Chapter 5: The Price of Keeping the Peace
Desmond didn't drive home immediately.
He parked outside a small coffee shop and opened the email again.
Margaret sat quietly beside him.
The message explained that the finance company had received an application for an increased credit limit. Before processing it, they required additional property documentation from the named guarantor.
His mother.
There was also a deadline.
Five business days.
Desmond read the email twice.
Then he called the number at the bottom.
A customer service representative answered.
“Good morning. How may I help you?””
“My name is Desmond. I'm calling about a credit agreement involving Margaret Desmond.””
“Are you the account holder?””
“No. I'm her son.””
“I'm afraid I can't disclose confidential account information without authorization.””
Desmond understood.
He handed the phone to his mother.
“Mom, tell them you're sitting beside me and that you want to discuss the documents.””
Margaret hesitated before speaking.
After completing the security questions, she authorized the representative to discuss the relevant correspondence.
The representative explained that Margaret had been listed as a supporting guarantor for a business credit arrangement.
However, the property security had not yet been finalized.
“Does that mean my house has already been used as collateral?”” Margaret asked.
“According to the current record, the property documentation remains incomplete.””
Margaret exhaled.
Desmond leaned closer.
“Can the application proceed without her signing anything else?””
“Additional security documents require the appropriate authorization. We recommend that your mother obtain independent legal advice before signing anything further.””
Desmond thanked the representative.
When the call ended, Margaret stared through the windshield.
“So my house isn't gone?””
“No, Mom. Not according to what they just told us.””
She closed her eyes.
“Thank God.””
Desmond placed a hand over hers.
“But we need to stop this before anything else happens.””
They drove to Margaret's house.
After making sure she was comfortable, Desmond called a solicitor recommended by a colleague.
He explained the situation and arranged an appointment for the following morning.
Then he sat at his mother's kitchen table and examined the documents again.
A photograph of his father stood on the windowsill.
The frame was slightly crooked.
Desmond straightened it.
His mother watched him.
“You know, your father would have liked Nadia.””
Desmond looked at the photograph.
“He would have liked the Nadia I married.””
Margaret sighed.
“People change when they become frightened about money.””
“Maybe.””
“Your wife has always wanted to succeed.””
“I know.””
“She was embarrassed when her old workplace closed. She didn't want to depend on anyone.””
Desmond leaned back.
“I never wanted her to feel dependent.””
Margaret nodded.
“I know that too.””
His phone vibrated.
A message from Nadia.
We need to talk tonight. Don't bring your mother.
Desmond typed a response.
I'll meet you at home at seven.
He put the phone away.
At seven, Nadia was already waiting in the living room.
She had changed into a cream sweater and was sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed.
A glass of water rested on the coffee table.
Desmond entered and placed his keys beside it.
“Where is the paperwork?”” she asked.
“With my mother.””
“You took it?””
“She brought it to me.””
Nadia stood.
“Desmond, you need to understand something. That salon was my dream long before I met you.””
“I understand.””
“I spent years watching other women build businesses while I worked for someone else.””
“I know.””
“When you offered to help, I thought I could finally have something of my own.””
“You do have something of your own.””
“Then why are you trying to take it away?””
Desmond stared at her.
“I'm not.””
“You called the finance company.””
“My mother is listed as a guarantor. She has a right to know what's happening.””
Nadia shook her head.
“You've made this into something ugly.””
“It became ugly when my mother's house appeared on a financial agreement she didn't understand.””
“She signed voluntarily.””
“She believed you when you said there was no risk.””
Nadia walked toward the window.
“I was going to handle everything.””
“How?””
“By expanding the salon, increasing revenue, and paying back the facility.””
“With what money?””
“Business income.””
“You've been open less than two weeks.””
She turned sharply.
“Do you think every successful business starts making money on the first day?””
“No. But I think every business needs a realistic financial plan.””
Nadia gave him a bitter smile.
“You sound like a bank manager.””
“I sound like someone who doesn't want his mother to lose her home.””
“She isn't going to lose it!””
“Then why did you need her property?””
Nadia went silent.
Desmond waited.
Finally, she sat down.
“The salon was supposed to have four styling stations, a nail section, and a private treatment room. I wanted to create a place where customers would spend more money.””
He looked at her.
“That's not what we originally agreed.””
“I know.””
“And you borrowed money to make it happen?””
She nodded.
“Some.””
“How much?””
“Twenty thousand.””
Desmond stared at her.
“Twenty thousand dollars?””
“Don't look at me like that.””
“Where did it go?””
“Equipment. Renovation. Marketing.””
“Show me the receipts.””
Nadia's face tightened.
“You don't trust me anymore.””
“I need to understand where the money went.””
She walked to the coffee table and picked up a folder.
Then she dropped it in front of him.
“Here. Everything is inside.””
Desmond opened it.
There were receipts for salon equipment, advertisements, decorative furniture, and several payments to a marketing consultant.
He recognized most of the expenses.
But one transaction stood out.
A transfer of $6,500 to an account belonging to someone named Daniel Price.
“Who is Daniel Price?””
Nadia reached for the folder.
“Give it back.””
“Who is he?””
“My business consultant.””
“Why did you transfer him six thousand five hundred dollars?””
“He helped me develop the business plan.””
Desmond checked the date.
The transfer had occurred three days before the original salon opening.
He looked up.
“Was this part of the money secured against my mother's property?””
Nadia didn't answer.
“Was it?””
She sat down.
“Yes.””
Desmond slowly closed the folder.
“Did Daniel actually provide the services?””
“Of course.””
“Can we see the agreement?””
“It's in my email.””
“Then send it to me.””
Nadia looked at him with exhausted anger.
“You're treating me like a criminal.””
“I'm treating this like a financial problem that needs to be understood.””
She covered her face.
“I wanted you to be proud of me.””
Desmond's expression softened slightly.
“I was proud of you before the salon even opened.””
“No, you weren't. You kept telling me to be careful. You kept talking about budgets and expenses.””
“Because I wanted you to succeed without putting yourself into debt.””
She lowered her hands.
“And I thought if I made the salon impressive enough, everyone would finally respect me.””
Desmond sat opposite her.
“You didn't need to prove anything to anyone.””
For a brief moment, her eyes filled with tears.
Then her phone lit up.
A message appeared on the screen.
Nadia picked it up too quickly.
Desmond saw the name before she turned it over.
*Daniel Price.*
The message preview contained only one sentence.
Did you tell your husband about the second transfer?
Desmond looked at her.
“What's the second transfer?””
Nadia stood immediately.
“That's none of your business.””
He rose too.
“It's connected to the money secured against my mother's house. It absolutely is my business.””
She grabbed her phone.
“I'm going to bed.””
“Nadia.””
“Not tonight.””
She walked upstairs.
Desmond remained in the living room.
A few seconds later, her phone buzzed again from the coffee table.
She had left it behind.
The screen illuminated with another message.
This one was from Daniel.
If Margaret starts asking questions, tell her the paperwork was only temporary. Don't let her contact the solicitor.
Desmond read the message.
Then he picked up his own phone.
He took a photograph of the screen.
May you like
Because suddenly, he wasn't just worried about his mother's house.
He was beginning to wonder whether Nadia had been telling him the truth about Daniel Price at all.
