Trouble in Paradise

The next day, I went to the address Pete sent me. It felt like the excitement of opening a mystery box.

He had been very secretive about the details and hadn't even mentioned the style of the place, but I guessed it would be minimalistic, like most apartments.

As the housekeeper led me inside, the morning sun cast shadows on the wooden floor. It highlighted its natural texture. It turned out to have just the kind of warm, urban vibe I liked. The appliances were all in place, so I only needed to buy some soft furnishings to make it move-in ready.

I had grown accustomed to making video calls every time I talked to Pete. Putting everything else aside, seeing his fairly handsome face always improved my mood.

I told Pete roughly what I wanted to buy, and he agreed without hesitation. He insisted on setting up a shared payment feature on an app for me.

I didn't resist. Spending a little money meant nothing to him, but refusing might make him insecure. Relying on him, even just a little bit, made him happier.

He looked a bit tired but still smiled. "I'm so glad you like it. I bought it in a hurry, so I was worried you wouldn't like the finished apartment."

I was happy and fully immersed in the immense joy of starting a new life. Besides... being pampered felt wonderful! At least, life with Pete was going to be interesting. "Can I kiss you when I get there?"

I widened my eyes, helpless against his playful expression. "Then hurry up and get here. I'll be waiting!"

The person in the video grinned from ear to ear and nodded firmly. A finished apartment was convenient. It didn't need airing for formaldehyde.

I asked the housekeeper to arrange for a cleaning crew. Five cleaners worked for four hours, and finally, our small new home was spotless.

I didn't stay idle that afternoon either. I took a cab to the local furniture store, with the primary mission of shopping.

I wanted to decorate the place anew to welcome Pete. From the moment he set foot in Radiant City, our past lives would truly be behind us.

I would no longer be known as "Mrs. Hawk", but just a lawyer striving to rise from ordinary to extraordinary.

Pete would no longer be the Shelmans' privileged son. He would be an unremarkable young man with a bit of money, ready to start his own business.

The next day, I wore a simple white dress under my thick coat, letting my long hair fall over my shoulders. I knew what Pete liked, so I dressed up especially for him to pick him up at the airport.

A woman dressed up for the one she loved. I hoped he would be pleased when he saw me.

At the airport, the clear blue sky was covered in thick, dark clouds which blocked the sun. In no time,

picked up fiercely, as if a stowind

brewing.

was

A tightness gripped my heart, and a wave of unexplainable pain washed over me, Clutching my phone, doubled over and squatted on the ground, unable to stand up straight from the pain.

A passerby noticed me and kindly offered to help. "Do you need me to call an ambulance?"NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.

I shook my head, tears inexplicably streaming down my face. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Douglas.

"Ms. Jones, I've waited in Radiant City for three days, but everyone says Ms. Warren hasn't returned. Should I keep waiting or come find you?"

A sense of unease began to creep in. I had been so busy buying things for the house that I had forgotten Yasmine hadn't responded to me! Someone as gossip-loving as her wouldn't stay silent after hearing I was with Pete, right?