Behind the CEO

Chapter 14

"Ren, change your outfit." Jonathan told his daughter as soon as he walked into their bedroom. He bathed both Joy and Serenity then laid out the outfits that he wanted them to wear on Serenity's bed. Usually, he would help them into their clothes, but Serenity insisted on getting dressed without his help because they weren't babies anymore. So, he had been letting them get dressed in the outfits he chose while he showered. But today, Serenity wanted to wear something else.

"No, Daddy! I like it." She told him. She wore her favorite pair of light blue jeans that had holes on the knees and a Moana shirt. The jeans were her favorite because of the two holes. They weren't made that way, they were just worn out.

"Yes." Jonathan said already growing frustrated. Ever since he started letting his girls dress themselves, Serenity had been giving him a hard time about the outfits he picked. And it was always on the days that they were running late or on a tight schedule. He could have easily started dressing them again, but he wanted them to develop and grow to be independent.

While Joy was more like him, calm and obedient. Serenity was much like their mother, sassy and stubborn. It frustrated Jonathan to no-end, but he couldn't fault her and really discipline her for taking after her mother. He just had to learn to be more patient and figure out ways to get her to listen to him.

"No." She argued.

Jonathan sighed as he looked at his Apple watch. "We have to go. There's no time to go back and forth." There wasn't much time left before his parents arrived. Julius and the second car driver, Mark, were already parked outside waiting to take them to the airport. A second car was needed for all of their luggage. They were flying to Miami privately, but they were still on a tight schedule.

"Well, I'm ready." Serenity replied in the most sassiest tone ever. She had an attitude identical to her mother's.

"You're not ready." He told her. "Take those jeans off, and put on the pair that I picked for you."

"I want to wear these ones!" She exclaimed, standing her ground.

"Baby," Jonathan sighed, almost defeated, "you have new clothes now. Why do you want to wear these old jeans?"

"Because I like these." She answered simply.

"But they have holes on the knees." He pointed out as if she didn't already know and love.

"So?" Looking at him and not understanding why he mentioned it. It didn't matter to her either way. "Kenzie at school has ripped jeans. It's called style, Daddy."

"Her jeans were probably made that way. Your jeans have holes because they're old and you wear them every chance you get."

"Because they're my favorite! Duh." She said happily.

"Well, baby girl, there's a difference between style and just plain worn out."

"But I like them." She told him softly, but he really didn't care. He didn't purchase new clothes for them every paycheck just for them to the wear the old clothes. Each time he bought more clothes he threw away some of the old clothes that were too small or just... old.

"Take those jeans off and put the new pair on." Jonathan told her.

"Daddy-" Serenity started.

"Serenity, there's no time to debate. We have to go. Change the jeans, now." Jonathan said sternly.

"Fine." With a roll of her eyes, she replied. Jonathan would usually tell her about her eye rolling but he didn't feel like going back and forth with his five-year-old. Serenity frowned as she changed into the jeans her father picked out.