Chapter 10
When the morning came, Natsu was sitting in his car as his driver drives him to their building. He was glancing at the streets as the vehicle was moving, but the consciousness of the man was too far away from reality. He was recalling his night at the exhibit where he met the woman at the art gallery. He remembered how her voice sounded when she enthusiastically tried to answer his question. He recalled how her blonde hair would sway whenever she moved and how perfect she seemed to be under his grasp, especially when he caught her after she slipped due to her gown.
Unaware of what he was doing, he was suddenly smiling at the window and the driver couldn't help but remark then bright smile.
"Natsu-sama, you seem happy today?" the driver said as he looked at the rearview in the middle of the car, looking at his master. When the called man looked at him with surprise, Natsu couldn't help but cock his sideways
"Why'd you say that Yuko-san? I'm always happy" Natsu then chuckles at the man for finding him odd
"I know sir…but you don't usually smile like the way you did ago before I said anything" Yuko, the driver, said before looking back at the streets. When the driver said no more, Natsu finding it weird because he was always the smiling person, so he couldn't quite imagine what smile he was talking about. And so, Natsu just looks away and glances back at the street.
After the last turn to a corner, Natsu has finally arrived at the Dragneel Art Corporation. Grabbing his bag and his phone, Natsu looked at the driver before opening his door, "Yuko-san, you don't have to pick me up tonight, I'll be working overtime today."
"Yes sir…but, what will I say to Lady Grandine if she asks me why I haven't left the manor yet?" Yuko asked as he worried about the man behind him
"You can tell her the truth. She'd be mad but not to you, just me" Natsu then grinned widely making the driver somehow relaxed, "Don't worry, I can handle her" Then Natsu pushed the door wide open to step out. Once he was, he bend to check on the driver again and said, "Thanks, Yuko-san!" and with that Natsu stood up straight, and closes the door shut.
Soon enough, Natsu started his way up to the front entrance of the building. As he entered, he was greeted by a few employees who were there earlier than him at seven in the morning. When Natsu rode the elevator to head to his floor, he settled himself at the back of the small contraption, he suddenly reminisced again about last night.
"I know, you know my name…" he said as he looked straight into the eyes of the blonde, "But I'll just introduce my name again just to make sure that you'll remember me…"
"I know your name…You're Natsu, Natsu Dragneel" the woman said as she shyly smiles at him when she saw the sudden twinkle in his eyes, "I never forgot your name"
"Good…" he then looked down as he tried to hide his bashful face, which didn't go unnoticed by the blonde. When he felt the blonde squeeze back, he abruptly looks up and stared for a second, "Please, let me know your name…"
"Why should I tell you my name?" the woman asked as she eyed him
"So that I could name the woman who has been clouding my mind ever since the first meeting…"
with his statement, he clearly made the woman speechless but it was weird to think that somehow he feels like he made her happy. Still confused by what he was seeing and feeling, he suddenly sees her smirk triumphantly at him and said, "Someday…someday, you'll know my name"
"Why not now?" he asked impatiently as he squeezes her hand again
"I don't think it's a perfect time yet…" then they locked gaze at one another. As they did, he noticed that her gaze to his thin lips but quickly looked up back to his eyes and that is when he saw her cheeks color again. And so to keep her blushing more, he asked, "Do you plan to stay in my mind longer than you should?" this time, it was him who looked down at the plumped lips of the blonde and watched it open to talk
"Does it bother you? Am I bothering you?" as the woman unconsciously bites her lower lip in anticipation, he couldn't help feeling like he wanted to kiss those lips but when e realized what he thought, he quickly averted his gaze back to her eyes and answered
"Yes," he sternly replied and receives the anticipated reaction from the blonde, which was to frown. "Then forget me" the woman began to pull away and it terrified him so he quickly replied
"But I can't…"
"What?" the woman suddenly widens her eyes at him
"I can't forget you no matter what I do…"
"A-and why not?" the blonde asked back curiously
"B-because…" he then trails off as he looked away from the blonde when he felt his cheeks to flare up.
"How about this…" he gradually looked back at the woman, "When you find the reason why you can't forget me,maybe I will tell you my name. But until then, just remember me as the mysterious woman"
"No," he said as he shakes his head in disagreement making the blonde woman raise her brow, "you are the woman in the art gallery"
Shortly chuckling at the name he gave her, she then nodded in agreement as she repeated the name, "Than I am the woman in the art gallery"
"I wonder when will that perfect time be?" Natsu said to himself as he ends his reminiscing of last night event. When his question was not answered by anyone, the elevator did, by dinging when it reached the desired floor. Quickly enough, Natsu pushed himself off the wall of the elevator and walked out of it. As he began to walk the hall to his office, a few employees walking past him greeted him until finally he reaches his door and disappears inside.
As the day went on, Natsu was already in the middle of reading some information about the International Art Exhibit when his secretary, Daichi, entered and cleared his throat to catch the attention of the president. When he did, he watched Natsu took off his reading glasses then sighed as he leaned back in his computer chair.
"What is it Daichi?" Natsu asked as he leaned further in his chair
"Sir, we have scheduled a meeting already with the MAI this Friday," Daichi said as he checked the planner of the president
"Good! Were you able to note who would be coming?" Natsu said with grin on his face as he leans forward and crosses his arm over the table
"Yes sir," Daichi nodded before opening the planner once again, "The president of MAI have confirmed that her delegates will be the ones attending the meeting since she has other commitments already this Friday. So Ms. Jane Rosster, the Art and Fashion Department head will be coming along with her two team leaders for art and fashion"
Natsu then nodded as he thought about something regarding the meeting, "Alright, make sure that Ms. Strauss will have a free schedule tomorrow"
"Yes sir," And with that Daichi turned his back when suddenly Natsu called on to him again
"Daichi," Natsu called out
"Sir?" Daichi asked as he stops by the door
"Who are the two scout team leaders coming tomorrow?" Natsu questioned as he grabbed his glasses from the table and readied it to be worn again
"Um, Ms. Cana Alberona and Ms. Lu-oh!" Daichi said but was cut short quickly when an employee suddenly opened the door making Daichi stumble away from it, "Sorry Daichi!" a short woman said as she peeked inside the office
"Um Sir?" the woman then glanced at her boss
"Yes, Mrs. Yuri?" Natsu replied as he tried to stifle his chuckle
"Your father called and he said he wanted an update about the exhibit from the IAA," the elderly said as she smiled at the two men
"Thank you, Mrs. Yuri, I'll call my dad" Natsu then nodded to the woman who then left the room. And so Natsu returned his attention back to his secretary, "Daichi, kindle just send out the invitation to them"
"Yes sir" and with that Daichi left the room leaving the president to sigh in tiredness early in the morning.
As Lissana sat by her desk, she leans back to her chair and thought about her previous night. As she got lost to her realization that the woman she met last night was the woman Natsu was also trying to find and know the name, she couldn't shake off the feeling like she needed to do something about it.
Last night, she thought that destiny should do her part in making Natsu and Luciya meet and know each other. But she thought again, destiny sometimes like to play too much to the point that lives get too messed up. And so, she has been thinking if she should do something about it.
She knew nothing about Luciya except for the fact that the woman could be mysterious, a person holding on too much of secrets. She wanted to read the woman but she just couldn't because the woman was just too guarded to be understood. And so, Lissana couldn't help but not to truly trust the woman, knowing that Natsu has put on too much liking to her.
As Natsu's best friend, she knew the man was a true sweetheart because when he loves, he just gives his all. And that is what is scaring her. She's afraid that Natsu would give his heart to a woman who can never be understood without forcing her to share. She is scared that Natsu would be trying hard to keep the woman around despite the dark secrets the woman may be holding.
And so, Lissana has come to her own resolves and that is to end Natsu's unsafe fantasy to know the woman. She decided to tell her best friend the name of the woman he has been thinking about so that Natsu would no longer have an excuse to keep on searching for her.
"I know you'll hate me for doing this, but I have to do this Natsu," Lissana said to no one in particular as she pushes her chair away to stand. But as soon as she stood up, a knock came, making Lissana stop for a minute.
The person who knocked on her door then opened it and revealed themselves. And there Lissana, saw Daichi peeked and gave a shy smile, "Hello Ms. Staruss"
"Daichi," Lissana called out as she returned the smile, "Come in"
"So, what can I do for you?" Lissana continued as she still stood and watched the man fully entered
"Sir Natsu told me to tell you that you must keep your schedule tomorrow cleared because you would be taking part in the meeting with the MAI"
"MAI? Tomorrow?" Lissana asked surprised
"Yes, Ms. Rosster, Ms. Alberona, and Ms. Hart would be coming here as the representatives of MAI to discuss the sponsoring of International Art Exhibit" Daichi said in a matter of fact tone
"Um…Ms. Hart? As in Ms. Luciya Hart?" Lissana curiously asked as if she was beginning to be excited for some reason
"Why yes. Have you met her?" Daichi surprisingly questioned making Lissana smile sweetly
"Let's say we did…" Lissana began to smirk mischievously which the secretary noticed
"Uh, sh-should I be scared of your smile Ms. Staruss?" Daichi asked nervously making Lissana laugh as she has noticed the slight shaking of the man
"No, don't worry Daichi, this is not an evil scheme. Just…don't tell Natsu that I know one of the delegates. Okay?" Lissana the beamed a bright smile which the secretary returned before nodding and left the room.
When Lissana was alone again, instead of leaving her room to do what she was supposed to do, she just grabbed her chair and sat down, sighing in relief.
"I guess destiny doesn't want me to intervene in its plan…I guess, I should just trust it and let things unfold on its own"
Please call in Ms. Alberona and Ms. Hart into my office…thank you" a voice said coming from the speaker of the phone. Soon enough the secretary who holds the call stood up and walked up to the two office of the team leaders. When the secretary was in front of Ms. Hart's office, she softly knocks and waits for an acknowledgment, "Come in"
"Ms. Hart? Good day" the secretary greeted
"Yes, Ms. Kinana?" Lucy greeted back as she looks up at the secretary
"Ms. Rosster wants you in her office along with Ms. Cana. I'll be advising her as well"
"Alright, thank you. I'll be heading over" Lucy said before she began to stand and fix her stuff as the secretary left the room. After a few minutes later, a brunette woman peeked and called on to her, "Hey blondie!"
"Hey," Lucy greeted, briefly looking at the brunette before finally finishes her fixing, "I am done. Let's go" Lucy chimed before she pulls the door open wide and left the room.
After a short walk to the office of the department head, Lucy and Cana found themselves sitting in front of the head manager. And so the two gave their smiles as they waited for their manager to look back at them.
"Alright…" Rosster said still looking at her paper but then she places her pen down and looked up, "How are you two?"
"Um…we're good," Lucy said as she curiously glanced at her friend who gave a questioning look too, "Everything is good"
"Excellent. So, how was the event last night? Did we get a contract with a new artist?" Rosster asked with all smiles
"Meh…" Cana sounded but Lucy quickly nudges her to stop acting disrespectful, and so Cana looked at the blonde as if to tell her to relax, "We did have some contracts offered but not much-sealed deal"
"That's fine" Rosster then leaned forward making the two straighten their back as if to pay full attention, "But the reason why I asked you two here is because I want you to free your schedule tomorrow morning"
"Tomorrow morning? May I ask why?" Lucy politely asked but Cana just cackles as she said yes loudly
"Yes!" Cana exclaimed, "So yes! Is it a vacation? Or a trip to a bar? Oh oh, maybe some beer exhibit?!"
"Uh…no" Rosster nonchalantly replied to the brunette who then sulked after, "As I was going to explain…"
"Sorry about that" Lucy apologized for Cana, which the manager accepted
"I need you two to be with me at the Dragneel Art Corp to represent our institution tomorrow. We would be discussing the International Art Exhibit sponsoring"
"W-wait," Lucy then widens her eyes in nervousness as she leans forward, "Are we to uh- talk with the high ups?"
"Yes, the president of DAC will personally sit with us and have this event established" Rosster then leans back to her chair as if to relax
"Oh…uh. You know what, I think I can't come because I have a…um…" Lucy then tried to think of an excuse and Cana can see her through that her friend was trying to hide away, knowing that the president is Natsu Dragneel.
"She has dentist appointment" Cana made excuse for her friend, which Lucy felt grateful for
"Yes! Cana is right… I have a…dentist appointment" Lucy slowly nods as if she was convinced with her lame excuse
"But!" Cana quickly added, "I can have her reschedule it. So don't worry we'll be there!" Lucy then stares at the brunette stunned
"Good! Then I'll see you two tomorrow at the lobby of DAC at 9 am" Rosster happily informed, which Cana took as a sign to leave
"Okay! See you tomorrow" Cana then stood up, pulled Lucy up, and pushed her out of the room.
When the two was no longer inside the room of their manager, Cana abruptly pulled Lucy back to her office and made her sit down.
"Okay, breathe in and breathe out" Cana instructed the blonde who obliged after, "Do you want to tell me why you were planning not to attend that meeting?"
"Cana, didn't you hear Rosster? We would be talking with the president of DAC" Lucy said with pure worry in her voice
"So? It's just Natsu" Cana countered back while furrowing her eyebrows together
"Cana!" Lucy squealed almost crying, "that is the problem…we are going to talk with Natsu"
"Blondie, you are this," Cana began to wave her hand in the air as if she was a big mess, "Poker face lady who walks around MAI. And just like that, meeting Natsu, talking to him, him catching you. You're all this, very sweet, blushing, fangirl"
"Cana, I am no fangirl, okay. I'm just-"
"You're just what? Come on, it's obvious you were trying to avoid him like… you didn't want to be seen by your crush…wait he's your crush?" Cana then gleams her eyes in excitement
"What?! No!" Lucy then shook her head in disbelief, "Cana! Can you be serious!"
"I am serious. I think you have a crush on him"
"Can! No! Cana!" Lucy whined as her face was now blushing
"uhhh-your blushing!" Cana then chuckles out loud making Lucy blush even more but instead of retorting back she just puffs some air and pouts, "Okay-okay…I'll stop"
"Well, you should…" Lucy said before she sighed tiredly, "What am I going to do?" Lucy asked worriedly
As Cana leans herself to the edge of Lucy's table while crossing her arms over her chest, she just then shrugs her shoulder, "I think you should just relax and let things happen"
"That is the point, I don't want things to happen" Lucy countered back
"Oh come on, you are there professionally. You are not there to make mingle…there is a difference" Cana then smiled at the blonde who was finally relaxing, "If I were you, get to know him as a president. The way he works, the way how he treats his people, and just simply him"
"Why do I have to do that?" Lucy then furrows her brows in question
"I know you, even if you don't admit to yourself that he has become your point of interest, you are curious about who he is" Cana then stood up straight and began to walk towards the door and slightly turned the knob, "This is your chance to fully get to know the man. I'm pretty sure that tomorrow won't be the last…instead, it would be the beginning"
And with that, Cana fully turned the knob and swung the door open to leave. When the door was closed, Lucy let out a deep sigh as she dropped herself into her chair and stared at her ceiling, "Well, this is the beginning of my death…"
To be continued…