Once Upon A...Oh, Never Mind!

Working For Regine

Chapter 19---Working For Regine

"Jeff, please. Don't do this to me," Pearl begged.

"You saw the tapes. Now, you have to pay that money back. Get a job."

"A job? But I've never worked a day in my life!"

"There's a first time for everything. Then, we'll go over the divorce papers and--"

"You can't split up with me!"

"It's not working out. You've been insulting my daughter for years, and you've made her miserable. I realize now that I'm only here as a financial supporter. Ember was in my life before you, and she's more important to me."

"Well, you can't make me get a job."

"It's the only way you'll find a way to pay back the company," Dad mentioned. "Otherwise, we'll have to sue you."

"You can't sue me! I'm your wife!"

"Soon to be ex-wife."

"Look, I'll return the items that I can, and get the rest from my accomplice."

"Someone else helped you take the money from the account?"

"Yes. I'm not going to take all the blame. That wouldn't be fair."

"Name, please?"

"Paul, my brother."

Dad sighed. "You've gotta be kidding me. "

"Oh, it's true."

"So you're willingly admitting that you had him help you?" Dad questioned.

Pearl nodded. "He used to be the scam artist of our old high school. Tell me...has your ex-wife had any money problems lately?"

"Julie? I don't know. I haven't talked to her in a while."

*

*

I was at my Mom's house, and she was so confused.

"It was right in that drawer. How could it disappear?"

"How could that heavy jewelry box go missing without you finding out?" I asked. "Did someone break in?"

"The door has always been locked when I come home."

"No one else has been in this house except for me and you."

"Yeah, just us two, except for...Paul."

"When was the last time you saw that box?" I asked her.

"Two days ago, which is when Paul came over and told me that he had to go on a business trip."

"Well, it seems as if Paul and Pearl have been working together on their little scheme."

"What do you mean?"

"It turns out Pearl has been taking money from the company account. Dad's furious."

"How are they working things out?" she asked.

"It doesn't look too good. Actually, you should come over. It'll be easier to make them pay for what they've done, since you're a victim."

"I don't think that's a good idea. Your father might--"

"Mom, please."

"Um...alright. Fine, but make sure it's okay with Jeff first."

"No problem," I said, pulling out my cell phone.

*

*

That night, I was at the dinner table with Dad, Mom, and Pearl.