My Brother’s Best Friend 2

(SOLANA’S POV) “Solana?” Chloe’s voice cut in to my thoughts. The line was so clear and her voice was so sharp that one would think that she was here. I sighed and sat back with the pillow supporting my back. I was in bed, tucked in with my laptop sitting on my laps and doing my night ritual, talking to Chloe, My best friend. But I had also frozen. And skipped away, getting lost in my thoughts because she had said the one person we don’t mention. The one person we have not mentioned in 3 years. Pete. “Solana, I am starring directly at you please stop zoning out.” She said I swallowed and looked back at her. “You called his name.” I told her my breath still coming in fast breaths. “Yes I did.” She said “And that is who you said you want to speak to me about?” I asked her. She nodded quickly at me. I sighed. “Why would you call his name Chloe?” I asked her covering my face with both hands. “Because we have to address this. I can’t do this. I know that you still love him.” She said to me. Her words pierced through my heart with sudden sharpness, one that I had not felt in a long time. I dropped my hands down instantly. “We are not speaking of this.” I said to her “But Solana, Pete is-“ I cut her short instantly. “Don’t mention his name again, that is the last time.” I said and my voice sounded so stern that I barely recognized it. Chloe stopped talking instantly and I could see the flash of hurt in her eyes. “You’re right. It’s none of my business.” She said. There was an uncomfortable silence. “I have to go. Tomorrow night is the gala I was talking to you about.” I told her. She nodded at me with a weak smile. “Yeah. Have fun at that.” She said “Thank you.” I told her back. “I guess Goodnight then.” “Goodnight Lana.” She said and with a weak smile, i shut down the laptop and put it aside. Then I turned off the lights and lay down gently on my bed. Sleep did not come right away, I knew it would not. How could it when Chloe had unlocked something? Pete Carlos. How is he doing? What could he be doing right now? I shook my head at myself as if trying to shake the thought away. But I could not. My heart was beating fast and I slept that way dreaming of the past. I know you wonder what happened between Pete and I. We were in love, we were happy and we planned on getting married and being together forever. But I guess life happens. Because Life happened to me. I lost my father a year before my college graduation. Shocker right? Yes. And it broke my heart. Rod Wilson is no more and he has not been for four years. My Father’s Death changed my life. I never expected it and it broke me that he did not see me graduate. After Dad died, I tried my best to get over it but it was impossible. I hated myself for the years that I did not spend with him and I hated myself more because I missed a chance to see him before he died, but as I said, life happens. Way before Dad died, I had applied for a job as a supporting writer on a leading tv series. Dad and I had even gone for the interview at New York together and we both dreamed that I would get the job. Two months after his death and a month after he was buried, I got a reply in the mail. I had been accepted. It would have been wonderful news if Dad was here but it was not. I had no joy since his death and so I did not want to take the job. But Pete urged me to. He said that a change of environment may be best for me and he told me of how my father would be sad to see me turn it down. He said that he knew that I was very capable. He kept on encouraging me and so I took it. He had started playing professional basketball in Los Angeles but he promised that the distance would not come between us. Well, it did. Pete and I’s relationship ended a year after I moved to New York City for my Job. I threw myself in to my Job and enjoyed that it kept me busy instead of thinking of my Dad. I guess life is not always what we think it is. It’s been three years since the hurtful break up and I have pushed every memory away. Now I am a renowned top writer in a major tv series. But why can’t I stop thinking about him now? Damn Chloe! Even waking up the next day, memories of Pete kept floating in my head. I also had not apologized to Chloe for the curt way the call had ended but in a way, I was still upset. My mind was in twists. Even when I arrived at the red carpet by 7, I was struggling to keep a straight mind. So I sought for assist from alcohol. “Easy there.” Phil, my assistant said with a raised eyebrow at me as I downed the third glass of wine. “Do you plan on getting drunk?” He added “No.” I answered “Well, it doesn’t look like it.” He said and i could see a slight concern in his eyes. “That’s why I have you. My assistant “ I said. He was going to say something when Charlotte my boss joined us with a Middle Aged attractive man. “This is our lead writer, Solana Wilson. Solana this is Peter Carlos.” She said I gasped. “I’m sorry who did you say?” I stuttered Charlotte and the man looked at me weirdly and I knew that Phil was looking that way too. “I said Mr Tedros.” Charlotte said There was a weird silence and I realized that I had heard Pete’s name instead. “Excuse me.” I said and left there in a haste. I felt tipsy and struggled to stand still so I sat down on a chair outside. I got out my phone and scrolled through my contacts stopping at Pete’s contact. We had not spoken in years. Since the day our relationship ended. I dialed his number and it went to voice mail. “I don’t know why I am calling. I know you don’t care anymore. But I know I still do….” “Solana?” Someone said and I had to snap my phone shut. I turned immediately, it was Phil. “Are you okay?” He asked me “Yeah I’m fine.” “I didn’t think so earlier.” He came closer and sat beside me. “Charlotte is pissed because she thinks you embarrassed her in front of Mr Tedros. He is a big producer you know?” I sighed. “Did she say that?” I asked “No but she looked it.” He answered and then he eyed me. “It’s just 7pm, the night is just starting and I think you are tipsy already.” I sighed. I did feel tipsy and all I could think about was Pete. “I’ll be fine.” I said “Good. Now let’s go and look at the beautiful men in there.” He said giving me a wink and we both went in. I put myself together for the rest of the night but it was damn hard because all i could think of was Pete. I was doing fine all this time and suddenly my head was overflowing with thoughts. When the night ended by midnight , I took a bottle of champagne and staggered home. I was drinking from the bottle as I came out of the elevator when I noticed someone crouched on the ground and in front of my door. I froze. He did not need to look up, I knew who I was seeing. I knew who it was. Damn it! How can I ever forget? But he must have heard me because then he looked up at me and I staggered backwards the bottle dropping to the ground. Those eyes, the hair. “Pete?” I croaked