Chapter 08 - The Drinking Game

I woke up on the announcement. We are touching down in a moment. I sat properly and saw Archie grasping his phone and more like praying. I am a curious man, I sat next to Archie hug him from behind "Ssup Archie". He looked at me for a few second and I can see pain in his eyes.

I set the mood to work "How you holdin' up with me?" he chuckles and answered "A little sped up is needed, bro". I smiled "Yeah, you kinda look down" he took a deep breath and said "It ain't you, Ian" he looked down and I can see his wallpaper didn't change.

"Is it her?" pointing at his wallpaper. "Yeah" he answered. I wonder when is he gonna break with this girl. "Is she cheating on you?" he looked kinda shocked but he knew that I already knew about her. I looked down the window and said "I don't want you to be like Kenneth, man" he understood what I meant and he looked really sad.

I can't look at Eleanor and be in a good mood. I am mad because of what he did to Ken. She is supposed to be the best sister-in-law if she haven't done what she did. I looked up to ken and Eleanor. They were the best couple I could see, they were supposed to be the role model my mom and my father didn't have the opportunity to have. Ken was madly inlove with a girl he dated for 9 years.

I can't help but reminisce that moment. It breaks me everytime I remember how I lost my brother for a girl like her. "She was the one for me, Ian, I can't let her go" my brother's last words for me. He was in a car accident, I knew it wasn't a car accident. I always remember how his car looked like, how I found my brother dead in his own car.

"Ian, you okay?" Archie asked. I didn't realize I was in a deep reminiscing moment right there. "Yeah, sorry, man" I assured him. I asked if they're still married. He showed me his wedding ring and I guessed they're still married. I tried to gather information first. "Is she...?" he stopped and I was right. She cheated again, over and over again. I told him to just let her go but he answered differently. "I can't, she's my wife, you gotta work it up, you know" I can't believe this man, he is just a martyr. He told me that once you're married, you can't just gave it up. He told me that I'll know how it feels once I get married. However, I wasn't able to relay my message because we already landed and we need to go.

I can see Archie's back and I can tell, he's thinking. We are welcome by a great amount of love, Fans standing there knowing that I am coming. They were over the place, they are passionate welcoming me. I can't really wave as I was surrounded by security staff because too many fans are surrounding me like a very rare diamond that one chance is all you'll get.

I was pushed to the car by Eli. Does she have to push me to get inside. Heading to the hotel was quick, thankfully, fans are still following but we are able to the hotel without people pushing me. So, I can say we are fine.

We settled on the hotel and ,as always, we had to check in all the entire floor. Not just because we are many but fans are very quick to follow me whenever I am, there is a thing called obsessive fans here too. If I am right, they were called saesang or sasaeng.

I couldn't pack because we have to visit the stadium today. I wore simple shirt and jeans, although I brought a jacket too. The stadium is huge and there are so many fans outside. I cannot help but felt energized.

We practiced for 2 hours and again after a 20 minute break. We did that for almost 16 hours straight. I would play games with the stuff and jokes are all over this place. We laugh and sweat until this is perfect. I can see them get tired but I can't let them rest until it's perfect.

We rested after it was hours of practice. I thank them for their patience and treat them to a nice late lunch. I can see laughing and drinking. I joined the drinking battle and I was completely out of my mind. I drank almost 5 bottles and I gave up. I was dead drunk and I was escorted to the car completely unconscious.

The next day I asked my crew what happened last night. They told me Jer came late and he was surprised to see me at that state. I closed my eyes thinking I was dead again. They also said that Eli was a big help and Jer insisted to stay the night looking for me. I heard I was a mess last night.

While talking to them, I saw Jer passed by, I asked him if he's angry. I told him "You know how competitive I am. I just wanted to play with them". Jer looked like he really wanted to kill me with those glares "Seriously, play at your tour? Do you even know what will happened now?" I was confused of what he meant by that.

Eli came running and she was holding her tablet. She looked like she still haven't shower yet. "Jericho, have you seen this?" she hand the Ipod to Jer and I peeped and what a surprise, another scandal. I looked at Jer and he's glare didn't left on his face.

He looked at Eli and said "I already seen this. Handle this" he gave the Ipod back to Eli. I know when Jer said the magic word "Handle". It means, Eli will be very busy preparing the press conference and to get me out of this mess.

Jer told me to get ready as well. Surprisingly, he is back to being the boss. His glare faded but I know it ain't finish yet. The top priority for now is to get me out of this mess first. I waited inside my room and told me to stay there until called.

Honestly, I was very drunk at that time, I can't even stand on my own. I can't really remember what happened after drinking two bottles alone. All I know is that I stopped drinking after that shot.

I watched the video again. I can see people partying. The game had already started and I can see myself partying as well. I don't remember that part onward. I saw Eli stopping me from drinking but I pushed her and drank the bottle on one shot. I was really drunk, huh?

I don't know the reason why I got drunk that much but all I can say is that I was playing the game. Maybe, I played too much. I watched it till the end and I can see that I was very rude to Eli. I even approached and asked the girl to dance and party with us.

The girls happily accepted the invite and we are on our own world. We talked, dance, drink and more drink. The last part of the video is that I was in Jona's shoulder. He carried me through out and the video ended. I was so ashamed to even talk to Eli.

Eli came to view at the perfect timing, she's wearing a skirt and a blouse. She told me everything I need to do but I wasn't listening. I was looking at her figuring out when will I say sorry. I nearly thought she read minds when she said "You don't have to say sorry. It wasn't your fault".

"Do you read minds?" I joked. She glared at me and she is twice scarier than her brother. "Can you really joke at this time." she fixed my hair and told to get it together. We head down to the press conference area and I can sense some danger or is it just me?

Walking beside Eli and Jericho felt comforting. Jona was ahead of us with his team. I can't really think of something at this moment. Jer put his right hand on my left shoulder and said "Breathe, Ian, you got this".

I don't really feels at ease even when he said that. They were ready to open the door but I was too nervous. Eli hold my hand tight and said "Don't be nervous, you are Ian Collin Black" I laughed and she said to look at the people beside me because they won't let me be in pain.

I am very nervous but ready. I don't have a regret with what I did. The only person I am sorry for right now is Eli. On the video, I slapped her telling her to get lost. Without a second warning, they finally opened the door.