Bankruptcy

~Martin~

“All our home furnitures are made from scratch, from great quality materials, and our workers pay close attention to details. Any style and topnotch quality you want will be provided, all you need to do is tell us what you want and you will be getting the very best.” A wide smile spread across my face as I took our new clients on a tour around our store and factory.

The man and woman dressed in sharp cooperate outfits both nodded as they listened attentively, but I couldn’t judge what was going on in their minds, if they were impressed or not, because I saw no traces of excitement or disdain on their faces.

‘Please be interested in partnering with us.’ I prayed silently, hoping this was the major breakthrough I had always wanted for my company.

“We will get back to you on this, Mr Martin.” The woman answered with a faint smile, the only one I had received since the beginning of the tour.

‘That isn’t a good sign,’ I thought, but kept my grin hopeful. “I will be expecting your feedback.” I shook hands with them and they nodded as they turned to leave.

I stood still watching them walk away, and as soon as they were out of sight, I grabbed the knot of my tie and yanked it off, letting out a deep breath.

“This can’t keep happening!” I muttered in anger and frustration as I walked back to my office, my tie dangling on my chest. We had not made sales for months and potential clients just keep backing off last minute. “We can’t keep going down this lane, we wouldn’t survive.” I slammed my office door shut behind me and slopped into my chair.

With my head hanging backwards, I began to think about how to really change things and bring my company back on her feet again. Just then, there was a knock on my door, causing me to exhale deeply. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone.

“Come back later.” I answered, without making any attempt to leave my chair.

“I am sorry to bother you, Mr Martin, but this is very urgent and important.” The voice of my Chief financial officer came cross, and just hearing her words, my heart sank to my stomach. ‘This better not be what I am thinking.’

“Come in.” I answered, immediately adjusting in my chair and sitting up. Tina walked in, holding a large file in her hands. “Sit,” I gestured to the chairs in front of my desk and she sat.

“Tell me this is good news, Tina.” I muttered, locking eyes with her. She let out a deep breath and that was all I needed to know.

“I am sorry, Mr Martin, but this is far from being a good news,” she took a pause as if letting it settle in before she continued, “We have to take extreme measures right now.”

“What exactly are you saying? We are trying our best to be back on track in the market place.”

“But that has being a failure, Mr martin.” She butted in almost immediately. “For months, it’s being just productions going on, we have used up all our finance to get material, and we even ended up getting into huge debts because of that. There has being no tangible sale for over nine months, clients are refusing to partner with us.” She took a deep breath. “All I am trying to say, Mr Martin is that, it is time to take drastic measures and that is filing for bankruptcy.”

Her last words hit me like a freight train. I had thought about the possibility of this happening but now it was real, it seemed unbelievable. ‘Is this how years of hardwotk is just going to vanish into thin air?’ I thought, clenching my jaws and fists tight.

“Mr Martin?” She called, and that was when I realized that I had gone silent for minutes. I swallowed hard and reached for my suitcase on my desk.

“Let me get back to you on this.” I answered and without thinking twice, I stood up and walked out of my office. As I proceeded to the elevator, I kept replaying Tina’s words in my head. “All I am trying to say, Mr Martin is that, it is time to take drastic measures and that is filing for bankruptcy.”

When I started this business, I never thought this time would come. I believed I was doing everything right, I still believe so. Where did I go wrong?

I hopped in my car as soon as I got to the ground floor. There was only one place I wanted to be at the moment. My beach house, wrapped in Natalie’s arms. ‘I need a break before I go insane.’ I muttered, pulling out my phone from my pocket.

I scrolled through swiftly and put a call across to Natalie as I ignited the engine. I drove out of the parking lot as I waited for her to answer the phone.

“Martin?” She answered the phone, her ever soothing voice dripping with surprise.

“I know I said I wouldn’t reach out anymore, but…” I took a pause, grinding my teeth as regret started to pour in like a flood.

“It’s okay, Martin, tell me where you are. I will come to you.” Her soft voice came, instantly commanding calmness to my nervousness.

“I’m headed to the beach house right now.” I answered, tightening my grip on the steering.

“I just finished my class for the day. I’ll meet you there soon.”

I could feel her smiling through the phone and this made me glad. I loved that she missed me as much as I missed her, and as much as I keep trying to stay away, because it is the right thing to do, I just can’t bring myself to do so.

She may be young, but she understands me and now how to sooth my pains.

After about thirty minutes, I got to my beach house. I headed out of my car and stood next to it, staring at the beach house for a while. ‘Who knows? This may be the last time I get to stay in this house if things doesn’t change.’ I thought, sadness overwhleming me.

I proceeded into the house, taking slow deliberate steps as if they were my last in the house. I walked around, my hand tracing the natural masonry walls and the beautiful artworks on the wall, when I heard a car stop in front of the house.

She’s here.

I took long strides to the window and watched her get out of her ride. A faint smile spread across my face as she sighted me through the window and waved. I waved back as I watched her rush up the stairs to the main door.

I walked to the door and opened it in anticipation. She rushed into my arms and embraced me tightly. I wrapped my arms around her waist and buried my head in her shoulder.

“It’s okay,” She muttered, caressing my back softly.

“I’m glad you came.” I answered, slowly disengaging from her. I cupped her face in my hands and planted a kiss on her lips. Her lips were soft and hydrated, making me breathe out deeply.

She reached for my hand and pulled me with her. “You know how much I love your company, Martin.” She answered, making me sit on the couch as she got on top of me.

“Do you want to talk first? Or…” Her fingers started working to get rid of the buttons on my shirt.

My gaze softness as I stared into her eyes. “I want to feel your lips on mine. That’s all I want right now. Softness.”

Without hesitation, she lowered her head and planted a kiss on my lips too. She wrapped her arms around my neck and my hands grabbed her soft butt.

The kiss deepened, but she kept it soft. Her tongue going in and swirling around mine like she was devouring her favorite ice cream. She moaned softly in my mouth as she slowly pulled away, her lustful eyes locking with mine again.

“Do you feel better now?” She asked, and I nodded, letting out a deep breath. I hugged her, resting my head on her chest, while she played with my hair.

“I think the business would have to file for bankruptcy.” I muttered with my eyes shut. Hearing this, her embrace tightened, providing more warmth.

“I would have hated it if you didn’t call me.” her breath brushed my forehead, “I’m sorry this is happening, Martin. I wish there was something I could do to help.”

I raised my head and looked into her eyes, “Natalie, you are helping just by being here. I know I shouldn’t have called you after breaking things off like that.” Her soft palm caressed my face as I talked. “I just kept feeling guilty that I am with a girl the age of my daughter.”

“But why does that matter? I am legally an adult, and I love you so much. I don’t care.” She answered with a soft smile, and my heart melted.

“You deserve better. A young man that would marry you and start a family with you. A young man that wouldn’t mind showing an angel like you to the world. I don’t want to keep having to hide you in here. You do not deserve to be a secret.” I further spoke. I thought I was trying to convince her, but I ended up convincing myself.

“Can we just enjoy the moment, Martin?” She stood up and stretched her hand to me. I took her hand and stood up. She laid on the wooden floor and made me lay next to her. “We can talk about all that later. Right now, I just want to help you feel better. Just like you do to me too.”

I placed my head on her chest and shut my eyes, thinking of the next step to take to save my business, while she kept herself busy with kissing and caressing my head.

If my business was failing, my undefined relationship with Natalie shouldn’t fail too. There was no way I would survive that.

“I love you, Martin.” She said, and I clenched my jaws as I remained silent, my eyes still shut. She understood the silence, she wasn’t new to it.

‘One day, I hope I would be able to say those words back to her.’