"They’ll take ages getting ready now," I muttered and he snorted. Good hearing meant I’d have to be careful with what my fat mouth let slip. Standing at 6’3’’, he cut a sleek figure in his tan suit and crisp white shirt.

He didn’t wear the same uniform or any sort of crest that gave any indication of his station. The employees wore black fabrics with silver trim. Without a cap and tie, the only difference between the uniforms were the female employees. Instead, they wore ebony shirts and a tighter version of the jackets to keep from having their sleeves caught in anything. Their clothes had a neckline to their collarbone and a small scarf of smoky grey tucked beneath that.

A far cry from Atlas’ brighter ensemble, drawing the eye to his tanned skin and sharp bone structure. He held himself with all the pomp of royalty with sharp almond eyes and chin held straight ahead. Bouncy and swept back from his face, his pepper grey hair stuck out like a sore thumb. Overall, not bad looking but Morgan could try her luck.

"Sorry?" I asked dumbly.

"I was saying there is no curfew. You may stay and soak as long as you like but we advise that newcomers practise caution at least in the early days here," He repeated. “This way to your bungalow."

"Thanks," I nodded to Morgan and Miles, Josh and Jane not far behind. "I mean, you must have a busy schedule."

He caught that and his lips curled up in one corner. "I do but what's work with no play? Besides, you and your group are one of the few recipients to get the gold class suites. It comes with a great many perks."

"Gold class?" I choked, glancing around our group. They blinked back and Morgan gave the man a very meaningful up and down. "No way."

"How do you say it? Ah, yes way," Atlas chuckled. He lifted his elbow and offered it to me again. Morgan smirked when she hurried over to us, Miles casting suspicious frowns at Atlas and then dark ones towards a fuming Josh. Jane latched onto Josh and beamed up to him, a play at pretending we weren’t there.

"Welcome to our humble island," Atlas introduced with all the pomp and ceremony of a performer. "My name is Atlas. I really do not care for my surname so that is all you need to remember."

"Pleasure to meet you, Atlas," Morgan smiled, and her brother grunted out his own short greeting. "I'm Morgan and this is my brother, Miles. Those two," She barely hid the sneer. "Are Josh and Jane. You already know Niamh?"

"Yes," Atlas said, winking my way. "She does seem to enjoy the water, doesn't she?"

I puffed out my cheeks, a little offended by the fact that they were wasting my precious water-time just talking.

"She'd live in the ocean if she could grow gills," Miles said and I clicked my tongue, shoving him playfully when he came up to stand on my other side before Josh could.

"Ah, then you will love it here, Niamh," Atlas stated, assured.

His arm still waited and I caught Morgan’s obvious side eye to it. I accepted the offer while biting into my cheek, waiting for us to get a move on. My fingers clenched a little around his strong forearm and he noticed, amused.

"So, when is the bungalow tour starting?" Josh interrupted.

"Now," Atlas answered with a polite smile but I felt... cold. The word came off clipped. I was tempted to remove my hand but Atlas decided to get moving, taking me with him. The others followed quickly. "Your luggage will be brought in soon. As a gold-class bungalow, it will have two ensuite bathrooms as well as four bedrooms. The lounge area is connected to the kitchenette and pantry.

”This island is older than most, and the atoll lagoon surrounding it, a treasure. My father founded this resort, built a few bungalows and then went on to develop the land into something of a utopia. We have a great many wildlife that enjoy human interactions, though I would suggest you don’t go venturing into the jungle without a certified guide. We provide tours of the island and the hotspots for guests. The furthest safe point is just to the fence that is little ways into the tree line. We have many tropical birds that will be happy to be hand-fed, so watch your snacks when you walk near the trees. Now, for the bungalows. As you can see, there are a few signs around the place, and maps in each area. They will help you navigate the bungalows."

"That's the main building?" Miles asked, pointing to a bigger than life concrete building through the treeline. It reminded me of those expensive summer mansions.

"Yes. That is the head office and the main hotel. The employees quarters are on the other side, further into the trees. Your quarters are just off the shore, nearest the head offices actually," Atlas said.

"The lagoon that this island was named after originally is this," He led us over to where a fenced off ledge dropped off. Stone steps led down to the huge pool of inky shadows beneath. "The natives used to tell stories of the fish-tail people that would come to give birth to their young and raise them in the shadows of the water. Those can be translated roughly into the contemporary ideas of Merpeople."

"Load of bullshit, that is," Josh muttered, nasty scowl on his face directed at Atlas.

"It depends on the person's own beliefs, doesn't it?" I asked, directing the quip towards Josh.

Atlas’ arm flexed under my fingers. "Yes, I've had many people come up and tell our staff they saw someone with scales and fin in the waters, but that would be their eyes playing tricks on them. Other times, we have a hard time not believing them," Atlas answered. "I suppose for some, seeing is believing. I try to be as open minded as I can. My mother raised me on the myths of the natives. The islanders are very kind and will help you if indeed they do find you lost. They like to visit the waters to bless their newborns, and hold ceremonies."

"Really? That'd be amazing to see," I murmured, imagining the worship and reverence this body of water had for an entire culture.

"You just might. It is coming up to their favourite ceremony of all and that is the blessing of their livestock. They farm extensively on the north side of the mountain," Atlas said, gesturing vaguely to the rising earth in the far distance. The mountain towered over the jungle, sticking up like a sore thumb.

"It’s amazing!” I whispered, tracking the faint lines of water coming from the mountainous range.

"Indeed. Now, this is our primary point of access, but many come through the sparse woods to this area on the first night. There are torches to light both trails. Here, this way."

He led us towards the shore, then up onto a thick boardwalk. It was lined with elegant white torches and waist-height wooden railing. The ten huge wooden 'huts' stood on either side and he led us up past the second and to the third. Each connected via a break in the railing and a sturdy wooden plank board across, with knotted rope borders. The verandah around each building was wide enough for you not to fall in, four or so metres from the farthest step. The water was too shallow to drown in if you somehow fell in either. I wanted to dive right in.

Atlas’ hand came up to pat the back of mine curled around his arm, almost as if he could read my mind. "There are buttons to press should you need anything. A member of our staff will come. The phones are connected directly to headquarters where meals are prepared and sent out each morning, afternoon and evening."

"So we have room service all the time?"

"Bungalow service," Atlas joked. "Anything you wish, and the staff will try to acquire it for you, to the best of their abilities."

"I'm impressed," Miles had to admit, stepping up to the flimsy-looking door to consider the pretty swirling shell on the door, a decoration as big as my head. That mollusc must’ve been huge.

"Wait until you see inside," Atlas assured and went forward to pull a key from the many keys in his pocket. "Your keys are inside, and we have the best security money can afford. If there is a case of theft, we will consult the cameras set up above our heads. They are the only cameras afforded to each bungalow for privacy."

A press of the key into the slot and a sharp turn unlocked it with a soft snip. It didn’t look flimsy when he pushed open the surprisingly heavy door.

The scent of fruits and the ocean rushed at my face and I nearly tripped over myself trying to get inside.

"This is your abode for the next four weeks. As you can see, there is a button next to the light switch as well as a button above your beds in case you wish to make an order there," The man explained, leading me over to the floor-length windows in the lounge area. It overlooked the shimmering water and afforded a beautiful view of the beach and forest beyond.

"The bathroom," He pointed to an open doorway that showed off a deep tub and detailed sink. "Each of the other doors are bedrooms. Each has a king-sized bed and here," He handed each of us a card of very pretty silver. Lines of gold ran through it and formed the words 'Black Lagoon' with the black shell around each letter. "These are your keys to the bungalow. Do not give them to others, and if lost, we will need to be notified right away to cancel the previous and give you another."

"Our luggage?" Joshua cut in. He eyed my hand on Atlas' arm and glared at the helpful male.

"The employees carrying them up here took the liberty of distributing them throughout the rooms."

Jane cooed something up to Josh but he, again, ignored her. Miles and Morgan took their chance to thank Atlas while Josh stalked off in search of his luggage.

He found it in the room furthest from the front door. Jane flounced after him and giggled. Good, they were sharing a room.

"I assume this room is yours. It has an ensuite and empty closet," Atlas told me as I waited for the others to peek into the other two doors.

A four poster bed with drapes of flimsy white rested directly against the wall across from the door. The rooms had been aired out before, with windows left open to let in as much natural light as possible. With soft breeze flicking up more thin curtains, the pale colour scheme and pinkish tint to the walls looked straight out of a catalogue for fancy living. The furniture shared a common theme of pretty greys, soft blues and silver. I stepped further in to brush my fingers over the bedside table and a cleared writing desk/chair. The deep grey armchair and spindly table beside the open bay window pulled it together in a neat, soft way, though I'd never be a great interior decorator. Not many shells or driftwood here. "It's lovely," I breathed from where I stood in front of the french doors out onto the deck.

"I'm glad you like it. The window can be locked, as can the door. The bathroom is through the door to your right as well as drawers in the adjoining closet space there," Atlas said and gestured to the open door leading into a shiny bathroom. “While we are a people that love nature, some of us do love the finer things in life that come from the mainland.”

If finer things meant top of the range shower heads that simulated rain and a tub that doubled as a jacuzzi, then what did he consider poor? "It's too much," I choked. "I mean, I never even entered that LagoonGoon competition!"

"You're just lucky, then," He shrugged and moved away. I actually missed his warmth which confused me to no end. "I hope to see you there early at the ceremony. We have some locals willing to show us their ceremonial dance and they prepared delicacies you wouldn't find anywhere else in the world."

"I can't wait," I beamed. "Really, thank you, boss."

"My cover is blown," He feigned distress and held a hand to his heart. "Well, regardless, I am delighted to meet you. We shall make an islander out of you yet."

"I wouldn’t mind with everything I’ve seen so far," I nodded. The water could make anyone want to give up saturated fats and sugars to live near them.

"Food will be served shortly. Just call up with your orders and you shall have it. I will leave you to it," He straightened his suit jacket and grinned, flashing white teeth at me. "That Joshua is lovely."

"He's a prick, you can say it," I laughed, waving him off to turn back and stare out at the water. He shrugged in my peripheral.

He left with a slight bow to us back in the lounge area once we all gathered back there and a parting wink to me. "This. Is. Awesome!" Morgan shrieked the moment the door shut behind Atlas. "Look at all this! Look at this! Can you believe it?"

My dearest sister in all but blood challenged gravity with how high she jumped around the pretty eggshell blue couch. She fawned over the massive flat screen TV and the gaming consoles hooked up and tucked into the stand.

Jane had scurried out not long after Morgan’s shrieking and started to bounce along with her. All Morgan’s gravity defying leaps stopped when Jane tried to butt in about the soft rug under their feet, frost covering any good cheer from before.

Josh didn’t pretend to be friendly like Jane. He stalked over to me and his nostrils flared. "What the hell was that?"

I had nothing to say to him and turned to face away from him. His fingers tightened around my wrist and Miles looked ready to commit murder.

"You acted like a girl with her first crush around that dick!" He snarled. "Is this about Jane? I didn’t know they’d be putting her bags with mine!"

"That is definitely not the problem here," I shot back, giving myself a mental shake and rattle. ‘Pace yourself, Niamh. Pace yourself’. "We are over. Do you not remember? You and Jane enjoy your time here but don't pretend everything will be water under the bridge. You and that slut can go dive off a short pier into a riptide for all I care, but don't think for one moment that you can make me do anything. I am through with you."

He snarled and leaned in, a glassy sheen to his eyes. They were ringed with something new, something brighter than his hazel. "I know you miss us, miss me."

"I know you're delusional if you genuinely believe it. Stay away from me."

"It can’t end like this. I made a mistake but I want to fix it," He went on. Jane’s face flooded with pink as she glared at me from over Josh’s shoulder. I bared my teeth at her.

"If there was anything to fix, I'd say don't bother. But there is nothing between us," I stated, finally snatching my arm away and rubbing at my skin there. "I'm going for a dip."

I escaped into my new room for the next three weeks and slammed it shut, locking the door behind me. My luggage resting against the closet space were all tied up and not tampered with. I sifted through the smallest of three suitcases for my favoured swimsuit. My curves and slightly rounded tummy were nice padding for cooler waters. Years of dieting, exercise and better headspace for self image meant I no longer panicked when the scales went a little over 70 kilos every so often. I pulled on my one-piece suit the moment I'd stripped down and hopped on my toes.

The water waited for no one.