Ariana couldn't recall the last time she had witnessed such a spectacle of fireworks.

Since her father's passing, she had lost touch with the beauty around her, and even her emotions had become a tangled mess.

As the call continued, the other person chuckled and shared a personal sentiment.

“Whenever I'm feeling alone, I want to watch fireworks. My mother would always distract me with them as a child. It's a shame you couldn't experience it firsthand.

The sight is far more awe-inspiring than what any video can capture."

Ariana hesitated for a moment, and then spoke up in a voice that betrayed her unease.

"I have a confession to make," she said, her eyes downcast.

"I lied to you earlier."

“What's wrong?”

Ariana's lips felt dry as she summoned the courage to speak.

"I can see Mount Bridge from where I live," she said, her tone apologetic.

"I saw the fireworks up close and personal just now."

There was a brief hush on the other end of the line, and Ariana's heart raced in apprehension. Had her lie caused anger? Her anxiety rose as she waited for a response. Yet, she could hear only the soft sound of Holden's breathing on the other end.

“Why are you not speaking?" she asked, sensing the growing gap between them because of her lie.

Finally, the man's voice came through, "I'm just contemplating."

“What are you thinking about?" Ariana inquired.

"('m thinking of ways to bridge the distance between us since you seem to be so wary of me,” he replied.

As Holden spoke with a helpless tone mixed with a few sighs, Ariana felt the situation spiraling out of control.

The ambiguity and intimacy of their conversation made her want to escape, even though Holden didn't say anything explicitly wrong.

Feeling uncomfortable, Ariana grasped at an excuse and said, "It's late; maybe we should talk about this another day if you have something on your mind. I'm going to bed now."