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That felt like a slap. My mother had never mentioned taking out a loan, let alone using our family property as collateral. I felt angry and betrayed but also confused and lost. I don’t know what to do now. “I am not aware of that. She just passed away, and I’ve been trying to organize everything she left behind.”
“I’m sorry, but we can’t approve your loan application,” he says. “Your family property is currently being used as collateral on a loan that your mother took out a few years ago. Unfortunately, it’s still outstanding, and we can’t approve any new loans until it’s paid off. Do you have any other property you can use to get a loan?”
“No.”
“That’s unfortunate. Then there’s nothing we can do for you. From the statement here, the payment of your mom’s loan will fall into your care, and you have just six months before the bank will seize the property.”
I was shaken. Everything he said overwhelmed me. My mom has passed away, and there’s an outstanding loan I never knew about. If I hadn't come here I wouldn’t have known, and the land would have been forcefully taken away from me. I felt tears welling up in my eyes as the reality of the situation hit me. What else did she keep hidden from me? I thought there were no secrets between us. Now, I could not use the land even if I wanted to. The bank will be coming to collect it, and I don’t have enough to pay off such a huge debt.
I had nowhere to turn. I was an orphan without family or friends rich enough to help me. The dream about the farm is slowly slipping away. The weight of my new reality felt heavy on my shoulders, and I felt overwhelmed with despair. I left the bank feeling defeated, and I knew I had to devise a new plan or lose everything my parents worked for all their lives. I returned home and sat on the bench behind the house, staring at the vast land before me. My mom’s cancer had killed her and also killed the dream we all shared.
My heart sank as I realized what this meant. The amount was astronomical, and I couldn’t get that money anytime soon. I don’t know what to do.
I left the bank in a daze, not knowing where to turn. As the car took me back home, I remembered what the doctor told me about my mother’s battle with cancer. She never wanted to burden me with her medical bills, so she kept it all a secret. But now, her actions have left me in a bind.
Over the next few days, I tried to devise a plan. I contacted family members, asking if anyone could help me pay off the loan. Unfortunately, they all ran away like I was a plague. I was running out of options.
CHAPTER4
Jack
Ever since mymeeting with the mayor, I had focused on getting new land as soon as possible. The problem was this is a small city, frankly, and without much land available for sale. Most of all, I had to construct the factory away from the city to avoid causing pollution around town. I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. I sat in my study with piles of land proposals cluttered around me, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. None of the land options are viable, they would not suit my needs.
The pressure to find suitable land for my company's factories weighed heavily on my mind. I was responsible for ensuring everything ran smoothly, but all the proposals I received were unsatisfactory. I considered moving the company out of Salt Lake, but that would likely cripple the company, and the city was my home. I would hate to leave it. I let out a deep sigh and ran a hand through my thick hair, trying to ease the headache that was forming.
I needed to clear my head; maybe a drive around the city would help. I rose from my seat and left the study. Putting on a comfortable knitted cardigan from my room, I left the house. Going to the garage, I picked out a sleek black Aston Martin DB11, gleaming in the sun. I got in and started the engine, feeling the car's power come alive as I hit the gas.
I drove out of the house slowly. The sun was at its peak, but it wasn’t hot; rather the weather was cool, not chilly. Through the open windows, the wind came in, ruffling my hair. It was calming. I drove out of my street and aimlessly drove from one point to another, enjoying the scenery and the quaint, quiet lives people were living. If only that were the truth, I could imagine they all had a problem going on in their lives, knawing at them. But we all had to put up a strong front, though mine was cracking.
I shook my head, I came out to clear my mind, not to think more than I had to. The drive through the city relaxed me a bit. Noticing the beauty around, the magnificent buildings, the lazy strolls of the people with their pets, the skyline, all of it was a sight to behold. This made it harder to think about abandoning the city. My ex-wife and children were still here. I would not let anything keep me too far away from my kids. That would mean I’d need land to keep these dreams. However, with what was happening, it seemed that that dream was getting harder to realize.
I kept driving until I found myself on the city's outskirts, the scenery changing from towering buildings to lush greenery. The change made me focus on the landscape. There were a few houses here and there. I drove further and spotted a house surrounded by trees and flowers. I could see some extra land sprawled behind it.
I parked my car and got out. The sun was brighter here in the open so I squinted to adjust my sight. The air was fresh and smelled sweet. I looked around, here would just be perfect for the factories. Why didn’t I think of this? I didn’t want to intrude on the owner's property, but I was drawn to the open land behind the house. Slowly, I was convinced that this was what I needed. The land would be perfect. I just had to meet the owner and convince them. Hopefully, it will go well.
I climbed the few steps the house had and reached the door. The house looked old but well-kept. I imagined an old couple living comfortably here. I knocked on the door, but there was no answer. Raising my voice to call out to someone, I received no response. I peered through the window, but I could see nothing. The curtains were drawn tight together. They must be out, I thought. Disappointed, I walked back to my car, determined to find a way to acquire the land. If I could convince the owner and get the land I knew that would be the breakthrough I needed. Either way, I wasn’t going to give up easily.
I drove back home with a mix of feelings, mostly positive. As soon as I arrived, I parked and went straight to my study. I had to start making plans for that land, though I had a nagging feeling that getting it would not be easy. However, it was perfect, and I knew it would be the perfect location for my company's headquarters.
I sat on the leather chair and picked up my phone from the pile of papers on the table. I dialed the head of my legal department, Colby Stone. He picked up immediately.
“Hello, Sir. Colby speaking.” He sounded calm and attentive. Good, I need that.
“Hey, how’s it going with what I asked you guys to do?” I asked.
“Sir, we are still working on it, though we have nothing concrete yet, we can at least start with a filing at court and ask for a halt of the mayor’s orders.”
“That sounds good but the judge is in the mayor’s pocket. We would be hard pressed to get the verdict we want. Right now, I want you guys to pause what you’re doing. I just found a prime location where the new factory can be set up. The thing is that it’s occupied, I believe by the owner. I need you guys to draw up a proposal, it should have compensatory packages. By tomorrow, I want you guys to meet with the owner and see how it goes.” I spoke, detailing my plans.
“That can be done, Sir. We will try our best to negotiate with the owner. If all goes well we’re going to draw up a contract. Kindly send the address. We will get started on it right now.”
“Good. Don’t disappoint me, Colby.” I hung up and sent him the address. When he meets with the owner they can flesh things out. Colby has been very helpful so I trust he would do his best to help me secure the land.
The next day, I rose early and got to work feeling hopeful. Colby had called and said that he and other lawyers would be meeting with the owner early today. I wanted to be at work to receive the good news. Also, I hoped if all went well, I could start preparing the necessary personnel and materials that I’d need to construct a new factory.
My office was on the highest floor with large windows that let in natural light, so I got a great view of the city. I had just sent out my assistant when I heard a knock on the door. I left the window and walked to the armchair by my bookcase, filled with awards my company won and books I enjoyed reading. I sat and called out, “Come in.”
The door opened, and Colby entered, with two other lawyers I recognized as Tasha Cole and Landon Ramsey. Colby loved working with them, so seeing them together was no surprise. However, I was not happy with the look on their faces. They looked serious and disappointed, and that told me everything I needed to know.
