7 years later

She stepped out of her car, getting the attention of several people who was curiously peeking at the luxurious vehicle. Her blonde hair tied up in a high pony with wisps of her bangs framing her face, she was wearing a white suit, hugging her every curve. Men and women stared at her in awe, wondering who the beautiful lady was.

She looked around her and gave a bright smile, she was feeling so excited now that she was back home. She was currently in the main town of Magnolia; she knew how it grew. Once an old-fashioned town, now booming with successful enterprises, run by very special people in her heart. She had kept up with the news, and this she knew. She heard her name being called up by her closest friend and her father's current Chief Executive Officer. After all they were running the Heartfilia Kozern, a transportation company, for now she was the acting Director.

"Lucy! We have that meeting starting soon."

She turned to the ginger head as she heard her name, and she turned her smile in his way. The man was wearing a black suit, matching hers but knowing Lucy, she did not usually wear clothes like this on a daily basis.

"Loke, l just want to explore a little bit, we could go get some coffee." She gave a small shrug and began walking down the path of town she still remembers so well

"I know you do, but you know we have a lot at stake here." Loke reasoned out as he move to walk beside her.

"Okay, since you're so worried why don't you go ahead then?" Lucy chuckled at his exasperated look, he usually was not like this, in fact he was the one who typically teases her he must really be worried. She sighed and continued to speak to him "Loke, go. I will only be a few minutes, and besides it won't start for like another hour."

Loke fixed his glasses as he gave Lucy a look, they had a lot to prepare for the said meeting. But he wanted to give her time to reminisce, he did see how much she had missed her hometown. He gave a firm nod and told her to be quick before walking away. Lucy smiled fondly in his way, she turned and continued walking downtown. She knew where she was going, there was this coffee shop that her and her best friend had often gone to back in high school. She turned to another corner and was confused at what she saw.

It was still the same looking coffee shop, with a few exterior and interior changes, she assumed to make it up to date and hip. She was more confused on the new name it was sporting; from Fairy Cafe it was now named Starlight. It was appropriately themed at the new designs of the cafe. She wondered why they changed it, maybe some new management. She entered the glass doors ringing the bells and was immediately greeted with the smell of espresso. She gave a huge smile to whoever she came upon on, and there she saw a familiar man talking with the barista.

"Grandpa Yajima!" Lucy called out as she went to where he stood, with that call the old man turned in her way. He took a while looking at her before he actually recognized her face.

"Mavis! Is that you Lucy? My you have grown!"

Lucy smiled radiantly in his way as she gave him a warm hug, the old man was small, so she had to crouch down a little to reach him, her heels were not helping either.

"What brings you here child? oh wait... Kara please prepare an iced latte for Lucy here." the old man craned up his neck over the counter to shout at one of the working barista. Lucy smiled at him as he continued to speak "Is that for here or to go? Now why don't you humor me for a while and chat with this old man."

"I wish I could Grandpa Yajima, but I have this important business to get to," Lucy gave a dismayed sigh "but I promise I'll come back after!"

He walked close to where his destination is, people stopped to stare at him. He didn't mind the stares, but grew tired of it quickly than he expected, so now he went to Starlight to get his morning cup of joe. He was near the cafe with the tell-tale signs of the cobblestones down his path, he was wearing a black suit for his office wear, carrying himself confidently. Seeing the glass doors of the store he entered with bells ringing, once he did though his whole form stilled.

His eyes met the figure of what has been plaguing his dreams for years now, his heart beating fast as he watched her converse with Yajima. Finally seeing the glowing face, he had missed so much, there she was ever so radiant. She was laughing at what the old man was saying, both were talking near the cash register. She looked mature, breathtaking in fact. Her face was sporting her usual captivating smile, that makes everyone around her wants to stare at her all day. The old man had noticed him first and acknowledge his presence.

"Hey! There's our boss, Lucy!"

His mouth ajar as she slowly turned his way, it feels like time slowed down as her hazel eyes met his olive ones. His heart had stopped then, but in just a few seconds he felt it shatter with her next action. She raised her hand for a shake and gave him a huge smile, as she greeted him.

"Hello, I'm Lucy Heartfilia, it's nice meeting you."

What? Did she not recognize him?

"L-Lucy... Don't you remember me?" He voiced out, he inwardly cursed when his voice stuttered, how can he not though? She was here! And she does not know him!

She gave him a confused look as she cocked her head to the side, her form now fully facing him as she gave her reply

"Should I know you?"

His mouth dropped and he went to ramble out his identity to her, as he went in front of her and placed both of his hands on her shoulder.

"It's Natsu! Your best friend! You know the kid you helped when you were young? Your first and only friend back when we were in kindergarten!"

She raised her brows at him, giving him a curious look. She leaned closer to his face and inspected it clearly, narrowing her eyes at him. Her moving, silenced him as he let her observe him. She stepped back and shook her head in denial.

"Nope, you're not my best friend. My best friend is a piece of a fat cuddly bear, you're not my Natsu."

"What?! I am Nat—" He voiced out but when he recognized her choice of words, he stared back at her eyes who in turn gave him a teasing look "Lucy! You're messing with me again!"

She gave out a huge laugh as she curled over, she moved forward to wound her harms tightly around his waist, giving him a warm hug. Natsu smiled in relief as his own arms wound up around her small form. He was a head taller than her and she fits perfectly in his arms, as he nuzzled her hair. She was still laughing in his arms, that he too chuckled with her.

"Now, just because you shed a ton of fat doesn't mean I won't notice you." Lucy pulled away from their embrace as she looks at him "Plus you're the only guy I know who has pink hair."

"It's salmon!" Natsu huffed out as he too stared back at Lucy. She was so beautiful, with her smiling that way for him, just for him.

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that Pinky."

A/N: Hi... After two years and I'm back, I deeply apologize to the people who had wanted to read this for a long time now, anyways here is the next chapter! I hope you like it, the next chapter will officially introduce the problem of the story soooooo hang tight!

To all of those who had reviewed, followed and favorited, thank you so much! I am so grateful for you all! I didn't really expect it would reach to 10 reviews in just having one chapter, so I am so happy with that achievement haha. I don't have time to reply to you all one by one now, but in the next chapter I will be posting replies to each and one of you.

Oh for the mean time, why don't you check out my other story "Another World", I really have huge plans with that one!

Anyway stay safe everyone! Wherever you are in the world right now, we are all in threat with the pandemic that had rose recently.

Drink lots of water and SLEEP!

xo

Celeste