Chapter 54 — Recalculate the Costs
Luna's POV:
It's Friday morning and I'm fixing to head to the conference room for the meeting about the expansion but I am struggling with some of the budgets I was given. I've been over the paperwork hundreds of times but the numbers aren't adding up for some reason and I can tell that Malcolm is getting more stressed. I am just outside the office door when I hear a familiar voice that causes my heart to jump.
"Well everyone's here can we get started? I have another plane to catch before one this afternoon." I hear Tatum's voice.
I haven't spoken to Tatum since his last message. I know he's been busy but it irritates me slightly that he didn't tell me he would be back today even if it was just for a short time.
"It's still early and our newest board member is on the way." I hear Malcolm reply as I knock on the door just before opening it, pushing my thoughts from my head and forcing myself to focus on the tasks at hand.
I can see Tatum's shocked expression as I enter the room and make my way to the seat at Malcolm's right as I have done every day the last few days. I can feel Tatum's eyes on me as Malcolm waves his hand to begin the meeting but I don't dare look at him.
"First and most importantly on the board discussion today is the financial aspect of this plan. We've run the numbers several different ways and we are unable to decipher the cost of the building. The blue prints are already drawn up but the cost of materials has far surpassed the budget." John begins to speak as he turns on the overhead projector pulling up the numbers and the costs of materials.
It's the same document I've been staring at for the last few days and I'm still trying to figure out why the numbers don't seem to be adding up. By my calculations we should be well under budget on this project given the amount of money Malcolm has set aside for it. Malcolm has noticed my perplexed look and motions towards me.
"Luna, is there anything you would like to say or add?" Malcolm questions.
I look at the projected image on the board behind him.
"Something isn't adding up." I reply as I open the folder in front of me.
"Are you saying I'm wrong? The cost of brick alone.." John begins to growl.
Malcolm and I both shot him a look demanding silence and I again began going over everything in my head. Then realization hits me like a smack in the face and I feel foolish at missing a detail like this. In an instant my head shoots up to the image on the board behind Malcolm again and he looks at me with a curious expression.
"It is wrong." I say as I stand from my chair.
John scoffs and I hear a low growl from the end of the table.
"What system are you using when you calculate costs?" I say quickly.
John looks at me confused. I grab a marker and quickly start writing over the image on the board. Malcolm is watching me with surprise as I quickly throw out some numbers and jot some figures down. I step back and wait a few moments to see if anyone has caught on before speaking.
"If you're using our system to calculate the cost of materials, the numbers are wrong." I say as I carefully watch everyone's expressions.
A look of relief and realization passes over Malcolm's face and Kin wears a smile as he looks over my figures. Tatum wears his usual stern expression and I turn back to the board again feeling slightly nervous under his gaze.
"The cost for materials is not the same here as they are in the states." I say as I circle the number that was the current cost.
"Materials in the states are much cheaper. If we choose to build the design that the contractor has come up with, the cost is a quarter of the cost projected in your files thus placing us under the initial budget leaving a large cushion for any issues that may arise during building." I say as I circle the smaller number.
"Furthermore if you chose to rent a building within a major city instead of building the cost of renting a building within the major cities listed are these." I say as I circle the three smallest numbers then close my marker.
When I turn back to the table I see looks of realization flash across everyone else's faces.
"So we can move forward with this plan?" Malcolm asks, turning back to face the table as a few people clap their hands.
"I'll get the new figures and costs typed up today and send everyone a copy for the next meeting." I say as I take my seat next to Malcolm once again.
"Well with that matter taken care of the meeting is dismissed." Malcolm says with the wave of his hand.
"You did an amazing job today." Malcolm says to me as I take my laptop from my bag.
"I knew I made the right choice bringing you on as a board member." Malcolm continues.
"Thank you sir." I say with a smile as I open my computer and begin typing up the new financial cost sheets.
I hear Tatum clear his throat as Malcolm stands to address him.