Green-minded (EDITING) ✔

T W E N T Y - F I V E: Shit Happens

An enormous building stands right in front of me as the sun shines so brightly with all its glory and splendor. The warmth of its rays kisses my cheeks, I find myself basking into it because of the rarity that I go out in the morning. I usually sleep my way after work and wake up in the afternoon to get ready for work. Yeah right, that's my adventure-filled routine.

Entering the law office feels like I've gotten inside a lion's den. The people inside check me out like I'm their prey. Fear begins to snake its way through my serene paradise.

"Ash..." President Rogers opens his mouth after recovering from the shock of my new appearance, "You're still very beautiful and... different."

I purse my lips. Yes, you must not have recognized me, correct?

"Dear." Manager Kim stands up to give me a tight hug, "Where were you all this time?"

"Here and there. How are you, Kim, President?" I nod to both of them.

"I miss you." Manager Kim releases me to examine my face.

You miss me so much that you filed a lawsuit against me.

President Rogers answers me and asks straightforwardly, "We're fine, Ash. Why did you change yourself? I mean, gray hair, green eyes, and heavy make-up? Don't get me wrong, you're still pretty but it appears inelegant to me."

They say that any words or phrases before the 'but' is rubbish talk, "I changed myself to avoid cases filed against me." I answer sarcastically. President Rogers shifts his gaze away from me, clearing his throat.

How I dress, choose my hairstyle, put my make-up on is none of your business. That's my prerogative.

It's true, my presence in this place is like a black dot in a clean white sheet of paper, kind of out-of-place but I don't care.

I'm still wearing my red crop top and mini skirt uniform just for me to avoid getting late from this meeting, and here I am getting insulted for my appearance, "Kindly wait. Sorry if I came straight from work. Let me just take a shower, change to a sophisticated dress, get my hair done, and voila, I'll be back neat in a matter of two and a half hours." I smile but it doesn't reach my eyes.

Manager Kim smiles, acknowledging that I'm still strong as I've ever been before.

"Don't worry about it, let's get down to business." Atty. Mortem speaks, what a chilly tone so early in the morning, "To prevent court proceedings, let's discuss a settlement. According to our calculations, you just need to give Twenty million dollars."

"Pardon?" Am I hearing that right? Twenty million dollars? Where on earth am I going to unearth that?

"Yes, the company's losses are beyond that after you left us. It was roughly around fifty million because of breach of contracts with your endorsements, but we'll just let you shoulder almost half of it because we both made those mistakes." President explains.

"I've begged you to keep me but you said that it's okay for me not to finish my contracts since I've contributed a lot to the growth of the company. You said, 'let's just forget about each other and move on with our lives. You don't owe us anything.'" I quote what he told me before we parted ways.

"It didn't turn out well so here we are."

"President, you're aware that I wanted to stay but you forced me to go. That's your own decision and every decision has its results and consequences that you've got to handle on your own." I let out a loud sigh.

"I know but we're already at the dead end. This is our only choice."

I turn towards Manager Kim and she bows her head, she must be so embarrassed now.