She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

Chapter 410

Tina was absolutely buzzing with excitement. She clenched her fists and looked at the two of them, her eyes practically glowing. "So cute, so cute!

"I've been eyeing these two big birdies forever, thinking how adorable they are. I've always wanted to touch them, but I didn't know they could talk! Oh my gosh, I love them! "Can I touch them? My hands are itching!"

Maria laughed. "They like to hang out up high and watch people. Unless something important happens, they won't come down."

"What a shame." Tina sighed. "I've always wanted an owl. They're so cool and cute. Too bad I can't keep one."

But that was quickly forgotten when she spotted Dolli.

"Aww!" Tina squealed, clenching her fists again, eyes practically sparkling. She stomped her feet and shouted, "A kitty! And it's a beautiful calico! I love it!"

She ran over and dropped to the floor, scooping Dolli up in both hands. She rubbed her cheek against the cat's soft fur and kissed its little head. "So cute! I just want to take you home with me!"

If Dolli could talk, she would probably say, "What's wrong with this two-legged giant?"

Maria was a little stunned too. Dolli was adorable, but Tina's reaction was a bit... intense.

"Woof woof woof!" Bello saw all this and, whether envious or worried, stuck out its tongue and barked.

Tina looked up and froze, her eyes going wide. "A German shepherd? Your family has a German shepherd?"

She immediately remembered that Zayn had adopted one, a German Shepherd that was almost put down by the production team. From the photo, this must be the one.

Without wasting a second, Tina scooped up Dolli and rushed over to Bello. She hugged Dolli with one arm and Bello with the other, showering their little heads with kisses. "Oh, this is the perfect life!" she kept shouting.

"One of my life goals is to have both cats and dogs. Once I've saved up enough for retirement and finally hit that sweet spot of freedom, I'll have a few cats and a dog.

"I'll fill my balcony with flowers, and every day, when I've got nothing going on, I'll just chill, play games, hang with the cats, walk the dog, living the good life. Then, I will die with no regrets."

Maria didn't say anything, but in her head, she was thinking, 'Why does she want a bunch of cats but only one dog? Seems a little unfair.'

Zayn, who had just walked up to the second floor, saw the scene and froze.

He didn't expect Maria's new friend to be... that author. And she was a lot more childish than he had known. Even Josie wasn't this over-the-top.

and came back downstairs.

Maria said with a big grin. "Tina, meet Zayn.

beat. "Yeah, I know. Miss Tina Tate reached out to me a month ago to ask if I would play the male

cat in one hand and the dog in the other, froze when she saw

racing. "Tina Tate?

confused. 'How can she be so

'Beauty and

her hand. "Oh! I remember now. 'Beauty and the Boss' is written by

are you really that Tina?" Maria was shocked, but not

already dealt with the shock of finding out Athena was actually Miss Yonder. So, this wasn't going to rattle her too

me-Tina Tate," Tina said, waving her hand with a smile. "I rented a place around here to try and convince Zayn to play Victor Dean. At first, I even tried to

I don't have any bad intentions. I really do get along

quickly. "No, no. I know you mean no harm. It's just that I didn't expect to meet such an amazing romance author. Feels like something straight out of

chuckled. "I'm just selling words for living. And hey, Maria, you've got great taste. Please help

said eagerly, glancing at

her off, "I'm not playing him.

closed her mouth, sighing as she let

house, then

rest of the family is either working or out of town. It's just the three

parents along since they hadn't traveled in years, so they were all there now, planning to stay until school starts. Their grandparents, on the other hand, were off in the countryside for the summer, so it

know what

and found a stack of hardcover books. "These are all the

got a bunch of pen names, and honestly, it's a challenge to get through all your books. I'm really honored

each other. Meanwhile, Zayn

not a kid. I'm 26,

clearly surprised. Then, Maria chuckled. "You look like a college student,

Tina said,

adjusted her big black-framed

and added, "I don't

don't

doesn't age easily. Plus, no relationships, no men, no

thought you wrote romance novels. Don't you dream about love and