Ariel's Day Out (V)

Ariel was happy.

Super duper happy.

Daddy was the bestest best best. He got this beautiful princess dress just for her.

If only Daddy was here to see her.

But at least she got to see everyone in the Castle.

They all ooohed and aaahhed as she walked through the place, followed by Uncle Yume, her Night.

She didn't know why he wanted to be night when it was day, but it was fine. He got her this dress so she would not mind his weird thoughts.

He followed closely behind her, occasionally directing her where to go. Always introducing her to everyone.

The place was huuuuuuge.

And she was getting tired.

Worse, she needed to go.

She hesitated and looked behind at Uncle Yume.

"Yes, Princess Rie?" Yume asked, immediately coming closer and going on one knee to be at her eye level.

Ariel leaned closer to Yume's ear and whispered, "Uncle Yume, I need to go to the bathroom."

Yume paled a bit at that, with small beads of sweat emerging slowly on his forehead as he gulped.

Bathroom?

Ariel was too young to go by herself, and the last thing he wanted was to bring her into the men's loo.

Though the bathroom would be clean, the thought of men with their zippers open and d*cks out at the urinals was not something he wanted to expose Ariel to - even though the men would not be whipping it out like some trophy.

And he couldn't go into the ladies, right?

At that point, Yume wanted to smack his forehead.

Sir had his own private bathroom in his office, so he could use that.

Then he looked at the pure, innocent Ariel who seemed to be getting more uncomfortable as she squeezed her legs together and bit her lower lips.

Uh-oh.

"Can you hold it in?" Yume asked worriedly, seeing her distressed look.

They were on the 2nd floor at the moment, and Sir was on the 20th floor. Calculating quickly, Yume estimated that it would take at least 8 minutes.

Upon hearing the question, Ariel wrung her hands together tightly.

She was so embarrassed and looked down at her feet while shaking her head slowly.

It was her fault.

Actually, she had already felt like she had to go when she went with Uncle Zero, but she had been too curious about where he was taking her that she wanted to wait and see.

Then the dresses distracted her.

After that, the excitement of going about made her think she could just wait a little bit more.

Now, it was no longer 'can wait a little bit more'.

"I can take her," a soft, feminine voice wafted over from behind Yume.

Yume turned, to see a decently dressed young woman with her dark brown hair tied up neatly in a ponytail. Her make-up was light and she looked like she genuinely wanted to help. Her employee tag that she wore on a lanyard around her heck read 'Opal'.

Yume looked at Ariel, but before he could open his mouth, he heard Opal ask, "How about it? Can I take you?"

Ariel looked at Yume, as if asking him if it was okay and he nodded.

Ariel said, "Okay."

Opal smiled and held out her hand. With a slight hesitation, Ariel nonetheless took it and followed the lady - with Yume following close behind.

Even if the lady was an employee here, and though most were loyal MIB agents, one could never be too careful.

At the same time, Lucka was busy bringing up details on the said employee.

After all, they weren't Sir, who had a photographic memory and knew every single person working in the building.

"Opal Sherman, 24 years old, graduate of L'real. A normie," Lucka said, indicating that Opal was one of a few non-MIB personnel in the building.

Which meant that she had one of the lower-tier jobs that had the least contact with the company affairs and information.

"That's dangerous then," Akira stated.

If she had been an MIB, then they would be assured that she would not have any designs on Sir or the family. Reverence, maybe, but not one that would post any danger.

"Conscientious worker," Lucka continued to read and tell them, "Well-liked and highly valued."

"Mmhmm," Akira said, getting up, "Perhaps I should test the waters lest still waters run deep."

Edward snorted, "You just want to add another notch to your bed."

Akira grinned and said nonchalantly as he walked out, "Ah, perils of the job; but someone's got to do it."

All throughout the exchange, Zero didn't even lift his head from looking at the documents. He wasn't worried that Akira would go overboard as his reconnaissance skills were top-notch.

He would flirt, he would soften them up and he would even sleep with them - but the last was only when the other party was willing and knew that Akira was not a keeper. Akira wouldn't cheat them of their feelings, but he certainly would lie and pretend to get their trust and tell him things.

But his lies were never about how he viewed them. He was always sincere when saying or doing something for them, and never made empty promises.

He was a true Don Juan; one who devoted his life to seduce women but unlike the legendary lover that the name originated from, Akira was not a scumbag who would use women. He made them feel special and loved, and though many did fall in love with him, they did not blame him when he left them.

Zero shook his head when he thought of Akira.

He may look like it didn't bother him and that he was having a lot of fun with his sexual conquests but Zero knew better. Akira truly did want to find his special someone. One that would accept him whole-heartedly and love him and his flaws.

Zero sincerely hopes Akira would find her (or him) one day.

He, himself, could not find anyone interesting enough to get to know, let alone sleep with. He doubted he ever would and it didn't bother him. He had his whole life ahead of him with Sir, his brothers, and Lianne.

He didn't need anyone else.

✿ Author posts on WN and neovel ✿

In the restroom, Opal was very attentive and careful in helping Ariel relieve herself.

Every restroom in the building had one cubicle that was meant for children. Even if the likelihood of any child coming to the company was slim, it was the standard layout in every Smith Building.

The cubicle space itself was also bigger so as to allow an adult inside to monitor the child. Inside, everything, from the toilet to the sink, was smaller and suitable for children.

After Ariel washed her hands, she looked up and was surprised to see tears in Opal's eyes.

"Why are you crying?" she asked.

Wiping her eyes quickly, Opal apologized, "I'm sorry. It's just that …"

She took a deep breath and replied, "I had a little girl of my own, but she had to leave me. If she had stayed, she would have been about your age."

Ariel frowned, "Why did she leave?"

Taking the paper towel from the dispenser, Opal carefully wiped Ariel's hands and said softly, "She was sick. But it's okay. She's in a better place now."

Ariel tilted her head, "You mean, among the stars?"

Opal looked at her in surprise, thinking that the little one caught on quickly. She didn't think a three-year-old would understand the concept of death but when she thought that Kyle was the father, it made sense.

His children would have been extraordinary, just like him.

Opal nodded.

Ariel patted the back of Opal's hand and said solemnly, "Mummy said everyone has a certain number of breaths. Some have a lot, some have a little. When they have given their last breath, they will leave the body behind and go up in the sky! Become a star to look down on us."

Ariel took several deep breaths, as she said a lot all at once.

"So, don't be sad. She is looking down at you and will be sad if she sees you sad," Ariel declared, remembering what her mother had told her.

Ariel had first been very upset to learn that the sickly wolfpup Iori might not get better, but when Mummy explained about breaths and stars, she felt a bit better. At least, she would be able to see Iori in the sky.

Luckily, Iori did get better so it meant she had a lot more breaths left.

Opal was amazed at Ariel's sensitivity and cleverness. The desire in her heart became stronger and she grabbed Ariel's hands firmly, but gently.

"Ariel, will you help me?"

"Of course!" Ariel agreed readily.

"Can you call me Mummy?"

Ariel's smile turned upside down, and she looked rather upset, "But you're not Mummy."

"I know," Opal said softly, making her voice sweeter, "I..I am not saying I am but I just want to hear it. I miss my little girl so much and you're so much like her. Please?"

Ariel looked at her pleading face.

"Just when we're alone," Opal said, tears falling down her cheeks, "I just miss my baby so much. Please?"

Ariel pressed her lips together but finally called out, "Mummy."

Opal put the back of her hand over her mouth and more tears fell down, "Thank you, thank you, Rie."

Then, with greater expectations in her eyes, she asked, "Can you pretend to be my little girl? I have so much I want to say to her."

Ariel slumped her shoulders down a bit but still nodded.

With great joy, Opal took Ariel into her arms, hugging her tightly, "Thank you, my sweet Rie. Mummy loves you so much."

Ariel's face scrunched up a bit and she was a bit uncomfortable but she endured it.

Sister Opal really did look so sad right now.