Behind the CEO

Chapter 1

"You outta here, bro?" Jonathan heard his coworker ask as he was in the manager's office, looking at next week's schedule. He worked as a waiter at the Cheesecake Factory Monday through Friday. Friday through Sunday, he was a cook at the local diner. He didn't want to work for less than minimum wage and solely depend on tips for survival. Jonathan didn't really have a choice, though. When he started looking for a job, no other jobs were hiring or they just wouldn't hire him. Even now. He actively looked for better employment, but always came up short. With a squeaky clean background, he didn't understand why. However in the back of his mind, he wondered if his father played a hand in this. He'd never know for sure.

"Hell yeah." Jonathan chuckled. "I worked a double because ya boy called off. I gotta get home to my kids, bro." His two daughters, Serenity and Joy Carter were the highlight of his world. The two of them were patiently waiting for him to pick them up. They loved spending time with their grandmother, but it was nothing like being with their Daddy.

"See ya later, bro." His coworker, Kenny said. "Have a good night."

Jonathan briefly said his goodbyes as he was walking through the restaurant to get to the exit. He made it to his car and popped his trunk. After every shift, he would put his work shoes in the trunk and slip his feet into his slides. Sighing, as he leaned back in the driver's seat. He was beyond tired after a twelve hour shift, and it wasn't even worth it. He barely made any money with the lousy tips he received. It was just one of those days.

Turning the key in the ignition, his car made a funny noise. Instantly, Jonathan frowned, but he tried it again. He just got a new battery for this car! He just borrowed money to fix what he was told was the problem. His heart begin to beat faster as his stomach turned while trying to get his car to start up. This was the last thing that he needed in his life.

"Fuuuuck!!" Jonathan shouted in frustration and pain, gripping the stirring wheel. He shook it a bit. His eyes filled with tears and immediately streamed down his face. He wasn't so much of an emotional person but he was tired. In every sense of the word, Jonathan was tired and he was frustrated. He couldn't help but cry silently, because if it wasn't one thing, it was another.

After a few moments, Jonathan wiped his face and pulled himself together. He thought about lifting the hood of the car, but it would be a waste. He knew nothing about fixing cars, and at this point, it's probably nothing he could do. This car was already old and beat up when he bought it. But he needed something to get him and his daughters from point A to point B.

He thought about taking an Uber or Lyft to get his daughters, but it would cost about twenty dollars to get across town. He didn't have to check his account to know that he didn't have it. And if he did, he wouldn't even spend it on a car service. The bus would get him a few blocks away, but it was okay. As long as he got there. Just as he was opening the door, his phone rang in his pocket.

"Hey, Ma." Jonathan sadly greeted his mother-in-law, Aretha. Aretha was more than just an "in law" to Jonathan. For the past seven years, she had become his saving grace. She opened her home to him when he was kicked out of his by his father. At the young age of eighteen, Jonathan left his parents' house with just the clothes on his body. He hasn't seen or spoken to his parents or anyone on either side of his family since then.

"Hey, is everything okay?" Aretha could hear the sadness in his tone and it was chilling. Like any good mother, it worried her and pained her heart to hear.

"My car broke down." Jonathan sighed softly. "I'm about to go to the bus stop right now."

"The bus? Do not get on that bus, son. I can-"

"It's okay, Ma. It's coming in about five minutes."

"Nathan." Sternly, Aretha called which was rare. She only ever called him "son" or a sweet pet name. But when she called him by his nickname, It wasn't so much about what she called him, it was simply how. Her tone was deep and stern, which let Jonathan know that she was serious.