Green-minded (EDITING) ✔

T W E N T Y - S I X: Not just any simple shit

The wind is freezing cold outside the bar and it doesn't help that I feel immensely nervous while dialing Trixie's number. Hope she's in the U.S. now because last time I heard from her, she's on a business trip in the Philippines.

"Hello? Ash?" I hear her voice and I sigh in relief, thank God, "Yes, Trix. How are you?"

"I'm good, been busy these past days. Glad we catch up. What's up?"

"I've got a bit of a problem here..." I trail off, not knowing how I'll say it, I don't borrow money from Trix, now's the first time, "I need twenty million."

"Ohh, that's an awful lot. You're not the type to gamble or like deal with drug lords or something... What's going on?"

"Kim and President Rogers are filing a case against me but we can have a settlement with twenty million."

"Geez. If you've been like a week earlier, I could give you twenty, yet I've just recently invested in a big project wherein I gave my savings which is thirty-five million dollars. I can give you three million now."

"I'll borrow that, Trix. Thanks."

"No, you don't have to pay it. That's what's sisters for, right?"

"I disagree, I'll pay you. Promise. Not just soon."

"Whatever, you're always full of pride. Fine, I'll not force you to not pay. Take your time though. I'll wire you the money. Send me your account number. Also, I'll ask help from Sabrina and Angela. I'm not going to tell them it's you so don't worry, okay?"

"Don't bother, Trix. I think I'll have to swallow my pride and ask dad." I breathe deeply.

"Better! It's fucking time, Ash. You have to talk to dad already. Now I'm thankful that I don't have the twenty." She laughs heartily.

"Okay, bye. Thanks, I'll send you my account number."

Got to lie to her just to save face. I don't want to borrow money from my other sisters nor my dad.

Our house in Texas may cost around two million, that's my only investment after my career ended. I don't want to sell it though. Where will Mom and Grandma stay?

I've been drinking the whole day but I feel like driving. Just to ease the tension in me.

*****

Maybe driving is a bad idea after all. I've been running around the streets in circles but my mind's still whirling with plenty of thoughts giving me a headache and making me feel dizzy, maybe a bit sleepy too.

My eyes swell with tears, haven't cried for a while. Broken heart, ruined career, wasted life, and now, I'm about to get imprisoned.

I know dad's number, Trix sent it to me but what am I going to say to him? To be my dad and give me money? Curse this life! As I approach a crossroad, I press on the brakes but it's not working. Damn! What now?!

I tried multiple times but to no avail. Facing straight ahead to see a ten-wheeler truck in front of me, Oh God. So this is how it will all end.

Not thinking hard, I hug the steering wheel and shut my eyes in fear. When I open my eyes, I'm thunderstruck to see my car about to crash into a black Mercedes. In just a split second, I hear a slam-bang, unduly violent noise when my body pushes forward as our cars collide quickly. Then another deafening sound after the black Mercedes smashes into the ten-wheeler truck. I feel a sharp pain on my chest after the crash, my hands and face were pierced by pieces of shattered glass.

Then, black light consumes all of me.

*****

I hear beeping sounds, shouting voices, and stomping feet. Taking a glimpse to see people in white and find myself wearing a hospital gown. There are bandages tinted with blood on my head and chest.

Realizing that I'm on a hospital bed, I sit down as I tilt my head from left to right then find myself staring at a man unconscious, lying on the bed next to me.

I blink to check if I'm dreaming, but no.

If only I can undo the damage... I cry silently thinking I don't even deserve to regret. I created this mess.

I hear a doctor and a young man talking vividly.

"Doc, what are the chances?" The man asks.

"Pretty much zero." The doctor answers, "His head trauma is the worst I've ever seen in my medical practice. It's a blessing that he's still alive and in a coma, especially with his condition. If you have a family member with you, you may consider euthanasia."

"Never! We're not letting Tony go! He's too young to die." A young woman weeps loudly. The woman and man both sound familiar.

Her words seem to claw my insides. Tony?
Not the Tony that I know, correct?

My sight wanders back to the man beside me and to my horror, it's indeed the man I love, Tony Green. Oh my goodness! This is not real! This is just a nightmare!

The conversation goes on, that's when I realized that the man is Greg and the woman is Kelly.

Greg speaks, "We'll have to take him home. The media can't find out about this. Silence everyone in the hospital. I've contacted his personal doctors and they are setting up the best medical equipment at the penthouse."

"Yes, I've already talked to the management to keep this away from the press." Kelly says in between her uncontrollable sobs, "I've arranged the ambulance that will bring Tony and Amber to the hotel."

Do they want to also bring me? I don't deserve care from anyone! Why did I not just die? This inner pain is far more unbearable than the cuts, bruises, and wounds gained from the accident. It's all my fault.

Now Tony's in an excruciating battle between life and death, and the doctor says, the results are leaning more towards death. I want to scream in distress, however, I don't want Kelly and Greg to know that I'm awake, can't face them. Not this soon.