Inside an hotel room, Ssy on the bed with Alex jumping around on it.


    "Big brother, why do you lie down on the bed like someone who''s dying?" Alex asked when he saw how Ss was sprawled on the bed.


    "That''s because my social battery drains rapidly when I''m around too much people." Ss said feeling very exasperated.


    "Are you that''s the reason or it''s because of what happened at the lobby?" Alex asked as he jumping and sat beside Ss.


    "No, it''s not because of that." Ss replied as he turned his head to the other side.


    "Hehehe. Why are you turning your face away if that''s the case?" Alex asked and started shaking Ss'' body.


    "Ughhh.... Stop it."


    "Hehehe." Alexughed as he started jumping around on the bed again.


    "I wonder why you''re so excited?" Ss asked as he got up from the bed.


    "Because we are on a family vacation!"


    Ss shook his head when he heard this. He of course was also excited about the family vacation but the incident that happened at the lobby drained all of his excitement.


    What actually happened at the lobby? It started when a group of youngdies tried to approach Ss and his family, and his security guards came out of nowhere and blocked them.


    Ss didn''t know how to exin the situation about the security guards to his family and he could only tell that them he would exinter.


    As for the group of youngdies. Well, Ss left them standing where they were. There was no need for him to pay any attention to them as he doesn''t need them. Besides, he''s trying to create something with Chloe.


    "Ss, are you in there?" Ss heard a voice at the door.


    "Yes."


    "Ok, your dad and I are waiting. We''re ready to leave."


    "Ok, we''reing," Ss said as he grabbed Alex and walked to the door.


    When he opened the door, he saw Kim and his father dressed up in light clothes that looks fit for the beach.


    "Mom, you look beautiful!" Alexplimented when he saw Kim.


    "An! Thanks Alex." Kim smiled as she ruffled Alex''s hair as Ss always does.


    "Come on, let''s go," Chris said and they left the hotel.


    .....


    Virginia Beach.


    The cool breeze of the ocean brushed against Ss''s skin as the family stepped onto the soft sand of Virginia Beach. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, casting a tranquil glow over the water.


    Alex seemed to have boundless energy, as he ran ahead with unbridled excitement. His feet kicked up small clouds of sand as he dashed toward the shoreline.


    "Mom! Dad! Look at the waves!" Alex shouted back, already captivated by the endless stretch of water ahead.


    Chris chuckled, his eyes sparkling with affection as he watched his youngest son run off. "Looks like Alex is ready to take on the ocean," he said, exchanging a smile with Kim.


    Kim nodded, her eyes following Alex before turning back to Ss who was also smiling.


    She thought of what Ss promised to exin to his father but she knew that this wasn''t the time.


    She decided to push the unrted thoughts and enjoy the family time they are going to spend to the fullest. She put a smile on her face and walked off to join Chris and Alex near the water.


    Ss also joined them shortly and they started enjoying the sea water.


    The first full day of their vacation began early the next morning, with Alex waking everyone up at the crack of dawn. His enthusiasm was contagious as he pulled Ss out of bed, demanding they all head back to the beach.


    "Come on, big brother! The ocean''s waiting!" Alex eximed, bouncing on his toes as Ss groaned and rolled out of bed.


    ￠*?а+р-τ+?г-н@σ#∫т?@?$-&оп!-


    "Alright, alright, I''m up," Ss muttered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.


    The family once again found themselves back on the sandy shore, this time armed with towels, a cooler full of snacks, and a couple of beach chairs. Kim and Chris set up their spot under arge umbre, where they could rx and watch the kids.


    "Don''t forget sunscreen, boys," Kim called out, holding up the bottle of sunscreen as Alex and Ss kicked off their sandals.


    "Got it, Mom!" Alex shouted, before eagerly running toward the water.


    Ss moved more slowly, his eyes scanning the horizon. There was somethingforting about the steady rhythm of the waves. He followed his brother down to the shore, where Alex was already sshing around, shrieking withughter as the cold water hit his legs.


    For a while, they yed in the water, dodging waves and trying to keep their bnce as the tide rolled in. Alex''s energy seemed endless, as he enjoyed every single moment.


    After a while, Chris and Kim joined them, and they spent the rest of the morning building sandcastles, lounging in the sun, and asionally venturing into the water to cool off.


    As the sun rose higher in the sky, they took a break to eat lunch under the shade of the umbre. Kim had packed sandwiches and fresh fruit, which they enjoyed while watching the waves crash in the distance.


    "This is exactly what we needed," Kim said, taking a sip of her iced tea as she looked out over the beach. "I''m d we decided toe."


    "Yeah, it''s nice to get away for a while," Chris agreed, leaning back in his chair.


    Ss nodded, though his thoughts briefly wandered to Chloe. He wondered how she was doing and if she had been thinking about him. He pushed the thought aside, determined to enjoy the vacation without distractions.


    ---


    As the days went on, the family settled into a peaceful routine. Each morning began with a trip to the beach, where they spent hours swimming, ying games, and simply enjoying each other''spany. Alex never seemed to tire of the ocean, and his infectious excitement kept everyone in high spirits.


    One afternoon, they rented a few boogie boards and spent hours riding the waves. Alex, of course, took to it like a natural, while Ss found himself wiping out more often than not. Despite his frequent tumbles, he couldn''t help butugh along with his family.


    "Come on, Ss! You''ve got this!" Alex encouraged, already on his way back out to catch another wave.


    Ss gave it another try, and this time, he managed to ride the wave all the way back to shore. The triumphant grin on his face was met with cheers from Alex, Kim, and Chris, who apuded his sess.


    Actually, everything was a pretense but it felt good to be praised.


    "I told you you could do it!" Alex said, excitedly.


    "Yeah, yeah. Beginner''s luck," Ss replied.


    Evenings were spent exploring the nearby boardwalk, where they found small shops selling souvenirs, ice cream, and seafood. Ss particrly enjoyed these quieter moments, strolling along the beach with his family as the sun set behind them. They would stop at one of the restaurants along the boardwalk for dinner, enjoying fresh seafood while they talked andughed about the events of the day.


    One night, they decided to take ate-night walk along the shore, the moon casting a silver glow on the water. The beach was almost empty, save for a few couples and families who, like them, were enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.


    "Look, the stars are out," Kim said, pointing up at the sky.


    They all paused for a moment, gazing up at the vast expanse above them. Ss found himself feeling unexpectedly grateful for this time with his family. It wasn''t often that they had the chance to slow down and just be together without the pressures of daily life weighing on them.


    The week continued in much the same way, with each day blending into the next in a peaceful, happy rhythm. Ss found himself looking forward to each new morning, eager to see what the day would bring.


    By the end of the week, Ss couldn''t believe how quickly the time had passed. It felt like they had only just arrived, and yet their trip was alreadying to an end. As they packed up their things and prepared to head back to the hotel for their final night, Ss took onest look at the beach,mitting the scene to memory.


    "Do we really have to leave tomorrow?" Alex asked, his voice filled with disappointment.


    "Afraid so, buddy," Chris said, ruffling his hair. "But don''t worry, we''ll be back next year."


    Ss smiled at the thought. He knew that no matter what the future held, Virginia Beach would always be a ce where they coulde together, unwind, and createsting memories. That''s if they have the chance.


    As they left the beach behind and made their way back to the hotel, Ss felt a deep sense of contentment. The week had been exactly what he needed—a chance to escape, recharge, and reconnect with his family. And though the vacation wasing to an end, he knew that the memories they had made would stay with him for a long time toe.


    While Ss and his family were having fun at the beach, trouble was brewing in the country and I''m Venezu.


    *****


    The Miraflores Pce.


    Inside President Yusmaorobis'' office, President Yusmaorobis was having visitors.


    "It''s been a while since we spoke, old friend." A voice filled with sinister intentions said.