Chapter 42 Firm's Financial Problem
It's been a couple of weeks that Thyago never tried to bother and talk to her after what happened between them in her pad. Although she was not convinced that he finally decided to stop jeopardizing in her life, she couldn't still help to get worried because of his warning before he left. Thyago is smart and cunning, she might be being paranoid but a part of her is thinking he has a vicious plan the reason he's not showing his presence this past two weeks. Funny because a part of her couldn't help to get worried and concerned about his condition thinking something might happen to him.
Strange but she oftentimes gets dizzy for the past few days. She has been stressed and overworked these past few days. It might be the financial problems the firm is dealing with. She don't know what happened but the firm was dealing with a very huge problem. She has to admit she became neglectful these past few months she didn't know the firm will soon deal with financial problems. Even her appetite in eating got affected, she seldom eat these past few days because of stress and tiredness in the office. She rather chooses to sleep and rest than eat.
About the big financial problems the firm is dealing with, it's about Mr. Smith, her Finance Department head who is now nowhere to be found. She found out that Mr. Smith had been cunningly and secretly stealing big amounts of money in the company for a year now. The shocking part is he also left the firm with debts and unpaid taxes. All along she knew the firm is paying taxes regularly. It's too late when she found out he only send and shows her a mock report but the truth is the company is dealing with consecutive years of unpaid taxes. He trusted her and never thought he will be tricked and commit such quackery. The firm was now in jeopardy plus the fact she was dealing with some failed project transactions and losing some important clients because of what's happening. Also, the Casa de Planaz mansion project- a big project that failed due to negligence of her team and some mistaken poor quality materials had been used so as compensation they promised to refurnish the redesign it in accordance to the complaints. The thing is they have to buy other new materials and furniture for the refurnishing and since the firm is losing a huge amount of money, where in the world she will get the budget if she was left with nothing?
The firm was indeed in big trouble. It's just so hard to believe that in just a blink of an eye, things can possibly vanish and be dissolve if she made a wrong move. She never thought that she will be tricked by someone she trusted. Mr. Smith has been a friend and is like a father to her. She never thought he could betray her just like that. She wonders if this is her karma? Sometimes, if you were in a situation you felt so down and low, you couldn't help to think worst. But if this is her Karma, then she gladly accepts it and does everything to get through this.
She had tried applying for loans in different banks she trusted and it's waiting to be approved. It's just that she was being anxious and problematic because it has been two weeks now she couldn't still get any updates or a call from the bank for the result. She already announced to sell some stocks also but there's no update yet. Well, who would want to invest or buy stocks from a struggling company that is about to bankrupt? She even went to some trusted rich friends she knew in the Interior Designing business, swallowed her pride, and asked for help but unfortunately, no one bother to help. Now she finally knew who her true friends are. It turned out she has lots of friends but only a few are true. She never bothers to tell Hannah about this not because she cannot help her but because she doesn't want her to come to her husband and ask for help about this. She knew Hannah will do everything in her power to help her and because David was the first cousin and best friend of Thyago, she was afraid David might tell Thyago about the condition of her firm and that's the thing she doesn't want to happen. To let Thyago know her downfall and offer his help. The last thing she will accept is Thyago's help because after all, she still has pride.
She wanted to talk to her boyfriend about it as soon as she got a chance and she was hoping he can somehow help her to find a better solution. She was not expecting he could help her financially, maybe she just wanted someone she can confide her problem with and someone to be there to comfort and support her. As soon as they met she told Matt the problem her firm dealing with because she doesn't know what to do no anymore. She burst out crying the moment she saw him. They decided to meet at their favorite restaurant and there, she told him everything. The financial problems of the firm, the debts, and unpaid taxes, everything. She cried out all her frustrations and distress and Matt listened and consoled her.
"In just a short period of time, he took everything I got. I've worked hard for that firm, it's my sweat and blood I sacrificed just to be in my position, and because of that heartless deceiving man I trusted, soon everything is about to vanish." She cried desperately.
"Have you filed a case against him? Did the police traced him?" She could feel the anger in Matt's voice as he talk.
"They couldn't trace his whereabouts. Seems he left the country with his family and nowhere to find." She couldn't help herself to cry harder remembering what the police told her a while ago.
"Useless people!" He mumbled angrily.
"How did you let yourself be fooled by that old scumbag? Did you made a background check before you hired your staff!" He angrily added. She got stunned by the tone of his voice. This is the first time she saw Matt got any and raise a tone on her.
"He has good credentials and he's been working with me since the starting of my firm." She answered.
"That so stupid! Just because he has been working with you for a long time doesn't mean he can't betray you? I mean, how could you be so insensitive to not noticed his plan? Didn't you get hints? You trusted too much Bea, that habit will bring you down." She wanted to sulk at his boyfriend because of his choice of words but he was right. She trusted that old man too much.
"I don't know what to do anymore. Even banks declined my loan applications for I was buried in debts. I am broke now!" She cried out of misery. She had been through talking with different banks and the money she was borrowing was too big they couldn't seem to trust her to give such a big amount of funds.
"Stop crying will you? You can't solve anything if you just keep on crying. Think of a solution instead." Matt disgustingly stated.
She doesn't want to admit it in herself but it feels like she was starting to regret she told her boyfriend about her problem. It feels like she can't feel any sympathy about what she was dealing with. She was not sure if he was just in a bad mood or he was too upset about what happened but it seems like she doesn't know the Matt she was with now.
"I don't wanna lose the firm, Matt..." She stated out of desperation.
She heard him sighed and wiped her tears away then deeply thought for a moment. He then gently scoop her face and made her look into his eyes.
"Listen, I bought a vast land and planning to resell it for a bigger price. I already found a buyer and once I closed the transaction, I will give the money to you." He said gently. She got stunned for a moment and thought of what Matt had stated.
"What do you mean? " She turned to him with forehead knotted.
"I'll help you. You know I can't stand seeing you like this." He answered.
"No, I can't accept it." She declined.
"Why not? You're my girlfriend and I wanted to help you." He insisted. She could feel his intense look as he stare at her.
"Exactly my point. I am just your girlfriend not yet your wife. As much I needed it right now, I really can't accept it, Matt." She reasoned out.
"Let's get married then." He stated seriously that suddenly shocked her.
"Y-You're not serious aren't you?" She asked starting to get alarmed by the situation.
He stared straight into her eyes as he seriously wait for her answer. He looked so damn serious the reason why she was getting more nervous and at the same time confused. Yes, they had known each other for a long time since they started as friends but they just started the new level of their relationship. They just turned eight months being a couple not even a year and now he wants them to get married that early? Is he serious? Isn't he a bit hasty?
"I'm just kidding, babe." He stated then that made her breathing back to normal.
"Just take my offer, please... I really wanted to help." He added.
She thought for a while. She doesn't wanna accept Matt's help for if she did, she will be indebted to him and will feel more guilty of the sins he had committed to him. But she have no other options and she was lacking out of time. She can't afford to lose the firm. It was her dream and passion. She has no choice but to accept Matt's offer. Although her conscience is killing her with the guilt of her unfaithfulness to their relationship, she has no other option but to accept Matt's offer. She then promised herself she'll just pay him back as soon as the firm recovered from its loss and came back to its normal condition again.
She accepted Matt's offer in the end but she assured him that it was a lend money and that she will pay him back soon. She made him promised too that they will keep to her father the financial condition of the firm. She will only make her father worry and that's the thing she doesn't want to happen. Matt brought her home that night and before he left, she thanked him for everything. For consoling and offering his help.
Although she insisted to decline Matt's offer they both knew she needed it because she have no choice. She knew she was desperate to accept it. It is the only option she got and right now, it's the only thing she can rely on. She only wishes she could have the money as soon as possible and hoping everything will be okay soon.