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 subject. "Ariana,

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

video call, and you can help me find it," he

sour mood today. Perhaps work wasn't going well for him. Otherwise, he wouldn't still be out

that okay?"

it was funny really-t wor still getting

a cheerful Pete, hoping that could somewhat cheer him up a bit. At bast I

ng me

eam at me

me insilence. Donning a black coat, he almost blended into the night. The cold breeze blew the thin wisps of smoke in front

I asked with

cigarette between his fingers. Bringing to his lips, he took a long drag to the point that his cheeks hollowed out. The cigarette burned quickly, and half of it was

are you

the

a puff of smoke, and then the camera angle shifted to his toes. He

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

I haven't seen you smoke before, so I

suddenly looking roguish if it were Nicholas