Let's forget about the past.

"You got hit by a car."

"What?"

******

******

"So we propose another deal with your insurance company Mr. Ethan." Said Dennis Rodman, one of my insurance company's former partner.

"We too would like to look at a future with your shipping port. Our products are due to arrive within a week. Signing the deal now will make logistics easier for us."

"We were former partners with your bank and shipping port. It's unfortunate that the events of four days ago forced us to pull out from our deal. B-but we have come to our senses and are ready for another partnership."

"As for us, we would like to reinvest in your hotel and resort chain. We never pulled out from our real estate deal."

After they finished talking, the room remained quite. All anticipating my response.

"Um... Sir, say something." Andrew whispered to me from the side. For the past for days, i have been in meetings like this. Thanks to my expert damage control unit, all the effects of my father's letter had been almost completely wiped away, like it never happened. Preparations for my marriage to Maria were well on the way. In two days time, we would be tying the knot at one of my resorts. The venue and invitation cards were changed. Since my family would not be in attendance, there was no reason to include them on the invitation cards.

"We're done here Andrew." I got up and attempted to walk out of the room. There was no way i was going to reenter a contract with backstabber... Unless i had the upper hand.

"Wait! Mr. Ethan! Please reconsider."

"Hmm? Reconsider?" I chuckled. "What do I have to gain from doing that?" I knew what i wanted. I just had to set the tone for it. I was determined to make sure nothing like this ever happen again. To ensure that, i had to make them sell their loyalty to me. I wasn't ready to ask for anything anymore. I was going to take it.

"We we will draft up a new plan and.-"

"I refuse!"

"Okay what do you propose?" 'Perfect, They had played right into my trap.'

I sighed," My companies already lost faith in the strength of your partnerships. Inorder to regain trust in your deal. I need to have the upper hand, that way i am sure nothing like this will ever happen again."

"We don't understand Sir."

"I'm sure non of you read the last paragraph of the contracts we all signed. Andrew."

"Sir!"

"Read the fine print."

"Yes Sir." He cleared his throat. "If either party were to pull out of this contract before the estimated period of the contracts validity or without fulfilling the requirements if the contract. Such party would be entitled to pay the sum of Four hundred million dollars in cash to the other party for damages due to non fulfilment of the contract. Plus a surcharge of ten million dollars will be added for redrafting a new contract. This brings the total to -."

"Four hundred and ten million dollars??! Are you mad Ethan?" Mr. Rodman yelled.

"The stipulations of that contract also affect me. If i had pulled out from our contracts, i would have paid that sum to each of your companies. Thankfully i did not." I stated simply, as i stared at their pale faces.

"B-but ten million for a contract redraft? That's outrageous!" Mr. Miller chipped in from the side.

"I'm sure you all weren't blind when you signed those contracts." I smiled, " Don't Tell me you all were carried away by the excitement of signing a contract with GLT investment and associated enterprises that you forgot to double check the contract?"

"It's written at the far bottom of the page. What normal person would pay attention to such detail?" Mrs. Matilda Christian yelled.

"If you all doubt the legitimacy of the contracts, we can settle it in court. But i hope you are all aware of what that means." I smirked. It was almost time to deal the finishing blow.

"T-there's no need for legal action Mr. Ethan. Surely there is another way to resolve this amicably?"

"There is." I turned to Andrew.

"Mr. Ethan has purposed that in exchange for the four hundred and ten million dollar payment. You all give majority of your respective companies shares to Mr. Ethan for free. Plus you'll still have to pay the ten million each for redrafting the contract. That would suffice to cover up for your respective debts."

"What?"

"Outrageous."

"That would give him total control of our companies."

"He would be the majority share holder."

"He already has existing shares in all our companies, doing that would be selling our hardwork to him on a platter."

"No way."

"If you really consider it. I'm giving all of you a good deal. Four hundred plus million isn't a walk in the park, especially considering the financial situation all of your respective companies are in." I explained.

"Even though. What you're asking for..."

"You ungrateful crooks." I paused then let out a sigh, "It's settled then, see you all in court." I stated once more before stepping through the door.

I had already gone a good distance when I heard footsteps quickly coming towards me from behind.

'And so it ends...'

"Wait!" Mr. Gregory yelled. "We we we ... We agree." He rushed that last part. I turned my head to the side, from the corner of my eye i saw him seething. His pale skin had turned red from frustration. I could tell. If he had a gun I was sure that man would have shot me dead. I didn't care if he eventually did. At that piont, the resting failure face they all made was more than enough to soothe any wound i had sustained from their betrayal.

"In that case let's sign another contract. And this time, please look through it carefully." I chuckled. Ecstasy; that was all i felt.

******

******

Pain. That was all I felt. It had been five days since my accident. In special request, my case was being transferred to the hospital Annie worked in. I was getting better, but i still couldn't remember what transpired that night of the party. How i got outside or how they found substantial amounts of alcohol in my system still remained a mystery to me. I was lucky to be alive. Annie explained to me what haemophilia was. Apparently it was also genetic. I thought it would be enough for me to track down my family, but Annie said it wasn't as easy as that.

There i was, once more loosing my memories. I hated myself. I somehow managed to keep the truth from Annie, however, during my period of admission, i was placed on a new drug routine. These drugs had better side effects than the previous ones i was taking. Annie also said i was required to start taking talk therapy sessions. I got overwhelmed by all these new things.

I was hit by a car, diagnosed with haemophilia, given a new round of drugs, scheduled to take talk therapy sessions and in the midst of all these i had not even a single clue of who i was or were I came from. Honestly i wish I died that night... Wait what?

"Died that night..." I repeated out loud. What does that mean? I asked myself. "Who died that night..." I kept racking my head to see if i would get a clue. Nothing. Now i was more confused than ever before.

"May i come in?" I heard Andrew's voice.

"Sure." I quickly arranged myself. I cleared my throat and tried to arrange my hair, the bandage was getting in the way.

"Hi... I brought flowers. Where should I drop them?"

"Over there." I pointed.

"Sure. Ehem." He cleared his throat. He seemed nervous like he had something to say but wasn't sure how to. " Um... I'm sorry I'm just visiting for the first time."

"It's okay i understand. You have a job..."

"Yea. Um... My boss is getting married this Sunday. You can come if you want."

"Nah thanks. I have somethings to settle."

"That's right you're getting discharged today."

"Yea. Is there something you want to say... Cause you seem a little." I got tired of watching him beat about the bush. If he had something to say to me, he should just spill it out!

"Oh...You noticed. Well. I was thinking and when i heard you got into an accident i felt really bad about the way i left you at the party."

"Oh..." I remembered. How he stared at his boss's wife and how he left with a fake apology. The emotions i felt that day flowed back into me. My chest was tight.

"I shouldn't have left. Not like that at least." This time he really looked apologetic. He actually cared about how i felt, that was enough for me.

"It's okay. Let's forget about the past. " I smiled. After Andrew apologized, we sat together and talked at length. He was really an entertainer. He said so many hilarious things that i laughed so hard my ribs started hurting.It had been a wh since i felt this good, like a ray of sunlight on a dark gloomy day. Ecstasy; that was all i felt.