If Only You Knew

I Know You

D'arrica's POV

My thoughts got deeper and deeper as I contemplated over my life these past few months.

I was disgusted with my actions as a mother and was embarrassed that my friends and family had to deal with me as a result of me letting my emotions take over. But I was better now, or trying to be.

I recently started working as a product consultant in a high-end boutique downtown. It pays amazing so I was now able to afford a new daycare for Elijah. Things were looking up for both of us.

Jeremih's Remember Me played through the car's speakers as I reminisced on my past relationship. I was still torn by Landin's actions but at least I could be cordial enough to do drop-offs. With my new job, we had to change from him getting E on weekends to us splitting the week evenly. I had E Sunday through Wednesday and Landin would pick him up from daycare on Wednesday and have him until early on Sunday morning.

That schedule has been working for the past few weeks or so but now for some reason, Landin couldn't get him from daycare today so I had to move my plans around so we could meet up at the bank for a drop-off. I was supposed to be meeting Lee and the twins back at home after I got off work so I could apologize for being so nasty to her and Twin lately.

But instead of that, I was at the closed bank waiting in the empty parking lot for Landin. He was now 10 minutes past our original time to meet up and I was getting annoyed. Immediately after my annoyance came a ridiculous fear that something may have happened to him. My stomach began to knot up just thinking about it, it made me sick.

My phone was now in my hand where my finger hovered over his contact before E erupted my movements.

"Pops!!!"

My toddler's outbursts made me look up to see an unfamiliar truck roll up blasting OMB Peezy. That alone let me know it was my baby daddy driving, even if I couldn't see through the tinted windows. Elijah acted like he hadn't seen him in ages, he bounced around the back seat squealing and scrambling to get his book bag and his duffel with his clothes and a few toys.

He reached for the door handle which prompted me to hit the locks. "Um, you not gone give your mama a kiss goodbye young man?" I put on my best offended tone.

He inhaled a breath as if remembering I was even in the car with him before quickly turning and leaning over my seat, pecking my cheek a few times.

"Bye, Mommy!"

As I unlocked the door I noticed Landin hop out of the car looking too good with his fresh retwist and plain white tee. He dressed up fly in the calmest way with his black Amiri jeans and matching Balenciaga tennis shoes with two nice-sized chains on. That's when I noticed the random nigga he had sitting in his passenger seat. Oh hell no!

I jumped out of the car and ran to the other side, meeting the two just as Landin was assisting E into the back seat. He turned to me with the brightest smile, almost making me smile back but I was able to mask it.

"Who's this?" I pointed to the tall brown-skinned man who sat with low eyes.

"That's the homie Kyro." He clarified as I noticed his slowed speech.

"Are you high?"

"A lil bit." He shrugged before chuckling as he stroked his chin hair.

I took a step towards the backseat to get my baby before he held his arm out to stop me. "What you doing?"

"Didn't I tell you I don't want my son around this bullshit?!" I raised my voice.

"Man, what you talking bout?" He matched my tone as he looked confused.