Chapter 11 - The Revelation
"The war is off." Lucy said
"What, why?" They stood in the Fear a Fairy parking lot beside their cars.
"I can't deal with our new coworker right now." She replied truthfully.
The entire night she hadn't been able to get him out of her head. And in turn, hadn't figured out a way to deal with her depressed mother trying to score.
"How come?" Mira insisted. Her eyes were rimmed with red.
"Just because."
"You do realize that's not really an answer? I could've really enjoyed this war.. I'm super mad at men right now."
"Are you okay Mira?"
"Of course I'm okay. Now tell me why there's no war." She waves for me to continue.
"Alright, if you say so." Lucy didn't protest but was cut short when Mira replied.
"Freed stood me up last night. Do you think he's mad at me for not giving him an answer to the proposal yet? Is this some kind of retribution? Punishment?" She doesn't wait for Lucy's response.
"Well I don't have an answer! I thought about it all night and still couldn't come up with one." She sighs.
"I'm really sorry Mira, truly I am. But he'll need an answer eventually."
"I know, I know. I'll figure it out sooner or later. But I really wanted a distraction in the meantime. And war against the guy hurting one of my best friends is a good place to start."
"He's not hurting me."
Infuriated and Excited her, yes. Abso-freaking-lutely!
"Look, if you want to continue go ahead. Just don't expect me to help." Lucy sighed.
It's not that she didn't want to. She couldn't. She was going to be nice now.
"I don't believe you. Don't tell me you can't handle him either because I know better. Yesterday he called you incompetent and you hated him. What happened between now and then to change your mind?"
Let's see.. oh yeah, she hadn't realized how much fighting turned him on too!
"I've found religion, I'm going to try something new.. it's called forgiveness."
"Really? You found religion? In one night?" Mira snorted
"Hey I'm religious!"
"And forgiving?"
Before Lucy could reply, Lissana pushed open the front door of the building peeking outside.
"Porlyusica's calling a meeting." She said
"A meeting?" Mira asks
"Guess so, I didn't question it."
"Thanks, we'll be right there."
"See you inside!"
Hmm, a meeting? About what? Wait, Lucy probably had an idea .. Natsu!
Turning back to Mira.
"How do I look?"
Her friend gave her a once over and frowned. "Is it laundry day today?"
She purposely dressed to un-impress in ripped jeans, old college t-shirt and sneakers. Compared to her usual outfits she wore, this was a huge downgrade.
"Great!" Lucy grinned
If being nice to Natsu didn't control their lust. She figured she'd need some type of shield against him. Maybe he won't like her now that she's not dressed provocatively?
"Wait, you dressed like this on purpose?" Mira shook her head.
I shrug.
"Okay then. So, I wonder what Boss Lady wants?"
Together they walked towards the building. "She probably wants to introduce Natsu to the rest of the staff." Lucy said as she opened the front doors.
"Look." She said frowning.
Mira stopped mid-stride and spun around.
"What?"
"Look at the walls."
Her friend did as told and her mouth fell slack.
"All of our posters are gone!"
The girls designed and hung up male-bashing posters along the walls.
One of my favorites was:
Did you ever notice how all of our problems begin with MEN?
MENtal Anxiety.
MENtal Breakdowns.
MENstrual Cramps.
MENopause.
"The clients fell in love with those posters.."
Where are they and why had they been taken down?
"Porlyusica had even suggested we make more.." Mira said sadly.
"This has Natsu written all over it!" Lucy said through clenched teeth
"—If he thinks he can make this place a "man-friendly" business just because he's an employee now, he's got another thing coming." I continue ranting.
"—I mean, who does he think he is messing with our walls?! He's only worked here a day, I swear I'm going to.. to .."
"Still determined to forget the war?" Mira smirks..
"Yes." No.
"Stubborn, come on we're probably late." Mira tugged her down the hall.
They swept past open glass doors and entered the conference room. We're the last to arrive, everyone already present except Natsu. Thankfully.
Currently they were all standing around the long square table sipping coffee and chatting.
Lucy had always thought that seeing them together was like looking at a painting come to life. Each one of us, lovely and desirable in different ways.
Mira had grace and elegance. She attracted the art collectors, men who liked fine wine. While Lucy usually attracted the ones who liked a challenge. Levy, our very own fairy, enchanted the ones with innocent fantasies. Ezra, with her stunning scarlet hair appealed to men who wanted a spanking. We think she's a dominatrix, but it's only a rumor. Then there was Lisanna, like her sister held grace and could sweet talk anything, it was a gift really. Juvia is the bubbly bluenette, her charisma and long legs had men flocking. And Cana, the sun tanned beauty with a smile and body that said..let's jump into bed.
Porlyusica, the leader of this exquisite painting, sat at the head of the table, attention centered on a stack of papers.
"The conference walls are bare too.." Mira mummered.
Plain gray walls stared back at them. The posters gone. As if they'd never existed! She clenched her hands at her sides. Grrr.. Is it bad to hope he gets hurt on his way here?!
Damn, when had I become such a bitch?
Lucy sighed. No matter what happened today. She was going to ask Porlyusica about buying the company, or at least becoming partner. She'd borrow and beg for money if necessary. Anything to get rid of Natsu..
"Good afternoon everyone."
Lucy felt every nerve in her body flare at the sound of his voice. Raw. Deep. Husky. Slight Accent. It's Lethal..
And cruel! The devil's favorite spawn shouldn't sound like an angel!
Just then, Natsu brushed past her.. on purpose? Shoulders touching briefly.
She pressed her lips together to hold in a gasp. It's disgust, she told herself. Not lust. No way. He's mean and hateful and egotistical and not to mention he took down our posters!!
Everyone began to whisper while Porlyusica and Natsu shook hands and engaged in a quiet conversation.
Conversations throughout the room diminished to silence as every woman looked on, speculating? wondering?
Despite the sudden silence, Lucy still couldn't hear what he and Porlyusica we're saying.
"Who is he again?" Juvia whispered to Levy
"He was here yesterday, remember?" Levy answered
"I remember that cute ass!" Cana laughed
"I hate him for taking down our posters, but he's an evil slice of cake, isn't he?" Mira winked at her.
Their admiration was a little irritating. They didn't know him. If they did, they'd stop staring at him and break out their mace
"I've never seen a more perfect example of a human pig." I huffed
"Does he need to be punished?" Ezra supplied with a evil glint in her eyes.
"Let's put a pin on that for now."
"Wait, He took down our posters?" Lissana asked
"Yeah, that bastard.." Lucy growled the last part.
"What was that?" Levy laughed
Everyone looked at her expectantly, even Natsu. Lucy felt her cheeks warm up.
"Nothing, absolutely nothing." She said sweetly giving Natsu a saccharine smile.
His eyes blinked in surprise, confusion and desire? As he gazed at her grinning lips.
Porlyusica clapped her hands, gaining everyone's attention. "Have a seat, ladies. There are some things we need to discuss."
The girls went to their respective chairs around the table. Lucy claiming the farthest at the end from Natsu as possible.
He was still watching her, she realized when their gazes locked. Olive green against Chesnut brown. Excitement. She felt it sparking to life, and felt it radiating from him. Great! Now he didn't even need to insult her to turn her on. He just needed to look at her. Fucking fabulous!
Lucy forced her features to relax and put on a welcoming smile.
"Hi Natsu, it's nice to see you again." She said in greeting.
Ugh, Gag me.
Once more he blinked in surprise. Confusion darkening his captivating eyes.
"Nice to see you too?" He said unsure.
Everyone looked from Natsu to her, then from her to Natsu. "You two know each other?"
"Yes, met yesterday." He said simply.
"Yes." Unfortunately.
"And first name basis already?" Cana grinned towards Lucy.
Porlyusica coughed to get our attention.
"Enough. I want to begin our meeting by saying how proud I am of each and every one of you." There was an unusual hint of emotion in her voice.
Usually Porlyusica began her speeches and lectures by telling them they were ingrates and should fall on their knees, thanking her for allowing them to work for her. But, proud of them? Possibly even sad? This can't be good..
"I'm sure there were times you wanted to kill me, but you didn't. And not many women would show such restraint."
"Ms. Porlyusica? What are you trying to tell us?" Ezra demands.
"You're not dying .. right?" Juvia almost in tears.
"I'm getting to that, you ingrates! Shut it and let me finish." Porlyusica wagged her finger.
Ah, now that's our Boss Lady Porly.
"As I was saying. Change is inevitable. And I can't say I'm sorry because it was time.."
Lucy's attention veered to Natsu. His gaze was locked on her lips again. Her mouth parted as she tried to catch her breath. Natsu raised his eyes.. and they devoured her, undressed her right there and then in the conference room.
Porlyusica's voice faded from her ears and in that suspended moment. Her entire world revolved around Natsu..
Look away, look away, look away!
But she couldn't, he'd trapped her and held her captive.
Thankfully for whatever reason, he tore his gaze away and she was able to do the same. She could breathe and hear Porlyusica again.
"Natsu, are you ready?" Porlyusica gestured towards him.
He nodded and stood, anchoring his hands behind his back. His mouth slightly curled at the corner. Suddenly he looked ready for a fight.
What kind of game was she playing? Natsu wondered. Her features radiated all kinds of emotions. Lust: his favorite. Hate: to be expected. Sweetness: a shocking development and surely a lie. Innocence: Also a lie.
But the sweet smile was giving him a hard-on. Honestly, what didn't nowadays? He was really beginning to miss his sexual slump. He had hoped, it was only Lucy's anger that turned him on. Nope! Now he'd have to be nice to her without making her smile.
That wasn't even the worst of it, she sat a good distance from him and he could still smell her! No, not her perfume. But her!
Stop breathing Idiot!
So to recap: He'd have to be nice to her without making her smile and standing far enough so that he couldn't smell her.
Yeah, totally doable.. not
Women like her should be caged and thrown into a cave. And the cave should be permanently blocked from the rest of the world. Dangerous, that's what she was! Dangerous to his piece mind. His good sense. His work ethic!
He faced her for the bloody thousandth time. Hoping that this time she would not affect him. Hoping that this time the desire wouldn't make an appearance.
Her golden hair was styled down today. Long and lustrous.. She fingered one of the strands, winding the end around her finger. When she released it, she pushed it behind her ear. Her ear with the piercings I want to lick.
Dear God. The torture.
His stomach tightened into a hard knot when she smiled at him. Again! Stuffing his hands into his pockets to keep from strangling that sexy, wouldn't you like to spank me smile right off her.
Porlyusica's next words cut through the fog enveloping his mind.
"—And so I'm going to take a chance for once. Something I've wanted to do for a while. I want a life outside of this office..I..I sold the business."
Lucy's eyes widen.
"I'm sure you knew it was coming or at least expected it. But now you know."
Lucy's eyes widened even more. Nearly popping out.
"Now ladies, I'd like you to meet your new boss and the new owner of Fear a Fairy. Natsu Dragneel."
Disbelief spread over Lucy's face. She paled and focused all her attention on Porlyusica.
"Wait, WHAT?! No, no, no! Tell me you're lying. Damn it Porlyusica! You told me he was an employee!"
"Which is partly true. He still plans to be active in the field."
Feeling the need to show triumph, Natsu strode to the end of the table and flattened his hands on the surface. He'd regret this later. Leaning towards Lucy, her scent arousing, as it surrounded him.
He almost resisted as he opened his mouth to speak. But Lucy beat him to it.
"Double or nothing says you won't shut up and walk away from here right now." She whispered menacingly.
With no hesitation, he whispered just as softly. "You win, Princess ..or should I say Puppet? .. I do control your strings now." He grinned wickedly.
"Dance little puppet, dance.."
End of Chapter 11