Geoffroy's Financial Jeopardy

Geoffroy is starting to feel embarrassed without even knowing why his finances has turned out to be problematic. Not only is it humiliating that the waiter keeps on coming back to their table, but the fact that the girl he’s with can hear what is happening is far more embarrassing.

“It’s okay. Let me pay for the bill,” said the woman who is already taking her wallet from her bag.

“No!” Geoffroy said, his voice rising. “I’ll take care of this. I promise. I just need to make a phone call.” He looked at the waiter. “Don’t make her pay. I would have you terminated if you did.”

He stood up and went to the restroom. He searched for Thirdy’s number, then dialed it. What in the world is happening? Why are his finances suddenly in jeopardy?

It didn’t take long before Thirdy answered his call.

“Cuz! What's up?” Thirdy asked.

“Did you get paid already?” Geoffroy asked.

“Yes. I think the payroll was already processed.”

“My allowance is not yet transferred.”

“What?”

“I was trying to pay a ten-thousand bill, but my cash balance is insufficient. The last time I checked, I only have five or so thousand in my account. That is because I know that payday is coming, and my allowance will be transferred as well.”

“Just use your credit cards, then,” Thirdy suggested.

“They were all declined.”

“What?”

“Thirdy, listen. Please do me a favor. Can you transfer eleven thousand to my account right now? I just need to pay something immediately.”

“Sure, but is that really all you need?”

Geoffroy paused. Of course, he would be needing more money if he plans to spend the night with that beautiful woman waiting for him at their table. Probably a hundred thousand? Or maybe hundred fifty?

“Can you make it two hundred? I promise to pay you as soon as my allowance was transferred.”

“Sure. Wait for it. I'll do a fund transfer now.”

“Okay. Thanks, Thirdy.”

“No problem.”

The call ended as Thirdy started transferring funds to Geoffroy. While waiting, Geoffroy decided to call the bank to ask why his credit cards were declined.

“Sir, we were instructed to freeze all your accounts indefinitely,” said the bank employee who answered his call.

“What?” Geoffroy was really astounded. “But who would do that?”

“It was Mr. Auguste Ortega’s orders, Sir.”

Geoffroy was stunned. Auguste?

“We were told to freeze your accounts until further notice. They were also processing the cancellation of your supplementary card–”

“What?” Now Geoffroy is enraged. Why on earth did his brother do that? “No, wait! Don’t do that.”

“But it was requested by Mr. Ortega, Sir.”

“My father is the account holder of that credit card! Why are you doing what my brother is telling you to do, when he’s just a supplementary card holder as well?”

“Sir, Mr. Auguste Ortega is your father’s co-obligor for five years now. And since last week, he was given a special power of attorney to transact on behalf of your father. That means his decisions were as good as your father’s.”

“Yes, but he is still not my father! He still needs his approval for this!”

“I understand your point, Sir, but we just work with legalities concerning our customer’s account. May I suggest you ask your father and brother about this as we cannot resolve it on our end for you.”

Reasons came back to Geoffroy, making him realize that what the bank employee said was true. Yes, what he needs to do is to talk to his brother why he did this. He needs to settle this immediately because his financial situation is at risk.

He need not check with the other credit card companies as he knows it’s the same thing. All of his credit cards were extension of his father’s. He got them since college, so he did not bother getting one of his own. But now that this is happening, it seems he needs to apply for his own credit card.

But how can he do that when he doesn’t even have money to pay for the credit card bills? He used to have his bills settled for him, through the Ortega Group or his father’s personal account. But now, it seems his allowance from the company was also cut off by his brother, and he doesn’t know why.

Upon seeing the notification for the balance transfer from Thirdy, Geoffroy went to the cashier to give his debit card. Then he went back to their table while his payment is being processed.

“Is everything alright?” the woman who is with him asked.

Geoffroy smiled at her. “Yes, but I need to check on things first. Can we just meet up tomorrow again when everything is settled?”

The woman scowled. “Oh well, do I have a choice? Just call me as soon as you settled your problems. Okay?”

“Sure.” Geoffroy smiled.

The waiter came, telling them that the bill was settled. Geoffroy immediately left as he swore he will never get back to that restaurant again. Or maybe, he will after a very long time. The humiliation he got this day is really immense he can still feel it even after taking the woman he’s with to her house and proceeding to the Ortega Group building.

Auguste is in his office, signing some documents when Geoffroy entered his office.

“Brother!” He stopped in front of his table.

“You finally found your way to the office?”

“Why did you freeze my credit card accounts?”

Auguste looked at him unconcerned. “So, you already found out?”

“And why is my allowance not yet transferred? What are you doing?”

“Working,” Auguste answered. “Doing my responsibilities as the CEO, and your job as the COO as well. And since you seem to not know yet, I'll explain to you about your allowance. When father is still working in the company, part of his salary is transferred to your account for your allowance. But since he is not on the payroll anymore, there is nothing to transfer as well. His payment is only for the BOD allowance which is given once a month after the board meeting, including his payment as the chairman of the Board. It’s paid by cheque, so no fund transfer to you.”

“But I have a salary, right? That's what Dad told me, told us, when he said he will be retiring.”

“As the COO, yes, you have a salary. But have you ever did even just one task as this company’s COO? You only come here in the office to visit me, or Thirdy, or whoever you want to see. You don’t stay in your office even for five minutes. I am actually thinking of reassigning your secretary because she’s not doing anything since there is no you for her to assist.”

Geoffroy’s rage is really increasing more and more now. How can his brother be this strict?

“If you want to earn money, then work for it. From now on, you will not be given any salary unless you report to work the entire 22 days of the month.”

“How about the credit cards?” Geoffroy asked. “Why did you freeze them?”

“Father has given me authority to manage not only the company, but also the entire Ortega household. Well, at least on the financial side because Mom is the one who really manages the house. That's why I can now do anything that I think would improve the family’s finances. And the first thing that I want to resolve is the excessive credit card bills on your supplementary card. How can you even spend as much as three hundred thousand in a month?”

“You don’t have the right to question my personal spending since you’re just my brother! Does father even know you did this? For sure he will not allow this to happen if he only knows.”

“Then why don’t you ask him? I am willing to explain my side in case he asked me why I came up with these decisions.”

Geoffroy can do nothing but storm out of Auguste’s office. The older brother just looked on for a while, then immediately returned to what he was doing earlier before Geoffroy arrived.

Robert came in. “Sir.” He went in front of Auguste’s table. “Your brother hast left, and he seems very upset.”

“Don’t worry about him. He loves his life so for sure he will drive safely.”

“Is it really okay to let him leave like that?”

Auguste looked at his assistant. “He’s coming home. He said he will appeal to our father about what I did to his finances. Let him state his case. I'm very much willing to counter.”

“Are you sure your father will side with you?”

“They have spoiled Geoffroy for too long. It's time to make him a responsible member of this family. That is one of the things my father entrusted me when he gave me this position.”

Robert nodded as he understood his boss’s decision.