Chapter 171: Swimming
Mateo jumped into the water, cheering and splashing water at Clara. He laughed, "Come down! Let's swim together."
"No! I don't know how," Clara crouched on the bamboo raft, engaging in a water fight with Mateo. However, Mateo eventually pulled Clara into the water. When Clara was a child, she fell into a river during the winter, in the celebration day in her hometown. Children would visit neighbors in groups during the celebration day, and she was small, following her older brothers and sisters. When they crossed a bridge, she was accidentally pushed into the river.
Because of that incident, she developed a fear of water, especially the fear of that sudden loss of support under her feet. Clara screamed loudly, splashing water with both hands. Even though Mateo was holding her waist, she was still terrified.
Clara's extreme reaction alarmed Mateo. "Cla! What's wrong with you? It's okay, I'm holding you." Mateo gently patted Clara's back.