Unexpectedly Mr. Famous (Tagalog/English)

CHAPTER 39: So much to handle

 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. "  -Jeremiah 29:11

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Simon's Pov

         The moon cast a silvery glow over the balcony, where I stood gripping a glass of wine, the liquid as dark and turbulent as my thoughts. Months had passed since the boys went missing, and the weight of that endless search hung heavily on my shoulders. Every day felt like another step into a bottomless chasm of despair and guilt.

Their voices echoed in my mind, relentless and haunting:

"This is all your fault, we trusted you, Si."

"What are you doing? I thought you could figure this out?"

"I'm so hopeless already, Si. My husband can't even go to his job."

"Her sister is having a breakdown. She's so close to her brother. I hope you can do anything to find them."

If only I could turn back time, I'd cancel that concert tour, give them the day off, and rewrite history. The regret gnawed at my soul, a constant reminder of my perceived failure. Lost in these dark thoughts, I barely noticed the soft footsteps approaching until I felt a gentle arm wrap around my torso.

"Can't sleep?" Lauren's voice was a whisper, a soothing balm to my aching heart. I nodded, unable to find words. She tightened her embrace, and for a moment, the chaos in my mind quieted.

We stood there, wrapped in the stillness of the night. The stars above seemed to twinkle with a distant hope, a stark contrast to the turmoil within me. I wanted to say something to the parents, something that could mend their shattered hearts, even if just a little. But what words could possibly suffice?

       "I know you're thinking about the boys, hun, but you can't do this to yourself," Lauren said worriedly, her arms still wrapped around me.

"What do you mean?" I asked, taking a sip of wine and trying to appear casual like I was just relaxing.

"You can't hide from me, Simon. I know all this time you've been blaming yourself for the boys being missing." Her voice was gentle but firm as she gradually released her arms and leaned on the steel-and-glass railing of the balcony. She pulled her satin robe tighter around herself, seeking warmth from the cool night breeze.

I stared into the dark depths of my glass, the wine swirling like the thoughts in my mind. "How can I not, Lauren? I was responsible for them. If only I'd made different decisions, maybe they'd still be here."

Lauren's eyes softened with understanding. "Simon, blaming yourself won't bring them back. You're doing everything you can to find them. But you need to take care of yourself too, or you won't be able to help anyone."

The weight of her words settled over me. She was right, of course. But the guilt was a stubborn shadow, refusing to let go. "It's just... every day feels like I'm failing them all over again."

She reached out, placing a hand over mine. "You're not failing them. You're fighting for them, every single day. And you don't have to do it alone."

I looked at her, the concern in her eyes mingled with a strength that gave me a sliver of hope. "I just wish there was more I could do, something that would make a difference."

"You're doing more than you realize," she said softly. "And we will find them. But you have to believe that too."

We stood there in the silence of the night, the city lights twinkling below us. I took a deep breath, letting her words wash over me. Maybe, just maybe, there was a way to carry this burden without letting it consume me entirely.