I was just saying this… I have a cat named Captain Stubing, and he’s very stealthy. Many times a week at feeding time, my wife or I scour the house and say, with exasperation, “can’t find Captain.”
I know how you feel, OP. It’s very frustrating.
Occasionally he’s behind the couch, atop the subwoofer. But sometimes you just have to wait until he’s hungry enough and comes to you.
He’ll turn up.