"What do you mean? Aren't you going to school?" Davis asked her, sounding really confused.
"I finished already. I started learning in high school, and just needed another year to finish."
"Why didn't you tell me?" He seemed offended. "Did you have a graduation?"
"I just finished. Graduation is this weekend. That's what I came here to tell you this morning when I ran into Lisa."
"Oh," Davis fell silent for a few seconds before he smiled widely. "I'll be there, front and center. I'm proud of you, Izzy."
"Thanks." She smiled, showing me her youth. She may act upset with him, but deep down she was like any other daughter, wanting to make her dad proud.
I smiled, loving this moment between them. I wish I had a dad like Davis, one who was kind and supportive. A father who was protective as hell and loved their kid like no other.
A girl could dream.
"Harder, Lisa, put all your weight into it. Otherwise, it's a waste of energy to even try to punch." Izzy was nothing like Davis as a teacher.
When he gave words of encouragement, she gave 'don't give me that shit'. She demanded more, expected more, and I wanted to prove to her I had it. Her words were harsh, but never once did they hurt me. It was tough love, and apparently exactly what I needed.
I love Davis, and he was a great teacher, but he may be too gentle with me. It may be because he was worried about hurting me. Izzy couldn't care less. If I allowed her to land a punch, she would do it. It kept me alert and on my toes, knowing I would actually get hurt if I didn't dodge.
"Good, now let's add a distraction, because out in the real world there's always distractions. So let's talk about your dad," she said, throwing a punch my way.
I saw it coming and narrowly avoided it as I ducked down. She knew the subject that most affected me, using this morning's conversation to get into my head. I was rattled for a moment before I snapped back and focused.
"What's the plan? How are you going to take down the man you've deemed as unbeatable?"
Her question floored me, distracting me enough to be hit on the side by one of Izzy's harder punches. It hurt terribly, but it wasn't anything I hadn't felt before. Branden had hit me there a few times when I had angered him for talking to Leo in front of him. He swore I had slept with Leo before. Why were the abusive ones so possessive?
"I need to find his ledger. I've always been great at sneaking around his office," I replied, lunging forward to hit her. She dodged, but I didn't lose my footing this time when my fist didn't make contact.
"Good. What happens if you don't findthisledger?"
"Then your father and I will come up with another way."
"Don't count on him to save you. Save yourself, Lisa. You're more than capable."
Her words surprised me, making my hands drop the smallest amount. She took advantage of that, lightly tapping her knuckles on my cheek. She didn't hit me this time, just kissed her knuckles on my skin.
"Stay focused," she instructed.
Izzy was amazing, teaching me so much as we sparred for a few hours. We were both exhausted beyond reason by the time we stopped. We dragged our feet up the stairs, greeted by Davis, who had apparently cooked us dinner as we were sparring. He had made homemade cabbage rolls. They were so delicious, I couldn't believe I had had none before.
Is there anything he wasn't good at?
Feeling empowered by Izzy, and the beat down we gave Daniel, I decided to text dad. My fingers shook as I typed the message, but I was determined. I pushed my fear back as far as I could. I would face the monster today, before Davis did. Maybe I could appease him somehow, although I highly doubt it.
Lisa:If you want to talk, I will come to your office in an hour.
I felt my heart race with anticipation. I was nervous and scared of what he would say, but really, I was more afraid of seeing him. Today, I won't let that fear consume me. I would give it five seconds and once that fifth second was up, I would push it aside.
Dad, Who?:Come now.
Seeing the name I had changed his contact to, made me smile. He was not a dad, at least not mine anymore. He was a sick man with a twisted mind and little to no regard for his family. His ambition has clouded his mind so much that he couldn't even recognize himself.
Lisa:I'll be there in an hour.
I would no longer stop what I was doing at the drop of a hat for him. He could wait on me, and he would. I was done taking his emotional abuse and he would learn that today. When I saw him, I would give him a chance to break the contract for what Daniel did, but I doubt he would. If he still tried to tie me down to Chris, then I would show him this new side to me. I would unleash that warrior that had been growing inside of me.
