Life with the ex-bad neighbor

Chapter eighteen - He escaped

Emma's POV:

For the past two years, things have been good. Mia and I went back home. I love spending time with my parents. Sadly, it's time for me to move on. The good thing is that I stopped thinking about Vince so often. I can't bring him back, and I have to accept it. Mia is three years old already, so I sent her to kindergarten. In the beginning, it was hard for her, but now she loves it. Well, Mia spent two years with me. She was sad when we moved out of my parent's house. My daughter needs to grow as a person. She has to understand that there won't always be people around her. I do everything for her, but some of the things my daughter has to do alone. I'm glad that she is happy. Mia found some good friends in her group. Too many kids go to kindergarten, so they divide them into groups. Every day she tells me what she has done during the day. I started working as well. I leave Mia and go to my office. Once, many kids were sick, and the teacher let everyone go home. I went to take her early. Since I hadn't finished my work, I had to take her with me. The whole afternoon she spent with Kim. I had no problem if she stayed with me, but let's say that my boss is melting for her. Mia received a lot of attention from everyone. It's not every day when you see such a little kid. My daughter was happy about it. She also ate some chocolate cake. I don't know from where Kim bought it. Before I could say no, Mia ate the whole piece. I'm trying not to give her a lot of chocolate, but she is a kid. Moreover, I can't say no to her.

I woke up and went to get ready. Today, I have to do some things. I won't take Mia with me. My parents will take care of her. First, I will go shopping. Later, I might cook something. Mom has already invited me to dinner. It's not like I wasn't going to stay. Also, it's the weekend, so I don't have plans. For now, I have focused on Mia. I know I need to have a social life, but I don't want to do that now. When the right time comes, I will do it.

I left Mia to sleep and went to make breakfast. Sometimes I make her cupcakes for breakfast. They are fresh from the oven, and I know she won't eat that much. Her tummy is not that big. Sometimes I miss when she was a baby. Now, she is running everywhere, and I have to chase her. That became one of her favorite games. Mostly, dad plays with her. Let's say that Mia found his weak spot. Of course, she uses it all the time.

When breakfast was ready, I went to wake up Mia. I hate to do it because she sleeps so cute. Well, she has to eat breakfast. I kissed the top of her head, and she slowly opened her eyes.

- Good morning, princess. Breakfast is ready.

- What did you cook?

- If you come with me, you will see.

- Ok, let's go.

Her eyes widened when she saw the cupcakes. Of course, I received a tight hug for that. Mia quickly sat at the table and took a cupcake. Someone is hungry. I might not be the best cook, but at least she likes my food. Well, she doesn't have a choice. I won't buy food all the time. My parents weren't doing it as well.

- Can we play in the backyard today?

- Yes, but with your grandparents. I have some things to do.

- Can I come with you?

- I'm sorry. I will be walking the whole day, and you will get tired.

- You can carry me.

- Nice try. I will have bags.

- Ok, I will play with granny. - she said and pouted

- Hey, I will come to get you.

No answer. The worst treatment is the silent one. I washed the dishes from breakfast and told Mia to get ready. She wasn't happy but had no choice. I can easily take her with me, but she will get bored. Also, I won't be able to carry her. Not with all the bags which I will have. It's my fault that I promised her the weekends would be for her. Let's say I told her that all the weekend, I would be with her. I want to spend time with her, but this is not always possible. Unlike her, I have chores.

After an hour, we arrived at my parents' house. I took some of her favorite toys. Maybe this will distract her while I am gone. To be honest, I don't want to leave her, but I can't be with her all the time. That is a bad habit. Now, it won't do anything, but in the future, it will. I want to teach her that I won't always be with her.

- Ok, tell granny what you want to do today. If you want, she can call your other granny too.

- No. I want you to stay.

- I told you that I would come back.

- When?

- I will finish my work. Then I will come to get you.

- Just like daddy.

With that, I looked at her. I didn't expect her to say that. I tried to explain to her where her dad was two years ago. I think that she is starting to realize that I lied to her. If I have to be honest, I don't know what to tell her.

- I told you that when his mission ends, he will come back.

She didn't say anything and gave me a tight hug. I hate when kids are crying. It makes me upset. I kissed the top of her head and let her go. I will try to finish everything fast.

- I will come soon, ok? I want you to promise me that you won't cry.

- Ok, I promise.

- Don't worry. I will find a way to distract her. - mom said

- Thank you.

I left Mia with my parents and went to do my tasks. First, I will buy food. I took the car because it was easy. Moreover, I won't carry all the bags by myself. I was searching for beans when someone pulled me. When I saw who it was, I was about to scream, but he put his hand on my mouth. Now he looks different. Ricky had dyed his hair brown. He even put contact lenses in his eyes. It's not like this will help him. He still looks the same.

- Not today, princess. If you scream, I will make you regret this. - he said, and I nodded my head

- You were supposed to be in jail. How did you get out?

- That's right. I was SUPPOSED to be in jail. No one said that I would go there.

- You escaped, didn't you?

- Maybe. Why do you care?

- Because you had twenty years in jail.

- They were too much. I decided to shorten them a bit.

- You know that the police will search for you.

- I don't think so. Do you think that I will escape just like that? They won't even notice that I am gone.

- What else do you want from me? You already killed Vince.

- Mia can't grow up without a father.

- If you go near her, I will kill you.

- Don't worry. I won't hurt her. Well, if it's not necessary.

- I swear that I will kill you.

- I would love to see how you will do it.

- You will see.

- If you say so. I have to go now. Bye and see you soon.

I quickly paid for my products and walked to my car. I need to go home right now. Mia is with my parents. It's not like this will stop him. I drove as fast as I could. After all, I don't want a speed ticket. I locked my car and rushed in.

- Hey, you are back. - dad said

- Where is Mia?

- In the backyard with your mom. Why?

I didn't say anything and ran. Mia was on the swing. Thank god she is ok. Mia saw me and quickly ran for a hug. My life is a nightmare. The thought of losing her brought tears to my eyes.

- Honey, are you ok? What's wrong? - mom asked

- Ricky escaped from jail.

- What? How?

- I don't know. He saw me in the store. I'm afraid that he will do something to her.

- We have to call the police.

- But he has changed. Now he has brown hair and green eyes.

- If he still looks the same, the police might catch him.

- I will call officer Mayers. - dad said

After around an hour, he came with Kim. What is she doing here? It's not like I mind. Mia loves her. Let's say that Kim puts her whole attention on her.

- Emma, are you ok? - Kim asked

- Yes, I'm fine. Thank you.

- He was at home when you called, and I knew I had to see you.

- You need to tell me everything. Like when did you see him and how he was looking. - officer Mayers said

I told him everything that he wanted to know. It was a short story, but I tried to give him details. Meanwhile, Kim was playing with Mia. It's better if she doesn't know about this. Officer Mayers told me that it's better if I warn the teachers in the kindergarten. They need to know what is going on.

- I will warn everyone in the department to look for this man. I don't know how he has escaped, but we need to arrest him as soon as possible.

- He said that they wouldn't even notice that he was gone.

- I will go and check that. If you see this man anywhere, call me immediately.

- Of course.

- I will go now. I'll ask Ben if he can start the process. I promise you that we'll find him.

- Thanks, officer Mayers.

- No problem.

I thought that jail would stop him, but no. Ricky will always find a way to ruin my life. The worst thing is that Mia has to go through this. She is just a kid. I don't know what to do anymore. It looks like there is only one way in which I can get rid of him. The problem is that I am not brave enough to do that. If Vince was here, I could've talked with him about that. Now I have to deal with this by myself. Let's hope that I can keep Mia safe.

- Everything will be fine. You will see. - Kim said

- To stop him, I have to kill him. There is no other way I can get rid of him.

- Emma, this is not a solution.

- Like jail was. Ricky was there for some time and found a way to escape.

- I understand, but if you do this, Mia has to grow up without a mother. Do you want this?

- No.

- Then, think before you do something. I know you had enough of this man, but you have to think about her. She is not guilty of anything.

- I know. I have to keep Mia safe.

- You have only one job. It's being a mother.

- I will try my best. I won't give up on my daughter.

- That's what I want to hear.

The rest of the day I spent with my parents. Kim stayed for dinner and later went home. I thought that I would have a peaceful life. More and more, I realize that this is impossible. First, I lost Vince. Now, my daughter is in danger. How many bad things do I have to go through? I can't give up, but I'm getting tired. All of this is like a nightmare. I wanted Mia to have a normal childhood. Let's hope that I can give her that. She deserves it. I hope that one day I will get rid of Ricky. Once and forever.