As Zendaya wanted to visit the dolphin named Juju, all of them headed over to the dolphinarium.
Whitney had worked at the dolphinarium for a long time before, and no one was more familiar with that place than her.
She smiled and said to Gwendolyn who was standing beside her, “This little dolphin here is Juju. Juju is the brightest in color and has the roundest head among all the dolphins here. She's very clever! She'll giggle at Zendy, play ball with her, and perform cute underwater tricks for her. She's Zendy's best friend at the oceanarium. That other dolphin was bought by Charles to keep Juju company.”
Gwendolyn stood at the edge of the pool and watched the dolphin frolicking in the water as she listened to Whitney's introduction.
Juju let out happy, high-pitched squeals when she caught sight of Zendaya. She immediately swam straight toward her and poked her little round head above the water for the little girl to pet.
Zendaya had not seen her dolphin friend in a long while, and she giggled happily as she stroked Juju's smooth skin.
Benedict watched his sister from his perch in his father's arms. There was no telling what he was thinking.
Cedrick noticed his son's expression and asked, “Would you like to meet Zendy's dolphin friend? She looks very friendly.”
Benedict shook his head and lifted his chin proudly. “I don't like such silly animals! I only like the fierce ones that can eat a person in one bite! Roar!”
His little face scrunched up adorably as he imitated a shark's bite.
Cedrick stroked the boy's cheek dotingly.
Knowing he didn't mean what he said, Cedrick asked, “Oh, but I really want to meet Juju. Do you want to go with me and say hello?”
“All right,” Benedict agreed reluctantly, his brows furrowed.
Cedrick chuckled lightly and lowered Benedict to the ground. Then, holding his little hand, they walked together to the edge of the water.
Zendaya, who was playing with Juju by the poolside, enthusiastically introduced Benedict to the dolphin, “This is my twin brother. He's a very clever and handsome boy! Can he pet you, Juju?”
Juju swam in happy circles before approaching Benedict. She poked her head out of the water, inviting the little boy to touch her.
Benedict was a stunned and a little nervous.
However, with Gwendolyn, Cedrick, Charles, and the others watching him, he blinked rapidly and tried to swallow his fear.
“I don't wanna touch her. She's a silly animal!” he said petulantly.
Cedrick grabbed his little hand and placed it on the dolphin's head.
Juju's skin was smooth and cool to the touch.
It was his first time touching a dolphin, and Benedict was fascinated by the sensation. He could not help stroking Juju a few more times. Cedrick removed his hand and stepped back, smiling to himself.
Zendaya went over and taught her brother how to play with Juju. The two of them chatted happily among themselves with Juju between them.
Cedrick and Charles stood watching the children with contented smiles on their faces like two proud fathers.
Gwendolyn and Whitney stood not too far away. They, too, were watching the children play.
“Gwendolyn, you've known Charles for many years, right?” Whitney asked, unable to suppress the curiosity any longer.
Gwendolyn nodded. “We were very close as kids. We often spent time at the Newton residence.”
“Are you not close anymore?” Whitney asked timidly.
“Well, we're both adults now. We have our own lives, and of course, we don't spend as much time together anymore,” Gwendolyn replied bluntly.
“I see...”
Whitney looked at the ground, trying to decipher Gwendolyn's feelings for Charles.
Zendaya's affections had made Juju the leader of the pod of dolphins in the pool. Juju only needed to squeal, and the other dolphins would answer her call, swimming up to the edge of the pool where Benedict and Zendaya were standing.
The four of them played ball with the dolphins.
The hours flew by, and soon, the sky turned dark.
Benedict had wanted to see the entire oceanarium before proposing his renovation ideas. He had not expected to be so fascinated by the clever dolphins that he would spend his entire day at the dolphinarium.
When he noticed that the sky had grown dark, Cedrick glanced at his watch and said, “You guys must be getting hungry. It's late. Let's go now. We can come back next time.”
Benedict frowned unhappily.
“I haven't seen any other animals besides the dolphin.” He pouted. His plan to renovate the oceanarium was going to fail.
Cedrick dabbed his little hands with a towel and rubbed them between his own big palms to warm them.
“We've run out of time today, but there's always next time. I know you want to renovate the oceanarium, but that's not a project that can be accomplished in a day or two. Mommy and I will take you and Zendy here again soon, okay?”
Benedict had always been a sensible boy. He did not argue anymore.
He looked at Charles who was helping Zendaya dry her hands and said firmly, “Fine, but I won't give up on my plan to renovate this oceanarium. You should be prepared to spend money!”
Charles nodded. “No problem. Even if you want the stars in the sky, I'll do my best to pluck them for you.”
Benedict snorted. “Don't talk big! I won't believe your lies! It's impossible to reach the stars!”
Charles smiled and replied, “Okay, okay, whatever you say, Benny.”
He would always be patient with the boy.
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