Friend's Concerns

The morning sun streamed through the windows of Charlotte's Sweet Dreams, casting a warm glow over the pastel-colored interior. Sophie sat at her usual corner table, absently stirring her third cup of coffee while staring at her laptop screen. She'd been there since the café opened, ostensibly working on her fashion blog, but her mind kept drifting to her roommate and the growing concerns that had been eating at her for weeks.

"Another refill?" asked Marcus, one of Charlotte's part-time employees, approaching with a steaming pot.

"Please," Sophie said gratefully, though she was already jittery from too much caffeine. "And maybe one of those chocolate croissants. I have a feeling it's going to be a long day."

As Marcus retreated to get her order, Sophie's phone buzzed with a text from Lena: "Staying at William's tonight. Don't wait up! 😘"

Sophie frowned at the message. This was the fourth night this week that Lena had spent at William's apartment. While she was happy that her friend was in love, the frequency of these sleepovers was beginning to worry her. Lena was becoming increasingly unavailable, and when she was around, she seemed different somehow.

"You look like you're trying to solve the world's problems," came a familiar voice.

Sophie looked up to see Jason Rivera sliding into the seat across from her. The computer science major's usually cheerful demeanor was subdued, and there were dark circles under his eyes.

"Jason," Sophie said with genuine warmth. "I haven't seen you in ages. How are you?"

"Been better," he admitted, running a hand through his dark hair. "Actually, I was hoping I might run into you here. I wanted to ask you about Lena."

Sophie's attention sharpened. "What about her?"

"When's the last time you actually talked to her? I mean, really talked to her, not just exchanged texts?"

Sophie considered the question. "It's been... a while, actually. She's been spending most of her time with William."

"That's what I was afraid of," Jason said grimly. "Sophie, I think something's wrong."

"What do you mean?"

Jason glanced around the café, as if checking to make sure they wouldn't be overheard. "I tried to talk to her yesterday after our criminology class. She seemed... different. Distant. And when I asked her about having coffee sometime, she said she'd have to check with William first."

"Check with him?" Sophie repeated, alarm bells going off in her head.

"That's what I said. When I asked her why she needed his permission, she got defensive and said it wasn't permission, just that she wanted to make sure it didn't conflict with their plans."

Sophie set down her coffee cup with a sharp clink. "That doesn't sound like Lena at all."

"No, it doesn't," Jason agreed. "And there's something else. I was walking past the art building last week, and I saw them together. William was... I don't know how to describe it. He had his hands on her shoulders, and he was talking to her really intensely. She looked upset."

"Upset how?"

"Like she was about to cry. And when she saw me watching, she immediately put on this fake smile and waved. But William..." Jason shook his head. "He stared at me for a long time. Not friendly. More like he was memorizing my face."

Sophie felt a chill run down her spine. "Did you talk to her about it?"

"I tried to, but she brushed it off. Said they were just having a passionate discussion about art or something." Jason leaned forward, his expression serious. "Sophie, I don't think she's happy. I think she's just pretending to be."

Before Sophie could respond, her phone rang. Lena's name appeared on the screen.

"Speak of the devil," Sophie muttered, answering the call. "Hey, Lena. What's up?"

"Sophie!" Lena's voice was bright, perhaps too bright. "I was wondering if you could do me a favor."

"Of course. What do you need?"

"William and I are going to that new gallery opening tonight, and I want to look perfect. Could you come help me pick out an outfit? You know I trust your fashion sense more than anyone."

Sophie exchanged a look with Jason, who had clearly heard the conversation. "Sure, I'd love to. When should I come over?"

"Actually, I'm at William's apartment. Could you meet me here? I brought a bunch of options, but I'm having trouble deciding."

"William's apartment?" Sophie repeated, surprised. "Lena, I don't even know where that is."

"Oh, right. I'll text you the address. It's in SoHo, in this amazing loft building."

After ending the call, Sophie stared at her phone. "She's been spending so much time there that she forgot I don't know where it is."

"This is getting weirder by the minute," Jason said. "Want me to come with you?"

"I don't think that's a good idea," Sophie said, though she appreciated the offer. "If there really is something wrong, I don't want to make it worse by bringing someone William might see as a threat."

"A threat? Sophie, listen to yourself. You're talking about your roommate's boyfriend like he's some kind of criminal."

"Maybe he is," Sophie said quietly. "Jason, I've been doing some research on William Langston."

"What kind of research?"

Sophie opened her laptop and turned it toward him. "I started with social media, but his online presence is weird. All of his accounts only go back about three years, and before that, nothing. No high school friends tagging him in old photos, no family pictures, no embarrassing college posts. It's like he didn't exist before 2021."

Jason studied the screen, scrolling through William's carefully curated Instagram and Facebook profiles. "Maybe he's just private. Some people don't like having their whole lives online."

"That's what I thought at first," Sophie said. "But then I started looking deeper. I have a friend who works in digital forensics, and she helped me run some searches. William's academic records are clean, but they're also remarkably sparse. No extracurricular activities, no professors who remember him particularly well, no close friends from his program."

"So he's a loner. That's not necessarily sinister."

"But it's weird, right? Especially for someone who's so charming and socially adept now." Sophie pulled up another tab. "And look at this. I found some news articles about missing persons cases over the past few years. All young women, all college students, all last seen with mysterious boyfriends who perfectly matched their types."

Jason leaned in closer, his expression growing serious as he read. "Sophie, this is..."

"Circumstantial at best, I know," Sophie interrupted. "But the pattern is there. And in every case, the boyfriend disappeared after the girl went missing. No trace, no forwarding address, nothing."

"Have you shown this to Lena?"

"I tried, but she won't listen. She thinks I'm jealous or that I'm trying to sabotage her relationship." Sophie closed the laptop with a frustrated sigh. "Maybe I am being paranoid. Maybe I'm just a terrible friend who can't stand seeing her roommate happy."

"No," Jason said firmly. "You're a good friend who's worried about someone you care about. That's not paranoia, that's love."

Sophie felt tears prick her eyes. "I don't know what to do, Jason. I feel like I'm losing her, and I don't know how to save her."

"We'll figure it out," Jason said, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. "But first, you should go to that apartment. See what you can observe, and maybe try to have a real conversation with her. Without William around, if possible."

"And if he doesn't leave us alone?"

"Then we'll know we're right to be worried."

An hour later, Sophie stood in front of an impressive loft building in SoHo, checking the address on her phone for the third time. The building was the kind of place she'd featured on her blog numerous times – all exposed brick and industrial chic – but it was also expensive. Very expensive.

She wondered how a graduate student could afford to live in such a place, but she pushed the thought aside as she was buzzed up to the eighth floor.

When the elevator doors opened, she found herself in a private foyer with only one apartment door. Before she could knock, the door swung open to reveal William himself.

"Sophie," he said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "How lovely to see you."

"Hi, William," she replied, trying to keep her voice neutral. "Thank you for having me over."

"Of course. Lena's been looking forward to your visit." He stepped aside to let her in, and Sophie gasped despite herself.

The apartment was stunning. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city, and the space was filled with expensive furniture and artwork. But what struck Sophie most was how perfectly clean and organized everything was. It looked more like a magazine spread than a place where people actually lived.

"This is incredible," she said, genuinely impressed despite her reservations.

"Thank you," William said, closing the door behind her. "I believe one's living space should reflect one's inner state. Order and beauty are essential for peace of mind."

"Sophie!" Lena appeared from what must have been the bedroom, wearing a simple black dress that Sophie had never seen before. "I'm so glad you're here. What do you think of this place? Isn't it amazing?"

"It's beautiful," Sophie said, hugging her friend. As she did, she noticed that Lena had lost weight. Her usually healthy curves were more pronounced, and her face looked slightly gaunt. "Are you feeling okay? You look thin."

"I'm fine," Lena said quickly, but Sophie noticed her glance toward William. "I've just been eating healthier. William's been helping me make better food choices."

"Better food choices?" Sophie repeated, alarm bells ringing in her head.

"Nothing dramatic," William interjected smoothly. "Just encouraging her to eat more nutritiously. She was living on coffee and vending machine snacks."

"That's not really true," Lena said, but her voice lacked conviction.

"Isn't it?" William asked gently. "Darling, you know I'm only looking out for your health."

Sophie watched the exchange with growing unease. There was something about the way William spoke to Lena, something that seemed controlling despite his caring words.

"Well," Sophie said brightly, "let's see these outfit options you wanted help with."

For the next hour, Sophie watched as Lena tried on different outfits, each one seemingly requiring William's approval. When Lena emerged from the bedroom in a vibrant red dress that complemented her skin tone beautifully, Sophie immediately said, "That's the one. You look gorgeous."

But William frowned. "I'm not sure about the color. It's very... attention-grabbing."

"That's the point," Sophie said, confused. "She looks amazing."

"She always looks amazing," William said, "but I prefer her in softer colors. They suit her personality better."

Sophie watched as Lena's face fell slightly. "Maybe the blue dress would be better," Lena said quietly.

"The blue dress washes you out," Sophie protested. "The red is perfect for a gallery opening."

"I think William's right," Lena said, but she wouldn't meet Sophie's eyes. "The blue is more appropriate."

As Lena disappeared back into the bedroom, Sophie found herself alone with William for the first time. The silence stretched between them, and she could feel his eyes on her.

"You disapprove of me," he said suddenly.

Sophie was startled by his directness. "I don't know you well enough to disapprove of you."

"But you disapprove of my relationship with Lena," he continued, his voice still pleasant but somehow menacing. "You think I'm not good enough for her."

"I think Lena should be with someone who encourages her to be herself," Sophie said carefully.

"And you don't think I do that?"

"I think you have very specific ideas about who she should be."

William's smile never wavered, but his eyes grew cold. "I love Lena exactly as she is. But love also means wanting the best for someone, don't you think? Sometimes that means helping them make better choices."

"Better according to whom?"

"According to someone who cares about her wellbeing more than anyone else in the world."

The possessiveness in his voice made Sophie's skin crawl. "What about her friends? Her family? We care about her too."

"Do you?" William asked, tilting his head slightly. "Because from where I'm standing, it seems like you're more interested in undermining her happiness than supporting it."

"That's not true."

"Isn't it? You've been asking questions about me, haven't you? Digging into my background, trying to find dirt."

Sophie felt her heart rate spike. How did he know about her research?

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, but her voice sounded weak even to her own ears.

"I know everything that goes on in Lena's life," William said quietly. "She tells me everything. Every conversation, every concern, every doubt that people like you try to plant in her head."

"People like me?"

"People who are jealous of what we have. People who can't stand to see her happy."

Before Sophie could respond, Lena emerged from the bedroom wearing the blue dress. She looked beautiful, but subdued, like a dimmed version of herself.

"Perfect," William said, his demeanor immediately shifting back to charming and affectionate. "You look absolutely perfect, darling."

"Thanks," Lena said, but she looked at Sophie uncertainly. "What do you think?"

Sophie looked at her friend – really looked at her – and saw the truth. Lena was asking for more than just fashion advice. She was asking for permission to be herself, asking if it was okay to want to wear the red dress, asking if Sophie thought she was making the right choices.

"I think," Sophie said carefully, "that you should wear whatever makes you feel confident and beautiful."

"The blue dress makes me feel elegant," Lena said, but there was a question in her voice.

"Then that's what you should wear," Sophie said, though it broke her heart to say it.

As they prepared to leave for the gallery opening, Sophie felt a sense of defeat. She'd come hoping to reconnect with her friend, but instead, she'd witnessed something that chilled her to the bone. Lena was disappearing, piece by piece, and Sophie didn't know how to stop it.

"I should go," Sophie said, gathering her things.

"You could come to the gallery with us," Lena offered, but Sophie could see the relief in William's eyes when she shook her head.

"I have plans," Sophie lied. "But have fun. And Lena? Call me tomorrow? Maybe we could have lunch, just the two of us?"

"I'd like that," Lena said, but again, Sophie noticed her glance toward William.

"Of course," William said smoothly. "Though I think we might be pretty tired after tonight. Rain check?"

Sophie felt tears of frustration building. "Sure. Rain check."

As she waited for the elevator, Sophie could hear William's voice through the door, though she couldn't make out the words. Whatever he was saying, it made Lena laugh, but the sound was hollow.

On the ride down, Sophie made a decision. She was going to call Sebastian Ellison. If anyone could help her save Lena, it would be someone with legal expertise and the resources to investigate William properly.

She only hoped it wouldn't be too late.