Trouble in Paradise

I could see the moon over Pete's head and a very bright star beside it, but he couldn't see them.

In a voice filled with disappointment, he asked, "In your heart, he... we always been just two separate individuals? Have you never thought about relying on me?"

I felt a bit angry. Pete was speaking to me in a passive aggressive tone, which was unusual for him.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

Being with Pete was supposed to be when I felt the most relaxed and at ease, but now he was making me feel exhausted.

"I don't see anything wrong with being independent. I'm not a teenage girl anymore. I want to be capable of standing on my own."

"But why wouldn't you tell me when you're hurt?"

Instinctively, I reached up to touch my neck. The scarf was tied securely- how did he know? I couldn't see Pete's face, only hear his voice through the white smoke rising steadily into the sky.

'I'm fine. Just turn the camera around. This has nothing to do with you. It's not your fault."

"How can it have nothing to do with me? You're Ariana, the woman I've loved for so many years!

"Ariana, that's exactly what's bothering me. Don't you understand? I wish you'd tell me things first so that we can share your joy and your pain. I want you to stand behind me and let me support you. I'm trying to earn my father's approval so you can live comfortably in my family, but if they treat you like this, how can I bring you home? We can live our lives on our own-we don't need their blessing. "I refuse to believe I can't make a name for myself. Do I really have to inheritAll content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

gepared to you. They really don't

quity for mot taking care of you

Pete let out a bimer laugh. "It was Nicholas who told me about this

nomic is that? Hearing it from anyone else would've been better than hearing thom him. But he's right-this is something I need to handle

I

was taken aback didn't tell him. What did he say to you?**

't doesn't matter. I make sure you getthe explanation you deserve. Screw the damn mission, I'm done with it Once I sort this out, I'll come find your

His voice was hoarse. "When this is al over, let's be together."

His sudden confession caught me

off guard, but it wasn't entirely unexpected. Over the years, whether jokingly or seriously, I had heard him say it many times.

1 don't want you to have too many conflicts with your family because of me If you're feeling down just come see me. I'm on a business trip too- consider it a break."

Pete sneered. "From the moment Marcus hurt you, they were no longer my

This was not the outcome I wanted to see, but I didn't know how to talk him out of it. We remained silent.

He seemed oblivious to the disapproval in my eyes and simply smiled at

1. e. "Go back inside, it's cold out there

I could only nod. But for some reason, an uneasy feeling settled in my heart. It felt as if this was the last time I would ever see him

I gazed intently at Pete on the screen. Unaware of my thoughts, he simply smiled and said, "You hang up first."

Those simple words suppressed all my unease.

Jused to think that the "who hangs

up first games couples played weren't for me and him. But after today's conversation, I realized that some of our unspoken promises weren't much different from those of a couple. I couldn't

let him down again.

After a few rounds of

back-and-forth, I frally hung up

first. The thought of seeing hinnet

in a

few days filled me with anticipation, even though i med to deny it

I thought for a moment before sending Nicholas a message. Pere and are together now. Let's not see each other anymore. It wouldn't be fair to mm.