"Carl, can it be..? No, it can't be."
"Speak to me Jasper, is there a problem?" Caitlyn was worried. Without listening to her or answering her, Jasper hastily called the person who called him earlier. It was Tessa.
"Sir, I guess it was a network problem." she tried explaining to her boss.
"Never mind, who did you say withdrew the money?" he asked with eagerness.
"Mr Carl said he would tell you himself. I only called to tell you that the culprit has been found, but it's sad finding out the accountant is involved," she spoke from the other end.
"It's okay. I'll be in the office very soon."
"What happened?. It looks like something terrible just happened." Caitlyn showed sincere concern.
"Nothing much babe, It's about some money going out untold and other kinds of stuff." Jasper acted like it was nothing while Caitlyn blushed. The way he called her babe made adrenaline rush through her body so much that her cheek flushed red, but she controlled herself quickly.
"I guess I have to head out now." he stood up after calling on the waiter to pay his bills. The duo exited the restaurant and walked toward Jasper's car.
"I'm sorry I won't be able to drop you. Maybe some other time." Jasper made a pleading face. He was pleading for her understanding.
"It's alright. I'll just make do with a cab." Caitlyn smiled at him assuring him that he was free to go and that she was okay with it.
"That reminds me. Would you like to work in my company?." he asked and Caitlyn looked at him in a way that he understood quite well.
"Don't get me, wrong babe. I meant if you would like to work in my company. It's not that I'm looking down on you or anything, but........,"
"It's okay, I understand. You don't have to get so worked up just because you're speaking with me." she placed her hand on his and he sighed. He was confused about what to say to her and how to speak to her without causing any misunderstanding or making her angry.
"So, what do you say about it?. Would you like to?" he was expectant hoping for a positive response.
"I'm sorry Jasper, I won't be able to.......,"
"Why?. Is it because of what I ...........,"
"Not because of that." she placed her finger on his lips to keep him quiet.
"Then why?"
"I love working in the school, the kids are fun to be with. And I just took up the job, I can't leave just like that" she explained.
"If it's about that, I can explain to the headmistress. As long as it's me, she would understand."
"Typical Jasper!" Caitlyn smiled inwardly at his last words. He's not the boastful type, but whenever he wants something, he finds any way to get it. By. all. means!. Back in the day, his achieving weapon to get some things done in his favour was his fine looks.
Popularly known as all girls guy or all girls dream, he makes use of it to his advantage most times. Only when things are beyond looks will he use his family status or his excellence to get things done.
"Don't worry Jasper, I'm okay with what I'm doing now. Don't press it any further." she pleaded.
It's not like she didn't want to work in his company, but she's scared of not being able to cope with her emotions. Despite the number of days, weeks, months, and tears that passed by already, she's still so much in love with Jasper.
"How would I bear to see him every day and not be able to touch him? I can't cope with the fact that I'll see his wife frequently at his office regularly. I still love him so much, and I might let these emotions get in the way of my job there." those were her real reasons and fears.
"Fine, if you say so. I have to go now." they shook hands and he drove off in his car without sparing another glance while Caitlyn stood for a while staring at him as he left.
When she could not see him in sight anymore, she braced herself and cleaned the lone tear that fell on her cheek while watching him leave.

"If only he still loves me, if only he wasn't married. If only......," she thought before leaving the spot.
*
*
"Yay!, my daddy is back." Jasmine squealed happily upon seeing her father walk briskly into his office, where she was sitting on his chair like she was the owner of the company. Well, since it's her father's making it's automatically hers too.
"My princess, hope you had a nice time staying here. I'm sorry I didn't take you along."
"No problem dad, I had fun. Uncle Carl bought me some ice cream.”
"Really, where's mine?"
"I finished it dad, but don't worry. I'll get yours for you."
"Alright, princess. Where is your uncle?" he asked referring to Carl.
"I don't know, he said he'll be back and that he has something to do. I don't know who annoyed him. He looked really angry."
"Ok baby. Let me go look for him. I'll be back soon." Jasper said and turned around to leave not minding that his daughter was the only one in his office.
Anyway, it was not her first time being alone, and nor was it her first time in his office.
"You too?" she asked stopping her father.
"Yes baby, just some minutes. I'll be back, I promise."
With that, he left and headed to Carl's office. Luckily, he found him there with Tessa. They looked engrossed in what they were doing that they weren't aware of his presence.
"What's going on?" he asked alerting them.
"You're welcome sir," Tessa stood up immediately bowing her head a little in respect.
"You're back." Carl raised his head from the files on his table.
"Who is the culprit?" Jasper asked sitting on the vacant chair available.
Carl looked up at Tessa and told her to excuse them which she did politely.
"It's Cassandra," announced Carl.
"Who is Cassandra?"
"What do you mean who's Cassandra?. Your wife of course." Carl asserted his claim.
"What? How possible? I guess you're joking right?" Jasper found it hard to believe.
"I can get the accountant here for further queries if you don't believe it."
Jasper gave the situation a second thought and cross-checked the files in front of him which served as evidence.
"Anyway, it's not something above her doing," he said aloud.
"But why would she take the money in such a way?. The last time I checked, her bank account was fat." Jasper focused his gaze on Carl.
"Do you expect me to answer that for you?. You're the one she married, of course, you're the one to find out about that."