Chapter 88

Hunter sat down in the empty seat next to Anna.

"Thank you for coming in today," Preston began. "As you are aware, you are being transferred to the Melbourne branch of our organisation due to an opening for a new architect,"

Hunter nodded.

"Your shifts and pay will be the same. Assuming you maintain your acceptance, you will have an interview in Melbourne next week, and supposing you are approved of, you shall begin work the following day. Since you did not apply for this job transfer yourself, I have to investigate reasoning for the reports,"

Hunter nodded again. Preston continued.

"It has come to my attention that you have made a few of your colleagues uncomfortable in the workplace. What do you have to say regarding this?"

Hunter shot Anna a half-disguised glare.

"Sir, I would say that the allegations are grossly exaggerated,"

"Mr Tasman, I have heard that you have made wild accusations against your colleagues resulting in them feeling discomfort," Preston said. Hunter remained silent. "Anna here has explained it all to me. I could consider terminating your contract for colleague harassment, but Ms Charles has vouched for your character, saying that your beliefs do not affect your productivity. In this end, I have decided that transferral would be ideal – you would no longer have the tension of associating with Ms Charles, and Miss Mills, but would do this company a favour by filling a spot down in Melbourne. I will warn you, Mr Tasman, if you do not accept this transferral, I cannot guarantee the safety of your position here in this branch."

Hunter frowned. He seemed to realise something. He turned to Anna.

"This is your fault, isn't it? You made the transferral application for me. What did she tell you, sir? I am not crazy!"

"Your beliefs would not normally concern me, but when you impact other employees…"

Hunter seemed to forget where he was and whom he was talking to momentarily.

"Sir, mermaids exist! I had proof!"

Preston raised an eyebrow, "Proof?"

Hunter's eyes widened, "Never mind," he muttered. "I don't have it now. Jessie Mills is a mermaid though, mark my words."

"See what I mean sir, he is obsessed with this crazy idea," Anna said. Hunter glared at Anna. Anna realised she should have kept her mouth shut.

"I bet you're one of them too," Hunter accused desperately. "I bet that if I got water on you, you would run out of here and transform into the fishy creature you are,"

Anna knew she was treading dangerous waters now. She was about to take a huge gamble, a large risk.

"Mr Tasman," Preston warned.

"Okay Hunter, if you're so desperate to prove it, tip water on my arm, right now," Anna said bravely. She was proud not to hear a waver in her voice. 'I'm going to be fine,' she told herself.

Grabbing Preston's half-glass of water from the coaster on the desk, Hunter emptied the contents onto Anna's lifted arm before rational thought entered his mind.

"Hunter!" Preston exclaimed, appalled. Obsessed was correct – but Preston had to think that maybe 'crazy' would be more accurate.

Anna was completely focussed; she had kept majority of the water from touching her skin, holding it a millimetre off. She quickly evaporated the droplets that had escaped her control. At the same time, she used her other hand to lower the droplets to the floor – making it look as natural as possible. She released her deep breath, acting as calm as possible.

Ten seconds passed and Anna still sat in the office chair, human.

Hunter's mouth was open in disbelief. He slumped into his chair.

"I don't understand…I was so sure…" he trailed off.

"Mr Tasman, if Anna's observations were ever in doubt before, you have without a doubt proved them right. I hope that it will not affect your work abilities. Next week you will be going to Melbourne and if they hear talk of mermaids or any other mythical creature, then I will advise them to terminate your contract immediately. Am I understood, Hunter?"

"Yes sir," Hunter replied begrudgingly. He sent another dirty look to Anna.

"Thank you both for coming in," Preston said. "Tasman, you will take immediate leave before your transferral."

Hunter opened his mouth to protest but a serious disapproving stare from his boss shut him up.

"Anna, I'll see you at the team leader meeting tomorrow," Preston continued.

Anna nodded.

Hunter and Anna departed from the office walking to their own.

OoOoO

Jessie looked worried when Anna returned to the office with Hunter by her side.

'I'll tell you all about it later,' Anna reassured her friend via mindspeak. 'He is getting transferred next week, and won't be here anymore from this afternoon. He is just here to pack up his stuff.'' Jessie seemed to visibly relax at Anna's communication.

Hunter packed his stuff and took it to his car. There were no words of goodbye between the colleagues. Anna mused sadly on how fear and greed had tainted a good partnership so much. Anna and Jessie fare-welled the troublesome man with stares of relief. His, in turn, was more resentful and angry than anything else. The women hoped to never see the man again.

OoOoO

Jessie and Alan once again returned to Mako Island. This time it was for a celebratory dinner. Alan had called to organise a dinner celebrating the end of the Hunter episode. Everyone was thrilled to hear that Hunter would be moving to Melbourne, or at least he was fired from the job.

Jessie travelled over with Alan on his boat for a change. They would be announcing their engagement to their friends. They decided to see how long it took everyone to notice the rock on their friend's finger. Jessie had asked Anna to keep it a secret so that they could have their fun.

Jessie and Alan walked hand in hand up to the village, swinging their arms together, gently. They were still giddy with excitement over their new relationship status.

When they arrived, everyone was already seated. The adults were at one table and the older kids at another. The children incapable of eating by themselves of course sat with their parents. Having tables created by magic meant that they could just be extended if they had more guests. Despite the number of times the couple had had meals with their friends, they never got used to the vegetables being passed down the table by magic. Alan had been thinking about where he and Jessie would live once they were married. They spent so much time on Mako – once everyone knew that Jessie was a mermaid, and she knew about them, they visited often. Alan knew that Jessie loved being surrounded by people who understood her, who were like she was. Maybe they would join the colony of mermaids, and become a part of the village. They sat down on the two vacant seats nearer the doorway. Anna winked at them conspiratorially.

Most of the conversation over the dinner meal was regarding everyone's perspectives on Hunter and his transfer. Relief and joy were the most prominent emotions. 'Good riddance,' was a phrase favoured. Using a knife and fork, Jessie's left hand was clearly in the open. It was twenty minutes into the meal when Cleo noticed it sparkling in the light.

Cleo's eyes widened.

"No way!" she exclaimed loudly, interrupting Emma's train of thought.

"What! It's not that big of a deal," Emma responded. "And then she…"

"No!" Cleo pointed. "Jessie Mills. Alan Xavier. You have been holding out on us! When did that happen?"

The couple grinned. They now held everyone's attention. Rikki was next to notice. She just smirked happily.

"Took you guys long enough to notice," Anna said with a laugh.

"You knew?" Cleo accused.

"Knew what?" Zane asked.

Jessie held up her left hand.

"Alan proposed to me last night, and of course, I said yes," she beamed. The table erupted into a clamour of congratulations.

OoOoO

After dessert, Alan and Jessie left the village. On their way walking back to Alan's boat, he brought it up.

"Jessie?" Alan said.

"Yeah?" she responded.

"When we're married, have you considered living on Mako?"

Jessie smiled. "I have actually. That sounds great. To make it easier to see human friends and family, we should live in your house too though – it's much nicer than my apartment," she grinned. Alan slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

"Anywhere with you sounds perfect,"

A/N: Hey everyone! I hope you had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year! I wish you all the best for 2015! I can't believe I'll be 20 this year! I won't be allowed to call myself a teen anymore :P And I'm a second year student at Uni! How did I get here so fast? :P

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and it lived up to expectations. Plot ideas are always welcome :P As are reviews! Reviews still inspire me and motivate me to write. Thanks for the time you all take to read and comment.

Thanks so so much to the following for reviewing the previous chapter.

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Wow I was long winded :P I know I sound like a stuck record, but I really do love and appreciate each one of you, especially those who review, favourite and follow.

Hopefully the next update won't be too far away. No promises though- I have a job. But I'll try - I pretty much write for you guys!

P.S: If you are still reading this, well done! LOL

Anyway, I am actually starting to write my own original story - its a kind of murder mystery/love story - trying my hand at it. This means that I am dividing my time between five stories. This makes it incredibly hard to update. BUT I DO IT ANYWAY - FOR YOU GUYS.

But someday, when this original story is underway, I'll post it on fictionpress for you guys to read :) It won't be for months though :P Just telling you why its harder to update more frequently.

Thanks so much for the support. This story will continue as long as there is interest and plots - I may start a story about the kids in the future. Tell me what you think!

See you all later! (must be the longest authors note in the history of me...haha)