Page 42 of Billionaire's Accidental Marriage
So, I sat back with a semi-clear head and blocked out everything having to do with the spa as I crunched the numbers in front of me. As God was my witness, I needed to come up with a way to keep my job at the spa and fix these damn boutiques. I crunched every numeric scenario I could come up with. I played out scenes that had me cashing in my savings account, the few bonds I had, and a couple of CDs I had purchased at my bank as a graduation present to myself. I even factored in selling my car—which saved me money on insurance—and finding a cheaper place to rent—which could save me up to four hundred a month.
But, the numbers simply weren’t feasible.
Quitting my job at the spa provided me with the time to deal with all of this shit, but that time factored into loans and credit cards I’d have to take out in order to make all of this work. My time wasn’t enough, my income wasn’t enough, and my life wasn’t enough. My father had royally fucked me over, and it spoiled his memory with every hurdle and every piece of neglect I came across as I familiarized myself further with this shoddy business he had passed on to me.
And against all efforts of trying, I broke down crying at my desk at work.
I cried so hard and for so long that I’d lost track of time, and when a knock came at my office door, my eyes were swollen, my cheeks hurt, and my voice was gone. I reached over without a second thought and unlocked the door so whoever the was on the other side of it could come in. I mean, I didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of hiding anything on my face at this point, so why not face the music?
Except, I didn’t expect to hear the voice I heard.
“Holy shit, Mags. What’s wrong? What’s happening?”
The second I heard Michael’s voice, I leaped out of my chair and threw my arms around his neck. I heard something drop at my side before he scooped me into his arms and held me as close as he could.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” I croaked.
He peppered my forehead with kisses. “Here, let’s sit down and talk. Maybe it’s something I can help with.”
I sniffled and shook my head. “I highly doubt that, but thanks.”
He closed the office door and helped me into a chair. “Just rest. I’ve got some food and some drinks. You want water or Dr. Pepper?”
I wiped at my nose. “Water, please.”
Michael pulled up a stool and dug around in the bag he had dropped to the floor. He handed me a bottle of water along with a massive chicken caesar salad and the best-smelling fries I’d ever experienced in my life. My mouth started watering as I chugged some fluids back, trying to get my voice to clear as I got the strength of my legs beneath me again. And for a split second, I forgot about all of my problems when my gaze met Mike’s.
“I’m really glad you’re here,” I said softly.
He smiled. “I’m glad I’m here, too. I wanted to surprise you with lunch, but it seems like there’s something else I might be able to provide.” His words ripped me out of my hazy trance.
“Uh, yeah. So, I just—well, I went to go see a fiduciary.”
“Yeah, I know. How did it go?”
I paused. “You know?”
He twitched. “Pictures. You know, on…”
I sighed. “Ah. Yes.”
He scooted closer to me. “What did the fiduciary say?”
I drew in a deep breath before I handed him the paperwork. “Why don’t you see for yourself?”
He took the papers from me and started flipping through them, and it didn’t take him long to figure out why I was so distraught. His face sank, and his sighs grew greater the more he read on. By the time he handed the papers back, he looked just as forlorn as I felt in the pit of my heart.
“Well, shit,” he said flatly.
I snickered. “Took the words right out of my mouth.”
He took another pull from his drink. “Have you thought about pounding the pavement to search for investors?”
I shook my head. “I found paperwork documenting four different times where my father tried to do that. Tried to wrangle investors. But, they all turned him down.”
“Probably because the boutique industry isn’t as lucrative for some of the people he and I rub elbows with on occasion.”
I rolled my eyes. “Always about the money.”
