Chapter 20
The next day, a heavy weight hung over Lisa’s heart as she replayed the moment she had abandoned Carla in the café. Guilt gnawed at her, an unbearable reminder that she had left someone so precious feeling alone. The fear gripped her: what if Carla, in her bewildered state, decided she deserved better and walked away? If Lisa didn’t open up soon, she risked losing the one person who had come to mean so much to her.
Inside, Lisa yearned to chase away the darkness clouding Carla's life, to hold her and share quiet moments away from the chaos. She yearned for a break from work, a blissful escape with Carla that would allow them both to breathe and heal. But this was no ordinary case—it was a battle- potentially against those who had twisted and tormented Carla, leaving scars that ran deep. Lisa was fiercely determined to bring those criminals to justice, not just for the sake of the job, but for Carla, whose pain was an ache in Lisa's heart each time she heard her story.
From the moment their paths had intertwined, Lisa had taken on the role of protector, willing to bend her own morals, her job, and even the law to keep Carla safe. She had always been protective of Becky, but this was different. Carla wasn’t just enduring hardship; she was shattering Lisa’s heart with each revelation, each moment of vulnerability that painted a clearer picture of the struggles she faced.
With urgency coursing through her veins, Lisa knew she couldn’t put it off any longer. She needed to see Carla, to apologise for her abrupt departure, and to reassure her that she wasn’t alone. Without a second thought, she jumped into her car, her mind racing with a swirl of emotions, and drove to Underworld.
As she arrived at the factory and parked her car, an unsettling nausea gripped her. Carla would be hard at work, and Lisa hoped that this place would serve as neutral territory, a space where they could talk without anger and accusations. Deep down, she understood that Carla had every right to be furious. But in her current fragile state, Lisa wasn’t sure she could withstand the storm of emotions, not today.
Exhaling a long breath laden with anxiety, she stepped out of the car and made her way toward the factory doors, her heart pounding.
Inside, every step toward Carla’s office felt monumental. Lisa paused for a moment, standing before the window, drinking in the sight of Carla. There she was, wholly absorbed in her paperwork, a hint of stress etched on her features. Yet, despite the tension, the sight of Carla left Lisa breathless. She couldn’t fathom how breathtakingly beautiful Carla was, how each fleeting glimpse drew her in deeper, like gravity pulling her toward a destiny she had never anticipated. Every time she saw her, it felt like the world faded away, leaving only the truth that her heart was irrevocably entwined with Carla’s.
———————-
Carla’s heart raced, each passing hour dragging on like an eternity as she eagerly awaited Michelle’s arrival. A flurry of emotions swirled within her, and all her previous apprehensions about opening up to her friend faded into nothingness. The urgency to share her secret consumed her, gnawing at her insides—after all, was it really so foolish to care so deeply for someone so soon? The thought of unburdening herself, of finally sharing her worries, felt like a glimmer of hope that could release her from the weight of her anxiety.
Her gaze drifted to the mountain of papers sprawled out before her, the text blurring together in a jumbled mess of numbers that mocked her concentration. She attempted to focus, willing the information to make sense as she read the same lines over and over, frustration brewing within her. Just as she felt like crumbling under the pressure, a soft knock at the door punctured the noise around her—a sound so faint it barely broke through the rhythmic hum of sewing machines and chatter from the factory floor.
She looked up, her breath catching in her throat when she saw Lisa standing there, a shadow of exhaustion clinging to her. Lisa’s eyes betrayed the sleepless night, and a knot formed in Carla’s stomach, fearing the worst—that Lisa had been called out in the dead of night again.
Realising she hadn’t answered, panic surged through her, and she sprang from her chair, flinging the door open. As Lisa entered, she quickly closed the door behind her and drew the blinds, creating a private space tinged with unspoken worry.
“Hey, darling, everything okay?” Carla greeted softly, her smile gentle but laced with concern. The weight of the world seemed to sit upon Lisa’s shoulders, and Carla’s heart ached for her.
Lisa’s mind spun in confusion. Why wasn’t Carla angry? She had expected at least some tension, a harsh word or two reflecting the feelings she had brought upon herself. But instead, she was met with a tenderness that caught her completely off guard—a beautifully soft voice laced with warmth and understanding.
The warmth overwhelmed her; words couldn’t find their way to her mouth. In an instant, the dam within her broke, and her composure crumbled. Tears streamed down her cheeks like a torrential downpour as she began to sob violently, each cry echoing the depths of her despair.
Seeing Lisa in such distress spun Carla’s heart into a whirlwind of instinctual compassion. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. The moment Lisa melted into her, Carla felt the weight of all her pain—raw, heavy, and heartbreaking. Slowly, they both sank to the ground, their bodies entwined in an embrace that felt like a lifeline amidst the chaos.
Carla refused to let go. Not now, not ever. She held Lisa tightly, wishing to shield her from the world’s cruelty, determined to let her know that she was here, always.
Carla's heart raced as she held Lisa tightly, feeling the tremors coursing through her body. In that moment, everything else faded away—the relentless hum of the factory, the endless paperwork on her desk, the nagging worries swirling in her mind about her fate and the whispers of uncertainty. All that mattered was the warmth and fragility of Lisa in her arms.
“Shh, it’s okay,” Carla whispered, pressing Lisa’s head against her shoulder. “I’m here. I’m right here.” She gently ran her fingers through Lisa's hair, offering a small semblance of comfort in the chaos.
The sound of Lisa's sobs echoed in the cramped space, raw and unrestrained—a release of pent-up emotions that had clearly been waiting for an escape. Carla wished she could take away the burdens that weighed Lisa down. Even as her heart ached for her, she felt a surge of resolve; while she could not wave a magic wand to fix everything, she could be there for her.
Moments passed, and as Lisa's tears began to subside, she finally pulled back, taking a deep breath to compose herself. She brushed her damp cheeks with the back of her hands, her eyes still red. “I’m so sorry, Carla. I didn’t mean to—”
“Stop,” Carla interrupted firmly but gently. “You don’t have to apologise. Whatever’s going on, we can face it together.” She offered a soft smile, her way of saying that despite the storm they were both caught in, there was hope.
“I thought you’d be angry,” Lisa admitted, her voice tremulous. “I thought you’d hate me after I left you at the café. I thought… maybe you’d never want to see me again.”
Carla shook her head, her heart breaking anew at the thought. “Lisa, I could never hate you. I’ve been waiting for you to walk through that door, hoping you’ll tell me what's wrong.” She hesitated for a moment, biting her lip as she gathered the courage to express her own feelings. “I’ve been worried about you.”
Lisa gazed deeply into Carla's eyes, her own shimmering with unshed tears that threatened to spill over again. “Carla,” she choked out, her voice trembling, “my heart is breaking because I can’t talk to you about this. If I could say anything, anything at all, I would have told you the moment I had the chance. All I want is… to let you in.” Overwhelmed, she felt fresh tears cascade down her cheeks.
“Sweetheart…” Carla whispered, her heart aching at the sight. She gently cupped Lisa’s face, her thumb brushing away the tears. Leaning in, she pressed a tender kiss to Lisa’s forehead, pouring all her love and reassurance into that soft touch. “I meant what I said before,” she murmured, her voice steady yet filled with warmth. “I completely understand your job, and I know you can’t share everything. I’m not at all angry that you can’t tell me. I just… I’m so worried about you. It makes me feel so helpless. Whatever burdens you're carrying with this case, I want nothing more than to take them away for you.”
Lisa's breath hitched as Carla's words washed over her like a soothing balm. The warmth of Carla's hand on her cheek anchored her amidst the storm of emotions swirling within. Looking deep into Carla’s eyes, she saw the genuine concern and love reflected back at her—an unwavering support that made her heart swell despite the heaviness weighing it down.
“Thankyou,” Lisa whispered, her voice barely above a breath, “I’ve been feeling so alone in this.” She looked away, blinking furiously to stave off another wave of tears. The walls felt like they were closing in, choking her with the burden of secrets she couldn’t share, and while she longed to be open with Carla, the fear of dragging her into the darkness kept her silent.
“But you’re not alone, love,” Carla pressed gently, urging Lisa to meet her gaze again. “You have me, and I’ll fight for you, for us. I know it must be hard for you to keep everything bottled up. Just know that I’m here, waiting with open arms whenever you’re ready to let me in. Your safety, your heart… they’re everything to me.”
With that, Lisa leaned forward, her head finding a comfortable resting place on Carla's shoulder, the rush of emotions finally relaxing into a sense of unburdened warmth. Though the uncertainty of what lay ahead lurked like shadows in the corners of her mind, for the first time, she felt hope whispering sweetly into her ear.
After a serene pause filled with the comfort of each other’s presence, Carla pulled back slightly, her eyes shimmering with a playful spark. “I have something that might cheer you up…”
Lisa looked up, a mix of confusion and curiosity illuminating her features. “What is it?”
Carla’s excitement bubbled forth. “Well… I spoke to Michelle last night, and she mentioned coming for a visit. I haven’t told her about us yet, but I really want you to meet her… but only if you’re up for it. I completely understand if it feels like too much—”
Before Carla could finish her sentence, Lisa captured her words in a tender kiss, pouring her affection into that moment. “Carla,” she breathed, her eyes sparkling with genuine delight, “I would absolutely love to meet Michelle.” The warmth in her smile radiated a sense of joy that lit up the space between them, pushing aside the lingering shadows of doubt.