Can I tell you a secret? (14)

Ariel walked into the staff area of the dolphin park. It was 7am and the park opened at 10 am. She had three hours of training this morning.

"Hi I am Mike Johnson the trainer here. I see you already have a wet suit on. Let's start by getting Molly and Ben comfortable with you."

Ariel got in and started swimming and doing little tricks in the water. Molly swam up and bumped her a little.

"Hi, girl." Ariel rubbed Molly's skin.

Molly like it and rolled over to have her belly rubbed to.

Ben was swimming off in a distance just watching. The rest of the three hour Molly swam right next to her but Ben stayed far away.

"This was a good first day. Molly is friendlier then Ben. It will take Ben a few days to trust you. Tomorrow we will start on a few basic tricks Molly likes. When will your costume be ready?"

"They said it will take about 5 days to make." She said.

"Ok then wear the wet suit till then. Get changed in the dressing rooms over there and stay for the show."

She changed into shorts and tshirt and watched the show. They did the basic tricks that Bert and Ernie did. This would not be to hard. She would have to check to see if one of them could raise her up to the platform because she would be unable to climb the ladder.

When the show was over she left to go find Marcus. Then he took her around the park to get to know it better.

"How was your first training?"

"Molly likes me but Ben does not. They are sure different from Bert and Ernie." She said.

"Are you ready to head home?" She asked.

"If you are, do you want to stop for dinner?"

"No, I set out some hamburger and I want spaghetti with meat sauce tonight. I want to cook in my own kitchen." she smiled.

His heart melted at how the little things make her happy.

On the way home Marcus got a call and had it greentooth it through the radio, "Hello red, how is everything there?"

"Doing good Uncle Marcus. Can I tell you a secret?" She said.

Ariel remained quite.

"Sure, what is it?" He said

"Don't tell daddy but he said he is going to get Ariel to be my mommy. He says he really likes her and if I call her everyday then when her father is feeling better she will come back and daddy then won't let her leave again. I really want her to be my mommy too."

"Honey, please don't be upset but I don't think that will work." He said giving an apology look to Ariel.

"Yes it will. You wait and see."

"Ok, I'll wait and see. Anything else?" he asked.

"When you coming home? I miss you."

"I'll be there for your first day of school. You know I promised to take you and pick you up." she said.

"How long will you stay? Daddy wants to know?"

"Red, I will only see you the one day then I have to get back to work. I fly in the night before and fly out the night after. I won't see your dad. He hurt me to much this time."

"Ok" She said sounding very sad.

"Tell you what, Fall break you can come stay with me here." he said.

"Ok"

After he hung up he looked over. Ariel was watching outside the window as he drove.

"I'm sorry." he said placing a hand on her knee.

"It's not your fault. Your brother is just crazy. I can't be Kimberly for him."

"It's ok. I will help you anyway you need." He said.

"How are we going to do fall break. Do I need to find a place to hide that week?" she asked.

"Sorry I was not thinking. I'll take her on vacation that week to a fun place. Don't worry about it."

"I trust you. Ok."

They arrived in the parking garage and headed up to the apartment. Ariel made dinner and they sat and watched a movie.

It was nice just chilling with someone.

During the movie Ariel received Lily's call and let it go to voice mail. When she was alone in her room she called back.

"Hello sweetie, did you need something."

"Why did you not answer my call?" she asked.

"I was in a meeting with the Royal house. I said I will always call you back if I can't pick up the call."

"Ok, Can you visit for the first day of school?" Lily asked.

"Sorry, no I can't I am really busy here. My father is still not up to running the whole Ocean." She explained

"Ok, I understand. Can you send me a show in tell gift from your castle?"

"I sure can. I know just what to send."

They talked for about thirty minutes and then hung up. She could hear Marcus in the shower so she went back out into the living area. There was a knock on the door.

Ariel opened it up. There stood a tall dark haired woman. She looked to be about 5 foot 5 or 6.

"Can I help you?" Ariel asked.

"You must be Lily, I'm Virginia your Uncle's girlfriend." She said walking in pushing past Ariel.

"Where is my snuggie at?" She asked.

"He is in the shower." Ariel said.

"I must say when he talked about his neice I thought you were a child not a teen. Then I guess children never really grow up in the eyes of their family." She sat down.

Marcus came out with a towel over his head drying it, "Ariel, your turn. I hope I left you enough hot water."

"Marcus, you have company." Ariel said.

He lifted up the towel.

"Virginia why are you here?" he asked.

"Silly, I came to spend time with you. Who is Ariel, I thought your nieces name was Lily."

"Lily is my niece. She is only 6 years old. This is Ariel Thomas our new Mermaid and a good friend. Ariel this is Virginia King one of the investors in the Aquarium park here."

"Nice to meet you." Ariel said holding out a hand.

"Why is she taking a shower in your apartment?" Virginia said turning up her nose.

Ariel lowered her hand and excused herself from the room

"She lives here. What business is that of yours?" he said.

"If we are dating then it is my business."

"We are not dating. We had one business dinner together. I would never get involved with you other then with the Park." He said.

"You should not be like this. I trust you I just don't trust other women around you. I'll find this girl another place to live and will even pay her rent."

"She will never except. Plus her name is on this lease and I am her roommate not the other way around." he said.

She walked over to the room Ariel went in. Ariel was laying out her cloths.

"Girl, If I get you a bigger nicer apartment and even pay your rent for a year. Will you leave Marcus alone?"

"What? I can't except that. If you don't like my apartment then talk to Marcus not me. Now excuse me I need to shower and go to bed."

Marcus pulled her out and shut Ariel's door.

"Virginia Please listen to reason. There is nothing going on between you and me. Nothing at all. Do not come to my house. Do not come to my office unless a board meeting is called. Do not interfere in my life." He lead her out the door and shut it.