Stella Starlet

Finally

It felt familiar.

Driving through the night, alone on empty roads, in silence. 

Except this time was different; I wasn't running from something. I was headed straight for the fire, knowing someone was going to have to get burnt. 

Going through the states did have an indescribable feeling. I felt free. I had always felt perpetually trapped but along these roads through deserts, small towns and cities, I felt so much freedom. It was the most dazzling feeling, sometimes to the extent that it evoked fear in me. 

Maybe it scared me because it was a foreign feeling; to be free. 

Either way, I knew that as soon as I got back to New York, these feelings would fade quickly. I had no idea what was in store for me there. It was like sinking to the bottom of a pitch-black lake, you had no idea what monsters resided at the bottom, waiting for you. You couldn't find the surface because there was no surface. You're drowning and there's no escape. 

When I saw the sign for Wyoming, the sun was beginning to set behind the mountains. 

The scenery was beautiful and I passed a small town. I decided to stop there and make a phone call. 

I was terrified as I located a phone booth. When I dialed the number, the familiar sound of it ringing made my fear inflate. 

-

Carter's Point of View

- 

I was in such a desperate state for a distraction that I fell seduced to Kayla's faux charm. 

She was the model I was photographed with. When I saw it, I was panicked. 

What if Stella saw? 

A year had gone past and there had been nothing from her; not a call, a letter, a sign . . . anything.

I didn't want to give up on her but reality began to set in. She wasn't coming back. 

So, I drowned my sorrows in ridiculously expensive cognac and a different woman every night. 

Kayla and I were in a relationship, if you could call it that; it barely counted as a relationship.

I didn't have any feelings for her, I just prayed that somehow I would develop them for her. I needed to get over Stella. I didn't want to drown anymore without escape. 

Kayla and I were at this upscale restaurant when my phone started ringing. I let out a puff of my cigar smoke and looked at the number I didn't recognize. I declined the call. 

"Carter," Kayla purred, running a hand over my chest. "After, you wanna fuck me in your Rolls?" 

Before I could answer, my phone began ringing again. 

"For Christ's sake, tell whoever it is to piss off," Kayla spat as he took a sip of her wine. 

Frustratedly, I answered the call and lifted the phone to my ear. "Look, you have the wrong number."

Just before I pulled the phone away from my ear and hung up, I heard my name softly said on the line. 

"Who is this?" I asked. My chest was beating rapidly. What if it was her? 

"Carter? It's me." 

I hadn't heard that voice in a year but I never forgot it. 

"Stella?" I asked gently. 

"Oh God Carter, it's me. It's really you." I heard her voice crack on the other end, full of emotion.

I stood up quickly. "Where are you? I'm coming to get you."

I heard her laugh softly. "I'm in Wyoming, you can't exactly drive here in ten minutes from there."

"Who is that?" Kayla asked, obviously angry over the interruption. 

"Stella, I'm sending my plane over there. Go to the airport. See you soon."

After we hung up, I grinned and felt an indescribable feeling; a mixture of relief and exhilaration.

"Carter, what is going on?" Kayla was exasperated with me. 

"It's over Kayla. I'm sorry, this isn't going to work out." 

I flung my coat over my shoulder and walked out.

After a year of constant searching and failing, I was finally going to see Stella. 

-

I was waiting for the plane to come by the hangar where a bodyguard and I stood in front of my Bentley. 

I quickly ran a hang through my hair, not wanting to look disheveled even though the wind was blowing strong gusts my way. 

As the plane taxied over and came to a halt, I waited about ten minutes before Stella came down the steps. 

I walked over to her and stopped when I was twenty feet away. Her face was different then I remembered; she looked more worn out, tired, and it was obvious that she lost an unhealthy amount of weight. 

We both paused and then finally she walked over to me. When she was close enough, I pulled her into a tight hug. 

God, she felt frail. 

"Carter, I'm so sorry," she whispered to me. 

"We'll talk later, okay?" 

She smiled and nodded and I led her into the car. 

I finally had Stella back in my arms. 

------

Author's Note

Sorry about the short chapter!