Chapter 26 Mike Gets Drunk Out Of Frustration
Mikeâs POV
I didnât want to go home after leaving Melandaâs home. It was still early, so I thought for a moment and called Mandy.
âMandy, come out for a drink.â
I was already almost drunk before Mandy even arrived.
I thought of the three of us. To me, the most painful thing was not that she didnât know I had feelings for her, but that she treated me like a brother when I was in front of her, but Melanda couldnât be blamed for this. The three of us had grown up together. It was natural for her to treat me like a brother.
But I knew that my feelings for her had never been that of a brother towards a sister. No older brother was willing to follow his sister every day. I watched her grow up from an innocent and shy little girl, and I started to develop romantic feelings for her. In order to hide my feelings, I started to date other girls.
She and Mandy were two years younger than me. I waited until they graduated from high school. I even held a graduation party for them. I really wanted to confess to her that night, but I was dating Jenny. I didnât think I had the right to confess to her.
Before I could sort through my feelings, Melanda suddenly disappeared. At first, like Mandy, I looked for her everywhere, but we couldnât find her. Over time, I thought I had let go of my feelings for her, but after we met again, this feeling ignited again, so intensely that I couldnât ignore it.
But what could I do? I wasnât the âbrotherâ she called me. I loved her madly. How could I tell Melanda?
My chaotic thoughts made it impossible for me to think clearly, and I had to drink glass after glass. Mandy was here with her fiancé, Dave.
âHi, Mike. Whatâs wrong?â Mandy immediately saw that something was wrong with me.
âMelandaâs dating someone else.â That was the first thing I said. I had been holding it in all night and desperately needed to confide in someone.
âI know. Heâs your colleague, isnât he? Is there a problem with that?â Mandy asked curiously.
âBut I like Melanda. You know what? Iâve always liked her,â I said word for word.
Mandy did not seem to be shocked, but she was very excited. âYouâve finally realized. You finally said it. Melanda finally awaited this!â
âHuh, what did you say? What did Melanda wait for?â I didnât understand. My head ached.
âListen, Mike.â I had never seen Mandy so serious. âAs the friend of both of you, Iâm glad you realized your feelings, but Melanda has suffered a lot we donât know about. If you decide to pursue her, please take good care of her and donât hurt her. If youâre not ready, Iâd rather you not pursue her.â âYou know I wonât hurt her. Never.â Was Mandy crazy? How could I do anything to hurt Melanda?
âSo, have you sorted out your feelings? I mean with your girlfriend, Hannah.â I knew Mandy had never liked Hannah much either.
âWe broke up this afternoon.â
âThank God. You finally made a decision. Sheâs not suitable for you at all.â Melanda seemed to be relieved. âMike, do what you think is right, but I beg you to think more about Melanda. She canât get hurt again. There are some things that I think she should tell you herself.â
What was Melanda hiding from me? Why were Mom, Aunt Annie, and Mandy all acting so strange?
I wanted to continue asking. However, I didnât know if it was because of the alcohol, but I felt my head ache even more.