𝙎𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙙 (𝙔𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚!𝙈.𝙎𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙓𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧)

Chapter 11

Jack tilt his head back, dropping the spoon slowly on the plate with his giddy smile fazed away. He blinked and shook his head, "New customer, (y/n)?" he asked, glancing back at me. "Who is that?" asked Merrik in a hush, leaning close to my ear with a narrow gaze. I turned to face him but abruptly stopped midway after brushing my cheek against his lips.

I stepped back in a shudder with suspire. Jack stood in front of us while I smiled, "Jack, meet Merrik," I introduced him with a beam as I tried to keep my griming mood held back. "Merrik, meet Jack." I said, stepping away with my eyes glued on Merrik. I was far from being at ease, no matter how composed I had looked inside the manor and while we walked.

I did not trust this man. I placed the basket down on the counter as Jack held a hand out, "Glad to meet you, Merrik. Your face looks new around here in Norkloe, where from?" Jack questioned, looking back and going at the side of the counter while he handled the baked pastries that sir Barron baked with love.

"Blackrum." Merrik replied back, going beside me with his head resting beneath his palms while he looked at Jack. "Hefty pirate place there. Is it true that they're all stinkin rich?" Jack asked once more with glimmering eyes, wanting an answer to his inquiry.

Blackrum was a place for pirates, an overpopulated area where most savage people lived. At least that's what my mother had told me. They would do as what pirates always do, to steal the rich from coves and slay krakens for their guarding treasures.

I vividly remember seeing the news paper covered with a picture of the infamous Deadman's Hollow with its savage pirates that stole the blue lagoon, a worthy pearl that were the color of the cerulean waters, they say it was a goddesses heart after getting it locked away from the sight of the human race, for it had a forbidden curse that comes upon one's generation. Death.

Though, even if those rumors had spread, it was still a rare birth of a shining pearl as it can be sold to millions.

I tipped my toes towards the counter and pinched Jack's nose, making him step back and groan in pain. "Quit dilly dallying and put that on our shelves, Jack. We don't have all day!" I clapped my hands, telling him to move in a bossy tone. "Aye, aye! Captain!" Jack replied back with a stern look captured on his face as I giggled, shaking my head slowly and turning to look at Merrik who stared back at me.

"Is something wrong?" I asked with a frown, touching my face to seek for a stain on my cheek or nose. He chuckled to himself, his emerald eyes coming to a gleam once more. "Your smile is just lovely, (y/n)." he complimented while I inched back, pushing the apron to his chest while he looked down at it with a deciphering look.

"You're in my shop and you do as what I say, Merrik. You will sweep the floor and do the dishes." I crossed both of my arms with a command as he chuckled, "Are you really making the demigod of the sea do chores?" he asked in disbelief.

I smiled and laughed to myself, glancing at Jack to see if he had heard of Merrik's comment but was far too busy with stocking the shelves and humming to himself. "The only thing you rule is the ocean, Merrik. Not my bakery." I answered under my breath, nudging the broom to his chest as he took it with both arms.

I turned around and went towards the door, flipping the closed sign to open. "(Y/n)," I heard Merrik's called, making me turn to my heels to see him troubled to tie the two thin fabrics from behind. "Will you help me?" he asked, looking at me to the side.

I sighed to myself and nod my head, going towards him and tying the two fabrics into a ribbon. "Do you really knot know how to tie your apron, Merrik? You must be from the classy field with butlers that helped you I reckon." Jack beamed as I rolled my eyes.

"Please ignore him," I muttered and stepped back.

While Jack stacked the shelves with nuts and other things, I kept my eyes close to Merrik, watching his every movement while I stood at the corner with observation. Merrik took the bucket of water with the mop and groaned, speeding his way through.

He looked at me then back to the floor, suddenly stopping. I raised a brow as his two fingers dwindle with the bucket of water that had come to a whirl. My mouth went ajar with the crystal waters slowly rising like a little tornado from the bucket.

It splashed down on the floor while it moved on its own. I stepped forward, glancing up at Jack who had his back in front of us. "You can't use magic here, Merrik. Please refrain from doing that." I whispered with a following long suspire.

"This awful mop does the job too slow, (y/n)." he complained but I only tilt my head to the side with an amused look plastered on my face, "Then deal with it."

The day flew by like a bolt. Merrik had been able to bear the awful puns of Jack while keeping the bakery spotless. And a lot of customers had come by, espcially women who bought pastries and bread.

Though, I knew that they only bought it to come closer to the presence of Merrik. He seemed unfazed by their presence as he only sang a lullaby, not one that was haunting as the ones he sang in the ocean floors.

Jack and I did a high-five in a win, feeling victorious over selling a dozen of our pastries and bread. "I'll see you tomorrow?" Jack said, waving goodbye to Merrik who tapped his foot on the wooden floor patiently. "As always. You all did well today." I replied back with a compliment as we took our leave.

The moonlight shun down on us, seemingly bigger than I saw before. The stars twinkled while we walked down the empty, paved road. The people began to tidy up their little stalls for the day, while some yawn and ponder across the night sky with admiration that glimmered.

A grumble was heard from above while I looked in a worry, "It's going to rain again." I spoke to myself, letting my eyes linger around. Heavy droplets began to fall on the floor while I sighed to myself. A thunder was to be heard as the rain began to let go of its tears, dropping down on us but not once did it hit me.

I turned to look at Merrik who held an umbrella. I gasped with wide eyes, squeezing my eyes in a blink to see if I were dreaming but realized that it was all a reality. "Shall we?" Merrik asked for my hand with his other occupied with a parasol made of aqua with the droplets collecting from the tip of its parasol.

I nod my head slowly, unable to let go of my gaze from the parasol he held while we walked with his hand wrapped around my forearm.