Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Forty

ARIS' POV

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I've been on the phone to my father's care home for far too long. We've been going round and round in circles because I feel like I'm out of options here. I know it's their job and they need to be paid, along with the institution so they can keep running but I'm scared of the future for him.

My palms begin to sweat and I roll them down my jeans as I hold my phone to my ear. I've been pacing my apartment non-stop. I'm glad Luca isn't here to see me like this and I'm glad I'm not at the cafe today.

When this conversation is over, I'm probably going to have a mental breakdown. I'm exhausted. My eyes sting and the soreness of them make my face twitch in ways that I didn't even know could happen.

"Mr Breaker, the payment for your father's care here will be due on Thursday. If it cannot be paid for, then we ask if you can come and collect him." The woman from the care home explains.

I run a hand down my face, my stomach churning. "I know, I know," I whisper. "But recently my brother pulled out as a guarantor and now I'm the only one on the billing list. I might not have all the money by Thursday but I get paid on Friday."

There is a soft sigh that makes me frown. "We need the payments by Thursday. I know times are tough right now but they're tough for us too. Mr Breaker, if you can't afford to pay then you need to collect him on Thursday. I know it's not pleasant but we can't afford to look after him if we don't have the payments coming in."

"Oh my God," I whisper to myself. "This can't be happening."

"I'm truly sorry. We need to pay our workers."

My fingers wrap around the phone. "I know. Is there some other kind of payment plan we can do? I can give two weeks' payment when I get paid instead."

"Unfortunately our policy says that we cannot do that," she says and sounds empathetic but I hate the thought of being pitied, even when I'm in a state of desperation. "If there was something I could do, I would. But I can't. I'm sorry, everything is water tight. We need to protect ourselves."

My hands begin to shake and I start pacing all over again. "Okay," I swallow back the lump in my throat. "I'll get the money to you. Whatever it takes. By Thursday."

"We really appreciate it, Mr Breaker. Thank you. Call me if you need anything. We'll see you soon," she says softly. "Have a nice day."

I don't respond as I hang up the phone. Have a nice day? My day is already ruined and now I'm going to overthink every tiny little detail until my brain starts bleeding. Holy shit. What am I going to do? I'd never tell Nick I was struggling. He pays me a lot as it is.

There is no point even trying to ring my brother and ask–or more like beg–him to reconsider not paying. He probably won't even pick up.

My entire body crumbles against the sofa and I bury my head in my hands. I can't believe this is happening. "Shit, shit," I curse under my breath.

Nick pays me on Friday and their new payment system means we pay weekly which falls on Thursdays. I've already had to cover Adam's share for last week and now I don't have enough to pay for the following week.

Everything is falling apart.

My heart strains in my chest as I glance at the clock on the wall. 2:50.

"Oh fuck," I jump up faster than I've ever moved in my entire life. How long was I on the phone to the care home for? I'm late to pick Elodie up from school.