Chapter 23

Marshall POV

Sitting with my feet up on the soundboard writing down some lyrics in my rhyme book.

Book of rhyme?

Could be somethin'.

"Yo Marshall, what's happening?"

I turn and look at Royce who's sitting down next to me.

"Nothin, just trying to get these remaining songs on the album, you here for those beats?"

"Yeah, man Thanks for that" He nods "How are you and your woman going?"

"Yeah man it's going good"

"Just good?"

"Well you know she's laid back you know, doesn't fuss about anything it's crazy, like nothings an issue, ever" I said scratching my head "Like I ain't even feeling insecure"

"That my friend is what they call a healthy relationship"

I sucked my teeth then put my feet down, spinning around to face Royce.

"Are they always this monotonous?"

He threw this head back and laughed, then straightened his hat and smirked "Only you would fuckin' find a healthy relationship boring"

I blew out air "it's not that, it's just that-"

"You need the fight" He said with a shrug "I get it Marshall"

"But I hate the fight"

He leaned forward, like he always does when he's about to spot his Royce knowledge "There are people that want an easy peacefully relationship, and then there are people that drive on being challenged by a partner because it actually helps them best themselves, when a relationship challenges you, it means that you've created an environment and dynamic where both partners grow from the relationship to be better people"

"That's kinda..... But you're right? I feel uninspired"

"Like I said, you need the challenge to help you grow yourself" He says and shrugs "But in saying that, a healthy relationship also is good for people and helps them grow, it's what you learn from it that's important"

"Oh I'm learning" I said rolling my eyes "I had to look up a less offensive way to say bland"

"Monotomous is a dope choice though" He said and stood "By some sex toys and tie her to the bed, don't overthink it, your problem is that you think too much"

"Yeah well, can't help it" I snorted as he dapped me.

"I'll catch you around Marshall" he laughed as he left through the door, passing Monica and greeting her on the way out.

"Hey Marshall, I've got some documents for you to look over, do you have time right now? It's kind of urgent"

I nodded as she handed me the yellow folder, sitting down.

"So, I noticed you leaving with Alec after Denaun's party, somethin' goin' on?" I smirked at her, watching her blush.

"We um, no actually we went to check on Leila"

"Why, what was up with her? I ain't see her round in awhile"

"She's," She said and thought for a moment "Going through some stuff, just a bit of a rough patch"

I frowned.

"What ha-"

"I am going out with Alec tonight though" She said grinning, interrupting me "He asked me out"

"Oh yeah? He's a good guy that one, I'm happy for you" I said smiling at her and then looking back through the document, signing where the tags were.

"I didn't think I'd be interested in dating but I don't know he's different"

"He's from the hood Mon, he's a retired dealer" I chuckled "He's different all right, he ain't like your pompous ex"

She laughed "So he said, is that gonna be a problem for me?"

"He's like a son to Trick Trick, you're as safe as houses, I'd be more worried about Leila coming for you, they're close"

"She's okay with it" she said with a grin "Which reminds me I gotta drop something off at hers on the way home tonight"

If Leila was having a hard time, maybe I should check in on her again?

This would be the perfect excuse.

"I'll Drop whatever you need off if you want? I mean she is on the way for me, saves you from going out of the way, would hate for you to be late for your date tonight"

"That would be amazing, thank you so much, I'll bring it to you before I leave, you're a lifesaver"

"No problem, anytime"

-----

Standing at Leila's door holding the bag of stuff from Monica, I half felt liken it was wrong at the same time I was bothered for the rest of the day after hearing she wasn't doing great.

All I could think about was how she looked the night of her brothers anniversary.

The fact that I felt like I haven't seen her around in person for weeks also was in settling considering the woman was always up in my face.

I raised my hand to knock, waiting for a moment until the door opened.

I was taken back by the view that was in front of me.

Leila stood there, oversized jumper, sweats, hair in a messy bun on top of her head and a glaring awful black eye and busted lip, with stitches about her eye.

She frowned, surprised "Marshall, What are you doing here?

"I.." I said stepping forward, grabbing her chin inspecting her face further "What the Fuck happened to you? Who did this??"

She snorted at me "That's none of your damn busi-"

Instormes into her house, gently dragging her behind me, closing the good than bringing her into the lounge room.

"Marshall What-"

"Who did this?"

Her shoulders dropped in defeat "A target found out what I was, I got cornered at the hotel, I had to fight him off until Marc got there"

"I'm gonna kill them"

"Don't worry, Alec has probably already beaten him half to death" She said sighing.

She didn't look how I remembered her, besides the injuries to her face, her demeanour was different.

"Leila, have you been ok? it's just I ain't seen you around, and-"

I look up just in time as she stood there, tears rolling down her face.

"Hey" I said walking over to her sitting us down on her couch, pulling her into me "Shhh it's okay don't cry"

"I feel so lost" She mumbled "Things lately have gotten to me, I've been losing myself, losing control of my life"

"Wanna tell me about it?"

"I'm normally in control but now I have no control over anything, I don't even have control over my job anymore, I can't handle it" She said quietly crying "I also realised that I spent years hating something that turned out to not be the case at all, I feel jealousy, I've never been jealous of another person in my life before"

I looked at her as she poured her heart out, it wasn't until that moment I was aware of how vulnerable she actually was.

She was a broken woman dressed as a powerful one.

Her disguise has fooled me up until now.

Her toxic behaviour was a defence mechanism.

"Look, this feeling won't last forever I promise" I said brushing some hair out of her face.

She sniffed, laying on me, her vanilla and jasmine filling my senses once more.

"Hey so I'm gonna stay with you tonight alright?"

"I don't need you to bab-"

"I don't care" I said shaking my head "I just gotta make a quick call"

She nodded as I got up going into the kitchen, pulling out my phone, Stella's voice on the other end.

"Hey Marshall, you on your way over?"

"Actually, I'm gonna have to raincheck dinner tonight?, I'm at Leila's, I came over to drop something off for Mon, and she's in a bad way and I kinda wanna keep her company"

"Not a problem, hope she feels better soon, I'll talk to you later ok?"

"Yeah baby, talk soon, bye"

Hanging up I walk back into the lounge room where Laila laid on the couch, staring at the tv,

I lifted her pulling her body back on top of me hugging her.

She didn't fight me once, kinda just snuggled in more, without a word.

I stare down at her, watching her breathing slow and steady.

She haunts me like no other.