Groupo Estate Agency
"Why did his father choose Julia for him and why was their marriage organized the way it happened?" Jason started thinking.
"I need answers," Jason said to himself, and put the certificate back.
He returned to his desk to continue with what he was doing but realised he could no longer concentrate. Clearly, there was something about Julia he needed to find out. Growing up with Mr Johan Haward as his father, he knew he didn't just do things. There is always a reason behind every decision he takes and executes. Julia must be very important.
"What makes her important?" Jason thought, recalling the basic information shared with him the first time he ran an investigation on Julia.
He fetched his phone from the table and dialled a number, bringing the phone to his ears.
"Hello, trust you are well. I need you to do some work for me. I need information about someone: my wife, Julia Harrison. Get me everything you can find on her," Jason said and disconnected the call.
Unknown to him, Julia came into the room and overheard him on the phone. She halted at her steps and returned to the living room quietly once the call ended. Jason's gaze moved to the door, getting the feeling someone was there, but he ignored it and continued with his preparation, knowing he would have the answers he was seeking soon.
The next day, Monday morning, at 6 a.m., the weather was looking good and fresh air blew into the bedroom through the open window, making the curtain dance. Jason entered the bedroom from the bathroom and opened the closet. He put on a black suit and brushed his hair. He looked at his reflection in the mirror once he was done in deep thought. Julia's eyes flew open, and her gaze turned to Jason, who had his back facing her with one hand on the closet and the other in his pocket.
"Good morning Mr Haward," Julia greeted him, sitting up on the bed and rubbing her eyes.
"Good morning," replied Jason, snapping out of his thought.
"Did you sleep well?" Jason inquired, putting on a cufflink.
How could she? When she spent the entire night thinking about what she had just heard him say on a call the previous day. What else does he want to know about her? Does it mean he still doesn't trust her? Julia sat on the bed in silence for a while before replying to him.
"Yes, I will get breakfast ready," Julia said, and quickly got out of bed, avoiding his gaze.
Jason noticed her strange behaviour but ignored it. They all sat behind the table and had breakfast together. Jason and Peter left for work, leaving Julia to clear the table and take care of the house. Peter dropped Jason off at the estate company, called Groupo Estate Agency and left to run his Uber business. Jason walked into the building, and he was directed to Mr Dickson's office.
"Mr Haward, you are here," said Mr Dickson as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "Would you like some coffee?" he inquired.
"No, thank you. I am fine," replied Jason.
"Please have a seat," Mr Dickson said, pointing to the sofa as he also took his seat adjacent to Jason.
"Mr Haward, I would not beat around the bush. I heard the news on TV and also watched the interview. I must say I am deeply worried," Mr Dickson began, his eyes fixated on Jason.
Jason remained calm and collected.
"In as much as I own this company, I do not work alone, and I'm afraid my team will not be happy with the idea of having you here," Mr Dickson said.
"I understand," Jason replied calmly.
Mr Dickson picked a file from the table and opened it. He looked at the report and sighed. He had submitted Jason's CV and other documents for check and everything checked out. However, he had received the report before the news and was not sure whether to go with the news or the report in his decision. He was expecting Jason to also attempt to justify himself, but he only replied with 'I understand'.
"Aren't you going to say anything in defence?" Mr Dickson asked.
"Mr Dickson, in as much as I would want to do that, there is no point doing it if my documents could not do that. I do not have extra evidence to support whatever I would say here," Jason explained.
The room went silent for a while and Jason spoke again.
"I assume my employment is cancelled. If there is nothing more to say, I would like to take my leave," Jason asked.
Mr Dickson acknowledged with a nod and Jason exited his office.
Outside the company, Jason stood looking blankly at nothing lost in his thoughts. He knew the only option he had was to set up his own company. It appeared no one wanted to hire him with the tag placed on him by his step-mother. He stopped a taxi and sat in it.
"Where to sir?" came the driver.
"Please drive, I will let you know later," Jason replied, and the driver did as he had requested.
After 20 minutes of driving over a distance of 5km away from the company, Jason had not given any destination. The driver looked at him from the rear-view mirror and could tell something was bothering him.
"Your day started badly, huh?" inquired the driver, but Jason remained quiet.
"If you don't mind, there is a place of relaxation 15 minutes drive from here. I can drop you there," suggested the driver, and Jason just nodded.
The driver dropped Jason off at the park. Jason paid the driver off and walked into the park. He sat on the bench looking at the people going about their activities.
It was a few minutes to 5 p.m., Peter decided to close for the day from his Uber business. He made a turn and headed for the company. He arrived at the company at exactly 5 p.m. and smiled at his achievement. He thought of going inside to find Jason, but not knowing where his office would be, he decided to wait in the car. He saw people coming out of the company one after the other and in twos, but Jason was not part of them. He knew how Jason worked, so he concluded he might still be working. Thirty-five minutes had passed and still no sign of Jason. He tried calling and realized his phone was off. He got out of the car and entered the building. He was approached by the security man who asked him who he was looking for. Peter quickly mentions Jason and the security man called Mr Dickson as he didn't know about a new employee by that name. Mr Dickson asked the security man to direct Peter to his office.
"Good evening, sir," greeted Peter as soon as he entered Mr Dickson's office.
"I was informed you were looking for Mr Haward?" inquired Mr Dickson, and Peter replied with a 'yes'.
"He left in less than twenty minutes after arriving here," Mr Dickson said, also a bit worried.
If Jason is being looked for, it's because he probably didn't go home. It's been hours since he left the company.
"He left, why?" Peter inquired, but quickly figured out Jason's employment was cancelled.
"I guess you cancelled his employment based on the news circulating on social media?" Peter inquired, before Mr Dickson could react he continued.
"Sir, do you really think if he did all that he would be going around looking for a job? Do you think he would want to work under somebody? When it comes to social media platforms, is everything posted there true? Did you bother to verify the news? The media had said theirs; you met the man in person. Was that your conclusion after engaging him? My name is Peter. Peter Anderson. You can look it up. I was a guard for the Haward family and Mr Jason Haward was my boss. I left my job as a guard of the Haward family, which paid me 1.5 million dollars a month. I don't use that money for anything as everything is already taken care of as an employee. Yet I chose to resign from that job and rather continue working for Jason Haward because I know the kind of person he is. He is not paying me for my service, working for him is payment enough for me," Peter said, and stood up to leave.
"Why did you leave your job?" asked Mr Dickson.
"Because having a good boss means you enjoy peace as a benefit. Something no amount of money can buy," Peter replied, and exited his office without another word.
Mr Dickson sat down thinking about what Peter had just said. He picked up his phone from the table and did a quick search, remembering he once had a friend who went by the name Haward. He gave him his address and asked him to visit. He quickly checked and realized it was the same Haward family they were talking about. He recalled the man had spoken highly of a boy called Jason.
"Oh dear, what did I just do?" Mr Dickson thought.