AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She’s pulling out?” Aera asked. Her side-swept braid hung over her chest, the dark tresses contrasting with her ivory blazer.
The two sat in Charlie’s office at Springly. She’d called an emergency meeting with Aera, wanting to discuss with her business partner about their fate with Springly. When Charlie pitched the idea to her long-time neighbor friend to partner with her, she went in with an idealistic hope that nothing would go wrong. It was risky to go into business with a friend, but Charlie had thought Aera would make a competent and dependable partner. Charlie felt awful, having given disappointing news and putting them in an awkward position.
Her mother’s withdrawal would mean a significant financial loss for Aera as well. Although Grace was Springly’s biggest proprietor, Aera had contributed a considerable amount. The loss wouldn’t put her in any serious hardship, but who would want to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars?
Operations cost can run close to half a million a day, especially for the quality of luxury they offered. Charlie did a quick money crunch on the basics, and without her mother’s share, she and Aera alone could barely maintain everything on their own. They could probably scrape by a few more months, but they needed a solid plan.
They had a few choices, but none of them were ideal.
“It’s my fault.” Charlie shut her eyes. “I know you’re upset, and I know nothing I can do or say will make things better. But I truly felt like I did the right thing. Springly, and you became the collateral damage, and for that, I’m truly sorry.”
Aera’s lips lined tightly, and Charlie couldn’t blame her lack of response. Aera was in a bad position, pulled between professionalism and friendship.
“It’s not great, Charlie,” Aera said, sighing as she concentrated on the classic Rolodex on the desk. “But I also can’t put the blame on you, either. Business has its risks, and I went in knowing that. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” The woman leaned back in her chair, crossed one leg over the other, and pushed her braid behind her shoulder. “What are our options?”
Charlie’s face fell. This was the worst part.
“One, we take out a loan. Two, we find the money elsewhere. Three, we sell.”
None of the choices appealed to Aera either, who looked back at Charlie with an unreadable expression.
“I could ask my father,” Aera said.
“What? Really?” Charlie asked.
Aera’s family was more affluent than hers, coming from old money dated much farther back. Assistance from her father would definitely help tremendously.
“I don’t want to sell. We’ve worked so hard to make this into something. And it has, it’s my brainchild as much as it is yours,” Aera said. “To be honest, I went into this thinking this would onlybe another investment project, but it became more. I would hate to see it burn to the ground because of family drama.”
“But will this become a problem? Borrowing from your father? You don’t feel any guilt?”
Aera shrugged. “Since I am born to privilege, I might as well use it to my advantage. What’s the point if I don’t use the resources for what I need?”
“Let’s hope your dad doesn’t use it against you,” Charlie muttered.
“Why didn’t you ask your dad? I’m sure he would’ve helped.”
“I thought about it, but… Rick kind of influenced me.” She saw Aera’s raised brows. “Not that he was judging. But if I asked my father, it would just be another handout.”
“I didn’t know you cared so much about that,” Aera remarked.
“I didn’t either. And okay, there wassomeinfluence from Rick, but even he told me to forget about the principle and do what I have to do.”
“But?”
Sighing, Charlie said, “I couldn’t bring myself to.”
“So you’re willing to give this all up for principles?” Aera asked.
“Well…” her lower lip felt a tad raw from all the biting she’d done in her nervous state of mind. “It is shortsighted. You two make a good point. Not everyone has easy access to financial help. My fear is if I go to my father, that this will hold me over him just like it did with my mother.”
“Is your father anything like your mother?”
The question elicited a laugh from Charlie. How would her parents fare on a balance scale?
“They’re similar in some ways and not in others. My father is not confrontational if he doesn’t have to be. I’ve just never asked him for a large sum of money before, so I don’t know how that will turn out.”
Aera had a suggestion. “Then lay it all out. Use a contract. I’m surprised you didn’t have that with your mother dearest.”
