Behind the CEO

Chapter 3

Five o'clock am, and Jonathan's alarm was going off. He immediately rolled over in his bed and shut it off. If today were any regular day, he would've let the alarm go off at least two more times before actually getting up. Only because he was so sleepy and felt like he had just laid his head on his pillow. He had gotten only four hours of sleep last night and Noelle was the reason. He wanted to go to bed, but she had other plans. Jonathan couldn't say no to her for a couple of reasons. She lasted longer than she's had in the past- not like she really had a choice.

As much as Jonathan wanted to fall back into the bed and sleep, today was definitely a different day. Today, Jonathan has a job interview. He pulled himself out of his bed and went to his daughter's room to check on them. It was early but his interview was set for six o'clock. He thought it was rather early for a job interview, but he wouldn't let that prevent him from going. He felt like he had nothing to lose when he applied. He told himself that he couldn't expect a change to take place in his life if he continued to do the same thing. He decided to apply for a receptionist job. It wasn't what he wanted to do as far as his career plans. His dream job was to be on ESPN as a NBA or WNBA analyst. But, being someone's assistant was better than being a fry cook and cleaning tables.

While Jonathan was in the bathroom, getting ready for the interview, he heard the pitter patter of feet. He knew exactly who it was by the sound of it.

"Did I wake you up?" Jonathan asked Noelle. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Softly, she replied before yawning. "Are you almost ready?"

"Yeah, I'm ready. Where are your keys?" Being that he has an interview today, Jonathan is driving her car. She offered- practically begged him, and surprisingly, he didn't decline. Only because the bus he needed to ride didn't run this early, so he didn't have a choice. Since he was taking her car, she was going to use Lyft to get Serenity and Joy to school. Jonathan could've easily asked their mother to take them to school since she has kept her promises over the last few days like he had hoped, but this was more convenient. She was already here and had been helping Jonathan since the beginning. Also, Jonathan didn't feel the need to introduce his friend to the mother of his children. Sure, he didn't have to explain himself to his ex or anyone else for that matter, but he knew his ex very well. Keeping it all separate was for his own sanity.

"Counter." She answered simply.

"The girls have to be at school by eight-fifteen." Jonathan reminded her as if she hasn't taken them to school before.

"I know, love." She smiled at him. "I got it. Go, before you're late."

"Thank you so much." He said gratefully she stood on the tips of her toes and kissed his cheek. She would have kissed his lips, but she knew how he felt about morning kisses. He was not fond of kissing before brushing your teeth. If he hadn't brushed his yet, he wouldn't kiss her and she wouldn't kiss him.

"You're welcome." She replied. "Wait- did you eat?"

"No, but I'll be back afterwards. I'll eat then."

"Alright, I'll be here. Good luck, Jonathan."

"Thank you." Jonathan hugged her then turned around to leave. He grabbed her car key from the kitchen counter and left. He laughed lightly as he sat in her driver's seat, adjusting it and the mirrors. She was five foot- six inches while Jonathan stood taller at six foot- three inches.

He turned the radio on and headed to the freeway after debating on whether or not he would take it or the streets. He figured that there wouldn't be traffic on the freeway, but he was wrong. There was a three car accident on the freeway, which caused heavy traffic.