"Hear! Hear!" his four associates cheered. They clinked their glasses while a series of high fives ensued.

Pride filled Jordan as he looked down at his first signed contract, and not to mention his first check. It was a new beginning for him and his five-person operation. Look out world, J.W. Enterprises was ready to make its mark on the world of technology. His team had a full two months before they had to buckle down and start their programming, though with his excitement, he wished they could start tomorrow.

"Boss, didn't you have an appointment at your parents tonight?" Charlotte Harris asked, looking down at her watch.

"Damn, I forgot." He checked the time. Eight-thirty. He should have been at his parents more than an hour ago. He set his glass down with a thump and reached for his jacket. "Could you be a doll and lock up for me?" he asked, kissing the older woman's cheek to sugarcoat the request. "Thanks, you're the best," he added before she could respond, then dashed toward the door as if someone had lit a fire under him.

"I guess this means you can finally quit the family business," a smiling Quentin called out from the crowd.

Jordan forced a smile he didn't feel and slipped out of the office. He raced down the hallway and out into the balmy evening. Despite the time, sunlight peeked from behind the clouds, but the orange hue suggested that it wouldn't last much longer.

He pressed the button on his key ring and disarmed the car alarm. His sleek black Mercedes rode like a dream as he pulled out onto Peachtree Street and headed toward the highway. If he were lucky he would make it to