Marcus laughed in the phone, "I would dare. Anyone who would try and hurt my Ariel I will take down by all means."
"Marcus she is below your status. You could have any woman why her?" Kimmy said
"She was made just for me. It took me sometime to convince her to go out with me. Like you, she thought that our statue was a barrier. She made me promise not to take her somewhere fancy. Our dates were low key because that was what she wanted. I had to beg her to go to the fundraiser and beg her to let me buy her a dress. She even thinks I will let her pay me back but I won't. Any money she gives me will go into an account that I will set up for her to use."
"Marcus, you are to naive. She is just using you. I give up just wait and see. Oh she won't have her job very long and there is nothing I can do about it now. More mothers are against her then me."
"Then my brother and father will lose there business. They have you to thank." He then hung up.
He went back to his office and called Heny to let him know what was going on right now.
Ariel watched everyone from her tower . She had two more hours in her shift when Larry came over.
"Boss wants to see you I'll take your tower." He said.
She climbed down and walked over to the office area.
"You wanted to see me Kevin?"
"Ariel, sit. I just got off the phone with the mayor's office. They told me if we want anymore funding then we had to let you go."
"Really.... Are you letting me go?"
"I have no choice. I am sorry, you are one of the best teachers we have."
"Will this affect the Mermaid show in a few weeks?"
"Yes, I can't let you swim, the insurance will not cover you if anything happens."
"I see, Thanks I'll clean out my locker and leave my card with you when I leave." She stood. Then turned back as she was leaving, "Did they give you a reason?"
"They said you were in an inappropriate relation with one of the family members. It states in your city contract that you can't date your students family members."
"I see, Thank you." She walked out and down the hall to the staff changing room. She quickly got dress and packed her bags. She then sent a text to Marcus.
[Come to my apartment when you get off.]
She then stuffed her phone into her bag and headed out. She dropped off her badge and walked out of the best job she ever had. Now what was she going to do.
She caught the bus and was home 20 minutes later. She stripped off her cloths and jumped into the shower. As the hot water washed over her she started crying.
Marcus did not see the text as he was talking to Heny about what he could do to protect Ariel.
"I think you are going to have to do it. You know how we feel about your family. They used you since you were little. Tubby and I have gotten you all the proof so use it. Protect Ariel and you."
"I will. He then looked at his phone to see what time it was. He seen the message and shook his head. He tried calling her but there was no answer. What happened?
"I'll do it but I will need my brothers support." Marcus said standing up.
"You know we have your back." Heny said. " I have a meeting starting soon. Keep me updated."
"Ok, I'm going to leave and head over to her apartment." Marcus said walking out with Heny.
He tried a few more times to get her but she still did not answer. Was she still at work?
He stopped by the pool first to check.
"Hi, I need to speak to Ariel" Marcus told the girl at the front entrance.
"Just a minute please." She picked up a walkie talkie. "I have a guy here wanting to talk to Ariel."
"I'll be right there." The voice said.
"Kevin the boss said he would be right here." She said.
It took a few minutes before a tall man with glasses came out.
"Hi, I'm Kevin Ford, how can I help you?"
"Marcus McKenna, I need to speak with Ariel please."
"I'm sorry to say she is not here."
"Can you tell me why. I am worried she is not answering her phone."
"All I can say is the higher ups found a reason to get rid of her. I will say we will try to find someone to take her place for the fundraiser."
"I don't want anyone but her. She was the reason I wanted to go with your company. I will find someone to take over. I hope you understand. You will regret getting rid of her."
"Believe me it was not my decision. She is the best teacher we have. I tried to argue with the mayor's office. They said I would lose my job too if I didn't let her go. A lot of the parents complained she was in a relationship with a family member which is against the rules."
"Your saying it is against the rules to date a family member. I don't have kids here. So how is it dating a family member." Marcus asked.
"Your niece take lessons here. She is your family and I know that is stretching it but that is what she was let go for." Kevin said.
Marcus just turned and walked off. Kimmy was going to pay for this. He drove over to Ariel's apartment and rang the buzzer.
"Hello"
"It's me" Then the door buzzed and he went in. He took the stairs two at a time and when he got to the door he knocked.
The door opened and she flew into his arms. He could tell she had been crying.