Chapter 6: Encounter of the Mer-Kind

Not used to getting visitors in my turf.

Especially not human ones. I take it some unlucky bastard got lost down here? That, or he's more than a little stupid.

"Psst. Hey. Hey, buddy."

But I figure I should be polite. So far, it doesn't look like he's bothered any of my boys.

"Hello? You deaf? Hey!"

Am I really that scary? Come on. I just want to know why this two-legged sack of meat decided to show up and take my shit.

Chapter 5: Forever Fortunate

It's been about a month now since Matteo and I bought this resort.

Like he said, it's in dire need of some work, but somebody has to do it. And at least this way, I can learn about this business.

We've had some business already. Not a whole lot, but that's to be expected. Not like this place was going to become a five-star hotel overnight.

But we're getting there. Whenever I go diving, Matteo and Palmira keep an eye on the place. He says it's coming along nicely.

Chapter 4: Resorting to the alternative

"All right, little lady. You go ahead and crawl around the room. I gotta talk to your daddy."

Yeah, the place is kind of a run-down dump. But it's got potential. And nobody really wants to bother with it, so maybe Teodor can do something with it himself.

From what he's told me, this is a decent opportunity.

"So what do you think, Teodor?"

"I don't know...It kind of smells funny. Is it supposed to be like that?"

"Wouldn't know. I usually don't spend the night in one of these." Not that I'd really want to, but still.

"Are they really trying to auction this place off? Sounds like they're practically giving it away."

"It's because they are." How desperate does somebody got to be to give an entire location resort for free? You'd think there'd be a catch. So far, besides the bad shape it's in, I haven't seen it.

"They are?"

"Yup. I think you could do great things with this place, hombre." It'd take a lot of work, but I think he could do it. "For one, you'd set prices decent."

"Well, define decent."

"I've seen the prices at one of the other resorts. Seriously, es un robo. If you took this, maybe you could fix it up to be just as good as those other places.

"You think so?"

"I know so. What do you say? Think you can give this whole resort business a try?"

Teodor might not be able to do this all by himself, though. But hey, it's not like I'm not going to help him. He can do his thing, and I can keep an eye on the place while watching Palmira.

But it's up to him.

"Well, after I got my original resort plans yanked out from under me, I suppose it's best to start somewhere."

"I'll do it!"

"All right! Let's find the main office, sign papers, and the place is ours!"

(End of Chapter 4.)

Chapter 3: Diving Deep

"So what are we doing here, Matteo?" 

For reasons I'm at least curious about, we're standing in front of the business corporation. Normally I wouldn't go near the place, given the guy I'm not fond of works there, but...

Matteo said that he's got an idea for helping me. I should at least hear him out.

Chapter 2: Parental Issues

I'm not in this for money.

I'm really not. I know it ain't a cushy job, but it isn't like I'm demanding half of Teodor's paycheck.

He isn't much older than me, and he's already been through a lot.

Can't say I blame him. He's doing what he thinks is best for his daughter. I don't know what his plans are, but I ain't one to judge what people do.

And he told me everything. He didn't leave out any details whatsoever.

Chapter 1: Meet the Nanny

Maybe I wasn't detailed enough.

Maybe I could've asked for some basic qualifications. Like, basic child care or something.

Now if someone does respond to the ad, I may end up with some random sleazeball. No one I'd want near Palmira.

Ay, soy muy estúpido. I didn't think this through.

This is just so nerve-wracking. It's always been me to look after Palmira. Now I have to ask someone else to do it for me.

And I don't have time to take it back, because I heard the doorbell just now.

It could be anybody. Probably some teenager pulling a prank, a known criminal, or even...

Him?

Prologue

Alright, look:

I know for a fact that I'm not perfect. I know that I'm going to make mistakes. I even know I can be gullible.

But at least I try to be a good person. At least I don't steal everything of value from someone else, and be a jerk about it.

Well, I shouldn't say everything. I did lose my wife and my resort plans...

But I still have my little girl. I still have some cash left over. In fact, there's a good amount of cash I got from selling the house Florita and I lived in. So for now, we're good there.

Problem is, I have no idea how I'm going to support the both of us in the long run.

Eventually, that money's going to run out, and then I don't know what I'm going to do.

Actually, no, that's not entirely true. I do know what I can do. But I can't bring Palmira with me if I do.

If I do decide to go with my plans, I'd have to hire a nanny. But who exactly in this island city is going to take up a full-time job of watching a toddler?

Aye, carumba, my chances of finding such a person are slim.

...But maybe it's worth a try. I mean, who knows. Maybe for once things will look up for me.

It could be worse. I could've ended up on the streets, for all I know. At the least, I owe this to Palmira.

What could I possibly tell her? 'Sorry, Mommy's left us for a guy that ruined Daddy's life.'? So, at least, she can have someone who can take care of her.

Now how do I put up ads online? There's a site for that, I think.

I just gotta tell myself: I'm doing this for Palmira. I may not be able to spend a lot of time with her after this, but I want to make sure she'll be cared for.

That being said, I wonder who in town is willing to do this sort of thing...

(End of Prologue.)