Crush on the Rap God

Two Months Later

Bella packed up the rest of their things into the car, shutting the trunk. Ryan and James were already in their car seats, watching movies on their tablets. Finally, after months of trying to finalize the divorce, she was free to leave. After paying for the lawyer and paying off her car and insurance for the year, she had $50,000 to move and start over with. 

Eli hadn't fought her for anything, mainly because they both knew she wasn't asking for anything that he didn't owe to her after she caught him cheating. He had willingly signed away all rights to the kids and had sold and split the house's profits along with their savings. 

Atlanta, here we come.

-----

"Mommy, how much longer? I'm hungryyyyy." Ryan yelled, waking up James for the third time since we started driving. 

"Only a few more hours, baby. Why don't you try to take a nap so it goes by faster?" I said, trying not to sound bitchy. Don't get me wrong; my kids are my life. But they make it damn hard not to go crazy on an eight-hour drive. We'd already stopped to get food twice, not including snacks from the gas stations we've stopped at. 

I turned the music up a bit to drown out the crying, so I could focus on driving. Then, my favorite artist, Jax Harlan, came on. His songs always cheer me up. I love the funny way he pulls all of his lyrics together. The man is a god, I swear.

The boys are asleep, and the hours are turning to minutes. Finally, I see a sign for a hotel and pull into the parking lot. Grabbing just the bags we need, I head into the hotel to check-in. They let me know that there's a restaurant within walking distance that also does delivery. Thank god, I won't have to leave the room tonight with these hooligans. I grab a newspaper from the stand next to the welcome desk to search for a job and head up to the room.

The boys are quietly watching cartoons while we wait for our food. I've found a few promising job leads in the newspaper so far, a couple of managerial positions at local restaurants and shops that I've circled. I keep looking, hoping that something with a more significant salary shows up. I need to use the money I have wisely, hopefully as a down payment for a house, so we don't have to waste money in an apartment.

The sound of knocking pulls me away from the paper; I throw it down to grab the door while Ryan yells, "FOOD FOOD. Mommy, I'm hungry." 

"I know, baby, the food is here." I open the door, and the delivery guy smiles.

"Delivery for Bella, room 413?"

"Yep, that's us, thank you." I grab the food from him and hand him a ten, closing the door behind me. 

"Food's here, babies, come eat." James slides off the side of the bed and walks over with Ryan close behind him. I can't believe how much they look alike. Both have blonde hair and green eyes, but James is built like a little linebacker while Ryan is tall and lean. Both look like their daddy, and sometimes it hurts to see them. 

After getting the plates made, I go back to my spot at the desk to continue the job search. On the very bottom of the page is a square advertisement double the size of the others. It's a housekeeping job with a decent salary and paid time off. It doesn't list hours but does mention a possible live-in situation. I wonder if they would offer the position without the condition of moving in, as I'm sure that does not include children moving in as well. It wouldn't hurt to apply.

I pull out my laptop and fill out the applications for all the jobs I've circled before putting it away and getting the boys ready for bed. Once they are settled in their bed, I get in mine and pass out. 

-----

I wake to the phone under my pillow ringing. It's an unknown number, and I hope it's a call from one of the places I applied to a few days ago.

Clearing my throat, I answer the phone. "Hello?"

"I'm calling to speak with Isabella Davis about an application she put in for the housekeeping position?" A man's voice said.

"This is she."

"Hello, ma'am. My name is Edward. I want to interview you. Is there anytime today that works for you?"

"Well, I would need to find childcare, would tomorrow work?" I ask nervously, hoping that the mention of kids doesn't work against me since it's supposed to be a live-in position. Out of all the jobs I applied for, this one has the best pay and benefits.

"You could always bring your child with you. It will just be us and another woman, Martha. We all have children, so it really wouldn't be an issue." He responded warmly.

"Are you sure? I'm certain I could find someone to watch them by tomor-"

"It is absolutely fine, Isabella. Would you be able to come in at noon?"

I looked at the alarm clock next to the bed; I would have a few hours to get ready and drive there. "That would be perfect, sir."

He gives me the address, and we exchange goodbyes before hanging up.

Looking up the address, I realize it will take half an hour to get there from this hotel, so I rush to shower and change before getting the boys up and ready. We pick up food on the way so that they won't be cranky during the interview.

"Okay, guys. This is a really important meeting for mommy. So I need you to be on your best behavior and don't touch anything unless I tell you it's okay, okay?"

"Yes, mommy. I pinky promise." Ryan says while James nods. I really do have some sweet babies. 

We pull up to a gate, and I can't believe my eyes. This place is HUGE. Who expects one person to clean all of this?