Chapter 5 - The Cost of Looking Successful
Elliot’s company was successful, but not in the way everyone believed.
Revenue was high. So were expenses.
Elliot leased premium office space, sponsored expensive events, and treated luxury as proof of authority. The SUV was registered to the company. So was the membership at the golf resort.
His business partner, Ryan Cole, had warned him for months.
“We’re spending money faster than we’re collecting it,” Ryan said during a Monday meeting.
“We need to look successful to attract successful clients.”
“We need to remain solvent to serve them.”
Elliot closed the financial report.
“We have contracts coming.”
“We also have unpaid suppliers.”
Elliot’s phone rang.
It was Claire.
He declined the call.
Ryan watched him.
“Family trouble?”
“My father is trying to make his medical problems everyone else’s responsibility.”
Ryan became still.
“What kind of medical problem?”
Elliot did not answer.
Ryan’s own father had died from cancer four years earlier. He had missed an important meeting to sit beside his hospital bed.
The company had survived.
“Go help him,” Ryan said.
“You don’t know the situation.”
“I know you just spent company money on a vehicle we didn’t need.”
“That decision has already been approved.”
“You approved it.”
Elliot stood.
“I built this company.”
Ryan looked toward the framed photograph near the door. It showed Elliot standing beside Arthur on the day the business opened.
Arthur was holding the keys to the first equipment van.
“No,” Ryan said quietly. “You didn’t build it alone.”
That evening, Elliot drove home in the black SUV. Instead of visiting Arthur, he attended a networking dinner and ordered a bottle of wine that cost more than his father’s weekly grocery budget.
He posted a photograph online.
May you like
Claire saw it.
So did Ryan.
