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?"

the subject. "Ariana,

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

star. Let's video call, and you can help me find it," he said, sounding

today. Perhaps work wasn't going well for him.

okay?" he urged

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

up a

ng me

eam at me

Donning a black coat, he almost blended into the night. The cold

I asked

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

are you smoking

the last

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

see me

But I haven't seen you

roguish if it were Nicholas smoking, would you tell him to cut