted him to but didn't. Maybe that's what got me hooked on him.

After bathing myself I step out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my body.

There stood my mother.

"You know, you may be my mother and I'm comfortable around you but sometimes a little privacy and respect would be appreciated," I spoke as I walked into my closet.

"Apologies sweetheart," she said from the other room. "I need too talk to you."

Her tone sounded off.

I walked out of the closet with sweatpants and a bra

"Talk to me about what?"

She sighed. "Honey you're turning 19 soon and you're father thinks it's time for you to, live your own life."

My heart dropped and I froze.

Live my own life?

As in, no more bodyguards, I can go wherever I want. I finally leave this hell hole and live my life to the fullest. "It's time for a change." She added.

I was so happy I didn't know how to react.

I was shocked. My own paranoid father finally saw that I'm no longer that little girl who was scared of a gun or violence. After all these years I've finally proven myself in less then three months.

My mother saw my change of mood and she became more anxious. That's when I realized there's a catch.

She was about to speak but was interrupted my a phone ringing. I turned to where the sound is coming from and it was from my phone.

I rushed to it and answered the call. "Hello?"

"Lora!" A breathless Katina spoke through the phone. "Are you okay?" I asked curiously. "Yes, totally but you wouldn't guess who I bumped into." She spoke excitedly. "Who?" My brows furrowed curiously. "Okay first, I'm literally outside your house and they won't let me in. So could you come and get me and that's when we can talk properly."

"Uh, okay." I turned to face my mother who was standing besides my bed with her arms crossed. I smiled nervously. "Katina is outside."

My mother sighed. "We will continue this discussion later." she said before walking away.

Truth to be told I don't want to continue.

⋅⋅⊰∙∘∙⊱⋅⋅

"I'm sorry for showing up unannounced." Katina chuckled nervously as she threw herself onto my bed. "It's okay." I replied then sat beside her.

"How was training?" She asked as she played with her hair. "It was good."

Katina still doesn't know what my family truly do.

I told her that my father signed me up for self defense class incase something happens and no one is there to protect me.

"Now who did you see?"

Katina turned to her side to look at me. She opened her mouth but closed it again and looked away.

Why is she hesitating?

"Katina..."

"I saw Marcello and he asked about you."

-

Hey angels and devils! It's been a minute. I appreciate how you were all patient with me while I took a few months break from all my socials. I was going through some personal stuff and it affected my motivation to write but I'm back and I'm so excited to finish this story with you guys.

More chapters will be published after editing, which is very soon! ;)

I love you all!

(again thank you for being patient with me, you have no idea how it much it meant to me. )