Dominic: eyes wide M-Mistress! What do you want from me? Tell me!
I pat his hand we will get through this together
takes a deep breath, his voice softer Thank you... for being there for me. It's been a long time since I've had someone to rely on.
I smile and continue planning
looks directly into Harris' eyes, voice filled with sincerity I don't know what I did in a past life to deserve someone like you, but thank you.
I blush and shrug it’s ok
stands up abruptly, a fire in his eyes Alright, enough of this mushy crap. We need to get to work. We have a lot to do if we're going to turn my life around. First things first, we need to tackle my financial situation.
I nod so let’s start by cutting down unnecessary spending
pauses, his eyes darkening Unnecessary spending? Are you kidding me? Of course I've been wasting money!
I nod fine then what’s the budget
slams his fist on the table A budget? You think I need a goddamn budget? I can manage my own finances just fine, thank you very much!
I pat his hand then show me
As Dominic shows Harris his financial records, they discover that his expenses are drastically higher than his income. He has been living beyond his means and is deeply in debt.
I shake my head this doesn’t look good
slams the papers on the table, frustration evident in his voice Don't you dare judge me! I know I've made mistakes, but I'm trying to fix them, alright?
I put my hand on his shoulder relax
takes a deep breath, his voice trembling with vulnerability You're right, I need to stay calm. This is just another obstacle to overcome.
I nod so what do you spend most of your money on
runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his voice Look, it's just... I've always tried to keep up with the Joneses, you know?
pauses, his face reddening Well, you see, I've always felt like I was behind the curve, you know?
sighs heavily, running a hand through his hair I've been trying to impress people, make them see me as successful. But all I've ended up doing is piling up debt after debt.
I put my hand on his cheek no one’s judging you
takes a deep breath, his voice filled with determination You're right, Harris. I need to stop worrying about what others think and focus on fixing my financial mess.
I smile now let’s get back to planning
slams his fist on the table, determination in his eyes Alright, enough of this self-pity! We need to come up with a plan to tackle this debt.
I nod and start writing down numbers first we need to figure out how much you owe
pauses, his eyes narrowing with determination Alright, let's do this. I'll gather all the bills and statements I can find. We'll start by prioritizing the debts with the highest interest rates.
quickly gathers his financial documents, flipping through them with focused intensity Alright, I've got it.
I sit beside him and start helping
sits up straight, his eyes gleaming with determination Alright, Harris. We're going to tackle this debt head-on. Step one: I'm going to cut off all unnecessary expenses. No more dining out, no more expensive gadgets, nothing!
stands up abruptly, his voice filled with urgency And step two: I'm going to negotiate with each creditor, offering them settlements based on my ability to pay.
I nod and if they don’t agree?
leans in closer, his voice firm Then we'll go over their heads if we have to! I won't let anyone push me around anymore.
paces back and forth, his hands gesturing emphatically Look, Harris, I've spent far too long letting life control me. Not anymore.
I stand up now if you want to reward yourself for a job well done here’s some money for you to enjoy yourself
pauses mid-pace, his eyes widening in surprise You... you're giving me money? Just like that?