The Bad Boy And The Mermaid

Chapter 47

Blue

“Be honest with me, Blue. What is our future together?” Adrian asked me a few days after I’d met Hunter in the supermarket.

I was stirring a pot; preparing stew for dinner when his question caught me off-guard. I looked straight at him. “What do you mean our future?”

Adrian’s emerald eyes cut through me, and there was a smug expression plastered on his face which I hated. “How long are we going to play house? Aren’t you going to...what do the humans call it...ah, yes, divorce your husband?”

I shot him a look. “I would never divorce Hunter. I thought I told you that before and as far as our future is concerned, we’ve always been friends and that will continue to be.”

Adrian picked up an apple from the table and munched on it. He’d especially come to love fruits here from the human world.

I watched him as he propped his legs on the table with shoes on, something that I hated. There were a lot of habits of Adrian that I didn’t like. For example, the way he would interrupt me when I was speaking, or the way he would always taunt me and say how much he hated my cooking. And he would always talk with his mouthful. Maybe I found so many faults in Ade because we were childhood friends, but I couldn’t help but compare him to Hunter.

I’d loved everything about Hunter. His golden-brown hair like a polished shiny coin, his intense silver eyes, and his deep sensuous voice, the way his delicious body would respond to my touch, the soft kisses he planted on my face when I woke up in the morning, his large hands that caressed me in a possessive way. It all drove me crazy.

I was feeling needy and now especially since I had been under close proximity to him. I knew what I was missing out on.

“I’m not talking to the walls,” Adrian said.

He’s been talking and I’d been lost in my own world, thoughts filled with Hunter.

“Just don’t speak in riddles. Say what you want to.”

“Come sit here with me.” Adrian patted the empty space on the couch beside him. “Let’s talk.”

I sighed, turned off the stove and went to sit next to him.

“This can’t continue forever.” He said. “Apollo and I have been taking turns living here with you because we don’t have a choice. If you want to continue to live this way then we should get married. I mean, Hunter thinks that you’re carrying my child so it won’t be such a big deal if we actually tied the knot.”

“Never!”

“You’re a selfish mermaid, did you know that?”

I remained silent.

“You won’t go back to your husband, you won’t even let him live in peace, you won’t break it off with him either. So you’re just playing with several lives. Apollo has things to take care of in Atlantis, do you think it’s okay for you to make him worry all the time? I mean, look at the mess you’ve created. It was your decision to break the rules, your decision to marry a human and to have his baby. We warned you about the consequences but you didn’t listen.”

My lower lip quickened. “If I go back to Hunter, I may kill him again accidentally. I don’t want that to happen. Don’t you understand?”

“Wake up, Blue,” Adrian said. “Did you even look at his face properly when he left that day? He’s a dead man walking!”

I slapped him across his face. “Don’t you ever say that about him again. Ever.”

Adrian didn’t seem fazed, he continued. “If you don’t go back to Hunter, he will kill himself. You sacrificed your immortality to bring him back, and if he commits suicide, it would be your fault again. Think about it. He’s going to die and then you would wander around, living as long as humans live and then die. Hunter may be reborn and when that happens, he’s going to look for you to find you gone. The cycle of misery repeats.”

“What do you know? He could find another woman to marry.” I said. “And maybe she would keep him happy.”

“He bares the mermaid’s mark. Let’s say if he fights through his desire of being with you, and gets married to some other woman, he won’t be able to keep her happy. Do you realize how many lives you’re going to destroy?” He continued, “When you were getting married to Hunter, Apollo warned him that falling in love with a mermaid comes with a curse.” Adrian chuckled, “Guess he didn’t realize the price he was paying for falling in love with you. That poor man, I feel sorry for him.”

I wanted to slap my friend again, but I stopped myself.

“What if we removed the mark?”

“That has a lot of risks. He could just die from the pain. Removing the mark causes excruciating pain even for a mermaid; a human body won’t handle it. Again, if he dies, it’s on you.”

The baby inside me kicked. I placed my hand on my stomach.

“It’s affecting him, and it’s affecting you. You’re obviously in a delicate state right now, and worrying so much is not good for your health or the baby.”

I knew he was telling the truth. I covered my face with my hands and cried. I felt Adrian’s hand over my head as he pulled me closer sideways and I placed my head on his shoulder.

“Don’t be such a coward, Blue.” He said. “You love each other, don’t give him unnecessary heartache.”

I looked up at him, “what if he dies again from illness or another accident? What would I do?”

“That can also happen to a mermaid, we die all the time and sometimes the soulmate wanders around helplessly. At least you’re not immortal anymore. You will do your duty by Hunter’s child. Do what every human would do.”

Adrian took my hand in his and caressed it softly. “I love you, Blue. I really did since we were little and I always imagined us together; marrying and having children of our own. But in the back of my mind, I knew that you didn’t feel the same about me and then you ran away from our world leaving everything and everyone behind. When I saw you with Hunter, and the way the two of you communicated, it shattered my heart but I was happy for you. When he died, I thought it was over and that you would come back to me but even thinking of it is so wrong. You’re his woman, his wife. He deserves you.” He smiled, “don’t get me wrong. I still don’t like that husband of yours.”

I laughed through the tears because this was new. Adrian talking about Hunter in this way.

“But I could see that he gave you immense happiness. He loves you too much. You took these risks for him, and now you want to throw it all away because you’re scared? You are braver than that, Blue. Truthfully, you were the bravest from all of your siblings. They would have never dared to step foot outside of Atlantis for fear of banishment.”

He touched my stomach. “This is his child, it’s half-human. Don’t you think you’re committing a grave sin by lying to him? By keeping this baby away from his father? What if the baby grows up and asks you about his patéras (father), and what answer you would give this child?”

How had I not thought of all that? I hated to admit but Adrian was right. About everything he had said.

The clock ticked and time passed, neither of us said anything. Adrian was watching me carefully.

I squeezed his hand, “Ade, what if he doesn’t accept me now? What if it’s too late?” I asked.

“It’s only been a few days since we last saw him. If you talk to him, Blue, he would understand.”

“I guess you’re right,” I said.

The baby kicked again. I smiled, “I think the baby really wants to get to know his daddy.”

“His?” Adrian looked amused. “How do you know it’s a boy?”

“I don’t. I’m just thinking that it could be a little boy who looked like Hunter with his golden hair and silver eyes.” I yearned for the day I could hold our baby, “my own little Hunter.”

I looked out of the window, it has started pouring really heavily but I didn’t think I could wait until tomorrow.

“Ade, I’m really sorry that I slapped you. I was really angry.”

“It’s okay.” He said. “As long as you go back to your husband and I no longer have to tolerate you. All’s good.” He grinned and I punched him playfully.

“Can you take me to him right now?” I asked.

“It’s pouring outside.” He pointed out.

“I want to see him right now. I can’t wait until tomorrow.”

“Pack your stuff.”

* * *

Hunter

I had finished taking a long hot shower and was preparing dinner for the evening. A horror movie was paused on Netflix while I’d made egg salad and some grilled sausages which I was going to enjoy with a tall glass of iced tea.

I wasn’t particularly happy about my situation and I missed Blue, but somehow keeping myself busy with cooking or painting or studying helped me take my mind off her. The most difficult part was going to bed because when I tried to sleep, I stayed awake for hours thinking why this had happened.

I recalled each and everything and it just continued to give me heartache. If I died of heartache in my bed one day, I wouldn’t be surprised.

The clock chimed to nine-thirty p.m when I heard the doorbell.

I thought it was Hannah or Fred or maybe both. They usually checked on me to make sure I was alright. I was on a suicide watch. Sometimes they even asked me to tag along with them for a movie and I’d rather swallow my used sock than become the third wheel.

I looked out of the window and noticed how hard it was pouring tonight.

Who could be here at this hour? I wasn’t sure if those idiots would be so desperate to see me that they would soak in the rain.

I opened the door and saw Blue standing there on the doorstep, holding an umbrella.

I had to be hallucinating.

I started to close the door when she said, “Wait!”

That’s when I knew it wasn’t a dream. She was really here.

Her long hair was tied in a long French braid, and she was wearing a short loose fitted dress. Again, if I hadn’t known that she was pregnant, I wouldn’t have noticed at all. Her baby bump was a really cute one, the type where it made a woman look even more attractive and just added to their beauty.

Adrian was a lucky asshole.

Blue’s cheeks were flushed and she seemed worried for some reason.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Can I come inside?” She asked.

I opened the door wide. “Of course,” And then I noticed a suitcase on the floor.

Holy-shit! Why was she carrying a suitcase? Did Adrian throw her out of the house? Did they have a fight? Was I supposed to act as a buffer between them?

Dear God, anything but that last one.

I carried her suitcase inside the house which was actually heavier than I thought. Leslie came barking into the hallway and launched himself at Blue, sniffing, licking and jumping up and down from sheer happiness.

That stupid dog needed to understand Blue wasn’t here to stay.

She laughed as she ruffled his fur and whispered something to him that I couldn’t hear because I was too busy staring at her.

“Yes, I know. I know.” She assured him. “I missed you too.”

I almost forgot that the two could communicate.

She looked around the living room with what I thought was longing and brushed her fingers on the couch. She gave me one of her bright smiles, “You didn’t change anything much here.”

“No, I did not.”

She settled down on the white couch and now I could see the bump clearly. I brought two of the fluffiest pillows and arranged them behind her back so she could relax.

“Can I heat some milk for you?” I asked, “I think it would be good for your baby.”

“Okay.” She said.

Wait. Was cow’s milk okay for a mermaid baby? © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

I started the stove and began warming milk. A few minutes later, I was sitting beside her. She held the cup of milk in both of her hands and looked around nervously.

“What happened, Blue? Is there a reason you’re here?”

What if she asked for forgiveness? And begged me to take her? Would I do it?

The answer to that was easy.

I would take her back, even if that was Adrian’s kid she was having. If Blue wanted me back, I would take her.

I know I was pathetic, I just didn’t care. While it hurt that she’d cheated on me, I couldn’t fault her for getting a baby from someone who could give her since I clearly couldn’t.

Twisted, but I fucking loved this mermaid too much.

She caught my hand in hers. “I’m so sorry, Hunter.”

And just like that, I couldn’t control myself. I touched her damp cheek and brushed the loose tendrils out of her face. “What’s done is done. We can’t change the past.” I reasoned.

“I lied to you.” She confessed.

“I know.”

“You do?” She asked, placing the mug back on the table. “What do you know?”

“That while I was gone, you hooked up with Adrian and now you’re pregnant. You want my forgiveness and I’ll give it to you.”

To my astonishment, she appeared to be really fucking pissed, and I didn’t know why. “That’s not true!” she made little fists with her hands which were ADORABLE.

She sighed and then took my hand in hers and placed it on her stomach, “Your baby.”

“Yeah. I would accept his baby as mine. I don’t mind, really.”

Now she was giving me a full-blown glare. “It is your baby, not Adrian’s.”

I stared at her for a few seconds as I let that sink in.

She scooted closer to me and the familiar scent of her shampoo entered my nostrils. Slowly, she said, “Let me explain. Please don’t interrupt me. The other day at the supermarket when you said it was Adrian’s child I was carrying, you assumed it and I did nothing to tell you otherwise. I’m sorry about that.” Her large blue eyes were rimmed with fresh tears. “I never…I never slept with Adrian in a bed. I never even let him come near my bed because I remembered what you told me.”

“What did I tell you?” I didn’t even realize I’d asked that question.

“I remembered you said that if a man and a woman shared a bed, they could have babies.” She told me; a little proud that she knew that bit of information. “I could never sleep with someone else. I love you too much to even think of another man. Please believe me, Hunter.”

I sucked in a breath and touched her belly with both my hands. A tear trickled down my cheek, “I’m the father?”

“Yes.” She confirmed.

“When?”

“I think it happened before you died, but I only found out about it after I left with Apollo to my world. I had to be about two months pregnant when I started to have breathing problems. At first, I thought maybe it was happening because I’d gotten used to staying on land but later on they noticed my stomach was growing. The doctor there told me that the baby was half-human and that the baby won’t survive if I stayed underwater. When my father found out, he banished me.” She sniffled, “Told me never to come back.”

“You chose me? Even though I didn’t remember you?”

“I chose us.” She said quickly. “I want this life with you. I will miss the ocean but nothing is more important to me than being here with you. I’m reckless and foolish and I caused your death. And I often

wonder what would have happened if I didn’t possess my mermaid powers. I don’t want to lose you again, Hunter and I—”

I cut her rambling short by crushing her lips with mine.