Chapter 23

Freedom. A word that could label a country as such when it comes to a lot of things. Most people take it for granted, not knowing how much it will affect them before it disappears. Usually, the freedom could be anything that's not a burden to one both physically, mentally and spiritually.

For someone like Mira, this freedom came with a price.

After the trial, her mother, grandfather and grandmother were arrested for the damage they have done to her and her siblings. Her father had full custody of all of them, but have made a decision to fly back to his parents' home in the city of Kuala Lumpur with her brothers. Her sisters, Farah and Ayu were sending her several messages regarding their mother and how could all of this happened. As for her university life, she received an email from the Dean about how she will receive support and access to wellbeing when she comes back for free since she's still a student. However, she needs to prove herself if she wants to forge a future for herself without those familial restraints.

In other words: everything's a crashing wave.

Right now, Mira was floating on her back, eyes protected by her sunglasses as she was carried across the sea. She needed to get away from the family chaos and focus on the now. It was a challenge since she was used to planning ahead and thinking about the past that might affect what will come.

Sighing to herself, she dipped herself into the cool seawater to perform a little swim. There were a few fish she could see underwater, but it was better to have a pair of goggles. It-

She felt a slight bump against her feet. Feeling it, she knew the sandpaper texture anywhere and swam to the side to let the figure emerge. Mr. Shark's head bobbed out of the water, giving her a fuzzy feeling despite the cold water.

"How are you holding up?" he asked her gently. Mira swam close to wrap her arms around his chubby frame and in return, got herself a bear hug- well, shark hug to be exact!

"Okay," she replied, her voice sounding hollow as she buried her into Shark's sandpaper skin. Despite its rough texture, it felt nice against her smooth skin. "I still can't believe Mama's gone. Is it wrong if I missed her after everything she's done to me? Does that make me terrible?"

To her surprise, Mr. Shark began to lift her in his strong fins and cradled her as if she were a child. If it were her in the past, she would be admonished to grow up and just look pretty. Despite being chastised for having short hair, she kept it as a way to maintain a part of herself instead of her mother and grandparents using her as their dress-up doll.

"No, baby, no," Shark shook his head and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. It heated up Mira's cheeks at how affectionate he was. "You needed a mom. You, Rani and all of your sibs do. Everyone deserves parents, but not every parent deserves kids."

How true that was.

Mira sighed and leans her head into his chest as he carried her to shore. Settling her down on the sand, she looked up at him with those soft eyes that held so much emotion. She tried to blink back the tears. "Still...it feels like I've let everyone in the family down and I-"

Mr. Shark pressed a fin to her lips to silence her. "Mira, don't think about what they say. For now, focus on where you are and what's happening now. So, where are we?"

"The beach," Mira answered. With a warm smile, Mr. Shark traced the sand and drew a cute fish. "Okay, and did you see any fish while swimming in the sea?"

This caused the young woman to giggle and drew another fish next to his. She wasn't artistic by any means, but she knows the shape at least. "A few rockfish, a big halibut and Shovelnose guitarfish. My goggles could only see that much. Did you know that the guitarfish is related to rays despite having the same body like a shark?"

"Really? I thought they're just good with guitars, judging by the name," said Mr. Shark, smiling. Mira's face was flushed as she pushed some strands of her wet hair back. "S-sorry...I sometimes get carried away with my fish facts. I hope I'm not boring you."

"No! I love your fish facts." Mr. Shark took her hands in his grey fins. "I might learn something new about the place I used to live in. Though, dolphins irked me the wrong way, not gonna lie. I hope it's not too late to learn things when you're at an age where you must know everything."

"You never stop learning," Mira replied, her hands cupping his fact. "In fact, it's cute that you want to know about the world under the sea."

This caused the great white to chuckle. Most people found her facts on marine life a bit boring while her family usually dismissed them. That was until she reconnected with Rani and eventually the Bad Guys. Especially Shark and Piranha.

Speaking of Mr. Piranha, he still hung out with her and Shark if they decided to have a get-together. Sure he was a bit sad, but that doesn't mean he should stop being friends with Mira and his longtime Fin Bro. Too bad he couldn't join them for a swim since he was assigned on a mission with Mr. Snake.

Absentmindedly, Mira began to trace the heart tattoo on the great white shark's left bicep. It was a heart with the word 'MOM' written in the centre. It's sandy to the touch and she wanted to do more than just cuddle on the beach.

Silence between them with the crashing waves as background music. Mira gazed up at him with those soft brown eyes, as if waiting. Mr. Shark touched her cheek, while she leans into his touch, eyes fluttering.

"Don't hate me," said Shark, voice hoarse, "but I'm gonna do something stupid."

And then he brought her mouth to his and kissed her. It was a gentle, sweet kiss as he was minding his sharp teeth.

Heat lit Mira's body, and that's when he pulled away, peering into her with a concern expression. His worries made the young woman bite back a smile at how adorable he was.

"What?" he asked.

"I'm still waiting for you to do something stupid," she replied, as if her body wasn't heated enough from the kiss she's been waiting for.

Mr. Shark smiled, and Mira pulled him close to her, kissing him hungrily. She doesn't know when she had the guts to do that, but spending time with Shark, the Bad Guys and her sister gave her strength. He cupped her face in his fin, deepening the kiss as she gasped against his mouth.

She angled her body and, in one motion, he sat up and settled her on top of him. Her thighs straddled his waist, letting him do what they had both longed to do then.

When Shark kissed her again, each motion charged with longing. She pressed closer and felt a pool of desire below her belly while a low groan was emitted from the great white. His dorsal fin was wagging rapidly the more they made out.

He moved his fins into her hair, playing with the short strands, and then gently pull her head back so that he could kiss her bare throat. Making a desperate sound, she involuntarily arched her back as he moved lower, kissing her collarbone, sucking her skin.

Who knew this gentle giant had a wild side!

She grabbed his face and pulled his mouth up to hers again, all teeth and tongue, and he moved his fins down her body, settling on the perfect curve of her waist.

Her hands roamed over his grey body, her hands settling on his white underbelly. This made Shark gently push her onto her back, covering her body with his as they kissed and kissed.

For a moment, Mira was lost in the seas of pleasure.

...

Meanwhile, in prison, shouts were heard from a shrilled woman who looked madder than a March hare. But that would have been an insult to hares, wouldn't it?

"LIES! ALL OF THEM LIES!" she shrieked, echoing the cells. Prison guards ignored her and some even wore noise-cancelling headphones to tune her out as they carried out their job. However at the far end of the corridor, one of the prisoners was as cool as a cucumber.

He was confident in getting himself out.

Age was just a number to him and with the last savings he had stashed under the mattress, he hoped to have a lighter sentence along with his family.

"You think you can cage me that easily?" he mumbled to himself. "I will find you, my precious doll. And I will not let you go."

You know, some horrible people in prison do have connections inside and outside of their cell walls. But, since this story has a happy ending, I have plans for them.

Oh yeah, interesting plans~