Life with the ex-bad neighbor

Chapter nineteen - Stay away from her

Emma's mom POV:

Ricky has escaped from jail. I don't know how this is possible. I thought that they had strong security. Maybe he used help. The worst thing is that he is going after my daughter. I don't think he will hurt her. Well, I can't be sure. I feel bad for letting him near Emma back in their high school days. Honestly, I never thought he would turn into this type of person. I don't know what I can do. I want to help Emma. The only thing I can do is take care of Mia. If Ricky does something to her, I'll make sure he gets what he deserves. I brought so much trouble for my daughter without realizing it. Honestly, I don't think that someone expected this from him. Neither did his parents as well. I hope that he won't go near Mia. She doesn't know who he is, and I assume she might go with him. Ricky is good at making people do what he wants. Security is the best way to keep her safe, but she doesn't need to know what this is. Mia is just a kid. She deserves to have a happy childhood. I know that Emma is trying her best, and I am proud of her. Now I am starting to realize that with Vince, things would've been different. In the beginning, I didn't like him. Luckily, he proved to me how wrong I was about him. He was a good boy. I know how much he did for Emma, and I appreciate it. Maybe my daughter can find someone else, but it won't be like Vince. This boy was one of a kind. His love for Emma was infinite, and I will never forget it.

I woke up and went to make breakfast. I thought that Emma should come back here. At least while we solve the Ricky problem. I don't know how long this will take, but it's safer here. Well, he knows where our house is. After all, he has come here often. That is another mistake of mine. If he dares to come here, we'll call the police. I won't let him get near Emma or Mia. I didn't save her back then, but now I will do it. I won't let my daughter go through the same things as before. This time, I will help her.

I was frying the last two bread slices when I felt two hands around me. It was Adam. He was worried. I know that he is thinking about Ricky. I didn't say anything and only smiled. To be honest, I don't know what to tell him. Lately, things have been getting worse. Emma deserves to be happy. Who knows when this will happen? When breakfast was ready, I put it on the table. It's not like I was hungry. I was about to say something when my phone started ringing. It was Emma.

- Hey, mom. I'm sorry that I'm calling you so early.

- No problem. How are you?

- I'm fine. Can you do me a favor?

- Sure.

- Thanks. Today the kindergarten will work only until lunchtime. Can you or dad go and take Mia? I have a lot of work.

- Of course. No problem.

- Thank you. - she said and ended the call

- Is there a problem? - Adam asked

- No, Emma wants one of us to pick Mia. The kindergarten will work until lunchtime.

- This has to be you. I have to pick up the car.

- I forgot that it was today. Ok, no problem.

- I suggest you be there ten minutes before they have finished.

- Do you think that he will go there?

- I don't know. From him, you can expect everything.

- I will go and get her. Before that, I will make lunch.

- Ok, I'll go and get the car. See you later. - Adam said and walked out

I washed the dishes from our breakfast and started cooking. I have tried to make homemade pizza only a couple of times. Mostly with the help of Emma. She used to make it a lot. Today I will try it by myself. It's not that hard, but it takes time. On the dough, I put some tomato sauce, mushrooms, pickles, bacon, and cheese. I will bake it after I take Mia from kindergarten. Otherwise, it will get cold. I put the pizza in the oven without turning it on. I took my things and walked out.

After around an hour, I was there. I walked to the playground and saw Mia talking with someone. How did he come before me? There are ten minutes until they finish. I quickly went to her.

- Granny!

- What are you doing here?

- I came to see my beautiful daughter. - Ricky said

- She is not yours, and you know it.

- But she doesn't. I am your daddy, right? - he asked, looking at her.

- No! My daddy doesn't look like that.

- Excuse me!

- Do you think Emma won't tell her who her dad is? - I asked

- This doesn't mean anything.

- Stay away from her and Emma. You already did enough.

- I want only one thing. If Emma gives it to me, I won't bother her.

- She will never go out with you, especially since Mia is here.

- Then I guess that I have to keep visiting her.

- Why are you doing this? Emma told you years ago that she was not interested in you. Why can't you accept it?

- It's more than that. It has always been. You will never understand.

- Then tell me. What do you want from my daughter?

- I want her to forget about this i***t and come with me. I can treat her better.

- She will never do that, not after what you did to her in high school.

- That was before. I have changed.

- It doesn't look like that.

- As you can see, I haven't touched her.

- Maybe, but you killed Vince. Don't think that she will forget that.

- Why do all of you care about this loser? He is nothing.

- That's what you think. No matter what you try, you will never be like Vince. Emma won't love you or whoever it is the same way.

- I should've gotten rid of him years ago.

- It's not his fault that Emma fell for him. You can't make someone love you by force.

- Maybe, but I can make her do what I want, especially when she cares so much about Mia.

- If you do something to her, I will make you regret that.

- What do we have here? A protective granny.

- I might be old, but I can still fight.

- Listen up, old lady. Don't mess with this. Otherwise, I have to get rid of you and everyone who comes my way. Understood?

- I'm not scared of you.

- That's your mistake. You have no idea what I am capable of.

- You won't win, Ricky. The police will catch you.

- So? They can put me in jail again, but I will escape.

- Leave us alone. No one wants to mess with you.

- Then tell your precious daughter to watch out. Otherwise, the little one will pay for her mistakes. - he said and left

That was the first time I had talked with Ricky like that. I have to say that I was shocked. How can he threaten me? It's not like this will scare me. I won't lie that I am worried. He can do anything to Emma or Mia. The kid is not guilty of anything. I don't know what we have to do with this man. I can't believe that I trusted him. That was my biggest mistake.

I took Mia, and both of us walked home. Adam was already there. He looked at me and understood that there was a problem. I gave him a short version of what happened. We need to keep Emma and Mia safe. The question is how. It looks like he knows everything about them. I almost forgot about the pizza. When it was ready, I put it on the table. At least Mia liked it.

- How did he get there? Emma warned the teachers. - Adam said

- I don't know. He was in the playground.

- Did he do something to her?

- Mia, did this man do something to you?

- No. He only said that I would see him often. - she said

- This is not good. - I said

- We have to call officer Mayers.

- I will do it. You can take care of Mia.

- No problem.

I called officer Mayers and told him everything. He wrote it down. I gave him the same description as Emma. He said that he would come later. According to him, there is a chance to catch him, but it depends on Emma. She came home after four hours. Officer Mayers came as well. I didn't tell her anything.

- Mommy! - Mia said and ran up to her

- Hey. How are you?

- A weird man talked with me.

- What?

- Sit down. We need to talk with you. - I said

- Officer Mayers. What is going on?

- Your mom saw Ricky today. He was talking with your daughter.

- What!?

- There is a way we can catch him, but you have to permit me to do it.

- What is it?

- Since Ricky is stalking you, I think to send a police officer undercover. It might look like he will stalk you, but he will stalk Ricky.

- To understand that I will have two stalkers.

- Yes. I'll do this only if you let me.

- It's not like I have a choice.

- He will be dressed like a citizen. That way, he won't be recognized.

- What if Ricky realizes that someone else is stalking me too? He might hurt him.

- Don't worry about this.

- In that case, I think that we have to do it.

- Ok, I will see if Ben wants to do it.

- Thank you.

Officer Mayers went home. I started with dinner. I have never seen a man ready to do anything only to get what he wants. To be honest, even therapy won't help him. Something is wrong with him. I think that it was unlocked in high school. Sometimes I can't believe that he manipulated me, and I used to trust him. If I knew who he was, I would never let him near my daughter. Now it's too late for that. I already did enough.

- Mom, are you ok?

- Where is Mia?

- She is playing with dad.

- Good.

- Mom, you can tell me if there is a problem.

- If it was only one.

- What do you mean?

- I'm sorry for all the things I did to you in high school. I know that it's too late, but I feel bad. Ricky is going after you because of me. I'm guilty of everything.

- Mom, this is not true. No one knew what type of person he would become. Stop blaming yourself. I'm not mad at you.

- You are too good for me.

- Without you, I wouldn't have been where I am today. Thank you.

- I should thank you. - I said and hugged Emma

- Hugs.

Emma and I looked between us to see Mia. Both of us started laughing. This kid is adorable. There is no wonder why Emma loves her so much. My daughter is a great mom.

- Hey, come here. I love you. - Emma said and kissed her cheek

- Nice talk, girls, but I am getting hungry. - Adam said

- I'll set the table.

The rest of the night, Emma and Mia were at home. I offered my daughter to stay at home for the night, but she refused. It's her choice. I don't want to force her. I hope that officer Mayers's plan will work. The problem is that Ricky might escape from jail again. I still can't understand how he did it. Usually, they have strong security. Someone must have helped him. That doesn't matter. The fact is that he did it. We have to keep Emma and Mia safe. I don't want him to do anything to them. They don't deserve it. Emma suffers a lot, and Mia is just a kid. I hope that my daughter will have her happy ending soon.