WATER SPLASH:MERMAID ADVENTURE

s," Mr. Garcia said, raising his gl

antly, to the contract awarded to our company,"

. The celebration took place in the Garcia home, with an elaborate dinner spread before them. The atmosphere was w

urled into fists under the tablecloth. Unlike the oth

ng gone. Her mind churned with resentment, h

ily hold dinner w

crawl. He was the very definition of arrogance-controlling, selfish, and manipulative. She despise

, there

ed to him. He looked as carefree as ever, completely unfazed by her anger. He was handsome

have been at each other's throats. Arguments, pranks, fights-there was never a moment

e wasn't frus

trolled breath, trying

n able to tolerate the Jac

d it in charm. He had blond hair and striking blue eyes, a combination that made him stand out wherever he went. The most infuriating part? His resemblance to Annalise was uncanny. T

r, and he excelled at almost everything he put his mind to. He was also an athlete, always the star of every game he play

e kne

he was a shameless playboy. Girls flocked to him, and he never failed to bask in their attention. His reputation as a spoiled rich kid was well known, and Annalise desp

believed with certainty, it wa

there was ever an example of a lousy, arrogant man, it was him. He had no regard for anyone, especially those he c

urned out the way he did. As the sa

e food on her plate, forcing herself to endure the celebration. It felt like a cruel joke, having to sit through a family dinner with pe

ng a novel, or simply enjoying the quiet, rather than sitting here wasting time in the presence of the one person who had been a thorn in her side since childhood. The ang

ersity o

in the world, he h

ing on her nerves, always finding ways to irritate her just for his amusement. Now, with them both at the same un

under her breath, clenching

r mind-one that made her lips

make her life miserable,

to make life unbear

thoughts, a familiar, smug

up her facial muscl

ensed. She knew t

s standing behind her with that infuriatingly confident smirk, hands casually tucked in

ion hardene

pleased. Not i

nalise asked, her tone

s arms over his chest as he regarded her w

s. "I think it would be

s. "Let you be?" he echoed, tilting his head

lightly. She was already angry about his presence in her

said with a shrug. "But now that we've both been admitted to the same un

ft his lips, Annalise'

He was playing dirty, poking at an o

y her middle name.

when he saw her reactio

hat you're trying to do," she said through gritted teeth. "Whatever it is tha

yes, neither

off of her in waves. And he enjoyed it. He relished the challenge, the inten

w and taunting. "You two were practically inseparable, from what I remember." He ta

ing hitched, but

ool, with each new episode more dramatic than the last. My personal favorite? The one about

entire world shatt

lently she thought she might explode. The rage consumed her, burned thro

her word-before he could continue his t

y, followed by the deafening ro

ic

palm meeting his cheek

tumbling, his vision spinning for

e room fe

s were

g and falling with heavy breaths. Sh

urning cheek. Slowly, he turned to look at her, and for th

nderesti

t

he

Garcia was not t

-

stairs, her heart pounding against her ribs. Once inside her room, she shut the door and leaned against it, strug

s thickened, and within moments, heavy raindrops be

received it," she m

her ears, burning her with rage and humiliation. She clenched her fists, trying to suppress the mixture of ange

to bring up Skye? Why now? She had worked so hard to bury the memories, to move past them. But Zayan, in

as still trying to recover from whateve

Garcia finally asked, conc

" Zayan replied weakly, ru

logize for my daughter's behavi

should be apologizing, Benjamin, not you! How can

responded, his voice laced with disappointment. "Annal

er sharp gaze on Zay

in his cheek. "Well, I simply told her the

th is that?"

person in the right position to tell you. But

ave to get going. Benjamin, I think you should talk to your daughter. I can't hide

ward the door, Zayan fo

his hands clenched at his sides. He was a man of peace-he despised conflict and anything that

. That was precisely why his mother had divorced his father and left t

Annalise had f

her temples. "I can't believe this hap

. He turned to his wife. "Katherina, let's not pretend we don'

the rain-soaked streets. His grip on the st

urself today," he m

f the window with a faraway look

f everyone. A weakling-that's what you a

ct the way she did. It wasn't just the slap-it was the fire in her eyes, the intensity of her

aindrops racing down the car window. She thinks she

-

sed his son-spoiling him, encouraging his entitled behavior, and turning him into a mirror i

s used to getting his way, used to saying whatever he wants without conse

ess, she shouldn't have let her anger control

ally put Zayan in his place. Though she didn't voice it

Kelvin was brash, selfish, and quick-tempered, Katherina was the exact opposite. She was kind-hearted, graceful, and effort

ineage. It was a family trait that never faded, passed down through generations like

e was a woman of poise, respect, and integrity. Above all, she was a devoted mother-one who, at

sharply, running a hand through his graying hair. "Kelvin indirectly told us we didn't raise our daughter well. Who does he think he is? He should focus on that ill-manne

ouble; that boy brings trouble wherever he goes. He thrives on conflict, and I don't want our daughter c

rible things. The law says to ask, and you shall receive. He

air and striking blue eyes. A quiet observer, she was known for listening more tha

was just as beautiful. However, unlike Meredith, she was mischievous, silly, rude, and often disrespectful. She a

d we talk to her?" Mr. Garcia a

t her be for tonight. Tomorrow, w

-

and walked over to her reading table. Sitting down, she pulled open her drawer and took out her diary. It had a small lock, and

caped her. But when she turned another page, her expression changed. There, tucked insi

ouldn't understand the real reason he had broken up with her. Calling her a distraction never felt like the truth

ver meet again. More importantly,

of it made her chest tighten. A tear slipped from her eye, landing on the picture she held.

, and I need you. And I'm so pissed at you. I hope you know that. I want to believe you h

e her diary, locked it, and returned it to the drawer. She climbed into be

in continued to

urned in his chest. He was furious with himself for letting it happen. For not hi

hed his

pay. He would m

that. Yet, despite everything, Zayan missed his mother. At the same time, he resented her. She had left him to endure his father's

choice but to bec