[ StarLight Bay ]
It was evening when Ryan stormed into his family's home, Star Light Bay. His messy blonde hair was tousled, his expression a perfect cocktail of frustration and irritation.
As soon as he entered, he was greeted by the familiar sight of his grandmother, Lily, and his mother, Emily, were on the couch, sipping tea. Grandpa Harold sat nearby, buried in his newspaper—likely pretending not to notice the storm brewing in his grandson's face.
Lily looked up, concern softening her gaze. "Ryan," she asked gently, "what happened, grandson?"
Without a word, Ryan flopped onto the couch beside her, letting out an exaggerated sigh.
"Someone is getting on my nerves, Grandma," he muttered dramatically.
The family exchanged knowing looks, each silently thinking: It's usually Ryan getting on other people's nerves… and now someone's gotten on his?
Grandpa Harold lowered his newspaper, clearly entertained. "Oh? Who's getting on your nerves, Ryan?" he asked, his tone more teasing than concerned.
"A woman," Ryan grumbled, slumping further into the couch like he was auditioning for Most Dramatic Person in the World.
Lily perked up instantly. "A woman? Is she young?"
Ryan opened his eyes wide dramatically, as if this was the most absurd thing he'd ever heard. "Grandma, what are you thinking?
She's my new manager!" He leaned forward, looking ready to explode just by talking about her. "And she's older than me!" He shook his head in disbelief.
Grandpa Harold's eyes twinkled with amusement, but he didn't say a word. He had seen Ryan throw tantrums before, but this was new—he'd never seen the kid so worked up over a woman before.
Ryan, still dramatically slouched on the couch, turned to his mother. "Mom, don't you care? I'm having a breakdown over here," he said, throwing his hands up in mock frustration.
Emily, unfazed by her son's antics, calmly took another sip of tea. "Oh, I care," she replied.
"But you don't look like you care!" he whined, his voice an exaggerated mix of heartbreak and disbelief.
Emily sipped her tea calmly, her silence a stark contrast to Ryan's antics.
He glanced around the room, hoping for an ally, but Grandpa Harold was still half-hidden behind his newspaper, clearly enjoying the show. Grandma Lily, on the other hand, gave him a sympathetic pat on the arm.
Ryan threw himself back onto the couch with a loud groan. "Unbelievable!" he muttered, his voice rising with annoyance. "Does she really think she can boss me around? I'm Ryan Park! I'll show her who she's dealing with," he declared, glaring dramatically at the ceiling.
The family exchanged silent, knowing looks. Internally, they were praying more for the woman who had crossed paths with Ryan than for the melodramatic grandson himself.
Emily, her lips curling into an amused smile, decided to put an end to the drama. She turned to the butler and said , "Bring Ryan his favorite cake."
At the mention of cake, Ryan's mood flipped faster than a light switch, from full-blown drama queen to a giddy, sugar-craving child.
"Did you make it for me, Mom?" he asked, his voice suddenly sweet and innocent.
Without waiting for a response, he rushed to the kitchen, practically flying down the hall with the speed of someone who'd just discovered the true meaning of happiness —and it came in the form of dessert.
The family burst into laughter as they watched his retreating figure, now powered by a new purpose in life: cake.
"Well, that was a short crisis," Grandpa Harold chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "The kid really is predictable."
Emily, with a knowing smile, turned back to her tea and muttered, "Good thing cake is always the solution to his tantrums."
Ryan's delighted voice floated back from the kitchen. "This is amazing! Mom, you really know what I need!"
A few moments later, Ryan emerged from the kitchen, a plate piled high with cake. He gave a satisfied grin. Without missing a beat, he headed straight for the stairs.
"Thanks, Mom!" he called over his shoulder, already retreating to his room, where he could enjoy his cake in peace.
The family exchanged amused glances, shaking their heads at how quickly the storm had been calmed by something as simple as dessert.