Trouble in Paradise by Three Way

Chapter 0297

treet's

The tension in the air seemed to dissipate when I saw Pete's name Telling Douglas to return to the hotel first, I answered Pete's call under: neon lights.

"Ariana." Pete's gentle voice came through the receiver.

"What made you think of calling me? Aren't you busy?" I asked, smiling.

"Yeah, but I missed you."

A smile spread across my face. Glancing up at the moon, I asked, "Are you

at home or out?"

Pete paused for two seconds before he replied, "I'm out, but I'm on my way back."

"There's a full moon tonight. Look up now, and it'll seem like we're looking at the moon together."

Pete chuckled, but he didn't respond. Just then, I caught a soft sigh escaping his lips. As I sensed something was off, my smile waned. His silence was a stark contrast to his usual boisterous self. Trying to keep things light, I probed, "There's a really bright star next to the moon. Can you see it?"

Pete quickly changed the

like an intimate gesture reserved for romantic partners. I had never video-called a man just for

and you can help

to be in a sour mood today. Perhaps work wasn't going well

okay?"

was funny really-t wor still getting nervous over a video call when I was

Pete, hoping that could somewhat cheer him up a bit. At bast I could make h and greet me

ng me

eam at me

the night. The cold breeze blew the thin wisps of smoke in front of him

I asked with a

to the point that his cheeks hollowed out. The cigarette burned quickly, and half of

are you smoking so

is the

to his toes. He flicked the cigarette to

see me as a man. Isn't smoking normal?" he

I haven't seen you smoke before, so I was a bit surprised.

Nicholas smoking, would