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?"

quickly changed the subject.

skipped a beat. Video call? That seemed like an intimate gesture reserved for romantic partners. I had never video-called a man just for a

see the star. Let's video call, and you can help

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

okay?" he

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

him up a bit. At

ng me

eam at me

into the night. The cold breeze blew the thin wisps of smoke

I

the point that his cheeks hollowed out. The cigarette burned quickly, and half of it was gone in one püff en

you smoking so

is the last

to his toes. He flicked the

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

a moment. "That's true. But I haven't seen you smoke before,

suddenly looking roguish if it were Nicholas