The Dark Secret Of His Mermaid

A i d e n C h r i s t e n s e n

* microphone on *

"Ladies and gentleman...this is Captain Christensen speaking. I would like to thank you for flying with us. We hope you enjoyed the flight as much as we did. Have a nice day, everyone..."

* microphone off *

"Home sweet home...."my co pilot said in relieved as soon as I ended the announcement. He then took off the headphone and put it in its place in the cockpit. "So, Capt, have you book the hotel or do you need me to book you a nice one?"

I put a small smile, " I already did, thanks for your concern,"

"Oh, that's good," my co pilot replied along with a quick pat on my left shoulder. "Have a nice holiday then... see you in a week,"

" Thanks, you too have a nice holiday,"

My co pilot made his way out of the cockpit, leaving me alone in the cockpit, watching some parts of the LAX hangar from the plane wind shield.

LA....

It's been a long time, huh.

* phone buzzes *

Laura : Aiden ?

Laura: Aaaiden...

Laura: Seriously I'm not gonna stop until you reply ... Aidenn...

Laura : It's double ticks now ...

Laura : You've landing right?

Laura : Aiden ...

This crazy girl...I guess I should reply her quick before she went madness again.

Me : Yeah

Me : What's it?

Laura : Finally!

Me : I just landed.

Laura: Wait a sec!

Why is she offline all of sudden?

Hmmm...what's she up to anyway.

I scoot away from the pilot chair, then put on the sun glasses as I made my way out of the cockpit. They were several stewardesses left on the aircraft who automatically stopped from doing what they were currently doing when noticed me went out from the cockpit.

*clears throat*

"Have a nice day, ladies..." God...this is so embarrassing. The words just spilled out of my mouth which I have no idea why I just said that.

*girls' giggling*

"You too, Capt...." some of them replied along with small laughs.

I quicken my paces without even dare to look back and walked through the jet bridge to enter the LAX building.

*phone rings*

I took out my smartphone from the pocket and saw the call was from Laura.

Me: Hello...

Laura: Aiden!!

Me: Yeah??

Laura: Shawn told me that you're here? I mean here in LA...

Me: Was he...hmmm I'm not sure about that.

Laura: Oh come on, dude!

Me: *burst out of laughter* Yeah...I'm back. I just landed at LAX 10 minutes ago.

Laura: Finally...you're here. We missed you so much!

Me: Yeah, me too.

Laura: If that so, let's meet up! All of us...I'm going to throw a party special for you.

Me: Awww....that's sweet of you. Alright then...text me the time and place. I'll meet you all there.

Laura: Great...where are you staying anyway?

Me: I booked a vacation home near to the Malibu beach.

Laura: Nice...send me the location when you're arrived, okay?

Me: Yes, ma'am...no worries.

Laura: Hey, Aiden...

Her tone suddenly changed when she suddenly called my name again. I think I know what she's going to ask me.

Laura: Are you going to visit her? So sorry for asking you this but, it's has been 5 years since you got back here...I-

I cut her in.

Me: Of course...I'll visit her and my parents too. I guess I'll go straight up after visit them.

Laura: Alright then...careful, okay? See you later, Aiden.

Me: Okay, see you, Laura.

I ended up the call and my paces stopped when saw my screen wallpaper which a picture of me with a girl.

God, I really missed her so much.

I don't know how to say but my life is totally miserable for 5 years. I really wish if I could just go to her earlier, she might be still here with me now.

I really missed you smile just like in the picture.

Your eyes, your voice and your touch....I really missed them so much.

"F l a s h b a c k S t a r t s"

6 years ago...

*lighter flicks*

"Are you going to kill yourself?" A sweet voice suddenly approached me out of nowhere.

My heart was almost stopped because of that and I even wasted my cigarette as it fell out from my hand into the pond right in front of me. "H-hey...."

I turned to look at my back and saw a wavy brown hair girl in cream dress was standing right behind of me. She then took a step on the right side and was now standing in front of the pond beside of me, but unfortunately she never turn to face me instead just excitedly watched the koi fishes in the pond.

Wait a minute, she seemed familiar though.

"Smoking can shorten your lifetime of you want to know...."she continued, but still never look at me in the face.

I practically bewitched with her beauty especially under the moonlight; everything about her is perfect.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked, with her eyes finally met mine. Beautiful chestnut color eyes met with mine, blue eyes color. "It's kind of rude when you look at a girl like that..."

"I-I u-uh...." Damn, she just made me stuttered badly.

The frowned between of her eyebrows looked cute when she looked at me in confused. "You're so weird..."

"Hey...stopped," I stopped her when she was about to walk away from me. "Can I know your name?"

She suddenly curved a beautiful smile, totally got me butterflies in my stomach. "O'Brien....Mia O'Brien...." then continued to walk away, leaving me totally hanging all alone by the pond. "Nice to meet you, Aiden..."

O'Brien????

That's Mia???

Whoa...she's changed so much since the last time I saw her.

I tried to follow her inside the building but unfortunately she wasn't longer in my sight. It was kind of bit sad for losing such a beautiful girl like her...but what can I do, the hotel is so big plus, she could be anywhere in this building.

*phone buzzes*

Me: Hello??

Uncle Jay: Where are you, Aiden?

Me: O-oh...hey Uncle.

Uncle Jay: Are you went out smoking again?

Me: N-no...no I'm not. I'm just getting fresh air.

Uncle Jay: Just quit smoking will you? It's bad for you. Anyway, just come inside...the party is about to start. Besides, I want you to introduce to someone you might be interested.

Me: *sighs* Fine...I'll get there now.

I walked towards the lift direction after ended up the call and went to the third floor of the hotel where there was a small ballroom there. My uncle's friend was having a party there to celebrate his daughter which I didn't know what the reason was.

Whatever....I don't care.

*piano melodies*

Canon in D...

My mother used to play the song before.

It sounds so perfect, even I couldn't play like that. I'm wondering who that genius pianist is.

There were crowded of people in the center of the ballroom where the beautiful sound of piano came from there. Seriously, I couldn't see him.

Oh, I have got an idea.

I ran a little near to the guest table then took a chair from it and placed the chair right behind of the crowded of people so that I could take a look at the pianist.

I quickly climbed the chair and balanced my body properly on the chair so that I will not fall from it. And turned out the pianist is a she.

And she is that beautiful girl!

Mia O'Brien.

She played gracefully with her looking all stunning under the chandelier light. The guests even mesmerized with her including me!

She noticed what I was doing when our eyes met once again, I saw her right corner lips raised a little as if like she was smiling when saw me before went back to focus on her song again.

*crowd clap*

She is obviously a goddess.

Uh-oh...

Someone just accidentally hit my chair which I was currently standing on, making me lost my balance all of sudden. "Woahh...*loud bang*..."The guests were all looking at me as I made a loud nice when fell hard on the floor. Even Mia stopped from playing her piano...Oh God, this is so embarrassing.

"Hehehe....*grins*...sorry about that,"I scratched the back of my hair, trying my best to cover my embarrassment.

"Oh God, Aiden..."my uncle approached me, crouching right in front of me with a worried tone. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah...I'm fine," Both of cheeks felt burnt maybe I was blushing so hard right now. "But uncle...can you please take me to somewhere else..." I whispered to my uncle. "Quick...before she saw me..."

"Hey calm down, boy..."my uncle tried to calm me down as he tried to get me up on my feet again.

"No, I can't...I have to go now," my right foot was damn hurt, but I held it so I could get out from the hall before Mia saw me. It's just I don't know where to hide my face if she saw me in that kind of condition.

It's embarrassing, you know.

"Aiiden....stop!"Oh come on, Uncle Jay. Don't call my name too loud. I just ignored him, quicken my limping paces even more towards the building entrance.

I went to the pond where I met her earlier with my heart pounded so hard. I sat on the bench, catching the heavy breath as I ran with my limped right foot.

I guess I sprained my leg, that's great!

*sighs heavily*

Why is this embarrassing thing happened at the wrong time?

"How am I supposed to face her after this," I complained along with a heavy sigh.

"Face who?" A voice suddenly startled me from my back, again. "You totally sounded like an old man..."then burst out of laughter.

And of course that person is Mia, there is none other person who kept made my heart almost stop twice in a day.

I knitted my eyebrow when looked at her who was still laughing, "Are you done?"

"Yeahh...*laughs*....I guess...sorry about that," she replied while catching her breath. "Here take this..."she then handed me over a pain-relief spray.

"Y-you saw???" Oh God, this is totally embarrassing. My cheeks felt burnt so much and luckily the lighting here was kind of dim so she wouldn't be able see I was kind of blushing right now.

She nodded, "Yup...here, let me help you." She even offered her help to spray the medicine on my foot.

"What?? No...no, I'll do it myself," I declined, grabbing the pain-relief from her hand but apparently she took it back from me.

"Come on, Aiden...let me help you..." she still didn't want to give up. "I just..umm...feel bad for you," then tried to avoid my eyes contact by crouching in front of me while grabbing gently my right food and took off my sock so she could spray the medicine directly to my sprained ankle.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked her confusedly.

"Repaying you...."she replied while taking the seat back on the bench beside of me. "Don't you remember, 3 years ago?"

"What? Did I do something bad to you???" The way she replying me totally made me felt nervous.

"No silly...*pokes my shoulder*..."she giggled a bit. "You once helped me to treat my wound when I fell from roller blading....so I want to repay you,"

"Oh, that's right," I agreed with her while scratching the back of my hair. "Seems like you still remember of that, huh..."

She slightly nodded and even swung her foot back and forth.

Okay, this situation slowly becomes awkward.

"So how's Germany??" I quickly changed the topic.

"Well, it's great. I have so much fun there..." she replied along with a small smile curved on her lips.

But still, I wondered why it became more awkward than before.

"Hey Mia...."I suddenly called for her name, making her to turn at me with her beautiful chestnut eyes were looking into mine. "I really love the way you were playing the piano earlier. You're so beautiful...eh no, I mean it sounded so beautiful....but you're beautiful, Mia." What the heck I was saying!

She giggled beautifully, "Thank you, Aiden..."

"Sorry for not recognized you earlier," I continued. "I really didn't mean to...but still, I really appreciated you for still remembered me."

"That's okay, Aiden," she replied. "How could I forget you anyway..."

Wait....what did she mean by that? Was that mean Mia used to have a crush on me??

Whoa...but I just can't ask her like that. She won't tell me anyway...maybe she already moved on from me and has somebody else in her mind. It has been 3 years already.

*phone buzzes*

My uncle just texted me that he waited for me at the hotel parking lot since the party was over. It was almost at midnight, around 11 minutes left until 12.00 am.

1st July...and it almost at the end of the day, I still didn't wish Happy birthday for her yet. I never thought that party was her birthday party instead of the welcome back party not until I saw the notification from my phone calendar.

"I probably should go..."Mia finally broke the silence and got into her feet again. "My father must be looking for me now."

"O-oh...sure," Wait, please don't go yet. I tried to get on my feet too, but unfortunately my swollen ankle made me hard to walk properly now. I almost tripped my feet, but with a quick reflect Mia managed to grab my hand, causing me accidentally pulled her into a hug as to balance my body.

My heart beats faster, well of course it does since my old crush is practically in my arms now.

This is so unbelievable!!

The beautiful moonlight made her look more stunning and gorgeous, making me hardly to move my eyes from staring at her. We both were still in each other arms and practically staring at each other with no words at all.

God, I really want to kiss her so bad.

But what if she doesn't like me? Or worse...has a boyfriend.

*clears throat*

"I-I should probably go," I broke the silence, slowly released my grip from her. "Thanks for the party and for helping me earlier...."

"O-oh...yeah, sure," she replied with a little bit stutter. "Any time..."

I made my way, slowly leaving her with my limping paces.

Why am I regretting so much for missing my only chance to express my love for her?

That's it!

*stops from walking*

"It's now or never," I finally made my mind, then turned to look back where she was about to leave the pond area to the opposite direction.

I flinched a bit because of my injured ankle as I quicken my paces to stop her. "Mia..." I called out of her name, stopping her walking away from the pond. She turned at her backside, looking at me in confused as I was walking toward her.

"I'm sorry, Mia...." I said, grabbing her hand before pulling her into my arms again. She seemed a bit shocked with my sudden behaviour but I didn't let her to speak at all, instead just leaned closer to her and pressed my lips against her warm lips. The kiss...I mean, I don't know what to call it anyway, well, it wasn't last long since I quickly pulled it back since I felt guilty right away after did that thing. I released the grip from her and slowly took a step back away.

"Sorry about that," I apologized again. "I don't mind if you want to hate me or not, but I just want to tell you that I've like you since the first time I saw you years ago..."

She suddenly took a step closer to me, with her right fist clenched tightly, "Why didn't you tell me before?" She then hit me right on my chest several times, with teary eyes. "How can I ever hate you, Aiden, you're my first love...and I still like you, very much, you know that..."

I was in a bit shocked when heard her words. Honestly, I didn't expected that she felt the same way to me.

I grabbed both of her hands, staring into her beautiful glimmering eyes, "I like you too, Mia O'Brien...." I curved a small smile for her, while gently wiping the tears from falling on her cheeks with my thumbs. I leaned closer to her again, then gently pressed my lips on her lips all over again. But this time, she kissed me back and we kissed tenderly, totally forgotten about my uncle who was waiting for me.

"F l a s h b a c k E n d s"

A i d e n C h r i s t e n s e n

The taxi dropped me right in front of the vacation house in Malibu where I used to come here long ago. And here I am...5 years later, I finally stepped foot on Malibu again.

"Welcome back...Aiden," The owner, Mr Andrews, greeted me politely as soon as I got out my luggage from the trunk.

I put a small smile on my face while taking off my pilot cap, "Thanks, Mr Andrews..."

"Here, let me help you with your bag," he then offered his help to carry my bag into the house.

"Thank you again..."I thanked him again then followed him into the house. The house was not too big and has a great view of the ocean. It has three bedrooms and an indoor pool right beside of the living room.

The house has so much memories of me and her...we used to come here every term break. Actually, it used to be my uncle's vacation house, but he sold it to Mr Andrews as he wanted to move out to New York with me.

Besides, I have a café nearby which I asked my best friend, Shawn managed it for me since it was kind of hard for me to manage it myself from far. My family owns it and I made my mind not to sell it since that place kept so much of memories of my parents and Mia.

I stopped in the middle of hallway when saw the black piano in the living room, then slowly walked toward it with some memories started to play in my mind.

F l a s h b a c k S t a r t s

*girl's laughter*

"That's sooo wrong, silly," Mia burst out of laughter when heard the bad sound coming from the piano. "That's not how you play the song," she complained while poking my right cheek and shoulder over and over so I could stop playing the piano horribly.

Well, I purposely did that actually since I really love to see her laughing like that. "What..."I tried to hold my laughter by biting my lower lips while purposely made random mistakes with the notes. "I just play the song just like you taught me,"

"No you didn't," she protested and even started to make her cute face along with that cutie pout on her lips.

"Yes, I am," I insisted, continued to play the song while looking at her beautiful face.

"I bet Pachelbel might be really disappointed when heard you play his song right now,"

"Auchh...that's harsh," her words made me stopped in instant. I moved a bit then turned to face her properly who was sitting right beside of me on the piano bench with her beautiful pair of chestnut eyes were staring into mine. I admitted that I really....really love to see her looking at me like that. It makes me feel that I am the luckiest guy in the world for having her as my beloved girlfriend.

She suddenly pulled me into a hug then resting her head against my chest. Mia always did that, she said she loved to hear the sound of my heartbeat which made her felt in peace. "I'm so nervous for tomorrow's audition...."

I hugged her back with my chin resting on her head and as always her hair always smelled so nice. "Come on, don't be like that. You're Mia O'Brien, the greatest beautiful pianist that I have ever seen. I know you will pass the audition outstandingly..."

"Silly guy...*giggles*...but still it is a big audition, Aiden, I don't know if I could do it well..."she looked up a little then stared at me with her puppy-looking eyes.

"Ookay...." I said, releasing the hug from her so I could face her properly again. "Listen, I know you want to get that part in this orchestra so badly...so this is your chance to show them how skilled you are with the piano. Plus, you graduated from the music program in Germany last year as the best pianist student. That was so cool, you know and I am so proud of you."

"You think so?" she asked me with teary eyes.

"Yes," I nodded with my eyes never left hers. "So just make it happen....make your dream come true and do your best for the audition. I will always support you, my love, I promise." I touched the tip of her nose while curving a smile on my lips.

"Thank you, Aiden," she replied with a smile then wiped the tears filled on both of her eyes. "It really means me a lot. I promise I will do my best..."

"Hey Mia...." I suddenly called out of her name. "This is for your good luck," then quickly kissed her right on her lips. Well, practically, stole the kiss from her since she wasn't ready for it.

She looked a bit surprised, but suddenly pulled me closer to her by grabbing my collar, "And I gladly accepted it..." she whispered then leaned closer to me until our lips just inches apart. I could feel her breath on my face then I leaned even closer to her with my eyes closed until our lips were pressed against with each other.

F l a s h b a c k E n d s

"Is everything alright, Aiden?" Mr Andrews broke the silence as I was spacing out.

"...*clears throat*...O-oh, yeah, everything is perfect," I quickly replied him. "Thanks for everything, Mr Andrews."

He smiled, "It's no problem...let me know if you need something. O-oh, I almost forgot. Your bike is still here by the way. I kept it safe inside of the garage just in case you decided to return here again," he continued then patted gently on my shoulder. "I'll should be going now, have a nice holiday, Aiden."

"You too, Mr Andrews," I sent him to the front door then closed it as soon as he was no longer in my sight.

*sound of waves*

I never thought it was the last day I spent time with her. And it was my fault....if I just come a little bit early that day, she might be still here with me.

*sighs heavily*

I really missed you, Mia...

I went to the garage after changed into a casual clothes to check on my bike which Mr Andrews kept it safe for me. "Whoa...he really did keep it well safe," I was impressed when removed the white cover from my motorbike which happened to be in a perfect condition. It was just the way I left it here 5 years ago and hopefully, the engine is okay.

I hopped onto my Kawasaki and prepared it carefully so I wouldn't break of anything since it was kind of an old bike. And guess what, the engine works perfectly.

*engine revs*

"Seems like the bike is not having any problem...that's cool," I put the black helmet on, then made my way out of the garage carefully from the automatic garage door right in front of me.