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Chapter 107 Breakfast
🕑 Added 2025-05-20 14:46:48 +0000 UTCI was still finishing my breakfast when Monica and Chandler appeared in the kitchen, looking almost identical to how Rachel had arrived earlier. Monica was moving carefully, as if any sudden noise might shatter her. Chandler looked equally miserable.
They both groaned a greeting and collapsed into chairs around the kitchen island.
I slid a small packet of aspirin and ibuprofen toward them and motioned for one of the maids to bring another glass of the special juice—just like I had done for Rachel.
Chandler muttered to Rachel and Monica, "If you ever need proof that we’re not in our twenties anymore... this is it."
I chuckled softly and went back to my breakfast.
Not long after, Ross and Phoebe showed up looking just as miserable. Ross was holding his head like it might fall off, and Phoebe moved as if gravity itself had betrayed her.
Without saying a word, I made the same preparations for them.
A few minutes later, Uncle Charlie stumbled in, looking worse than all of them combined, with one of the twins walking beside him. His steps were slow and exaggerated, like he was walking on a ship in a storm.
"Never again," Uncle Charlie grunted. "Never, ever, ever again."
Rachel, still half-sprawled on the table, looked at him and asked with a small smirk, "You're gonna quit drinking too?"
Charlie shot her a look and replied, "Don't be ridiculous. I'm gonna quit waking up."
Right behind him came Joey, with the other twin walking at his side, while he balanced a huge plate of food in his hands, looking completely normal—and annoyingly energetic for this hour.
"Morning!" Joey said cheerfully.
We all looked at him, astonished.
"What??" he said, pointing at me. "He said last night I could take the food and eat in bed!"
Rachel raised an eyebrow and said, "I don't think that's the problem, Joey..."
I shook my head and then turned to one of the maids. "Take one of the same—juice and pills—to Mom's room," I said, knowing she would be suffering in silence.
Monica looked at me curiously.
I shrugged and said, "Mom probably doesn't want me to see her sorry state, like you guys let me see yours. Except for Joey..."
---
Finally, the afternoon arrived, and thankfully, everyone had recovered enough to function like normal human beings. Energy was coming back, laughter returned little by little, and the atmosphere shifted from slow suffering to genuine excitement.
It was almost time for the premiere.
Everyone was dressed impeccably. The women wore elegant long dresses, each more stunning than the last, while the men were sharp in suits and ties. Joey, in particular, looked like a soap opera heartthrob, making even Monica whistle jokingly as he adjusted his cufflinks with a confident grin.
"Let's go, guys," I said with a smile.
Everyone gathered near the door, ready to head out for the big night.
As we stepped outside, a long black limousine was waiting for us by the driveway.
"We're going in a limo?" Joey asked, visibly excited.
I patted Joey's back and said, "This is your big day, Joey. We need to do it right."
"Wow, thanks, man," he said, a little emotional, smiling wide.
Joey had made some roles before, but this was by far his biggest one. And if the movie was even half as successful as the original, it would also be his best-paying project. Like with Carly, Sam, and Freddie, I’m not cheap when it comes to people I know and care about.
I smiled at everyone and said, "I will pick Laura with my car. I’ll meet you there."
---
Jimmy had parked near the theater but not directly at the red carpet entrance.
I was being a gentleman, so I quickly got out and opened the door for Laura, helping her out of the car. She was wearing a stunning dress that caught the late afternoon light beautifully.
"This one feels more like a premiere," Laura said with a bright smile.
"Yeah," I agreed, offering my arm. Pepper definitely added more glamour to this one, even if it’s still considered a low-budget movie.
As we approached the entrance, I spotted Pepper talking to a few people who looked important—maybe producers, agents, might even be studio executives.
Watching her laugh and gesture confidently, I couldn't help but think, Wait, if I'm going to release a bunch of successful movies... isn't Pepper going to end up like those characters in Chinese novels? Like, "I'm the Hollywood Queen"?
Yeah, let her have it, I thought with a small smile. For me, music is more than enough. I don’t really care much about Hollywood movies besides the money. Nor do I care about that golden bald prize.
"You are thinking something bad," Laura said, looking suspiciously at me.
"Nope," I said without hesitation.
What is up with these women? Yesterday was Rachel...
If I said anything about not caring about the golden baldy prize, Laura would probably be mad.
"You definitely are thinking something bad," Laura insisted, narrowing her eyes at me.
"Stop fooling around and let's enter the cinema," I said to her.
"You are the one who is fooling around," she said playfully, bumping my shoulder with hers.
We finally entered the cinema. The lighting was elegant, with golden accents and soft music playing in the background. We found our reserved seats easily. I sat down, finding myself between Laura and Rachel.
Laura smiled as she adjusted her dress before sitting, while Rachel, already seated, gave me a quick, mischievous smirk.
Laura gave me a look.
"I know, girl, you want to watch the movie," I said, grinning. Then I added, "If not, why would I be here with this giant pot of popcorn?"
Laura laughed softly, shaking her head.
I continued, "Besides the fact that I know you two are going to keep stealing my popcorn... that's why I grabbed the biggest bucket."
Now, both laughed, and as if confirming my theory, both reached into my bucket and grabbed some popcorn.
