Trouble in Paradise by Three Way

My mind went completely blank. I clutched my phone tightly, but I had no idea who to call.

The airport announcement snapped me back to reality. I quickly found Yasmine's number and dialed it, but all I heard was a cold, automated voice. The phone was turned off.

I rarely called Yasmine's parents. I searched my contacts for a while before remembering what names I had saved them under. The phone rang for a long time before someone finally answered.

I couldn't even greet them before I nearly broke down, asking, "Mrs. Warren, where's Yasmine?"

"Yasmine?" The person on the other end was trying to suppress a sob. "Ari, you and Yasmine have been close since you were kids. I'm begging you, please help her..."

I had met Yasmine's mother many times. She was a university professor, always calm and elegant. Her gentle smile made her very approachable. But now, she was sobbing uncontrollably over the phone. "Mrs. Warren, please don't cry. Where are you and Mr. Warren? I'll come over right away!"

I pinched my thigh hard, forcing myself to stay calm. No matter what happened, I had to take care of Yasmine's parents in her absence.

Suddenly, there was some static on the line, and the next second, it was clear someone else had taken the phone.

fine. Don't worry. We can handle

into the floor as I

still worried about your pride? Ariana can help

happened from them, I felt a wave of despair wash over me. Yasmine had attacked someone with a knife at their last academic seminar and was

she was a lawyer

break the law. Something must have happened that I didn't know about. I was sure she wouldn't have acted so recklessly unless something serious had driven

it

because Yasmine was in trouble. I checked the flight schedule and saw that I could still make it to see Pete

eased slightly. Having someone by my side would at least stop me from feeling utterly

time passed, passengers from Pete's flight began to walk out of the terminal, but I still didn't see him. I tried calling him, but

most of the

I went to the

that all the passengers had disembarked. Yet, I still

on