Green-minded (EDITING) ✔

T H I R T Y - T H R E E: Texas, Baby.

*Tony's POV*

"Grandma says that... Mom is dying." Tears fill her angelic face, smudging her thick makeup, black vertical lines appear on both cheeks, "I've got to go to Texas. I need to see her."

I hug her tight, wanting to comfort her, her chest rises up and down fast as if she's running out of breath, "I'll come with you."

"Just stay here so you can rest." She sighs in grief.

I wipe her tears using my thumb, fighting the urge to kiss her, now's not the right time, "No, you and I will go to Texas together. That's my final decision." I keep my facial expression blank, "Just wait. I'll have Greg arrange our ride."

She nods at me, mouthing, "Thank you very much."

*****

That same evening, we climb the stairs to enter my own private jet. This is the largest out of the four I own. A beautiful stewardess welcomes us with a smile plastered on her face, leading us inside the spacious meeting room. The walls are pure white and there's a homey feel to this area, just the way I like it.

Amber timidly sits on the long, red couch opposite to mine even though I point out that she sits beside me. I lean on the velvety softness of my couch, amused by her shyness. It started immediately after the kiss we shared earlier but I can't tease her right now, not in the current situation of her mom. What she needs is someone to lean on and I'll be here for her.

Tim enters the room, he's an experienced pilot and my friend, he's also a dear friend of Kelly because we all met at the shelter for the homeless when we were young, "Hi! How are you?" He gives me a bear hug.

"I'm fine. This is Amber." I introduce the girl beside me, he smiles at her, "Amber, this is Tim, he's my friend and our pilot."

"It's nice to meet you." Tim shakes Amber's hand, giving her the killer smile that the girls love.

"Nice to meet you, too.", Amber replies with a cute smile.

I look at their hands, wanting to cut off Tim's hand and forget our friendship. I clear my throat and take Amber's hand, intertwining her fingers to mine. Tim laughs, raising his hands in surrender, "Easy."

"Go and do your job, babe and I needs to arrive in Texas ASAP."

"Hey man! Wipe that jealousy off your face." He then winks at Amber, "I'm happy to meet you. I'm off before I lose my job." He chuckles as he turns around to go.

Amber sits down next to me because I pulled her. I fasten her seatbelt and kiss her forehead. She's pleasantly surprised when I check her reaction.

We were quiet for an hour and a little after that. I can feel her tension and apprehension so I let her head rest on my shoulder. Her hair smells like lavender, it makes me feel relaxed. Later did I notice that she already fell asleep on my shoulder. After the 'fasten seatbelt' light turns off, I take her to the bedroom so she can have a comfortable rest. Her eyes are tightly closed but she smiles as her back lays on the king size bed. I lay beside her, hugging her then I bury my head on her neck, enjoying the smell of lavender before sleep takes over my body.

*****

"Grandma! Mom!"

Amber runs towards a two-story lakehouse. The house is apple green in color with a modern feel to it. Next to the house is a huge tree and on top of it is a small tree house built among the branches. The morning sun shines brightly on that house as birds fly together in the sky. On the far side of the house, there seems to be a ranch. The place is huge and wonderful.

Amber rings the doorbell multiple times until a woman that appears to be in her late 70's opens the door, greeting us in a warm and friendly manner. She's wearing a cowgirl attire. She embraces Amber while laughing at the same time. There's a sudden problem today so the old woman's reaction is a bit unexpected.

"Hello A-"

"Amber, yes it's me, Grandma!" Amber tightens her hug and I chuckle at the sight of it.

"Come in, both of you! Why do you look like that?" Grandma sweeps a disgusted gaze at Amber.

Amber's eyes grow big, "Grandma! This is not new. I always look like this. By the way, this is Tony, my friend. Tony, this is my Grandma Lucy."

"Such a fine young man! Are you two dating?" She winks at me while her mouth shows a wide smile.

"NO!"bAmber shouts, "Wait. Where's mom?"

"She's at her room. Of course."

"Mom! Mom!" Amber climbs the stairs at lightning speed.

"Now you, little boy, come with me. You look great but you don't have any fashion sense at all!" She scowls, "My late husband has the same height and built as you so you can borrow his clothes. Come, let me give you a makeover! You need it badly!"

I'm wearing a button-down gray shirt paired with ripped jeans and dark blue sneakers.

She takes my hand and leads me inside her room. She goes straight to the closet and digging up inside, "There you go! Put this on!" Grandma excitedly gives me a cowboy outfit, "You'll look gorg on this outfit."

I chuckle at her remark as I enter the bathroom. I clothe myself with the whole outfit given me and Grandma is right, it fits perfectly. When I got out of the bathroom, Grandma directs her eyes to me from head-to-toe, "Fabulous! That's more I like it! Wear this brown leather shoes later, okay?"

"Sure, grandma."

"Oh just call me Lucy."

"Okay, Lucy. Thanks for my clothes. It fits the ambiance of your wonderful place."

"And it fits you! By the way, what's the real score between you and my granddaughter?" She assesses me with hawk-like eyes.

"Actually..."

*****

"Grandma! Why did you say that mom is dying? She's healthy and soundly sleeping while I weep like a baby beside her, telling her my damnedest confessions. It's humiliating!" Amber's face is bright red as a tomato.

Lucy shows her teasing, naughty smile, "You didn't let me finish. When I called you last night, I said she's dying and you cried unceasingly so I wasn't able to tell you that your mom is dying.. to see you!"

Amber places her hands on her mouth as if she's fighting the urge to let out an angry expletive, she looks funny because her eyes are about to pop out of their sockets, "Grandma! You're so bad!"

Lucy laughs out loud, "You're the worst. You're not visiting us for a very long time plus you kept a little secret from us."

"What secret?" Amber's face turns pale and I'm about to laugh in excitement.

"Yes, what secret is that, mom? Spill."  A woman in her early 50's alight the stairs. She's an epitome of beauty and grace. No wonder Amber is strikingly stunning, she takes it after her mother. The only difference is that this woman is modest and gentle while Amber is like a tough, iron lady that you don't want to mess around with.

Lucy beams as she unfolds a small, white tablecloth with "Star of the Night" embroidered on it. Written on it is "Ash, marry me please?" then at the bottom of the cloth is her faded signature two years ago.

Lucy announces, "They're getting married and she even signed the proposal! It's so romantic!"

Ash turns to see me as her jaw falls open, dropping to the floor.

I smirk in response.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Note

Lovelies,

Did you like it? I'm literally grinning while writing this.

Tony, my heart!!!🙆

Send me your thoughts, okay?

Lots of love,

Miss*s Happy 💗