Chapter 17
"WHAT?!"
"WHAT?!"
The both of them stared at each other in bewilderment. Mr. Piranha was surprised that Mr. Shark felt the same way about Mira. But hey, what's there not to love about her? She may be quiet but her kindness and patience were what made him love her.
Besides, he had a thing for tall girls...
Never would he thought that Mira would also catch the attention of the Master of Disguise himself! Mr. Shark looked nervous, which was unlike him since they were Fin Bros to the end. Pushing aside the emotions he was feeling, Mr. Piranha asked, "How long?"
"Since the day we met her," said Mr. Shark, averting his gaze. "Are you mad that I like her?"
"Of course not!" Mr. Piranha scoffed, but his rumbling stomach said otherwise. A small fart was heard, causing Mr. Shark to narrow his eyes. Then another until the Amazonian fish lets out an exasperated sigh.
"FINE! I am mad that you like her too! There's no way she would have the both of us so we gotta fight it out!"
Mr. Shark arched his brow. "Fight? Bro, are you listening to yourself right now?"
Mr. Piranha was pacing in an irritably pace. "Shark, we fight all the time! You toss and I rumble until things work out. You know our hermanos do it so why can't we?"
There was silence and the great white shark wasn't sure how to answer his friend. "I don't know, man...I don't know...maybe it's up to Mira to decide who she likes more. Whaddaya say?"
"Hmmm...how can she choose between us?"
Mr. Shark only shrugged, patting his fin bro's back. "We'll just have to wait and see. Say, you got her on a karaoke date, right? Have you tried something else?"
Mr. Piranha puts on his best thinking face before shaking his head. Suddenly he smiled a toothy smile "Nope buuuuuut I know a place else she would like. Good thing we both have her number, huh?"
As much as he and Shark were gunning after the same gal, he will have to be prepared when the time comes. Mira would not be the type to open up so easily. Her mysterious demeanour that complimented her cute short hair, tanned skin and modest outfits were what drew him to her.
He hoped that one day she would be comfortable expressing herself with his help and even the gang.
Since Mr. Shark already took her to the beach, the Amazonian fish will have to kick it up a notch. Racking his brains while muttering to himself, he wondered how he will approach Mira to talk about their date.
Just as he was about to send a text, he felt a sandpaper texture of a fin on his shoulder. Mr. Shark regarded him with resignation in his eyes. "Hey, if anything happens, I'll support you. No matter the outcome, it doesn't change our friendship, okay?"
Mr. Piranha merely nodded, trying to stop his jittering hands from typing something off topic. Sending the message, the uneasiness within his chest and gut started to fade. He hoped he was making the right choice.
...
Mira was nervous yet excited to be invited out for dinner with Mr. Piranha. They were going to a restaurant that was by the sea and was famous for their grilled seafood dishes. Of course, Mira has been to buffets before but it's not the same as now.
Back then, her mother would keep a counter to monitor on how much she ate so that she could retain her weight. It was both a blessing and a curse because she yearned to try everything like her peers and even have something as simple as an ice cream cone.
Thankfully, she was walking hand-in-fin with Mr. Piranha. Instead of his usual attire of a white shirt with suspenders, he wore a casual orange Hawaiian shirt and khaki pants while the young woman herself wore a simple sun dress that was a mix of turquoise, ocean blue and yellow with matching sandals.
It was the first time she had worn something like this in public without judgement.
"Have you been here before?" she asked in a low whisper but it was clear for Mr. Piranha to hear. He nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, Mira! This is one of my favourite seafood places while getting the awesome view of the ocean. Wanna sit in or out?"
Mira gestured outside as they approached the establishment. Whenever she dined alone, she would usually call the waiter/waitress and point out what she would like to eat. In a crowded setting, it was like ripping down unbreakable glass if she wanted to speak.
Talking had always been difficult whenever she dines alone. Before she moved away due to her tertiary studies, her mother and grandparents usually ordered for her without even asking her about her preference.
It was scary yet a thrilling feeling to be able to choose what you want at a restaurant.
"I can never get enough of the sea breeze," Mr. Piranha chuckled as they sat down. "So, I can see the little boat over there with all the goodies. You're good at identifying fish! Wanna have a go?"
What he was referring to was a mini-yacht at the centre of the restaurant that had different types of fresh seafood. Not only was it fun to look at but the chefs could pick their seafood if their meals ran out.
Excited, she took his fin in her hand as they made their way to the centre to look at the types of fish. Mira quietly listed all the types, not realising that her voice was getting louder, "...monkfish, tuna and there's an octopus!"
Mr. Piranha lets out a low whistle. "You weren't kidding when you said you know your stuff, chica. So, who's hungry?"
The night was starting off nicely with her and Mr. Piranha enjoying their meal of shared seafood with some sides while chatting about their day. Well, mostly Piranha but Mira just enjoyed listening to his enthusiasm on the missions.
She took a bite of her buttered lobster tail and inwardly moan at the flavour. It was rare for her to have lobster, let alone have a whole tail for herself. Mr. Piranha smiled and ate his plate of pan-seared halibut with rice. "Pretty good huh? This place is popular with families and couples."
Mira nodded, admiring the view of the sea and the people behind them. Besides the buffet, there was a stage with a few people performing based on the given time. Right now, a group of girls performing acrobatic acts that caught most of the children's attention.
"Mira?"
"Y-yes?" she managed to utter out her response. For the first time, the fiery fish looked nervous as he clutched his stomach. Coming over to him, she wondered if he's getting stomach shock from eating a lot of food.
He gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine! Actually, I'm kinda nervous about...about..."
His voice trailed off but Mira touched his shoulder. In a clear tone, she asked, "Do you want to dance?"
It was enough to put some pep into the piranha's step. Since the music playing in the background was salsa, he began to lead her on the dance floor. Now it was her turn to get flustered because she wasn't the kind to express herself at a dance.
She preferred blending into the background and check her phone at most.
But something about Mr. Piranha made the atmosphere calming despite the chaos of kids running around, a few people having a laugh while drinking and even dancing to the music. She never had this much fun without anyone stopping her.
Before they knew it, both Mira and Mr. Piranha ended their dance with her picking him up to hug him. Feeling his tail fin wag, he began to wrap his arms around her neck. "Heh, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Mira," said Mr. Piranha.
She almost lets out a gasp when she felt his lips pressed upon her cheek. Her heart was beating fast but...
There was...
"Mira, can I get you some lemonade?" he asked as he was put down. Shyly, she nodded as she watched him go to the drink stand. Just as she was going to try some of the delectable desserts, a pair of strong hands grabbed her.
She wanted to scream but she was gagged and blindfolded before she could utter a sound. Her phone fell out of her pocket as she struggled to kick her captor. But the person was strong and then slammed her down at the back of the car while handcuffing her hands behind her back.
"Mmmrph!" she cried out, but a hard hand slapped her across her face. Since it was dark, she couldn't see who was in the car with her besides her kidnapper, who became the getaway driver. She was about to find the door, a hand grabbed her by the strap of her dress.
A familiar scent almost made her gagged than the cloth tied to her mouth.
"Think you can run away from us, Mira? I always know when my favourite little girl is gone," the voice cooed before letting out a wheezed laughter. Squirming in her seat, she was feeling for the door handle but those wrinkled hands pressed her down against the seat.
She lets out a sound of protest, begging to be release but the voice was dangerously closed to her ear.
"Mira, I love you so much. My pride and joy of a granddaughter that my own daughter pushed out. But here you are running away and dressing up like some cocktail waitress at a bar. You broke my heart, you broke your mother's heart my sweet Mira."
The car was driving what seemed like hours without reaching its destination. The voice was almost a whisper when he threatened, "Don't EVER take sides with anyone against the family again. Ever."
Well, this took a dark turn! Are the Bad Guys up to the challenge?