Waiting

Instead of dancing, I went straight to the place that Natsu was talking about. I'm sure he's not bluffing. I mean, what for, right?

I immediately saw Sting at the bar. He's leaning to a girl, whispering something. I almost puked when I saw how his lips touched the ears of his flirty mistress. My mind went blank. I saw nothing except pitch black, senses leaving the hell out of me because of the rage and anger I'm feeling. I wanted to lunge at them, confront them. This is the first time I saw Sting flirting with other women, live!

"Don't do it… You'll just look like a fool," Natsu grabbed my arms before I even got the chance to march towards Sting.

"Let me go, Natsu!" I said with conviction.

But when my eyes returned to the spot where I saw Sting with his girl, they're no longer there. They're now leaving the bar. I badly wanted to chase them but thanks to the ocean of party people at the dancefloor and the whole bar, running after them is close to impossible.

"Crap!" I said while hurrying, pushing myself past the people at the bar to make it to the exit.

I need to find Sting and his bitch! But then… what for? What's the purpose when I'm not allowed to break up with him? And what would he tell me? That I can't give him what he wants? What the hell?

I just stared at the dark sky when I got outside. I wasn't able to find Sting and his girl. Even after looking at the cars at the front parking, his is no longer there… or is he even using his?

I feel so damn stupid and helpless. I desperately wanted to call Daddy and beg him but I know, deep inside, he won't budge. Business is everything to him!

I was lost in my thoughts. I should have brought my car. Why did I even hitch with Levy? Cana's stupid idea got me again!

I took my phone out to call the only person who can hopefully understand me. It's late, almost midnight, and I know there's a possibility that Mommy's already resting but I just want to talk to her for a bit.

I immediately heard Mommy's vice on the other line. I can't help but feel good. She's not sleeping yet!

"Mommy!" I greeted, temporarily forgetting what happened earlier.

"Lucy, what is it?"

A deep breath left my system, immediately ending the temporary bliss of forgetting the earlier events.

"Are you in a bar?"

Even outside, the loud music coming from the bar can still be heard, specially every time someone enters and the door opens. I slightly walked away the entrance to talk to my mom clearly.

"Not anymore, Mommy. I called because…" I couldn't put it into words, "I saw Sting with a girl today…"

"Is that so? Have you told Jude about this?"

"Not yet, Mom."

"By the way, it's good that you called… Can you come here? I want to talk to you about something."

My insides felt warm because of what I've heard. It's not everyday that Mom invites me to their house and to talk, of all things!

"Sure, Mom! I'll be there in five minutes," I said.

"Okay, Lucy. Just text me when you're inside the village."

My heart is beating so fast because of excitement. The first thing that came to my mind is what can I bring as a present. I know she likes liquors so I need to buy her favourite wine first. I fished for the keys inside my purse and mentally facepalmed as I remember leaving my car at the condo to take a hitch with Levy.

"Damn it!" I told Mom I'll be there in five minutes! How am I supposed to do so when calling a cab takes forever?

"What's wrong?" a man's baritone voice coming from my back made me jump. Fuck these nerves. Natsu Dragneel is standing behind me. Until now! I couldn't believe that he followed me here. I mean, why would he?

I took in his serious features. His properly chiseled face and masculinity made me forget he's an enemy to me. This devil wants an arrangement! He wants to ruin my life so damned much as if it isn't chaotic enough.

"Nothing. Why are you here?" I asked nonchalantly.

"Obviously, I thought you'd beat the shit out of your ex's girl."

I badly wanted to argue that she's not Sting's girlfriend! He was being linked to a different bitch just last month so obviously, these women are his bitches! Fuck it, Lucy. Can you hear yourself?

"I didn't. I lost sight of them. You may go now…"

I dismissed him and turned my attention to my wristwatch and remembered my appointment with my mom. My head started to ache figuring out how the hell am I going to keep my promise with her when I didn't bring my car.

"You want a ride to your mom's?" Natsu craned his head.

I gasped at him. Lucy, you know he's a devil but… his offer is great! I wouldn't be able to arrive at mom's just as promised without waiting for forever for a cab and I need to buy a wine, too! A private car is much faster and convenient, right?

I am still hesitant to answer when a valet suddenly appeared in front of him. Well, I'm not even sure if it's a valet of his bodyguard. A maroon Mustang made its way to the entrance where we were standing. I squinted my eyes. I remembered how I rode this car on our way to the hotel.

"Get in…" he ordered after opening the door for me.

I entered without a word and fastened my seatbelts. He smiled and then shut the door. I stared at the road in front when I felt his presence at the driver's seat.

"Where do you live?" he asked.

"Uh… just around here… I mean… do you mean my parents? I mean, my mom?" I panicked.

He briefly glanced at me before making a turn at the club's exit.

"C-Can we drop by a store first? I need to buy a wine."

He didn't bother to ask where. He stopped at the nearest liquor store. I immediately unbuckled my seatbelts as soon as he finished parking and went out of the car. That was suffocating.

He silently followed me inside and didn't say a word when I quickly grabbed the Chateau Villemaurine.

I opened my purse but Natsu's card got to me first. His action startled me.

"Hey, I can pay that…" I said.

He nodded, "I know…"

"Then why did you pay for it?" I scoffed at him while returning his card – his black card.

"Because I can? Now, where do we go next?" he asked, walking towards the store's exit like he's avoiding the conversation.

I couldn't believe him. I rolled my eyes at his broad and muscular back before deciding to drop it off, too. I wanted to argue with him because of what he did but I'm in a hurry and doing so would cause a delay. After making ourselves comfortable inside his Mustang, I proceeded to tell the address to my mom's house.

My phone's loud ringtone echoed inside the car. I answered mom's call, slightly nervous.

"Where are you?" she asked.

"I'm almost there. Sorry, mom. I left my car and took a hitch with a… uh… friend." I glanced at Natsu. Friend?

"Okay, I'm waiting."

"Okay, mom. I'm almost there, don't worry."

The line was immediately cut off. I sighed. Natsu drove faster than before. We were at the village's entrance when I contemplated on how I convinced myself to trust Natsu this time. Is it because it's just really an emergency? Well, maybe.

"Here…" I told him when I saw mom's mansion.

I craned my neck to stare at the massive gate. The mansion's full view can be seen outside. A security guard quickly went to open the gate. I went out of Natsu's car, my right hand holding the car's hood while the free one's occupied with the wine. I faced him to properly say my thanks when he went out of his car, too.

"Uh, I don't know how to thank you for this but yeah, thanks a lot…" I awkwardly scratched the back of my neck.

"No problem. Do you want me to wait for you or fetch you later or are you going to spend the night here?"

My eyes widened. His authoritative aura didn't fit his offers to me. I couldn't imagine him being a driver and for me, of all people. He raised an eyebrow. Oh well, that's probably because he wants something from me.

"Natsu, don't get me wrong. What happened that night was a blur to me. I was not in my right mind. I know I've sent you crazy signals but now that I'm sober… I'm telling you… I'm not that type of girl –"

"Lucy!" I heard mom's voice from the mansion.

Crap!

I wasn't able to continue and prove my point to Natsu. I turned to mommy who's still inside the mansion. She's wearing a baby pink bathrobe and is about to sleep from the looks of it. Instead of looking at me, her attention was focused on the man beside me.

"You're with someone?" she asked as the security guard opened the gate.

"Mom," I guess I have no choice. "This is Natsu Dragneel, the friend I'm talking about." I kissed her cheeks while she's too busy staring at my 'friend.'

"Natsu Dragneel…" he said in a serious tone. He also presented a hand towards mommy.

"Natsu Dragneel? Son of the late General? Call me Aunt Layla."

"Good evening, Aunt Layla. Yes, I am his son…"

Mom shifted her attention to me and gestured the house.

"Let's go inside…"

I nodded at her and glanced at Natsu, I was about to ask if he got no other appointments or plans but his eyes were glued to the mansion in front. I just sighed and turned to mommy to give here the wine.

"Is this Chateau Villemaurine?" she asked.

"Yes, mom. That's your favourite…" I said, all smiles while trying to catch up to her walking while Natsu's silent behind us.

"Thank you, darling…"

A maid greeted us at the main entrance and fetched the wine. We proceeded walking inside and made us sit in the living room.

"Want some wine, Natsu?" was mom's question my companion.

"I'm fine. I'll just wait for Luce…"

Mom stole a quick glance at me. I clearly saw the confusion in her eyes because of Natsu's actions. I shook my head and decided to change the topic instead of explaining.

"Where's Ashley?" I asked.

The maids excused themselves for the wine. They gave mom a wine glass and she immediately filled it with the wine I brought. She also ordered them to give Natsu a wineglass. He accepted it courteously. Mommy smiled at him like she didn't hear me.

"Mom, where's Ashley?" I repeated.

"Ashley's with her friends for a sleepover…"

I nodded. I suddenly feel awkward because of Natsu's presence. I wanted to open up to mommy about Sting. "I came here because of what happened earlier, My…"

Mommy's forehead crumpled while taking a sip of her wine, "What happened?"

"About Sting… I saw him again with another girl…"

Mommy shrugged it off. "Tell your dad. By the way, I asked you to come to tell you that some guests for Ashley's exhibit backed out…"

I couldn't speak. I was about to tell her the whole story of what happened between me and Sting and maybe asked for some advice. Now, I couldn't bring it up because of the sudden turn of conversation.

"What… happened?" I asked.

I straightened my back and regained my posture.

"Well, two of the largest companies we invited backed out. Ashley doesn't know yet. I don't want to break her heart…" Mommy shook her head, "I don't know how to tell her that. The exhibit's next month…"

"You can move it, mom."

"And what will I tell her? That we moved the schedule because the guests backed out?"

I tried to think of a way, "Then… what about the other guests? I'm sure you sent a lot of invites!"

"We sent a lot of invites. It's just that, those two companies are the largest and that's what matters the most to Ashley…"

Energy left me. I can't find another way if the exhibit's next month!

"I'm sure small-time companies can help her endorse her paintings, mom. It's not about how influential the guests are… big crowds matter too. More guests mean more exposure –"

"Ugh! Darling, you know Ashley. She wants what she wants. She wants this, she needs to get this. You're in the same line. Can't you help her?"

I pouted. I saw mom glanced at Natsu.

"What kind of paintings does her sister have?" was Natsu's formal question.

"Well, there's many, young man… All sorts," Mom smiled at him.

"I looked at Natsu. I feel like bringing him here is already too much especially now that by the looks of it, he would be forced to help, too.

"We are also involved in resorts and real estates… I can send some people to try and watch the exhibit who can represent our group of companies… one is the Titania, the Dreyars, and our Drakes…"

I clearly saw how mom's eyes sparkled, "Really? Well, that's good! Thank you, I'm sure Ashley would be happy!"

I bit my lip, should I, though? Natsu nodded.

"My, isn't it too much…" I said, embarrassed.

"That's okay, Luce. It's nothing…"

I turned to stare at him. "I can find some other companies or I can send an invite to Mr. Dreyar or other companies…"

"Why do you have to find another when I can give it to you?" he raised an eyebrow.

Mommy laughed, "Natsu's right, Lucy. Let him do this… It's good that you have this kind of friend… a very helpful one."

I couldn't bring myself to reply. I was caught off guard. I couldn't predict that I would owe Natsu this much. I feel like I used him or something.

"I'm going to call Ashley now. I'm sure she'll be excited. Anything you want, Natsu?" Mommy asked.

"I'm fine," Natsu just smiled.

I cleared my throat and watched as mommy stood up and turned her back at us. She's now on her phone and saw the obvious excitement on her face while telling Ashley the good news.

I tore my gaze away and stared at my fingers. I feel like… I won't be able to tell her my problems anymore. She's now preoccupied with what happened and she's too happy to listen to my problems.

I yawned, feeling the tears forming at the corner of my eyes. I'm tired and sleepy now… I checked my phone to look at the time. It's twelve midnight. I forgot to text Cana and Levy, maybe they're still at the bar. I should text them now.

"It's late… Do you want to wait for your mom or shall we go home?" Natsu asked.

I turned to look at him. His warm, deep-set eyes sent shivers down my spine. His jaw clenched. I'm not sure if it's a mannerism or he's kind of pissed.

"I'll just… go home," I said. There's no point in staying, mommy's already busy with Ashley.

"I'll get you home."

I nodded and stood up. I stared at the wine that I gave. It's open and placed in the table along with the wineglass. I took a deep breath and walked to where mommy's standing.

"My…" she's still on her phone. "I'll go home now. Natsu and I will go ahead."

"Wait, Ashley…" mommy paused and lowered her phone a little. "Natsu?"

She walked to Natsu's spot hurriedly. I followed her.

"Thank you for coming… Lucy, thank you. Take care on the way home. Shall I send your office an invite, Natsu?" mommy smiled.

"Sure, Aunt Layla, I'll be waiting."

"Thank you, young man…"

I kissed mommy's cheek.

"Bye, mommy. I love you. You should sleep now, it's late. Tell Ashley to sleep also…" I said.

"Yeah, sure… thank you! Thank you, Natsu… Hope to see you soon."

Mommy waved at us while we're leaving the mansion. I silently walked towards the door that Natsu opened for me. He waited for me to finish settling before closing it and moving to the driver's seat.

My chest hurts. I turned to look at mom who's now at the veranda, still holding the phone to her ears. I wanted so bad to tell her about my problems but… that's okay… Maybe next time, then?"

"Where's your condo?" Natsu asked when he started the car's engine.

"Just in Sativus. Y-You?" My voice cracked. "W-What about you? You can drop me outside the village. I can find a taxi…"

His jaw clenched. His hard features protruding which is making him more masculine. He started to drive.

"I'll make sure you're home."

I couldn't speak anymore because of the pain in my chest. I feel like crying. I also don't know what to say, anyway.

"Why don't you break up with that boy?" he asked when the silence because unbearable.

I shook my head. "I can't. Dad will get mad at me."

His car stopped in the highway. He turned to me.

"So what if your dad gets angry? You two looked over! You should be…"

I shook my head, again. "Dad will get mad…" is the only thing I said.

His jaw dropped. I wish I could explain it to him better. I just couldn't.