Behind the CEO

Chapter 2

"Can y'all please try to look happy?" Jonathan asked his daughters, feeling bad for them. He felt guilt more than anything. He felt guilty because he told them that their mother would be meeting them at Chuck E Cheese to have fun together. He only told them because she actually showed up yesterday when she said that she would. He figured that she would show up today, but he still had a feeling that she would stand them up.

Jonathan hated himself. He hated seeing the sadness in his daughters' eyes, especially Serenity. Serenity wouldn't admit it but she was looking forward to seeing her mother, even though she was quite distant from her.

"I want to go home." Serenity spat sadly. For the first time, their mother had broken her promise. Yes, she popped in and out of their lives, but when she made a promise she truly meant it. She's never broken a promise, until today. It upset both Serenity and Joy, but more so

"Ren, we can still have fun." Jonathan said trying his best to cheer her up. Serenity doesn't really care for her mother, but she heard her make a promise to her little sister. It got to her, and it meant something. She truly believed that her mother would show up. They've waited almost an hour for their mother to show up. Jonathan called her and left several voicemails, but he has yet to hear from her.

"Maybe she went to the wrong one." Jonathan said trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. He tried to ease their broken hearts, but it didn't matter.

"Da da, we can go home?" Joy asked desperately.

"You sure?" Jonathan looked at the both of them.

"Yeah." Sadly, they said in unison.

"Mommy!!" Joy shouted, smiling. Jonathan turned around to see Denise walking towards their table. She held a bag from Kid's Footlocker in her hand. Both Joy and Serenity got up from the booth. Joy ran to her mother, while Serenity tried to mask her excitement by walking. Jonathan followed behind them, protectively.

"You didn't think I was coming, huh?" She asked, happily scooping Joy into her arms.

"You late!" Joy exclaimed with a frown on her face.

"You said you wanted new shoes, right?" Denise tickled Joy, making her squirm in laughter. Jonathan flashed a quick smile. Watching his daughters smile and laugh with her was such a bittersweet moment. They were so happy! As much as Serenity tried to hide it, she was happy. But it was only going to last for a short moment. Denise was never consistent. At some point, she'll disappear again.

"We got us new shoes?" Serenity asked.

"You're not getting nothing until I get a hug." Serenity chuckled and hugged her mother. Jonathan stood a few feet away and watched as his daughters hugged and kissed their mother. He knew that Serenity was genuinely happy that her mother came. It wasn't just because of her new shoes. Her mother actually showed up when she said that she would. She's committed to the two promises she made. Two days in a row her mother showed up. She was happy. The shoes were just a bonus.

"I can wear my shoes right now?" Joy asked anxiously.

"Yeaaah." She matched her excitement. "It matches perfectly."

"You could've answered your phone." Jonathan said.

"I dropped my phone last night. The screen is shattered and discolored." Jonathan didn't say anything, he just led them to the table. Joy sat next to her mother, and Serenity sat next to her father. She pulled the boxes out of the bag and gave her daughters their shoes. Both Joy and Serenity got a pair of old school sparkly vans and a black and white pair.

"Thank you, Mommy!" Joy said staring at her shoes. Jonathan smiled at her happiness.

"Thanks, Mom!" Serenity said tying her laces. It was the first time is a long time that she acknowledged her mother as such. It made Denise's heart sing.