AROUND THE HEART IN 80 DAYS

Forty-Nine

Three weeks later, Jacqueline found herself in Copper Rivet Administrations once again, in front of Deuce's desk. This time around, she didn't have as much energy as she did the last time she was here. Neither were the staff so welcoming. It appeared to her as she was here now, that word must have circulated round concerning Edrei Rideau's departure and, just as she knew, it was NOT in her graces.

The head turnings and mumblings that erupted as soon as she stepped into the building was a clear signal that she should turn around and not do this. The signal became a loud warning siren when she made it to his office floor as people began to stare unashamedly. She really should have turned around and fled but she HAD to do this! Not that she would have much energy after that morning, it was already telling on her.

So, there she was, before Deuce's desk and in the midst of the gossiping sales department –trying to be bold and ever failing– holding a slip in her lowered fist with her head bent low. Deuce had this really condescending expression that she was not professional enough to not show. Jacqueline quickly started to suspect that Deuce might be the reason behind the attention she was getting from the staff. Somehow, she would not believe Victor would spread the word about it. Or maybe he did. But judging on the final glare Deuce gave her the last time, she was ninety percent certain it was the receptionist. She definitely must have heard the "gold digging" part from Victor's outburst and perched on the story. Jacqueline prayed severely that nobody heard Blair speak about the baby. Blair had later on told her that she didn't tell Victor about that part but Rebecca desperately wanted her brother to know. If only he would pick up his phone. At this point, they were all certain he must have changed his SIM card.

Jacqueline thought it was best that way.

"Good day Miss Jacqueline, may I help you?" Bitterly pretentious.

"If you don't mind, please I'd like to have access to Mr. Rideau's bank account?"

At least, Deuce took a second to get rid of the fierce stare and switch to a bewildered one. But just for a second. It was back soon. "You don't say."

Jacqueline knew it! They all thought she was an opportunist. "No. I'd like to deposit some money into his account."

The receptionist must have forgotten she was a receptionist because she leaned back into her chair comfortably and folded her arms, never not giving the pointed look. "Really? You."

"Yes."

"I see."

Deuce quietly kept on staring and Jacqueline summoned some courage to meet her stare. Though her heart thumped at the eerie silence that had washed over the open office. The stares could physically prick her. Shortly after the wordlessness, the receptionist reached forward and took up the receiver of the telephone on her desk and punched in three digits. Seconds ticked by before she finally spoke. "Marie-Claire? Yeah, come to the office. I need you and Candace to handle a... situation. Yeah," then a chuckle, "come find out yourself. Okay, hurry over." When the receiver was put down, Deuce didn't bother to acknowledge Jacqueline any more. She went back to doing whatever it was she was doing on her desktop.

The 'Marie-Claire' arrived not so soon and went into a hushed conversation with Deuce then focused on Jacqueline with the fakest smile plastered on her face. "I hope you don't mind. I'll lead you to the accounting department if you really want to... deposit money. I trust you understand that we cannot just give you his account number. Safety protocols."

She did not need to try so hard to be numb. Nor so hard to ignore the insult. Nor so very hard to brace herself for being in yet another department of similar judging abilities. She was already numb, feeling very sick, very tired, very weak, regretting a lot of activities in these past months. And added to all this was the pregnancy that she still did not have enough brainpower to even focus on.