Google Aramina, The Beautiful Mermaid 
                                                                                                                       
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                                                           Chapter 1

          "Hold on tight, don't drift away from me and your mom son!" the loud command of Alexander's father.

          "Yes, I'm holding on tight dad!" the loud response of the twelve year old young boy as he struggled to swim near his parents and many other passengers of the sunken ship. Nature unleashed its full wrath. The wind was blowing hard, the typhoon was so strong, Alexander could barely hear the voice of his father with the strong winds and the loud shouts of the other passengers fearing for their lives.

          Alexander continued struggling to swim in the dark ocean wearing the life jacket that he grabbed while his father was fitting his sobbing mother with another life jacket. Alexander saw his father comforting and pacifying his mom, she was so afraid and she didn't even know how to swim. Suddenly a hard object hit Alexander. Slowly his vision blurred. The last thing he saw from his half-closed eyes was the strong lights from an approaching ship.  Alexander lost consciousness and fainted in the ocean.

  

                                                            Chapter 2

          "Hey young boy, wake up!" the shout of a beautiful young girl as she shook the unconscious body of Alexander at the beach front of a hidden island.

          "Where am I, where's mom and dad...?" the soft answer of Alexander who 

started waking up. While he was still lying on the sands, Alexander slowly saw the beautiful face of the young girl near him, he stopped talking and stared into the beautiful face in front of him. He was enthralled by the beauty of the ten year old young girl.

          "Hey, are you okay, does your body hurt, huh?" the question of the young girl to Alexander.

          "I still feel weak, but I'll be okay soon, my parents did you see them huh?" asked Alexander who as still lying on the sand. Alexander looked intently into the beautiful girl, her hair was long reaching up to her shoulders. He struggled and sat up slowly on the white and fine sands. Once again, he looked at the young girl who woke him up. And he was surprised with what he saw. "You're a mermaid!"

          "Don't be afraid, I'm not a bad person, rather mermaid, I'm just a kid just like you," the answer of the young girl.

          Alexander calmed down instantly, he had seen so many stories about mermaids in his Samsung TV. "You're really a mermaid, this is the very first time that I have seen a real mermaid in my entire life."

          "Yes, I'm a mermaid..." the soft answer of the young mermaid.

          Alexander stood up and curiously watched the entire body of the young mermaid in front of him.

          "Wow, your golden tail looks magnificent, does the other mermaids around her wears that same tail huh?" the quick question of the amused Alexander.

          "I'm alone, I know no other mermaids and the truth is I haven't even seen one myself, just me," her quick response.

                                             

           "Huh, you haven't seen any other mermaids, don't you have parents huh?"

          "I have, but my parents were both humans and not a merman nor a mermaid like me."

          Suddenly, Alexander recalled everything that happened before he lost consciousness. He saw a a huge ship approaching the water where he and his parents were trying to stay afloat. And he remembered a crew throwing a rope towards his parents. He saw his dad catching the rope as he guided his sobbing mother. Alexander rejoiced knowing that both his parents and probably the other passengers of the sunken ship were safe and alive.

          "By the way, I'm Alexander, you?" his immediate question.

          "Me... I'm Aramina."

          "Now I know... when I fainted, I was drifted away from my parents and you saw me floating in the ocean. And when you saw my face, you immediately saved me, right?" the statement of the amused Alexander.

          "Huh, how did you know, your eyes were closed and you weren't even moving when I saved you early dawn?" she asked wondering.

           "I'd already seen this on TV, and probably we will be lovers when we grow up," he added as he stared at the beautiful face of the mermaid.

          "What are you saying, you're so annoying, don't you think you should be nice to me because I saved you, huh," her fast answer.

          "No, its just that I have already watched this kind of story, and as a young boy I dreamed of having a beautiful mermaid for a girlfriend, and now that I saw you, it's probably happening."

          "The problem is, I never dreamed of having a boyfriend as arrogant as you," her slightly pissed answer.

           "How about someone as handsome as me, huh?" he teased some more looking at beautiful face of the young mermaid in front of him.

           "Bye now and take care of yourself!" and immediately swam in the shallow sea water and left.

          Regretfully, Alexander just scratched his head. "You Alexander, you just can't watch your mouth, I should have been careful with what I said, you're so stupid... would that beautiful mermaid come back again. Ah... she saved me, and probably she can't bear not to see me again, she probably thinks I'm her responsibility now and she'd probably return with some food for me..." Xander thought laughing slightly at himself.

                                                                       Chapter 3

          Alexander decided to wander and walk around the island. He noticed the island was full of trees. He was feeling hungry so he climbed up on a papaya tree and picked two ripe fruits. "Goodness, this papaya tastes so sweet, this is even more delicious than the ones we bought at the groceries before." Alexander ate and ate to soothe his aching tummy. Shortly after he felt full. He laid down and pondered. He kept thinking  of the beautiful young mermaid. Slowly he fall asleep waiting for Amara's return.

          Not far away, Amara was watching Alexander. And when she noticed that he had already fallen asleep, she slowly approached him carrying five Lapu-lapu fishes that she caught to give to Alexander. When she got near, she carefully watched Alexander's face,his shiny hair was slightly covering his ears. She watched him smiling a little. She sat beside the sleeping young Alexander. She watched him once again. Alexander was deeply sleeping not knowing that Amara was already beside him and his hunch that Amara would come back to bring him food was right. Shortly, Alexander started waking up. And not wanting to be seen by him, Amara crawled her way on the sands going to the sea. When Alexander finally opened his eyes he immediately saw the five Lapu-lapu fishes beside him, he felt good and smiled looking for Amara. "Just as I thought, she couldn't bear not to see me and bring me something to eat. He turned his face trying to find her  in the island and shouted, "Hey Amara, please don't get mad at me anymore, I'm sorry please forgive me,  I really want us to be friends!" he shouted and continued looking for her. "Come on forgive me already, I regret teasing you, I promise I'll behave this time around.!" Suddenly, Amara surfaced from the water not far away.

          "Hey Amara, does that mean you have already forgiven me huh?" Hey thanks for these fishes, come over here and help me cook so we both could eat together!" he shouted smiling at her.

          Amara smiled back at him and started approaching him. Suddenly she heard and saw a speedboat ap

proaching them. Worried that the two passengers would see her tail, she immediately hid behind a big rock. From where she was hiding, she saw the two passengers waving at Alexander. When they got near him, they immediately jumped into the water and walked towards Alexander. "Are you Alexander, are you one of the passengers of the sunken shiop last night, huh?" the quick question of one of the speedboat passenger.

           "Yes, I'm Alexander."

           "Good, you should come with us then, your parents have been worried for you."

          "Is it okay if i go a little later, I just need to go somewhere, just for a short while," the quick response of Alexander looking through Amara's hiding place.

          "Young boy, your mom is really sick, her fever is so high and she's been calling out your name. Your father is so worried about you, so please come with us so your mom will heal soon."

          Worrying about her mother's health, Alexander was forced to leave and go with the two men. When he got on board, Alexander saw Amara from the big rock she was hiding. He waved at her as the boat started sailing away from the island. The speedboat was already far, but Amara kept on looking at Alexander. Until slowly the boat and it's passengers disappeared in the ocean. Amara came out from the rock she was hiding and swiftly swam away from the beautiful island.

                                                                Chapter 4

          After about ten long years. "Hey Ara, why are you taking a nap at this time, you're not done with all your household chores, be quick with your cooking because I'm already hungry," the command of her stepsister Lindsay.

          "In just a little while and this will all be ready for you Madame Lindsay," annoyed, Mara answered. Relax and compose yourself; otherwise, you'll be in deep be in trouble with Aunt Cassandra. Mara tried so hard to control her anger and succeeded a little.

          "Finally you're done cooking, okay plate up and put it on the dining table so I could eat right now, and also call Donita and my mom so we could all eat together," the command of Lindsay.

          Shortly, Cassandra and Donita came out of their rooms. "Hey, it's good the food is already served, come here Donita so we could start eating," she ordered her daugher

          "These fried chicken is so delicious, and so is this fried rice, Mara could really be trusted with all the household chores," Donita stated laughing a little. "And for that, go to my room now Mara and pick up my laundry, I'm using it first thing in the morning. And also iron my dress on top of my bed.

          "Hey, what are you stalling for, move and iron my dress on the hanger, the yellow one , do it fast, mom, Donita and I we'll leave in a little while," Lindsay commanded Mara.

          "Could I eat first, I also know how to feel hungry," Mara begged slightly.

          "Are you deaf, you can only eat after you have obeyed all my daughters' commands. We're in a hurry, 

we're attending a special event, move and do it quick!" the fast command of Cassandra.

          Mara walked towards the room of the two sisters. After she got in, she immediately locked the door and quickly pulled out the food that she had hidden inside her clothes. Laughing a little, she started eating inside the room of Lindsay and Donita. Do you honestly believe that I would let you eat all the food that I had cooked, no way. You can't pull the same trick on me again, just relax and control your temper because you still have to stay in this house Mara. Mara hurriedly finished eating, she went out of the room and went to  

a smaller room. She immediately started ironing the clothes of Lindsay and Donita. Suddenly, Mara remembered she had also hidden a bread on the side of her skirt, so she immediately stopped ironing and locked the door of the smaller room. Smiling a little, Mara ate the delicious bread that she had forgotten to eat inside Lindsay and Donita's room.

          "What aren't you done yet, hurry up because you still have a lot of clothes to wash afterwards!" laughing, Lindsay shouted looking at her sister who was so busy enjoying her meal. After Lindsay finished eating, she immediately knocked on the small room's door and called Mara. "Hey Mara, why did you lock the door, is this your room huh? You open right now , 'cause I'm coming in!" Lindsay's loud command.

          "The door is already open Madame, I just forgot this wasn't my room, I really thought this was mine so I accidentally closed it earlier," laughing, Mara answered.

          "What are you giggling about, is there anything funny that I don't know of huh?" the quick question of Linda.

          "Nothing really Madame, I'm just so happy that you all seemed to like all the food that I prepared for the three of you," Mara's quick recovery.

          "Yes, that's right Ara, your dishes was so delicious we couldn't stop ourselves from eating it all up. Your cooking was just so delicious, we forgot about you, we're really sorry..." Lindsay's sarcastic remark. "Hey, you're already done ironing, I guess you're ready for your next assignment, okay you grab all the dirty laundry and wash it all up at the back of our house, you do it properly or else I'm going to give you a reward I'm sure you wouldn't like," softly, Lindsay threatened Mara.

          Immediately, Ara picked and gathered all the dirty laundries of Lindsay and Marissa. "Wait, do I really have to wash all of these, these all looks clean to me, in fact it even smells like it has just been washed and dried," Mara noticed.

          "Unfortunately those clothes fell on the floor yesterday, and that's all dirty now, hurry up and stop making excuses."

           And so Mara just obeyed and went to the back of the house carrying the clean laundry of Lindsay and Donita.

          These three really like making my life so difficult. Okay, I'm playing along. I can play your games too, I'm not washing these clothes. I'll just add in a little amount of detergent soap in the basin. I'll make sure that this smells differently. Right, I'll pour in this detergent with 'kalamansi' in the basin so when these dry up, they would think that I had actually washed all of these. We'll see if you wouldn't be impressed with the smell of these clothes, I'm sure they'll be very happy. And so Mara finished all her clean laundry in two minutes. What she did was, she only poured in a very small amount of melted detergent soap in the basin so she didn't have to rinse it afterwards. She just made sure that all the clothes would have the 'kalamansi' odor of the detergent soap that she used when it all dried up. I'm just great, I'm simply the most clever maltreated stepsister in the whole world. Mara couldn't stop herself from laughing at the thought of the reactions of her not so beautiful bosses. I'm certain they wouldn't notice it, they're just noisy but they don't really have that much inside their heads. Mara sat and waited for her three house companions to leave the house. She fall asleep waiting for them. A little later, she woke at the sound of the car leaving the house. Yes, it looks like the three have finally left, I can now watch TV. Mara immediately went through the back door going inside the house and watched  the big TV in the living room. She watched her favorite talk show. Goodness,  Malena really has a way of making her interviewees tell the truth in live broadcast like no other talk show hosts can and effortlessly. And Malena looks so pretty on TV, how me, we'll I also look good playing a talk show host on TV. Mara approached the big oval shaped mirror near her. She looked at her right side view. Wow, I'm so beautiful, no one could guess that I'm now a maid at my own big house. Mara then looked at the left side of her face. It looks tolerable enough, even if I have a big and black birthmark in my face, I still look kind. That's it I only look kind really. Mara just laughed at herself with her thoughts. At least, my face looks much gentler and kinder than the faces of my stepsisters combined. Mara then looked at her entire face in the mirror. She could still remember how she really looked like when she was much younger. She was really beautiful and all the friends of her parents admired and loved her. Until that day when her mother got sick and died. After three years, his father Ernest married Cassandra. And Cassandra immediately brought her daughters Lindsay and Donita inside their house. In the beginning, they all seemed to be really nice and kind. But when Mara's father died in a mysterious way, the three immediately showed their true colors. She still remembered that right before his father died, he told Mara not to leave the house because it belonged to her and not to Cassandra and her two daughters. He even warned her to be very careful with Cassandra because he had learned that she was a bad woman. And in her arms, her father died. After he was buried, Mara went home crying softly. She cried the whole night and fall asleep from her exhaustion and excessive crying.

                                                                    Chapter 5

          When she woke up, she immediately felt her left face was aching. She touched it and instantly felt that it has changed a lot. She looked at her face in the mirror and saw the big and black birthmark in her left face.

She was horrified with what she saw that day, because she never had any blemish in her face all her life. Her face was so fair and smooth to the delight of their guests and their neighbors. She also couldn't remember of anything that could have brought about the huge and sudden change in her appearance. She cried and cried that day. And when she showed her face to her stepsisters for help, they all laughed at her. She also showed it to Cassandra but she too laughed hard at her. Mara couldn't help but suspect that the three had something to do with the sudden changed in her face. She suddenly remembered what her father had told her, that she should be careful with Cassandra because she was a bad woman. Mara stayed in her room for several hours that day without eating anything. When it was about three o'clock in the afternoon, she decided to go for a swim in their big swimming pool with a round passage leading to the sea outside their tall and wide fence. She immediately jumped into the swimming pool but she hadn't even swam for a long time, she suddenly felt something on her feet. Her legs hurt, and slowly a few scales surfaced on it. She screamed at what she saw on her two legs. The scales started covering all her legs, until she finally grew a big fish tail. She turned into a mermaid. She screamed and screamed calling for help but the three ignored her. Until she got tired screaming and crying. Afterwards, she looked carefully at her scales and tail. My, my tail looks great actually, why don't I try swimming through the tunnel going to the sea outside. So Mara tried swimming, she went under deeper. And she was so surprised, she could breathe under the water. Instead of being sad, she started liking what just happened to her. Now I could go to the beautiful islands surrounding their big house. She swam so fast and she noticed that wherever she went, a big group of fishes kept following her. She tried listening to them but none of them knew how to speak so she decided to go on swimming in the sea. Mara was so ecstatic, she couldn't believe she could now swim that fast. She also noticed her left face was smooth once again. She was so happy, that at least the beauty of her entire face had gone back. When Mara reached an island, she crawled out of the shallow sea water and sat on the beach front. Just like what I thought, it's really great in here, its just that dad didn't allow me to come here ever since. He was worried that something bad might happen. She then laid on the fine sands. She thought of everything that had happened on that day, until she got tired and fall asleep. She slept until the early break of dawn. Shortly, she was suddenly awakened by the excessively strong winds. It became stronger and stronger. There's a typhoon, she wasn't aware one was coming for she hadn't watched the News on TV because of her sadness at the loss of her dad. The wind continued getting stronger, Mara was having trouble maintaining her balance on the sands. So she decided to crawl and hid under the trees in the island. Suddenly, she saw something floating adrift in the sea water not far from where she was crawling. She looked carefully at it, her vision was a bit blurred because of the heavy downpour of the rains. Shortly, she realized that it was a body of a person. And even if she was scared of the strength of the big waves of the sea, she decided to swam fast going to the floating body of a person. The strong winds and waves almost drifted Mara away from the body of the person in the sea. But she stayed strong and struggled to swim going to the floating body. The body was facing upwards, and she immediately realized that the boy was still breathing and alive. She couldn't quite see his face because it was still dark. She held on to his waist and started swimming. She used all her remaining strength to swim the boy back to the beach front. The strong waves kept pushing her in the dark sea. So she held on much stronger on the boy making sure that she didn't loss him. She swam faster and faster. She didn't give up, she swam against the strong waves in the middle of a typhoon. Until finally she reached the beach front. She dragged the unconscious body of the body on the sands going to a safer place. When she reached it, she immediately laid him down. She looked carefully at him. She pitied him deeply. She checked if he was still breathing. She felt happy and relieved when she realized he was still alive. Looking at the boy, she thought that if she didn't turn into a mermaid that day, that boy could have drowned in the dark sea. In her exhaustion, Mara decided to lay down near the boy. Shortly after, the wind started growing weaker and weaker. Mara felt glad and relieved realizing that the typhoon was almost over. Until she started falling asleep. She glanced at the young boy, she made sure that he was okay from where he was lying. Until Mara fall asleep. When it was about seven o'clock in the morning Mara woke up, but the boy that she saved earlier was still sleeping. Mara looked at the boy and waited for the boy to wake up, she got impatient waiting, so she decided to wake him up. She shook him slightly from his side. Slowly, the boy started waking up. She could still remember that she got slightly mad at Alexander for his arrogant ways. She also remembered leaving him behind going to the sea when she could no longer take his arrogance. I wonder what has happened to that boy, maybe he has already grown up, maybe he's much taller than me now.

Would he still like me if he sees me looking like this, would he still recognize me even if I have a black birthmark in my left face. Goodness, but why am I still thinking about that boy. And why do I still remember him when I haven't really seen him for a long long time. Probably because I saved him making me feel that I still need to take good care of him, that I still need to make sure that he is safe and well. Right, probably that's the reason why. Afterwards, Mara decided to go back to the sofa and sat. She continued watching TV. She opened the aircon so she would feel more comfortable. She looked around the entire living room making her remember her happy childhood life when her parents were still alive. They always took Mara to places that Mara liked to visit. Her parents loved her so much for she was their only child. And they would buy Mara everything that she would ask of them. I was so happy back then, but now... But I need to be strong, I feel that I could find all the answers to my questions inside our house. I know that if I'll be more patient and stay in our house, I'll eventually uncover the secret why I became a mermaid, and why my face had grown a black birthmark Mara once again touched her left face and immediately felt the roughness in it.

She had gotten used to her new look, for her she was still prettier that her two stepsisters. Mara laughed at herself, she found it so amusing that she could still feel beautiful beside her two stepsisters. I just need to find a way to discover the real reason behind the sudden change of my appearance. The truth was, she liked being a mermaid because she could explore the greatness of the ocean and the many beautiful islands near and far. Her real problem was, her friends and the people that she knew could no longer recognize her with her new appearance as an ordinary person.

                                                                         Chapter 6

          "I'm Ara, It's really me Uncle!" she introduced herself to her godfather who had just arrived after she had returned home on that day when she saved Alexander. "Don't you recognize me anymore uncle?"

          "Young girl, it's not that I mock people with facial deformities, but there's just no way that you're actually my goddaughter. Yes, I notice your resemblance with Mara, specially on your right face. But that birthmark in your left face, my goddaughter doesn't have that. If that is just a big scar or something, maybe

I'll believe you. I'm really sorry but I just couldn't bring myself to believe you, sorry..."

          "Hey Frank, I didn't know you're here, is there anything I can do for you huh?" the quick question of Cassandra who had just arrived.

          "I'm looking for Mara so we could talk about this big house and all the rest of the properties that my good friend had left her," the quick response of Frank.

          "It's me Uncle Frank, I'm here, I'm Mara!" the earnest begging of Mara.

          "Huh, what are you saying Mina, you're Mina and not Ara, you're our new maid and definitely not my beautiful stepdaughter. Go back to the kitchen and finish all your chores, goodness I'm paying you a lot and this is all I get. Get back in there, or I'm throwing you out of our house. Didn't you hear me, go back to the kitchen now!" Cassandra shouted staring at the young girl.

          Mara looked at Cassandra for a long time, a tear felt from both her eyes. Frank glanced at the tearful Mara, he pitied her even if he didn't believe her.

          "So you're the new maid here, don't worry, I'm sure you and Mara would get along very well, she's always kind and nice to everyone," he pacified the unrecognized Ara. "Wait, once again where's Mara so the two of us could talk immediately."

          "I don't really know Frank. Mara had not returned home ever since we buried her father. And worst she didn't even participate in any of the prayers that we offered for his father, that child has no love and respect for her father. I just can't take that child's attitude, my husband had just died and all she does is wander around and have a good time with her friends. Who knows what she's actually doing right now!" the furious statement of Cassandra.

          "I don't mean to offend you Cassandra, but I don't believe that Mara would do such a thing. I'm basically a part of their family and I've been with Mara and her parents in so many occasions. I saw her grew up. And I know that Mara is good child. In fact she is a wonderful child to be around. All of us, her parents' friends, loves and adores Mara not only for her beautiful face but most of all for her genuine kindness," Frank's defense of Mara.

          "What good child are you saying, the truth is, our new maid is even better than her, at least she joins in our prayers for her father, but that Mara, I've never seen her, not even once. I'm sure somewhere she's rejoicing that her father is no longer around to discipline her."

          "If Mara is not here, then I'll just return tonight or probably tomorrow. Now if you'll excuse me, I still have a lot of papers to attend to," Frank said and walked towards the door going out of the big house.

          "Bye Frank, don't worry when Mara returns, I'll immediately lock her up in her room, maybe that way you'll get to talk to her the next time you drop by. I just want to make sure that she'd stay in this house much longer for a change," laughing, Cassandra answered.

          Frank just shook his head in dismay as he reached the door. He didn't bother to answer Cassandra's last statement. He looked around the house hoping that he would see Mara somewhere. But he just couldn't find her. And so Frank decided to board his car and left.

          From her room Mara could see her godfather's car slowly leaving their yard. She cried looking at him wondering if he would ever recognize her once again. Mara also remembered her friends dropping by to see her the following day.

          "What's taking Mara so long, we've been waiting for a long time and she still hasn't gone down," Joseph started complaining.

          "Yes, and she haven't even answered my calls on her cellphone, I'm really starting to worry now," Lara added. "Maybe she still sad for the loss of her father, that's why she hasn't gone down to meet us."

          "I don't really think so, even if she has a big problem, I'm sure she would still go down and face us. We've been friends for so long, I know she knew she could count on us on days like this," Luna butted in. "Wait, I'm thirsty, hey young girl, you're new here, could you please bring us some sandwiches and juices, huh," her request to the unrecognized Mara. All of Mara's friends glanced towards her direction, but none of them recognized Mara underneath the girl with a big black birthmark in her left face.

          "I don't want juice today, just bring me a softdrink instead," the request of Lara.

          Mara looked at her friends for some time. She wanted to introduce herself to them. But she knew they wouldn't believe her. She looked alternately at her friends and when a tear was about to fall, she turned around. "Yes, I'll be back soon..: the soft answer of Mara. She went inside the kitchen. And after she had prepared the juices, softdrinks, and sandwiches she immediately went back to the living room and tried to put the food on the small table. "Here's your food and drinks," the unrecognized Mara said as she carefully placed the tray on the table.

          "Young girl, is Mara still coming down, we've been waiting for a long time, is she really home, huh?" the quick question of Lara.

          "I don't really know, I think she's still sad with everything that's happening to her," Mara softly answered.

          "Hey, you're all here, are you looking for Mara, huh?" the immediate question of the Lindsay who had just arrived.

          "Yes, we just want to talk to her, we're really worried about her," Luna stated looking at Lindsay.

          "I don't really know what happened to that girl, after her father was buried, she never bothered to return home," the quick answer of Lindsay.

          "Are you sure, maybe she's just inside her room and you just didn't notice because you just arrived," Lara reasoned.

          "By all means, stand up and go to her room, I'm sure you'll all realize that I'm telling the truth, go ahead climb up and good luck," Lindsay said mocking Mara's friends.

          Immediately the three went inside Mara's room and just like what Lindsay told them, they didn't find Mara. Disappointed, the three decided to leave Mara's house.

          Mara could still remember everything that happened on that sad day. But I have to be strong. Someday, somehow I'll discover the secret of my overstaying and unwelcome house guests. Patience Mara, patience. Ah... I've stayed in this house for so long and still I haven't discovered their secret. Again patience Mara, patience, just continue watching them and you'll be back to what you used to be, the beautiful you. Mara rested on her bed inside her room knowing that at three o'clock in the afternoon she'll transform into a mermaid.

                                                                        Chapter 7

          Finally I'm home. My... I missed my country the Philippines. But I missed my Amara more. Now I could go back to the island where I first saw my beautiful mermaid. I wonder how she looks like now. She's probably more beautiful now than the last time I saw her waving at me from that rock. She's probably at the island now, not knowing that her handsome boyfriend has finally arrived. The thought that Amara was his girlfriend, always made Alexander feel good and happy. He stayed in America for a very long time, but still the beautiful face of the young mermaid who saved him was still vivid in his eyes. He could still remember her face when she suddenly got mad at him for his arrogance. But he also remembered that she seemed to have forgiven him when saw her submerging from the waters to approach him. He could still remember the way she smiled at him when he called out her name. I should have gone back to her first before I boarded that speedboat. Where's our driver, I've been standing here outside the airport, but he still hasn't arrived to fetch me. Had he forgotten about me or he's just stuck in heavy traffic. Alexander looked down on his watch. It was about two o'clock in the afternoon.

          "Sir, I'm here!" the shout of the driver, who had just arrived, inside the black car.

          "Where have you been, I've been waiting for a long time here," the slightly pissed remark of Alexander. "Don't you dare do this to me again, of you're really getting fired."

          "Pardon me Sir Alexander, I just had an emergency at home. My daughter got sick. I just came from the hospital after I had brought her the medicines that the doctors had asked me to buy.

          "Is that so, okay, I'm sorry I din't know," Alexander said his apology.

          "I'll just get your luggage and place it inside the baggage compartment," the driver, Tony said. After he closed the baggage compartment, he immediately opened the car's door for Alexander. Alexander boarded immediately and sat on the front seat. While Tony was drving, Xander watched the streets they were passing by. Our place has changed a lot from the last time I saw it. There are more big and tall buildings now. Even have the roads have become wider and better. There are even more skyways now. He also noticed the two new big Malls they passed by. Two massive Malls, built side by side, that's nice.

          "Sir, where are we heading from here?" the question of Tony as he continued driving.

          Alexander thought for a minute. "Let's not head home, Helena might be there and I really don't feel like seeing her today."

          "So up to now, you still have't said yes to your avid suitor sir," his joke to his boss. "Don't you like her, I think she's beautiful and sexy. Most guys would take her instantly."

           "Just continue driving and stop asking too many questions," the quick answer of Alexander. Alexander realized he embarrassed Tony, so he decided to just answer him. "Okay Helena is beautiful too, but there's someone else I like, and much much beautiful than her, or any girl in particular."

           "Are you referring to the same girl, the mermaid who rescued you near the island when you drifted on the sea after the ship you were boarding sank?" his quick question to his boss.

          "Ah, so you still remember the story that I told you when we were both young kids. Yes, she is, none other. There's a lot of girls that showed interest in me, but it's only Amara that I love, only her." Alexander couldn't help but smile when he remembered Amara's beautiful face on that day on that beautiful island. Your incomparable Amara; besides, your the only mermaid that I know of, Alexander thought smiling a little. And now that I'm here I'm not wasting any time just to see you, to be near you. "Okay, you take me to the new house that I had just bought by the sea, I'm sailing right after."

          "Yes sir, just like what I anticipated, actually sir, I already had my wife clean it for you yesterday afternoon," Tony proudly informed his boss.

          "It's good that you thought of that, you're still reliable, just like when were both young boys, your always quick to help me on most things," the statement of Alexander.

          "Wait, I'll just take a short nap, just wake me up when we get to the beach front," he told his childhood friend Tony.

          "Yes sir. Go ahead and take a nap," his quick answer happily looking at his friend boss.

          "And stop calling me sir, stop addressing me with that much respect, you're a year older than me my friend." Alexander took his nap and Tony continued driving. He looked intently on Alexander. He was much taller than him now. He's still the same, he still likes expensive clothes. Tony just continued driving and so careful not to wake his boss. After a while, Tony reached the new house that Alexander brought.  He noticed Alexander was still sleeping. Carefully and smoothly, he parked on the beach front. When the car stopped, Tony immediately took Alexander's luggage inside his house after he opened it with the key. Afterwards, he fixed Alexander's room for a short while. He smoothed the bed sheet on his elegant bed. He closed the windows and opened the aircon. He also checked if the bathroom was clean. And it was ultra clean, just like what he told his wife, Maria. There were already shampoos and soaps waiting for his friend. So he immediately went outside and walked back to Alexander to wake him up. After he got outside, he saw Alexander was already on his yacht.

          "I'll be back tomorrow, stay here and don't leave the house Tony!" the loud instruction of Alexander to his childhood friend. "Wait, you go see your child in the hospital instead, just come back when you're no longer needed at the hospital, okay!"

          "Okay Alexander, be careful and thanks for understanding, thank you!" his loud response to his friend.

Alexander hasn't changed, he still cares for people around him, specially the sick ones. He had helped me in so many times and in so many occasions before. When he could no longer see Alexander on the sea, Tony decided to go back to the city for his daughter.

                                                                   Chapter 8

          At long last, we're going to see each other again Amara. I can't wait to see you. Just a little more time my love, and I'll be by your side. Alexander started feeling the strong and cold wind around him. He took a deep breath, Alexander happily thought what Amara's reaction would be when she sees him. I'm certain she'll be very happy to see me, I could still remember her looking sad and disappointed when I left without seeing a word to her. Ah... my arrogance again. Remember, Amara doesn't want arrogant boys. Alexander warned himself as he continued sailing going to the island where Amara brought him that day. After some time, he started seeing the island, the island where he first saw Amara. He rejoiced that he was about to reach it. When he glanced to his right, he seemed to have seen a big tail on the surface of the sea he was sailing. Goodness, that was golden, that's probably Amara following me. He waited for it the golden tail to surface once more. But instead he saw a goddess looking girl swimming near the side of his elegant yacht. She looked intently on him. "Amara, is that you huh?" his quick question to the beautiful young lady on the side of his yacht.

          "How did you know my name, why who are you?"

          "I'm Alexander, don't you remember me Amara?" the quick question of Alexander.

          Amara didn't answer, instead she submerged and disappeared from Alexander's view. Alexander wondered at what Amara just did. Is she still mad at me, why did she leave me just like that?"

          Alexander went on sailing heading near the beach front. He kept looking and searching for Amara on the sea. But he just couldn't find her, anywhere he looked. Goodness, she's probably still mad at me. She's still sulky with me after ten long years, goodness your mermaid hasn't forgotten you Alexander, Alexander thought and smiling a little.  After he docked the yacht on the proper place, Alexander went down and untied the rubber boat. While on it, he looked around hoping to find Amara somewhere. Shortly, he walked towards the beach front. When he reached the fine white sands, he turned around still looking for Amara all over the sea. And when he couldn't find her, he went to the woods. He saw one papaya tree. Ah, there's still a papaya tree in here. Wait, I'll get some, I remember these tasting so delicious. He climbed on one papaya tree and picked two ripe fruits. He immediately climbed down and sat facing the sea. Was Amara was still nowhere to be found. He waited some more to see her. She's still not showing herself to me, where did that lady go. Ah... I better start eating this papaya. Alexander was just about to peel the papaya when he saw Amara on the shallow water. "Goodness Amara, are you still mad at me, why did you leave me right away?" he asked smiling a little at her.

          "Here, you take these five Lapu-lapu that I caught, didn't you say you want to cook these with me!" the loud response of Amara looking at Alexander.

          "Okay you wait for me there and," Alexander answered. I'll carry you in my arms... and ran towards her.  

          When he got near near her, without saying a word, he immediately scooped up Amara and carried her  in his arms.

          "Put me down you, why are you hugging and carrying me, what are we huh?" her quick question.

          "Why, you carried me in your arms before trying to save me remember, and it's my turn this time and stop complaining," laughing a little, Alexander answered as he carried her looking into the beautiful face of Amara. "I've already repaid you saving me, you can go down now," Alexander stated kneeling on the fine white sand and smiling at her.

          Amara intently looked at the face of the face of Alexander. "Hey, I said put me down, why are just staring at me."

           "I said you can go down now, I'm already kneeling on the sand, see.." smirking, Alexander replied looking into Amara's beautiful face.

          "You, you're still boastful as you were before," the slightly embarrassed answer of Amara.

          "Huh, okay I'm sorry, I just don't want you running or crawling away from me as you did before," the answer of Alexander as he gently laid her down on the sands. "Here, you sit beside me."

           After Amara sat, Alexander immediately took the lapu-lapu fishes that Amara brought. "You just stay there and don't leave, I'll just make a fire in a short while. Alexander looked around and when he saw some dried twigs, he immediately started making a fire. Amara watched Alexander as he tried making a fire. She just couldn't believe that they would still see each other after a long long time. She happily watched as Alexander finally made a fire and started cooking the five Lapu-lapu. I haven't seen anyone this happy while cooking, she thought to herself.

          "This won't take long Amara, I'm sure you're going to like this."

          "Okay, we'll see if you're really a good cook," teasingly, Amara challenged Alexander.

           "I cook really good, just wait there and after you taste this, I'm sure you'll forget your own name," laughing a little, Alexander teased back.

         "Okay, we'll see about that," the quick answer of Amara.

          Shortly after, Alexander ran back to Amara kneeling in front of her. Alexander first blew on the smoking grilled Lapu-lapu fish. "Okay, you may taste now Amara," Alexander boasted as he put a small pinch of grilled Lapu-lapu inside Amara's mouth. Amara immediately chewed on it.

           "My, this tastes great, you can really cook; obviously, you have cooked for a lot of girls everywhere," Amara teased Alexander.

          "No it's them who wanted to cook for me, you're the only girl that I cooked for my whole life," the quick answer of Alexander.

          "I don't believe you, you probably have a lot of girlfriends hidden somewhere."

          "I admit I had a lot of girlfriends before, but I never courted anyone. "

          "You're so boastful really, you mean, all those women chased you, huh."

         "No, what I meant is, I never courted anyone because I only wanted to court the girl that I truly love..."

Alexander's admission as he looked deep into Amara's eyes. "And it's you Amara, you're the one I love, only you and no one else."  Alexander stuck the long stick with the grilled Lapu-lapu into the sand and held Amara's hands. "If you'll let me love you Amara, I'll be the happiest man on earth. I love you, I love you Amara."

          Amara couldn't understand what she was feeling after she heard those words from Alexander. "Do you really love me Alexander, can't you see what I am, I'm a mermaid, I'm not like you. There's no future for the two of us, what will your parents say if they knew that you are in love with a mermaid."

          "Answer me first, do you love me too Amara, huh" the quick question of Alexander.

          "I didn't realize it before, but now I know. I love you too Alexander," the soft answer of Amara.

          Instantly, Alexander held Amara in his arms. He embraced her tightly making her feel how much he loved her. "You just don't know how happy I am today Amara, and I promise I will never hurt you. I won't do anything but love you and make you happy for the rest of our lives."

          "Maybe you only think that you love me, what if someday you woke up and realized that you don't really love me," Amara's hesitation.

          "I have loved you forever Amara, since the day I saw you, I knew what I was feeling for you, I knew that I love you. Even when I was still in America, I just couldn't bring myself to love someone else. I only dreamed of  seeing you once again and to make you feel how much I love you. I want us to be together forever Amara. I will love you and make you happy for the rest of my lives."

          Alexander held Amara tightly in his arms for a long time making her feel all the love that he have for her. 

          "Hey wait, I can't breath anymore Alexander, you're getting abusive, you've been hugging me for a long time already," the hesitant joke of Amara. 

          "Huh, you couldn't breath anymore, pardon me my lady, here, is this how you like it done, huh?" Alexander teased back looking and smiling at Amara.

           "You're grilled Lapu-lapu is getting cold,  you worked hard to cook that for me."

          Alexander smiled at what Amara told him. Laughing slightly, Alexander gently squeezed Amara's cheecks. "Okay, let's eat first, we still have a lot to do after we're done eating."

          "Why, what exactly do you want to do afterwards, huh?" wondering Amara asked Alexander.

          "Let's just eat for now, you'll find out soon," the quick answer of Alexander smiling a little. Alexander grabbed all the rest of the sticksof grilled Lapu-lapu and handed one to Amara. "Just keep on eating Amara, I'll watch you from here."

          "You eat too Alexander, and stop staring at me, I'm not disappearing anytime soon I swear," Amara teased.

          "Okay, I'll eat too. But I'm keeping an eye on you, I'm afraid that you'll run away from me again."

          "Don't worry I wont, I'll try not to."

          "Okay that's good enough. But still I won't loosen my guard, you're just too hard to catch when you're 

when you're in the waters," smiling a little, Alexander teased Amara and immediately put his arm on her shoulder. "My, my grilled Lapu-lapu is really tasty, I'm handsome and I cook great, what more can you ask for."

           "There you go again, you just can't stop yourself from boasting, do you?"

          "I'm really like this, I really become boastful when I'm happy, and you're making me happy, so it's your fault."

           "Really, it's my fault."

           "Yes it's your fault, and now that I'm about to kiss you, it's also your fault," Alexander seriously said looking into Amara's eyes. "Can I kiss you Amara..."

           "You've already embraced me, I think that's enough for today..."

           "Why you don't want me to kiss you, okay I'll kiss you when..."

           "What you'll kiss me when...?"

           "I'll kiss you on the lips when you're not looking."

           "Really, you just try, you just don't know what I'm going to do with you."

           "Really, you're going to do something..." the soft answer of Alexander as he held her two cheeks. Slowly, Alexander vowed down reaching for her. Gently, he kissed her on her lips. He hugged her tighter towards him and kissed her some more. He kissed her for a long time and stopped only to say, "I will love no one but you Amara, I promise..." the soft whisper of Alexander to Amara.

          Suddenly, Amara pushed Alexander away from her. Alexander a tear was forming in Amara's eyes. "Forgive me Amara, I suddenly lost control, it's just that I've been dreaming to be with you for long time. Please stop crying now, I promise I won't do it again... "

          "You don't need to ask for forgiveness Alexander, I'm not mad, I'm just happy that you love me even if i look like this, a mermaid. I hope you won't change and love me forever like you promised me."

           Abruptly, Alexander held her closer to him, hugging her tightly and kissed her on her hair. "I promise Amara, I will never ever change, it's only you that I will love, I worship you Amara." 

            In his arms, Amara tilted her head up looking at Alexander's face. "I love you too Alexander."

           Alexander embraced Amara tighter kissing her on her lips. He lifted and carried her in his arms and carefully took her inside the rubber boat. When they reached the side of the yacht, Alexander stood up with Amara still in his arms and took her inside his yacht. When they got inside, he immediately opened his cabin's door. He walked her towards his bed and laid her gently in the middle. He walked back and gently closed his cabin's door. Slowly he walked back towards her and laid on his side beside her. Amara watched Alexander as he looked deep into her eyes. He reached for the switch and turned off the lights. "I love you, I love you Amara," the soft whisper of Alexander to Amara. Alexander and Amara laid the whole night hugging each other on the bed.

           The following morning, Amara woke up first. She watched intently the man beside her. Smiling, she watched Alexander on his sleep. Slowly, Alexander started waking up.

            "Have you been watching me sleep Amara, huh?" he teased her looking up to her beautiful face.

            "No, I just woke up myself."

         "Thank you for loving me Amara, thank you for making me feel how much you love me the whole night. I still can't believe that you gave yourself to me last night."

        "You really, what on earth are you saying, nothing happened, we just slept hugging each other the whole night, that's all we did..." Amara answered laughing a little.

          "Huh nothing happened, yeah I suddenly remember, but we can still do it now if you want," the quick answer of Alexander.

           "You stop it already, you really like making  fun of me."

           "Okay, what do you want to do this morning Amara? Ah... I know... let's go jogging," he teased laughing slightly at Amara.

            "You really, your maltreating me just because I don't have feet," Amara teased back pretending to be offended slightly.

            "What maltreating you, I will do nothing but love you Amara. Suddenly, Alexander stood up and approached Amara who was sitting on the side of his bed. He lifted and carried her in his arms. He kissed her on her lips and jogged. Alexander jogged around his room carrying Amara in his arms. "Do you like jogging with me my love. Ah... so you're enjoying, just hold tighter and I'll jog you around some more. We've jogged too far, let's slow down a bit my love. Wait, the other joggers are staring at the two of us, look the other men think that I'm so lucky because my girlfriend is much prettier than theirs. Look that girl just punched his boyfriend, she's too jealous of you after she caught him staring at you. Look the other girl kicked her boyfriend, she obviously knew that her boyfriend finds you prettier than she is. You can dream on guys, but this beautiful girl belongs only to me, can't you see she's nuts about me."

           "I was really liking it, until you ended it with your arrogance, you can put me down now."

           "I wouldn't advice that... can't you see the girls are still jealous of you, are you not afraid that they might chase you huh?"

            "Really, it doesn't seem like it, I think it's you who they want to chase instead," Amara teased back on Alexander.

             "Aha, so my girlfriend is the jealous type, okay let's stop jogging now."

            Alexander and Althea sat and rested beside each other on the side of the bed holding each other's hands. "I hope this doesn't end Amara, if I'm dreaming I hope I don't wake up. I have been dreaming for this moment for a long long time, if you only knew. Alexander held Althea in his arms. Then he lifted and carried her going outside of his room. When they got out, Alexander took a deep breath. Even the wind feels differently and better now that we're together Amara. This is the happiest morning my whole life Amara."

           "I'm happy too Alexander, I hope you won't get tired loving me."

           "Who me, I'm never getting tired of you Amara, come I'll show you why." Alexander kissed Althea once again as he carried her in his arms. "I will never get tired loving you Amara;besides, I really like fishes," giggling, he teased Amara.

            "You really..." Amara said laughing a little at what she heard from Alexander.

            What do you want to do with me, I mean what do you want us to do now, Amara?"

            Suddenly Amara remembered something and stopped. "What time is it now, Alexander?"

            Immediately Alexander looked down on his Seiko Watch. "It's exactly eight o'clock in the morning, why do you have a swim, I mean are you going somewhere, something important," the teasing of Alexander noticing Amara's discomfort. "Is there any problem, or is my handsomeness bothering you that much, huh?"

            "It's almost nine o'clock, I really need to be at my house soon," the worried answer of Amara.

            "What house, where do you leave huh?" the quick question of Alexander to Amara.

           "Nothing, I just need to leave really, just drop me into the sea, so I could reach my house                    

immediately."

           "That was it, you'll just leave me like this. Will I see you again, are you coming back for me Amara?"

       "Yes, of course I'm coming back I promise, just wait for me. I'll be back by four o'clock in the afternoon."

           "What if I just accompany you home, where do you live?" the quick question of Alexander looking into her face.

             "I'll explain later, but for now I just need to be home," the earnest request of Amara.

             "Okay, but make sure that you're really here by four o'clock."

             "Yes I promise, I'll come back as soon as possible."

             "Okay, I'll take your word for it, don't forget I'm waiting for you Amara," the answer of Alexander as he walked on the side of his yacht. "Come back soon, promise me again."

             "I'm coming back Alexander, I promise..."

             Alexander kissed Amara on her hair and gently dropped her down into the sea. Immediately, Amara fall down into the water submerging momentarily and surfacing to smile at Alexander on the yacht.

             "Come back soon Amara!" Alexander told Amara.

            Amara swam away swiftly in the wide sea. Alexander stood on the side of his watch as he watched Amara swam away from him. He noticed she was heading towards a far away island in front of his yacht. Amara probably lives on that far island ahead. He could still remember her telling him before that both her parents were humans. Right, Amara lives in a house, just like she mentioned earlier.

                                                                    Chapter 9      

          Amara swam fast so she could reach the big house soon. Fast, Amara swam and swam until she finally saw the rounded underwater tunnel going to their big swimming pool. She immediately went through it and swam in the narrow passage. In just a short while, Amara surfaced in the swimming pool. She rested for a little on the side of the pool. Slowly, Amara's golden scales started disappearing. Until her golden tail vanished. Amara turned human once more. A young lady with a thick black birthmark in her left face. She caressed it and immediately felt the roughness in it. Amara sighed. Afterwards, she hurriedly got out of the water and walked towards the wide garden of the big house. She saw the small table with a small chair. She approached and sat for a moment. She could still picture out the happiness in the face of Alexander when he saw her once again. She was so happy his confession of his love for her. But she wasn't sure if she's ready to show her other identity. She was afraid that Alexander might not like her anymore if he sees the thick black birthmark in her face. She loved him too much she didn't want to loss his love so soon. Once again, Amara looked around their big garden. She could still recall when both her parents were still alive. They would usually sit in the garden. The would talk happily about everything and feasted together on the delicious food that her beloved mother cooked. But unfortunately, she could no longer turn back the hands of time so she could be with them once again. The thought saddened Mara for a moment. But she tried to be strong hoping that someday she''ll uncover the mystery behind her sudden transformation. She stood up and hurriedly walk going inside their house. She didn't see nor hear the three. They're probably still lying in their beds just waiting for her to cook lunch for them. She hurried to the kitchen and started cooking. She took some fresh chicken from the refrigerator and fried. Then she fried the hotdogs and bacons next. Soon, Mara finished cooking. And immediately she wiped and prepared the dining table. Afterwards, she placed some plates and glasses for the three. She walked back to the kitchen, grabbed the tray and placed the food on top of the table. I think this is good enough. I'm just happy my three nice bosses haven't gone down from their respective rooms. Amara immediately ate. Alexander probably would like my fried chickens, my mom had taught me well before turning me into a good cook even when I was still a young girl. She drank a glass of milk. Mara was really like this, she couldn't eat breakfast without milk. But her breakfast was also her lunch. It's almost twelve o'clock, probably their coming already coming down to eat from my hard work in my own house. Mara endures serving them even if they didn't even show her any sign of kindness or gratitude for her efforts, except when her father was still alive. Immediately, Mara went inside her room to rest for some time. Afterwards, she stood up and took a bath. What could Alexander be doing now, could it be that he followed me. That man is always up to something. I just have to return to him or he might think of following and finding me here. She immediately took the towel and dried herself. She felt fresh all over removing all the signs that she just came from a long swim in the wide sea. She then took her yellow dress and changed. She looked at herself in the mirror. Once again, she noticed the thick black birthmark in her left face. Would Alexander still recognize me this way. Probably not, because even my godfather and my friends didn't recognize me back then. She signed deeply looking into the mirror. Never mind at least I still look kind and gentle. She kept teaching herself to think that way to give her strength and confidence to face her hard life. What really did they do to me to make me look like this. Sometimes, she suspected that they had put a curse on her but she just couldn't find a way to prove it. So Mara just continued her watch on them. Hoping that someday she'll uncover the truth. Mara laid on her bed for a moment and looked around her room. Could it be that while I was sleeping, they sneaked in here and sprinkled a mystical powder making me look like this and transforming into a mermaid? So many suspicions and theories had entered her mind but she never gotten a solid proof. But she had no intentions of giving up. I'm finding the truth whether they like it or not, she convinced herself.

           "Hey Mara, come out here and quick!" the loud command of Cassandra. Cassandra had gone down.                

           What could she want from me this time, she asked herself wondering. Mara went down and when she reached the dining table, she immediately noticed that hotdogs, bacons and all were wiped out. Laughing inside, Mara looked at the three sitting on the table. "What is it you want Aunt Cassandra, do you have a new command for me, huh?" the quick question of Mara.

          "Of course, why would I call you then, do you think it's because I want to see your beautiful face," the sarcastic answer of Cassandra to Mara. And immediately, Lindsay and Donita laughed hard looking at Mara.

          "Beautiful girl, my mother simply wants you to wipe and shine our car, we're leaving shortly. And also please... clean my room and Donita's," the kind command of Lindsay.

          "Wow, is that all Madame Lindsay, goodness that's so easy, I was really worried for a minute. If you like I'll include Aunt Cassandra's room, I just need a little exercise, a beautiful girl needs to sweat sometimes to maintain her beauty besides equally beautiful stepsisters.

          Suddenly the three looked and stared at each other. And who gave you the idea that you're allowed to enter my room, huh Mara?" the furious response of Cassandra. "Didn't I made it clear a long time ago, that I strictly forbid you from entering or even going near my room, huh. I even closed it with the biggest and sturdiest lock to make sure that you won't be tempted to steal all the expensive jewelries that your mother had left for me. Your parents didn't leave you with anything, because they knew that you will just waste it on your friends. Again those jewelries are all mine, remember that. And after you're done cleaning my daughters' room, go straight to the pool and clean it up; besides, you're the one who keeps using it, do you understand!" Cassandra ended quickly.

          "Of course Aunt Cassandra, no problem, I'll start cleaning immediately, and hurry up, leave the house you're getting late, don't you see!" the quick suggestion of Mara.

           "Yeah, you're right, at least you still have some brains. Hurry up mom, Lindsay, stand up so we can leave fast. The mall is about to open. We should come early, or some other girl would buy that pink dress that I've been eyeing yesterday. It's so beautiful mom, wait 'till you see me wear it.," the statement of Donita as she stood up wiping her mouth with all the food that she had eaten fast.

           Giggling, Mara watched the three hurried outside going straight into their car and drove away. After they had left Mara laughed so hard at what she had just done to her guests. Because she tricked them into leaving the house quickly, the three didn't realize that Mara didn't clean and shone the car that they were driving just like they ordered her. The three was driving a really dirty white car. Goodness, I'm not just beautiful on one side, I'm also great at full view. Immediately, Mara cleaned and wiped the table for the three. Then she went to the room of her guests and cleaned it next. Afterwards, she went outside passing the heavily locked door of Cassandra's room. That lock is just too big, do they really think I'm that strong, laughing she thought to herself. Mara had been wondering for a long time why Cassandra wouldn't allow her to go inside her room, not even to clean it. Considering that she ordered her to clean her daughters' room, giving her entry to it. What mystery could be lurking inside. If only all my jewelries could shout to me what's inside. Yeah, I haven't really seen all my jewelries for a long time now. Because after my father was buried, I never saw even a single piece of those. Never mind, I don't really need my jewelries at the moment; besides I don't really get out of the house that often nowadays. I'm only a two legged human for six hours. At three o'clock in the afternoon, I'll be a mermaid once again. When she thought of this, she couldn't help but smile knowing that she could be with Alexander on the island. With my golden tail, I'll be with the man who loves me and gives meaning to my life. Did I thought too much, is Alexander really that important to my life. Her eyes smiled at what she thought. I'm already done with all my chores,maybe, I should take a rest first. Mara laid on her bed falling asleep shortly.

                                                                  Chapter 10

          "It's two o'clock... maybe Amara will be arriving shortly," the soft whisper of Alexander to himself as he stood inside his yacht. "Right, I'm preparing some food for the two us." After Alexander had cooked he jumped into the water and swam. He swam and swam until he slowly got tired. Amara is coming anytime now, just thirty minutes and it's already four o'clock.

           "Alexander!" the loud shout of Amara as she swam swiftly going to Alexander.

           "Amara!" he answered and swam to meet his beautiful mermaid. "I'm so happy you returned, Amara. Let's go for a swim, I want to see you swim underwater."

           Holding each others hands, Amara and Alexander submerged going deeper into the sea. The two slowly swam beside each other. Alexander saw all the beautiful corals and schools of colorful fishes swimming around them. He was so fascinated by the spectacular views he was seeing, but the sight beside him was for him the most beautiful of them all. Goodness, I'm swimming with a goddess, Alexander thought to himself looking at Amara's beautiful hair gently moving in the sea. He was so captivated by Amara's incomparable beauty that he suddenly ran out of breath. Immediately, Amara breathed on his mouth and he was able to breath once more. They swam and swam holding each others' hands and looking into each others' faces. Once in a while, they would swim hugging each other looking into each others eyes and from what he learned earlier, he constantly pretended to be running out of breath so Amara would breathe on his mouth over and over again, kissing him. Alexander was having the time of his life and so was Amara. After their long swim underwater with the beautiful corals and fishes, the two decided to swam upwards going back to Alexander's yacht. Smiling at each other, the two floated in the water surface admiring each others' faces.

          "Let's get back to my yacht Amara, I've cooked something for you," Alexander offered Amara dragging her in the water going near his yacht. When they reached the yacht, immediately climbed up and stood on the deck. "You just stay here, I'll go down to get our food Amara." In just a short while Alexander returned and started eating with Amara. A bit tired from the swim, Alexander ate a lot. He noticed Amara wasn't eating that much. "Don't you like the food Amara, huh, you don't seem to be enjoying it," Alexander asked Amara beside him.

          "No, the fried chicken is delicious Alexander and so are the drinks. But I want to tell you something..."

Amara stated seriously looking ahead from the deck.

          "What is it Amara?" the question of Alexander.

          "I've been thinking and I have decided to tell you how I became a mermaid," Amara stated looking into Alexander's eyes.

          "I'm listening Amara..."

          And Amara told him everything from the day her father died and up to the time when she returned home after Alexander left with the rescuers on the speedboat except for the truth that she had a big and black birthmark every time she turned into a two legged human being. She was scared that Alexander might no longer like her if he saw her that way. But she also decided that she would tell him about her birthmark someday

         "So, you're two legged human for only six hours, transforming into a mermaid at three o'clock in the afternoon and back into an ordinary human being at nine o'clock in the morning," the statement of Alexander looking at Amara's beautiful face. "And you suspect that your stepmother and your two stepsisters had something to do with your sudden transformation back then."

            "Yes, but I just couldn't find a way to prove it," the answer of Amara.

            "But at least you got a beautiful mermaid tail and you still have your beautiful face Amara.

            Come here," Alexander stated and hugging Amara by his side. "I love you Amara, with

 or without your golden tail."

           "Thank you for accepting me Alexander."

          "What accepting, I want you! I love you, I'm crazy about you Amara!" Alexander stated hugging her tighter. "Don't you worry, I'm taking care of your stepsisters, leave it to me. I'm sure I can convince them to tell me their secret," the statement of Alexander and laughing a little.

            "Really, you can convince my stepsisters Alexander..."

            "Of course, you just wait and see but for now let's forget about them."

            "Okay, if that's what you want."

           "Did you miss me earlier when you were still at your house with a big swimming pool Amara, huh?" the question of Alexander smiling a little.

            "Yes... I missed you." the confession of Amara.

           "Really you missed me, and because you missed me, I'm taking you out on a date Amara, a new place I'm sure you'll love," Alexander offered looking and smiling at Amara.

            "You're taking me out on a date?"

            "Yes."

            "Where?"

            "To the sea," Aexander answered laughing at Amara.

            "You," Amara said shaking her head and smiling a little.

            "Come on I was just joking, I have a better place in mind," Alexander stated smiling at Amara.

            "Okay, where are you taking me for a date?" Amara asked.

            "To OceanPark," Alexander answered and laughed hard at Amara.

            "You keep making fun of me, I'm leaving you now," the reaction of Amara.

            "Okay, I'm taking you to my parents, I'll introduce you to them," Alexander finally said cupping Amara's pretty face.

              "You're going to introduce me to your parents, but I'm...." Amara hesitated.

              "Don't worry they know, or so I think. I told them before that I got rescued by a beautiful mermaid. I didn't really know if they believed me, but they reacted by taking me to America and had me finish high school and college there. And after I graduated I told them I'm coming home for you and now I'm here."

              "Okay, I'm meeting your parents if that's what you want Alexander."

               "Do you understand why I want you to meet my parents Amara?" the sudden question

 of Alexander looking into Amara's eyes.

              "Huh.." the answer of Amara.

              Suddenly, Alexander held Amara's face and kissed her. He stopped and said, "I want to introduce you to them because I want to marry you Amara."

               A tear suddenly felt from Amara's eyes but she immediately composed herself and asked, "Don't you think that kiss was too brief for me to agree to marry you Alexander..."

               "You, No! You have to agree to marry me first before I gave you the long kiss that you want," Alexander quickly answered and smiled at her. "Will you marry me Amara?"

               "Yes, I will marry you Alexander," Amara answered.

               "Good!" Alexander answered and gave Amara the long kiss that she demanded. He kissed Amara with all his heart and for a long time.

                "Alexander.." Amara softly said.

                "What's wrong Amara..."

                "There's another yacht approaching us..." the quick answer of Amara looking at the new yacht.

                                                                   Chapter 11

           Alexander turned around, "I know that yacht, that's Helena's yacht," the statement of Alexander.

  "Quckly Amara you hide on the side, I don't want her to see you."

           Amara quickly obeyed and hid on the side of Alexander's yacht.

           Shortly the new yacht stopped near Alexander's. "Alexander!" the lady on the yacht

greeted Alexander. "I'm coming over, you just wait there!"

           "No, you stay there, I'm going to you're yacht instead Helena," the loud answer of Alexander. "You just stay here and hide Amara, I'll be back as soon as I can. I'll try to drive her away so she won't see you here."

          Amara agreed and continued hiding. Alexander then jumped into the water and swam towards Helena's yacht. When he got near, he immediately climbed going to the deck and stood in front of Helena.

            "What are you doing here, and how did you find me?"

            "You why are you here, I was waiting for you at your house Alexander," the answer of Helena looking up to Alexander in front of him. "What are you doing here Alexander, are you with another woman?" she asked looking towards Alexander's yacht. The two talked for some time.

              From her hiding place Amara got impatient and decided to look for Alexander on the other yacht. Amara and Helena saw each others' faces.

              "Who's that girl on your yacht Alexander?" Helena furiously asked Alexander. 

              "She's my girlfriend," Alexander immediately answered.

              Suddenly Helena hurried and started climbing down her yacht to go to Alexander's yacht and confront Amara. In fear that the girl might see her mermaid tail, she hid again, crawled away and jumped into the water swimming away from Alexander and the other girl. She swam fast. She swam and headed back to her house.

           "Hey you stop acting like your my girlfriend, cause you're not!" Alexander furiously reprimanded Helena hearing the loud water splash after Amara jumped into the sea.

           "But I love you Alexander, and I'm not letting that girl steal you away from me," her answer to Alexander.

           "Go home and stop following me Helena, I already have a girlfriend and find yourself another man," the command of Alexander and left going back to his yacht to find Amara. On his yacht, Alexander realized that Amara had really left him. She probably jumped into the water in fear that she might be seen with her tail by Helena, Alexander concluded looking into the island that Amara had told him. I'll move my yacht somewhere to avoid Helena. Alexander then sailed away from Helena's yacht. And when he thought he had traveled far enough, he stopped and waited for Amara to surface. He waited and waited until it was dark but no Amara showed up. She was so scared of Helena, she probably had gone back to her house with a big pool. Ah I know, I'll surprise her by following her to her house. Alexander immediately sailed for the island to see Amara. He sailed and sailed until he finally docked on a small port. He disembarked and walked around the new place. He saw the many people and the many small stores around. He walked some more and saw some houses near a street. He tried to look for a big house, but all he saw were ordinary houses. Amara told me she lives in a big house, these houses can't be Amara's. Then he saw an adequately sized but beautiful green house near him. He walked towards the red gate and pressed on the doorbell. Shortly, an elderly man opened the gate and looked at Alexander.

            "Good evening sir, I just want to know where I could find a big house with a big pool in this island," the statement of Alexander looking at the man who opened the red gate.

            "Really, you're looking for a big house with a big pool. Do you know anyone there, huh?" his quick question to the stranger in front of him.

            "Yes. I'm looking for my girlfriend Amara," the quick response of Alexander.

            "Amara... I know that house, but I don't think that a girl by that name lives in that big house. Why don't you come inside, it's getting really late and it's cold out here," the man stated and invited Alexander.

            "Okay, thank you," the answer of Alexander.

            The two walked through a small garden leading to the open door of the beautiful green house. When they got inside the house, the man immediately offered a seat to Alexander. "Have a sit."

            Alexander immediately sat surveying the entire living room. There was a small TV near the elegant sofa and a lot of figurines on the shelves. "Thank you," Alexander just said looking at the man who sat in front of him.

            "You see... there's only one house with a big pool in this area. And it belongs to my goddaughter Mara. I have been looking for her since the day her father was buried in the cemetery. The truth is, she mysteriously disappeared right after the burial. When I went to her house that day to find her so we could talk about her ownership of that house, her stepmother told me that she was out having fun with her friends. And worst she even told me that, Mara my goddaughter did not even participate in any of the prayers offered for her father. But I didn't believe her. I knew my goddaughter loved her father and she wouldn't do such a thing. Are you really sure that you're girlfriends name is Amara and not Mara. Maybe, you're actually dating my long lost goddaughter?" his long statement ending with a question on Alexander.

           "Yeah, I'm certain that her name is Amara and not Mara," his quick answer to the elderly man.

           "That's sad because I'm really hoping that she is my goddaughter. Wait, I suddenly remember. When I got to that house then, there was this little girl with a big and black birthmark in her left face. And what really surprised me was, she told me that she was my goddaughter Mara. But of course I didn't believe her. I didn't think that my beautiful goddaughter would grow a big and black birthmark overnight. Wait, I remember now, Cassandra, my goddaughter's stepmother, told me that that little girl was Ara her new housemaid. She even scolded her for talking to me. Poor girl, she almost cried and headed inside their kitchen. Does your girlfriend have a birthmark on her left face huh?" his question to Alexander.

           "Not really, or  I haven't really seen her with a big birthmark in her left face," the quick answer of Alexander who started putting two and two together and making a conclusion at what actually happened on that day.

           "Are you still going to that house, to look for your girlfriend Amara? It's really late, I don't think Cassandra would accept strangers tonight. Where are you staying?" the question of the elderly man.

           "I'll just probably walk back to my yacht then and look for Amara in that house tomorrow morning," Alexander replied looking at his watch and realizing how late it was.

           "Why don't you spend the night here, I'll ask my daughter to prepare our guest room," the man offered Alexander.

           But Alexander refused thinking that Amara might see his yacht on the port. "Thank you sir, but I really have to get going. You just don't know but you actually have helped me a lot today. And I can't tell you right now, but I'll find a way to help you with your problem," the statement of Alexander and smiling at little at the kind elderly man.

           "Really, I really hope so."

           Alexander finally thanked him and left. In his walk he realized he haven't really asked for the name of Amara's godfather, he thought to himself laughing  a little. He walked and walked on the narrow streets of the island and when he got near his yacht, he immediately hurried and boarded. Inside, he ate his dinner and waited for Amara to show up. But still Amara did not come. Alexander finished his dinner and decided to sleep preparing himself for his interesting meeting with the two legged Amara the following morning. The idea amused him the whole night until he finally fall asleep on his bed inside his cabin.

                                                                  Chapter 12

          Alexander woke up at about seven thirty in the morning, and realizing that Amara would grow back her legs at nine o'clock he immediately took a bath and prepared himself. Afterwards he ate a little, carefully brushed his teeth, changed and immediately made himself handsome for Amara. Smiling, he walked out of his yacht on the port and started walking for the house of Amara. He walked once more on the streets that he had threaded the other night, passing and smiling at the house of Amara's godfather. He continued walking. He walked and walked passing many beautiful small houses and small stores. Until finally he saw the massive

blue house of Amara. He hurried when he saw the big white gate. He pressed on the doorbell and waited whistling to himself. Shortly, a girl opened the gate. The two stared at each other for a moment. Smiling a little Alexander said, "Hi, I'm Alexander, I lost my girlfriend. And I have been looking for her all over this island but I haven't found her. Is it okay if ask for a drink, I'm really tasty Miss..."

         "Hey, who are you talking to Ara?" the shout of Lindsay from behind her walking towards her.

         Amara did not answer Alexander. So Alexander just went through the opening of the gate and smiled at her. "Hey I said, can I have a drink, water perhaps Miss..."

         "Hey, that man is asking for a drink, go inside Ara and get him a glass!" the loud command of Lindsay flashing her smile at Alexander.

          "Hi, I'm Lindsay," Lindsay introduced herself to Alexander sweeping Amara to the side.

          "Hello, I'm Alexander," Alexander answered laughing a little at the expression on Amara's face. "You're maid is still not getting me water Lindsay."

          I'm the real owner of this big house, Amara answered quietly, glaring at Alexander. Furiously, she turned around and went inside the house leaving Alexander and Lindsay to each other.

          "So you're name is Alexander, aside from the drink, what else do you want from me, I mean how may I help you."

          "Nothing really, I've been walking around this beautiful island and I just need water to drink and a place where I could rest for a while. It's really hot out here, I really would appreciate a seat," the answer of Alexander looking at Lindsay's face.

          "Come inside then, you can sit on our sofa while we're talking to each other," the offer of Lindsay to the man in front of her.

          "Thanks..." Alexander just said walking beside Lindsay going to the big house. When they got inside Lindsay immediately made Alexander sat on their elegant sofa.

            She smiled at Alexander beside her and immediately shouted, "Ara, the water hurry up, come on, we're already inside the house and your still not done getting the water!"

            "Yes Madame Lindsay, I'm coming out now!" the loud answer of Amara from the kitchen.

            When she got out she immediately approached Alexander and handed him the water, here is the water you've asked for sir," the statement of Amara still glaring at Alexander.

            "What's wrong with your eyes, Ara. Is this the first time that you've seen a man as handsome as Alexander, huh?" the quick question of Lindsay to Amara who was still glaring at Alexander.

            "Not really, Madame Lindsay, how about you how many times do you intend to see the handsome face of this man by the name of Alexander, huh?" the quick retaliation of Amara.

            "Pardon our maid Alexander, she really has no manners. But we endure her bad service, because she charges really low, in fact the lowest in the market," the quick apology of Lindsay smiling at Alexander.

            "If her services is that cheap, maybe she could work part time at my yacht," the quick response of Alexander. "How do you like working in my yacht Ara?"

            "How about you drink that water first, I think you really need it," her answer to him and still glaring.

            "Hey why are you so mad at me, I only ask for a glass of water and not a drum."

            "No sir, I'm not mad at you, I am just so surprised to see a handsome man beside Lindsay. I don't remember a handsome man visiting Lindsay all my life."

            "What do you mean by that Ara?" the quick question of Lindsay.

            "Nothing, I mean this is your lucky day, your luckiest day in fact," Amara simply answered starting to laugh at the expression on Lindsay's face.

            Suddenly, from where he was sitting Alexander started noticing Amara's legs near him. But he immediately pretended not to notice and stared at Amara's big and black birthmark.

            And Amara pretended not to notice Alexander staring at her big birthmark.

            Lindsay broke the sudden silence and said, "Go back to the kitchen now, Ara and don't come back until I tell you to. By the way is Donita awake, huh?"

            "Yes, and I think she's about to see your guest anytime soon," Amara answered with a hint of caution.

            "Who's Donita?" Alexander asked.

            "Her equally beautiful sister," the quick answer of Amara. Amara then went inside the kitchen leaving Alexander and Lindsay alone on the sofa.

            "What brought you to our island Alexander, ah I know you're a tourist."

            "Yeah, that's right, I came here to inspect the view, and who have thought that I wound find the best island view inside this big house with a big pool," his quick response smiling and looking into Lindsay's eyes.

            "Really," Lindsay just said. "How long do you intend to stay in our island, if you don't mind me asking."

            "I'm not really sure, maybe for as long as I'm enjoying myself," the statement of Alexander. "By the way is your mother home?"

            "No, she left the house early for some appointment probably," her response to him.

            "Good." Alexander just said.

            The two chatted some more until lunch.

            "Here's your lunch mister, I hope you like it too, as much as you like your girlfriend who just runaway from you," Amara said as she carefully placed the food on the table near Alexander.

            "You already have a girlfriend Alexander?" the fast question of Lindsay.

            "Yeah, but she had just left me. How did she know that, I wonder..." the answer of Alexander pretending to be surprised.

            Alexander ate and enjoyed his lunch that was prepared by Amara. "That was delicious," Alexander just said after he finished his lunch and drank his juice.

           Lindsay and Alexander chatted some more until Donita came down. "Hey Lindsay, I didn't know you have a guest," she said looking and smiling at Alexander.

           "Hi," Alexander greeted her.

           "Hi, I'm Donita, Lindsay's sister," the quick answer of Donita.

           "Yeah, you're sisters indeed, you two kinda look alike, I see," the comment of Alexander alternately looking at the two girls.

           Lindsay wanted to argue but she chose to charm Alexander with her smile which she thought was better than that of Donita's. The three chatted some more for some time until Amara returned to the dining room.

             "Here's your lechen plan and halo-halo Mr. Alexander," the offer of Amara as she entered the room smiling at Alexander on his seat in the dining room.

             "Did we call--"

             "How did you know my favorite dessert in the whole world is halo-halo, Ara. Are you trying to impress me huh. Wait, I think you have a crush on me," Alexander interrupted Lindsay and teased Amara who was smiling at him.

             "Who wouldn't have a crush on you Mr. Alexander, you're so rich, you're so handsome and you finished college in Harvard, what more can a beautiful girl ask for," the quick response of Amara who was still furious at Alexander.

             "How dare you flirt with my guest Amara, get out of here and go back to the kitchen!" Lindsay scolded Amara glaring at her.

              "Ah... Ara do you already have a boyfriend huh?" the quick question of Alexander.

              "No, but my friend has, and I'm sure she's going to smack him with a golden something when she she sees him in the island this afternoon."

             "Really," pretending to be terrified, Alexander just said smiling at Ara.

             And Amara then left and went back to the kitchen.

             Suddenly, Alexander turned quiet.

             "What's wrong Alexander?" the quick question of Donita looking at him from the other side of the big table.

            "I just realized Ara is such a  beautiful girl," started Alexander smiling and looking dreamy from his chair.

            "What you find Ara, our maid a beautiful girl," Are you sure, I'm much prettier than she is," Lindsay argued a little.

            "Yes, maybe but I'm prettier than you sister," butted in Donita, who was trying to charm Alexander with her eyelashes.

            "Yeah, Amara not only has great legs, she is also beautiful in one side of her face. She was able to guess my favorite dessert halo-halo and she even knew I finished college from Harvard. Now, I understand beneath that big and black birthmark on her left face is a magical woman," the statement of Alexander still looking dreamy from his chair.

            "Really," the response of the two sisters.

            "Yes and that's what I like in a woman. I want a woman who knows magic. I want beauty, and magic. I'm in love. Yes I'm in love. I'm in love with Ara. Where are you my beautiful magical woman. I must see her now, I want to travel the world with her, I want to hold her in my arms and kiss her," the passionate statement of Alexander who started standing up from the chair he was sitting.

           "Wait Alexander, it is I who know magic," the statement of Donita as she held Alexander's hand pulling him back on his chair.

           "No, it is I who know magic, Alexander," Lindsay argued glaring at her sister. "I know a story about magic,"

           "Just a story about magic, is that all," the disinterested statement of Alexander.

           "But this is not an ordinary story, this is for real Alexander, you just sit and listen," the statement of Lindsay.

           "Okay, I'm listening..." Alexander said.

                                                                       Chapter 13

          And Lindsay started telling the story, "Once upon a time, in a far away kingdom, there lived a prince. He was so rich and handsome that all the girls wanted to marry him. But the prince was not interested on anyone of them. He was in love with the girl who he saw in the sea beneath the window of his majestic palace. Every night, he would hear her sing from the water and he would run to his window and look down on the beautiful long haired girl. She was so beautiful, the prince couldn't take his eyes off her, as she sings from the big rock she was holding beside her. He called out to her after she sang her song, "Hello, I'm Arnulfo!" his introduction to the beautiful girl floating in deep sea. But the girl did not answer him and left. Every night he waited again for the beautiful girl to appear and last on the seventh day he heard her sang once more. He run for the window and looked at the beautiful girl floating in the water. She looked and smiled at him as she sang from the side of the big rock.

            "What's your name?" he asked at the tough of his lungs looking down at the beautiful girl.

            Still she did not answer but she did not leave. So the prince hurried outside and jumped into the water from his window above. He dove. He submerged for a moment and when he emerged, he saw up close the most beautiful girl that he had ever seen in all kingdoms that he had ever been. He stared lovingly at the enchanting beauty in front of her.

            "I'm Amaya," the beautiful girl finally said.

            Suddenly, Arnulfo notice her tail and exclaimed, "You're a mermaid, I'm in love with a beautiful mermaid."

            The beautiful mermaid smiled at him and started swimming away looking back at the prince. The handsome prince swam and followed her. The beautiful mermaid swam and swam. And the handsome prince

swam and swam after her. Until finally the mermaid stopped in shallow water of a beautiful island. He caught up with her and held her against him. I've been dreaming about you my beautiful mermaid and now that I finally have you in my arms, no one can stop me from..." he softly said and kissed her gently on her lips.

            The beautiful mermaid stared at the prince who was kissing him. It was her first kiss and she couldn't explain what she was feeling. She allowed him to kiss her for a long time until finally, slowly the prince stopped and smiled at her. "I love you my beautiful mermaid."

            From that day forward the two would meet on the island and kiss each other the whole night. They loved each other like no one had ever loved before. The moon and stars were the sole witness of their undying love. They kept seeing each other every night on that beautiful island until one night the mermaid spoke. "Arnulfo, I can no longer see you. Our kingdom forbids a mermaid from loving a human being. And now that the king, my father have learned about our relationship, I must not see you. Good bye Arnulfo..." the beautiful mermaid finally said and swam away leaving the handsome prince in the island.

            But still the prince did not loss hope. He waited on his palace window, hoping to hear the beautiful singing voice of her beloved mermaid. He waited and waited every night but the mermaid never came. The handsome prince became lonelier and lonelier. He did not attend royal functions, he refused to date beautiful princesses from kingdoms near and far. And when can no longer bear his sadness, he rode his boat and drove it towards the ocean. When he reached the great ocean., he stood on his boat and shouted calling out the name of his beloved beautiful mermaid. "Amaya! I love you! I love you Amaya please come back to me...!" he screamed in the middle of the ocean. He stayed there for five days and five nights. He waited and waited without food nor drink. He waited and waited, willing to give up his life just to see his beautiful mermaid by his side. And when he was at his weakest, finally the beautiful mermaid reappeared, she swam near him. With all her love, he held him in his arms and kissed him. The prince opened his eyes and smiled at her. But he was too weak, he closed his eyes once more and slept. After a two days, the prince finally opened his eyes once more in their beautiful island. The beautiful mermaid took good care of him for two days, feeding him from the fish she caught in the middle of the sea. "We must stay on land, or my father will find us. He vowed to kill you, if he sees you with me," the statement of the beautiful mermaid as she held her prince.

           "Come to my palace then and live with me my beautiful mermaid," the loving offer of the handsome prince to her beautiful mermaid. In fear of her father, the beautiful mermaid agreed. And secretly, the prince sneaked the beautiful mermaid inside the palace and inside his room. From that day, he forbid his servants from entering his royal room. The handsome prince and the beautiful mermaid lived happily and secretly inside the prince royal room. They lived happily for a long time until one day the secret of the prince was revealed in the whole kingdom. The king sent prince Arnulfo on a fake mission. And after he had left the king together with his knights, entered into the prince room and dragged the beautiful mermaid out. They took her in the middle of the town and tied here on a post for days. She was not given food nor drink. And the villagers would stone her and humiliate her. They believed that mermaids were abominations. With no food and water the beautiful mermaid became weaker and weaker waiting for her prince to come and rescue her. Until finally the prince arrived, and when he learned of what his father did to his beautiful mermaid he sneaked in the darkness of the night and rescued her from the middle of the town. He rode her weak body on a horse and hurried towards the mountains. But the king learned of these and together with his loyal knights, in their horses, they chased after the fleeing prince and mermaid until they caught up with them on a high cliff.

          "Father, I love Amaya, please let us go. I no longer want your kingdom. I just want to be with my mermaid. Please father..." the handsome prince begged with his mermaid on the high cliff. But the king did not listen and ordered his knight to throw a spear on the beautiful mermaid. With all his love, the prince hugged his beautiful mermaid. The spear struck the prince. With the dead prince in her arms, the mermaid cried. She cried and cried like no one had ever heard before. She looked at the king and the knights with a vengeful eyes. She crawled to the side of the cliff and jumped into the deep water far below. In the water, the mermaid continued wailing. She swam and swam with the prince in her arms away from the king and his knights. She swam and swam until she finally reached their beautiful island. On that night, she held her prince for the last time in her arms and buried him in their island. She saw a scroll and wrote. She swam away from the island and when she reached the deepest part of the ocean, she stopped and raised her arm with the scroll. "You humans have caused my greatest misery and you're race shall suffer my wrath! Once in a hundred years, I will take one from you and turn her into a mermaid and a cursed human being. She will suffer what I had suffered. She shall feel every pain that you inflicted upon me. Vengeance...!" the loud and long scream of the grieving mermaid. The darkness of the heavens roared, lightning flashed across the sky and struck her. Instantly, the beautiful mermaid turned into statue and sank into the deepest of the ocean," the dramatic narration of Lindsay. "Yes,the statue of the wishing mermaid sank deep into the ocean. Until one day it was discovered by a gallant and rich traveler. And the great white wishing mermaid statue was handed down from generations to generations of royalties. The levitating wishing mermaid statue was stolen and handed, handed and stolen from generations to generations. And now it belongs to my mother, Cassandra..." the long narration of Lindsay.

         "Ah... so your mother Cassandra is a thief," Alexander just said.

         "Oh no, we're of royal descent. The levitating wishing mermaid statue was handed down to us by our royal ancestors. Isn't it obvious, Alexander,"

         "Yeah, okay, I see it now," the statement of Alexander looking alternately at the two girls on the long dining table. "But is there a way to unmake the grieving mermaid curse, huh?"

         "Yes," Donita finally butted in, "In the scroll was written, once in a hundred years her statue would grow  real mermaid scales and whoever is sprinkled with it on the legs and on the face will turn into a mermaid and a cursed human being. And the curse can only be reversed through a wish. The wisher must make the wish with someone who is willing to give up his life for her, just like the prince was to his mermaid. Otherwise, the wisher will die."

           "That's a great story, magical, yes. But that's it, just a story..." Alexander just said and started standing up. "Where's Ara I really need to see her now. Where are you my beautiful magic woman."

           And Lindsay once again, pulled down Alexander back to his chair and said, "Oh, no that's not just a story, we actually have the real, life-sized wishing mermaid statue in this big blue house. Yes, it's inside this house and I will show it to you."

          "Really, you'll show it to me. Okay, if that's what you want," the quick statement of Alexander.

          "Hello, I brought you another dessert Alexander," the statement of Amara who had just arrived carrying a refrigerator mango cake with her.

          The two stepsisters looked at each other and in unison they shouted. "You get out of the house now. We're showing Alexander something special, we're sure you haven't seen... Get out of the house and you stay in the garden. And don't you dare get inside our house, you stay there until we call for you, okay!"

           "Okay," Amara just said looking at Alexander and wondering.

                                                                      Chapter 14

          After Amara had left, Lindsay smiled at Alexander and said, "Come with me Alexander, I'll show the magic that you wish to see."

          "Yeah let's go Alexander," the invitation of Donita looking up to Alexander by her side.

          But immediately, Lindsay held Alexander's hands and walked him slowly up the stairs. With Donita behind, the three walked up the long stairs going to Cassandra's heavily locked door. In just a moment they were standing in front of the big door.

           "That lock is awfully huge, are you sure you girls can open it?" the quick question of Alexander amused at the biggest lock attached on the side of the door.

           "Yes, of course..." the reply of Lindsay taking off the gold necklace on her neck with the biggest locket on it. She immediately opened the locket, but instead of a picture in it, a big silver key was revealed.

           "My, that's a great way to a hide a key," Alexander just said looking down on the key on Lindsay's open palm. "What now, are we opening the door now?"

          "Yeah, just step aside a little, so I could open it properly," the response of Lindsay carefully inserting and turning the key in the big lack attached on the door.

          "Hurry up Lindsay, Alexander is waiting," butted in Donita looking up at Alexander by her side.

          In just a short while, the lock was finally opened, and Lindsay pushed the door inside, opening it.

Lindsay stepped in and Donita and Alexander immediately followed her. Inside the elegant room, Alexander saw the big bed of Cassandra in the middle and near it was a half-open large jewelry box full of gold and diamond studded rings, necklaces, earrings and a lot others. He also saw the grand cabinet on one side and some other beautiful decorations inside. He surveyed the room and carefully. With Lindsay and Donita by his sides, Alexander broke the silence and said, "What's this, I thought you're going to show me, the magical life-sized statue of the wishing mermaid. I don't think those are statutes, those are mere figurines, ten white mermaid figurines on top of a shelf," the statement of Alexander looking alternately at the two girls beside him.

           "Yes, those are ten ordinary looking mermaid figurines. But in one of those, is the key to the underground room that we secretly built after our ill-mannered stepsister disappeared with her friends.

           "Really, but which one of those has the key to this secret underground room of this big blue house?" the quick question of Alexander looking at the ten mermaid figurines.

           "It's inside the eighth mermaid figurine Alexander," the response of Donita smiling a little at Alexander beside her.

           "Yes, Alexander it's in the eighth figurine," Lindsay confirmed giving Donita the eye for preempting her

line.

           "That's a clever way to hide a really important key, I must say," Alexander praised. "But how do we take the key from inside the eighth mermaid figurine. Do we have to turn something or what...?"

           "Yeah, you're right Alexander. We just have to turn and remove its head," the answer of Lindsay approaching and taking the eighth mermaid figurine.

           Immediately Lindsay turned the head of the eight mermaid figurine, inverted it dropping the key to her right palm but it slipped and fall on the floor. Alexander saw the silver key. Donita knelt down to take it but Lindsay immediately took it away from her and pulled Alexander with her going through the door of Cassandra's room.

           "Let's go Alexander, I'm showing you the secret underground room that my mother Cassandra used as a hiding place for the mystical statue of the wishing mermaid.

           "Okay, let's go Alexander," a little disappointed that Lindsay was holding Alexander's arms just said.

           Once again, the three walked slowly down the stairs and when they got down Lindsay said, "This won't take long Alexander, in no time you'll see the beautiful mermaid statue in the underground room.

           Alexander simply looked at Lindsay and smiled a little. The three walked on a narrow corridor and after a while they reached another big door inside the big blue house. Lindsay stopped and released Alexander's arm to open the huge lock of the underground. "You just stay there Alexander, I'm opening this huge lock so we could get inside," the statement of Lindsay and once again inserted a key in the other big lock. Shortly the lock opened and Donita immediately pushed the door inside before Lindsay could and smiling a little at Alexander. Alexander could barely see anything inside, "How do we get through, it's really dark in here ladies," noticed Alexander trying to find his way inside the dark place.

           "Be careful Alexander, it's a long stairs a few steps from here. you might trip and fall way way down below," the warning of Lindsay as she quickly held Alexander's arms back. "You just stand here beside me, I'm pulling the flashlight hanging on the corner adjacent to the door we just opened. And Lindsay groped her way in the darkness and immediately found the big flashlight. She pressed on the switch  and pointed it on the long stairway.

            With the light coming from the flashlight, Alexander saw the long stairways leading to some place downwards. "A flashlight, for a moment I thought we we're lighting a torch," the quick comment of Alexander a little amused.

           "Oh no Alexander, we really don't want to mess up our make-ups and  lipsticks with the smoke," the quick answer of Donita.

           "Yeah, you girls shoudn't," the simple answer of Alexander looking thoroughly at the long stairs lighted by the flashlight in Lindsay's hands.

           "Okay, follow me Alexander, and be very careful the stairs are kinda narrow," the warning of Lindsay

to Alexander who was walking behind her. Carefully the three lined up and walked down the long stairs through their bright flashlight. They threaded the long stairs for sometime, and finally they stopped in front of another door way way down below from where they came from. The surroundings were still dark only the areas lighted by the flashlight was visible for Alexander.

            "Do we need another key to open this door, Lindsay?" the question of Alexander wonderding at the third door.

            "Oh no, we just have to turn the doorknob, just like what I'm about to do next," the reply of Lindsay and turned the doorknob. Immediately, she pushed back the door opening it. Lindsay went in and the two soon followed. Inside the small room, Alexander saw three doors. One in the middle in front of them and two on the sides.

           "But there are three doors, which one do we choose Lindsay," the question of Alexander looking at three doors alternately.

           "We chose this one on the left Alexander," the quick answer of Donita as she hurried towards it, turning the knob and opening it for Alexander. She went inside and Alexander and Lindsay soon followed.

           Inside the next small room, Alexander saw another three doors, one in front and two on the sides.

           "There are three doors, which one do we chose this time," the statement of Alexander who was trying to hide his impatience with all those doors.

          "We choose the one on the right Alexander," the quick reply of Lindsay and smiling at Alexander as she approached the right door.

          "Why chose the right door?" Alexander simply asked Lindsay.

          "Because the right door, is the right door," Lindsay quickly answered and giggling a little at her answer.

          "And because the right door, is the right door Alexander, you shall finally see the mystical statue of the wishing mermaid," the quick answer of Donita, not wanting to be outdone by her sister Lindsay.

         But Lindsay was too quick for her, she immediately held on to Alexander's arm and guided him inside. The three entered a big dark room, only the part lighted by the big flashlight was visible to Alexander. He saw something white in the middle, but he just couldn't see it properly as Lindsay went on one corner of the big room bringing her the big flashlight. On the corner she suddenly took a lighter from her skirt, picked up a torch lying on the corner of the floor. She immediately lit it up with her lighter. She rose the torch to light another torch on one corner of the big wall, she moved to another direction and lit another torch with the torch she was carrying. And finally the room turned bright, so bright and Alexander finally saw the big white statute of the wishing mermaid. It looked smooth on the surface and was standing on top of big rounded flatform. Alexander looked at it for a moment, and then looked alternately at the two girls beside him.

         "Yeah, that's indeed a beautiful mermaid statute. But it looks just a statue, just like the statutes that I had seen in my travels," the comment of Alexander looking carefully at the big mermaid statue in front of him.

         The two girls did not reply. So wondering Alexander walked forward and approached it just inches from the flatform it was standing. He looked at it once more for a moment. And then finally he stepped on the large round flatform facing the big statue of the mermaid. And suddenly, Alexander was stunned. He felt a strong around him. His hair started moving, and his clothes pressed hard on his body. He stood there for a moment and the wind grew stronger. He moved back and stepped down from the flatform and just like that the strong wind disappeared. He stepped back on the flatform and soon  his hair moved fast and his clothes pressed hard on his body. This is it, this mermaid is really magical. This is the way to unmake the curse. I must hurry and bring Amara here.

          "Do you believe me now, Alexander, that is what real magic is," the proud statement of Lindsay as Alexander stepped down from the flatform.

          "Yes, this is indeed magic. The magic that I want from the woman that I want to travel the world with," the quick response of Alexander walking towards Lindsay. "I can't wait to bring you to my yacht Lindsay."

          Immediately, Alexander dragged Lindsay with him, with Donita following from behind them. Alexander dragged Lindsay through the two doors. Hurried her on the long stair way, and finally exiting on the final door.

         "Relax Alexander, I'm not running away. I'm going wherever you want to take me," the statement of Lindsay looking up at the handsome Alexander who was still dragging her and hurrying her outside the big blue house. And when he finally saw a car parked outside he said, "Can I drive that car, huh, I really want to take you to my yacht right now Lindsay!" the quickest statement of Alexander looking at the white car.

         "Yes you can Alexander. You can drive it Alexander. But wait, I just have to call Amara to clean it, she tricked us yesterday. We told her to clean and shine that up yesterday, but she deceived and made my mom bring us to the mall driving a really dirty car. Amara... !" Lindsay called out on Amara.

         "No, let's go, I can't wait to see my first magic woman on board my yacht," the statement of Alexander. "Where's the key, huh?"

         "It's in my locket Donita said, and if you really want to go with Alexander Lindsay, you must take me along with you two," butted in Donita from behind them.

         Immediately, Alexander took the key from her and opened the door of the dirty white car. Afterwards, he immediately pushed Donita and Lindsay in. And inside, on the driver's seat Alexander just said, "Ladies you're in for a long drive."

        Smiling and happy the two watched Alexander drove from behind. Alexander drove as fast as he could going through and outside the gate of the big blue house. Along the way, Alexander suddenly took his big blue handkerchief and started wiping the sweat off his forehead. And the two girls watched as Alexander wiped the small drops of sweat off his face with the big blue handkerchief. Alexander put back the handkerchief inside his pants. And once again, he drove and drove until he saw the zoo that he passed yesterday.

        "I didn't know your island has a zoo, let's drop by, I really like looking at lions and tigers. Have you been in there Lindsay, huh?" the question of Alexander looking back at her.

         "Yes, but I thought you want to hurry to your yacht," the quick answer of Lindsay looking at Alexander.

         "Yes, but I forgot to prepare food. Maybe we can buy some food inside the park and at the same time I could see my favorite lions and tigers. This won't take long I promise," Alexander said and immediately got off the car, opened the other door and pulled Lindsay out of the car. Donita soon followed, as Alexander dragged Lindsay inside the big zoo. In the zoo Alexander saw a hamburger stand and he immediately approached it and ordered a lot for the three of them. He gave one each for Lindsay and Donita while he held the big paper bag full of hamburgers and ketchup. The three started eating the hamburgers and drinking the cold Coca-Cola.

          "Hey, you just stay here for a while, I'll just check the lion on the next corner okay. You just keep eating your hamburgers. I'll be back soon," the statement of Alexander and immediately walked and turned on the corner. He saw the lion inside the tall fence, he looked behind him and when everything was clear, he went near the tall fence. He then opened all the sachets of ketchup in the plastic bag pressing it slightly,  and together with big blue handkerchief, he threw everything inside the fence of the big lion. Everything landed inside, his blue handkerchief lain on the ground. And immediately the two lion approached and messed the big paper bag with all the hamburgers and opened sachets of ketchups inside. I think that's more than enough, he thought to himself smiling a little and screamed, "Help the lions are biting me! Help Lindsay, Donita...! Help...! the loud scream of Alexander as he hid behind a big tree inside the zoo. Suddenly, people started crowding around the tall fence of the lions. And instantly, Lindsay recognized Alexander's big blue handkerchief together with the hamburgers and ketchups scattered all around the two lions who was still messing with it.

           "Alexander! Alexander!" the loud and horrified scream of Lindsay and Donita looking inside the tall fence of the two lions.

           Noticing that enough people had crowded around the fence of the two lions, Alexander immediately sneaked out of the place going to the dirty white car that he drove. He was just about to open it, when he saw a taxi, which was scarce on that island, so instead he ran after it and boarded. He immediately instructed

the driver to hurry towards the big blue house. The driver drove fast and Alexander was laughing at what he had just done. The driver drove and drove until finally, Alexander made him stop near the big gate of Amara's big blue house. Immediately, Alexander hurried inside and looked for Amara. He searched for her on the garden but he couldn't find her. He looked around some more and to his surprise.

          "Alexander!" the shout of Helena from behind him.

          "How did you find me here, are you stalking me Helena?" the quick question of Alexander still looking for Amara around.

          "I saw you in a taxi, and I immediately followed. What are you doing here, Alexander?" the answer and question of Helena.

          Amara heard the voice of the new girl, and she hurried to see who it was and she was stunned at what she saw next. She saw Alexander holding the face of a girl who was kissing him. Amara felt like her heart was about to burst at the sight in front of her. With a broken heart she screamed, "Alexander!"

          Alexander turned around to look at the direction of the scream. He saw Althea looking at him with tears flowing down her eyes. She stood there for a moment, turned around and ran towards the pool.

          "Amara you don't understand, I came here for you. Come back, wait!" the loud shout of Alexander as he chased after Amara leaving Helena behind in the garden.

          The two chased after Amara. And when Amara reached the pool, she immediately dove, just in time for her transform into a mermaid in the afternoon. Helena saw everything.

          From under the pool, Amara, with her tears mixing with the waters, swam as fast away from Alexander, going through the underwater tunnel. Alexander dove on the pool to find Amara, but Amara was just too fast for him. Ruuning out of breath, he surfaced back in the pool and headed outside the gate with Helene following him.

                                                                 Chapter 15

          Realizing that he can no longer bring Amara to the wishing mermaid, Alexander rode a taxi and go back to Lindsay and Donita at the zoo living Helena behind. I must find an excuse for disappearing or else they might move the wishing statue of the mermaid Amaya, Alexander thought to himself. He instructed the driver to drive faster, he wanted to reach the zoo as fast as possible. Finally, he reached the zoo once again. He immediately paid the driver and went inside. He saw Lindsay and Donita seated and crying on one bench. Slowly Alexander approached the two and said, "What are you girls crying about huh?" the question of the Alexander looking at the two girls.

          "Alexander, you're alive, I thought the lions ate you.." the statement of Lindsay who was still crying.

          "Yes, he almost got me. But I panicked I ran away so fast. I ran and then I realized why am I running, the lions are inside the cage. I stopped immediately and laughed at myself. And I was just about to return to the two of you to take you to my yacht when I suddenly saw a friend of mine so I decided to talk to him for a while. He told me that he was touring here with his family and I told him that I am here with the two of you.  We talked about a lot of things and I kinda lost track of time. And now I'm here, so stop crying nothing really happened to me Lindsay," the long excuse of Alexander. "And also while I was walking to see the two of you I received a call from my driver telling me that mom and dad had just arrived and they want to see me immediately for something really important, about our business probably. Maybe, I'll take you to my yacht some other day, do you mind Lindsay, huh?"

          "Yeah, a little. But if you're really needed by your parents, I understand. I don't want your mom and dad disliking me, you know..." the answer of Lindsay smiling a little at Alexander.

          "And wait, I suddenly realized we left the underground door open and your mom Cassandra might be mad at the two of you for showing me her secret, the wishing mermaid statue in the underground," the statement of Alexander waiting for a particular answer from the two.

          "Don't worry about that, she'll be home later. We'll rush home so we could close the door and return the key inside the eighth mermaid figurine," the quick reply of Lindsay with Donita nodding with her.

          "Good, I'll walk you to your car and after you had left I'll find myself a taxi I can ride.

          The three walked towards the car and after Alexander had closed the doors, Lindsay immediately huried and drove towards the big blue house. Alexander called a taxi and hurried to his yacht at the small port to find Amara.

         Amara was still swimming fast in the middle of the sea. With a bleeding heart she swam and swam leaving her big blue house and Alexander. She was crying too hard and it was too late when she noticed the third yacht. Amara was caught in the net. Instantly she was lifted from the sea and hang in front of the man who was staring wide eyed at her. "My god, I caught a mermaid!" the old man on the yacht exclaimed looking at his captive.

            "Let me go! Let me go please!" Amara shouted and begged from inside the net.

            "Hey relax, relax I'm not going to hurt you!' the old man commanded. "I caught a mermaid and a very beautiful one I must say."

              "Let me go please..." Amara begged once more looking at him.

              "Why do you want to leave my yacht so soon, is your boyfriend waiting for you huh?" the old man quickly answered looking at Amara's face.

              Furious this time at what she heard from her captor she screamed, "Shut up! I don't want a boyfriend, I'm not having a boyfriend ever again, do you hear me!"

              "Wow, this is amazing. I caught a mermaid with a broken heart!" the answer of the old man on the yacht looking at the mermaid he had just caught in his net. Afterwards, the old man sat on a chair watching Amara inside the net hanging on his yacht. He ate, drank, and looked at his mermaid captive alternately and smiling a little at his fate. He ate for some time, until suddenly Amara from inside the net saw the yacht of Alexander approaching them.

            "Please, take me away from here please..." the earnest begging of Amara looking at the approaching yacht of Alexander.

            Looking at the direction of Amara's stares, the old man immediately drove his yacht and evaded Alexander's. He drove and drove in the middle of the sea. After a while, the man stopped and faced Amara.

          "Why are you so afraid of that yacht, don't tell me the owner of that yacht was the one who broke your heart?" he teased Amara admiring her beautiful face.

          Amara did not answer.

          "By the way I'm Donald," he introduced himself to his mermaid captive smiling at her.

          "Please let me go now..." Amara begged once more.

       "Okay, but promise me your not jumping into the water, you could at least stay for a short while. I assure you I'm  kinder and gentler than that man on the other yacht," the old man stated and started taking down the net freeing Amara. Amara was finally free. "Oops we made an agreement, you're not going anywhere mermaid."

              "Thank you..." Amara just said looking up to Donald.

              "What's your name?" he asked her.

              "I'm Amara..." Amara's soft answer.

              "A beautiful name, for a beautiful mermaid," his quick comment.

              "Can I go now?" the quick question of Amara.

           "Hey, I saved you from that other yacht you were so terrified of. You could at least thank me by staying with me. Or you could go home with me, I've got a big house and a big swimming pool. I'd like you to be my guest. You see I've got a grandson who have been wishing to see a mermaid. You'll make him very happy if you go with me."

              "Okay, if it will make your grandson, and I just want to be away..." the soft answer of Amara thinking of her big blue house and Alexander.

              "Okay, agreed. You won't regret this, I promise," the assurance of Donald smiling at her. Once again Donald drove his yacht. And Amara stayed on the deck, thinking, thinking about her big blue house and Alexander.

                                                                    Chapter 15

                It was already dark when Donald finally reached his massive beach house.

                "Here we are Amara, that is my house over there. Do you like it?" the quick question of the kind-hearted Donald at Amara who was still sitting on the deck.

                "That's a beautiful house, and your garden is beautiful too," the answer of Amara looking at the big beach house ahead of them.

                Donald then tied his yacht on the post on the small port. He went back to his yacht, lifted Amara and carried her in his arms. "Let's go Amara, I hope you'll enjoy your stay. I promise we'll take good care of you," the assurance of Donald as he disembarked from his yacht and walked slowly towards his big house. Amara continued looking at the big green beach house as Donald carried her from the sands going to the garden and finally in front of the carved wooden door. He knocked gently and they heard the heavy sound of a shoe running towards the door to open it.

                 "Grandpa, your home! Let's cook your catch!" the loud shout of the seven year old boy from the inside of the still closed door of Donald's big green beach house. Finally, the boy opened the door and immediately saw his grandfather Donald and Amara. He just looked at the two of them for a moment.

          "I don't think we can cook this one Dennis," the answer of Donald to his grandson smiling and laughing at him.

          "Yeah grandpa, and I don't think we have enough fish food to feed her either," the quick answer of the handsome seven year old little boy. "Hello."

          "Hello." the answer of Amara looking at the boy in front of her. "Your grandpa told me you'd like to see a mermaid up close."

         "No, I did not," the quick answer of the little boy. "But I'm happy to see one now."

         "Sorry Amara I lied a little. I figured I'd convince you to come with me if I mention my grandson," the 

quick apology of Donald smirking a little. Donald walked inside going to their sofa. He then gently sat Amara on it sitting beside her. 

         "Wait, are you really a mermaid. Or that is just a costume?" the question of the little boy staring intently on her golden tail. 

         "I am now, but tomorrow I'll be a human being once again," the straight answer of Amara looking alternately at the two near her.

         "You mean, or what are you really, a mermaid or a human being Amara?" the quick question of Donald wondering and looking intently at the beautiful mermaid on his elegant sofa.

         "I'm really a human being, it's just suddenly, when I was ten years old, I developed a big birthmark in my left face and in the afternoon I turned into a mermaid with a golden tail in my big swimming pool. And Amara narrated everything that transpired on that sad day, including her saving Alexander.

          "That's an amazing story Amara," the comment of Donald looking at Amara.

          "How do you look like when you have a birthmark in your face huh?' the question of the little boy.

          "Huh, I say I look beautiful on one side and kind and gentle on the other side," the quick answer of Amara smiling a little.

          "You shouldn't be sad about that Amara," said the little boy. "At least you don't have a birthmark on your left eye; otherwise you won't look kind and gentle the way you describe your looks," the answer of the little boy teasing Amara a little.

         "I never thought of that, your're a smart kid, I see."

         "Hey what do you eat, I hope it's not fish food. We don't really have aquariums in here. But grandpa has  giant aquariums in his park near the city.

         "Really, but no I eat what normal people eat. I eat chickens and fishes too. I also like vegetables."

         "Me, not much on the vegetables," the answer of the little boy. "Do you know a beautiful mermaid my age huh?"

         "Not really, I'm the only mermaid in the sea I know of," the reply of Amara.

         "Better luck next time my little grandson," the statement of Donald smiling a little at Amara.

         "Hey grandpa you're home," the greeting of the beautiful seven year old young girl," looking at her grandfather and then to the mermaid Amara.

         "Hey Dana, grandpa brought home a beautiful mermaid. You said you want a new mom. How do you like a mermaid for a new mom, huh?" he stated and laughing at his little cousin.

         "Are you really a mermaid, are you sure you don't have a zipper or something huh?" the curious question of the beautiful young girl.

         "No, I'm a real mermaid," the answer of Amara looking at the new beautiful young girl.

         "How did you find her grandpa?" the question of the little girl.

         "I did not find her Dana, I caught her in my net on the yacht earlier," the reply of Donald to his beautiful granddaughter.

         "Are you sure, she would agree to be my new mom grandpa?" the quick question of the beautiful young girl.

         "No, your cousin is just teasing you. Stop that, or you might scare our guest and ran away," the answer of Donald to the little girl.

         "You're a very beautiful young girl Dana, anyone would want you for her daughter. Only I'm not really sure if I can be a good mother, you see I just broke up with my boyfriend," her answer to the beautiful young girl laughing slightly at her situation.

         "Yes that's right kids, I caught a mermaid with a broken heart," the statement of Donald to his grandchildren.

         "You're very sad then, Amara," Dennis commented looking at her face. 

         "Yes, she is and that's why I'm bringing her to her new room by the pool," his statement immediately lifting Amara and carrying her to her new room.

         "Good night Amara. I'll see you tomorrow," the good bye of the little girl.

         "Good night. I'll bring you something to eat tomorrow. And it's not fish food don't worry," the good bye of the little boy teasing Amara a little.

         With Amara in his arms, Donald walked some more until he reached the big sliding glass door near a big swimming pool. He opened it, walked and laid Amara on a big beautiful bed in the center. "You can wear these clothes inside the cabinet." 

         "Thank you," the soft answer of Amara lying on the bed. 

         "Good night Amara," Donald said his good bye. He immediately pulled the big curtains and covered the glass wall with it. Outside the sliding door, he smiled at Amara, closed it and left.

         Amara laid on the bed. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep. Slowly, tears flowed from Amara's closed eyes. Her eyes was closed but still she could see Alexander with that girl in her garden. Finally, Amara fall asleep.

                                                                  Chapter 16

            It was a minute past nine o'clock in the morning when Amara started waking up. She suddenly got up when she heard knocks from her glass door. She immediately wore the slippers on the foot of the bed, wore a pink dress, combed her hair and walked towards the door and opened it.

            "Good morning!" the two young kids greeted Amara.

            "Good morning..." the answer of Amara looking at the handsome and beautiful kids in front of her.

            "You have feet now, Amara. And just like what you said, you look kind and gentle," the statement of the handsome little boy smirking a little at Amara.

            "No, I think she looks kind, gentle, and beautiful Dennis," the correction of the beautiful young girl looking at the face of Amara.

            "That's right, and she's got great legs too," butted in Donald from behind the two kids. "Good morning Amara."

            "Good morning too Donald. I'm so glad to see the three of you," the statement of Amara.

            "We brought you breakfast, come outside. Let's sit near the table beside the pool," the invitation of Donald to his beautiful guest.

            Amara accepted Donald's offer and shortly they were all sitting around the small table eating the bacons, hotdogs, fried eggs and fried rice.

            "These are all delicious, thank you," the statement of Amara as she continued eating her breakfast.

            "What do you plan to do today Amara. I'm bringing the kids to my park. I have large aquariums for many different kinds of marine fishes. And we also hold dolphin shows for the children together with their parents," the statement of Sebastian.

            "Why don't you come with us Amara. I'm sure you'll like it there too," the offer of the beautiful young girl.

            "You should, or you'll be alone in this house. You know this house is kinda scary sometimes..." the statement of handsome young boy teasing Amara a little.

            "Really Dennis, I must come with the three of you then," the quick answer of Amara laughing a little at what Dennis told her.

            "Let's finish our breakfast then, so Amara could prepare," the statement of Donald. Immediately the four finished their breakfast. Amara, walked back to her room, showered, changed to a yellow dress, covered her left face with a big scarp. She then wore the heels that she found on the foot of the bed and stood in front of the mirror looking at herself. She smiled and went for the sliding door, sat by the pool and waited for the three. Soon the two kids came running towards Amara.

           "Amara, let's go grandpa is waiting in his car, hurry up!" the loud shout of the two kids. Amara hurried and followed the two kids going through the big wooden door and walking towards Donald smiling at her from inside his blue car.

           "You look beautiful in that yellow dress Amara," started Donald looking at Amara as she stood near the car.

           Immediately, Donald open the doors for his passengers. The two kids sat on the back and Amara beside him. Happily Donald drove. He drove and drove passing several beautiful cars, buildings, and billboards. He drove and drove and once in a while glancing and smiling at Amara. Finally, they reached Donald's Water Park. Immediately the two children opened the doors and hopped out and looked happily at whole place and the crowd of park goers. The employees and staffs immediately greeted Donald and the children including Amara. The three toured Amara around the whole park. Amara saw all the large aquariums with all kinds of different marine fishes. She saw many massive tanks for stingrays, clown fish, lion fish, octopus, sea turtles, and jellyfish. Amara had seen all of these in the sea, but still the happiness of the crowd and the two kids with her rubbed off on Amara. And she looked at the fishes like it was her first time to see them. Happily, Amara toured and toured for a long time around the big park with the kids after Donald left them for some work in his office. And at two o'clock in the afternoon the two kids invited Amara for late lunch. They then took her to a restaurant inside the big park. They eat lobsters, shrimps, and crabs. And then they had halo-halo for dessert making Amara remember Alexander. But she vanished the thought immediately, she didn't want the kids to see her cry. They were just trying too hard to entertain her, and she didn't want to disappoint them. Finally, they finished their late lunch and when it was about ten minutes before three o'clock, the three went to watch a dolphin show. Amara saw Donald in the Dolphin Show. He sat beside her on the bench with the two kids looking and enjoying as the Dolphins flipped from the big pool and spun momentarily in the air and submerging soon after. Amara enjoyed looking at the Dolphins jumped through a big hoop with his trainer. She also enjoyed looking at the three Dolphins facing each other and balancing a red inflatable ball on top of them. The crowd was enjoying the whole show and so was Amara and the kids. Everybody was smiling and laughing at the whole performance of the Dolphins with their trainers.

          "Amara, it's almost three o'clock in the afternoon, aren't you supposed to change into a mermaid already. Let's go inside, so the crowd won't see you transform into a mermaid," the suggestion of Donald looking Amara and the kids beside her.

         "I forgot, I was enjoying too much," Amara answered and immediately stood from the bench they were sitting. The three hurried but it was too late, when they got down from the bench, Amara started transforming into a mermaid right in front of the crowd. Everybody turned quiet. Their attention from the Dolphins was shifted to the transforming Amara. And finally, Amara completely transformed into a mermaid. Amara was so scared. Donald saw the fear in Amara's face as everyone stared at her in silence. But Donald simply smiled at the crowd and announced.

          "Ladies and gentleman, children I'm Donald and this is Amara, the newest addition to our Water Park's performers!" the loud introduction of Donald still smiling at the large crowd staring at them. But no one reacted. They remained quiet staring at Amara.

          "Hello, my name is Amara and I'm a real mermaid, surprise...!" Amara just said aloud looking and smiling beautifully at the large crowd.

          "Wow, you're the most beautiful mermaid I have ever seen!" the loud shout of Dennis elbowing Dana.

          "But she's the most beautiful mermaid I have ever seen too!" the loud shout of Dana looking at Dennis.

          "Yeah, she's the most beautiful mermaid I have ever seen too!" shouted one from the crowd.

          "Yeah, she's the most beautiful mermaid anywhere!" shouted another from the crowd.

          "Yes far more beautiful than the mermaids with a zipper I saw on TV and movies!" shouted one from the crowd.

          "Yes, she is indeed the most beautiful mermaid and that's why she is going to perform for us!" the announcement of Donald looking intently at Amara if she would agree to his announcement. Amara nodded and so Donald, with Amara in his arms, walked down the stairs, into the center and stood beside the round pool. "Amara, are you sure you're going to do this, huh?"

          "Let's just hope for the best, just place me inside the pool..." the soft whisper of Amara.

          Donald then placed Amara inside the pool. Amara submerged and surfaced shortly, smiling at the crowd.

          Suddenly the crowd started chanting Amara's name. "A-ma- ra! A-ma-ra! A-ma-ra!"

          Amara waved back at the big crowd and swam towards the center of the big pool. And suddenly the two dolphins swam beside her. What am I going to do... in panic she whispered to herself. The two Dolphins looked intently at Amara, a if sensing her panic. One Dolphin immediately went to his trainer and big the large hoop away from him and swam with it going to the center. In the center of the pool the female Dolphin raised the big hoop. The male Dolphin then swam backwards a little, swam fast forward, flipped and went through the large yellow hoop. And afterwards he bumped Amara  with his head pushing her as if signalling her to do the same. Realizing it Amara then swam slowly, then faster gaining momentum, and the flipped from the water and went straight through the the large yellow hoop. And the crowd was stunned at the now sparkling more beautiful wet golden mermaid tail of Amara flying momentarily in the air. In the water Amara turned around, swam, and flipped going through the hoop once more and again displaying her breathtaking mermaid tail. Everybody applauded and everybody started raising their cellphones, amd taking pictures of the beautiful mermaid with a golden tail performing live in front of them. The two Dolphins and Amara in the center slowly turned around facing the applauding audience encircling them.

           Suddenly, Donald went back in the middle and made an announcement. "Ladies and gentleman, and children, I guess that's enough for our beautiful mermaid with a golden tail. She has just arrived on land and she needs to rest so she can be more beautiful and give a better performance the next time. He immediately signaled Amara to approach him. And immediately Amara swam towards him, Donald lifted and carried her with the two kids following him.

          "Wait, when are we going to see Amara again?" the loud question of one park goer.

          "Soon, who knows maybe tomorrow," the quick answer of Donald smiling at the little boy in the middle of the crowd.

          And immediately Donald carried Amara in his arms and towards his office. From inside his office Donald, Amara, and two kids could still hear crowd talking and conversing about what they had just seen. And when Donald saw a reporter with a cameraman approaching, he immediately hurried to his car and sat Amara on the front seat. Dennis and Dana then sat on the back seat. And in just a short a while, Donald was already driving in the road away from his park, shaking his head at what had just happened. "Did you see the reaction of the people to you Amara, huh?

          "Yes grandpa, they went crazy over Amara, and all she did was flipped through that hoop. Our Dolphins have done those so many times before, but they never really reacted that much as they reacted to Amara," the statement of Dana looking at Amara.

          "I think you're a star now Amara..." Dennis commented looking at her in front of him. "Yes, you're a star now Amara! A new mermaid star!"

          "Am I..." the soft answer of Amara.

          "Yes, you are Amara. And I don't know, but we have to plan this. We'll hurry home so we could talk on what we'll do next," the quick answer of Donald as he continued driving on the road going back to his big beach house.

                                                                Chapter 17

          The afternoon before, Alexander searched the sea looking for Amara. He searched and searched and when he failed to find her, he decided to drive his yacht back to their island. Near their island, Alexander stood on his yacht waiting for Amara to appear. He waited and waited but still Amara did not show up. She's really upset with me. I'll just wait here until she shows up, Alexander thought. After a while, Alexander decided to go for a swim, hoping that Amara was just underwater watching and looking at him. In the water, Alexander dove downwards, he turned his eyes everywhere but still he saw no Amara under the sea. He swam farther and farther and when he finally got tired, he surfaced and approached the side of his yacht. He stayed there for sometime looking ahead of him. And still he did not see Amara on the surface. He felt hungry and decided to get on his yacht. Inside, he took a bath and ate afterwards. He stood on the deck of his yacht still waiting for Amara's return. Night came and Alexander kept waiting for his mermaid. She's really mad at me. Maybe, she's still not ready to see me. Alexander went back to his cabin and slept. He woke up early and went back to the deck of his cabin. He glanced in all directions around his yacht still searching and waiting for Amara. He felt hungry so he ate breakfast and immediately went outside to wait for Amara. Where are you Amara. He waited and waited and realized that Amara just didn't want to see him. Maybe she just need some space, maybe if she's no longer upset she'll come back to see me. Maybe if she won't see me for days, she'll come here to forgive me for something I haven't really done. Besides, I can't really go to her house and risk Lindsay seeing us together talking. I have to be very careful with this or they might move the wishing mermaid statue somewhere and loss the chance of unmaking the curse on Amara. Yeah, that's right I'm giving her some time to think, I'm giving her space, Alexander finally thought. He immediately went inside his yacht and drove his yacht back to his house near the beach. He drove fast. He drove and drove until he finally reached the beach in about three o'clock in the afternoon and immediately saw Tony waiving at him.

            "Alexander!" shouted Tony as he saw Alexander's yacht docking near the beach.

            Alexander immediately stopped and hopped into the rubber boat on the side of his yacht. When he neared Tony, he immediately asked, "Did mom and dad looked for me huh, Tony?"

            "Yes Alexander, that's why I'm here early, they asked me to fetch you and take you home," the quick answer of Tony smiling and welcoming his young boss.

            "Let's go then," the tired Alexander answered following Tony to the car that would take him home. Immediately, Tony opened the car's door and Alexander sat on the back seat.

            While he was driving Tony asked his friend, "Did you see your mermaid Alexander huh?

             "Yes," the sad and tired answer of Alexander.

             "Huh, but why do you sound so sad?" the quick question of Alexander.

             "Yeah, I saw Amara but something happened. Helena followed, she kissed me and Amara saw it," the sad answer of Alexander shaking his head. "I really don't want to talk right now Tony..."

             "Okay, Alexander I understand. You look tired, just rest while I take you home," the sympathetic statement of Tony to his friend.

                                                                 Chapter 18

          "Sir, we're home..." Tony woke up his young boss on the back seat shaking him slightly from outside the parked car in their lawn.

          Alexander opened his eyes and when he saw their big house, he immediately stood up and walked inside. He did not see his parents in the living room so he decided to go to his room and laid on his bed. He laid there still thinking of Amara. What could she be doing right now. I'm missing here already, she's probably missing me too. The thought made Alexander smiled a little. He stayed in his room for some time just thinking about Amara. Suddenly, he heard a knock on his door.

         "Alexander!" the call of Alexander's dad from outside his room. "Alexander are you awake, huh?"

         "Yes dad," the answer of Alexander from his bed.

         The door opened and his dad went in looking at him. "How are you son," the question of his father.

         Alexander just sighed looking away from his dad.

         "Your mom's outside and she wants to talk to you," the statement of his father and sat on the long sofa in front of Alexander's large bed.

         "She's probably just going to talk about Helena," the slightly irritated answer of Alexander.

         "Yeah, she is son. But unlike your mother, I really don't want to talk about Helena. Did you find your beautiful mermaid son, huh?"

         "Yes dad, and I was, we were so happy. She even agreed to marry me dad. But then Helena showed up, and Amara saw her kissing me. She was upset, jealous and she ran to her swimming pool, turned into a mermaid and left me. I had been looking for her in the sea but I haven't found her. I waited on the island where she took me after that typhoon, but she never showed up," the long narration of Alexander sitting at the head of his bed.

        "That's unfortunate son, but am I right she has a foot son?" the quick question of Alexander's father.

        "Yes dad, she's not really a mermaid. She's human like us too, she was just cursed by her stepmother. I came to their house to find out how I could unmake the curse and when I finally learned how, just like what I already told you Helena came. I was not able to take Amara down to the underground in front of the wishing mermaid to unmake the curse.

         "That's great son, I think if she finally turns into human being, you'll have no problem with you mom. By the way son, is she still as beautiful as you told me she was huh?" the smiling question of his father sitting on the elegant sofa in front of Alexander.

         "Yes dad, even more beautiful this time," the quick answer of Alexander smiling a little.

         "What are you going to talk to your mother downstairs, huh? Would you like me to tell her your asleep, so you could avoid her talk about Helena, huh?" the question of Alexander's father.

         "No, dad, I'll talk to her. Just tell her I'm going down a bit later," the answer of Alexander looking at his father.

         "Okay, son," stated his father, stood up and left Alexander to see his wife downstairs in the living room.

         Alexander laid on his bed thinking on what he is going to say to his mom, who he was sure was going to talk him into marrying Helena.

                                                                   Chapter 19

          Later that afternoon, Alexander combed his hair and went down to see his mom waiting for him in the long sofa of their living room. He walked slowly down the stairs until he saw Helena talking to his mom and dad.

         "Alexander, I'm glad you're home. Come here and sit down with us. I missed you son," the statement of Alexander's mom Aurora as she waited for his son to approach them.

        "Hi mom," the answer of Alexander greeting his beautiful mom beside his father, Alfred.

        "Hi Alexander," greeted Helena looking at him.

        "How was your flight back home mom?" the quick question of Alexander ignoring Helena near his mother.

        "It was just fine son. Aren't you going to greet Helena. She came here to see you," the statement of Aurora smiling at her son.

        "I know she came here to see me mom," the answer of Alexander looking at Helena near him. "Dad told me you want to tell me something, what is it this time mom?" the question of Alexander distancing himself a little bit from Helena on the sofa.

        "What else son, we came home here in the Philippines so we could prepare your wedding with Helena. We've already talked about this son," the answer of Aurora looking at her husband Alfred.

        Suddenly, the four heard a knock on the door. Tony who went out from the kitchen, munching a hamburger, went to answer the door. And he opened it, someone immediately stepped in and greeted.

         "Hi everyone! I'm Lindsay Alexander's girlfriend," the quick introduction of Lindsay, with Donita beside her, looking at everyone and ended up smiling at Alexander.

         "What!" the sudden answer of Helena and Aurora looking intently at their new guest.

         "Hi Alexander!" the greeting of Lindsay ignoring the quick reaction of the two girls seated on the sofa and immediately approaching Alexander.

         Alexander immediately stood up and met Lindsay right in front of his mom and Helena. "How are you my love," the smooth greeting of Alexander smirking a bit at the situation.

         "What!" the next and the same reaction from the two girls seated on the expensive sofa in the big living room.

         "Whose that girl Alexander?" Lindsay asked Alexander looking at Helena. "And why does she keeps saying what. What's wrong with her?"

          "Hey, I'm Alexander's mom. Who did you say you are again?" the quick question of Alexander's mother starting to recover from her astonishment.

          "Good evening mom, I'm Lindsay, I'm Alexander's girlfriend. Alexander haven't you told them about me, about us yet, huh?" the answer and question of Lindsay smiling at everyone.

          "Yeah, but I was just about to," the quick answer of Alexander. "Mom, this is my new girlfriend Lindsay, and she came here to see me too."

          Helena, Aurora and even his father sat in silence looking at Lindsay and Alexander laughing secretly.

          Alexander then sat Lindsay beside him and Donita beside her.

          "Donita, I'm glad you accompanied your sister, how was your trip down here," his question to Donita trying to break the silence.

          "My, your house is beautiful too, just like ours," the answer of Donita ignoring Alexander's question.

          "Yes, it is. I'm glad you like it here Donita," the statement of Alexander. "How about you Lindsay, do you like it here, huh?"

          "Of course, but I came here to see you not your house. Did you miss me huh Alexander?" the question of Lindsay.

          "Yes of course, my love. But how did you find me here?" the question of Alexander.

          "I asked around the city. Your family is quite popular, we easily found your house and now we're here.

          "Hi, I'm Alfred I'm Alexander's father, so you're the new girlfriend of my son," the simple introduction of Alfred giving Alexander a look.

          "I'm glad to meet you dad," the answer of Lindsay.

          "How do you find my new girlfriend, Helena?" the question of Alexander to Helena.

          "How about you Alexander, how do you find her?" the quick answer of Helena looking at Lindsay.

          "Ah, excuse me who are you by the way?" the question of Lindsay to Helena.

          "I'm Helena, Alexander's soon to be wife," the quick answer of Helena looking at Lindsay.

          "What is this Alexander?" the sudden question of Lindsay to Alexander.

          "No Lindsay, I was just about to tell mom that I cannot marry Helena because I already have a girlfriend," stated Alexander. "Mom, I hope you understand, but I'm already committed to Lindsay."

          "Ah, Helena, I'm really am tired, could you at least bring me some juice huh?' the statement of Lindsay laughing a little at the face of Helena.

          "Aurora, did you hear what she just said. Hey lady, I don't work here," the furious answer of Helena.

          "I know but it's just my way of telling you, you're not needed here, maybe in the kitchen you are," the answer of Lindsay. "Alexander I really am tired, and I don't think it's proper for a lady like me to stay in the house of my boyfriend. Could you help us find a hotel somewhere huh?"

          "Of course, no problem Lindsay. I'm taking you to the city. I'll find the best hotel for the two of you to stay," the quick answer of Alexander standing up. "Mom, dad I really have to go. We'll talk again later okay."

          Alexander, Lindsay, and Donita soon left leaving Aurora and Helena speechless and Alfred laughing a little.

                                                                  Chapter 20

           In the house of Donald, "Grandpa, you're so great down there, easily finding an excuse and telling everyone that Amara was a new addition of the our Dolphin show in the pool," the statement of Dana praising his grandfather. "I was really worried at the start how the audience was going to react."

          "Yeah, me too, you've got good presence of mind grandpa, you learned a lot from me," butted in Dennis teasing his grandfaather.

          "I sure did learn a lot from you Dennis," the statement of Donald smiling at his little grandson. "But like what I said, we have to plan what we're going to do now with Amara's new career in my Water Park."

          "A career, a career for me Donald?" the question of Amara looking intently at Donald.

          "Yes, but only if you like. I'ts your choice, and whatever you choose, I'm fine with it. I just want you to be with us much longer," stated Donald and staring at the two kids near him.

         "Yeah, Amara it's your choice. But I think I know what your choosing," the statement of Dana.

         "What do you think Amara will choose Dana?" the question of Dennis to his cousin.

         "She's choosing to be with us grandpa forever, and be the most popular mermaid ever!" the quick answer of Dana.

         "I don't know, I want to be with you kids, but as a performer, I'm not really sure. I think those dolphins

knew more tricks than I do," the answer of Amara laughing a little.

         "Don't worry about that, Amara. Dolphins are really intelligent, but they don't really speak like you," the answer of Dennis.

         "Okay, I think it's enough for today kids, we'll bring Amara back to her room now so she could decide what to do next," the statement of Donald carrying Amara in his arms. He laid her in her room and left. Amara laid on the bed thinking of what she was going to do next. After a while, she decided to crawl out of her room and jumped into the pool. She went to the middle and dove down. She swam and swam thinking whether she will accept Donald's offer to perform in his Water Park. Finally, Amara made a decision. She swam andswam some more and when she got tired, she sat on the shallow part of the pool. Shortly, Dana and Dennis came in bringing her dinner.

          "Dad left, he told us to bring you dinner, Amara," the statement of Dana approaching her.

          "It's just seven o'clock in the evening Amara. You still have a lot of hours being a mermaid," stated Dennis waiting for answer from Amara.

          "Yeah, that's right Dennis. I'll have my legs back tomorrow at nine in the morning. This pork adobo really looks good," the statement of Amara looking at the food brought by the kids.

          "Yeah, mom cooked this. But she didn't know we were bringing it to a mermaid inside the house," stated Dennis and smiling a little.

          "Mom, you're mom is here Dennis," asked Amara at the little boy near him.

          "Yes, she came in before us. She just didn't notice us coming in. But don't worry if you don't want her seeing you, we won't bring her here," stated Dennis.

          "Don't worry about her Amara, she's a kind woman. I think she'll like you too," the assurance of Dana to their house guest.

          "I hope she does," answered Amara. The three then started eating. They all liked the adobo prepared by Dennis mother.

         "Aunt Dianne really cooks very well, specially her spaghetti, and lasagna," stated Dana.

         After they had eaten, they immediately drank the pineapple juice.

         "Amara, what have you decided, are you performing at the Water Park, huh?" the question of Dennis.

         "Yes, I am Dennis. But you two have to be there to help me, okay?" the answer of Amara.

         "Great!" the beautiful and the handsome kid excitedly said.

                                                                     Chapter 21

           Meanwhile, "Alexander this room is really, beautiful. I like it here," stated Lindsay looking around the hotel room.

          Alexander then sat on the sofa near the bed and looked at the two girls. I never thought I would be happy to see this two, Alexander thought shaking his head slightly.

          "Yeah, this is a fantastic room Alexander, I like it here too," butted in Donita.

          "I'm just so happy to see the two of you," stated Alexander smiling at the two of them.

          "Yeah, I could see that in your face Alexander. I know you'll be happy to see me here. But it would have been better if Donita didn't come along."

          "You just don't know how happy I am Lindsay," Alexander just said. "What do you plan to do here in the city huh, Lindsay?" asked Alexander who was still seated on the sofa.

          "I heard they've got a good park here. I want to check that out with you Alexander," answered Lindsay.

          "Which park Lindsay?" the question of Alexander smiling a little at the two girls in the elegant hotel room.

          "The Water Park, I heard it's a great and fun place to visit," Lindsay immediate answer.

          "Yeah I heard it's really a good place to visit, and they serve delicious seafoods too," seconded Donita.

          "I know it's still a good place. I've been there many times before when I was still a boy."

          "Good, so you know the place. You will be the perfect companion then, Alexander," the statement of Lindsay.

          Okay, I'll just take them to that park while I gave Amara some time and space to think things over. Maybe, I'll reward these two from saving me, at least for now, from Helena, Alexander thought to himself. "Okay, I'll pick you up tomorrow at around nine o'clock in the morning, okay." Alexander offered the two girls.

          "Huh, you're leaving immediately Alexander. But I thought you're going to have dinner with us," the disappointed statement of Lindsay.

          "No, Lindsay. I need to go home first. I just need to talk to dad about something. But don't worry, tomorrow I'll be with you for lunch and for dinner," the answer of Alexander. "Bye girls, and thanks once again...  for saving me from Helena..."

          "Okay Alexander, we'll wait for you here tomorrow, bye," Lindsay said her good bye to Alexander smiling at him.

          "Bye Alexander," Donita said her good bye.

          Alexander then closed the hotel room and left laughing a little. He walked on the lobby and when he reached outside he saw a mermaid statue in the middle of the a water fountain. Amara... I miss you already...

                                                                       Chapter 22

          Amara woke up early, she immediately crawled outside her room. She immediately showered at the partly covered bathroom the pool. Afterwards, she dove on the big swimming pool and swam. She swam slowly thinking of everything that has happened to her. She thought of Alexander, it made her sad a bit, but she immediately vanished thought. She swam and swam from end to end of the big swimming pool. When she had swam long enough, she got out of the pool, crawled back into her room just in time for her to transform into a two legged young lady. She then stood up and showered once again. She shampooed her hair and soaped. She rinsed, grabbed a towel and dried herself. She stepped out of the shower, she wore the new yellow dress Donald bought for her the other day. Sitting on the side of the bed, Amara put on the new shoes that was given to her. She stood firmly on her shoe, and sat on the chair in front of the mirror. She looked at her face in the mirror, combed her hair and wore a big scarp covering the birthmark in her left face. Immediately, she opened her door and headed to the dining room.

          "Good morning Amara," Donald greeted her as he watched her approach him and his two grandchildren.

          "Good morning," Amara greeted back Donald and smiled at the two kids near him.

          "Good morning," greeted Dianne looking at Amara as she slowly placed the food on the table she was carrying. "So you're the Amara my son and my niece was talking about."

          "Hi," Amara greeted at Dianne smiling at her.

          "You see, I really didn't believe what my son and Dana told me about you until I saw you earlier swimming in the pool," the statement of Dianne who immediately sat in front of Amara around the dining table.

          "You saw me swimming..." Amara just said looking at the beautiful woman in front of her.

          "Yeah I did, and your golden mermaid tail was fantastic. I just didn't call you because, I wasn't sure how you're gonna react to me. So I decided to just cook and wait for you and Donald and the kids to come here for late breakfast," her answer smiling at the scarf covered Amara.

          "I'm glad you two finally met, she ate your adobo the other day and she said she liked it," the statement of Dennis.

          "I'm happy to know you liked my cooking Amara," stated Dianne.

          "Yeah, your adobo was really delilcious," the answer of Amara smiling at her.

          "Okay, let's eat breakfast now. These are all probably delicious as always Dianne," praised Donald glancing at his beautiful daughter beside him.

          They then started eating. They ate and ate the delicious dishes of Dianne. In just a short while, the two kids finished and drank their milk.

          "When are we going back to the Water Park, grandpa. I can't wait to see Amara with the Dolphins," Dennis said looking at his grandfather.

          "We'll leave the house at about one o'clock and then we'll wait in my office," stated Donald.

       

                                                                   Chapter 23

           Alexander sat inside his car waiting for Lindsay and Donita to come out of the hotel building. Shortly, the two stepped out of the big glass door and walked towards Alexander inside his car. He immediately opened his car's doors from the inside of his car. Donita sat on the back seat and Lindsay on the front seat beside Alexander.

           "Hi, Alexander!" greeted Lindsay looking at the man beside her.

           "You girls ready, huh?" the question of Alexander smiling at the two.

           "Yeah, we are," the quick response of Donita from the back seat.

           "We'll reach the place at about lunch time, I think," Alexander just said and started driving.

           "Yeah, you'll have lunch with us Alexander, but you promised you'll stay with us until dinner," Lindsay reminded Alexander as he continued driving going to the Water Park.

           "Yeah I said that, and I'm keeping my promise. I'm just happy that you distracted mom from talking about marriage with Helena," the quick answer of Alexander smiling a little.

            "You really don't like that Helena, do you Alexander," the statement of Lindsay. "Did she do anything

wrong against you, huh?"

            If you only knew, you would be siding with her, thought Alexander laughing a little inside. "Nothing, really, it's just she keeps following me around and acts like she owns me," the answer of Alexander.

           "Don't worry about that Alexander, now that I'm here, I'm putting her on her right place. And that's miles away from you," the assurance of Lindsay smiling at Alexander.

            "Yeah, what if that girl follows Alexander at the Water Park," the statement of Donita from the backseat.

            "She wouldn't dare or else..." the simple statement of Lindsay.

            Alexander just smiled at what Lindsay said and continued driving until finally they reached the Water Park. He immediately parked and opened the door for the two girls.

            Alexander was right, they reached the place at about twelve o'clock just in time for lunch. Alexander then took them to the seafood restaurant inside. The waiter then met and ushered them to a table. They sat and ordered. The waiter then returned and brought them a lot of seafoods.

            "I really like this shrimps Alexander, it's nicely cooked," Donita said as she continued chewing her food.

            "Yeah, the shrimps are delicious, but I prefer this lobster better," Lindsay stated looking at Alexander

who was looking at the fish on his plate.

             "Are you just going to watch that fish Alexander huh?" the question of Lindsay at the man in front of her.

             "Okay, I'm eating now, it's just this grilled Lapu-lapu reminds me of someone," the answer of Alexander thinking of Amara back in their island.

              "I hope it's not Helena, Alexander," Lindsay just said.

              "Of course not, definitely not," the quick answer of Alexander.

              "Did I hear anyone mention my name huh..." the statement of the girl approaching them.

              "You, what are you doing here. Didn't I made it clear that I don't want you around my boyfriend huh, Helena," Lindsay said staring at Helena who immediately sat beside Alexander.

              "Hi Alexander," greeted Helena smiling at Alexander.

              "Hey, that's my boyfriend you're trying to charm right there, not that you have charm," the comment of Lindsay.

              "Boyfriend, really, why don't you kiss your girlfriend Alexander," suggested Helena looking and smiling at Alexander.

              "Helena, what's wrong with you. There's so many people around here. You know I'm not that affectionate around many people," the answer of Alexander. "Besides, Lindsay is really conservative."

              "It's okay, I'm not really that conservative Alexander," the answer of Lindsay looking and smiling at Alexander beside her.

              Suddenly, Alexander raised his voice, "You're conservative I said!"

              "Yeah, I really am conservative Helena. That's why Alexander likes me a lot. And what are you doing here I don't remember inviting you to sit on our table."

              "Don't worry Lindsay I did not come here for you. I came just for my handsome husband to be," the quick answer of Helena.

              "Really," the fast answer of Lindsay.

              "You see Alexander here above all is a good son. He loves his mother so much and it so happens that his mom likes me. I wouldn't follow Alexander around if I wasn't sure he's going to end up marrying me," the confident statement of Helena smiling at the two girls.

              "Would you like me to drag this lady out of here Lindsay huh? the question of Donita glaring at Helena.

              "Okay, ladies I really don't want to cause any scene here. Can't you see some people are already starting to notice the four of us, huh," Alexander warned the three girls around him. "Let's just continue eating

our food and afterwards I'll tour you around the park."

              The three continued eating quietly and Helena ordered a drink staring at the two girls in front of her.

               Alexander then toured the two, including Helena. He walked with them looking at the giant aquariums of Stingrays, sea turtles, clown fishes playing with sea anemones, sharks, and jellyfishes. They also viewed the beautiful gardens around the park and after sometime they lined up with a lot of people heading for the dolphin show expecting to see the mermaid Amara.

              Alexander sat near the pool in between Helena and Lindsay. The crowd was so excited waiting for Amara to come out and show her beautiful golden mermaid tail. The show was scheduled to start for another thirty twenty minutes, so Lindsay requested Alexander to accompany her to buy ice cream first. Alexander agreed and the two girls followed. Outside Alexander bought ice cream and gave one each to the three girls.

              "This is tasty, " Donita just said eating her ice cream.

              "Yeah, this is tasty indeed," agreed Lindsay.

              "Yeah for someone who said has a house as beautiful as that of Alexander's parents, you seem to be too excited for ice creams," the comment of Helena looking at the two girls ate ice fast. "Were you really born rich girls, or just suddenly became rich."

              "What, we're of royal descent lady," the quick answer of Lindsay.

              "Yes, we are," seconded Donita.

              They ate and chatted, chatted and ate.

              Inside the audience saw a small carriage moving  and stopped in the middle near the round pool on top of a carpet. Shortly, Donald stepped forward facing the large crowd and spoke. Ladies, gentlemen, and children, the dolphins are waiting for their mermaid princess and we're about to start the show. He started counting down near the golden carriage on top of a wide carpet on the floor. "60... 59... 58...."  and when he reached 10 Donald immediately opened the golden carriage showing the two legged Amara siting inside with a scarf covering her left face. The large crowd soon understood what the host was counting down for and immediately counted down loudly with Donald.

              "9... 8.... 7... 6.... 5.... 4...3...2...1...0." and right after the crowd finished counting down, Amara started to transform right in front of the amazed crowd. In silence they watched as Amara started to grow few golden mermaid scales around her legs. They continued watching  Amara's legs growing golden scales until finally her beautiful golden tail appeared. Amara transformed into a beautiful mermaid with a golden tail before the loudly applauding audience cheering her name. "A-ma-ra! A-ma-ra! A-ma-ra!" They chanted and chanted her name over and over again.

              Shortly Alexander and the three girls rushed inside and immediately saw the beautiful mermaid sitting on the carpet near the pool. Alexander's and Amara's eyes met. They stared at each other for a long time. The audience started to notice the two of them looking intently into each other. Suddenly, the roaring audience quieted and watched  the beautiful mermaid and the handsome man looking at each other. Helena did not recognize the girl that ran away after she stole a kiss from Alexander. Lindsay and Donita too did not recognize Amara for they haven't really seen her as a mermaid in the big blue house. It was only Alexander and only Alexander who recognized Amara.

             Immediately, Alexander smiled at the beautiful mermaid Amara on the beautiful carpet. But Amara ignored him and immediately smiled at the large audience looking at her. But Alexander simply walked towards Amara, looked and smiled at her. Suddenly, Alexander spoke loudly glancing back at the audience and back to Amara, "Are you really a mermaid, huh?"

            Amara simply looked at Alexander.

            "Okay, ladies and gentlemen I'll check her for all of you. He immediately went nearer Amara knelt down and carried her in his arms looking and smiling at her. He immediately pretended to inspect Amara in front of the audience and said, "It is true she is really a mermaid!"

             "Of course she is!" one from the audience loudly answered.

             "Come on man, you're just saying that so you can go near her. You just want to kiss her!" shouted one from the audience.

             "Yeah you just want to kiss her. Hurry up handsome kiss her. You've made the first move already, finish it. Kiss her!" shouted another one from the audience.

             "Kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss her!" shouted a lot of the audience.

             "Okay, since you are all too persistent. Who am I to refuse a beautiful mermaid," Alexander answered and immediately kissed Amara. "I've been looking all over for you... I missed you... I love you... just give me a chance to explain, Amara..." he whispered, put her back down and sat with the audience watching Amara.

             "Why did you do that Alexander," Lindsay asked.

             "I said I was just checking if she was real," the quick answer of Alexander who was so happy that he finally found Amara back.

             The host of the show took over and announced. "It's Showtime!" The two dolphins instantly danced inside the round pool and the audience immediately expected for Amara to join in them inside. But Amara held the microphone and sang in front of the large audience. They held their breaths at the first note that Amara sang. They heard the most beautiful singing voice on land and in water. Amara sang the love song that no one had ever heard before. They couldn't believe what they were seeing and hearing. In front of them sang a singer like no other, a beautiful singing mermaid. Amara continued singing, mesmerizing the audience with her mermaid singing voice. Not one of the audience made a sound. They all listened to the beautiful mermaid singing on top of the beautiful carpet.  And finally Amara vowed, the audience suddenly roared, applauding and chanting Amara's name over and over again. The applause continued for a long time and Amara smiled and waved at the young girls waving and smiling at her from the large audience surrounding her. Immediately, Donald carried Amara in his arms and sat her inside the chariot. The audience continued clapping as the chariot slowly rolled out of the place. Until finally the audience could no longer see the chariot that was carrying the beautiful mermaid with a golden tail. The large audience continued talking about the beautiful mermaid as they watched the two Dolphins continued and performed their tricks. Alexander tried to follow Amara out of the arena but Lindsay held on to his arm. Alexander controlled himself thinking that eventually Lindsay and Donita would realize that the mermaid Amara was their stepsister Mara. Alexander was forced to stay and watch the Dolphin show with the three girls beside him.

                                                                Chapter 24

          Avoiding the reporters that was trying to cover Amara, Donald sped his car going to his massive beach house.

          "The audience loves you Amara. You looked so beautiful singing in front of the many audience. You're

star Amara, a real star!" Donald praised Amara inside his car.

          "You're so amazing Amara, you're the best singer I ever heard," praised Dennis looking at her beside Donald on the front seat.

          "The young girls like me, love you Amara!" praised Dana from the backseat.

          Amara just smiled at them. All she was thinking was Alexander. He told me he loves me... but that girl beside him... that was the girl I saw kissed him. And why was Lindsay holding on to his arm like she was his girlfriend... Amara silently thought, confused, and sad.

          "Hey Amara do you know that man who kissed you. He seemed to recognize you. I was near I could see his face," asked Dennis waiting for her to answer.

          "Was he the one who broke your heart Amara, huh?" Donald finally asked thinking about it the whole time.

          "Is he?" Dana asked.

          "Yes, that was Alexander..." Amara softly answered.

          The three noticed the sadness in Amara's eyes and voice. Quietly, the four traveled back home.

          Inside her room Amara weep. Seeing Alexander and Helena together broke her heart even more. Finally, Amara fall asleep.

          In the following days, Amara performed and sang in the arena inside the Water Park. The audience came pouring in. Day by day Amara became more popular getting featured in the news on television, and on the internet worldwide. Everywhere Amara went, mermaid or not, fans and reporters kept following her chanting her name over and over again. In just a short time Amara became a phenomenon. Fans lined up for her autographs. And pleasantly she would sign with the smiling faces of Dana and Dennis beside her. Even Dana and Dennis were featured on TV to the delight of the two.

         With the popularity of Amara, Donald was forced to hire more bodyguards for Amara. They followed her everywhere, making it so difficult for Alexander to talk to her.  And Lindsay, Donita, and Helena kept following Alexander everywhere, preventing him from even approaching him. Alexander already knew that Lindsay and Donita had realized that Amara was no other than their stepsister Mara. And going near her, and being seen with her in public would jeopardize his plan to help Amara unmake the curse.

          One day, Alexander saw the two legged Amara in the mall. Noticing that Lindsay and Donita was busy looking at the new dresses on a boutique, he immediately chased after Amara. But when Amara saw him, she immediately rushed, with Dennis, Dana and his bodyguards, inside an elevator that was about to close. Alexander stood in front of the closed elevator shaking his head.

           "Alexander!" Lindsay called out from behind him.

           He turned his back and saw Lindsay, Donita, and Helena who suddenly appeared from nowhere.

           Frustrated, Alexander watched and longed for Amara from afar. One day, Tony called Alexander from his room to see his mother Aurora. And when he got to the living room, he saw his mother and dad together with Helena and her parents. Aurora made Alexander sat down beside Helena. Alexander listened as her mother Aurora, Helena and her parents talked about their marriage. To his surprise, everything was already planned. Immediately, Helena held on to his arm beside him smiling at both Aurora and Alfred. After a while, Alexander went out of the house shaking his head, furious and frustrated.

           One day Alexander saw the godfather of Amara and he immediately told him everything that he had been doing for Amara. He requested him to check occasionally on the big blue house while Mara is away.  Alexander did not quit on Amara. And when the girls and the parents were not looking, he would sneak away and try to follow Amara. Finally, he was able to trace where Donald lived. He tried to call Amara from outside the gate, shouting her name. But her bodyguards stopped him driving him away from Donald's massive beach house. And Amara would cry looking at Alexander being driven away as she instructed her bodyguards. Weeks passed and still Alexander was unable to to talk to Amara, not even go near her. The Amara phenomenon continued.

           In his room, inside their house, Alexander opened his big flat-screen television and played his DVD.

He watched sitting on his bed.

          The priest asked the girl first, "Do you take Enrique as your lawfully wedded husband?"

          "I do!" the girl answered aloud from the middle of the church.

         "Hey lady, why are you answering, this is my wedding and not yours!" Claudia mocked the lady who tried to stop her wedding from the man that she wanted to marry.

          "Yes but the man you're marrying is mine! It's me he truly loves and not you!" the girl in the middle of the church quickly answered.

          "What is this Enrique, is it true you're hers?" the priest asked Enrique in the video.

          "Yes father I'm hers, willingly," Enrique answered looking at the girl in the middle of the church smiling at him. And Enrique immediately rushed towards the girl in middle of the church leaving everybody behind inside the church.

           The DVD movie ended and Alexander watched a television show that was airing. To his surprise he saw the mermaid Amara in a Movie Awards Night. Old Donald carried Amara in his arms facing the audience as Amara started reading. 

           "The nominees for FAMAS best actress are, Ann Jude from the movie, The Hand that Rocks the Laddle! Judy Saint from the movie, I Know What You Ate Last Summer! and Anna Santos from the movie Saving Host Ryan!" Amara announced smiling at the celebrities and the large audience in front of her. After some clips were shown, Amara continued, "And the FAMAS best actress is..... Judy Saint from the movie, I Know What You Ate Last Summer!" And everybody applauded looking towards the direction of Judy Saint. Tears immediately started forming in Judy Saint's eyes, and slowly walked to the stage, made her speech and thanked her director, writers, and  everyone who helped her won the award. 

           Alexander then closed his television and laid back on his bed thinking, thinking until he finally fall asleep.

       

                                                                  Chapter 25

          Days passed, Amara, as a mermaid, had an early breakfast with Donald, Dennis, Dana, and Dianne. Once again they all enjoyed the breakfast that Dianne prepared for them.

          "What a breakfast!" Dennis just said flattering his beatiful mom.

          "What a breakfast indeed!" Donald, Dana, and Amara chorused smiling at the best cook in town.

          "It is my honor to cook for the three most important persons, and mermaid of this household!" the fast answer of Dianne smiling at everyone. Happily they stood up, left the dining table and headed for the beautiful garden inside the wide and tall fence. Amara happily watched as Dana and Dennis happily played, running and chasing here and there around here. The cuteness of the two made Amara smile. Suddenly, something dropped in front of Amara who was already two-legged at nine thirty in the morning. She stood up and picked up the rolled newspaper that dropped near her. Afterwards, she started reading it. And immediately tears flowed from her eyes. Amara wept readingt the newspaper in her hands. Donald, Dianne, Dennis, and Dana immediately noticed her. They immediately approached and gathered around the sobbing Amara.

          "What's wrong Amara, why are you crying?" asked the concerned Dianne looking at Amara's tear drenched face.

         But Amara just covered her eyes, her face with both her hands dropping the newspaper on the bermuda grass.

         Donald immediately picked up the newspaper and read. "Alexander is getting married today at ten thirty in the morning..." Donald told his daughter and his grandchildren.

        Dana immediately hugged the sobbing Amara who was still unable to say anything.

        "You really love him, do you Amara," Dennis just said holding Amara's hand. But Amara did not answer and continued sobbing.

       "I really don't know what really happened between the you and Alexander. And honestly, I really believe that that man truly loves you Amara. Maybe, he did you wrong breaking your heart, I will not tell you to forgive him, but," stated Dianne. "The question is, can you live without him, can you live without Alexander. Can you bear to loss him forever?"

        "No, I cant! No... no... no... He is the only man I love, and he is the only man I will love..." the quick and soft answer of Amara still covering her face from the chair she was sitting.

        "If that's the case what are we waiting for Amara. Let's go to the church and stop the wedding!" Donald

immediately suggested.

        And Dana and Dennis immediately pulled Amara up without even waiting for her to answer. Donald immediately opened his car and drove with Dennis and Dana hugging Amara on the back seat. Dianne closed the gate as she watched her dad drove away towards the church. Donald drove his car. He drove as fast as he can. But the traffic was heavy slowing him down. Donald shook his head looking at his watch and at the sobbing Amara. And when the traffic was all clear, Donald continued driving. "Don't worry Amara will get there on time..." Donald assured Amara.

           Amara looked up and said, "Thank you Donald..."

           Donald drove faster. He drove and drove until finally they reached the church. Immediately with her heart beating fast, Amara got off Donald's car and ran towards the tall and big door of the big church.     Amara opened the closed door of the church, rushing inside, going to the middle of the church and shouted,

          "I object stop the wedding!" But to her surprise no one was there. She stood still and cried. "I lost Alexander, the wedding is over. He probably had left with Helena to their wedding reception. Amara cried and cried in the middle of the church when suddenly she heard someone laughing behind her. She turned around and saw Alexander leaning against the church wall and laughing at her. He then stopped, approached her slowly, and held her two hands smiling at her.

           "Amara there was no wedding... And if I really had to marry someone, it would be you, only you..." the statement of Alexander.

             "But I thought..." Amara just said looking up at Alexander.

             "Amara I love you so much and I will do anything to have you back. I only requested a friend 

of mine, who owns a printing press, to print a newspaper announcing my fake wedding with Helena. And early today, I instructed my driver Tony to throw the newspaper over Donald's tall fence. And now here you are. I love you, and I know you want to tell me you love me too., but we really need to hurry!" The statement of Alexander and immediately dragged the wondering Amara outside going to his car outside the church.

             "Hey, you take care of Amara for us Alexander!" Dennis shouted and smiling at Alexander 

and Amara.

             "Don't worry little boy, I'll do nothing but love her," the assurance of Alexander.

             "Good bye Amara, I hope this is not the last time that we'll see you..." the statement of 

Donald looking at Amara and Alexander.

             "I'll come back as soon as I can, Donald, Dana, Dennis. And thank you fro bringing me here," Amara replied standing next to Alexander. 

             Immediately, Alexander took Amara inside his car and drove towards his yacht. And along the way, he immediately explained everything to Amara. How he tricked Lindsay into telling him how he can unmake the curse and how Helena stole a kiss from him. Amara didn't know what to say to Alexander. 

             "You don't need to say anything Amara, all you have to do is hug me and kiss me. I missed you so much Amara," Alexander said hugging and kissing Amara beside him. After a while, Alexander and Amara boarded his yacht. And Alexander immediately drove his yacht going to the big blue house. Alexander drove and drove his yacht fast going to the small port. And when they reached it, they rode a taxi and hurried to Amara's house. The taxi driver drove as fast as he could. And in just a short while, they arrived, got off the taxi and hurried towards the gate.

                                                                   Chapter  26

          Amara and Alexander immediately rushed inside the big blue house. They entered the very quiet house. "I hope Cassandra and my stepsisters aren't around Alexander," the statement of Amara as they hurried up the stairs to get the key.

           "I hope so too, Amara. But don't worry, even if they're here, they can't stop me from taking you to the statue of the wishing mermaid," the reply of Alexander looking towards the direction of Cassandra's room. When they got there, Alexander immediately hammered the big lock with the fire extinguisher that took from the wall. He hammered and hammered until finally the big lock fall on the floor. Alexander and Amara immediately went inside the room. Amara saw all her lost jewelries inside the half-opened  jewelry box. But she ignored it, instead she immediately picked up the eighth mermaid figurine, turned the head and dropped the silver key to her palm.

           "I'm glad they didn't move the key somewhere," the statement of Alexander as he picked the flashlight

on the table near them. "Hurry, let's go down to the underground Amara."

           Alexander ran out of the room, hurrying down the stairs with Amara following close behind him. Shortly, they reached the underground door. Immediately, Alexander took the key from Amara and tried opening the lock. And when it was already opened, Alexander pushed back the large door and walked inside with Amara by his side. He turned on the flashlight. And Amara saw the long stairs downward for the first time in her own big blue house. "They probably had this built when I was at the sea swimming as a mermaid," stated Amara as she followed Alexander who was pointing the flashlight on the stairs. They walked down the stairs carefully and finally they reached the door. Immediately, Alexander turned the knob and opened it. They then went to the same doors that Alexander had passed through before opening the last right door. Alexander took the torch that was standing on the floor and leaning against the wall. He lit it with his lighter and immediately lit the two torches on both sides of the wall. The underground became brighter and immediately, and to their surprise, the statue of the wishing mermaid was no longer there.

        "What happened, I saw the statue of the wishing mermaid standing on this flatfrom right here," the surprise of Alexander. "In fact when I stepped on this flatform to go near that statue I felt the wind blowing on my face and my clothes."

         "It's too late, they have probably moved the statue somewhere," the sad statement of Amara.

         "Yeah, maybe by now they already knew that we two are in love with each other. They probably had learned that I only tricked Lindsay so I could bring you here to unmake the curse," stated Alexander looking at Amara and shaking his head slightly. "But don't worry Amara I'll find it for you. Maybe they have just hidden it somewhere in your house. Let's just go back up and search somewhere else."

         The two immediately got out of the doors and hurried up the stairs going to the living room. And when they got there, they were surprised at who they saw. In the living room, Cassandra, Lindsay and Donita were sitting on the sofa and laughing at the two of them.

          "What happened Mara, I thought you were going to wish on the mermaid to unmake the curse. Why do you still have that birthmark in your left face?" the quick question of Cassandra. "Do you honestly believe that you'll find it there. My daughters are not stupid, Lindsay and Donita saw you chasing the two legged Mara. They followed you from the boutique. And Lindsay realized that you Alexander had just tricked her into telling you the story of mermaid Amaya so you could help Mara unmake the curse."

          "Yeah that's right Alexander. I trusted you but you betrayed me. You came here just to help that Mara," the statement of Lindsay looking at Alexander.

          "Where did you hid the statue of the wishing mermaid, Aunt Cassandra?" the question of Amara.

          "Do you honestly believe that I will tell you where that statue is Mara?" what a lousy question. "Okay, we move it somewhere, somewhere far from here. Did that answer your question Amara?"

           "You tell me where that statue is Cassandra or else...." the warning of Alexander staring furiously Cassandra.

           "Or else what, you're going to kill us and then you're going to jail and your poor Mara will be alone in this world once again," the answer of Cassandra mocking him and Amara.

           "Let's just search around the house Alexander, maybe we'll find it here," the suggestion of Amara.

           Alexander and Amara then searched the whole house, they searched in the garden, they even searched the pool but still they were not able to find the statue of the wishing mermaid. Shortly, Cassandra and her daughters approached the two. "Go ahead, search and search Alexander, Mara. We're going to our rooms now, just wake us up if you found it," the mocking statement of Cassandra.

           The three laughed at them, walked towards a long bench and sat looking at the frustrated Alexander and Amara.

           "What shall we do now Alexander?" the question of Amara.

           "Maybe be they hid the statue in the house of one of their friends in this island Amara," the statement of Alexander looking intently at the faces of the three on the bench.

           "But I don't think they have any friends here Alexander. They kinda looked down on the locals," the answer of Amara.

           "Really, ah maybe they threw it back in the sea..." the statement of Alexander and still looking at the faces of the three girls on the bench.

           Suddenly, Cassandra, Lindsay, and Donita started looking at each other with odd expressions on their faces.

           "Aha, I'm right, you threw the statue in the sea," the quick conclusion of Alexander looking at their faces.

           But suddenly, the three laughed, and Cassandra said, "And if we indeed threw it in the sea, do you think that we'll just threw it where a mermaid like Mara could easily find it huh?"

           "Let's go back to my yacht Amara. We'll figure a way to find it there," the suggestion of Alexander

looking at the still worried Amara.

           "Okay, Alexander..." the answer of Amara. The two then left the big blue house leaving the three girls who were still looking oddly at each other.

          Alexander and Amara rode a taxi and when they got to the small port, he immediately paid the driver and walked Amara to his yacht. Inside his yacht, the two sat on a coach. Alexander pulled Amara close to him hugging her. "Did you see the reactions in their faces Amara. I really believe that they had hidden the statue somewhere in the sea," stated Alexander kissing Amara on her cheeks.

          The two sat quietly inside the yacht for some time.

          "But if you're right how can we find it, even as a mermaid I can't easily find it. The sea, the ocean is just to wide and big for me to find a single statue. And if they threw it deep, I won't be able to reach it because I won't be able to breath nor see in the deepest part of the sea."

         "Let's just take our chances Amara, maybe they just threw it somewhere near. And besides, I don't think those three could tell if the sea is deep or not. They probably had just thrown it randomly in their haste," the conclusion of Alexander and stood up to drive his yacht. Alexander then drove his yacht. He drove until they reached the middle of the sea just in time for Amara to transform into a mermaid in the afternoon.

                                                                   Chapter 27

           Alexander then stopped his yacht and carried the mermaid Amara towards the deck and stood in the middle with Amara in his arms looking at the wide sea around them. They stood there for some time and finally Amara suggested that she would look from the left side of Alexander's yacht.

          "You just stay here Alexander. I'll dove and try to search for the statue in the sea," the statement of Amara.

          "No, I want to go with you, it would be better that way. At least there would be four eyes looking for it," he suggested teasing her a little. "Just kiss me when I'm running out of breath."

         "You, you could still think of that, in this times," the statement of Amara smiling a little at Alexander.

         "Huh, the truth is I think of that all the time," the quick statement of Alexander looking at the beautiful mermaid in his arms and kissed her gently.

         Alexander then went to the side of his yacht and jumped out of his yacht with Amara in his arms.

Immediately the two submerged momentarily and emerged in the surface of the sea. Amara floated beside Alexander. Smiling at each other the two then dove downwards, swimming side by side going deeper and deeper. They swam and sway downwards looking for any sign of the statue of the wishing mermaid. The two looked on opposite directions to cover more area. And every time, Alexander ran out of breath Amara would breath on Alexander's mouth, kissing him. They swam and swam, searched and searched but they did not find the statue. They then swam towards the opposite side of the yacht. Alexander tried to search as carefully as he could and so did Amara. They searched and searched for the statue but all they saw were colorful fishes, corals, and starfishes around them. They tried searching on several other directions but still they did not find the statue. Slowly, the two started getting tired and decided to surface. In the surface of the water, the two floated together looking into each other's eyes.

          "We're both tired Alexander, maybe we should go back up to your yacht and rest for a while," the suggestion of Amara at the very tired Alexander.

          "Okay, if that's what you want Amara," the answer of Alexander. He immediately stepped on his yacht and pulled Amara out of the water. Afterwards, he carried her in is arms and stood in the middle of the deck. He sat Amara on the deck, and left going  inside his yacht to get some food and drinks for the two of them. Shortly, he returned carrying sandwiches and some cola with him. He gave some to Amara. And by each other, the two started eating and drinking. They were both tired and a bit frustrated but still their nearness made them happy. They ate and glanced at each other smiling. When they were done eating, Alexander pulled Amara to this side and hugged her.

          "Don't worry Amara, we will not stop until we find that statue. I know it's going to make you happy if we find it..." the statement of Alexander looking at Amara.

          "Yeah it will. But what if we don't find it. Would you still want to be with me. If we don't find it, I will have this big birthmark in my left face forever," stated Amara.

         "I love you too much to care about that birthmark in your face Amara. But I really believe that we would find that statue Amara. I think you saved me from the shipwreck for a reason Amara. Maybe this is our destiny. For you to save me and for me to gave you that statue so you could be happy, happy with me Amara," the statement of Alexander kissing Amara.

          Suddenly, Alexander stood up, with Amara still in his arms, and looked around them towards the wide sea.

          "What Alexander..." the soft whisper of Amara.

          "I suddenly remembered something Amara," Alexander said looking intently ahead. "Lindsay, told me that the wishing mermaid statue levitates. When I saw that statue of the wishing mermaid in the underground, I only felt the wind pressing on me when I got near it. It never really levitated when I approached it. Could it be that it actually levitates when... someone calls upon her name to make a wish..."

           Alexander then walked forward carrying the mermaid Amara in his arms. They stood there for a moment. "Go Amara call her..."

          In Alexander's arms, Amara took a deep breath and spoke. "I call upon you great mermaid Amaya, I want to make a wish....!"

          The sea simmered and bubbled, from ahead of them,  a small whirlpool appeared and suddenly the statue of the white wishing mermaid started rising up from the sea. Until finally it levitated in the air in front of them.

          Amara and Alexander couldn't believe at what they were seeing. The wind became stronger as the mermaid statue continued levitating in the air. The beautiful statue of the mermaid, with a scroll raised in her right arm, seemed to be looking at Amara. Amara could feel her stare at her as the wind blew on both her and Alexander.

        Suddenly, someone shouted from the side of Alexander's yacht. "Go ahead Amara, make a wish and die... die like your father!"

        Alexander and Amara glanced at the direction of the loud voice, they saw Cassandra, Lindsay and Donita in another yacht looking at the two of them.

        "What are you saying, Aunt Cassandra!" the quick question of Amara looking at Cassandra.

        "Okay, I guess it's time for you to know how your father died. Listen carefully Amara..." the loud answer of Cassandra from the other yacht. "Your father saw me sprinkling the golden mermaid scales of Amaya while you were sleeping on your bed. And when he asked me what I was doing, I told him that I was

merely trying to give you a protective spell that I learned from my mother. He believed me of course, but then one day he discovered the old book that I was hiding in our room. And when he learned that I cursed you into becoming a mermaid, he forced me to tell him how he could reverse my curse. And immediately I told him that he would have to make a wish at the statue of the wishing mermaid. He made the wish in front of the statue not knowing that he could die, if he made the wish with someone who is not willing to die for him. Needless to say, that I wasn't willing to die for him. And few days after he made the wish, he started getting sick signalling his eventual death. Yes, Amara your father died trying to save you from my curse and now it is your time... Do you honestly believe that Alexander is willing to give up his life for you Amara? Go ahead Amara make a wish and die!"

         Realizing that her father died trying to save her, Amara cried.

         Alexander kissed Amara in his arms. He kissed her with all his love and said, "Don't be afraid Amara, make a wish. I love you more than life itself Amara."

          Amara looked at Alexander's face for a moment and turned to look at the levitating statue of the wishing mermaid. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and wished. Suddenly,  the winds blew much stronger. Bright ray of lights came out from the statue. The lights became brighter and brighter until everyone could no longer see. Amara covered her eyes with her forearm. Slowly, the strong wind started to weaken. Until finally, the glaring ray of lights disappeared. And in Alexander's arms appeared the most beautiful girl with the most beautiful legs. After what they had seen, Cassandra, Lindsay, and Donita hurried home on their yacht

          "You're no longer a mermaid Amara..." Alexander whispered kissing Amara on the lips. Alexander lowered Amara on the deck. She stood in front of him, looking at him. "Amara, you're so beautiful..."

          "Am I...?" the soft answer of Amara looking at herself, at her legs.

          "Yes you are my love..." Alexander whispered kissing Amara once again.

          Alexander kissed and hugged Amara for a long time in the middle of the sea. And then Alexander stopped and the two looked and smiled at each other.

          "What are we going to do now, Amara... there's only the two of us here..." Alexander said smirking and looking at Amara.

          "You, let's hurry home. I think those three have plans with my jewelries that we left inside Aunt Cassandra's room," the quick answer of Amara evading Alexander's soft advances.

           "Can't we go back to my cabin first," Alexander answered winking at Amara.

           "You!"

           "Okay, I'll get rid of those three fast, and then we'll go to my cabin," the quick answer of Alexander, dragged Amara inside, and drove his yacht in the middle of the sea. While he was driving his yacht, Amara hugged Alexander.

           "What, you want to go down to my cabin now..." the question of Alexander smiling a little.

           "Thank you Alexander... thank you for everything... thank you for loving me..."

           Alexander just smiled, kissed her hair, turned his yacht and headed back to Amara's big blue house.

                                                                    Chapter 28

   

          The driver of the big truck and his companion had lowered the white statue of the wishing mermaid, which landed on the pointed edge of the deck of Alexander's yacht after the bright ray of lights disappeared, on Amara's beautiful garden.  Alexander and Amara walked beside each other going to her house followed by the two men carrying the heavy statue. Nearing the main door, they heard some voices talking at each other. Alexander and Amara approached the sound of the voices.

           "Uncle Frank!" greeted Amara looking at her godfather.

          "Mara!" greeted Frank back, the godfather of Amara. "I'm so glad to see you. I know we have a lot to talk about, but first thing's first."

          "Hello Mara, do you honestly believe that you can escape your mermaid curse just like that?" Lindsay said looking at Mara. "I can still wish for you to become a mermaid once again."

      "Yes of course we still can sister," Donita agreed dragging Lindsay with her in front of the wishing mermaid statue that the truck driver and his companion had left on the floor. "Go ahead and wish now Lindsay, I'll back you up."

         "No, I'll back you up you make the wish Donita," Lindsay suggested.

         "No, your older than me, you should make the wish, Lindsay," Donita disagreed.

         "Why don't you save your children the trouble Cassandra, why don't you make the wish yourself. Wish back for Mara to become a mermaid once more. I'm sure both your children are willing to give up their lives for you, your their beloved mother," Frank mocked Cassandra staring and smiling at her.

          "Yeah, that's right!" the friends of Mara agreed unanimously. But Cassandra did not move nor uttered a word.

          "Ah... since no one of you wants to wish, obviously you three have no better things to do in this house.

Why don't you three start packing up your clothes and leave the house. But wait, I was here when my friend first brought you here, and I don't remember the three of you carrying anything," Frank stated and opened the main door wider. "Good bye overstaying house guests...."

          "Just because Mara is  no longer a mermaid doesn't mean that you could throw us out of this house, this big blue house, the cars and all the jewelries are still mine." Cassandra announced.

           "Really, can't you see I'm still here," Alexander stated looking at Cassandra.

           "So."

           "Meaning, I can still ask Amara to wish for a bigger, blacker, and thicker birthmarks each for 

the three of you!"

           Humiliated and terrified of Alexander's last statement, Cassandra and her two children raced out of the house empty-handed.

                                                                  Chapter 29

            Happily Amara was reunited with her Godfather Frank and her three friends. They talked and laughed, laughed and talked in the living room with Alexander looking, listening and smiling at them. Afterwards, they all left and finally Alexander had Amara all for himself in the big blue house. 

           "We don't have to go back to my cabin after all Amara," the quick statement of Alexander. He then approached the smiling Amara placing his arm around her carrying her in his arms. With Amara in his arms, Alexander gently walked up the stairs, and when he reached her room, he immediately laid Amara in her bed and walked back to close the door.

            Yes, finally, Alexander thought to himself smiling at Amara. He laid down beside her on the bed and turned off the lights.

            "What are you doing Alexander?" the question of Amara looking and smiling at Alexander beside her on the bed.

            "What else..." the quick answer of Alexander.

            "No, Alexander we'll only cuddle like we did in your cabin before."

            "Okay, we'll just cuddle in bed," softly Alexander said hugging Amara by his side. But I know you'll change your mind an hour from now....

            After three months, Alexander and Amara were married. And after they said good bye to Aurora, Alfred, Donald, Dana, Dennis and other guests at the reception, Alexander took Amara on his yacht and headed for their island for their honeymoon.

           They stayed in the island where Amara first brought Alexander and where Alexander saw Amara first. For three days and three nights Amara and Alexander loved each other.

           Alexander and Amara were so happy in their honeymoon.

           "Amara I'm so happy you're my wife now. And I'm also happy you have great legs now but... I really missed looking at you as a mermaid... I really wish to see you like, even for just once, looking like the beautiful mermaid I carried to my yacht after I returned from America," the statement of Alexander looking at Amara by his side who suddenly started laughing. "Why are you laughing Amara?"

           "Nothing," the quick answer of Amara.

           "Really, why are you laughing and giggling?" 

           "Do you honestly believe that I would give up my golden mermaid tail, huh?"

           "What do you mean?"

           "The truth is I wished to be a beautiful human and a beautiful mermaid at will!" the quick answer of Amara laughing a little.

           "Huh," Alexander just said and immediately ran towards the shallow water, turned around extended his arms on his side and called out. "Come to me my beautiful mermaid!"

                                                                               End