I had just started planting saplings for my new fruit trees before heading into Pierre's shop to see Abigail when the shopkeeper brought my attention henceforth.

"Ah, Robbie. I heard Abigail come into the shop last night looking all blemished and… well red on the cheeks.

Were you making out with my daughter…?"

I could feel dread and anxiety of feeling the wrath of a protective father growing on me…

"That's great. It's been months since Abigail tried going out with someone. She tried it with that Sebastian but she believes that there were hardly any chemistry.

But… well… I wanna say something else. I wanna apologise for my behaviour earlier. I know you were still reeling from what I've said about your ol man. I didn't know what came of me… she is right though; I am quite being over-protective over her and since you'd do anything to keep her safe then I trust you and her to make her own choices in life.

It makes me happy whenever she seems to be enjoying life, especially when she's been up in the air with you; I guess that's all she needs to become who she wants to be. A bit of freedom…" He spoke and held out a hand.

"We'll talk no more about this ok? Water under the bridge, as my mother used to say to me, haha!"

I did feel a little hurt after what he said of my dad… losing a beloved parent to fate is something one has to live with at such a young age but it seems Pierre had finally come to his senses.

With my own hand, I gripped it and we made a handshake; A mutual agreement to set differences aside and continue with our lives.

"I accept your apology… I hope you've learned your lesson." I said in a firm tone.

"That I did."

Then, suddenly, the door bursts open and to our bitter surprise, the black suited fatso from the rivalling shop comes inside. He spectates left and right to all the customers browsing Pierre's wares and gives his rival, a sneering grin.

"So, this is where all my customers go? A little shop, in the midst of town? Well… we can't have that now can't we?"

Then, fishing inside his jacket's pocket, he pulls out a fan of coupons plastered in blue and white with giant black numbers written on the side.

"Come all, come all! The JojaMart is now offering coupons for 50% all stock! As long as you bring a coupon!" He beckoned, which unsurprisingly had lured all of Pierre's clientele outside. I was shocked to see what had happened and the owner slammed a fist on the counter.

"God damn it! That sly… manipulative… b… UGH!" He hissed in frustration where I looked in surprise.

"I can't even compete with that! He's got all the funding and backing of some big conglomerate enterprise who can afford all that! Yet, if I tried to lower my prices even further, I won't be able to stay afloat." He groaned.

I too felt the pressures of such a giant looming its dull lurking presence across the world and having bought my old farm out, I could relate to Pierre in some way. Though, I wanted to make my voice heard so, I headed over to the JojaMart and saw all of Pierre's customers now seemingly looking at the various options perched upon their pristine shelves.

Inside the various baskets and trays were an assortment of fruit and vegetables, haphazardly labelled with brightly coloured sale banners and numbers indicating their low end price.

"10G for a pumpkin?" I quietly muttered to myself as I hoisted one of the examples in my hand.

From my experience as a farm hand, real pumpkins were quite heavy and had a rich, tough flesh. However, in this case, these felt a lot lighter and the flesh more dried up and greyish. It was the same with the other 'produce'; Some had pale colours, others were extremely vibrant and others were firm or too squishy. It seems that Joja were somewhat cutting corners with their… "farms".

Of course, towards the back were racks of various ready-made meals with a stack of bright blue JojaCola cans standing by. JojaPotatos and Mash, Jojaghetti Bolognese and Joja Shepard's Pie. All of these uniform decorative motifs seem to align with the company's endless pursuit to cheap out on customers. As I went over to the entrance, I glanced over to Morris with a stern eye.

"Can I help you?" He asked.

"These fruits and vegetables… they don't seem real at all." I commented as I weighed the pumpkin again.

"What do you mean real? Joja had always taken great pride in ensuring our customers get the finest products from our range." Morris smiled.

"Not exactly, maybe it is as cheap as your marketing tactics." I sneered a little further. Well, that exactly struck a nerve with the man.

"If you mean by that gloating, egotistical braggart Pierre, then you would be working for the wrong side. Unlike he who markets farmers' hard work as their own, we give 50% of our sales back to our loyal producers." He spoke.

Pierre? Is he calling bluffs? I've been working months on the farm and yet he's taking credit? Something seems off between these two.

"Well, if you want to join our family, which I implore you must, we offer a Community Renovation Program; Recently approved by the Board. If you sign on the form, we can bulldoze that derelict ruin at the back of town and replace it with a warehouse for which we'd continue with our project. Then, we'd repair all the elements of the town; The Bridge, Bus, your Greenhouse, etc etc. Well, all for a mere fee of course." Morris further spoke, explaining the process of being able to help with the town.

Though, knowing Joja, this sounds more sketchy than true. Plus, I wasn't on keen terms with the company.

"Oh… I think I recognise your name before… hmmm…" The man went as he typed on his computer. "Ah, it seems your old family's farm has been bought by our company. I'm sorry for the loss of your father, Robbie and that alone made you wanna quit your job as a desk jockey.

They had even converted that abandoned place into a JojaCola factory! Well, it will be put to good use for the betterment of our cause." The shopclerk smiled.

"That farm… that farm has been in our family for generations! Do you guys even respect family values! You were hounding him to sell it. How does it make you feel if someone would come over and ask to buy the whole company? All your hard work gone down the drain when they decided to just bulldoze it all?! This is why I left the company because you're nothing but con artists." I hissed.

"Why me? Oh, I understand your feelings Mr. McSopwith but those actions are outside my expertise and control. I am merely a clerk for Pelican Town's JojaMart. If you want to raise a complaint, you can phone the 24/7 Help Desk; They'll pass on your enquiries further up.

If I may, you're intimidating my customers. I suggest you leave immediately." Morris gruffed in response, fixing his bowtie.

Well, I guess I have to, I don't want to feel the burning wrath of Lewis breathing down my neck. Quietly, but firmly, I left the supermarket and walked over to the bridge; I felt a little hurt from the inside as I stared into the reflection of the river. Though I am uncertain who to trust and sell; Pierre is likely passing on my produce as his, and Morris' employers are nothing more than back-stabbing morons who think more about themselves than the people they 'employ'.

"You ok?" Came a voice. I looked over to see Abigail walking over. "Oh, hey Abi…" I lowly answered as she joined me at the bridge. "You ok? You seem a little down…"

"It's just… I don't know who to turn to, to sell what my farm yields. Morris claims that Pierre is taking credit of my work and Joja are nothing but a bad sort." I explained, feeling her hand across my back.

"Oh… well, I guess Pierre's been a little underhanded but, I personally wouldn't sell your soul to Joja. Pierre's been overworked trying to keep the shop open. Though… I personally feel that's a little cheating… I tell ya what, I think I got a camera in my drawers; You come in and sell your crops to Pierre and I'll see if he is doing what you think he's doing. That way, you'll have the evidence needed to catch him out.

You've been working hard on the farm Robbie, and I think you deserve the credit for with the village." She assured.

I think the way she spoke has lifted my spirits and the looming gloom of depression had all but lifted. I looked at her with a renewed smile, my spirit reignited once more. "Thanks Abigail… I think I needed that."

"Anytime Robbie, you want to go flying again? I know that'd help a lot if I tagged along."

So, there we are, up in the air again, exploring the upper yonders of the Valley. I sighed as I glanced to see the two supermarkets below. Someday I might find a way of getting back at Joja for their cheap tactics towards getting what they want.

"Y'know, I've been thinking… our town has a custom… if a bachelor or bachelorette receives a mermaid's pendant, it'd be considered a marriage proposal.

I don't know why but every time I see you, I start feeling a little closer and closer to you. Though, do you think that we'd be ready for marriage?"

Marriage? At this point of time? I've seen what it incurs; It'd mean being committed towards one another for the rest of their lives. To think about it this early might not work out between the two of us. Though, at the same time, I am feeling a little closer to her myself.

"I… I don't know… I might not be ready for marriage yet. I've only came to the valley, a few months ago… I'd need time to think it over, y'know. Still got work to do before I can finally truly settle in my new home." I explained.

"I understand… I guess it's a little early to go poppin' the question, y'know? I mean, that'd be a silly idea!" She laughed.

I guffawed nervously and looked to the side again. I would smirk at the thoughts of us being a couple; Working the farm together, looking after Blue Betty, heck we might even continue the family legacy, as it was my dream.

After our leisurely flight, we landed back at the farm and reconvened in front of my plane where she got my arms around my waist.

"Well, I guess we gotta call it a night. You've been a great person in my life… maybe we could consider it in the future." I said.

"Me too… honestly, you're a lot different than that brooding nitwit Seb. Well, I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight babes."

"Goodnight, dear."

After our embrace and a loving kiss, I headed back into my farmhouse to sleep off the night. I hope something could help me do something with my conundrum… maybe a miracle.