Meridia looked at Gabriel and asked softly,
"But which hotel are we staying at?"
"Hotel Arts Barcelona," Gabriel replied.
"Alright," she said with a small smile.
Just then, Luca walked toward them. He noticed Briar—Gabriel's ex—standing nearby with Gabriel and Meridia. With a sharp edge of attitude, he smirked.
"Hey, my favorite couple."
"Aww, thank you," Meridia replied warmly.
"Looking at you two, it feels like you're going somewhere," Luca added.
"Yes, we are," Gabriel said calmly.
"Why not stay for dinner? Where are you heading anyway?"
"Hotel Arts Barcelona."
"Why?" Luca asked.
Meridia gently held Gabriel's hand.
"Gabriel just surprised me," she said.
"Oh, I get it now," Luca laughed lightly. "You two are taking your generation a step forward."
"You can think of it that way," Gabriel replied.
"Alright then—enjoy your day. All the best."
"Thank you," Meridia said.
They left the hall and soon reached Hotel Arts Barcelona. After entering their room, Gabriel said gently,
"You should take a shower. You look tired."
"Yes, but where are you going?" Meridia asked.
"I'll walk around downstairs for a while."
"No," she smiled. "You shower first."
She handed him a towel.
"Here."
"Alright, as you say," Gabriel agreed.
While Gabriel showered, Meridia stood on the balcony, enjoying the breeze and the calm view. Soon, Gabriel stepped out.
"Wow," Meridia teased, "that was quick."
"I just needed to wash off the tiredness, not do skincare," he joked.
Meridia went inside to shower, and Gabriel decided to go downstairs. But suddenly, a thought struck him—Did I lock the room properly? Meridia is alone.
Panicking, he ran back upstairs. The wind had pushed the room door slightly open. His heart raced.
"Meridia! Meridia!" he shouted.
The bathroom door was half open. For a terrifying second, he thought someone had taken her away. He rushed inside and opened the door—
—and what he saw froze him completely.
Meridia's skin shimmered like pearls under water. Her eyes glowed with glittering colors, no longer human. Her hair shone brighter than before, and behind her was a beautiful, iridescent tail.
She was a mermaid.
Gabriel collapsed to the floor, clutching his chest as shock struck his heart.
"I'm sorry," Meridia whispered softly. "I never told you—"
Before she could say more, Gabriel ran out of the room in fear and confusion. He stumbled outside the hotel and fell to the ground.
People gathered around him, unaware that in that single moment, Gabriel's world had changed forever.