Mermaid's Obsession

Help me

~ Jace ~

" I met a weird girl yesterday.." I said to Peter in the afternoon, after we finished packing. Our flight is sent to leave around 7:30 this evening.

"How?? Why did you call her weird??" He walked to the bar room, taking a bottle of champagne and two glass cups.

" He meant to say a beautiful unusual girl." Nanna walked into the living room, towards me. "Promise Nanna you're not going to quarrel with your father." She held my cheeks.

" You know that is impossible.. I can't promise that."

"At least you'll try..."

I shrug in response.

" An actual answer would be nice, but either way, stay out of trouble and don't hesitate to call me if you need help.

The doorbell rang at that instant.

Peter stood from where he was sitting and headed towards the door. "I'll get it."

"Umm..... Jace??" He called out barely 10 seconds later.

"Yeah?"

"Why do we have a wet naked woman standing on our doorstep??"

I frown "Naked woman??"

"Yeah, come see yourself." Hr shouted in response.

I walked towards the door in confusion, Peter has his back turned to whoever is at the door but I couldn't see who it was.

The stranger's head popped out of nowhere, showing her chest, "Hey Mr Grumpy." She gave me an eerie smile.

"Holy Crap!!!" I turn my back quickly. I recognize her quickly as the strange woman from yesterday.

"What's with both of you? Do I have something on my face?" She asks.

"What do you want??"

"I need a map."

"For?"

" I am going to Korea, Jeju island to be precise but I don't know the way there"

"So what's the map for then?"

"To know the way there and get my bearing."

"How can you possibly go there? No road leads to ....."

"I am going by sea."

"Huh?? Peter is there a port around here going to Korea?"

"Not that I've heard of." Peter answer then mouths to me, " who's this crazy woman?"

Even he agrees she is crazy.

I remove my jacket and stretch to her, "Wear this."

"Why? Is it compulsory?" She asks..

"And she is stupid too" Peter mumbles, going back to the living room.

"Just wear it!" I half yelled, " you should not go about naked like that. What happened to the cloth I gave you yesterday?"

"It disappeared into the ocean."

"Oh.."

"Can I have the map now?"

I waited few minutes turning to face her and just as quickly, I returned to my initial position. "For goodness sakes, button the damn jacket!!"

"How?"

"You.."

"Oh,I got it now!"

I turn to her, the buttons were not properly done but at least, it covered most of her body.

"Why not go by air?"

"I can't fly, so sea is the only option for me."

"Here....." Peter came back, holding a piece of coloured paper, "This should help you find your way. I had it printed out."

The lady in question snatched it from Peter's hands and disappeared without saying thank you.

"You're welcome!" Peter shouted in her wake.

** ** ***

"You seem very glad to be home Jason." His cold voice welcomed us.

"If by glad, you mean angry, furious, mad, urge to destroy... Then sure, I'm very glad to be home."

"Peter, your room is all tidied up and if you're free you can join us for dinner by 6pm"

I sneak a glance at him, just as his voice lack emotion, so does his face.

I asked the question burning at the back of my mind since the revelation. "How did you find us??"

"Are you forgetting who I am now son??"

"Don't call me that!!" I fired at him angrily.

"Get ready tomorrow, you'll be introduced to the company."

"I have better things to do so I'm not interested."

"What did I tell you about interrupting me son?" He stands up, the screeching on the floor as he moved back. As much as I hate to admit it, my father is the one person I am so scared of. He didn't exactly do well in the father department.

I kept mute, standing still, although my feet is itching to run away or at least take few steps back.

"Do you have anything to say boy??"

"I'm sorry father."

"Thought as much." He grinned and went back to sitting, "Also by six, your fiancee will be here with her family for Dinner and I expect your presence."

" I don't have a girlfriend, not to mention s fiancee."

"Don't put words in my mouth boy."

"I am not going through with the stupid arranged marriage, you don't care about having grandchildren or my love life so why are you doing this?"

"For Business!" He replies sharply.

"I'm not doing this." I tell him..

He stands, heading outside, "There's no room for argument Jason and it's an order not a request."

I swallow hard, now if I can get hold of his platinum card, I can run away again.

He stops just by the door and gave me a stare, "And don't even think about running away. I don't be so lenient with you." He slams the door.

I unlocked my phone and opened the message app then proceed to type furiously under Peter.

"Start the proceeding as soon as possible. I don't think I can survive in this hell hole!!" I hit the send button

He sent a response quickly also as if he was waiting for my text. "Sure."

~ Nixie ~

I came out of the water, heading straight for the group of people almost lying naked on the sand which makes me wonder why Mr Grumpy has a problem with me beautiful and comfortable in my natural skin.

Clothes or whatever it is called are useless anyway, they give me rashes and red skin.

I got to where they are lying,

"You are wet." One of the girls stated, looking at me with worry, "Are you cold? Do you need dry clothes? I have extras."

I look at the knee length jacket on my body and shake my head in response. Maybe I should have discarded the jacket but the way he yelled at me few days ago made me scared.

"Where am I please? Is this Korea??" I inquire from them.

The map Mr Grumpy's friend had given me tore to bits immediately I entered the ocean.

"No, this is New York." Try girl's friend answers..

"New York?? Is Korea still far from here??"

",Yes... It is. Why?"

"I need to be in Korea to see my sister and crush."

"Ouii... How come did you get here then?"

"The ocean, I swam." I smile

They both sharer the same look, staring at me like when Odessa wants to say I'm crazy.

Odessa.... I really hope she's finee..

The first one eyed my jacket "You should remove that jacket else you'll catch a cold."

I nod and remove it, draping it over my hand.

A loud ding dong bell resonated everywhere.

"What's that?" I ask.

"That's the church bell."

"OmG!!! Is Nash really getting married??" The second one squealed getting off the mat, " we should get ready!!"

"Did you just say Nash?? Nash is getting married??" I scream.

" Yeahhh....He is." She squeals again.

My heart began beating fast. Am I too late??

"Where's the church??"

"Not far from here, four blocks?? Just follow the sound or wave a taxi down."

I spurn on my heels without a second thought and ran, following the sound and praying I don't get there too late.

I have to stop the marriage and tell him about my feelings.

~ Jace~

"You look so handsome." Dad complimented, dressing me up for my supposed marriage with Helena, his business partner's daughter, "You take after my looks."

" I don't want to do this dad."

"There's no going back. We Mandis are known never to go back on our words. This will not be an exception and don't bother pulling a trick."

"Sorry..." Peter mouths at me.

I'm about to get married to someone I don't like and find repulsing and all he can say is sorry?? Well I don't blame him, no one will dare go against my dad.

"See you in ten minutes!" Dad grinned and left the room.

"Really?? No way out this time??"

"No." Peter shakes his head, " security is really tight out won't even make it past the front door."

** *

I drag my foot into the congregation of about 500 people in attendance if not more and walked to the altar, standing son podium before it and waiting for my bride.

She came in few minutes later and when she smiled at me, I had no strength to return her smile. I just wish mu mother was around to stop all these or a miracle happens.

"Do you.." the priest started, "Helena, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"

"Yes! I do." She breaths out excitedly.

The priest turns to me, "

Do you Jace, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"

I glanced at father, hoping mu some miracle he says he's pulling a prank on me.

He gives me this cold stare, daring me to say no.

I turned to the priest, "yes." I whisper, " I do."

"If anyone is against this marriage in whatsoever way, before rings are exchanged and they are announced husband and wife, please speak up."

The congregation was silent for about two minutes.

"If that's the case then, I ....."

"Stop!!!!" A new voice yelled from the church entrance, "Stop the Marriage, I'm against it!!!"

A low gasp erupted from the audience, followed by murmurs.

I looked at my father first, his jaw were moving angrily, then I faced Peter next, he was just as confused.

I turned on my heels to take in the disruptor.

Her black long hair shining under the sunlight and escaped into the church and, wait a second, she is familiar.

I squint my eyes at her.

It was no other than the weird girl from Chicago. Was she following me?? How did she find me?? Isn't she supposed to be in Korea now??

And she is naked!!

Surprise filled her facial features, followed by disappointment and regret.

I've never been more grateful for her appearance and annoying presence now, I don't even mind her lack of clothes.

She took a step back, staring at her feet

This is my chance, she is the only one that can save me from this b*****e called marriage.

When she glanced up, her eyes were watered and regret was washing off her in waves. She seemed really sorry.

I lock gaze with her and mouthed the first word on my mind,

"Help me!"