"Hold my hand," I said, holding my hand out for my daughter, Yeri, to hold. She reached up and grabbed my hand as the crosswalk signaled that we could cross. The mass over people started to pool in the road, trying to get to the other side. My phone vibrated in my hand and I held it up and looked at it. "Mommy," "Hold on, Yeri," I kept typing away on my phone.
"Mommy,"
"Yeri, I said hold on,"
Once we made it to the other side, I let go of Yeri's hand for a second to open my purse to put my phone in it. I looked down and went to grab Yeri's hand, but she wasn't there. I turned and looked on the other side of me, but she wasn't there either.
"Yeri?" I frantically looked around and saw her running back into the street. The crosswalk changed and my eyes widened. I saw a car coming and I panicked. "Yeri!" I yelled, running to her.
Before I was able to grab her, a man on the other side of the street yanked her out of the way of the car. The driver slammed on his breaks and rolled his window down. Paralyzed, I watched as the man grabbed Yeri's shoulders and asked if she was okay. I forced my feet to move and ran over to them and pulled her into my arms.
"Oh my god, Yeri, are you okay?"
"Hey!" The driver yelled out of his window. "Is that your daughter?!"
I stood up and looked at him. "Yes and you almost ran her over!" I yelled back.
"Well she shouldn't have been running in the middle of the road anyway! Learn to control your kid!"
My anger started to boil. The man who rescued Yeri walked in front of me. "Now wait a minute, she's a little child! It's not like she ran out into the street on purpose!" He yelled.
The man in the car rolled his eyes and drove away. I sighed, my heart still pounding, and looked down at Yeri.
"Why did you run into the street?" I asked her.
"I dropped Teddy," She said, squeezing her bear. "I tried telling you, but you were on the phone," She mumbled.
I knelt down to her. "I'm sorry I wasn't listening, but you know you can't just run out into the street like that," I pat her hair and realized the man was still there. I stood up and looked at him. "Thank you for saving her. I don't know what would've happened if you weren't there," I said. He smiled.
"No problem," I looked at Yeri then back at the man.
"I have to repay you somehow," I said.
"Oh, no, you don't have to-"
"I insist. Yeri and I were just about to go get something to eat, do you want to come with us?" I asked.
He sighed happily in defeat. "Sure," We started walking. "My name in Namjoon, by the way," He said.
"I'm (y/n), and this is my daughter Yeri,"
"Hi, Yeri," He said, smiling.
She just grabbed my hand tighter and waved. After we got to the restaurant, Yeri sat next to me and Namjoon sat across from us.
"So, where is her-" Namjoon trailed off, making a rolling gesture with his hand.
"Dad?" I asked. He nodded. "He uh, he passed away right after she was born," I said. His face instantly changed.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked,"
I shook my head. "No, it's okay. We manage on our own just fine," I smiled and looked at Yeri who was sipping carefully through her straw.
"So, there isn't a boyfriend...in the picture?" He asked, grinning.
I smiled shyly and raised my eyebrows. "Nope,"
He looked pleased. "Why not? I mean, you're attractive, and your daughter is just adorable,"
I giggled. "I haven't found a guy who I'm comfortable with introducing to Yeri yet. My last boyfriend, who seemed like a really good guy in the beginning, I found out he was into drugs and all that, and I don't want that around her, you know?"
Namjoon lifted his chin. "Ah, I see," He looked over at Yeri who was coloring on the paper kids' menu. "Yeri," He said. She looked up. "Can I color with you?" She started smiling and nodded.
She handed him a crayon and moved the paper to the middle of the table. "You have to color this part of the rainbow blue," She said. Eventually, she went over and sat next to him.
Once the waitress came with our food, she looked at me and smiled. "He's such a good dad," My eyes widened, but she left before I could say anything.
I slowly looked over and Namjoon was grinning. "Did she think I was Yeri's dad?" He asked quietly. I looked down and nodded. I heard Namjoon chuckle.
After dinner, it was dark and we walked out of the restaurant. I wrapped Yeri's scarf around her and made sure it was secure. I stood back up and looked at Namjoon.
"Well, I have to get Yeri back home," I said.
"Oh, of course, but when can I see you again?"
"Huh? You want to see me again?" I asked getting quieter.
"Why not? I had a good time," He said, smiling. "Maybe next time, I can treat you and Yeri instead," I looked down at Yeri.
"What do you say? Do you wanna see Namjoon again?" I asked her. She just gasped and started jumping and I smiled.
"I take that as a yes," He said.
"Alright, let me give you my number,"
After we exchanged numbers, he flashed his deep dimples and waved.
"I like him, mommy," Yeri said.
"Me too,"
I watched as Namjoon walked away and silently thanked him again for saving my daughter.
