Under the Stars

Chapter 35

~Chapter Thirty-Five~

The next morning, I arrived at the office with a heavy heart. I hadn't slept much, the revelation about Carl still fresh in my mind. I tried to focus on my work, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the past, to the unanswered questions and the pain of his disappearance.

I was sitting at my desk, staring blankly at my computer screen, when I heard a familiar voice.

“Lyla, you okay?” Billy's concerned tone brought me back to the present. I looked up to see him standing by my desk, a worried expression on his face.

“Hey, Billy,” I said, forcing a smile. “I'm fine, just a bit tired.”

Billy wasn't convinced. He pulled up a chair and sat down next to me, his eyes searching mine. “I saw the interview yesterday. It must have been a shock.”

I felt my heart skip a beat. Billy had been Carl’s best friend back in high school. He had seen us through our ups and downs, and he had been there when Carl disappeared. “Yeah, it was a shock,” I admitted. “I never expected to see him like that.”

Billy nodded, his expression sympathetic. “I can’t imagine what you're going through right now. Seeing him on TV, knowing he's become this famous singer... it must have stirred up a lot of old memories.”

“It did,” I said quietly. “It brought back everything. The good times, the promises he made, and the pain of losing him.”

Billy leaned forward, his voice gentle. “Lyla, I know it’s hard, but maybe there’s more to the story. Carl loved you. He wouldn’t have left without a reason.”

I felt a flash of anger at Billy’s words. “A reason? He promised he’d never leave me, Billy. He just vanished without a word. How could he do that if he loved me?”

Billy sighed, looking conflicted. “I know it doesn’t make sense. But maybe he thought he was doing what was best for you. I remember asking him about you, about your favorite things. He said love is about patience and sacrifice. Maybe he thought leaving was his way of protecting you.”

I shook my head, frustration bubbling up inside me. “Protecting me? By disappearing and breaking my heart? How is that protecting me, Billy?”

Billy raised his hands in a calming gesture. “I’m not saying what he did was right. I’m just saying that sometimes people do things for reasons we don’t understand. Maybe he thought he was doing the best thing for you at the time.”

“It doesn’t matter what he thought,” I snapped. "He left me when I needed him the most."

Billy sighed again, looking at me with a mix of sympathy and concern. "I know you're hurting, Lyla. But holding on to that anger isn’t going to help you heal. Maybe you need to talk to him, find out what really happened."

“I don’t even know where he is, Billy,” I said, feeling defeated. “His house was up for sale when I went to look for him. It’s like he vanished completely.”

Billy gave me a thoughtful look. “Maybe it's time to start looking again. He's a public figure now; it might be easier to track him down. And who knows, maybe finding him will give you the closure you need.”

I nodded slowly, considering his words. Billy was right. I needed answers, and I needed closure. For too long, I had been living with the ghost of Carl’s disappearance, and it was time to face it head-on.

“Thanks, Billy,” I said, giving him a small smile. “You’re a good friend.”

Billy smiled back, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Anytime, Lyla. Just remember, we're all here for you. You don’t have to go through this alone.”