Hey again guys, surprisingly a very fast update from me. Hahahaha, I have a day off on Monday, which is kind of a heaven feeling, so I decided to make double chapters this weekend. I'm really grateful for you guys who supports this story by reading it, giving a review, faves, and follows.
Anyway, I bet the previous chapter may cause you some confusion so let me explain bit :
If you noticed the sentence from the previous chapter, which is "She approached him as fast as she could", that is the moment Erza was hit by the truck. And so what happens so on until Erza heard Aiden's voice, it's all just a dream. But apparently, some of the conversations in her dreams resemble the ones that Jellal told to her when Erza woke up.
So that's the little explanation but I hope it gave you more understanding about what seems weird in the previous chapter. Okay then, without anymore delay, let's read!
DISCLAIMER : I DON'T OWN ANYTHING, INCLUDING FAIRY TAIL!
The Secretly Aphrodisiac
Chapter 11
The next day, before noon, Erza's father visited Erza. "Hey, sweetheart. I heard that you're awake. Thank goodness everything is fine.", he was caressing Erza. "I, I'm sorry dad. I didn't mean to make you worry so much. It's because I was so reckless.", Erza apologized to her father while holding his hand that was caressing her. He only smiled back to her.
"So, Jellal came, huh?", he asked. "Yeah. He did. Were you… scolding him?", Erza asked. He smiled and left a small sigh, "No, I didn't. I just gave him my serious glare when we talked. And I knew it, he still has feelings for you. So that's why-", Erza cut his words, "You're not going easy on him. Jeez, dad, why do you have to be like that?", Erza complained. "Because I don't want my little girl to be hurt again. Emotionally.", he whined. Erza just smiled for how her father treated her still like a little girl. "But watch it. You put too much protection on me and I'll swear you won't have grandchildren.", Erza threat sure made her father scared. They ended up laughing to each other.
They chatted for a while, until a nurse came in, "Miss Scarlet. We'll going to do a checkup on you to see how's your wound is progressing. If it's fine, we will let you out from the hospital.", realizing that another nurse and a doctor came, Erza's father left the room for a while.
Several minutes passed and the doctor came out from Erza's room. Erza's father asked about Erza's condition and she's fine to go now. Her father entered the room again and found Erza slowly preparing herself for the leave. Soon after, they checked out from the hospital and they went to their home.
"You should take a rest now. You have classes tomorrow at the campus. Your absence today have been acknowledged by the campus because I took care of it. So don't worry. I'll be going to the restaurant, so watch the house, okay?", Erza gave a nod, "Be careful!", both of them waved their hand and Erza closed the door.
Erza sat on the couch in the living room. She gazed to the ceiling, thinking of what should she do. "Oh, I should call them. They should I know that I've checked out.", Erza pulled out her phone but then she looked at the time. It's still 1 in the afternoon. So she thought, she will only text them on the group chat.
I'm back at home. I just checked out this morning. They said I'm fine to go. Erza wrote.
Few minutes later.
Thank goodness, we'll visit there after we finished our classes. How about at 3? Can everyone go? Lucy replied.
Me. Gray replied
Juvia! Juvia replied.
I think I might be stuck at campus until before dusk. There's a project that need to be presented tomorrow. Natsu replied.
Professor Kotobuki's class? Suck to be you. *devil emoticon*. Gray replied. (It's Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki.)
Shut up, Gray! *angry emoticon* He creeps me out every time he's smelling something. I bet he's gonna score our projects just with his smell sensor. *sighing emoticon*. Natsu replied.
Hang in there, Natsu. I'll buy sandwiches later. *smile with a blush emoticon*. Lucy replied.
THANK YOU LUCY! *hugging emoticons*. Natsu replied.
Hahahaha are you guys still in class? Erza wrote.
Yep. Natsu replied.
Yep. Lucy replied.
Reading in the library now. Juvia replied.
Waiting for another class to start. Gray replied.
Okay then. I'll prepare something at home for you guys. Erza wrote.
The others just read her message but then suddenly someone replied.
Don't burn the house. Natsu replied.
Erza's brow was twitching.
I DON'T PLAN TO! JUST GO STUDY! Erza wrote.
Wow, stop yexting, Erza. It's annoying. Lucy replied.
What the hell is "yexting"? Gray replied.
Yell texting. Juvia replied
You girls sure have different vocabularies stored in you. Gray replied.
Erza left her phone on the desk and went to the kitchen to prepare some foods for her friends. She succeed to bake a cake and a big portion of omelet rice.
They sure gonna eat a lot from the tiring day in the campus. I made sure I left something for Natsu.
It's already noon. She wanted to watch some TV. So, Erza put her apron back in the kitchen and her phone buzzed. There's a phone call from Jellal. She picked up.
"Hey.", Erza greeted.
"Just 'hey'? Why didn't you tell me you checked out this noon?", Jellal complained like a little child.
"Do I really need to respond that tone to you?", Erza replied.
"Jeez, Erza. You're no fun.", Jellal complained again.
"Okay, seriously. You changed a lot. Like, A LOT. What in the world name happened to you? This is not the Jellal I know in the past.", Erza replied.
"I acted like this just because I want to hear your voice when you're mad. It's cute.", Jellal laughed.
Erza was blushing.
"I know you are blushing right now.", Jellal teased.
"S-Shut up! And I'm not cute.", Erza yelled.
"Oh, so that's why your friends told me that you can't get a boyfriend easily. Boys hardly can call you cute straight-forwardly. But don't worry, I'll help you. Because, I can tell you that you are cute. Really cute.", Jellal charmed her.
Erza was silent but she was blushing harder.
"You must be blushing harder now. Ahhh! If only I can see your really cute blushing face!", Jellal teased her again.
"I swear I will call off the marriage right away.", Erza replied nonchalantly.
"No no no no no!", Jellal panicked.
"Then stop being such a pervert! We have things to settle so decide when!", Erza yelled.
"Anytime.", Jellal replied.
"Then, now. Like right now. Come to my house. I can be a demanding woman, so if you gonna be my man, you better come right here as soon as possible.", Erza cut the call and then she sat on the couch.
5 minutes later. A door's bell rang. Erza quickly opened the door.
"You're late.", Erza pulled Jellal's hand to make him enter the house and then slammed the door. "Go take a seat there in the dining table.", Erza pointed with her face. "I'll get you some water.", Jellal walked to the dining room as Erza went to fridge to get a bottled water. Erza took a cup from the cupboard and went to the dining room. She put the cup on the table pour some water from the bottled water.
"What's the hurry?", Jellal grinned at her. "My friends going to visit here this afternoon and dad's probably gonna go home early today.", Erza explained. "Oh.", was the only answer from Jellal. "You want something to eat? You haven't eat lunch, have you?", Erza asked. "Yeah, sure. Did you make any?", Jellal asked. "Mhm. Wait a second, I grab a plate for you.", Erza grab a plate from the omelet rice serving she made and gave it to Jellal. "Taste it. I hope it's okay.", Erza said. "Any food from you is fine by me.", Jellal teased her. "Stop with the teasing or I shove the entire plate to your mouth.", Erza scolded him. "Sorry, sorry. I'm going to eat now. Thanks for the food.", Jellal grabbed his spoon and dug the omelet rice.
Jellal put the spoon filled with omelet rice into his mouth. He chewed it, but rather slowly. He's really tasting it carefully. "So? Is it good?", Erza asked. "It's really good. With you, we don't have to bother Corrine much for making foods.", Jellal smiled to her and Erza let out a huge sigh. "Thank goodness. When I told my friends I'm about to cook, Natsu told me that I'm going to burn the house. Like, I'm not that bad for a cook. I have my father's recipe.", Erza said. "Oh, is your dad a chef?", Jellal asked. "Yeah. He has his own restaurant in the city. His foods are always amazing.", Erza replied.
"Hmm… But can I critique you on about something? For your omelet rice.", Jellal asked. "W-What is it?", Erza was nervous. "I don't know what did you put in there but…", Jellal took something from his mouth and then observed it a bit, "this black thing. Is it a pebble or some ingredient that is burned inside of your omelet or something?", he showed something small and black and Erza just surprised by it. "Ah, I-I don't know about it. Maybe it just a burned ingredient. Sorry about that.", Erza laughed a bit. "It's okay. It's a tiny chance that this pebble kind of thing going to be found again in your food. It kind of hurts my teeth", Jellal replied and continued to eat the omelet rice. "I-I'm really sorry. I'll try harder next time.", Erza let out a small laugh.
"So. You said that is something to talk about for our marriage.", Jellal said. "Oh, yes. It's actually, I want to talk about my conditions before I marry you. Do you mind?", Erza replied as she was taking a seat across Jellal's. "OK. I'll hear you.", Jellal put his spoon down. "First, for our wedding day. I don't want it to be too fancy. I know you are rich and stuff, but just keep it simple and memorable. And I don't want so many people to come, maybe we should invite our close friends and families.", Erza said. "Okay, that will be done. Next?", Jellal replied.
"Second, according to law, when I am married to you, my surname should change to yours, right? But I want it to be Erza Scarlet Fernandes. I can't let other people know that I'm married to you. Because you still keeping yourself secret to the entire world, right? Just like your children. In the school's registry, they are registered as Aiden Heinz and Ava Heinz. Heinz is their middle name I presume, since I think you don't want them to be known as a Fernandes.", Erza explained. "Name problem, I can handle it. I'm surprised that you noticed Aiden's and Ava's middle name.", Jellal grinned. "Of course. You would hide their last name because you still want to live in secrecy.", Erza replied. "Alright, alright. Anything else about your conditions?", Jellal replied.
"I think this is the last, but I suppose I should've told you this first. It's about my dad. There's a certain condition you have to meet with my dad. I don't know what it is, it might be some kind of test for you. I'm kind of nervous too. So, I hope you can meet with him soon and settle it. So if it possible today, you should come tonight.", Erza explained. "Tonight? Okay then. Just text me when you have talked to your father.", Jellal replied. "Right, I will.", Erza said. "Then, that's it? Your conditions?", Jellal asked. "Yup. That's all. Now it's just the matter of informing our guests for our wedding. Just come meet me again when you have decided who to invite.", Erza said.
"Sure thing.", Jellal looked at his watch and realized something, "I think I should take my leave here. I have a meeting to attend.", Jellal said. "Oh, always the busy person you are. You sure you alright bumping me into your tight schedule?", Erza said. Jellal walked closer to Erza and hold her chin with his right hand, "I can do anything for you. So don't be worry. I'll see you soon.", Jellal let go and he walked towards the door. "Oh. Thanks for the lunch. Next time, I'll try to cook for you.", Jellal smiled and then waved to her. Erza replied with a smile too. As the door closes, her smile fainted. She picked her cellphone and then pressed some numbers to call a someone.
"Dad, it's me. A guy is trying to marry me. You said you want to see the guy first before he marries me right?", Erza said.
"Oh? Who is he?"
"Jellal Fernandes.", Erza said.
"That boy! Just told him to meet me tonight at 7 in our house."
"Sure. I'll tell him.", Erza said.
"Things are slowly getting better, aren't they?"
"Yeah, this's just for the bait. We'll wait when the time is finally right.", Erza said.
"You are serious about this, aren't you? The risk is high, you know. You should've give it to someone else."
"This is personal. So I'm serious about it and I commit to the risk. So don't worry.", Erza said.
"I know. You are a smart girl. I'm sure you get the job done."
"I must. If you found any update, please tell me immediately. Well then, I think my friends are about to come, so I'm hanging up now. Be safe, dad.", Erza ended the phone line.
Erza put her cellphone down and sighed. Well, let's just go with the flow, right?
About 3 PM, Lucy, Gray, and Juvia came to Erza's house. Erza greeted them and let them in. They chatted for a while and then ate the foods Erza had made them. In the other side, Jellal who already finished with his meeting, decided to find an engagement ring for Erza.
Jellal approached to the store clerk, "I'm looking for an engagement ring. I need your help to choose one for her.", Jellal said. "I definitely can help you with that. Can you explain a bit to me about your lucky woman?", the store clerk asked.
"She's a smart woman, she chooses her decisions wisely. She's also a compassionate woman, being around her actually makes me kind of happy regardless I'm in a depressing situation. And so, I completely devote my love for her. Hmm, what else…", Jellal was thinking more about Erza.
"Ah, it's actually enough for me. I have the figure of this woman and what ring that'll look beautiful on her.", the store clerk searching from the rings' display and she picked up a platinum ring with a heart-shaped lapis lazuli gemstone inside a halo with little diamonds circled on the halo. "Here it is. I think it will suit her best.", the store clerk handed the ring to Jellal. "Perfect.", Jellal smiled as he glanced at the ring.
Jellal paid for the ring and the ring was put in a small black box. Jellal said his thanks for her help and left the store. When Jellal exited the store, he found that his fellow businessman, who happened to be his close friend, standing near the ring store.
"Jellal? It's unusual that you're out from your office. What you got there?", the man who is named Sting Eucliffe pointed at the small box Jellal held. "Oh, hey Sting. It's an…erm…engagement ring.", Jellal replied nervously and then approached Sting. "Don't you fucking tell anyone!", Jellal whispered while also threatening him. "You are getting married again?! Seriously dude, who's the lucky girl?", Sting boasted. "Shh! Not here!", Jellal replied.
But then, suddenly a woman appeared behind Sting. Apparently, she's Sting's wife, Yukino Eucliffe. "What's this? Jelly getting married?!", Yukino squealed. "My name is not a food. It's Jellal! And what are you guys doing here anyway?", Jellal exclaimed. "To buy some groceries. But, we rarely go together so we are trying to do that today.", Sting replied. "Seriously, you need a break from all your work. But all this news about you getting married, what in the world is happening to you?", Yukino asked. "I'll explain. But not here.", Jellal replied and the wedded couple nodded in response.
The three of them went to a little café, which wasn't really crowded at that moment. Jellal explained everything to them about Erza and how things brought the two of them to this situation. "So prince and princess planned this? They are sly as ever.", Yukino said. "But have you told them that you and Erza are going to marry?", Sting asked. "Not yet. So that's why I'm going to take them home from school.", Jellal replied. "Dude, seriously, you considered to take them home these days?", Sting asked confusedly. "What's wrong with that? I'm their father.", Jellal sighed, "I mean, I know I may be a busy father, but Erza made me realize that I'm a workaholic and it may seemed that it already affects my children.", Jellal replied. Both Sting and Yukino smiled at Jellal's response. "She changed you, little by little.", Yukino said. "I know. And I'm really glad for that.", Jellal smiled.
They talked for a while, about their lives, business, and then the marriage again. "Well, I think I must go to escort my little prince and princess from their school. I'll talk to you guys soon.", Jellal stood up and left the table. But then he stopped, and looked at them. "I'll make sure the invitation of my wedding will come to you.", Jellal smiled and then he left the café. "Well, look at that. He turned into a really happy person.", Sting commented. "He is. I so can't wait to meet Er-chan in person.", Yukino giggled.
Jellal drove to Aiden's and Ava's school. When he got there, he still sat on his seat. He watched the playground that was still rowdy. Children playing around with each other. Jellal exhaled as he's prepared for it then he left his car and walked to the playground. He searched for his children and he saw them playing together with another kids. Jellal smiled at their expressions playing with the others. Jellal approached them and he saw Mirajane was standing near them.
"Thank you for taking care of Aiden and Ava. I will take them home, now.", Jellal said to Mirajane. "Oh, you are a different person from the man who usually takes them home.", Mirajane replied. "Yes, I am. I'm their father. The one you usually see must be our butler.", Jellal said as the twins came to Jellal and held his hands. "See you tomorrow, Miss Strauss.", Aiden and Ava said in unison. Mirajane smiled to the kids, "I'll see you tomorrow, then. Take care.", Mirajane also smiled at Jellal. And so, the family left the playground.
"Papa, you're coming to take us again. It's getting unusual.", Aiden said. "Yeah. Do you want something from us? Or is it you can't get Miss Scarlet to marry you so you want to do something for us to turned down the embarrassing article about you?", Ava continued. Jellal just surprised by their speculations. "I'm your father. So, taking you home from school is an 'usual' thing for a parent to do. Besides, I want to tell you guys something.", Jellal kneeled to them so he's about the same height to them.
Jellal turned out his pocket and held a small box that contains an engagement ring he bought before. "You know what this is?", Jellal asked them. "A box?", Aiden replied. "Not just a box.", Jellal opened the box. The two of them looked at the ring with awe. "I'm going to propose Miss Scarlet, properly, with this.", Jellal said. "So, she accepted?", Ava asked. Jellal nodded and then smiled, "Yes, she did.", and soon the two of them hugged their father. "Thanks, Papa. You're the best.", Aiden and Ava said in unison. "And you are my best children too. Without you, I couldn't make this far. So, thank you.", Jellal replied.
Hehee, I will end that here and the proposal will be on the next chapter. Do you notice something weird with Erza? What happened to her? That's I to know and you to find out! Hahahaha!
I'm sorry for any grammar mistakes on this chapter. Please give me review after you read this hehe any supports and critiques are welcome. Also give a fave and follow if you like this story.
Okay then, I think I will take my leave again. So, see you in the next chapter! Ja nee~