Trouble in Paradise

I did not know what I was hesitating for I had always been brave to admit my feelings. Though I would admit that I loved Nicholas for so many years. I was unsure if I could claim that I could love someone now. 1 sighed. "Give me a little more time."

Pete hugged me tightly. "I guess I was too hasty." He let go of me after saying that.

Looking down, he could not hide the disappointment in his eyes. His fingers traced the hotel door as he asked softly, "Can I stay tonight?"

I looked up at him in surprise, "Hm?"

"I mean, I can sleep on the couch. If not, I'd have to come back tomorrow to see you off."

"Oh. I can go by myself. You should go home and rest.

"Okay." He put his hands in his pockets and answered me softly.

He stood by the door. If I just pushed it lightly or said, "You can go now", he would probably listen and leave. But seeing his somewhat dejected look, I could not bring myself to say it.

He did not say anything more, but he still had a sad look on his face. Today was his birthday. My visit did not seem to have brought him any joy, but rather disappointment.

"I'm leaving." Upon hearing no response from me, he turned to go after saying goodbye.

His retreating figure looked so lonely. It was making me feel even more guilty. At that moment, I did not know what I was thinking when I blurted out, "You can stay."

In the quiet night, he tossed and turned uncomfortably on the couch outside the bedroom as he was too tall to fit. Hearing the racket he was making, I could not sleep either.

He asked carefully, "Can I come in and sleep on the floor? It's cold out here, and the couch is uncomfortable, I can't even stretch my legs."

The bedroom door opened a little with his hands on the edge. As his fluffy. head appeared, his big white teeth were particularly noticeable in the dark.

"Ari, it's really uncomfortable and hard to sleep."

He held up three fingers as if he was swearing something to me. His pleading look was so adorable.

I had no choice but to sit up while hugging my blanket. "You can sleep in here. I can sleep on the couch."

"How could allow that?" Pete

suddenly put on a serious face. " can't let your suffer. I'll sleep outside then I'm a man, so it's no big deal if

I don't sleep for one night.

"Even though I have business tomorrow, I can catch up on sleep after your leave. I probably won't make any mistakes just because I'm too tired..."

He sounded helpless. For a moment, I felt incredibly inconsiderate. "Alright, alright. Come in and turn on the light. Lay out a blanket."

"Cover your eyes with your hand first. The light might hurt your eyes."

"Okay." I obediently covered my eyes.

When I opened them again, Pete was in front of me. His alluring eyes blinked. "I knew you wouldn't let me have a poor night's sleep. You're not. that cold-hearted."

"La la la, I'm not listening to your sweet talk." No matter what Pete said, it was all just sweet talk to me. I would not believe a word.

He took a blanket from the bed and laid it on the floor. After turning off the lights, the room was filled with the sound of his breathing.

I used to be good at detecting

sounds at night. Nicholas rarely

came home So whenever I suddenly heard an extra set of breathing. beside me, I could pretend to be asleep and roll into his armso

swnovel.n

Now, the man breathing in the same space as the had become someone

Even after entering the room, Pete still gould not mettle down. He wrapped himself in the sheet as he tossed and red on the floor

His restlessness kept me awake too propped up my head and asked, Can't you just sleep?

His body stiffened, and he turned to meet my gaze. "An can but you whileContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!