HappyNovelCitrine moved through the water with the grace of a mermaid-effortless, radiant, and completely at hbeneath the waves.
Behind her, Sebastian couldn't hide the awe in his eyes as he watched her glide through the blue expanse. For once, he didn't even have to try to conceal how captivated he was.
The world under the sea was dazzling. Vivid coral formations, seashells glinting in the filtered sunlight, and creatures in every color imaginable-these were sights the land could never offer.
Citrine was bubbling with excitement, eager to share her joy with someone else. When she surfaced near Sebastian, she beckoned him over with a playful wave of her hand.
He swam to her side without hesitation.
She pointed at a cluster of brilliant coral, her eyes crinkling with delight as she looked at him. In that moment, Sebastian seemed to feel her happiness as if it were his own.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThen a school of colorful fish darted by, scattering rainbows through the water. Citrine's eyes sparkled. She slipped the waterproof camera from around her neck and handed it to Sebastian, forming a picture frwith her fingers to show what she wanted.
Sebastian understood instantly and flashed her an OK sign.
With a quick smile, Citrine turned and swam toward the swirling fish, her slender form cutting gracefully through the water.
Sebastian's gaze softened, and he raised the camera to capture her-preserving that perfect, breathtaking moment forever.
In the photos, she looked ethereal: slender and delicate, weaving through the fish like a mermaid born of the deep, beautiful enough to steal the breath from his lungs.
He snapped more pictures, even switching to video to record her laughter and the way the sunlight danced on her hair.
When they'd taken enough, Citrine took the camera and insisted on getting sshots of Sebastian, too. Finally, she suggested they take a selfie together. No matter what pose she struck, Sebastian was happy to follow her lead, matching her energy, grinning for the camera.
That was when Hastings dove beneath the surface and saw them together. The way they moved so close, so natural-left no doubt. They looked just like any couple in love, sharing a world of their own.
Jealousy twisted inside Hastings, hot and sharp. Anger thudded in his chest, impossible to suppress.
He swam toward them, his temper overriding all sense. Without warning, he grabbed Sebastian and yanked him away from Citrine with a force that sent Sebastian tumbling downward, struggling to regain his balance.
Citrine's brow furrowed as she shot Hastings a withering glare-her eyes sharp as blades, making it clear how she felt, even without words.
Hastings didn't need to guess; he could sense her blame.
Trying to play it off, he gestured at Citrine: pointing off to the side, miming that there were more beautiful fish in that direction.
He'd dived in these waters before, years ago, so he knew the reefs better than anyone.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAs he spoke, he swam closer, reaching out as if to wrap an arm around her waist. Citrine instantly pulled back, her expression unmistakably resistant.
Sebastian's face darkened; anger flashed in his eyes. He swam to Citrine's side, placing himself between her and Hastings in one swift motion.
Hastings had never liked Sebastian-he was already a thorn in his side and seeing him now only fanned the flames. He lunged, trying sebastian away.
This time, Sebastian was ready. With a quick twist, he easily dodged Hastings's hand.
Citrine's expression changed as she
watched the two men squaring off.
Fighting in the ocean was dangerous-one wrong move and something terrible could happen. The last thing she needed was for either of them to get hurt because of a stupid rivalry. She quickly signaled with her hands: "Stop fighting. It's dangerous."
Hastings saw her gesture and, misreading her concern as om something for Sebastian, felt his anger spike even higher.
But for all his frustration, he could never bring himself to be Citrine.Instead.ell that Sangry with resentment turned back on Sebastian-sharper than ever.
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