Jasper sat in his office recalling the face he saw at his daughter's school. He couldn't get her off his mind since he saw her. He just couldn't. Right there, he wanted to pull her into a hug and whisper how he felt and what he's been through, his feelings and how much he missed her, but he held himself.
It would be embarrassing to involve her in any scandal. Not after what he had done to her. She does not deserve any of that. Caitlyn had always been by his side whenever he was down as well as whenever he was happy. They so much shared each other's happiness and sadness that he grew so accustomed to her company.
He checked his clock nervously at intervals to see if it was time to go pick up his daughter.
“Why is the time so slow today?” he muttered with anxiety.
Suddenly, a knock was heard on the door disrupting his thoughts.
“Come in,” he said bracing himself and sitting properly on his chair. It was the company's assistant accountant.
“Sir, I think we have a problem,” she said nervously, all in a rush.
“What is it, Tessa?. Calm down before speaking”
“A large amount of money has just been withdrawn from the company account.” Tessa spews the bomb.
“What?. How possible?. How come?. How much?, By who?” Jasper was getting on the verge of flaring up.
“I don't know the details sir, I just came by this in the accountant's office.” she passed him a document and he gasped, his eyes widely opened, his senses all at alert.
“Ten million dollars?!” Jasper exclaimed and banged the document on his table.
“Who signed this?. Tell me, who?. And who cashed out the money?. What for?.” he yelled at Tessa making her scared.
That would be one of the rare couples of times Jasper would get so angry and whenever he does, anything could happen.
“I ... I don't know sir” Tessa stuttered out of fear.
“Jasper, what happened?. I can hear your voice so loud.” Carl asked upon entering. His office was exactly the next one after Jasper's and he had heard him shouting, which was unusual.
“Take a look at this, just take a look” he passed the document to Carl and Carl gasped in shock upon seeing it.
“So much money?. What's it for?”
“No one knows. In fact, the person who withdrew it is still unknown at the moment.” Tessa spoke up immediately.
“What?!, how possible?” Carl was more surprised while Jasper balled his fist.
“Alright, you have to calm down Jasper. Shouting won't solve the problem. We need to get clear-headed in order to get a clear view of the situation.” Carl placed his hand on Jasper's shoulder.
“You're right, totally right.” Jasper returned to sit.
“We would start investigating now. It should be easy to trace since we discovered it early.” Carl suggested and Tessa backed him up with ways they could use to find the perpetrator.
“That's a good step. You should carry on now. Quick!” Jasper commanded.
“Ok sir” she responded and turned around to leave his office.
“You can involve the planning and strategy team to help you. Just make sure you find the culprit.” Jasper added when Tessa got to the door.
And before she turned the doorknob, Carl interrupted her.
“One more thing, this should be done as silent as possible. Not much people should know about this so as not to alert those involved,” he said.
“Got that!” she replied and left.
Jasper sighed and checked his wristwatch again. It was almost time for him to go pick up his daughter.
“Thank goodness it's not the company main account, else that would be so bad.” Carl began after being silent for a while.
“Yes, it's one of the company's side accounts. The more reason it was easy to penetrate.” Jasper replied.
In his company, having side accounts had been a legacy going on for years to cater for emergencies in his absence since the main account requires his approval and Carl's before any withdrawal can be made. While the side accounts only require the accountants and head of the accounting department's signature. Though, they still need to inform the CEO before doing anything.
“The money is not even a problem. I only want to know who has the gut to withdraw that much money without my permission. Like seriously I wasn't even aware. Or were you?”
“Of course not, I was totally ignorant of the deed too,” Carl answered.
Then Jasper's alarm rang. It was already time to leave.
“I'll get going,” he said to Carl standing up from his chair.
“Alright, my regards to Jasmine” they bumped their fist together and hugged each other patting themselves on the back. A greeting sign they do, since they got to know each other well.
“No problem, she sent her regards.”
With that, Jasper exited the company after instructing him to inform him immediately the perpetrator has been found.
*
*
STARLIGHT NURSERY CITADEL
“Daddy!” Jasmine squealed happily upon sighting her father's presence and ran into his arms.
“My baby” he carried her up and rolled her with delight.
“Did you just take a bath?. You look handsome this afternoon.” Jasmine stared at her father's face as if looking for something.
“What do you mean?. Am I not always handsome?”
“Yes, daddy! you're always handsome. But.....”
“No buts.......” Jasper dropped her to her feet avoiding what she wants to say next.
“Where's your teacher?” he asked.
“She's in the class daddy?. It seems like you know her, don't you?” she raised her head to observe her father's expression. One thing she's really good at as she grew up.
Knowing fully well that he can't lie to her, he answered her truthfully. One thing he did not bring her up with is telling lies and he wasn't ready to start anytime soon.
“Kind of” his reply was simple.
“Who is she?” Jasmine was curious.
“Who else?. Your teacher of course.”
“Then why did you want to see her?.”
“Please sweetheart, I can't tell you about that now okay?. I'll tell you as soon as I can.” Jasper pleaded with a serious face making Jasmine laugh out loud.
“Daddy, you look like a kitten right now.” she laughed again covering her mouth.
“I guess you learnt all that from Carl right?. You're both good at making fun of people. But don't worry, I won't talk to you anymore” he pretended to be angry at her.
“Are you angry daddy?”
“Hunnn!” Jasper turned his back to her and she moved her body in front of him asking him again if he was really angry.
“Daddy is angry with me. He's such a liar, he said he never gets mad at anyone he likes. Daddy doesn't love me anymore......” Jasmine began to cry leaving Jasper with no choice but to succumb to her.
“I'm sorry sweetheart, I don't mean that I was just joking with you.” he bent to her height and she hugged him tightly laughing.
“Got you, daddy. You're the best. You can tell me about it later if you want.” she ruffled his hair as he does to hers.
“What can I do without you?. You're the best daughter one could ever wish for. I love you princess.”
“I love you too Daddy. You're the best.”
Then, they both heard a chuckle. Turning to see who it came from, Jasper smiled.
“You're here,” he uttered.
“Hope you haven't been waiting for so long?. I had some things to take care of.”
“It's alright. Can we go now?” Jasper asked.
“Is she following us, daddy?” Jasmine questioned with her mouth pouted and her father nodded.
“Don't you want her to?”
“I don't know, but I don't care since my daddy is here,” replied Jasmine, and the duo of adults laughed.
“Father and daughter. She's such a cool girl”
“Yes, she is,” he paused and stole a glance at her face. “Still, it would have been better if we both had her.” he completed almost silently but she caught hold of his speech though not clearly.
“What did you say?” she asked with an eyebrow raised.
“Huh, it's nothing.” he covered up with a smile and they left the school premises after entering his car.