DECEPTION AND DESIRES

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“Hi dear,” Mrs. Jacobs said in a tone that was slightly annoyed as she moved closer to the counter of the bank.

”Hi Mrs. Jacobs, we are pleased to have you here with us today, how can we assist you?” The account officer said without looking up from her computer.

“I wanted to withdraw seven thousand dollars, but my account appears to be locked or something of the kind,” Mrs. Jacobs said worriedly.

“Alright, let me check what the problem is,” the customer care representative said as she typed on her computer. "Ma'am, could you please tell me your account number?"

Mrs. Jacobs repeated the numbers to the representative, her stare glued to her counterpart’s face. The representative nodded and kept her face impassive.

”To whom does this account belong?” the representative inquired, never taking her gaze off Mrs. Jacobs.

Mrs. Jacobs sighed and answered, “It was my late husband’s account. ”

The representative’s face then softened as if she understood the situation. "Ah, I see what you're saying. Based on what I can see from this end, it's obvious that this is a joint account, and no money can be taken out of it without the third party's permission."

The facial expression of Mrs. Jacobs changed to anger. ‘What do you mean? This is my husband’s account and why can I not withdraw from my late husband’s bank account without the approval of a third party?’

The representative’s words were polite but assertive. "We're just acting professionally here, ma'am, but I can tell you're irritated. You will need the third party’s consent before you can go ahead and withdraw the money. ”

Mrs. Jacobs’ face became furious with anger and she looked at the account manager. ‘This is ridiculous,’ she said, her voice reverberating in the bank. ‘I can’t believe you are doing this to me!’

The representative looked as relaxed as before, but her voice had a hint of authority in it. ‘I know this may be hard for you, ma’am, but there is no way around this, our policies are strict and we cannot bend the rules. ’

With that, Mrs. Jacobs spun around and marched out of the bank with the representative looking worried but unmoved.

When she got home, with frustration written all over her, she sat down on a couch, lost in deep thoughts of what had happened in the bank earlier. She didn't know when Anastacia returned from work.

Anastacia entered the sitting room and watched her mum for a few minutes. Before she speaks up.

“When did you come back home?” Mrs. Jacobs inquired, her vision still foggy with concern.

“A few minutes ago,” Anastacia said, frowning. “Mum, you seem to be lost in deep thoughts, is there something bothering you?”

Mrs. Jacobs looked down, letting out a heavy breath of air. ”I went to the bank to withdraw some money, but they said I need a third party's consent. ”

Anastacia looked surprised when she heard this. ‘What do you mean by the third party?’

Mrs. Jacobs sighed and shook her head, anger in her voice. “I don’t know. Your father never discussed it with me or informed me about a joint account or a third party. ”

Anastacia’s thoughts were filled with questions. Why would Daddy not share this with us? And who is this person?”

Mrs. Jacobs sighed and put her hands on her hips. “I don’t know, Anastacia I was so angry and frustrated with the bank that I left without asking any more questions. ”

One could hear the determination in Anastacia’s voice. “We will solve this, Mum. We will discover who this third party is and why he has a say in this matter. ”

Mrs. Jacobs smiled and nodded her head, there was a glimmer of hope in her eyes. “Yes, we will. We can’t just sit back and do nothing. ”

Anastacia’s eyes darkened and her mind was already whirling with ideas. “I will go to the bank the next day to seek more information from them, maybe they will disclose to me something they did not disclose to you. ”

Mrs. Jacobs put a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Anastacia, you had better exercise caution—we have no idea what we are in for."

Anastacia clamped her jaws firmly in determination. "Don't worry, Mom. We'll manage and get through this. I'll be fine."

Anastacia my only problem is that I need some money for the house upkeep - Mrs. Jacobs said.

Oh don’t worry I will get the money for you – Anastacia replied

“Thank you, my daughter,” Mrs. Jacobs said with a lot of appreciation in her eyes. “I don’t know what I would do without you. ”

Anastacia's face softened. ”Easy, Mum. I will always be there for you. ”

Mrs. Jacobs started to cry. ” Your father would be proud of you too, Anastacia. I am so proud of the woman you have become." Anastacia tightened her throat. "Thank you, Mum; I appreciate that very much."

As they kept on talking, Anastacia was thinking of how she was going to come up with the amount of money needed for her mother. She realized that she had to do something but she was not sure how to go about it.

“Mum, can I borrow your phone?” Suddenly realizing that the battery on her phone was gone, Anastacia questioned.

“Of course, dear,” Mrs. Jacobs said and gave her phone to Anastacia.

Anastacia stepped out of the sitting room with her mum's phone.

Anastacia immediately called Rechel, Hello Rachel, it is Anastacia on the line, I wanted to ask you something.

When the phone was picked up, Rachel sounded very jovial on the other end of the line. “Hello girl, how are you?

Shutting her eyes, Anastacia inhaled deeply. “I need money from you, a huge amount of money. ”

Rachel's tone turned serious. ”How much are we talking about?”

Anastacia hesitated before answering. "Seven thousand dollars. "

Rachel was silent for a few seconds before she responded. ‘That is a lot of money, Anastacia,’

My mum needs the money for something urgent - Anastacia Replied.

Rachel's voice was sympathetic. "Okay, girl, I'll give the money to you tomorrow.

Anastacia's heart was filled with gratitude. " Rachel, Thank you so much, you are truly a friend.