It Started with a McFLOAT

CHAPTER 28 (2)

PHILIP

A few minutes later, we reached our house. It was a while since I'd been here. I missed the place; I missed the area.

Our home in LA looked the same as the last time I was here. Someone was probably maintaining the place because my father didn't have the time to do that.

There are two floors in the house, 15 rooms, one master's bedroom for mom and dad, one for me and another for Phoebe, four for the house crew, and the rest are guest rooms. My parents, mine, and Phoebe's rooms had walk-in closets. If I was bored, I sometimes played dress up with clothes I had in the closet. Guess that was why people always complimented my fashion style. I always believed that how you dress reflects your personality.

There was a basketball court for me and my cousins, and a swimming pool for everyone. We usually party during the weekends and spend the whole day and night together.

"Your cousins will be here in a bit, so get ready," Dad reminded me when we finally arrived inside.

"Geez! I missed them like super!" Phoebe exclaimed.

I had the same thought, but I wanted to know how Mike was doing because he would be married anytime soon. I was stunned when I heard that he was tying the knot because he loved to play around and never got serious about anything. Well, I guess people change when meeting the right one. I need to congratulate him in person.

"Dad, is Mike coming?" I asked.

"I don't think so, but I heard he's in his hotel room with the whole entourage at Pierro's,"

"Oh, I see. Can I drop by there?"

"Sure,"

That was weird because he always dropped by when he heard that we were in town. He must be busy being the groom-to-be and all.

I rode the black Rover that I hadn't used for ages. And after a couple of minutes, I arrived at the hotel lobby.

"Good Morning, sir," the guard greeted me.

I smiled and headed to the front desk to ask for my cousin's room.

"Welcome back, Sir Philip! It's been a while since you came here; nice seeing you again," a woman in her 40s said.

I recognized her, she had been working here for about ten years, and that was why she could remember me even if I'd been away for a few years.

"Thank you. Well, we're living overseas now; nice seeing you, too," I answered.

"So, what brings you here today, Sir?"

"I'm looking for my cousin, Mike Pierro. Can you check his room number?"

"Sure, sir, one moment, please," should I ask him if there was a bachelor party? And who was the unfortunate bride? Because I knew Mike, he would never get married this early. Did he impregnate someone? Maybe that's the reason he's tying the knot.

"Sir, he's on the second floor, room 278," she said with a smile.

"Thank you," I said and smiled warmly.

"You're welcome," she replied and smiled back.

I rode the elevator to the second floor, and when I found his room, I knocked on the door. There was no answer; I knocked louder, and the door opened a little bit, and Mike's head popped out. I didn't expect him to look like this; he looked like shit.

It was not the look of someone in love, thrilled, and marrying anytime soon, but he looked like someone important to him died, or even worse, he died.

"Cuz! It's nice to see you again, man!" he yelled and hugged me as soon as she saw me. He reeked of alcohol. What the hell happened to him?

"Same here," I answered, confused.

What was happening to him? His hotel room was a mess; food and drinks were strewn about. There were bottles of vodka, tequila, and also cigarettes. A pile of DVDs was on the bedside table, and the whole unit was a huge garbage bin. There was something wrong here. I thought I would see a room full of love with a happy man in it. Hmm, I think there's something wrong, no, I am sure of it.

"Man, what happened here?" I asked. Possibilities circled my head; clearly, there was something terrible happening.

"Oh! I partied," he answered without much energy. Did he party? His face didn't look fun at all. It looked like a mess, a total mess.

"This is a disaster, man. Any problem? You're getting married tomorrow, right?" His face fell, and I knew there was a problem.

"That's the point; I'm getting married tomorrow," uh-oh, this was not good. I felt weird because in my mind it seemed that my cousin didn't want to get married. Get a grip, Philip, of course, he didn't! He looked like he wanted to die more than get married.

"What's with it?" I asked.

"Well, I don't love her at all, man."

Oh, god, I was goddamn right. Well, I was thinking of two things; first was that Mike had cold feet and did not feel ready to get married, or he didn't love the woman.

"What? You are getting married to a woman you don't love?" I asked.

"Exactly, man," he answered. Getting married to someone you didn't love must be hell and also total nonsense. What the hell was happening? Did his father force him to do this or something?

"How come? Ah, what happened? I don't get it," I said.

"It's always about the business, man. I can't do anything about it, It's perfect, but I don't care; all I know is that I feel like dying,"

"But it's not fair man, and it is not perfect unless you're happy," I said.

"Well, you know me, man, I was never serious about any relationship I ever had, but Dad gave me an ultimatum; he told me that if I didn't do this, I would be in big trouble and he would forget that I was his son."

"Why didn't he ask my dad for some help? I'm sure he'll help him," well, my dad might be able to help, I know. He was one good guy who helped a lot of people.

"You know, my father, if there's one thing he is rich in besides his money, it'll be his pride; he will never do that," pride kills. It forbids happiness. It destroys lives. So, my uncle instead married his son to someone he didn't know for money?

"I can talk to him if you want," I offered.

"He won't listen; besides, everything is ready," he said and frowned. I hoped he wouldn't do anything he would regret doing.

"Damn, so, what's your plan?" I asked him.

"I don't know, man, that's why I partied all day to forget everything. The only wish I have right now is to have amnesia; it's way better than thinking of all these," Mike said.

Poor Mike, he was worse than a wasted man. He sounded like he wanted to die because he felt useless, the worst feeling in the world. He was the cousin closest to me so his words made me sad.

"Don't say that; we'll think of something, man. I'll help you no matter what," I told him and encouraged him.

"Thanks, man, but tomorrow is the end of my happiness," he said, as if anytime tears from his eyes would fall free.

"Stop that nonsense; just help me think of a way to save you from everything; by the way, who is the girl?" I asked.

"She is the daughter of a business tycoon, I met her twice, and she's not even my type," he said and sighed.

"That sucks, man," coming here, I was excited to tell him about Joan, but hearing his sad story, I'd rather not.

We thought of ways to stop the stupid wedding, but it wasn't easy. So I decided to call Cee for some help. I had his number back when we went to Baguio for emergency purposes, and there was an emergency. It was a matter of happiness and forever unhappiness.

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