Page 5 of Mermaid For You

The pay isn’t comforting, but I’ll manage since there are housing options for employees. Once I finish getting my registration complete and then sneak back into the system to approve my application, I find the number to management and let them know they have a transfer beginning work this Monday. I set up a new bank account in Magnolia Point for my pay to be deposited, and it’s the only money I’ll be using for this month. Clean slate. No more Sullivan Hayes, billionaire, and eldest heir to the Hayes Empire.

My family is one of the oldest and wealthiest families in the entire state of South Carolina. There’s a long generation of Sullivan Hayes from Magnolia Point. The Hayes Resorts was originally our family’s mansion, and they’d open rooms to guests visiting. Then friends would ask if their family coming to visit could stay in a room. Long story short, they eventually expanded and turned it into one of the most hospitable luxury resorts in South Carolina. The Hayes family has always wanted to maintain Southern hospitality, charm, and creating memories. Hopefully, my family will be nowhere around the resort, and even if they are, it’s highly doubtful they’ll go on one of the silly boat tours. I don’t think my sister has wanted to see a mermaid since she was ten—her horrendous sweet sixteen party hosted here aside—and she despises turtles. We’ve all outgrown the foolishness of mermaids—hopefully. But it’s a gimmick that’s quite profitable.

The only ones likely to be around are my grandparents or Rosemary, my sister, who likes to pop in on occasion with friends. I think she actually likes her friends. Does that mean she has real friends? I think it does. Why don’t I have real friends instead of morons goading me into silly bets?

Deep breaths, Van. You can do this.

By June eighteenth, at the National Go Fishing Day celebration, I will not only have proved them wrong but also gained some pocket change. More than anything, I can’t wait to make those two choke on their words. If I’m being completely honest, I’d also like to prove to myself that I’m not as shallow as them and perfectly capable of standing on my own without the cushion of my name and inheritance. That’s an insecurity I don’t want to dwell on, so I order the jet to be ready tomorrow. The bet begins Monday, and I need to use my amenities while I can before I’m completely broke.

After I get everything arranged, my cell rings with a call from my father.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Son. I was going to take the Gulfstream out, but you’ve requested it for Magnolia Point.”

“Is that a problem, sir?”

“You haven’t traveled to our branch in Magnolia Point in years. Not since your sister wanted to have her sweet sixteen mermaid-themed birthday party.”

I cringe, remembering that party. A bunch of teenage girls dressed as slutty mermaids and drinking too much. They somehow made a mermaid tail and seashells even more revealing. I did not need to see my baby sister that way. My parents didn’t seem fazed. Well, Dad gritted his teeth the whole time. However, he promised his princess the ultimate sweet sixteen party. Then there was the mortifying moment of me coming in my pants while making out with the pink-haired mermaid. I’ve been scarred from the place and the whole Mermazing Adventures ever since, which is why it’s the perfect location—I’ve not been in years.

“Don’t remind me of that glittered fish-scaled circus.”

My father laughs and then clears his throat. “Any plans? Visiting? Have you alerted the staff to prepare the private floor?”

“No, sir. I don’t want that. I’d prefer nobody knows I’m there.”

Excitement fills his voice as he speaks. “Going undercover? Are you finally taking an interest in the hotel business?”

“Kind of.”

“Good for you.”

“But if you need the plane…”

“No, no. I can make other arrangements for Rosemary.”

His baby girl, Rosemary. Color me surprised that he’s still letting me take it after his princess requested it. He must be eager for me to dive into the family business.

The truth is, I’ve been in limbo on what I want to do with my future. A part of me wants to branch out and create my own empire. The other half is proud of what my family has built and wants to continue the legacy. Maybe I’m going through an identity crisis. Those morons and their bet haven’t helped matters any. This challenge could be what I need to prove I’m not a spoiled man-child who doesn’t know what he wants in life because everything’s been handed to him.

But I know I am.

And that’s what kills me. I desperately wish I could be as accepting or oblivious to my reality as the other silver-spooned people in my social circle. Rosemary told me once that my downfall will be my conscience.

“I’m proud of you, son. Have fun. But not too much, eh? Let’s not have any scandals in the headlines so close to your mother’s birthday.”

I chuckle because half the time the scandals are dramatized photos with little to no truth behind them. “Of course, Dad.”

“The resort still has their big to-do in June. We might stop in. You know how your grandpappy loves fishing. It’s been two or three years since I’ve joined him. Will you still be there?”

That’s when my bet is over. If they arrive before midnight, they could blow my cover. “Perhaps.”

“Wonderful. Safe travels. Love you, son.”

“You too, Dad.”

* * *

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