Aloha Destination Wedding

Michael and Jessica had always dreamt of an extraordinary wedding, and their shared love for adventure led them to plan an unforgettable destination wedding on a cruise ship. The journey would take them from New York City to the tropical paradise of Hawaii, with over 100 of their closest friends and family aboard to celebrate this special occasion. Billed as the "Aloha Trip," the event promised ten days of joy, laughter, and memorable moments.

The air was full of excitement as everyone boarded, their faces lit up with smiles. Among the guests was Maria, a close friend of the couple and a licensed officiant, who would conduct the matrimonial ceremony on the fourth day of the cruise. Each night leading up to the big day, Michael and Jessica mingled with their guests, enjoying drinks and sharing stories. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and anticipation as everyone looked forward to witnessing the happy couple's union.

One guest, however, seemed to stand out from the rest. Joey, Michael's best man, was often seen drinking heavily each night. His friends gently urged him to slow down, but Joey dismissed their concerns, declaring that this trip was the highlight of his year. His behavior was waved off with a shrug and a smile; "Joey will be Joey," they said.

Unbeknownst to most, Joey harbored a deep, unspoken love for Jessica. His friendship with Michael had always been a way to stay close to her, and he had cherished their bond, even if it was purely platonic. As the big day approached, Joey's drinking escalated, driven by the pain of watching the woman he loved marry his best friend.

Missing Best Man

On the morning of the wedding, Joey was nowhere to be found. Panic began to set in as Michael realized no one had seen him all day. After a frantic search, Michael found Joey in his cabin, strung out from a night of heavy drinking. He helped Joey into the shower, trying to sober him up and get him dressed for the ceremony. Through his drunken haze, Joey mumbled about getting ready for the big day, his eyes filled with tears. Concerned but focused on the task, Michael urged him to pull himself together.

Joey managed to get dressed and make his way to the ceremony with great effort, though his disheveled appearance and tear-streaked face drew concerned glances from the guests. As the ceremony progressed, Joey's emotions seemed to overwhelm him. When Michael and Jessica exchanged their vows, tears streamed down Joey's face like a waterfall. Seeing his friend's distress, Michael handed him a handkerchief and said in an annoying voice, “Joey, get a hold of yourself.”

The ceremony concluded with joyous applause and congratulations from all the guests. As everyone rushed to embrace the newlyweds, Joey retreated to a corner, drowning his sorrows in a glass of whiskey. He excused himself, claiming he needed to use the bathroom, but instead, he found solace in the confines of a stall, where he threw up and fainted. Concerned friends found him and, with the help of the ship's paramedics, got him to a chair outside the bathroom. Joey asked to be left alone to compose himself, and they reluctantly obliged.

An Act of Love

An hour later, Joey reappeared, seemingly more composed. He approached Michael and Jessica, his eyes still red but his demeanor calm. He expressed his happiness for the couple and said he wanted to do something unforgettable to show his love for them. Before anyone could react, he kissed the couple and proceeded to jump overboard.

At first, everyone thought it was a prank, but panic spread as the seconds turned into minutes, and Joey did not resurface. The ship's security was alerted, and a search operation was launched, with rafts thrown overboard and divers sent into the water. Despite their efforts, Joey was nowhere to be found. Hours later, his lifeless body was retrieved. The realization dawned on everyone that Joey had drowned.

The mood on the ship turned somber as news of Joey's suicide spread. The shock and grief were palpable, and it wasn't until a search of Joey's cabin revealed a suicide note that the full extent of his torment became clear. In the note, Joey confessed his long-held love for Jessica and explained that he had planned to end his life at her wedding to demonstrate the depth of his love for Jessica!

The revelation left everyone in a state of disbelief. A tragic love triangle had marred the celebration. While Joey's love for Jessica was evident, his decision to take his own life highlighted the destructive power of unrequited love. The wedding, which was supposed to celebrate love and union, became a poignant reminder of the complexities and depths of human emotions.

As the ship continued to Hawaii, the guests tried to find solace in each other's company. Though heartbroken by Joey's tragic end, the newlyweds leaned on each other for support. The Aloha Trip, intended to be a joyous event, had become a tale of love, loss, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.