Runaway Love

Chapter 1

Los Angeles, California

Lauren

"Mama? You up yet?" My four-year-old son Kameron whispered as he held my face between his two hands.

"Come on baby, five more minutes." I said as pulled him into my arms to snuggle.

Letting out a breath, I slowly began to drift back to sleep. But just as I began to fall into a deep sleep my son started to talk again. "But mama, I'm not tired anymore." Kameron whined as he broke free from my grasp.

Slowly I sat up sighing to myself, as I looked at the ball of energy across from me. "Alright Kam, we need to go brush our teeth." I said as I stood up, putting my slippers and robe on.

Picking up Kam, we made our way to the bathroom. Grabbing our toothbrushes, we started our daily routine of brushing our teeth and washing our faces. 

Once we finished we made our way to the kitchen, so I could start making breakfast. Just as I pulled the eggs from the fridge someone began to knock at my door. Walking towards the door I stopped to look through the peephole and inwardly groaned.

Rolling my eyes, I slowly opened the door and stepped outside. "What can I do for you today Mr. Williams?"

"Well Ms. Lauren, I just came to remind you again about that rent that's due this coming Wednesday." Just as the words left his mouth a headache began to form. "Didn't I just pay you two weeks ago? I thought I had rent covered for this month?"

"No ma'am, that money went towards last month's rent. I'm gonna need this month rent this week. You know... I've been letting you slip by these past couple months cause I like you but somethings gotta give." Mr. Williams said as he stepped closer to me.

Almost immediately my heart began to race.

"What do you mean?"

Looking me up and down he slowly licked his lips. In that moment it felt as though my heart was about to leap out my chest.

Looking down at myself I began to close my robe and tie it. "Mr. Will..."

Before I could even get his name out my mouth he began to talk over me. "Now if you're gonna need another extension on rent just let me know and I'd be happy to help you with that, but..." He stopped mid-sentence and gently began to caress my arm. "You're gonna have to do a little something for me."

Just as the words left his mouth the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Reaching out to grab the door handle I began to make my way back inside but before I could fully get inside he pushed me up against my door. Nuzzling his head into my neck, he began to run his nose up and down my collarbone. Turning my head to the side I couldn't help the tears that started to form. Lifting my arms up I began trying to push him away, but he grabbed one arm and held it behind my back while he pinned the other one on the door.

Just as he reached for my robe I could hear in the distance the chair in the kitchen slide across the floor.

Before he could untie it, I heard my son. "Mama? What are you doing outside?"

Silently I thanked god he couldn't see me.

Immediately at the sound of my son's voice Mr. Williams moved away from me. Wiping my eyes, I turned around and picked up Kam.  "I'll have the money by Wednesday. Don't you worry about that."

Holding Kam close to me, I walked back inside and slammed the door in his face.

"I don't like him mama. He's scary and he made you sad." Said Kam. "You okay?" He asked while grabbing my face. "Yeah baby, I'm okay." I replied.

Letting out a shaky breath I began, "How about instead of me making breakfast, we go pick something up and then we go to the park? How does that sound? Hmm?"

Smiling up at me Kameron nodded.

"Alright then baby, lets go get dressed."