When Jellal pulled open the house' door and stepped into the front hallway, the faint sound of people's talking in a TV show greeted him from the living room.

"I'm back."

He raised his voice a little with the intent to make his return home known to Erza. But Erza didn't greet him back like he had expected even after he had stripped off his leather boots.

He went down the hallway to the living room and once entered, his eyes automatically searched for a shade of scarlet. He spotted it almost immediately.

Erza's scarlet hair had formed a veil over her face while she fell asleep on the couch and laid her head on the armrest. Jellal left his suitcase on a chair and placed the square white paper box containing a piece of cake on the tea table, before crouching down beside Erza. Gently, he moved her hair aside until it fell behind her shoulder without obstructing his view of her face. Even though Erza had become a regular presence in his life now, he still would not feel bored in admiring her beauty again and again. She looked innocent and worry-free like a child in her sleep. He wouldn't want to disturb her, but he couldn't let her sleep the night on the couch and get back pain in the morning. He also didn't want to sleep alone in their bed.

Jellal pressed his lips against Erza's forehead for a tender but lingering kiss. He then placed butterfly kisses on her eyelids, down to her cheek, her jaw and her chin. Erza made a quiet "umm" sound from her throat, but still didn't open her eyes. A small amused smile played on Jellal's lips and the man shook his head lightly. He leaned forward again to kiss the shell of Erza's ear before whispering to her.

"I've bought you cake."

Erza's eyes fluttered open, and glittered with delight when they met Jellal's.

"You did?"

"I did." Jellal touched Erza's lips with his and the redhead kissed him back without hesitance. "I'm sorry for having skipped dinner again."

"I've told you it's fine" Erza got up and pulled Jellal up to sit by her side, smirking. "I fully understand that maintaining the peace of our world is more important than having dinner at home with fiancée, Mr Chairman."

"Nothing in this world is more important than you to me."

Erza laughed lightly, contrasting Jellal's straight face. "Don't say this in front of any others or you can risk your position." She kissed Jellal swiftly and eyed him with tender gaze; her cheeks highlighted by a shade of pink. "But I appreciate your thought."

"You may appreciate this more though."

Jellal took up the white box from the tea table and placed it on Erza's hand. With one look at the box, Erza's eyes lit up as the symbol of a pair of red wings painted on the outside of the box told her that the cake was bought from one of her most favorite bakeries.

"I hope it's the Strawberry Fever inside the box." Erza smirked. She already knew it had to be.

"You won't be disappointed."

Jellal opened the box from the top and revealed the signature cake of the Rosy Angel Bakery, the softest strawberry chiffon cake in town topped with the finest cream and daily-picked fresh strawberries.

"Thank you." A grin spread across Erza's face. "How did you find the time in between your non-stop meetings to go to buy the cake? As far as I know the shop should have closed by the time you finished work."

Jellal cleared his throat, wishing he could not reveal his way because it was a little bit sensitive subject but not being able to make himself lie to Erza. "My thought projection was very capable in doing my job when I sneaked out to buy the cake."

Erza chuckled. "I didn't know that buying cake has become the kind of legitimate reasons accepted by the Council to allow their Chairman to attend meetings with his thought projection instead of in person."

"It didn't." Jellal shrugged. "But my subordinates didn't need to know that it was my thought projection who reprimanded them for being utterly inefficient in completing the assignments I gave them from a month ago. And my absence didn't last long anyway. I was back to chair the meeting within half an hour."

"You were going to be the one to be reprimanded if your were being found out cheating on your colleagues." Erza said half seriously half jokingly. "You could have sent your thought projection to buy the cake instead."

"I just needed a break from dealing with my difficult colleagues." Jellal admitted before looking at Erza with a small smile. "I also preferred to pick the best cake for you with my own eyes."

Nothing felt right to Erza to say to either approve or disapprove where Jellal placed his priority. So she chose to say nothing but simply gave him a peak on the cheek to show her gratitude for everything he did for her. And the smile of Jellal's face grew wider.

"Try it." Jellal prompted, giving Erza the plastic fork came with the cake.

Erza nodded and took the fork. But instead of eating the cake immediately, she took her time in appreciating how beautifully the cake was made, as if the cake was a piece of fine art. When she finally gave in to her desire and took a bite of her favorite dessert, she closed her eyes. The satisfaction on her face was one that would make people think that she was having a taste of heaven instead of a cake.

When Erza's eyes opened again, they were sparkling brighter than the brightest star Jellal had seen. And her smile was the purest one that spoke only of simple happiness.

And this was the moment Jellal had been waiting for throughout the day. To bask in Erza's radiant smile which had the power to effortlessly part the dark clouds that had been gathered above his head after a long day filled with stressful and unfortunately fruitness meetings. It didn't matter anymore how tired or frustrated he had felt when he left his office. Being able to make Erza happy, brought him happiness too. His lips curled into a heartfelt smile that reflected Erza's.

"Thank you, Erza." Jellal said while wiping away the cream left on Erza's lips with his thumb after she finished the cake.

"For what?"

"For brightening me up with your smile. Today has been a rough day at the Council."

Erza put down the now empty box before cupping Jellal's cheeks with both hands to pull him in for a kiss that was deep and long. When she pulled away, she pressed her forehead against Jellal's and spoke against his lips.

"My smile will always be available and free for you to claim."

Weaving his fingers in Erza's hair, Jellal captured Erza's lips with his again, kissing her fervently.