Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 60

Maya was so happy that she inspected the pearl a second time, turning it over in her palm. She was still mesmerized by it.

"Let me see."

Maya passed the pearl to Karlos. Its size alone was quite impressive, comparable to a small coin. The silver-white pearl was different from the average pearls they had seen. A faint shimmer on its smooth surface reflected the light, making it glow faintly like moonlight. It shone with a soft silver radiance.

Karlos was equally amazed by its beauty.

"Isn't it amazing? Babe, how much do you think we could sell this pearl for?"

"You want to sell it?" Karlos asked. He had expected Maya would want to keep it.

"I want to ensure we have enough funds to build a house. If we are going to spend money, then I want it to be done perfectly," Maya replied. Though hesitant about selling the pearl, her maternal instincts pushed her to think of their children first.

"We can sell this for at least 100,000 pesos. This pearl has no blemishes and is perfectly round," Karlos said, returning the pearl to Maya.

"Hm, this pearl is too beautiful," she said, grinning.

"No matter how beautiful this pearl is, you will always be more beautiful," Karlos replied calmly, his eyes steady and serious, not playful as he returned to shucking the conch.

Maya looked at him, realizing he wasn't joking.

'What? You're just going to say that and return to shucking the conch? Shouldn't you at least give me a kiss or something?' Her cheeks warmed, and she quickly glanced away. Her heart pounded faster, leaving her restless. She had been expecting a romantic gesture. Her husband knew exactly how to make her heart skip a beat.

When Karlos was almost done, with only four conches left, he shucked one and found a pink oval pill. He washed it in water until the salt and slime were gone, revealing its natural luster.

"Babe… is this a pearl?"

Having been a fisherman for about three years, Karlos's knowledge of pearls was limited.

Maya approached him curiously and saw the pink oval pearl. Her eyes widened as she confirmed it.

"K-Karlos, that's a pearl!"

"Really!? I'm not sure because it's pink."

"Pearls from conch are rare, and they can be different colors, like orange, pink, and white!" Maya held the pink pearl as if it were a fragile treasure.

"Does that mean I also struck gold?"

"You struck gold! Karlos!"

Karlos was thrilled. He hugged Maya's waist and lifted her off the ground, making her yelp and giggle in surprise.

When he put her down, Maya gasped for air, flustered by his sudden gesture. She quickly returned her attention to the pink pearl.

"It has no blemishes, but it's oval, a perfect oval. I'm not sure if we can sell it for a high price," Maya muttered. The pearl was only a centimeter long.

"Let's have them appraised later."

"Hm, let's do that. If our budget isn't enough for the house, we can appraise and sell our pearls," Maya agreed.

Karlos shucked the remaining conches but found nothing else. Still, earning three pearls that day was a pleasant surprise, and for the first time in days of storms, the couple felt fortune smiling upon them.

After pearl hunting, the couple cleaned the house, sweeping away damp dust, straightening the furniture, and airing out rooms that still smelled faintly of water. Electricity returned that night, and the family watched the news to check if the weather would remain calm the next day.

The next day, Karlos didn't sail because the waves were still erratic and strong. Despite the clear blue sky, he knew better than to underestimate the ocean.

Instead, he went to the construction company to meet contractor Patrick or Engineer Montoya. As last time, Patrick was busy, while Engineer Montoya was available.

"You want to build a house?" Montoya asked.

"We're not looking for anything expensive, like a two-story house. We just want something simple but sturdy. Our kubo has leaks, and I think it's time to build a proper house," Karlos explained.

"That's great!" Engineer Montoya was naturally happy, already picturing the project and his potential commission.

"I made a rough estimate last time, right?"

"Yes, you said 1.4 million pesos for a 150-square-meter house," Karlos answered.

"Then let's go to your place. I'll call a surveyor to come with us. His name's Franco."

A few minutes later, they reached Karlos's place.

"This is your house?" Franco curiously asked.

"That's right," Karlos confirmed.

"So I assume this sports car is yours too?" Montoya muttered.

"Huh?"

Karlos had no idea what he was talking about. But when he stepped out of Montoya's car, he saw a bright red Ferrari parked in front of his gate. Its sleek design, polished metal, and glossy finish looked completely out of place on the rural road. Its presence drew the attention of everyone nearby.

Some neighbors gathered outside, gossiping about the car. Whispers spread quickly, speculating a celebrity had arrived or perhaps the child of a politician. A few kids tried to touch it but were pulled back by their parents. A Ferrari was a rare sight in their town; they had only seen it on television.

Karlos frowned, confused.

"Let's go inside," he said, opening the wooden gate.

Montoya and the surveyor Franco followed, equally awed and confused. Karlos didn't appear wealthy enough to own a sports car. Did he buy it before building a house? It seemed hard to believe and impractical.

Inside, two men in sunglasses were talking to Maya, who wore a worried expression.

"Babe, what's going on?" Karlos asked.

"Karlos," Maya said, relieved to see him, though she still didn't know what was happening. "These men are looking for you."

"Indeed, looks like you're the Karlos we're looking for."

Roman was the first to greet Karlos, removing his sunglasses.

"You're Roman, right? Why are you here? If it's about a refund for the Bluefin Tuna you bought, you won't get any money," Karlos recalled. He thought this rich man wanted his money back.

"Why would you think I want a refund?"

"I don't know. Why are you even here?"

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 61


"So, um... is that Karlos's older brother? They look alike." Montoya squinted slightly as he compared the features of Karlos and Roman, noticing the resemblance.

He asked Maya while he and Franco began surveying the land, carefully measuring distances and taking mental notes about the topography.

"I don't think so. My husband is handsome. They don't look alike at all." Maya gave Montoya a 'are you alright?' look. Her tone carried a mix of amusement, as if she found the question ridiculous.

Maya had met Montoya a few times when his team renovated the shop, so they were familiar with each other.

"..."

Montoya was left speechless. He blinked, unsure whether he should say more. Everyone could see the resemblance between Karlos and Roman, especially after Roman removed his sunglasses, revealing deep blue eyes that reflected a calm expression.

"Ma'am, your land is 300 square meters, correct?" Franco asked Maya.

"That's right, I inherited it from my parents." She brushed her hand over the corner of the fence, her thoughts drifting to the memories her family had made here. Her parents once planted crops on this very soil.

"So what size do you want your house to be?"

"At least 150 square meters, but I want walking space on either the left or right side of the plot. Is that possible?" She gestured with her hands, picturing herself walking freely, her children running, and a small garden thriving beside the house.

"Absolutely. The land is already flat, so it'll be much easier to start building. Now, I have a few house designs here. Would you mind telling me what you want?"

"... What's the cheapest?" Of course, Maya would ask that. Her practical side always came out when it came to expenses, especially for a project this big and important.

Franco wasn't surprised, this was a common reaction.

"The cheapest is 1.4 million pesos, but that quotation depends on the materials. And from what I see, you'll probably want a sturdier fence instead of old wood, am I right?"

"If it's within budget, yes." Maya nodded, adjusting the folder in her hands. She flipped through the pages quickly, her eyes scanning for anything too flashy or costly.

"Well then, here are some designs with low quotations," Franco said.

Maya flipped through the pages curiously. Some designs caught her attention, and her eyes lingered on a layout with a cozy front porch and plenty of space for plants.

.........
......
...

"So why are you here? Don't tell me you actually want a refund," Karlos asked Roman with a judging look.

"Do I look desperate for money to be asking for a refund?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

"Of course not."

"So what's the real reason you're here then? And who's this guy?"

Karlos glanced at the other man in a baseball cap and sunglasses. He looked cautious, as if hiding his identity, making Karlos wonder if he should be wary.

"He's the reason I came. He's been looking for you," Roman explained.

The man removed his cap and sunglasses before introducing himself.

"I'm Larry Araneto," he said. His light orange hair and blue eyes made him stand out.

"Wait a minute, you're the guy I saved when you were stranded in the middle of the sea." Karlos was shocked. He hadn't expected to meet him today. He had only saved him out of goodwill, never expecting anything in return, especially from someone who seemed dubious.

"I want to thank you for that," Larry said, slightly lowering his head. His tone carried genuine sincerity.

"I see. So you're here to express gratitude. Don't worry about it, I saved you because it was the right thing to do."

"I know. I was hoping you'd return to the island so I could thank you properly, but it seems you're not asking for a reward," Larry said with a small chuckle.

"Nah, it's alright. You don't have to give me money."

Karlos wasn't the type to expect goodwill, especially from strangers. Even his own family in Maynila had never expressed appreciation for what he did for them, so he had little tolerance for expecting kindness from outsiders.

Larry found that admirable. He grew up in an environment where everyone around him always wanted something. Karlos's attitude was refreshing.

"So, you guys know each other?" Karlos asked.

"We're cousins," Roman replied.

"I see."

"Looks like you're busy? What's with the surveyor?" Roman changed the subject, looking at Maya as she spoke with Montoya and Franco while flipping through the folders.

"We're thinking of building a proper house," Karlos explained.

"Yeah, you really need to do that. I can't believe you're living in this small bamboo shed. Look at your kids watching us curiously, I can't fathom how they'll grow up in a place this small. That would be disastrous." Roman scrutinized the kubo. Its bamboo walls were thin, the roof fragile, and the floor creaked when stepped on. His bathroom was thrice bigger than the entire kubo.

'Well, sorry, mister rich guy. We don't have money to build a house,' Karlos wanted to say that out loud.

"How much does building a house even cost?" Larry asked.

"The engineer said at least 1.4 million pesos."

"That's it?"

"I thought it would be more expensive. Just 1.4 million pesos?" Both Roman and Larry were surprised at how cheap it sounded.

"... "

Karlos looked at the two rich men with disgust.

"You guys have no idea how expensive 1.4 million is."

"Of course I know. That was my monthly allowance in high school," Roman said, and Larry nodded in agreement.

Karlos realized they lived in a completely different world. There was no point in explaining how ordinary people lived.

"Anyway, if you're just here to say thanks, that's fine. I'm not expecting anything in return. I'm just glad you're alive," Karlos said.

'Also, the fact that you're wearing a cap and sunglasses to hide your face shows that something is wrong with you,' Karlos thought as he glanced at Larry. There was something about his stance that radiated caution.

"Babe, I think this design would be perfect for our house. What do you think?" Maya approached Karlos, showing him a layout. It was an L-shaped house with space for a garden, one of the reasons she liked it.

"It looks great. Then let's go with this," Karlos smiled. Anything for his wife.

"This design isn't complex, but it'll cost at least 2 million pesos. You'll also need to find a place to live for about six months while construction is ongoing. It'll be noisy all day," Engineer Montoya explained.

"2 million pesos?"

The couple smiled bitterly. Their savings barely exceeded that amount. They exchanged a glance filled with both anxiety and determination, already imagining the sacrifices ahead.

"Looks like we really have to sell the pearls," Maya said, and Karlos nodded.

"We'll also need to find somewhere to live for six months," Karlos added.

"I have a solution for that," Larry said with a grin.

Everyone turned to him, waiting for his answer.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 62


Now that he had caught their attention, Larry cleared his throat and discussed his intention with a composed yet slightly proud tone.

"I have a house near the bay harbor. You can live there for half a year and it won't be a problem. You don't have to pay any rent, it's my way of returning the favor," Larry Araneto spoke firmly, his voice sincere enough that everyone briefly looked up in surprise.

Maya turned to Karlos, waiting for his response, unsure if they should trust someone they barely knew. Larry's offer seemed great, but she had to trust her husband. She knew about Karlos saving Larry, but she didn't expect that Larry would show up today and express his intention of helping in such a generous way, it almost felt unreal.

"Your house?" Karlos asked with a hint of suspicion, his brows slightly furrowed.

"I have a property at the bay harbor. I know that you work as a fisherman, and it will probably be hard for you if you can't dock your boat in a safe place. If you can't find a rental house near the shore, your next choice is the properties close to the bay. But most houses at the bay are expensive, and you'll probably have a hard time with that," Larry explained calmly as he assessed Karlos's reaction. At first, he just wanted to help Karlos, but he realized something important... so he might as well do his best.

"..."

Karlos was hesitant. But Larry had a point. After thinking about it, Karlos extended his hand, asking for a handshake. He decided to trust Larry this time.

"Thank you, I'll accept your offer."

"Great, I'm happy to help." Larry grinned and shook his hand.

Karlos and Maya agreed on the L-shaped house for an estimated 2 million pesos. The construction company promised that the expenses wouldn't increase beyond 2.1 million pesos, and they even signed a contract under the afternoon sun. The company was also responsible for creating new fences for the property, and they handled the building permit as well.

Larry and Roman didn't stay longer and excused themselves, but before Roman left, he passed a note to Karlos.

"I heard about you selling your pearls. I know a trusted jewelry shop that will appraise your pearls for the best amount. You can visit their shop in Evitac City." Roman left after that without another word.

"Evitac City..."

Karlos murmured. Evitac City was the place where his relatives lived. He never had great memories in that city.

.........
......
...

"I'm going to drive this time," Larry said, rubbing his palms, excited to drive the sports car as his eyes glimmered mischievously.

"Fuck off, you don't have your license. This is my car, you don't have a say in it."

"What?"

"Come on, people are looking. Let's leave. You don't want anyone to recognize you."

"Okay, fine." Larry sat in the passenger seat with disappointment, muttering something under his breath about injustice. It had been a month since the last time he touched a steering wheel.

While on the road, Larry's tone turned cold. His playful grin faded, replaced by the seriousness of someone who had too many thoughts.

"Roman, you have a lot to explain to me, you bastard."

"About what?"

"You know about Karlos."

"Well, we met at the fish port. But apparently, based on what Alfred said, we had met earlier back when he sold his catch on my yacht, but I don't have a recollection of that part."

"Yeah right, as if I'll believe that. For now, I'll keep my mouth shut. But I lost all of my respect for your father."

"Larry, I think your brain lacks oxygen after you almost drowned. I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I can't believe your dad cheated on my aunt." Larry clicked his tongue loudly, causing Roman to tighten his grip on the steering wheel.

"What!? Where did you get that conclusion?"

"Isn't it obvious? That guy looks like a brother of yours! I thought Alfonso would be the only doppelganger you have since you guys are twins, but I was so fucking wrong. Karlos looks like you and Alfonso."

Alfonso was Roman's older brother and also his twin, identical in face but opposite in temperament.

"You're crazy. That guy doesn't look like me at all."

"You're the one who's crazy. How about this, why don't you try doing a DNA test on Karlos? I can help you with that. I can contact the caretaker who manages the villa they'll stay in for months, she can gather hair or nails."

"Why do I have to do that? That's an invasion of privacy. Being in the police makes you concoct fake stories."

"If Alfonso were here, he'd probably agree with what I said. He's smarter than you."

"Say that again and I'll kick you out of my car. Don't add my brother to the conversation."

Roman didn't like that Larry praised Alfonso and treated him better. It didn't help that Roman was kicked out of Maynila and was now living in the countryside. This only made his mood worse. He felt like he was being punished and thought that his parents chose Alfonso over him, and that thought haunted him.

As for his younger brother, Roman had no idea what was going on in that guy's head. Either he was gambling or fucking girls without a care.

'That younger brother of mine, he doesn't even have any business sense to handle a job,' Roman sighed softly.

.........
......
...

A few days later.

"...Babe, are you sure this is the right place?"

Maya nervously asked Karlos as they stared at the villa in front of them, a breathtaking sight that almost made her doubt the address written on the paper. The couple wanted to see the place that Larry mentioned in the address, yet they had no idea that it was this huge, with a grand-looking entrance. It was twice as big as the land that Maya inherited. Furthermore, the bungalow house was outstanding. There was a garden, an annex, and a pool that sparkled under the morning light.

"I'm not sure."

This was different from what they expected. They thought it would be a simple house, at best, not a luxurious villa that screamed wealth in every corner.

"Are you Mr. Alejandro? I'm Wanda, the caretaker of this villa. The second young master told me that you would arrive today."

An old woman opened the gate and greeted them with a smile that was both kind and professional, showing years of experience serving wealthy families. Her master, Larry Araneto, had said that some Alejandros would live in the villa for half a year and that they should be taken care of with great attention.

Wanda knew that the Aranetos and Alejandros were related, so she didn't find it surprising, though she quietly wondered why the second young master was suddenly interested in helping people.

"I-Is that so?" Maya stuttered. Based on the caretaker's expression, the villa was indeed the place they would live in for a while, and she couldn't help but feel both grateful and nervous at the same time.

"Let's go in, I'll tour you," Wanda said, leading them inside as the heavy gate closed behind them with a soft clang.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 63


"This is the living room. It can host a hundred people if you want to invite guests." The living room was wide, decorated with chandeliers and glass windows.

"...Yes." Maya just nodded. Her eyes moved slowly across the wide space, still unable to believe that this would be their temporary home.

"This is the master bedroom. I believe you'll love it."

"Hm." Maya nodded for the second time. The sheets were crisp white, and the bed was enormous.

"You don't have to worry. I'm paid by the Aranetos to take care of this villa, so just treat me as a maid. Aside from me, this villa has two maids and a gardener. We all live in a detached house, we won't invade your privacy," Wanda assured the couple.

"Yes." Maya nodded for the third time. Her tone was polite, but her shoulders were stiff.

As for Karlos, he was speechless the whole time. He tried to hide his amazement, but deep down, the fisherman inside him couldn't help but feel out of place amid such grandeur.

As Wanda toured the villa, Karlos and Maya realized that this place was not simple at all. Each corner seemed crafted with art, and the marble floor reflected their steps like glass.

The villa had a courtyard and garden, an annex, a pool, a garage, a home theater, a billiards room, a library, and even a wine cellar. Being from a political dynasty, the Araneto family was rich...

As for how they earned their money, people could think of many ways, such as stealing taxes, ahem, I mean, by being a good leader.

When Karlos learned that he could drink the wine and explore the wine cellar, that made him excited, not going to lie. He could already imagine sipping a glass one quiet evening, pretending he knew how to appreciate the taste.

After that, Wanda introduced the two other maids and the gardener.

They had heard that a relative would use the villa for a few months. Because of Karlos' surname, which was Alejandro, they automatically thought that they were related to young master Larry. No one dared to question it directly, the household staff simply smiled with respectful curiosity.

The two maids were Claire and Daisy, while the middle-aged gardener's name was Foster. Each of them bowed politely, their eyes assessing the couple with professionalism.

The couple felt awkward but played along. They weren't used to being treated as guests of honor.

"...Should we find another place? I don't feel comfortable living in a villa."

Once they left the villa, Maya asked Karlos about his opinion. Her voice carried a mixture of worry and guilt. She didn't want to seem ungrateful, but everything felt too much.

"I'll look for an apartment or a house that we can rent," Karlos agreed. He understood her unease completely. A simple life was all they ever wanted.

.........
......
...

The next day, Karlos couldn't find an apartment or a house that matched his criteria. Every place he checked was either too expensive, too small, or simply not livable for a family with twins.

He found an apartment, but it was in the inner part of the town, which was not ideal.

As for a house, someone was interested in renting one room to them, but it was too small and infested with mold.

Karlos had no intention of taking the deal. He wanted his children to live in a place that felt safe and clean.

Left with no choice, Maya and Karlos had to live in the villa.

They had to leave the kubo next day because the construction would start at that time.

They rented a truck to deliver their belongings to the villa. Karlos handled the heavy lifting while Maya made sure their twins' things were packed neatly in boxes.

When Wanda found out that they had twins, she became very excited. The villa had been lifeless for so many years, and having kids playing around would be amazing. She immediately started planning snacks and little treats for them.

Furthermore, Arabella and Iñigo were adorable.

The maids prepared lunch for the family, which was actually extravagant. The aroma of butter and herbs filled the dining room, and the twins' eyes widened at the colorful dishes.

Maya had to talk to them about the truth. She was not comfortable that the maids would prepare lobsters and steak for them. She preferred something simpler such as fish, soup, and rice, the kind of meal that made her feel at home.

That night, Maya explained that Larry just wanted to help them and that Wanda and the others didn't have to do much. Her voice was calm but firm, she wanted them to see her as an equal, not someone to serve.

She was not comfortable that the maids would prepare lobsters and steak for them. She even said that she would help with the chores, but Wanda was against it. The older woman insisted it was her duty and her employer's direct order.

The young master had entrusted Wanda to take care of their family, and she wouldn't break her promise.

In the end, Maya failed to convince them. Still, she appreciated their sincerity and kindness, even if it made her uneasy.

Although she noticed the two maids changing their attitudes when they realized that Maya and Karlos were just simple people, the excitement in their eyes dimmed slightly.

They lost their enthusiasm to serve them. It didn't matter, as long as Maya was honest about their status. For her, honesty was more important than appearances.

The next day, Maya reminded Karlos that he should return to the bay from now on.

Karlos left the villa with Arabella and Iñigo waving their hands at him and calling him Papa, which made him smile, and he waved back at them. Their tiny voices echoed through the courtyard, filling his chest with a quiet warmth. The little kids were actually sad when he left, and Arabella even cried when her father disappeared from her vision.

He didn't leave very early this time because his intention today was a bit different.

The residents at the bay had their own cars and were different from the other people in town. Most of them were business owners or retired professionals, living comfortably near the sea breeze.

The bay was north of the town, and the mayor wanted to extend the town up north and probably merge the bay with this plan. Rumors spread that the government wanted to turn the area into a high-end coastal district with hotels.

Apparently, the northern part would be meant for the wealthy, considering the infrastructure they were going to build. Karlos couldn't help but wonder if someday ordinary fishermen like him would still be welcome there.

As Karlos changed his route, he slowly reached the road right in front of the bay harbor. He saw different kinds of boats, from yachts to fishing vessels, and the bay harbor accommodated them.
The contrast between old wooden boats and polished yachts painted a picture of two worlds sharing the same sea.

He didn't have the time to appreciate the view, instead, he called out to a passing tricycle.

"Take me to the beach."

"South of the town?" the tricycle driver asked.

"That's right."

The tricycle sped up, and it took only half an hour to reach the location.

The sun was shining when he reached the house. Just as he expected, the kubo was demolished, and the workers were digging the ground for the foundation. The noise of shovels and the scent of wet soil filled the air.

"Karlos, have a good day," Engineer Montoya greeted him. His voice was energetic, clearly satisfied with the acquired project.

"You too," Karlos greeted back. He gave a small nod, approving the workers' diligence.

Based on what he was seeing, the workers were doing their jobs, and no one was slacking. It gave him peace of mind knowing that the new house was started at last.

Well, Montoya was there to supervise the project.

Karlos didn't linger long and went to Andres' house instead. He knocked on the door, and Andres' kids opened it.

"Uncle! Your stuff is here."

"Thanks." Karlos chuckled and gave them five pesos each, which made them jump in excitement before pocketing the coins.

"Thank you, Uncle!"

"Hey, what's that?" Reina showed up and narrowed her gaze at her two kids. They quickly hid their money from her. Karlos laughed quietly at the playful scene.

"Reina, I'm going to leave now. Thank you for taking care of my belongings."

"It's just a day anyway, it's not that big," she waved her hand.

Karlos pushed a cart to the beach and attached the engine before returning the cart to Andres' house. He took a deep breath of the salty air.

The sailing today was a bit late, but Karlos didn't mind. In fact, he wasn't expecting something big today. Sometimes, just being at sea was enough.

'Now that I think about it, it has been a week since the last time I sailed. I was busy these past few days. I hope my traps are doing okay.'

---

[This novel has 43 advanced chapters on Patreon.]

Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 64


"Mama! Hehe!"

Arabella was now using the baby walker better than ever. Her tiny hands gripped the plastic handle, and her chubby little legs moved with confidence. The four wheels under the walker rolled smoothly on the marbled floor. The kubo had a bamboo floor and some areas had bumps. Here, though, every movement was smooth and exciting for her little feet. Arabella excitedly took a step, and she slid across the floor. It was fun.

Even Iñigo was having fun and giggling as he kicked his feet on the floor and moved forward. His laughter echoed throughout the annex. Now they found the baby walkers entertaining.

"Mama sees you." A smile formed on Maya's face as she watched the twins having fun just by walking around with the help of the baby walkers. Their pure joy made her heart flutter.

"Your kids are adorable."

Mrs. Wanda fell in love with them. She crouched down for a moment, smiling as Arabella rolled closer to her, eyes gleaming.

"Back when my children were at that age, they were so hard to pacify. They would move around, and you couldn't take your eyes off them, or they'd disappear from your sight."

"Well, the twins are also troublesome." Maya felt embarrassed. Her two kids were also naughty and loved to do troublesome things such as sticking their fingers in the power outlet...

Yes, kids were stupid. But they were also precious. They were so adorable that Maya and Karlos would do everything for their children.

"They are great. They're active and healthy. The best part is that they eat every food you give them." Mrs. Wanda was impressed.

Maya agreed with that part. She chuckled softly, remembering how Arabella devoured mashed fruits while Iñigo demanded an extra spoonful. She heard stories that children were hard to feed, that they wouldn't eat vegetables or anything that didn't taste good. But Arabella and Iñigo were different.

"Well then, I have to prepare lunch."

"Let me help you," Maya stood up and followed Mrs. Wanda. Her instinct as a mother wouldn't let her just sit idly while someone else worked. She didn't want to stay in this villa without contributing.

"It's alright. You're our guests, so we must provide and accommodate you to the best of our ability. Just stay here and look after the twins."

"But—"

"Maya, I know what you feel. But we are the employees hired by young master Larry to manage the villa."

"I don't feel comfortable doing nothing."

"Your kids will make you busy. Trust me, I'm a mother, and taking care of children is a tough job. Just focus on that, and we'll handle everything else."

"..."

Maya slightly bit her lip. Her gaze wandered toward the twins, who were now racing each other in their walkers, giggling loudly. She was scared that she would get used to this kind of situation. She knew her status, and she wasn't expecting to be a wealthy woman. That kind of dream belonged to other people, not her. She was just happy as long as her family was living in good condition. If she stayed in this villa for too long, she might lose her sense of reality, and she was scared of that.

'I know that I will never reach the point in my life where I can buy a villa and hire maids, and I'm happy with that. As long as I'm with Karlos and the twins, I'm happy.'

"...Alright, but if you need me, you can call me. I'll help you. I know how to handwash clothes, I know how to clean, I know how to cook, but not the expensive dishes."

"You can relax. Young master Larry told me that you'll stay here while your house is under construction. Just invite me to your house once it's done and treat me to a nice dinner. You don't have to worry too much. You're not a burden, and you're not in the way. Honestly, this villa is boring since the Araneto family rarely visits the place. I'm happy that you guys have arrived."

"Once our house is built, I'll invite you to a housewarming party." Maya promised.

"That would be great."

Wanda excused herself and went to the kitchen, leaving Maya and the twins who were giggling while sliding across the floor.

"Mrs. Wanda, what are we going to cook today?"

Daisy, one of the maids, asked.

"We'll cook butternut squash soup and scalloped potatoes. Squash is good for the kids," Wanda answered. Her hands moved expertly as she peeled and sliced the vegetables.

"You're going to include them?" Claire raised her brow.

"Of course, they're guests. We'll increase the portion to accommodate them."

"But I thought they were only here to stay. Do we really have to cook for them as well?"

"Young master Larry said that we must provide utmost care and hospitality. Treat them like how we treat the other guests."

"Fine... Mrs. Wanda, are they really not related to the Alejandros, you know, the billionaire family? I met the first and second young masters of the Alejandros, and that Karlos guy looked like them." Claire recalled a few years ago when Larry hosted a party in the villa and the two young Alejandro masters were present at that time. She still remembered how handsome and wealthy they looked.

"I also have no idea." As she chopped the squash, Wanda also thought that Karlos might be from the billionaire family because he resembled the two young masters.

"Maybe," Daisy lowered her voice and joined the conversation. "Maybe he's an illegitimate child."

"Yeah, that's also what I thought."

"Does that mean Karlos will inherit money?"

"That means he's not poor unlike what they said." Claire clicked her tongue. Her eyes sparkled with faint greed.

"Be professional. We are maids. We're not some kind of jobless hags who gossip all day long. You must remember that our job is to take care of the villa and the guests. Don't think too much about Karlos' identity," Wanda reminded them.

"Yes, Mrs. Wanda."

The two maids, who were in their early thirties and late twenties, answered at the same time. Their voices overlapped, though Claire's tone carried hidden reluctance.

While they got busy in the kitchen, Claire couldn't help but think of Karlos. His face lingered in her mind...

'He has the same surname, and he also looks like the young masters from the Alejandro family. I believe young master Larry has a reason why he invited Karlos to stay in the villa. Without a doubt, his identity is not simple. Even if he's an illegitimate child, he will still inherit money. Perhaps I can...'

Claire slightly blushed. She admitted that despite Karlos' simple attire, he was attractive.

She was being delusional.

'The Alejandros is a very rich family. It wouldn't be a problem if Karlos inherited 10 million pesos. That's a huge amount, and we can use it to start a business.'

She smirked, but that smirk disappeared when she recalled that Karlos had a wife and twins. Still, a small part of her refused to give up the fantasy forming in her mind.

'Once he knows what I'm capable of, he'll lose all interest in Maya. I'm a better lover, and I can also cook better. But the twins, though, are adorable... Well, we can just kick out Maya and I'll become their mother. The twins are still too young to remember Maya anyway.'

A devious idea crossed her mind.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 65

It seemed that Claire was confident in her beauty. She was the most attractive woman in their neighborhood, and that was probably the reason why she was confident. Her dark green hair was always carefully brushed, and her lips were often tinted with cheap lipstick to enhance her charm. Furthermore, she had a lighter skin tone than Maya. As sad as it was, the beauty standard in Adobo country was "the whiter, the better."

Hence, Claire felt like she had a chance to snag Karlos. Claire didn't finish high school because she felt like school was not for her. She hated the feeling of being judged by teachers and classmates who thought she was only a pretty face with no brain and was being delusional. Her parents tried to introduce her to men who had good careers, but her dream was higher than that. With her beauty, she was confident that a millionaire man would marry her... That was ten years ago when she was still young. She was now a 29-year-old maid who spent most of her time reading romance novels and watching telenovelas.

When she got an offer to be a maid in a villa, Claire used that opportunity to meet rich men. She did meet a rich man, but he was only interested in her body. The memory still stung, his sweet promises vanished the moment he got what he wanted. He forgot about her once he was done having fun. On top of that, the villa rarely hosted parties, so Claire was just a maid all the time. Day after day, she scrubbed marble floors and dusted chandeliers.

If she did this right and successfully seduced Karlos, her dream of becoming a rich woman would come true.

'He is handsome and fits my criteria, although he needs to dress nicely so that no one will belittle him. I can teach him to do that.' Claire smirked. Her reflection in the water of the kitchen sink showed confident eyes filled with determination.

She had watched so many telenovelas where poor but beautiful ladies met their prince charming and changed their lives for the better. Claire believed that she was the leading lady of a romance telenovela. In her imagination, dramatic music played whenever she looked at Karlos.

.........
......
...

Karlos sighed in relief after confirming that he only lost three traps. He brushed a hand through his hair as the salty scent of the sea lingered in the air. The eight traps in the mangroves were stuck against the mangrove trees, so most of them were safe from the strong waves and wind. He only lost one trap in the mangroves. Unfortunately, some of the traps needed repairs.

As for the traps around the small island, two were missing and the other five were in good condition. Karlos even caught nine living lobsters. Their shells glistened with seawater as they struggled inside the container. He also caught an eel.

"Whoa."

The eel was so active that Karlos had to be careful. It thrashed around, its slimy body wriggling. He used a stick to stir the eel back into the sea. Eels were edible, but Karlos was not interested in taking one back to the villa. Eels were not in demand, mostly people near the shores ate them. As for the inland region, they were not interested in eating eels, so buyers rarely bought them from the fish port.

Now that the weather was getting colder, the salmon season would intensify. A thin chill traveled through the morning air. It was still regrettable that he couldn't fish for salmon for almost a week, but he had to move on.

He hooked a bait and waited for a fish to take it. His first catch was a red snapper. It had crimson scales like small rubies and sharp teeth.

'Even though the weather is colder, being under the sun is still tough.'

His small wooden boat didn't have a roof to shield him from the blazing sun. Sweat rolled down the side of his face, his shirt clinging to his skin.

Two hours later, Karlos caught eleven salmon of different sizes and two red snappers. His arms ached from hauling the fish, but a satisfied smile tugged at his lips. He decided to end his fishing job at 2 p.m. and go to the fish port to sell the fish.

He looked at his boat. Aside from the fish he caught, four traps needed repairs. He found it awkward to take them to the villa, but he went along anyway. He scratched his head, imagining the maids judging him behind his back. It didn't matter if the maids found him lowly, he would fix the traps in the villa tomorrow.

'Tomorrow is Sunday and we have to attend church. I wonder if there's an Ocean Church near the bay.'

Considering that the bay harbor had many boats, there was probably one or two churches there.

He stepped on the concrete ground and tied his boat. The fish port was bustling as always.

"King Salmon! I'm looking for King Salmon! 692 pesos per kilogram!"

"692 pesos!?" Karlos was excited when he heard the price. His heart thumped, eyes widening in disbelief. Since there had been a storm and fishermen couldn't meet the demand for salmon, the price naturally went up to 692 pesos.

Salmon was one of the most favored fish to eat, so it was no surprise that people wanted to buy it. Unfortunately, a week of storm stopped fishermen from catching salmon. Now that the weather was good, the price surged.

Karlos quickly found a buyer for his salmon. It was a buyer from the salmon processing factory. The man wore rubber boots and gloves, a clipboard tucked under his arm as he inspected the fish.

Karlos' catch weighed 88 kilograms, and he earned over 60,000 pesos.

As for the nine spiny lobsters, Karlos earned 7,000 pesos. That day, Karlos took home over 67,000 pesos. His rough hands trembled slightly as he counted the bills, his first profit after a week of idling. If he could maintain this kind of earning for the whole month, Karlos would be satisfied.

'...Perhaps I should stop going to the mangroves and put all of my traps around the small island instead. That way, I can spend more time fishing salmon.'

Even though fishing for salmon was the priority, Karlos couldn't forget that his real job was being a trapper.

"Hey Karlos, I heard that you found a house at the bay harbor. How are my sister, niece, and nephew?"

Joseph greeted him with a cigarette in his mouth. Smoke rose into the air as he squinted under the sunlight.

"They are doing great."

The person who helped him find an apartment was Joseph, but Karlos didn't find it adequate, so he didn't rent there. Joseph and his family lived in the northwest part of town, almost the opposite side of the beach. Hence, they rarely had time to visit each other's houses. Their town was not that small, it was comparable to a city in size. Crowded streets, tricycles, and market vendors made the town lively.

"Give me the address, I'll visit you later once I get free time. I'll take my wife and kids." He passed a pen and paper to Karlos.

"Alright. I just recently found out that we are going to live in a villa, so don't be shocked." Karlos wrote the address.

"What?"

"A villa."

"...I'm supposed to believe that?" Joseph raised a brow, half amused and half doubtful.

"I'll explain it to you later. Neither of us has the time to talk long."

"See you later then."

"You too."

Karlos untied the rope and stepped onto the boat. His direction was different this time. Unlike the usual route to the beach, Karlos' destination was the bay, where he would stay for about half a year. The sunlight danced on the water's surface. Despite the fatigue, a quiet sense of happiness settled in his chest.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 66


When Karlos reached the bay, he was a bit clueless about how this place worked. He scanned the wide stretch of docked boats, from luxurious yachts to weathered bangkas swaying gently on the water. He knew that there were sections in the bay, ,some parts were privately owned, and only people who could afford to pay could dock their yachts there.

As for a small bangka like Karlos's, he had to find a free spot. After a few minutes, he saw the section where small boats like his could dock. The wooden platforms creaked softly under the weak rhythmic slap of the waves, and seagulls circled above, looking for scraps.

Unlike the concrete docks, the public ones were made of wood, with their pillars submerged in the calm water.

Now that Karlos had a moment to stay at the bay harbor, he realized that the waves here were indeed calmer, almost to the point that his boat wasn't bobbing at all. The stillness of the water made it look like a mirror.

"Hey, someone owns that spot."

Right as Karlos started tying the ropes, two middle-aged men showed up. They had roughened faces and sunburned arms.

"But I thought this section was for everybody."

"That's right, but someone already took that spot you're using. You have to find another place."

"You've got to be kidding me."

"So you're not going to leave then?"

"Alright, fine. I'll leave." Karlos exhaled sharply. He wasn't here to pick a fight.

He decided not to make the matter worse. He was in different territory and wanted to avoid trouble as much as possible.

Left with no choice, Karlos went to a different spot. He reached the farthest corner and found a dilapidated wooden dock with missing planks. The old wood looked like it would crumble with one wrong step.

He stepped onto the dock and confirmed that it was doable. He tied his boat and carried the engine first after it cooled down. This was the most expensive part that he couldn't afford to lose. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he carefully lifted the greasy engine, mindful not to slip on the damp planks.

"You new here?"

An old man who was fishing at the bay called out to Karlos as he carried the engine. The man sat on a stool, wearing a tattered straw hat, his fishing line bobbing lazily in the water.

"Yeah," Karlos replied, feeling like lying was useless.

"You probably don't know, but the bay has turfs. Even in the public docking sections, you have to pay to dock your boat."

"I just learned that today."

"I can see that." The old man chuckled.

"Do you live here, old man?"

"I'm sort of a caretaker of this bay." The old man was waiting for a fish to take the bait. He tapped the side of his bucket.

"Does that mean I have to pay you?"

"Nah, the dock you used is old and useless. You can use it. People don't like that section anyway because most of the wooden planks are broken. So where do you live then? Based on this boat of yours, you're a fisherman who changed address, am I right?"

"Old man, I think you're a psychic." Karlos grinned slightly.

"I don't know what a psychic means. So where do you live?"

"I live in the Araneto villa."

"... Shut the fuck up." The old man didn't believe what he said, and Karlos only shrugged. The disbelief in the man's tone made Karlos chuckle.

"Look after my belongings while I'm gone, old man. I'll return in a few minutes."

"..."

The old man didn't answer, but Karlos decided to trust him. The old man seemed like a good person.

'It seems like I'll need to use a cart tomorrow. I have to take the cart from Andres' house.' Karlos slightly groaned while carrying the heavy engine. His arms trembled slightly from the weight.

After a few minutes of walking and recalling the route to the villa, Karlos finally reached the place. The Araneto villa wasn't directly in front of the bay, but it was within walking distance. The tall gates came into view, with their ornate metal design.

When Karlos called out for the gate to open, the gardener, Foster, showed up and opened it. The man was surprised to see a sweaty Karlos carrying an engine.

"You carried the engine?" He found the method odd. Foster blinked, the corners of his mouth twitching in mild disbelief.

"Yeah, my engine is small and can be stolen easily, so I decided to carry it."

"That explains it. You can leave the engine in the garage, it's safe there."

"Thank you, I have to return to carry other stuff."

"Do you need help? We have a cart."

"Really? I want to use the cart then. Thank you, Foster. I just need the cart, you don't have to follow me."

"I'm not going to push myself then, haha. My bones are also creaking from carrying heavy stuff." They laughed as Karlos put the engine in the garage. Their laughter echoed lightly in the open courtyard.

"You're back." Maya opened the door and found Karlos sweaty. She hugged him despite it. Her arms wrapped around him tenderly, her face burying against his chest. She didn't care about the salt or the grime, this was the scent of her hardworking husband. She actually loved his sweaty scent.

"Papa!"

"Pa!"

The twins excitedly slid by using their baby walkers. Their giggles filled the air, and the small plastic wheels squeaked as they rolled toward their father.

[Author's Note: Sometimes I mistakenly wrote baby crawlers, but they were actually baby walkers. It's an equipment where you put a baby in to help him practice walking, assisted by the walker with rolling wheels. I posted a picture in the Discord.]

Arabella and Iñigo raised their hands, asking Karlos for affection. He chuckled and knelt to kiss them. The warmth of their tiny hands against his rough palms made the exhaustion of the day worth it.

Wanda and the two maids saw their interaction. Wanda and Daisy found it adorable, while Claire slightly frowned upon seeing Karlos's sweaty image. Her lips pursed, torn between disgust and fascination. The rugged, masculine air around Karlos stirred something she didn't want to admit. She found it attractive but didn't like it at the same time.

"Does docking in the bay area go fine? No one troubled you, right?" Maya asked with concern. She'd heard that some sections of the bay were privately owned.

"Nothing happened, you don't have to worry." Karlos chuckled. He smiled reassuringly. He had no intention of making his wife worry. Besides, nothing bad happened anyway, it was just a normal interaction.

Karlos left the villa, this time pushing a cart. He reached the dock section and found the old man still fishing. His bucket had three fish. The old man was humming softly, his hands steady as he reeled in his line.

The old man looked at him.

"Are you really not lying? You live in the Araneto villa?"

"Do you want to follow me to the villa? That's the best way to convince you."

"... I'll talk to the others and tell them not to mess with you." The old man said.

"Really? You'll do that? Thank you, I appreciate that."

"You don't have to thank me. If they find out you live in that villa, they'll let you go peacefully."

"Why is that?"

"The harbor was created by Governor Araneto fifty years ago."

"I didn't know that."

Karlos was surprised. He paused for a moment, looking left and right at the bay harbor.

"Now you know."

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 67


'... Does that mean Larry, the one I saved, is related to the Governor who built the harbor?' Karlos asked himself, his brows furrowed slightly.

Based on what he knew, the current Vice Governor of Timog-Kanluran Province was also an Araneto. Did that mean Larry came from a family of politicians? The realization added a layer of unease to Karlos's thoughts.

'No wonder I found him floating in the ocean. He was probably caught in a political war.'

Karlos couldn't pinpoint the exact story, but it was impressive that he grasped the overall situation.

'... Did I get caught in a bad situation?'

After thinking about it, Karlos felt that he was safe. He wasn't really related to Larry or even to Roman. As long as he kept his distance, there was no reason for him to be dragged into their affairs.

"What's your name?"

"I'm Karlos Alejandro."

"Alejandro, huh... That explains a lot. You don't have to worry. If someone tries to bully you, you can contact me. I just have a simple request: if you find a moment to talk to the Araneto, please tell them the mayor sold parts of the harbor to the private sector, even though the harbor was meant to be public property."

The old man had been alive since the creation of this harbor, and he had witnessed how the current administration greedily sold something that was meant for the town. Even the people who extorted fishermen were working under the mayor. The old man couldn't accept the corruption.

The harbor was created from the taxes that people paid, yet the mayor betrayed them, turning what should have been a source of community pride into a tool for personal gain.

"... Old man, you're expecting too much from me."

"I'm not forcing you."

"I'll try."

"That's already enough. Thank you."

The old man returned to fishing, his line slicing through the calm ripples of the sea, while Karlos went back to his job. The dock had missing planks, and the pushcart couldn't pass through, so Karlos had to carry his belongings, each step creaking against the unstable wood beneath him.

Once everything was in the cart, he pushed it, bid farewell to the old man, and went back to the villa.

He smiled as he found his children having fun in the annex, their laughter echoing under the warm afternoon sun. They called his name and approached him, tiny legs wobbling as they ran (using the walkers), their faces full of excitement.

"You guys behaved well, right?"

"Yesh!" they both answered. Karlos was impressed that they could say "Yesh" now. Not a perfect pronunciation, but a clear improvement. He couldn't help but chuckle softly, pride flickering in his eyes.

"You guys are amazing." He lifted them with ease, one in each arm, their giggles filling the air like music.

"I prepared new clothes for you to change into, they're in the room," Maya said to him, her gentle voice carrying warmth.

"Alright."

Karlos returned the twins to their baby walkers and let them play in the annex. The villa only had a Toyota truck, and the whole place was wide enough for two kids to walk around using the baby walkers.

As Karlos walked inside the house, he encountered a maid whose name he had forgotten. He slightly bowed his head as a greeting. The maid smiled at him as Karlos went to the room.

This house was big, as expected. Karlos didn't know if a villa like this was supposed to have two master bedrooms, but Wanda did her best to make them agree to use one of them. Everything was luxurious in the villa.

He went to the master bedroom on the right side of the house, whatever you called it, and entered. He put the money in the cabinet that they owned, together with the receipt. He also took a quick shower, the water washing away the sticky sweat and salty grime from hours of fishing. He looked fresh and clean when he left the bedroom.

It was already afternoon when Karlos was done fishing. He had started his job quite late today, the orange light filtering through the windows marked the nearing end of the day.

When he went to the kitchen, he found the maids already preparing to cook a dish. The aroma of garlic and onions sizzling filled the air, making his stomach quietly growl.

"Mr. Alejandro, are you interested in eating? We left some squash soup and scalloped potatoes for you," Wanda asked in a polite but firm tone, her hands busy in the kitchen.

"I, um, I'll just cook my own instead." Karlos awkwardly scratched his head, his modesty showing once again. He wasn't used to being served like a guest. He went to the kitchen, hoping he could cook the red snapper that he didn't sell.

"I had a red snapper that I wanted to fry."

"A red snapper? You can give it to us, and we'll cook it."

"No, I think I'll just..." Karlos was not used to this kind of situation, his voice trailing awkwardly, unsure how to refuse kindness politely.

Wanda didn't listen. Instead, she pulled a dish from the refrigerator and heated it in the microwave, the gentle hum of the machine filling the brief silence between them. As much as Karlos wanted to say no, Wanda was adamant about giving him the food.

"We left a share for you. Don't be shy. You're young master Larry's friend, we must provide you with great hospitality." Her insistence was warm but unwavering. She had been saying this sentence quite a lot since yesterday.

Wanda didn't know the exact relationship between Karlos and young master Larry, but the fact that the young master personally called her and told her that Karlos and his family should receive the best treatment spoke for itself. Actually, Wanda also thought that Karlos might be related to the Alejandros because of his strong resemblance to them. However, she was professional about her job and maintained proper manners, her curiosity hidden behind a polite smile.

"I can just wait for dinner."

"No, you just finished your job, and you need something to eat."

The two maids also agreed with what Wanda said, their approving nods leaving Karlos no room to argue. Hence, Karlos went to the dining table and ate, the clinking of utensils in the background creating a homey atmosphere.

A few minutes later, Maya and the two kids showed up.

"Papa! Foohd!" Arabella's eyes brightened when she saw her father eating. It meant she also had a meal. After being in this world for almost a year now, she realized that her father would give her food no matter what. And now, she was using that privilege, her small hands clapping in excitement as she toddled toward him.

"Alright," Karlos chuckled and scooped up the little girl, putting her in the chair next to him. He decided to feed her a scallop, the most delicious dish on the table. Arabella happily munched the food like a squirrel, her cheeks puffing adorably with each bite.

"How about you, Iñigo? You also want scallops?"

"Yesh."

The father had no choice but to raise the little boy and sit him down in the chair to his other side. Iñigo's round eyes sparkled as he eagerly leaned toward the plate.

Maya watched their interaction and lovingly smiled, her heart swelling with quiet joy. As for Karlos, he decided to let them have the scalloped potatoes while he ate the squash soup with rice, content with simply watching his family enjoy their meal.

The scene in front of Maya was so lovely, her husband and two children, the best thing that ever happened to her. A picture of peace and love.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 68


As Maya watched Karlos feeding the twins, a maid appeared with three glasses of fruit juice, the clinking sound of glass echoing softly.

She smiled at Karlos, her lips curling subtly, almost shyly, and handed the three glasses to each of them.

"These are for you guys," the maid said as she tucked her green hair behind her ear. Her tone was sweet, her movements graceful yet slightly sensual.

Karlos thanked her while the kids excitedly grabbed their glasses, their tiny hands trembling with anticipation as their faces lit up with joy. They rarely had the chance to enjoy fruit juice. The simple treat felt like a luxury for them.

"Take it slow. No one will take them from you," Karlos reminded gently, helping them drink, afraid they might drop the glasses. His eyes softened as he guided the glasses toward their lips and wiped the juice from their mouths.

"Babe, you can drink mine. I don't like fruit juice," Karlos said when he noticed Maya staring at him with a complicated expression. Her lips pressed together, eyes slightly narrowed in hidden irritation. She let out a soft sighed and accepted the glass, drinking it in one go.

"This is too sweet."

"Is that so?"

"Hm."

Maya nodded and hid her expression, though the faint twitch of her brow betrayed her unease.

'That fucking bitch... She's trying to seduce my husband.'

She had already sensed something was off about the maid named Claire since yesterday. Her instincts as a woman and a wife were sharp, honed by experience. And now she was sure of it, Claire was infatuated with Karlos. The way Claire's gaze lingered just a moment too long, the sweetness in her tone, all of it screamed infatuation.

Maya set the glass down and helped the twins with their juice. Her movements looked calm, but her fingers trembled slightly. As much as she hated the sweetness, she couldn't just toss the glasses and make a scene. She also didn't want to upset the kids, their laughter was too innocent to be tainted by her irritation.

'Should we move to a different place instead?'

She thought about it, but realized how difficult that would be. Her gaze wandered toward the window. They hadn't been able to find a suitable rental house or apartment before. The villa was free, and they didn't have to pay rent, a heaven-sent blessing. Moving again would be troublesome, and besides, it would feel ungrateful to Larry and the others who had helped them so much. She sighed softly, torn between pride and practicality.

'Six months. I just have to endure it for six months. I already did this before and won. I can do it again.'

She forced a smile, calming the storm inside her, though her emotions churned beneath the surface. She trusted Karlos deeply and knew how much he loved her, but she couldn't trust the women around him. Her eyes glinted with quiet determination, she would protect her family, no matter what.

After the nice meal, Karlos and the twins took a nap in their bedroom. Maya used the quiet time to calculate their finances, adding the 67,000 pesos he had earned.

She knew the salmon season was at its peak, but she was still impressed by Karlos' daily income. After doing the math, she confirmed they had around 1.3 million pesos left after paying the down payment for their house under construction. The realization brought a faint smile to her lips yet...

'It seems like we really have to go to Evitac City to sell the pearls.' She glanced at the small note with the handwritten name of the jewelry store and address that Roman had given Karlos a few days ago.

'If the pearl isn't enough... I have to sell some of my mom's jewelry.' She bit her lip as she thought about it. Those were the last things she wanted to part with. But building a proper home that could withstand a storm was a vital step for their family. Like Karlos, she didn't want her kids to grow up without a real house. They needed their own rooms once they were older. She imagined the twins running across tiled floors, laughing freely, and her motivation only grew stronger.

Saving money was meant for things like this. Even though it pained her to see their savings diminish again, she didn't regret it. Having a nice home was something worth every sacrifice.

A few hours later, someone knocked on the door, gentle yet firm. Maya looked at the time and realized it was already 8 p.m.

She opened the door to find Wanda standing there with a food cart filled with warm meals. The aroma of roasted meat and steamed vegetables filled the room. Maya had only ever seen this kind of service in movies, where hotel staff brought meals on wheeled carts. She didn't even know what to call it, room service cart, hotel trolley, whatever it was, it looked elegant and out of place in their modest lives.

"It seems like you want to eat in the master bedroom," Wanda said with a smile.

"Uhh, yes, that would be great." Maya smiled awkwardly and watched as Wanda brought the cart in and arranged their meals.

The master bedroom was huge, equipped with almost everything except a kitchen. It even had a bathroom with a jacuzzi and a small dining area for guests who wanted to eat inside.

"Mrs. Wanda, I heard that the Bay Area has two Ocean Churches," Maya said curiously.

"Yes, there's one a few minutes away if you take a ride, but it's close to the construction site. The second church is bigger and located in the opposite direction, closer to the town's center, but it's farther."

Maya nodded thoughtfully, weighing her options. The construction companies didn't stop their work just because the Ocean Church held sermons, they didn't believe in the Ocean Goddess anyway. That area would be noisy during services, an unpleasant mix of faith and machinery.

"Karlos is a fisherman, so I guess you guys have strong faith in the Ocean Goddess," Wanda said warmly.

"We're looking for a church to attend every Sunday. I'm not sure we can walk that far with the kids," Maya admitted.

"The one near the construction site seemed less appealing, though it's neat. The second one looked fine too, but it's farther away. You don't have to worry, Foster will drive you there," Wanda assured her, smiling kindly.

"But that would be too much."

"It's not too much at all. Foster is just doing his job. He's a part-time driver for the villa and the one who handles groceries."

"But still..."

"Maya, I know you're not comfortable, but please, let us do our jobs. This villa hasn't had any guests for years, and we don't like sitting idle. I'm happy that young master Larry let you stay here," Wanda said sincerely, her wrinkled eyes soft with warmth.

"Alright, I'll talk to my husband later."

"That would be great. Oh, it seems like Arabella woke up," Wanda said, amused as the little girl sat up and rubbed her eyes sleepily.

"She's like that whenever she smells food in the air," Maya chuckled.

---

[You can read more on my Patreon, about 47 advance chapters.]

Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 69


"Mama, mama! Foohd! Tashty foohd?"

"My little girl can speak now. Mwah, Mama loves you." Maya scooped Arabella up as the little one reached toward the delicious-smelling dinner. The aroma of the food teased her tiny nose, and Maya couldn't help but feel proud of her daughter's progress. Just a month ago, Arabella could only say "Ma" and "Pa."

Wanda couldn't resist Arabella's cuteness either. The more she interacted with the twins, the faster her heart melted.

She touched the little girl's hand gently. "You're hungry?"

"Yesh." Arabella answered innocently, her big eyes sparkling with excitement as a small drool line formed at the corner of her mouth.

The two women laughed at Arabella's honesty.

"Mrs. Wanda, if possible, we'd like to eat dinner in the master bedroom. It feels awkward to sit at that long dining table when we're the only ones eating. Besides, I'm not used to eating with maids standing in the corner watching us," Maya said politely, unsure if this was normal behavior in wealthy households.

More than that, she wanted to minimize Karlos' interactions with Claire, the maid. If they ate inside the master bedroom, she would feel more at ease. Her protective instincts as a wife were showing, she wanted to avoid any room for misunderstanding.

"If that's what you want, we'll deliver your dinners here every night," Wanda agreed. She found Maya's reasoning completely understandable. After all, she herself wasn't sure if it was necessary for maids to stand by and watch guests eat, though she knew that in the Araneto household, her master preferred it that way for convenience.

"Thank you, Mrs. Wanda."

"Again, you don't have to thank me. I'm just doing my job."

"Tank you," Arabella repeated adorably.

"Aww, my little girl is such a cutie~" Maya pinched her daughter's cheeks gently before showering her with kisses. Arabella's giggles filled the cozy room, her laughter light and innocent like music.

"Well then, we have to wake your Papa and brother. They'll be sad if you eat without them."

"Hehe."

Maya set Arabella down on the bed, and the little girl immediately took it upon herself to wake the two sleeping men.

"Papa! Papa!"

She slapped Karlos' forehead, making him scrunch his nose in his sleep.

"Hm, I'm awake."

He weakly opened his eyes and grabbed Arabella's small hand. His rough fisherman's palm looked massive compared to her tiny fingers.

"Papa's awake now. No need to slap my face."

"Hehe."

Iñigo woke up around the same time when the bed creaked from Karlos' movement. He frowned at his father for disturbing his good sleep, rubbing his eyes sleepily while puffing his cheeks in protest.

"I'll have to leave now. You can call me if you need help," Wanda said softly.

"Thank you, Mrs. Wanda."

"Bye bye~" Arabella waved her tiny hand, and Wanda smiled warmly, waving back before closing the door.

"Now you two, behave," Karlos said as he lifted the twins and sat them down in their chairs between their parents.

He was impressed with the dinner. The red snapper he had brought earlier was fried perfectly, served with sautéed vegetables on the side. There were also roasted chicken and broccoli. He fed the twins pieces of soft fish, and they happily munched on them.

"I asked Mrs. Wanda about the Ocean Churches near the bay area," Maya said. "She said Foster can drive us to one."

"That would be great," Karlos replied.

He wasn't sure if walking would be a good idea since he still didn't know the routes around this part of town. Thankfully, Wanda offered help.

Karlos felt awkward accepting so much assistance, but he decided to go along with it anyway. As the man of the house, he had to swallow his pride sometimes. Accepting help didn't mean weakness.

'Since they want to help us, might as well accept it... I wonder if they'll let me explore the wine cellar. I rarely get to enjoy wine,' he thought as he savored his meal... Yes, Collin was alcoholic.

That night, the soft mattress made the twins fall asleep quickly. Their steady breathing filled the quiet room. The couple, on the other hand, stayed up talking about their plans. They felt too uncomfortable doing the horizontal monster smash in someone else's house, so they settled for soft kisses on each other's lips and necks... for now.

.........
......
...

"Arabella, stay still!" Maya raised her voice as the little girl played during bath time. Water splashed everywhere, droplets scattering across the floor as Arabella squealed with laughter. She moved so much that some soap splashed into Maya's right eye, making her wince in pain.

Maya wiped her teary eye and gave Arabella a serious look. Her patience was running thin, and the stinging in her reddened eye didn't help. Realizing her mistake, Arabella quickly calmed down and stayed still for the rest of the bath. Her lips pouted, and her eyes lowered guiltily.

When Maya was done with Arabella, she called for Iñigo, who was playing with his stuffed toy. Around the same time, Karlos arrived carrying breakfast.

"Breakfast is here."

He had woken up early to fix the damaged mesh of the crab traps. The faint smell of salt and bamboo clung to his hands and shirt. On the way back, he met Wanda pushing a food cart and convinced her to let him handle the delivery so she could rest.

When he entered the room, the steam from the freshly cooked food rose invitingly.

"Papa!" Arabella cheered happily upon seeing her father bring food.

"Great timing," Maya said. "Dry your daughter's hair and dress her in a formal outfit for the Sunday service. She's too much to handle right now." She sighed and carried Iñigo to the bathtub, it was his turn for a bath. They were still too young to wash themselves.

Arabella wanted to eat first, but her father was stricter than her mother. She puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms but obeyed anyway, letting her father dress her. After that, Karlos had to feed her.

A few minutes later, Iñigo emerged, freshly bathed. Unlike his sister, he behaved quietly, standing still with a towel wrapped around him.

"Babe, dress Iñigo too. I'll take a bath next."

"What happened to your eye?" Karlos asked worriedly, touching her cheek gently. Her right eye was red and irritated.

"Arabella splashed soap in my eye." Maya smiled faintly at his concern. It wasn't serious, just painful. Her voice was calm, though her blinking showed it still stung.

"Arabella, don't do that again. Your Mama just wants to take care of you, but you hurt her. Say sorry," Karlos said sternly, his tone serious enough to make the little girl freeze mid-bite.

"Sowwy, Mama." Her eyes welled up with tears, guilt clear in her small voice.

"It's alright, sweetie. Just don't do it again." Maya could never stay mad at her daughter for long. Maybe for a few minutes, or hours, but her love always overpowered her irritation. She kissed Arabella's head, the scent of soap still lingering in her damp hair.

"Hm." Arabella nodded and went back to eating her bread, taking small bites while glancing at her parents, making sure they weren't still upset.

---

[Author's Note: Today's a good day to offer a discount. Both tiers are 50% off. Only the first 10 subscribers will get the discount.]

P@treon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki

 

[Pujimaki]

[There are 9 slots remaining for the 50% discount, you can read more in my Patreon.]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 70


After Karlos comforted Maya, who got hurt in the eye, and pacified Arabella, who was sad after being reprimanded, the family ate breakfast and changed into formal attire.

As the family stepped out of the room, they were greeted by a maid who was vacuuming the floor. Another maid was dusting off the walls and picture frames so the dust could be vacuumed later.

"Hello, Mr..."

The maid froze as she looked at the family. Her smile paused, her eyes particularly on Karlos. This was the first time she had seen him wearing formal clothes, long-sleeve button-up shirt, black pants, and polished shoes. Nothing flashy, but the way he carried himself was jaw-dropping. His broad shoulders filled the shirt perfectly, and his confident stride exuded quiet strength.

If the maid didn't know Karlos' real occupation, she might have thought he was an office worker or a dignified gentleman rather than a humble fisherman. Her cheeks flushed as Karlos walked ahead, carrying the twins with ease. They were happy being carried by their father, giggling in delight.

Maya slightly bowed to the two maids before following her husband. Her simple elegance and calm demeanor completed the picture of a devoted wife.

"They're perfect together," Daisy said, stopping her vacuum and glancing at Claire.

"Huh?"

"I said they're perfect together. Karlos and Maya seem like a match made in heaven. The twins are the fruits of their love. I hope I'll find love like that someday." Daisy's dreamy tone carried both admiration and longing.

"Perfect? I don't think so," Claire scoffed, dusting the paintings. She didn't want to admit Daisy was right. Her lips tightened slightly, betraying a faint trace of jealousy.

"You guys are looking good," Mrs. Wanda praised the Alejandro family, her eyes sparkling as she admired how wholesome they looked together. At last, she found her job more interesting and heartwarming. Being a caretaker of a ghost house was boring, but now that the Alejandro family had arrived, their presence brought life and laughter back into the once-quiet villa.

"The car is ready," Foster said steadily.

"Thank you, Mr. Foster."

The family entered the Toyota truck, which had four seats, just enough for four adults.

Karlos and Foster sat in the front seats, while Maya sat in the back with the twins, who had to share one seat. They were curious about the vehicle they were riding in. Their little eyes darted around, amazed at the buttons. They were too small so they couldn't see what's outside the window.

"The church service ends around 11:30 a.m. I'll arrive at that time to take you back," Foster said.

The car reached the church, and the family stepped out. The adults looked at the towering white building with blue-tinted glass, confirming that it was indeed much bigger than the one near the beach.

Furthermore, they noticed how most of the attendees seemed sophisticated, men in suits and women adorned with pearl jewelry, greeting one another with polite smiles.

'Since they attend a Sunday service of the Ocean Church, there's a strong chance their careers are related to the sea,' Karlos thought. His instincts told him these people had their own ties to the ocean, though in a far grander way than his.

Perhaps they were ship captains, boat owners, or seafood businessmen. Based on their demeanor, they didn't seem like ordinary people. The cars parked near the church were all expensive, a sharp contrast to their small coastal church where only one or two people owned cars.

'Buying a car is expensive... I wonder if I'll ever have a chance to buy one.' His gaze lingered on a sleek black sedan.

In both lifetimes, Karlos was too poor to even dream of owning one. He had always relied on public buses and taxis to get around. Though he knew how to drive a motorcycle, he never owned one himself.

The couple felt slightly out of place, but they went inside anyway. They were here to attend church, not to mingle with the wealthy. The scent of polished wooden pews and the soft murmurs of prayer helped calm their unease.

They found a pew(long wooden bench in church) for four and quietly waited for the service to begin. Some people smiled at them, and they returned the gestures politely.

The worship started. Fortunately, the hymns and songs were the same ones the couple knew. Even the twins sang along, their innocent voices blending sweetly with the choir despite not understanding the lyrics. A few churchgoers smiled at their adorable effort.

Then came the sermon. The priest spoke about the importance of loving one another. Arabella didn't understand much, but she had an inkling.

"Mama," she whispered, patting Maya to get her attention. "I wuv you."

Maya's heart melted. She kissed Arabella's forehead, her eyes softening as warmth flooded her chest. She felt blessed to have such a wonderful daughter. Taking care of her was exhausting but fulfilling. She stroked the little girl's hair, the soft strands gliding between her fingers.

"Mama loves you too."

The little girl giggled and hugged Maya tightly, her laughter pure and contagious.

"Wuv you."

Karlos and Iñigo watched their interaction. Karlos smiled and looked at Iñigo, waiting for something.

"..." Iñigo just stared at his father, not knowing what he wanted. His curious eyes blinked slowly before turning back to the priest.

When it was time to offer money, Karlos placed 1,000 pesos in the box, as he always did. Based on the grandeur of this church, he figured most members offered generous amounts.

When the service ended, the couple decided to wait for Foster in front of the church.

"Papa! Wook!"

Arabella pointed her tiny finger at a donut shop across the street, her big eyes sparkling at the colorful pastries displayed in the window. It was her first time seeing a donut shop, but she instinctively knew they were delicious.

Even Iñigo's eyes were glued to the donuts.

"You guys want donuts?"

The twins nodded excitedly, smiling from ear to ear as they bounced in place.

"Alright, Papa will buy you donuts."

"Buy for Mrs. Wanda and the others too. They'll probably like them," Maya said thoughtfully, always considering others.

Karlos went to the shop and bought twelve donuts packed into two boxes. The smell of warm dough and chocolate glaze filled the air. Six donuts were for Wanda and the others, while the remaining six were for the family.

Each donut cost 5 pesos, which Karlos found a bit expensive, but he bought twelve anyway. It was rare for them to eat donuts. He paid 60 pesos and thanked the female staff member, who kept glancing at him with pink cheeks and a shy smile.

They opened the box, and the twins' faces lit up as they tasted the sweetness. Crumbs dotted their chins, and powdered sugar smudged their fingers. Despite their small stomachs, they each finished two donuts, leaving one for their parents. Their giggles filled the air as they tried licking the sugar off their fingers, only for Maya to reprimand them gently, reminding them it was dirty.

A few minutes later, Foster arrived and drove them back to the villa. The truck rolled smoothly along the seaside road. Arabella kept glancing greedily at the unopened donut box, expecting it to be their snack later.

"Waaahh! Papa bad! Bad!"

She cried when she saw her father giving the donuts to Wanda and the others. Her round eyes filled with tears as her lips quivered in protest. She was mad at her father and sulked for a few hours, until she completely forgot about it after playtime and cuddles.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 71


It had been ten days since Karlos and his family started living in the villa owned by Larry Araneto. They had formed a great relationship with Wanda and the others. However, as much as possible, Maya avoided a certain maid. She didn't feel comfortable around Claire. Whenever Claire's eyes lingered too long on Karlos or her voice grew too sweet, Maya's stomach twisted uneasily.

As days passed, Maya began to feel restless. Doing nothing except caring for the twins made her bones creak. She used to cook, clean, do the laundry, and handle all the household chores. But now that she lived in the villa, almost every task was done by the maids.

Although she admitted that this kind of lifestyle wasn't bad, she also found it a little boring. She felt relaxed, yes, but having nothing to do made the silence of the big house feel heavy.

Most of the time, she spent her hours visiting the library. She was shocked when she found a bookshelf filled with romance novels, and not the simple ones. The titles alone showed how smutty they were: Tempted by the Hot Sword of the Knight, Sinful Whispers in the Midnight, Velvet Obsession, and many more. Her cheeks burned red just reading the titles. She glanced over her shoulder once, twice, making sure no one saw what she was picking up.

Maya started reading the steamy romance novels, though she eventually found them boring. Almost every love-making scene in the stories was mediocre. In fact, her nights with Karlos were far better than what was described in those books. A mischievous smile crept across her lips as she flipped another page.

Whenever Karlos returned home after his job, Maya would invite him into the bedroom for some "play time." She entrusted the twins to Wanda, who was always happy to take care of two adorable children. Wanda loved doting on them, and Maya realized that having a maid wasn't bad at all, someone could entertain the kids while the parents were entertaining each other.

"I'll leave now." Karlos changed clothes and kissed Maya's forehead early in the morning.

"Mm, take care," the woman replied sleepily before returning to bed. Her voice was soft and hazy.

Karlos left the villa very early, carrying the engine and other belongings. He thought about hiring another person to work with him, but he wasn't sure if he could afford to pay one. Besides, his boat was only five meters long, very awkward for two people to move around. He scratched the back of his head, imagining two men tripping over each other inside the narrow boat.

'But for the time being, hiring another person seems suitable. Salmon season is still at its peak, and it will last another month. Even Bluefin Tuna is showing up more at the fish port lately. To maximize the profit, I need someone to help me.'

When he hit the road, it was quiet and dark. Only the lights from the lampposts illuminated some parts of the street. He had to use his flashlight. The air was cold.

When he reached the harbor, it was different. That part of town was lively, much like the beach. But unlike the beach that only had bangkas, the harbor was bustling with big fishing vessels hauling boxes filled with ice. Fishermen were moving everywhere.

"Good morning, Karlos!"

"Good morning." Karlos smiled and greeted back, raising his hand slightly with his usual calm grin.

The person who called him was the middle-aged man who had prevented him from docking his boat at a better dock a few days ago. Their first impression of each other had been bad, but that changed when the old caretaker spread the story that Karlos was actually living in Araneto's villa.

Since then, the people had treated him well.

"If someone messes with you, just find us. We'll handle it."

Karlos was surprised by the influence that the Araneto name had in this harbor. He hadn't expected the surname "Araneto" to hold so much weight.

He waved his hand at them and walked farther. The big fishing vessels were docked on concrete, while his small bangka was tied to a wooden platform hundreds of meters away. His boat looked fragile compared to the towering steel vessels.

Once he reached his boat, he set up the engine and untied the rope before starting his sail. The engine sputtered before coming to life, cutting through the sea. The smell of fuel mixed with the ocean breeze as the boat slowly drifted from the dock.

.........
......
...

"Haha, look at that! We caught three Bluefin Tuna today! Three! And they're all adults! We got lucky! We might even earn half a million pesos today!"

Antonio laughed out loud as porters carried his catch. The Bluefin Tuna had to be taken to the tuna section, where buyers meticulously inspected their quality. As for the other fish, small-time buyers would purchase them on the spot. The air buzzed with excitement and chatter, the smell of fresh fish thick as always.

Most of the fishermen caught King Salmon, and because of that, the price quickly dropped to 451 pesos per kilo. Now that the catch was better than the demand, the price naturally went down.

Even then, some fishermen had no problem earning 50,000 pesos a day. It was still a huge profit. Their laughter echoed through the fish port.

"Hey, what about this? This is a Bluefin Tuna under 72 inches. You guys aren't allowed to catch this."

"Yeah," Antonio sighed. "This small tuna got caught in the net and died. We're not going to sell it; we're going to eat it."

Selling a Bluefin Tuna below 72 inches was illegal in their region. There were many cases where sea creatures got trapped in nets and died. For tuna, they couldn't breathe if they stopped moving, hence the small tuna's death.

"What a waste."

Catching a small Bluefin Tuna was illegal, but stopping such incidents was hard to enforce. No one could stop fishermen from doing whatever they wanted while at sea when no one could see them. Selling a small Bluefin Tuna was illegal, but eating it was fine in the eyes of ordinary fishermen.

Around this time, Karlos also arrived with his boat. He caught sixteen King Salmon and thirty-one spiny lobsters. After the storm, he decided to stop catching crabs for a while. He left five crab traps to maintain his territory in the mangroves but hadn't visited them in ten days. Instead, he focused on fishing for salmon and catching lobsters.

That was why he had caught thirty-one lobsters today, he had set up ten traps around the island. It was also why he managed to catch sixteen salmon: he had more time to fish. His muscles ached pleasantly, but seeing the stacked lobsters and expensive fish in his boat filled him with quiet pride.

Karlos looked around and noticed several bangkas hauling Bluefin Tuna, which meant that this fish was now active in their region as the temperature continued to drop.

---

[Author's Note: You can read more on my Patreon. The 50% discount is still ongoing.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 72


'I earned 85,000 pesos today, nice.' Karlos thought to himself with a satisfied grin, his rough hands still smelling faintly of fish.

Even though the price of King Salmon went down, Karlos' earnings didn't decrease. Instead, they steadily climbed higher. There were even times when he earned more than 100,000 pesos per sail.

His decision to spend more time fishing for salmon and setting more traps around the island was the right move. He grinned as he read the receipt. He sold the lobsters to a buyer while he sold the salmon to the factory.

While he was grinning, he saw a man carrying baskets of salmon, gritting his teeth. The man had short yellow hair and crossed eyes. He seemed like an average guy, but that feature stood out.

"Hey, Brandon, how's your day?"

Karlos approached him, his voice friendly and warm. Brandon put down the two baskets and wiped his face, sweat mixing with salty water as he exhaled tiredly.

"I'm doing alright, but definitely not that great. Davis lost his boat, and I can't find another employer. No one's looking for boat workers anymore... Even if someone does, they don't want someone like me." Brandon sighed, his shoulders drooping.

His life this month had been tough. He had faced discrimination because of his crossed eyes, and it affected him badly. Now, he didn't have a choice but to work as a porter. Even then, he couldn't earn decent money because only a few people trusted him to carry their fish. He was frustrated. His calloused hands clenched briefly before he sighed again, defeated.

If he had realized this would be his future, he would've tried to finish high school. At least then he could've applied to factories with a diploma. But the reason he didn't pursue education was because of the constant bullying from his classmates.

"What about you? I rarely see you in our neighborhood. I saw your land and construction workers building a house there. I thought you sold your land or something. If not for Andres, who told me the story, I wouldn't have known you were building a concrete house. Man, lucky for you."

"I got lucky," Karlos replied modestly, though his eyes showed a flicker of pride.

"I know, almost everyone in the neighborhood heard about that."

"Anyway, I have something to talk to you about. You told me that you have a longline fishing gear in your house back when we drank last time."

"Yeah, it's a 200-meter longline with 100 hooks. You're going longline fishing? But you need at least two people to set that up." Brandon was surprised since Karlos' boat was only five meters long, not suitable for longline fishing. He tried to imagine how a single person could manage that on a small boat.

"That's why I'm thinking of hiring you for a month. How about it?"

"Huh?" Brandon was surprised, his crossed eyes widening slightly, unsure if he heard correctly.

"I'll pay you 500 pesos plus 5% profit."

"You're going to give me a share of the profit?"

"Just like you said, doing longline fishing needs at least two people to work properly. Although I can only hire you while salmon season is ongoing."

To make things fair, Karlos decided to give Brandon a 5% share of his daily earnings. He wasn't sure how hiring workers usually went, but he decided to do it anyway. If longline fishing worked, then they'd earn more, a win-win situation for both.

'To encourage someone and make them work hard, you have to give them enough reason to do so.' He thought as the faint sound of seagulls echoed above the bustling port.

"... I'm in." Brandon didn't hesitate. His lips curled into a small, hopeful smile, something he hadn't worn in weeks.

What Karlos didn't know was that Brandon's earnings as a porter were only a meager 400 pesos. As for his last job under Davis, he earned 700 pesos per day, though he had to bring his own food. He also didn't have a profit share.

In this case, Brandon felt like working with Karlos was far better than being a porter. At least he could earn more, the job was less exhausting, and most importantly, he'd finally feel trusted again.

"Bring your longline to the beach tomorrow around 3:00 a.m. Also, here, buy sardines as bait. I'll meet you around that time."

Karlos gave Brandon 150 pesos to buy sardines as bait for salmon. He'd heard that salmon liked sardines.

"Alright, I'll take care of it. I'll wash the longline and set it up."

Setting up 200 meters of line was time-consuming, so Brandon would probably have to return home early. His mind was already planning how to detangle the hooks before sunset.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Karlos bid farewell and left the fish port with his small bangka, its wooden hull creaking gently as it bobbed on the waves.

"I will," Brandon muttered softly, more to himself, watching Karlos fade into the horizon.

After Brandon delivered the baskets to his client's truck, he decided to stop for the day. His arms ached, but for the first time, his heart felt light.

'Karlos decided to trust me, and I don't want to break his trust.' He thought with quiet determination.

There was a reason boat owners didn't hire Brandon, they couldn't trust him based on his appearance, his crossed eyes to be exact. For people working in the middle of the sea, it was dangerous if one of them had ulterior motives. The sea had no witnesses, only waves to swallow both the guilty and the innocent. There had been cases where workers on fishing vessels killed each other over petty issues.

The boat owners didn't want to compromise their safety by hiring someone they couldn't trust.

But Karlos decided to trust Brandon, and that single gesture of faith felt like a lifeline. Karlos was confident in reading people, and he had known Brandon for years.

Brandon found a fisherman selling four kilograms of sardines for 150 pesos. He even asked for a receipt just to make things clear, a small but proud act of responsibility.

He returned home holding a plastic bag of sardines covered in crushed ice, cold droplets running down as he carried it carefully. He placed it inside a styrofoam box to maintain its freshness.

"Pa, where's our longline?"

Brandon asked his father, an old man in his sixties with gray hair and brown skin.

"Why are you looking for it?" The old man raised an eyebrow, his tone curious but not harsh.

"I was hired by my friend to do longline fishing with him."

"Who is it?"

"It's Karlos, my friend."

"Karlos? You mean the guy who caught Bluefin Tuna?" The father's eyes widened slightly.

The story was well-known in their neighborhood. Every fisherman admired that catch.

"Yes. Anyway, where's the longline? I have to set it up."

"It's under the sink, the line got tangled. I'll help you untangle it." He walked toward the corner of the house.

Brandon's father was a retired fisherman. He had three children, and Brandon was the only one who hadn't married. Brandon had lived in their house his whole life.

"I haven't seen Mama around?"

"She's probably gossiping with the neighbors. You know how much she loves gossip." The old man chuckled, shaking his head as Brandon laughed in return.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 73


Brandon and his father, Gomez, worked together to untangle the longline, carefully tucking the hooks so that they wouldn't tangle further.

Untangling a 200-meter-long line was no simple task. The fishing line snaked across the ground showed how long time it needed to be done.

"Karlos has a small boat, right? I wonder how many fish it can carry?"

"Around 50 fish, depending on their sizes. He said he wants to catch salmon. With that fish as a basis, the boat can handle about 50 to 70 fish."

Of course, there might be times when the longline caught bigger fish or different species altogether. The sea was always unpredictable.

"Seventy fish of King Salmon, huh? Then that's viable. Not every hook can catch fish. Back when I was still a fisherman, it was already fortunate if I caught 30 fish using longline fishing," Gomez said, speaking from experience. He was once a fisherman, but because of his old age, he had to retire. His hands moved efficiently as he untangled the line.

"Thirty fish? That would be great then." Brandon wasn't expecting something outrageous like 100 fish. Thirty King Salmon would already be a great catch.

They laid the longline down in a circle once done untangled. Gomez rolled it up on a styrofoam box, sticking the hooks into the foam. Brandon made sure the line wouldn't get tangled while his father rolled it up. Their rhythm was steady, born from years of familiarity with the tools.

A few minutes later, Brandon's mother, Carmine, showed up. She had a smile on her face while carrying a basket filled with vegetables. Her laughter from earlier still lingered on her lips, her conversation with her friends had been entertaining as always. She'd heard some juicy stories.

"Oh, what are you guys doing?" She frowned when she found her husband and son rolling up the longline. They had been working on this task for two hours. She squinted at the mess of line and hooks.

"I got hired by my friend Karlos to help him fish."

"Really? That Karlos, Maya's husband? You got lucky then. I heard he's Blessed by the Sea." Her eyes widened slightly, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"You really believe that, Ma?"

"Of course. You're still young, so you don't know how important luck can be."

"I'm asking if Blessed by the Sea is even real?" This kind of superstition had been in their culture for many decades. Brandon tilted his head, half curious and half skeptical.

Carmine clicked her tongue.

"Then how can you explain how he caught a Bluefin Tuna and earned hundreds of thousands? He even hired a construction company to build his house."

"I mean..."

"You should take this job seriously. Maybe you can absorb some of his luck. Out of all my children, you're still single and have no family. You ought to take your life seriously. When will you introduce a woman to me?" Her voice rose slightly, both teasing and scolding.

"Ma." Brandon could only sigh. He knew his situation better than anyone. He averted his gaze, his jaw tightening slightly as he felt the weight of her words.

"By the way, I heard that Miguel sold his boat and moved to a village south of the mangroves," Carmine said, sharing what she'd heard from her friends. Her tone shifted, more conversational now.

"This is the first time I've heard that. No wonder I haven't seen Miguel lately." Even before the storm, Brandon had rarely seen Miguel's boat. That explained why his crew members were now working as porters in the fish port.

"Also, did you ask Karlos why there was a sports car in front of his house last time? Is it true his relatives are rich?" Carmine asked eagerly. It seemed Maya got lucky. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned forward slightly.

"Ma, I don't know."

"Tch, you're useless. Well, I guess Maya is lucky. Back when Karlos showed up in this town, he looked like a beggar. I wonder what they saw in him."

Maya wasn't the only one who'd thought of dating Karlos, but she was the one who seriously pursued him, or perhaps, it was the other way around. Aside from Maya, there was also a recent college graduate who got along with Karlos. But the woman went to Maynila to work as an elementary teacher.

"Here, it's done. Remember, you have to unroll the line first before hooking the baits. If you want to hook the baits first, then make sure you're following the right sequence. Make sure the hooks don't tangle," Gomez reminded his son. He spoke firmly, wanting his son to take this job seriously.

"I'll remember that."

Even though Brandon had been a fisherman for years, he rarely had the chance to do longline fishing. The boats he worked on preferred trawling, spreading wide nets to catch fish. Brandon's role was usually that of a swimmer, he had to inspect the net underneath, making sure there were no holes for fish to escape. He was confident in his lungs and could last five minutes underwater at a depth of 10 meters.

It was an amazing feat, the average person couldn't even last two minutes underwater, especially at 10 meters deep. The sea had always been his second home, considering he grew up by the seaside and his career as a fisherman.

That night, Brandon and his parents had vegetable soup with fish. Nothing extravagant, but it was filling. Brandon slept early for the next day.

Like most fishermen who had to wake up early, Brandon's biological clock woke him around 2:40 a.m. He stood up and washed his face, then went to the shore carrying an old styrofoam box with bait inside and the longline wrapped around it. The air was cool, the stars still scattered across the sky, and the scent of the sea filled his lungs.

"You're going longline fishing? Who hired you?" Some of the fishermen saw Brandon waiting on the shore and guessed he was hired by someone. Their voices were low and raspy from years of smoking. They saw the line and hooks attached to the styrofoam and immediately deduced Brandon's job.

"It's Karlos. He hired me for about a month."

"The salmon season's still ongoing, so I guess that's not a surprise. Take care then."

"You too."

More boats sailed out until only a few remained on the shore. Brandon heard the sound of an engine. The low hum grew louder. He saw the silhouette of a small boat and confirmed it was Karlos.

"Stay on the water! You don't have to dock, I'll just approach you!"

Brandon stepped into the cold water without flinching. The chill bit at his skin, but he moved forward steadily. He had basically lived at sea most of his life. In fact, he'd spent more time on the water than on land. His situation these past few weeks was different because the boat he worked on had been destroyed.

The water reached his waist when he got to Karlos's boat. He put the styrofoam box on the boat first before stepping in.

"You don't want to change?" Karlos looked at his wet clothes.

"Nah, small matter." Brandon shrugged and flashed a grin. He was used to it.

---

[Author's Note: Not gonna lie, I feel like I want to change the title of this novel to attract more readers.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 74


Without further ado, Karlos started the engine. The boat vibrated softly beneath their feet. The wind blew past them, sending a cold breeze through the air, it was already December, after all.

Yet despite that, Brandon didn't feel cold. He just looked ahead, at the ocean that reflected the shimmering stars.

Karlos was impressed. He was different from Brandon, who could face the ocean breeze without flinching. In fact, Karlos was wearing two layers of clothing just to fight against the cold.

"Are your family perhaps descendants of a Flame Mage or something?"

Flame Mage... Again, Thera was once a magical world, but magic had disappeared. Still, traces of that lost era lingered in the blood of some people. The descendants of those mages inherited unique abilities that didn't need magic to work. Some of these descendants could endure cold weather, just like Brandon.

'I even saw on the news that there are people who can see through the dark with ease.'

These unique abilities were inherent in them, requiring no spells or rituals. Just think of them as passive skills.

"I'm not sure. My parents and grandparents never talked about it, but you're probably right."

Otherwise, Brandon's strong resistance to cold would be impossible to explain. He smiled faintly, his breath steady despite the biting wind.

"Are we going to the mangroves first?"

"Nah, we're going to the island."

"The island? You mean the small island a few kilometers from the mangroves?"

"I set up ten traps there," Karlos answered.

"What about your territory in the mangroves? Someone might encroach on it."

"I checked a few days ago. No one has dared."

"Alright."

Brandon didn't know why Karlos stopped going to the mangroves, but he didn't ask. He decided to trust him. Karlos wasn't a rookie anymore, he knew what he was doing. Besides, someone like Karlos seemed capable of earning good money through this occupation.

"Let's prepare the longline first. If we get lucky, we won't have to stay long at sea."

Unlike casting a fishing rod and waiting for a single fish, longline fishing was far more efficient.

So what's longline fishing?

Longline fishing is a commercial fishing method that uses a main fishing line with many smaller branch lines attached, each with a baited hook. It stretches across the sea, waiting for fish to take the bait.

"Once we reach the fishing spot, you'll cast the longline while I drive the boat forward."

"Alright." Brandon set up the bait one by one, making sure he had enough time to hook them later. His fingers worked swiftly, the smell of sardines wafting to his nose. He moved with deep focus.

"We're here. You can cast the line now. This spot is deep, and there are no reefs, the line won't get entangled with anything."

Brandon threw the floater first, then hooked the bait fish before throwing the hook. The water splashed gently each time the bait sank below the surface. He repeated the process a hundred times. About twenty-five pieces of sardines remained untouched when he finished.

The longline had four floaters, two on each end and two in between. The floaters bobbed in the distance, marking the invisible line beneath the waves.

"Let's go to the small island."

They left the longline behind, giving it time to do its job. Based on what Brandon's father had told him, they needed at least two to three hours for the fish to take the bait. If they waited that long, they could secure around thirty fish. The waiting part was always boring, but it was also where patience paid off.

"This is the first time I've gotten this close to the island. I've only seen it from afar," Brandon muttered. From this distance, the island looked wild and untouched, coconut trees stood proudly.

The two conversed while looking for the traps. Brandon was the one who pulled them up and took the catch, while Karlos handled the boat.

"...Karlos, this place is amazing. I never thought this island would have so many lobsters!"

When Brandon pulled the fourth trap, he was stunned to find two more lobsters inside. So far, they had caught about seven.

Lobsters were expensive and far more profitable than crabs. No wonder Karlos chose this spot, lobsters were abundant here. Karlos really was lucky.

"Someone was stealing my catch in the mangroves, so I decided to change spots. I found this island and tried setting my traps here. I got lucky, this place has a lot of lobsters."

"You're definitely lucky," Brandon chuckled.

Once the sun rose, Brandon and Karlos were done collecting the traps. They had gathered twenty-six adult spiny lobsters. Brandon was stunned as he looked at the styrofoam box filled with the lively catch. Even this amount could earn Karlos about 10,000 pesos. He wasn't sure of the current price of lobsters, but 10,000 pesos was already the lowest he could imagine.

"The price of spiny lobster yesterday was 648 pesos per kilo. I'd say we can earn around 20,000 pesos," Karlos muttered as he steered the boat, his tone casual, like someone merely commenting on the weather.

"..." Brandon was speechless. He had thought 10,000 pesos was already a huge amount. He used to work more than fifteen days in the middle of the sea just to earn that much. Yet Karlos seemed unfazed by it.

'Perhaps earning this amount of money every day makes you numb.' Brandon had heard of Karlos's unique luck, but he didn't know the full story. He glanced at Karlos from the corner of his eye, wondering if that so-called "Blessed by the Sea" was truly real.

"We've spent about two hours catching lobsters. I guess it's time to pull up the longline."

"Alright." Brandon had no problem with that. His father had told him they needed to let the longline sit for a few hours before pulling it up, but he wasn't against Karlos's decision. Once they finished their job, they could return to land and rest for the whole day. The thought of relaxing after a good haul was exciting.

As Karlos drove the boat, Brandon couldn't help but compare his past job to his current one. Working on a mid-sized trawling bangka, he had been expected to live at sea for several nights. It was already a miracle if they could meet their quota within three days.

On top of that, Brandon had to bring his own food for the trip. What he ate every day were biscuits, instant noodles, and instant coffee. He could almost taste the dryness of those old meals just by remembering them. His daily salary was 700 pesos. He used to think he had it good, but now, it was clear that being a boat owner was far better.

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[Author's Note: Thank you guys for all of your support.]