Chapter 43 Suspicions and Lies
Days had passed until it turned out a week but Matt still fail to give her updates or assurance about the help he was offering. The Firm's condition is getting worst and some investors are now questioning her. Feeling agitated and worried about the Firm's condition she tried to calling Matt but his phone is out of coverage. Pulling out a frustrated and disappointed sigh, she even jumped in agitation when she saw her phone ringed showing Matt's name on the screen. It's a good thing he call back so they can talk about the help he was offering to the firm. He said he want her to meet at their favorite restaurant because he have something important to say. Hoping they will talk about the money he was lending her, she wished and prayed that it will be good news. The firm was now failing and soon, big projects will be forced to stop the operations due to insufficient funds if the problem gets worsen.
"Hi, babe!" She greeted cheerfully.
Matt arises and pulled out a chair for her the moment he saw her coming through their reserved table. Although she never expected he will arrive first, she got stunned because she immediately noticed his dark expression like he was not in a good mood.
"Something wrong?" She couldn't help to ask. Matt then tilted and gave her a light kiss on her cheek. She then responded with a warm smile before she settled to her seat.
"Come on, let's eat first before we talk." He replied solemnly.
He call out a waiter as they started to place their order. They waited for the food and eat silently when the food arrives. She was getting worried about his silence and strange gestures. It's either he had a bad day or he was upset with her because he had been treating her cold since she arrived. She wanted to badly confront him but they were in front of the food and it will ruin their appetite if she chose to talk it over the meal. She let him finish his food first before she asked him what's wrong.
"You told me you have something important to tell. What is it?" She started. Matt then gave her a dark expression and seriously look at her.
"Yeah..." He answered. She had a feeling his thoughts were deep and he have this look on her like he was angry or irritated.
"What is it?" She curiously asked.
She heard him sighed frustratedly with the same cold look in his eyes before he started to talk to her.
"About the money I promised to gave you for the firm..." He started.
"You mean the money you will lend me?" She corrected. Glad he talked about it because she was a bit ashamed to ask about the update.
"Remember the buyer I was telling you about? He backed out and was no longer interested in the land. I'm afraid I can't give you the funds yet, I'm still searching for another buyer as of now." He replied seriously.
"I see..." She replied a bit disappointed.
Honestly, she didn't expect it. She thought the money he was offering has an assurance so she rely on it but it turned out it was not. As of now, assurance is what she badly needed not another hope or possibility. Not that she was starting to get annoyed with Matt, she knew he was just trying to help but offering help with no assurance? That's a bit disappointing on her part.
"It's okay, Matt. I understand. I will just find another way." She sadly stated trying to convince herself not to lose hope.
"I'll find another buyer soon. I will still help you, don't worry." He replied in a cold and embittered tone that stunned her.
With that, her brow furrowed in irritation, and look at him wondering what is really wrong with him. She was trying her best to be patient with him but he was acting strange and annoying. He intentionally offered help, she never ask for it but why it seems he was acting like she asked him that favor? She don't know why he was acting like this but she swear she will leave him in this place without saying a word if he kept on acting this way.
"What's wrong? Do we have a problem?" She confronted him immediately. He went silent for a while as he still have that scowl on his face.
"A friend told me he saw you with a man in a restaurant and you were so sweet together. Remember my friend Julius?" He stated coldly.
"A man? What's this all about? You knew I was meeting clients in restaurants sometimes." She replied annoyingly.
"He actually told me once about that but I ignored him because he might be a client but now he's telling me he often sees you with the same man, Bea. Theodore Agustine Williams of Tiger Estate Corporations?" Hearing Thyagos name from Matt stunned her as a gust of guilt and nervousness immediately creep her chest.
She remembered seeing Matt's friend Julius with his girlfriend in a Fast food restaurant when Thyago once invited her for a lunch but that was months ago when they were still starting the project. She never greeted Julius that time for he was leaving the place with his girlfriend when they enter the food establishment. She thought they never noticed her so she never bother talking to them because they were about to leave the place. She never thought this will be an issue between her and Matt. If she had known, she could have greeted the couple.
"H-He's a big client of the firm, Matt." She replied almost stuttering trying to compose herself. With that, Matt's look started to get more suspicious as his glares turned darker and more furious.
"He also said he saw you together in an Adventure Park somewhere Austin months ago and even at Hannah's Wedding Party. He even told me you both left the party together that same night." Hearing all those things feels like she got penetrated on her seat. She saw the pain that crossed Matt's eyes when he saw her tense and shocked reaction.
What is she going to say now? Does he already know everything?
"What do you exactly mean by that? Is this the reason why you were cold and upset to me?" She tried to make her voice firm and confronting trying to hide the nervousness she feels inside. Matt turned silent for a long time but she could feel he was scanning her reactions.
"I'm meeting him for business, Matt." She replied in a firm tone.
She won't know if Karma will get back to her soon for all these lies she made but those words suddenly slipped out of her mouth. She then realized she can't hurt Matt the reason she chose to lie.
"You dine together in a fancy romantic restaurant alone and it's still for business?" He said mockingly. His look is now furious and bitter and that made her silent.
"I don't wanna think bad because I have known you for a long time, Bea. I was hoping you were not lying this time." He said meaningfully that made her more guilty and silent.
Matt still brought her home after that dinner although they were silent along the way. She knew he was still upset and not convinced by her explanation. He did not stay long in his pad and just give her a quick kiss on the lips before they separated. Matt now is suspecting her, what will she going to do now?
Days went by the condition of the firm worsen until she was forced to stop some ongoing project operations. To her disappointment, Matt failed to fulfill his promised help because he suddenly became out of contact. She had been trying to call him for days now but he was not answering his phone. She came to a point where she thought he was avoiding her because he doesn't reply to her text messages and calls. To her frustration, it was Thyago who's been calling her nonstop trying to talk and bugging her. He has been sending messages on how he badly missed her and even sending her dirty messages. The bastard even messaged that he wants her to come to his place tonight and if she did not, he threatened to do something she will not going to like. Although she got alarmed and afraid of his last message, she still tried to take for granted it and blocked her number instead. She has too many problems to even deal with him. Why couldn't he just stop and leave her alone? He's jeopardizing her life and only adding up to her problems. Damn that jerk! She hates him so much!
What she needed to do is to talk to Matt right now. Swallow her pride and voluntarily ask for his help. Although she was a bit hesitant and shy because they have a misunderstanding this past few days, she still wants to do it because she was left with no choice. But since he wasn't answering her calls, out of desperation she went to his office and tried to talk to him but unfortunately, his secretary said he's out of the country for business. His secretary was even a bit shock and worried when she realized that she was not aware of it. Stunned and upset because her jerk of a boyfriend never even informed her about it, she left his office irritated and sulking at him. He might purposely hide it and never told her about it to intentionally hurt her feelings. It was just so obvious he was avoiding her. She should have known better.
Matt has been a good friend before he became her boyfriend. He is a close family friend. When they decided to move to a different town, her father bought a small ranch as a source of their living. The vast land near their farm was owned by Mat's family. Matt's Dad was the one who recommended her Dad to venture cattle and farming business. Their both Dads were buddies way back in high school until college and as their descendants, they used to be very close friends too. She even treated him like her big brother but not until he confessed his hidden love towards her and asked to court her. It was after college when he started to court her and said he's willing to wait until she can accept him. She has to admit Matt really loves her so much. He was thoughtful and sweet and he's patient and always the one who tolerates her tantrums. It's just in the past few days he started to get cold and aloof with her. This has something to do with Thyago she knew it and this is the first time Matt got upset and never talk to her for days.
Well, he has a right to be upset this way. If he found out about how she cheated on him which is the moment she fear, she knew it will be the end of their relationship. Her conscience is killing her with guilt for the big mistake she had made to her boyfriend and as much as she wants to hide it, she knew the man behind it will never stop bugging and jeopardizing her life. That man is powerful and cunning, she was afraid he will soon talk to Matt and ruin their relationship. She can't allow that to happen, she has to do something to stop Thyago. She will talk to Matt and will try to sort their problem soon. She was just hoping it was not too late.
And as for the problem of the firm, if in any case, the situation gets worse more, she knew she will have to make unwilling decisions needed. She will have no choice but to declare bankruptcy. She'll sell the firm and the land she bought for the expansion of the firm will be sell too. She was also thinking of selling her pad to pay for her debts and taxes. It might be hard to accept but that's the last resort she has in mind.