Chapter 1: Chapter 1

She loves him. They got married. But Natsu doesn't love her back. Some marriages are not just meant to work out – at the beginning at least.

But to work out, what are the consequences? Follow Lucy and her martyrdom.

Because not all women will easily fall in and out of love.

"Yes, Mom said we should – "She was rudely cut off when the person from the other line dropped the call off. She tried to contact him again but his phone was already turned off.

"Macao, do you know where Natsu is?" She asked him, their driver and the latter nodded.

"Kindly take me there."

"Honey, come here. The water is so nice!" His friend offered.

"No, thanks." He was in the poolside.

His wife just called him awhile ago and knowing her, she'll arrive there to where he is in no time. He took off his shirt, time to start the show. He was whistling a tune, later changed by an evil smirk.

He's totally right. Lucy arrived in less than seconds, dressed well for some fucking occasion. His friend went beside him, hugging him and he draped an arm over her shoulder in return.

"Honey, who is she?" His friend asked but he didn't care to answer. Instead, he locked gazes with Lucy, dying to see her pathetic reaction. But there was none, not even a blink. He can't read nor see any emotions in her face.

"Get dressed. We're going to be late." Lucy stated.

"I'll wait inside the car." And she left. The resort he was in went back to normal again after that scene.

"Who on Earth is she?" The girl who was still clinging to him asked, annoyed by the fact that she was being ignored.

"My wife."

He stated in a matter of fact tone, making the girl gasp.

"I'm going first. If you want to stay for free, just put all the expenses under my name." He left and went to his cottage to get himself dressed.

Lucy felt numb. As much as she wants to feel something, her heart refused to beat. It was not the first time Natsu did that. It seems like her tears dried up. She wants to cry but there is no single tear that would spring from her eyes. But somehow, it's better that way. She would not look pathetic in front of him, in front of everyone.

It has been two years since they got married for the sake of their company. Because she harbors feelings, stupid but deep feelings for him, she didn't object; she didn't utter a single word of disapproval thus resulting to Natsu hating her. She knows he will never feel the same way. Natsu rebelled at first but her father put Strauss life into a state of crisis, making their marriage possible – well. That's what she believes.

Lucy snapped out of her trance when Natsu came, so gorgeous and handsome on his suit. In the end, after her tears dried up, she still can't help herself not to admire his physical looks. He sat on the passenger seat while she sat on the back. Yes, they are not your normal couple. And maybe, they will never be.

They were in the middle of the ride when Natsu broke the ice.

"You know what Lucy, when I look at you, I don't feel anything. Why not annul our wedding? Since I can't also fulfill my obligations as a husband to you, don't you think it would be much easier for the both of us?"

She didn't react, but she answered him in a dull tone.

"You still act like a kid." She calmed herself.

"Are you still mad because of what had happened? Because you were not able to marry the girl you like?"

He didn't answer but she can see it in his eyes that she just successfully lit the fuse on his tampon. From then on, the whole ride became quiet until they reached the venue. He got out first but stopped when he reached the entrance to wait for her.

Time to get the cameras rolling, time to play their roles.

They were pretending to be a happy couple to set an example to everyone in the company. She is Lucy Heartfilia – Dragneel, daughter of Jude, a well- known businessman and heiress of the Heartfilia Railways. And beside her is Natsu Dragneel, son of the business tycoon, Igneel, and inheritor of all the businesses they had under their name.

Because of the name, the crown they bear, all kind of respect were given to them. As they enter the hall, they were greeted by the employees of both companies. Their families decided to merge to expand their properties and businesses. And that is what the whole celebration was for. The wedding was just a bonus on their families' selfish plans.

Even so, no matter how many times Natsu tear and break her heart, she can't let him go. Not just because of the fact that she holds feelings for him but because she is scared of being alone. It's her weakness and she'd rather die than showing this weakness of hers. To be left alone, like when she was growing up, when no one supported her while she keeps on growing, she has to be strong. So no matter how difficult the relationship she was in, she will always keep on holding on.

They were riding the elevator; just the two of them and the silence is suffocating. She knows about Natsu's motion sickness but he took therapies and managed to suppress his sickness.

"You know…" She started.

"I had an affair with one of those men who greeted us." He gave her a playful smirk, a smirk that tells her he is not buying her joke. She was about to say something when the elevator opened up, they arrived at the main venue.

They switched to their characters again and started acting. She wore her perfect smile, though deep inside, her heart feels like it's being shattered to million, tiny pieces. She lied. She didn't have an affair. He is the only man she ever loved and it hurts that even though what kind of lie she says, the truth still slaps her hard.

Her father did everything to make their wedding successful; he even resorted to evil plans of making the Strauss family poor. But unknown to them, she is helping and giving them sustenance in secret. No one knows about it, not even Natsu and even if he knows, she doubts if it will make him become soft to her.

But it surprised her when she learned that they migrated to another place, Lisanna with them of course. Natsu was beyond mad but despite of his negative feelings that reached the extremity of a hundred percent, they still got married. But that was that. Nothing happened after that. He never slept with her and he hurt her with his affairs.

"You're not desirable for me." She still can remember those harsh words that he said, bringing tears on her eyes.

"Excuse me, I'll go to the powder room." Then she ran to the comfort room to cry, to somehow ease what she keeps inside. She cried hard while she tries to forget and let go all those undesirable memories that kept flooding her mind. She thought she was already numb, but it looks like it was all just 'assumptions.' No matter how many drums of tears she cries, she will just continue to feel and cope with the pain.

"You're not desirable for me."

She cried even more. Remembering that she's still on an important event, she started to calm herself. Then she fixed herself and went out, acting like nothing has happened.

"Lucy? Lucy Heartfilia?" Somebody called her on her maiden name.

She turned to find the owner of the voice and saw Loke, Loke Celestial; her senior when she was in college.

"Senior Loke!"

"How are you? You've became even more beautiful." He is naturally sweet and charming to every girl.

"Thanks. I'm doing well. What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I submitted my resume here but I didn't know there was an occasion. How about you? What are you doing here?" She couldn't contain her smile, wondering where cave he came from for not knowing who she is on that company. Somehow, it feels refreshing to know that there is someone who doesn't know her miserable life.

"I'm sorry Senior Loke. I'm in a hurry but I'll help you get in the company. You got my word."

"Is that so… Thanks though it is a bit embarrassing." Loke said.

"It's alright. So, gotta go. See you."

"Okay, thanks again."

"Where's your wife?" Porlyusica scowled. She is the twin sister of Grandeeney, his mother who died with Igneel, his father, when he was still young.

"Probably redoing her make-up." Natsu said, not being interested by her step-mom's tantrums.

"It's been a while!"

"Maybe she called someone or Papa Jude, maybe…"

Then Lucy arrived. Natsu noticed Lucy's reddening nose and puffy eyes and all in a sudden, he felt guilt surged him. The girl form before was nothing. He has no affairs. He just pulled that act to make Lucy file an annulment. But she didn't and it's making him frustrated.

"Didn't I tell you to stay in one place?" Porlyusica scolded her.

"I'm sorry."

"Even your father seems like slacking off most of the time! Does he even care for this company?" She did an outcry of disappointment and irritation.

Lucy just remained silent, her head down. A part of him wants to defend Lucy but he chose not to, because a huge part of him is enjoying seeing Lucy got scolded by her step-mom.

For him, Lucy is stiff. Every move, every breath, every steps, everything about her is dictated. She is no different from a puppet.

After the celebration, Lucy talked to him.

"I'll recommend someone. Is that alright?"

"Why not? Half of the company is yours." He answered, lacking expression.

Then Lucy went to the HR office.

"Who the heck will she recommend?! He asked himself.

"Ya, ya.. Like I care!" He told Macao to go home and he used the car to start a celebration of his own.

Hi. Im so sorry for posting it for the second time and deleting it for the second time. Well, it wont happen for the third time. Im so sorry for any errors, Im too lazy. Im so sorry my dear readers (if I have any) for making you wait for this. Im truly sorry. Truth is, I deleted this story for the second time for a reason.

Anyways, thanks. Peace on Earth. I'll upload the first full half of this ffic in a day. The other half, I'll make time.

Tcare.

-Aia