To My Dearest
Chapter 007
:: Formal ::
"Listen Hibiki, no matter what we must get that contract from Dragneel Corps. today" The woman said, tying up her blonde locks in a high ponytail. Her pink cocktail dress fit her perfectly, elevating her curves. She turned to the brown haired man who was tying his tie. He was looking perfect in that well-pressed suit.
"Don't you worry Love," he said, wrapping a hand around her waist and pulling her closer, "I have the plan set"
"You sound confident. I regret to say this but I cannot share the same feeling. Natsu Dragneel is a difficult man to deal with. He threatened to cancel the contract with me last time because I apparently was showing too much skin" she reminded him of the last modelling contract with Dragneel Corps., neglecting the fact that the commercial was aiming for kids and that she was wearing a mini skirt.
"Don't worry, Jen. He is a married man after all. If the lady is pleased, the man will be in our hands" he finished his words with his perfect smile.
"That's right" she pulled on his tie tighter, "However, I do think you want to survive after the party, don't you? You know the line and where it is to be drawn- I trust you with that"
His smile was forced in hopes of preventing the choking (which could be an obstacle in the getting their contract. After all, if he wouldn't be alive, there is no way he could win the lady over. With that, their chances of getting the contract will fall to less than 5 percent) that he was being subjected to.
The model let go of him. A single warning was sufficient to keep him in check.
Jenny Realight could be one hell of dangerous woman when it came to her man and no one knew it better than the man himself.
:: 0 ::
"Hey, brother, how are you?" Zeref hugged his brother as soon as he saw him.
"I'm fine. Now let go of me" Natsu spoke, slightly embarrassed. Erza smiled while Mavis and Lucy sweat-dropped at his action. It was so Zeref-like to do so.
"Are your wounds all healed up? Erza told me about your accident and I was so scared that your condition might be worse. I was worried sick but I had an important business deal going on. You know about Mavis too right? She was-"
"I was perfectly fine, Zeref. You just didn't want me to leave me alone. You crybaby!"
"You would've tried to handle everything by yourself and gotten yourself sick again. Besides, I'm no crybaby!"
"Then who was the one crying when they heard that Natsu had an accident?" Mavis retorted.
"T-That w-was-" Zeref drew his attention to the helium balloons lingering in the ceiling of the house. The way they floated in the air suddenly made him curious about its physics. He wondered why.
Natsu chuckled and gave him the 'We-all-know-what-happened' look to him.
Lucy was surprised to see him in such a mood. As much as it was exhausting to prepare for the party, she found herself smiling looking at him. IT had been a long time since she saw him that way.
"Lucy too. I hope you are fully recovered. I heard about the head injury you had a while ago. I wanted to come and help you but Zeref panicked at the thought me travelling alone without him on the plane. He's afraid of me getting kidnapped or somet-"
"You can't deny the possibility. It is indeed not safe for Mavis to walk alone on this planet. I can see the trouble tagging along with her as it was a close buddy. Last time she was climbing down the stairs. She kicked her own feet and fell down right in front of my eyes. How can I not…" he continued with his 'Mavis' speech. If Zeref had any obsession, it was only about Natsu and Mavis. As much as those two hate it at times, Lucy knew that they were fond of it.
"Uncle Zeref, Aunt Mavis!" The birthday girl's voice disrupted his speech but he didn't mind. He carried the girl in his arms and kissed her forehead. She returned the greeting with a kiss to the cheek.
"How is my little girl?"
"I'm fine. Come with me, I'll show you my presents. You better got me one too?!" he froze momentarily at the look the girl gave him but then resumed.
"O-of course. How can I forget?" he said.
Mavis shook her head before handing Nashi a gift which the girl took gladly. She knew exactly that he forgot. That was the reason why she went on a secret shopping trip. He didn't now then but now he just found out. She'll probably have to deal with his reprimanding later but for now, she saved him from a dangerous little girl. (Not that she was harmful. She would cry which he cannot bear to see. He acquired this new third obsession for her only recently)
"Come I'll take you to my presents' room. You know Mama and Papa got me so many presents for my birthday…" Chatting away, she dragged the black haired man away. Lucy left behind them to check on the girl.
"Natsu, I wanted to ask you something," Mavis started. Her determination flared in her eyes.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Is someone swindling money from the company?"
"R-really?"
"What is with that reaction?"
"No I was surprised to hear that. I must really be not paying attention too much to my company. I'll try to find out who the culprit is"
"That's good. You know how careless your brother can be. You should watch out. I'll look out if it is in the branches outside the country. We really have to get him jailed…" Mavis slapped her fist into her palm. The next moment she smiled sweetly and took leave to find Zeref who could be in a 'girl' trouble any minute.
"You're caught! I finally caught onto your secret" a voice from behind astounded him. He turned around only to find a white haired lady of around his age smiling at him.
"What are you sweating so much about? Long time no see, Natsu"
"L-Lisanna? Gosh, you really give me the creeps. Have you been reading crime news for a television channel or what?" he asked, regaining his composure.
"Not exactly. I've been working on crime stories for a newspaper for the last two years that's all"
"Risky job, eh?"
"Exciting too!"
"You've always loved that kind of work"
"I thought you would join me in it. We both were the journalism club members in high school. But you ditched me for Lucy, got married and hosting your child's fifth birthday while I remain single, working for newspaper" Lisanna pouted.
"You making it sound like we're a thing back then. If Lucy will hear…"
"I wihs Lucy does hear and get jealous so I can click her pictures" she took out her camera, "you don't often get to see a jealous Lucy as much as you got to see a jealous Natsu"
"I never was jealous"
"Oh really? Who was the guy that was punching guys in a pub because they eyed his best best friend and confessed to her? Although…" she reminded him of a foreign memory to him.
"I don't remember doing that!" he retorted.
"Yes you don't. You were drunk but I still have pictures from those days. Also those too!" she said.
"Not them again! Give them to me. Those are all so embarrassing!"
"You wish. Now tell me where Lucy is? I want to greet her and also the birthday girl too. Though I doubt she'd know me. I've been gone even before she was born" Natsu directed her to where Lucy was last headed to and the woman skipped away, leaving him some time to breathe.
He took a deep breath. His smile returned to his face and he began greeting the guests again.
:: 0 ::
"Ah, Mr. Dragneel," Jenny greeted as soon as she saw the pink haired CEO. "You've arranged a great party again this year. I thought the last year's was the best but this is even better. Nashi is so lucky to have a father like you…"
"You flatter me too much, Ms. Realight but the contract… I'll still have to think about it" he replied, smiling all the way.
"I'm merely stating the facts, Mr. Dragneel. Please meet him. He is Hibiki Lates, my manager and boyfriend" She introduced the man standing beside her.
"Nice to meet you sir. I'm Hibiki Lates" he said, extending his hand for a shake hand. Natsu returned the same.
"Pardon, I've heard about the beauty of your wife but I don't see her anywhere around here. Also about the little lady in whose honour we owe such an evening, I would want to give her my greetings too" Natsu felt irked at the comment. Nonetheless, he smiled at him and thanked him for the compliments he was showering him with.
:: 0 ::
"Natsu, did you call me?" Lucy ran to the spot she knew her husband would be. He gave her a look that she was not welcome here. She knew he didn't like to see her face but she couldn't help either. No one was supposed to know of their secret relationship outside the people who already know right? Not even Zeref or Mavis or Lisanna too. She knew this was all a 'happy couple' act they were putting up in front of everyone. She only wished how it were true.
Besides, Lisanna said Natsu needed to talk to her immediately. So she just ran to come meet him. She didn't think she wasn't welcome. Or that she would be uncomfortable… later.
Natsu introduced her as his wife (something he didn't do for the past one year. Last time was at Nashi's fourth birthday). The blonde woman in front of her smiled and showered her with praise. Lucy too returned the formality. The woman was looking stunning herself anyway.
Jenny smiled again. All of a sudden, the man beside her stepped forward, bent on one knee and took her hand placing a kiss on it. Lucy jerked her hand back. She stole a look at Natsu who had an unreadable expression.
Did he get over me already? She wondered. She remembered how jealous Natsu used to be years ago. It was even difficult for her to talk to some male because she was afraid he'd punch them in face. Lucy never knew why he did that when she agreed to be his girlfriend.
"They were eyeing you the wrong way" he used to say to her. However, she never knew that. She thought they were all great guys. She always thought that everyone was good so she couldn't make the distinction.
"Eh?"Lucy was flustered. She saw Jenny's smile get wider.
"You're even more stunning a beauty than the rumours say, Mrs. Dragneel" She blushed even more at this. She moved closer to her husband unconsciously.
" I presume you were the ones who planned everything for the day. This whole place does scream out your name in its beauty and atmosphere. I wonder where I can find your daughter to give my greetings" he checked the area to spot the cute little birthday girl. "She too must be as beautiful as you"
Lucy had enough of his sweet talk but she couldn't be impolite too.
"Y-You just flatter me too muc-"
"No, No, I'm merely stating the tru-"
"Ms. Realight," Natsu cut in and she was glad he did, "I'm sure you are aware but can we talk about the business deal later? I'm afraid my daughter needs my whole attention today. I promised her that much for the day and I intnd to keep it. I'm sorry for causing trouble"
Lucy didn't know what was happening. She was sure she saw a mixture of disappointment and fear in Ms. Realight's face. Before she could question about anything, she felt Natsu's hand on her waist, pulling her closer to him. He didn't spare her a look but the contact made her blush harder than all the compliments the womaniser spurted.
Zeref choked on his drinking due to laughter, hearing him say that from the distance. Erza who just arrived at the scene had a knowing smile which Lucy didn't witness.
He is finally showing his true colours, huh? She thought, the smile growing even fonder of the duo.
:: 0 ::
"Look at him. He hasn't changed one bit in the time I hadn't seen him" Lisanna pointed out to the jealous figure standing with his confused wife. Beside her was Natsu's wife's best friend (also her friend) Levy Mcgarden (now Redfox). They met each other in the party and Lisanna dragged her to see the couple's reaction of her prank.
"If only it were true…" Levy said eyeing the duo from far. She sipped on her juice. "I wish he's stop putting that act of love. It's sickening"
"Levy, I don't understand this but you're reprimanding Natsu too much today" Lisanna asked unable to understand the strange behaviour of her friend. She didn't remember the girl to be so harsh on someone.
"I'm merely stating a fact. He should stop his act and straighten things up"
"What facts?" Lisanna was confused.
Slip!
Levy wasn't supposed to tell anyone who didn't know of their situation. Lisanna certainly wasn't one of them who knew the secret. She couldn't believe how she made the blunder. She had to make up a story. She had to avoid the questions. She can't break her promise to her dear Lu-cahn.
"Levy, there is something you know which I don't right?" Lisanna got suspicious.
"No, nothing in particular" she shrugged off.
"I can tell. What is it that you are hiding from me? I want to know too. What happened in the time I was gone? Their story is really interesting to hear…"
And sad too…
"Nothing happened, Lisanna. You're worrying for no reason. Trust me"
"Which I'm finding it difficult to… Tell me or I'll have to ask Natsu"
"He'd probably twist the story in his own defence!"
Second slip!
Levy now truly hated that guy. She was on the verge of breaking her promise to her Lu-chan because she lost control of her mouth when it comes to him. She got too used to badmouth him or what? But what he did deserved even worse.
"Levy! Something bad happened, right? What happened? I want to know. Lucy's smiles are not that bright. I thought it was due to the exhaustion. There is something else going on here which I'm unaware of. What is it?" Lisanna pressed further seeing that her guess was right. She definitely honed her skills for prying out information.
"N-n-nothing. N-nothing really! Oh, Gajeel is calling me… I have to go. Ryuu is probably falling asleep. Nice to see you, Lisanna. We'll catch up later okay?" Levy faked the reason and Lisanna knew it. Gajeel and Ryuu were nowhere in their sight. Now Lisanna was determined to know what was the secret between Natsu and Lucy… something Natsu didn't even bother sharing it with his childhood friend…
"Something is wrong here… And I'll figure out what it is for sure…"
:: Formal ::
Finished & Edited: 00:00 IST, 16th June, 2015
A/n: Typing this chapter, I completely forgot about the time. Today's my mom's birthday. I hope she has wonderful birthdays ahead and that I can be with her for her next birthday (this year I'm at my hostel far away ;_;). I hope she lives a happy and healthy life though.
This light-hearted (atleast a little, I hope) chapter is dedicated to my lovely mother who is very supportive of me. The next chapter has the most favourite part of mine in the entire story. We'll get to that tomorrow. I don't want to spoil anything for you guys.
Thank you for being a reader of this story though! Also, thank you for the wonderful reviews! We've crossed the milestone of 50 already. You guys rock!
I have work to do tomorrow. Gotta sleep! *yawns*
