Chapter: 139.*****Sat in the quietness of the huge living room, Maria's eyes wandered from place to place. The house seems quiet, too quiet, it almost seems haunted. Like Lina's ghost lingered within the cold walls, with dark eyes watching her from every corner, it didn't feel right. Maria let out a small sigh as she leaned back into her favorite armchair by the window. A light breeze blew past the window, ruffling a few strands of hair that had been pinned back by the ponytail. Her gaze drifted off once more, only this time it was focused on the picture frame sitting on the side table beside her. The image depicted an old woman standing under an archway, wearing a long green dress. She was smiling widely with wrinkles lining the corners of her eyes. She had one hand raised, and another held the wrist of a little girl who stood beside her. They both looked happy like they were having a great time. A perfect picture of what could easily pass as a grandmother spending a happy moment w
Chapter: 140.******She couldn't believe what she had just heard. Her heart broke into a million tiny pieces as it sunk to her stomach and felt like someone was using her intestines to strangle it. Every organ constricted like someone had put a vice around her neck and was squeezing the life out of her chest with everything they had. All other thoughts fled from her mind as her breathing grew ragged. And when they returned, they were replaced with more fear. The cold dread seeped through every corner of her body as she tried to get her legs working again. She couldn't run. Not now, not ever. Her legs might shake but her legs wouldn't move on their own. But, she had to defend herself and so she tried."How dare you speak of me like that!" Maria exclaimed, jumping to her feet in anger and stepping towards him, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.Michael shrugged indifferently. "That's the truth. I'm done playing nice with you." "I just lost our baby and this is what you do to me!
Chapter: 141.*****Michael stood with his brother holding single white roses in their hands as they stared down into the casket. His eyes welled up and he blinked rapidly to keep back the tears, but it was all too futile as the tears soon came pouring from his eyes the second he laid his rose on the casket. Matthew placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and stood there with him after he laid his own rose. After a long moment, they both stepped away and took seats in their assigned family row. Alexander between Allison, Tide, and Matthew, while Easton sat beside Michael, a few of their trusted friends, employees, business partners, and some great friends of Lina from the Homes were all present at the funeral. The priest began to read out the sermon from the Holy Book and Michael cried softly. Remembering all the times he spent with the woman, the wonderful memories they had together he knew he wouldn't forget her, not ever. As the Priest went on, Michael's vision began blurring aga
Chapter: 142.******The Ocean was cold and dark, a deep gray color that was almost black as it surrounded the Island. The sun had long since set and only a small sliver of light could be seen over the edge of the horizon. The glow from the moon danced in the wave, it looked like the moon was swimming over it, its silvery light glimmering on the wet sand, reflecting off the waves rolling in to meet it. The waves crashed violently onto the shore, brushing away their footprints as if they didn't want them there. The air smelt sharp and salty, and the wind felt cool against their skin, making them shiver despite themselves. The ocean itself gave the appearance of a silent scream, but neither man dared speak, none wanting to be the one to say the first word. Their hearts weigh heavily, their lips quivered, eyes sought comfort from around them instead of within the other. The fear of parting. Of separation, it bears strongly against their aching souls. Goodbyes can be the hardest word to
Chapter: 143.******His fingers clutched desperately at the scale-coated chest and pulled harder, pressing his own tongue into Tide's mouth, feeling the hot breath against his lips. He kissed him hungrily and greedily, desperate for more. He was kissing a god he couldn't get enough of and he wasn't letting him go, not now. Not ever. Tide wanted nothing else than to take him to bed, consume him, swallow him up as if he were the greatest delicacy in all the worlds, and devour every inch of him until he was all eaten away. Tide groaned when Alexander's moans broke the quietness of the night once again, the sounds he made drove him insane, like a restless seahorse Tide wanted to have him, so badly it provoked a thought and while Alexander remained carried away by his strong kisses Tide moved him away from the Island and into the sea, a ball of glass and water enclosed them and when Alexander felt his back touch the softest sheets he's ever laid on, his eyes snapped open and he looked aro
Chapter: 144.*****Tide lay on his bed, blinking slowly with a charming smile spread across his face. After he left Alexander in the hands of Matthew, and Atana's SoulPearl willed to him, he returned home. Aquarial remains as he left it, beautiful, and peaceful. Sea creatures moving around in every direction, Aquarial has always been so colorful, every Mer, every fish, down to their houses, high and small, all bore colors so beautiful as never seen on the Lands. But, it was late when he arrived so he went home, and slept. Tomorrow he will visit his mother first, then Neptune. And when morning came, he took care of his duties, beaming brightly as he collected spells and potions, realizing just how much he has missed his life under the Sea. But, words travel fast in Aquarial, Soulbutterfies crawling around the streets at night had seen him return and they spread the news to their owners. Tide didn't finish his spells when his mother came bargaining into his private room, yelling for h
Chapter: 145.*****Five Years Later And Graduation Day.******Alexander stared at his reflection in the mirror. The dress shirt was tucked neatly into his pants, the black tie hanging loosely around his neck. His hair was brushed neatly but not slicked back as he did most days, a few strands falling in front of his face. It made him want to run his fingers through it, tuck it behind his ear, but that wasn't happening this time. He was graduating. No matter how many times he'd practiced this in his mind, his eyes still felt glassy. This was it. Four years ago when Matthew surprised him with the news of him getting back to school, he didn't know how to react to the news. They had just settled, Tide had left, and he was starting to get close to his daughter but none of that could compare to the fact that he was getting back to school. Matthew was making his dreams come true, one at a time, his goals coming together. He took a deep breath, looking down at his watch and seeing it was 9:0
Chapter: 146.*****He didn't want to believe Matthew had left, without congratulating him, without a kiss, he didn't even wait for the ceremony to be over. Was it work? Was there an emergency? He left without any of his men. How is that even possible? Maybe he was still in the toilets. Maybe he's locked himself in. His mind went over a million and one scenarios as he ran, sprinted even, the sounds of his heels echoing in the empty halls, eyes scanning every corner and by the time he reached the men's rooms he had started walking faster than a normal human being can walk, his steps were heavy and fast. As soon as he reached the men's room he slammed the door open, startling the poor guy inside, who looked shocked at Alexander's sudden entrance but Alexander didn't seem bothered by his hateful questioning glares rather he pushed past him, running straight for the stalls and yelling for him."Baby, you in here?" He would ask with each stall he invaded. His lungs burned from lack of oxyg