Chapter Two – The Alpha Male and The Hardheaded Female
'I've seen this expensive Boscoian restaurant in a magazine…' I thought, as I nervously fidgeted.
Laxus and I sat across from each other at a table next to the floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the city.
"This table has the best view of the night skyline in the whole restaurant." Laxus informed me.
"Really…? Do you come here often, then? Say on dates or whatnot?" I asked casually, as I looked out the window.
"Why? You curious?" He asked, with a smirk.
"No, not really." I answered in a bored tone.
"Well, yes, sometimes. But I mostly come here to eat by myself." He answered.
I looked back at him incredulously.
"You come here, to a gorgeous restaurant like this, and mostly eat alone?" I asked, astonished.
"Why not?" He countered, "I work exponentially faster than the average man, so I need lots of calories."
"Working at the Council must be hectic…" I said sympathetically, but Laxus only shrugged.
"Running the country's money equals running the country." He said, casually. "The financial branch decides where the money goes."
'He sure sounds relaxed for someone with an important job…' I thought, and started fiddling with the hem of my skirt. 'Ugh, I don't come to places like this often, so I'm kinda nervous…'
"Why are you fidgeting so much?" He asked.
"…I'm not used to expensive places like this, so I'm a little nervous." I confessed.
"So basically you've not been on a date with another man before." He stated.
I glared at him, "That's not what I said, or meant!" I hissed.
"No matter how prude you are, you've at least been on a date before, riiiiight?" He teased.
I refused to answer him.
"Why so quiet? You don't seem like you'd really be unpopular with men." He said.
"Hmph!" I glared at him more strongly. "I'm not unpopular with men, you jerk!"
"I'm just joking." He said, "But that means you've been asked out on dates, right?"
"Occasionally. But I can't go on a date with just anyone… And I just haven't had an interest in dating much lately." I sighed.
"Why not?" He asked, "Just go out for dinner with someone."
'He makes it sound so simple…' I sighed again.
"Do you go out on dates with woman you don't love or aren't interested in, Laxus?" I asked him suddenly.
"Yeah." He answered simply.
'Figures…' I thought flatly.
"Why?" I asked.
"Who knows? Probably simple lust." He answered offhandedly.
"Lust, huh…?" I repeated softly, looking out the window yet again.
'He must really be a playboy…' I thought, unimpressed.
"The city lights are beautiful, aren't they…?" He asked, and then reached across the table and touched my hand.
I narrowed my eyes at him suspiciously.
"Stop that." I demanded firmly, and yanked my hand away from him.
"The bread arrived and your hand was in the way." He said, looking amused.
"Wha…?" I narrowed my eyes, and looked up.
I started when I saw a waiter next to our table with a bemused smile on his face, placing a basket of bread on the table where my hand was.
'How embarrassing!' I thought, feeling my face burn bright red.
"I'm so sorry! Thank you…" I said sheepishly.
The waiter nodded and left. I sighed long and deep.
"Did you think I was trying to hold your hand?" Laxus asked in amusement.
"No…" I lied feebly.
This time Laxus took my hand in both of his and squeezed it.
"You're so much more beautiful than the city skyline at night." He said, in a low voice.
I froze and stared at him with wide eyes.
'U-Um…' I thought helplessly.
"Don't be so serious." He said lightly, "It's fun to pretend this is a date, right?"
I sighed for the umpteenth time.
'Why does he always act like this?!' I wondered moodily, 'Can't he just be serious for once?!"
I glared at him and he finally let go of my hand.
"Go on and order whatever you like." He offered with a smile, opening up the menu for me.
"Even if I looked at the menu, I can't read or speak in the native Bosco language." I shook my head. "Unlike you, I'm just a mere commoner after all."
'He's an important member of the Council, so of course he's well versed in other languages.' I thought.
Laxus stared at me silently.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Oh nothing. I was just thinking about how your face really does look like a commoner's." He teased.
"…So what you're really trying to say is how noble you think yours is, right?" I sneered.
"Yup. It sure is." He grinned.
'Conceited, egotistical, arrogant, stuck up ass!' I fired off mentally, feeling irritated.
"Careful." I warned, "If you're head gets any bigger you won't be able to fit through the door when we leave. How embarrassing that would be."
Laxus said nothing, but only laughed…loudly.
'He really does have a regal face though…despite the scar. But it actually becomes him well.' I looked around, 'Ever since we came inside, all the women in the restaurant have been glancing at him…'
"Well then, as thanks for the amusement, the noble Laxus shall order dinner for the lucky commoner Artemis." He teased. "Any allergies or foods you don't like?"
"I'll allergic to peanuts, tree nuts and sesame seeds, and I can't tolerate spicy foods." I answered.
"Got it. I'll make sure to order you the spiciest dish on the menu." He grinned.
"You better not…" I scowled, placing a hand to my tummy.
"I won't. Really. I'm not that cruel." He said, waving a waiter over to us.
Laxus looks at the menu casually. He then speaks fluently in Boscoian and orders our meals.
'I'm sure woman just love sophisticated men like him…' I thought in amusement.
"Very good, sir. And what will you and the lady have to drink?" The waiter asked.
"You're finest rose champagne, please." Laxus answered. "And, also bring a glass of hot wine for her."
I looked at him in surprise.
"Of course, sir." The waiter bowed and left to put our orders in.
"Hot wine is good for a cold." Laxus said.
"Ah, yes… I-I know. Thank you…" I mumbled.
'Hmph… I'm not sure if he's sweet or mean… A good guy or a bad guy…?' I wondered, looking outside to the skyline again.
…
I smiled after taking a sip of my hot wine.
"This warms my whole body up." I said, happily.
"See? Now hurry up and get better before your cold gets any worse." He said.
'He really is thoughtful when he wants to be…' I thought, sighing.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Hmm? Oh. Um, Natsu told me you're the most successful one among your peers in the financial branch…" I trailed off.
"And, what about it?" He questioned.
"Nothing really. I just thought that was pretty amazing…" I shrugged my shoulders.
"No really." He said nonchalantly, "A male without skill has no reason to live."
'He just called himself a male… And he was talking about lust before.' I thought, twisting my lips. 'Laxus seems really alpha male like…'
"You're making that grumpy face again." Laxus teased in amusement. "You could at least smile on our date."
"But this isn't a date." I said, narrowing my eyes.
Laxus sighed loudly.
"Don't be so particular. You're so stubborn…" He groaned.
'An elite, alpha male and a temperamental, hardheaded woman… I wonder if that's how we look to everyone else.' I thought in amusement.
"So, when are you going to tell me about the mission?" I asked quietly.
"First we eat, and then we discuss work." He said.
"Alright then." I agreed.
…
After we finished eating, we moved to the outdoor bar counter at the restaurant.
"Dinner was really delicious." I commented.
"Right? The food's great here." Laxus smiled.
Laxus ordered whiskey and a cigar from the bartender, while I got a simple vanilla cocktail.
"You smoke cigars?" I asked in surprise.
"Not very often, but yes." He answered, "I don't smoke cheap cigarettes, but I do like expensive cigars."
I let out a quiet, but amused laugh.
"You really are a snobby aristocrat, aren't you?" I asked.
"Is that was you think of me?" He asked incredulously.
He stared at me steadily, and I just smirked.
"Are you drunk already?" He teased.
"Hmph! In your dreams. I can hold my liquor better than most men." I grinned sassily.
"Impressive." He said, blowing smoke over my way.
I made a disgusted face and coughed.
"Don't blow your smoke over here!" I said, frowning.
"Ah, sorry about that." He said.
"Anyways, are we going to talk about the mission anytime soon?" I sighed.
Holding his cigar, Laxus narrowed his eyes and laughed.
"…What's so funny? Why are you laughing?!" I demanded.
"Nothing." He said, waving his hand nonchalantly. "Okay, let's talk about it."
…
"So basically, my grandmama left behind a bunch of her works after the war and one particular painting is extremely valuable." I summarized.
"Yes. You're grandmother donated most of her painting and inventions to museums, and gifted others to valued patrons." Laxus said, "She made sure not to sell them to anyone who just thought of her art as money. But many of those paintings got stolen in the post-war chaos, or taken by bad guys. However Mavis tried to hide her masterpiece somewhere. It's a portrait called, 'Lady of the Camellias'."
"'Lady of the Camellias'…" I repeated.
"Have you ever heard of it?" He asked, curiously.
"No…" I shook my head, "My parents didn't talk about Grandmama that much. The only thing I know is that I'm very similar to her appearance wise."
'I don't know much about her…' I thought sadly.
"Most likely because they were trying to protect you." Laxus said thoughtfully.
"But why…?" I asked.
"There are a lot of people after Mavis' works. Some are very dangerous." Laxus explained. "I'm sure your parents were afraid of you getting involved in all of this."
I looked at Laxus thoughtfully.
"So how do you know so much about this, Laxus?" I asked softly.
"The other five of us Fairy Thieves… Our grandmothers and grandfathers were best friends with both your grandmother and your grandfather."
"What?! All of Fairy Tail?!" I exclaimed.
"That's right. So this isn't just a mere coincidence that were all together now." He said, "You, me, Gildarts, Natsu, Gajeel and Wendy are deeply connected by fate."
'Connected by fate…' I thought, taking a sip of my drink to try to ground myself.
"While she was alive, your grandmother left our grandparents her will." Laxus said, catching my attention again. "And it said that she wanted to leave her granddaughter, Artemis Zera Vermillion, her masterpiece. 'Lady of the Camellias'."
"Me?" I asked softly.
"That's how much she loved you." Laxus said, smiling softly.
My memories of Grandmama were vague since she died when I was seven years old… I couldn't believe she left me something so important…
"But here's the problem." Laxus continued. "After leaving behind her will, Mavis died very suddenly, without telling anyone where she hid the portrait."
I looked at him in shock.
"All we know is that we need your fingerprints to obtain it." He said.
"…Do you have any clue as to where the painting might be?" I asked.
"Only one." He grinned. "Apparently Mavis said, 'If you collect the Three Flower Paintings, you'll solve the mystery of the 'Lady of the Camellias'."
"The Three Flower Paintings?" I repeated. "I know those ones. They're 'Cherry Blossom', 'Lily of the Valley', and 'Flowering Dogwood'."
Laxus nodded approvingly, "Yes. But they were all stolen by different people." He said, "Our first objective is to recover 'Cherry Blossom'."
"But how?" I asked.
"We'll discuss specifics later." He said, shaking his head. "Right now we're going to head back to Shazka."
"I really wish you'd let me go home…" I sighed, "I told you that I won't run away or report you. I want to get Grandmama's works back too, ya know…"
"But don't you remember?" He asked grinning, "I said I don't trust you quite yet."
I sighed again, loudly.
"Stop sighing." He said, "Anyways, didn't you sleep just fine last night in my room?"
"Yes, I did…" I reluctantly answered.
"I've never seen a woman so careless and carefree, that's for sure." He said. "…You're a strange one, Artemis. And before when I was smoking, you told me not to blow smoke at you. Most woman snuggled up to me and ask if they can have a puff."
"They snuggle up to you?" I asked wrinkling my nose.
"Sure do." He grinned.
'He is so conceited…' I thought unimpressed.
"Are you offended that I don't like the smell of smoke?" I asked.
"No, quite the opposite. I find it funny even." He said, smirking. "I've never met such a sexy, but grumpy and prude woman before."
"That was one compliment, but two insults." I growled.
I raised my fist angrily and tried to pound on his chest, but he caught my hand easily. My eyes widen as he gently uncurled my fingers and then simply held my hand.
"Your hand is ice cold." He said in concern.
"L-Let me pay half of the bill tonight!" I squeaked, trying to change the subject.
"No way." He said, "Idiot, do you really think you could afford even half with your salary?"
"That's not the point!" I glared at him.
"That's a terrible response." He deadpanned. "Only wimpy guys are attracted to women who pretend they want to be treated fairly."
"Isn't it normal to pay for your own share?!" I huffed.
"In situations like these you should always let the man pay." Laxus said, "The Boscoian food was delicious, wasn't it?"
I sighed, but gave in.
"Yes, it was… But so was your creamy chicken soup, Laxus." I said, smiling.
"Oh, so you ate the soup I made?" He asked.
"Yes, and it was every bit as delicious as the Boscoian food." I said.
"…You're gonna make me cry." He teased.
Laxus grabbed me by the shoulder and pulled me close to him.
"Wh-What are you doing?!" I asked with wide eyes.
"…Artemis?" A familiar voice spoke from behind.
I turned my head and was surprised to see…
"W-Warren?!" I exclaimed in shock.
My coworker, Max Alors, stood in front of us looking surprised.
'Wh-What is he doing here?!' I thought, pushing Laxus away.
"Artemis… Who's this?" He asked, looking, dare I say it, jealous.
"J-Just a friend of mine!" I stammered.
"…Are you on a date?" He asked.
"No way! This is not a date!" I said strongly, "We just had some business to talk about so we had dinner together!"
"I see…" Max said, looking relieved. "Well, I hope the thieves who robbed the museum get caught soon. It's been pretty boring having nothing to do."
"Yeah, I want to get back to work soon, too." I agreed.
"Well, I have to get going. Bye." He said.
"Okay! See you later, bye!" I said, waving as he left.
I sighed loudly, feeling exhausted.
"Max came out of nowhere…" I muttered.
"What did you mean, 'No way'?" Laxus frowned.
"I guess I didn't want him to get the wrong idea." I shrugged.
"You wouldn't like it if someone thought I was your boyfriend?" He asked.
"I don't know you well enough to answer that honestly." I said.
"Hm. When you were talking to that guy, Max, you were actually smiling." Laxus commented.
"Huh? No, he's just a co-worker." I answered honestly.
'I mean, when Laxus stares at me like that, I get all nervous and defensive…' I thought.
"He's in love with you." He said bluntly.
"…Why do you think that?" I asked in shock.
"It was written all over his face." He said, smirking "Not to mention he was staring at your chest when you weren't looking."
"Wha…?! Max is not a pervert like that!" I snapped.
"Are you really that stupid?" He frowned. "It's the jealous types like him who you really have to worry about."
I frowned quietly.
"I'm sure you've noticed he has feeling for you." Laxus said.
"Yes, I do know about them…" I sighed. "It became obvious when he asked me out for Christmas last year."
"And did you go?" Laxus asked.
"No, I told him I had other plans." I answered.
Laxus smirked, "You should have just gone." He said. "It's not like you had another man to be with, right?"
"Well, no… But I couldn't just say yes so casually." I said, shaking my head firmly.
"You should have let him treat you to dinner and then been like, 'Okay, goodbye!'" He said.
"I can't just heartlessly play with someone feelings like that!" I snapped in outrage.
"Prude." Laxus grinned.
"I'm normal!" I hissed.
"Then you're just plain irritating." He sighed.
'Irritating, huh…?' I thought feeling a little hurt. 'I don't understand people like him… I only want to fall in love with someone I'm serious about… Is that really irritating…?'
Noticing that I've fallen rather quiet, Laxus draped his suit jacket over my shoulders.
"It's chilly out here. Let's go home." He said gently.
Laxus stroked my hair with a small smile.
"I'll make you something even better tomorrow morning." He promised.
I nodded, still not saying a word to him, and let him guide me.
'His smiled was kind just then…' I thought, 'I'm sure he's being genuine, but he's just so confusing…'
