Nicki was awoken by the summer sun beaming down through the truck's windshield. She looked down and seen a sleeping Carlie on her chest. She was reminded of yesterday's events but wasn't trying to think too much of it since she had a job interview today.
The interview was for a receptionist position at some computer company. She prayed she'd get it.
It was 7:30 and the interview was at 9:00 so Nic got into the driver's seat and drove to the nearest gas station to get ready. Her tank was running low and they had to at least wash up. Nicki only had about $300 to her name so she had to spend wisely in case things didn't pan out well.
They washed up and brushed their teeth in the gas station's bathroom then changed their clothes before putting some gas in the car.
"How long do we have to do this?" Carlie asked.
"Just until things get right for mommy. I'm going to try my best to make this better sweetie, I promise" there was silence. "Now I'm going to see if I can get Mrs. Jones to watch you while I go to this interview."
Mrs. Jones is a older lady Nicki met at work, she's watched Carlie a few times before.
Nicki unplugged her charger and unhooked the phone on their way out the bathroom and back to the truck. She went through her contacts til she reached Mrs. Jones' number. She pressed the green button and waited. No answer.
"Fuck" Nic whispered. She pumped the gas while trying to call 3 more times. No luck. She had the interview in 30 minutes.
"I'm just going to have to bring you with me, Cee." Nic said as she started up the car.
They pulled up to the place and parked. "Okay Cee, I shouldn't be long. Don't open the door, don't talk to nobody, don't get out..." Nicki ran down the rules.
"Okay mommy, I won't" Carlie replied.
Nic ran into the building. "Hi, I have an interview for the receptionist position." Nicki said to a white lady with shoulder length blonde hair.
"Okay ma'am, name please?"
"Onika Maraj."
"Ah yes, I see you right here. Follow me into this room." Nicki followed.
"Hi, my name is Joan" she extended her hand. Nicki accepted the gesture. "So I'm just going to ask you a few questions and we'll see how that goes." She flashed a smile. Inside Nicki was on edge, she needed this so bad.
Joan asked a few questions and Nicki gave good answers.
"So Onika, I think you're good for the job. How does 5 days a week from 10-4 sound?" Joan asked.
"That's great. When can I start?" Nicki was happy even though there was a lingering problem of day care for Carlie on her mind.
"You can start tomorrow actually." They both stood up and shook each other hands. "Thank you so much!" Nicki said. " You welcome dear."
Nicki walked back to the car. "How did it go mommy?" Carlie asked. "I got it baby!" Nic said as she hugged the 7 year old.
They headed to get some lunch since they didn't have breakfast. It wouldn't be for another couple weeks that Nicki would get a check so she still had to spend wisely.
Next Day
They did the new routine of going to the gas station and handling their business.
"So I finally got in touch with Mrs. Jones and she said she can keep you until I get out of work." Nicki told Carlie. "Okay." she replied.
Nicki dropped Carlie off and headed to her first day of her new job.
Joan walked Nicki through what her job required.
"Mr. Samuels won't be back until your shift is over so maybe you can meet him another time." Joan stated before walking away.
Nicki sat and did her job for the next 8 hours. Now it was time to go pick up Carlie.
"Hungry Cee?" Nicki asked. "Yes ma'am" she replied. They went and got dinner then drove around for a few hours before going back up to Nic's job. She figured they could park in the back parking lot.
A man saw 2 figures sitting in the parked car which was unusual to him. He walked over and knocked on the window. Nicki was now scared shitless.
The man chuckled before saying "It's okay, I mean no harm. Just wanted to ask a question." Nicki rolled down the window slightly. "What is it?"
"Why are you just sitting out here? Wouldn't want you and your precious little girl getting hurt." The man said while pointing to Carlie.
"What's it to you?" Nic asked with an attitude.
"Oh I work here and I was just curious because I've never seen you before."
"Well I'm the new receptionist."
"Oh you're the new one. Didn't your shift end hours ago?"
"Well I came back up here to get my schedule" she lied.
"Well be careful, things can get hectic in these streets."
"We're fine sir, thank you." She replied slightly annoyed.
He knew she was lying. "Okay, I know you guys have been sitting out here for a while and I don't want to be all in your business but-"
"Obviously you are trying to, can you just leave us alone."
"Maybe we got off to a bad start, can I take you guys to get ice cream or something. No funny business, just trying to be nice."
"YES!" Carlie jumped up and down in the back seat.
"No thank you, I don't even know you." Carlie frowned at Nicki's reply.
"Well my name is Safaree Samuels, I'm a cancer, I'm a nice guy, I have 2 sisters-"
Nicki cut him off "Persistent aren't you?" she sighed "Fine."
Safaree smiled as well as Carlie. "Wait, Safaree Samuels? You're the owner?" Nicki questioned.
"Yep and I've heard about how well you did on your first day on the job." Nicki gave her first genuine smile in some time.
She couldn't deny that he was a sexy man but what did he have in store for her? She held her guard up in case this nice guy thing was just an act.
