Rift in the perfect picture

Chapter 0240

Pete didn’t seem to be joking as he looked at me calmly. His burning gaze slowly morphed into one of anxiousness. He gulped repeatedly, seemingly waiting for my answer.

My thoughts began to swirl as I listened to his words as I remembered the past.

When we were young, I used to find Pete annoying. He had a big frame and was heavy, causing shoulders to hurt whenever he leaned his head against it.

Back then, Pete would not have purposely controlled the weight of his head like he was doing now. He also didn’t know how to be tactful, nor did he know how to look at me with such a burning gaze

His burning gaze only made my heart ache. I had just ended a relationship. How could I possibly dive head into another relationship so soon?

I

I could never be like Nicholas. I couldn’t remain indifferent to whoever my spouse would be

Not to mention, even if I were to start a new relationship, how could I possibly start dating someone I had been rivals with since a young age? Wasn’t that just asking for trouble?

But it did seem like he had changed a lot….

He noticed my hesitation, and his eyes were immediately filled with pain. Suddenly, he asked, “Do you still have feelings for Nicholas?”

“That’s not it!” I quickly denied it. “But… What I’m saying is-

“Forget it! I don’t want to hear it.” He interrupted me domineeringly.

Then, he continued, “Ari, I know I’ve joked around with you many times. But this time, I’m being painfully honest. I truly do like you and want to be with you.”

I was startled that I kept leaning back until my back was against the car door. There was nowhere else for me to go.

I always believed as someone who had gotten married once, I would be fairly experienced when dealing with relationships.

But I never thought there would be a day when that brat would confess to me in such a straightforward.

manner.

“You were still married back then, so I couldn’t cross the line. I was afraid I’d scare you off and ruin your reputation,” Pete said as his eyes suddenly turned red. He also sounded like he was choking back his sobs.

I

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know why I was apologizing, but seeing him so sad made me feel bad. It was as if ! was the cause of all his misery.

“You don’t need to apologize to me. It’s my fault for not taking the chance.” He took a deep breath.

It took him some time for him to calm down before he leaned his head back on my shoulder and said pitifully, “Let’s not talk about the past anymore. Things are different now.

I

“There won’t be any moral or ethical problems if we get together now. But if you want to reject me, you

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0240

better come up with a good reason!”

“Fine! I’ll come up with a good reason now!” But after looking into his expectant and hopeful eyes, I didn’t know how to reject himl

I went through every memory of us during our childhoods, but I just couldn’t figure out where things had gone wrong, causing him to fall for me.

Pete smiled in frustration as he said, “It’s alright. You can take your time making up an excuse. Just don’t be in a hurry to reject me.”

I was busy thinking things through and had stopped pushing him away. So, I didn’t notice the satisfied smile on his face.

Even when we reached my apartment, he refused to let me go. It was almost as if he wouldn’t let me go unless I had given him a reason. I was slightly frustrated.

“Do you really like me that much?”

I didn’t like running from my problems. If my relationship with Nicholas was considered a one–sided relationship on my part, then the fundamentals of a proper relationship should be having mutual feelings.

“I understand that you have your worries. But my feelings for you are strong enough that I want to sweep

all your concerns. I like you. My feelings have nothing to do with your family or your past.”

away

I had to admit that Pete’s words were convincing and reassuring, but I kept feeling like there was too big of a difference between Pete and the boy I once knew.

Although I was feeling conflicted, I couldn’t help but feel a warm feeling in my heart. Weren’t the feelings Pete said he had for me just so happened to be feelings I had and believed in?

However, I had experienced being in a relationship with such feelings, and it did not end well.

“I don’t know if I like you.”

How would I be any different than Nicholas reluctantly being with me if I got into a relationship with Pete without understanding my own feelings? I did not want to be someone who would hurt him.

Suddenly, he turned his body toward me and cupped my cheeks with both hands. His eyes shone brightly, and the emotions in his eyes were captivating.

“Kiss me. I don’t believe you don’t have the slightest bit of feelings for me.”

I felt my heart skip a beat, and I couldn’t bring myself to look him in his eyes. My thoughts were a mess as my mouth went dry. As his lips inched closer to mine, a bright car light shone right at us, blinding us.