Trouble in Paradise



I grabbed Pete's hand. "No. It's not that I wanted to avoid you. Maybe... Maybe I'm just not used to it yet. How about we try again?"

I tilted my face up slightly and closed my eyes. This time, I was sure I wouldn't back away.

But Pete didn't kiss me. Instead, he playfully ruffled the hair he had just smoothed, and I heard his soft chuckle in my ear.

"Stop being so adorable. I'm not exactly a gentleman, you know. If you keep this up, I might not want to let go."

"..." Just as I was about to speak, Pete pressed his finger gently against my lips.

"I'm really happy to hear you say that today. But, Ari, I only want you to be happy."

"Being with you makes me happy. Over the past three years, it's impossible to say I've never hesitated because of you.

"But I always feel like our feelings aren't equal, and I don't want to let you down. I don't know what kind of choice would be fair to you. I want you to be happy too."Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

My voice trembled as I spoke, and I could feel my throat tighten. "From now on, I will stop viewing you as my brother."

Pete smiled at me, tender and affectionate. He shook his head.

"Wanting you to be happy is more important than us being together. Don't rush into this. Think it over carefully before you say anything else to me."

His large hand, which had been stroking my hair, trembled as he spoke. It seemed he was summoning all his resolve.

"Have you ever thought that maybe, over these past three years, Nicholas had his reasons for staying away from you and Tabitha?"

"Pete, what do you mean?" I looked at him, puzzled.

Pete gave a bitter smile, raising his hand to cover my eyes. 'Don't look at me like that. I don't want to regret saying this."

My lashes brushed against his palm as I blinked. It tickled him, but he didn't pull away.

His voice was low and steady as he continued, "I don't want to defend Nicholas because he really did hurt me, and I'll never forgive him for that. But, Ari, I don't want to see you suffer, so I'm leaving the choice up to you.

"If you want to give him another chance, go and hear what he has to say. I think he would be more than willing to share his side of the story. But if you've thought it through and decided that I'm someone you could trust for the rest of your life, then come find me abroad.

"And remember, Ari, I'll wait for you until the day you get married. If that day comes, I'll personally walk you down the aisle with all the love and pride. I'll always be your family."

"Pete, what are you talking about?'

After everything that had happened between Nicholas and me, how could there be any reason that justified it all? Could there have been an excuse for everything?

Just a few days ago, I had seen him making out with Claudia. Did he have an excuse for that too?

Pete gently pushed me out of the car. As the engine started, he muttered, "I really, really love you, Ari. Do you understand? Will we ever meet again?"

I stood there for a long time, watching his car until it disappeared.

Just as I was about to turn around and go home, a voice suddenly called out to me.

"Ariana!"

Then, Nicholas emerged from the shadows.

He had no idea how long he had been following us. It felt like an eternity from the moment I got into Pete's car. Only when he saw me step out did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Did you two have a fight, or is it over for good?"