Chapter 3: The irresistible plan

Moments later, Peter and I walked side by side along the roadside pathway beneath the bright blue sky. I glanced sideways at him suspiciously.

“So… what exactly did my mom whisper into your ear?” I asked curiously.

Peter instantly smirked and shoved his hands into his pockets.

“What? It’s a secret.”

A faint blush crept onto his face, making me narrow my eyes even more.

“Whatever she told you,” I said softly, “you know you don’t need to win my heart… you already have it.”

His steps slowed down . “Really?” he asked quietly. “But I’m not your boyfriend.”

“That’s because you’re my best friend.” I smiled at him. “You’ve known me longer than anybody else.”

His expression softened for a second before becoming serious again.

“Then you should trust me when I tell you someone isn’t good for you.”

I lowered my gaze and tightened my fingers around my bag strap.

“I know you never approved of Winston,” I admitted. “And this time… I think you might actually be right.”

Peter stopped abruptly.

“What did he do this time?” Concern flashed across his face. “I noticed you’ve been a bit down since morning.”

“I don’t know…” I muttered. “But I think he’s cheating on me.”

His jaw tightened immediately. “That son of a bitch.”

“I’m not sure yet,” I quickly added. “This morning, I saw texts between him and a pizza guy. It didn’t feel like he was placing an order… it felt more like they were talking in code.”

He frowned.“Did you copy the number?”

“No. I didn’t have time.”

He exhaled sharply. “Ava, I know you’re blindly in love with him, but this time use your brain. Get that number before he notices anything and changes his password.”

I breathed slowly and forced a smile. “Today’s my day off. Let’s do something really crazy.” My eyes widened at the perfect thought

He looked at me suspiciously “Sure! Why not?” Peter laughed. “But I’m still asking for that number.”

I chuckled softly, though the smile didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Of course. I promise I’ll get to the bottom of this instead of brushing it off as usual.”

My voice weakened. “Though I’m scared that maybe… I gave three years of my life to the wrong person.”

Peter looked at me quietly before gently pulling me closer to his side as we continued walking.

“Don’t worry, we must get to the bottom of this” he said softly.

An hour later, we sat inside a cozy restaurant near the hospital. The aroma of grilled chicken and spices lingered in the air while soft music played overhead. Peter sat across from me, stealing fries from my plate despite having ordered his own.

“So what’s the crazy idea you have cause you’ve been grinning.”

“Okay… I want us to go to Winston’s house tonight and hide.”

“And?…”

“And hide!”.

“And how’s that crazy?”.

“He may come in with the woman tonight. And the best way to catch him is red handed.”

“And what if he doesn’t. Why would he bring his cheating home?. If you ask me, that’s a foolish thing to do and i know he isn’t that foolish.”

“Come on, trust me on this one.”

“Okay, I have a wilder plan but let’s bet on it.”

“What do you mean?.”

“Do you think he’s cheating? Yes or no?.”

All of a sudden, I couldn’t find the words. Part of me knew he was and the other just hoped that somehow like a speck of dust in the air, I was wrong. “Maybe.” I avoided his eyes.

“No! You have to pick a definite answer.”

“Well… I believe in seeing for myself and up till today, I’ve never suspected him, so I will go with no.”

“Then.., of course I’m going with yes and if I’m right… you owe me a hot! Steamy! Make out session!” He said locking eyes with me.

I stiffened, “What?!. Why would we have to make out.”

“All you have to be is right… for our lips not to collide tonight.” He winked at me, stealing one more fries.