Once upon a time, in a pleasant part of the city, lived Ricki, a wealthy and well-known magician. While he enjoyed his success and the comfort it provided, he wasn't particularly well-liked among his neighbors. The reason for their disdain stemmed from Ricki's refusal to let them use his outdoor swimming pool.
Ricki wasn't an unfriendly or mean-spirited person, but he had a peculiar aversion to the idea of others sharing his pool. He couldn't bear the thought of their bodies dirtying the water, although he never openly admitted this to his neighbors when they inquired. Ricki didn't mind lending out other belongings, like a lawnmower, but when it came to his pool and jacuzzi, he drew the line. Behind his tall gates, he believed it was preposterous for people to assume his pool was available for public use.
His home occupied a beautiful spot, not quite suburban but not entirely urban either, nestled near several parks and lakes. Ricki often wondered why his neighbors didn't take advantage of the nearby natural swimming options or the many local pools. He couldn't fathom their audacity in assuming entitlement to his private oasis.
The only exception to his strict rule was his 7-year-old daughter, Sabrina. Ricki reluctantly allowed her to enjoy the pool because he believed in sharing the good things in life with her. As her father, he felt a sense of responsibility to provide her with happiness, despite not particularly liking children. Sabrina had been an unplanned surprise, and Ricki never intended to have more children, even in his early thirties. However, over the years, he grew fond of his daughter, despite her occasionally unpleasant and bratty demeanor.
Ricki was divorced from Sabrina's mother and only saw his daughter on weekends and some evenings. He figured he might as well let Sabrina enjoy the pool since she loved swimming and it brought her joy. Besides, it was far better than her demanding trips to the beach, as Ricki had a deep-seated fear of open water and sharks. The thought of her floating out in the vast sea terrified him. Luckily, Sabrina was also averse to fish and had no interest in venturing into the ocean.
Sabrina's personality resembled that of a cat, displaying friendliness and clinginess on some days and independence and aloofness on others. While she had earned a reputation as a spoiled brat among the neighborhood kids, boasting about her toys, the beauty of her pool, and how her bike had a nicer color than theirs, she generally behaved well and was not a bully like some of the other children. Moreover, Sabrina cared deeply for animals and often brought home stray pets and injured birds. This is how they ended up with a resident crow that perched on their chimney all day. Ricki often advised her against boasting, warning her that it would make the other kids jealous and make their house a target for robberies.
One unfortunate incident proved his point. Sabrina once snuck an expensive multicolored gem necklace from Ricki's treasure chest and paraded around the neighborhood, showing off her find. A group of jealous kids attacked her, stole the necklace, and pushed her into the nearby lake. Tearfully, she returned home but refused to disclose which house the other kids came from. It was a tough lesson for Sabrina, and Ricki comforted her as best he could. Despite her flaws, it was difficult to hold any animosity toward Sabrina. She possessed a unique sense of humor, reminiscent of the flamboyant and bossy Roger from American Dad. She genuinely seemed to care for her father, well, most of the time, and always hugged him tightly before returning to her mother's house for the week. Despite her occasional mischief, Sabrina had grown into quite a handful, but Ricki no longer regretted having her, unlike the initial doubts he experienced when she was born.
THE ENDING IS IN REPLY ONE, I CAN'T POST THE FULL THING IN THE OP.