Chloe Andrews thought it was just one of those ordinary days as she got ready for school that Monday morning.
An only child, her mother passed away when she was only six years of age, she lives with her dad, a soft spoken man with gentle eyes. She adores her father so much, and had always been close to him.
Her father never remarried nor was he seeing anyone. Theyâre not rich but they were happy and content.
The telephone rang before she could finish her cereal.
âHello?â She answered then took a drink from a carton of orange juice she was holding.
âMs. Andrews?â The unfamiliar voice asked.
âSpeaking. What can I do for you?â Chloe never thought of anything sinister.
âIâm calling from Emerald Jade corp. Mr. Jameson wants to see you as soon as possible.â
Emerald Jade was a company her father worked for; Mr. Jameson was the big boss.
âI hate to tell you this over the phone miss, but I got bad news to tell you.â The man on the phone continued.
âWhat is it?â She asked, dread filling her.
âItâs your father, heâs been imprisoned.â
âImprisoned?!â She gasped. âWhy? What did my father do?â
âItâs better that you come over here and talk to Mr. Jameson personally.â
The line went dead before she could reply.
Chloe closed her eyes for a moment gathering her strength. She must not panic. Her father and she has always looked out for each other, they have no relatives willing to extend a hand to help, and Chloe knew she could no more hope any assistance now than she could before.
She got to solve this all by herself.
Without bothering to pile her plates on the sink, nor a quick glance at the mirror to check herselfâŚChloe set out to go to Emerald Jade corp.
Mr. Jameson was a black man in his mid fiftyâs. He was bald at the pate and what remaining hair he got was dyed black. From the look of it, it was ages since he had dyed his hair since gray was already showing near his scalp.
He was smoking a cigar when the secretary let her in. He sat on a coffee table where he was reading the news. He reminded her of the walrus character in
Alice in Wonderland.
Chloe didnât like the man the first time she had seen him, during one of those office functions her father brought her with him. She doesnât like the way he looks at her as if heâs baring her with his eyes.
It was the same today. He looked at her from her shoes up to her breastsâŚwith the same unconcealed lust. Sheâs familiar with that look; boys do it all the time. It had been the source of many girlsâ envy, that and her pretty face and creamy complexion free from freckles that had cursed so many of her classmates.
Without vanity, Chloe knew that her bodyâs a definite head turner. Hadnât her boyfriend tell her that over and over again?
âChloe Andrews?â He said gesturing to the chair beside him at her nod.
Warily she sat down. His moustache as well as his considerable weight made him really look like Mr. Walrus.
âI suppose you came here for your father.â Walrus said before she can speak.
âYes sir.â Chloe replied. âWhy was he imprisoned? Whoââ
âI had him imprisoned because he failed to repay the money he owed me.â He interrupted.
âMoney?â Chloe asked confused. âHe never told me we owe money from anyoneâŚâ
âI suppose your dad didnât want you to worry about it.â
âBut sir, surely you could reconsiderâŚmy father hasnât been very well these last few weeks, and couldnât go to workââ
âThat isnât my problem. He owes me money and I want that money back.â
âHow did my father get into this?â She asked near tears.
âYour father has proposed a plan and we had an agreement that if the company loses money, Iâll get it out from his pocket. Sadly, his stupid plan didnât work and now the company is losing money because of his foolishnessâŚthere isnât enough funds on your fatherâs account so I had him imprisoned.â
Chloe gasped. How could this monster blame the loss of the company on her father?
âBut if you have him in prison, how can we pay you back? Wonât you please at least give us some more time?â
âI already gave him his time. And itâs up. If he canât pay on time then heâll just have to rot in jail until I get my money back.â
Chloe started to weep for her father. Surely there is another way, surelyâŚ
âSir, please reconsider. I have no family but my father, no one to help us, please just give us time. And I promise you, weâll pay you back somehow.â Her green eyes pleaded with him.
Mr. Jameson scratched his beard as if contemplating the matter.
âHmmm. Perhaps I might. Ifââ
âIf what?â Chloe asked, hope surging anew in her breast.
âIf youâre willing to pay the price.â