Page 107 of My Ruthless Neighbor

I am not naïve. He and I belong to different worlds. He would never want a repeat of that. I know that.

It’s true that he gave me the most intense orgasm of my life. Okay, orgasms. Plural. But I will not kid myself into believing something that’s not there.

Did it hurt to see him so… detached, unfeeling seconds after he fucked me? Yes. It hurt. It stung because he made me feel insecure after bringing me pleasure.

The sex had made things ten times more complicated between us. But I guess it was bound to happen one day. The sexual tension between us was spiraling day by day. Just because we gave in, doesn’t mean anything.

And yet, I want more. I was sore and felt used by him in the most delicious way and I liked it. Craved it even.

I am not the same anymore. I don’t feel like my old self.

I kept replaying the part where he got jealous and dragged me out of the studio yesterday.

I felt the change in air the moment he entered the studio. I was so damn proud that I controlled my urge to turn my head and look at him. I ignored him and focused on work.

One second I was posing with Freddie, and the next, I was pulled away with a possessive hand on my elbow.

I bitterly acknowledge that I am thinking about him again. Thinking about his hot touch again when I should be focusing on the main issue: How am I going to face him now?

I read about Elon Musk’s mars mission. I think it’s time for me to enroll myself. I hope they accept fur babies, though. Because I can’t live without my Goldie.

“Momma, look!” A little girl with pigtails gasps, bringing me back to present.

Her face lights up when our eyes meet through the glass wall of the aquarium. “Mermaid!” She points at me, jumping up and down.

Crowd forms around her. The kids and their parents gather to watch me.

I smile and swim toward them. As soon as I touch the glass, the kids start cheering and laughing with glee. The parents get their phones out and begin snapping pictures and recording videos.

Reaching out with my two hands, I move them swiftly in the water, creating a shape of a heart before blowing them bubble kisses.

The fishes around me create a magical moment as I glide across the water.

Many professional mermaids use wigs but I don’t have to as I already have long hair.

I have waterproof makeup on which goes with my green silicon tail and seashell top. I have invested in my costume a lot because this business has a lot of competition. And it’s hard to find work when you are not a full-time professional mermaid.

I chose to become a certified professional mermaid because I love swimming. Water calms me. Whenever I am in the water, it relieves my stress.

I forget about the land problems when I am in the water.

I choose to think that I am a real mermaid who is beautiful and glittery, wears starfish as a clip in the hair, and blows kisses to the kids. The one who is carefree and has fish friends.

It’s an escape.

The kids start clapping when I perform my usual tricks.

This is my favorite part of the job; watching pure joy blooming on the kids’ faces.

But this job is hard. It’s risky. And it requires a lot of work. From getting ready to being carried out here, it’s not easy.

But I get my reward when I see the excitement in the children’s eyes. The happiness they get when they lay their palms on the glass, trying to touch mine.

I also love that I get to wear colors. Swim around beautiful-looking colorful fishes. This is my very own utopia.

After my shift, I am back in the dressing room. That means back to reality.

I am starving and I can’t wait to go home. Kind of relieved too that I don’t have to rush to another job and stand for hours.

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