Runaway Love

Chapter 2

Los Angeles, California

Ermias

"Daddy come push me!" My five year old daughter Emani yelled as she ran over to the swings.

Walking towards the swings, I looked around taking in my surroundings, especially the people around me. Due to the line of work I am involved in, you could never be to careful. You always had to be on stand by just in case something were to pop off.

As I looked around, I couldn't help but notice this woman bent down tying her son's shoes. Looking on as she tied his shoes, it was as if the world started moving in slow motion.

There was something about the way she smiled up at her son that brought joy to my heart. You could feel the love radiating off of them. And you could tell just from looking at them that they had a close bond.

Shaking my head I was broken from my thoughts by my daughter.

"Hurry up daddy!"

Running over to me Emani grabbed my hand and began dragging me in the direction of the swings. 

Picking her up, I gently placed her on the swing and started pushing her. "Higher daddy!" She screamed.

"You sure about that Mani? Cause once I start, I don't want you getting all scared."

"I wont be scared, I promise." She said as she held out her pinky.

"Okay lil mama, if you say so." I said as I interlocked our pinky's.

Slowly I started to push her, gradually using more force. The higher she went the more she started to laugh. Just hearing her laugh brought a smile to my face.

After about ten minutes of playing on the swing Mani started making her way to the other side of the playground. "You can go sit down now." She said with her sassy self. Shaking my head as I quietly laughed to myself, I made my way over to the bench.

Before I could even pull out my phone I felt a presence in front of me. Glancing up I noticed it was the same woman from earlier. Finally, I was able to get a good look at her. And man I was not disappointed at all with the view I had I front of me.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" She asked pointing to the empty space next to me.

"Nah, you good ma. Go ahead."

Smiling as she tucked her hair behind her ear, she sat down. "Thanks."

Nodding my head in response I began to look around for Emani. As if she knew I was looking for her she popped right out the slide and waved at me. Waving back at her, I noticed her waiting for someone by the slide.

Just as I was about to call out her name, I seen the same little boy come up right behind her. Looking on as she grabbed the little boys hand, I couldn't help the little bit of overprotectiveness that swelled in my chest. I had to remind myself that they were just kids and that they would be okay.

Taking a deep breath, I glanced to the woman beside me. "Looks like our kids are friends." I said pointing in their direction. Looking on at the two she replied. "I can see that. I'm glad my Kam was able to find someone to play with. He doesn't really get to hang out with kids his age."

Reaching out to the woman next to me, I began to introduce myself. "I'm Ermias and my little stinkah butt over there is Emani." Grabbing my hand, she began," I'm Lauren." She said with a small smile. "And thats my baby boy Kameron."

Looking down at our interlocked hands, I couldn't help but notice a red handprint on her wrist. As if she could feel me staring, she immediately pulled her hand away, pulling down her sleeve in the process.

Wiping her hands down the front of her pants, she nervously stood up. "Umm, it was nice meeting you Ermias, but me and Kam have somewhere we have to be." Not able to meet my eye, she began looking around the playground for Kam. "Kam, baby its time to go." She yelled.

Almost immediately Kam appeared with Emani in tow. "But mama, me and Mani was playing." He whined glancing at the both of them. "Can we stay longer? Please?"

"Baby its time to go. You can play another time, we have somewhere to be." She replied bending down to his eye level. "Now, are you gonna introduce me to your friend before we leave?" She asked as she stood up.

At the mention of introductions Emani made her way behind my leg hiding. Peaking around she stared at Lauren nervously. Laughing to myself, I gently pulled Emani from behind me.

Grabbing Lauren's hand, Kam began to pull his mom towards Emani. "Mama, this my friend Mani." Bending down to be at eye level Lauren began to speak. "Well hello there Miss Mani, my name is Lauren. Its so very nice to meet you pretty girl."

Slowly smiling Emani stepped forward launching herself onto Lauren, taking us both by surprise. "Its nice to meet you too Ms. Lauren." She mumbled into her shoulder.

Pulling away from Lauren, Emani ran to Kameron grabbing his hand. "Come say hi to my daddy before you leave." She said as she dragged poor Kam behind her. "Daddy, this my new friend Kam Kam."

Squatting down eye level to him, I reached out to dab him. "Wassup Killah, nice to meet you. I'm Ermias." Smiling wide, he dabbed me. "Hi Mr. Ermias."

Standing back up, I dusted my pants off looking down at the two in front of me.

Nervously Lauren smiled up at me still not able to meet my eye. "Well it was nice meeting ya'll but we have to get going." Grabbing Kams hand, she gently began to pull him away, but before she could get far Emani ran towards them. "Wait!"

"Bye Kam Kam. Bye Ms. Lauren." She said as she hugged them. Waving one last time Emani ran back to me.

Watching as they walked away I waved goodbye to Kam who looked back to us.

Picking Emani up, we made our way to the car. "You had fun to day stinkah?" I asked as I put Mani in her booster seat. "Yeah daddy." She replied with a yawn.

Closing her door, I made my way to the front seat. For some reason my mind kept going back to Lauren.
Shaking my head of those thoughts, I began to make my way home.