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?"

changed the subject. "Ariana, let's

heart 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 chat before,

and you can help me find it,"

in a sour mood today. Perhaps work wasn't

that okay?" he

wor still getting nervous over a video call

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

ng me

eam at me

black coat, he almost blended into the night. The cold breeze blew the

I asked with a

drag to the point that his cheeks hollowed out. The cigarette burned quickly,

you

the last

and then the camera angle shifted to his toes. He flicked the cigarette to the ground and extinguished it

you don't see me as a man.

true. But I haven't seen

Nicholas smoking,