How to catch a Merman

Chapter 4

I woke up refreshed with good memories from last night. I still can't believe the date with Hugo went so well, he was truly a gentlemen and is in a good chance of having a second date with me like he hinted at even though I wasn't looking for a relationship, maybe I can give it a go with Hugo if our second date goes well. Gosh! I feel like such a teenager but I am an adult.

I groaned when I remembered I had work to get ready for. How could I have forgotton when it's all I have been doing for years since we moved to Ireland?

I got out of bed and quickly got ready for work before my parents lectured me about the importance of timekeeping in a family business. It's not really a family business if I was forced into it and am not allowed to leave until I leave home which isn't happening any time soon as they only way that's going to happen is if I get married.  I don't see an engagement ring on my finger which means I am stuck here until further notice. I don't understand why I have to work in the family business when Mum and Dad can run it alone, they are the ones within their dream career not me so why do I have to be involved?

When I was dressed and ready for the day, I went downstairs to the dining room where Mum and Adam were already seated and eating their breakfast. There was a plate waiting for me so without thinking I took a seat and began to eat without a word.

"So aren't you going to tell me how your date with Hugo went?" Mum asked a few minutes later when I was very much into my meal.

"Nope," I replied.

"Why not?" Mum asked.

"Because it's personal,"

"I don't want to know the details of what happened Alyssa," Mum shook her head. "I just want to know if it went well or not,"

"It was fine,"

"Good, that's all I wanted to know," Mum smiled. "Does that mean you are seeing Hugo again?"

"That's all you wanted to know?" I scoffed and got back to eating my food while Adam grinned.

"Is it so wrong of me to be curious about your potential new boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend? Who said anything about a boyfriend? Hugo isn't my boyfriend," I rushed out. "Why are we talking about this anyway? We've got work to get on with today,"

Mum rolled her eyes at me before we finished our meal in silence, well it would have been silence if it wasn't for Adam mumbling about how he couldn't wait for the weekend and help out with the fish because unlike myself, Adam really enjoyed working with fish. He was too much into his talk that he didn't notice Dad had joined us and took a seat beside him.

After breakfast, Adam left for school as usual and the rest of us got prepared for work then headed off on the boat for the morning's catch.

When we retuned, someone was waiting for us. It was Hugo.

"What are you doing here?" I asked in surprise.

"Dad gave me the day off but I was bored so I decided to give you guys a hand," Hugo explained and no one batted an eyelid because it wasn't unusual for Hugo to help us out every now and again.

"That's great!" Dad commented. "We were just about to unload,"

We all got into the long task of unloading the sea creatures that were almost dead from lack of water but they were fresh and would sell very well, they always do. Fresh seafood is very popular with customers, rotting fish is obviously not eaten. The fish may be fresh but it stinks as bad as it always does. I don't know how Hugo is attracted to me when he can clearly smell it on me now. Talking of Hugo, he looks so good with his overalls on while the rest of us look terrible, how is that even possible?

After a long shift with Hugo's help, it was finally time to leave.

"Thanks for your help today Hugo," my Dad thanked Hugo before he went to close up with Mum.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" Hugo surprised me with nervous eyes.

"Now?" I asked.

"Yeah,"

"Um sure. I need to go home first. I'll meet you back here," I agreed.

"Cool, I'll see you in a bit," Hugo said with a more relaxed look than before then I walked away.

Once home, I took a shower and dressed into one of my dresses and leggings before meeting Hugo to see he was no longer in his overalls but in a casual shirt and trousers.

"You look beautiful," Hugo complimented.

"Thanks," I blushed. I don't know what is happening to me, I have never felt like this before. Never blushed so much like a fool in front of a guy so why is it happening with Hugo?

I was so consumed by my thoughts, I didn't realise we were almost half way along the peer. Hugo suddenly stopped walking so I stopped too, he glanced at me then my hand. The next thing I knew, our hands were intertwined. Wow! How did that happen? His hands are so soft but manly at the same time. What am I thinking?

We began to walk at a steady pace with our hands joined together. It felt odd but at the same time good. Neither of us were talking but it felt comfortable in each other's presence, it felt right. I could get used to this content feeling.

Hugo stopped suddenly again and I got the sense he was nervous about something as he turned his body so we were facing each other. Our eyes met and we held each other's gaze for what felt like ages but must only have been a few seconds. I was confused as to why Hugo was looking at me the way he was and was about to ask him what was going on but I didn't get the chance to because then I felt his lips on mine.

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