Lamb Girl

Sting looked pissed when we saw each other that night. He's not talking much, not his usual playful aura. I reciprocated his silence.

It's cold. How we treat each other is cold. Not that I'm complaining. It just sucks that we can't break up. I know he's not happy with me and I am definitely unhappy with him.

"Do you want to go somewhere after this?" He asked when we arrived at the venue.

I looked at Sting. For a moment, I saw the boy I loved a long time ago. It disappeared quickly. I shook my head

"I'm tired. I'll just go home," I said.

"Why isn't you car in the basement?" His forehead crumpled.

I quickly avoided his eyes. I don't want to suddenly feel guilty. I want to gather and count all his mistakes and use those as justification for what I'm doing but I still cannot remove the feeling that it's not right.

"Left it at work..." was the only thing I said.

"Why?" I felt his confusion.

"I'll bring it to the service center. There's something wrong with the engine." I returned my eyes on him.

It's like he's not buying what I just told him. I glared at him. I'm not an expert on lying but I wish through looking at him straight in the eyes will make him believe me.

"Do you want me to have it checked?"

"Nah... I'll do it tomorrow. Don't worry." I averted my eyes.

"Okay..."

He dropped me to my condo. I murmured my thanks and proceeded to my tower.

"How's your sister's exhibit?" Cana's bored question greeted me

It was Monday when I was bombarded with phone calls. Mommy kept on bugging me about the three big companies. I can't just ignore her so I still did my best to reply despite being in the office

It was eleven when the exhibit started and the invited guests are still not there. It made me regret how I didn't file a leave to monitor it but mommy said not to, so...

"I think it's doing great. It's just the invited guests are still not there," I said while eating my yogurt.

"Guests like Mr. Dreyar?" Levy asked.

I nodded, "I want to go there right now, actually. Mommy's panicking but she doesn't want me to take a leave."

Cana scoffed. My mom is not exactly their favourite topic, "Say it directly, Lu, she doesn't want you there because she's worried about Ashley."

I'm not sure if I should believe Cana or her dislike towards mom just urged her to have that opinion.

"But would you go later?" Cana continued.

"Yup. Of course. After this. Probably at night..."

"Will he pick you up then?"

I looked at the both of them. I know that they no longer need the answer but they're both thirsty for it.

I just nodded and they both sighed.

"By the way, we're not partying anymore these past few weekdays. Why is that so?"

Weekdays? Those are days for Natsu. My mouth opened to protest.

"Friday, Sorciere... My social life is going down because of you two!" Cana glared at Levy

"Hey! I'm always in whenever there's a party. You know Gajeel's not that strict."

"That's cause that antisocial oaf always tag along," Cana rolled her eyes at Levy who just laughed at Cana's nickname for her boyfriend.

"I'm... not so sure...?" I asked, hesitant.

Both of them turned to me. I raised my hands defensively, "Natsu and I already have plans."

Cana's face hardened, "Oh come on! Natsu's just a fuck buddy..."

"Shh!" I angrily looked at our surroundings.

"Why do you have to be always available when he needs you? Let him be with his other girls and let's have some fun this coming Friday!"

I couldn't swallow. Our plan is not about that but I know Cana had a point. This is the first time I've been in an arrangement like this but I'm not innocent. I know that if it's just a one night stand, it shouldn't involve things other than that. It's probably different for everyone, then.

"Sorry..." I hurried to the basement when I saw him, I paused to catch my breath.

We still have a project we need to finalise that night so I got off work late. It's just unfortunate that it happened during Ashley's exhibit.

"That's okay..." Natsu sounded calm but I noticed his clenched jaw.

I but my lower lip before entering his Mustang. He's still wearing his suit. Did he just finished a meeting? Embarrassment crawled to me when I realised that he drove all the way here just to fetch me. This businessman has time for such, huh?

He started driving. I was still silent because of my shortness of breath while his attention remained on the road. We're now at the basement's exit. I turned to him. I remembered the night where I left for Sting. He texted me that same night, when I got home, and said that we'll see each other at the exhibit. So here we are...

His treatment towards me didn't change a bit. Well, why would it, right? I'm being very silly. I turned to the opposite direction to stop that kind of thoughts.

"Oh my gosh!" I remembered something so I turned to him again. "There'll be medias. They're covering Ashley's works. We can't be seen together!"

His mouth didn't even move. His eyes remained on the road.

"I mean... we can arrive together but we can't stay with each other at the venue. People see you as one of the most priced bachelors in the country. You being seen with me is gonna be a big deal."

"Yeah, like you being seen with me when you have a boyfriend. That's okay. My cousin is there. I can go with Laxus and Mira."

"Mira?"

"His wife. They're looking for paintings for their house."

I nodded and grabbed the compact powder in my bag. I put a little on my nose. I also checked my eyebrows and put a bit of make up on my eyes. When I got satisfied, I put it down and placed it inside the bag. I glanced at Natsu who's staring at me because of traffic

"Sorry. I need a retouch. It'll be embarrassing to appear haggard in front of the medias. I just came from work."

I noticed his aura which seems like always ready for the camera. His eyes were deep especially when he focused on the road. He's got perfect teeth, lips, and nose. I then wonder how would it be is his pink hair is mixed with my golden locks. Or his deep eyes blend with mine.

"Is this the venue?" That cut my train of thoughts. "Uh, yup!"

I unbuckled my seatbelts and took a last look at my hair before opening the door.

Mom did a great job. She invited a lot of media. That's a great investment, afterall. It's like the media is advertising Ashley's paintings. Given that my mother's active in ConFAP, this event could he a headliner.

"Lucy!" a high school classmate of mine who is now a reporter at a famous station said.

I kissed his cheeks. Max's smile is big. His glasses is slightly falling off his nose. I surveyed him. I am a few inches taller than him.

"Ashley's your sister, right?" he asked while passing me the microphone.

I want to ask him if he's shooting but then I don't want to look dumb. I nodded.

"Her works are great! It's all cool! I love it! Totally the celebrities favorite. What can you say?"

Some cameras are now focused on me. It's making me sweat but I stayed standing there while smiling.

"I am very proud of my sister. She's really great! I always knew she had this potential-"

A girl who is recording asked, "Aren't you also an artist? Why aren't you organising your exhibit?"

I smiled. "I left painting a long time ago. I have other passions..."

"I personally like your paintings. I think you deserve an exhibit too. Actually, two businessmen inside were expecting for your works to be here. But there's none. Where are your works? I bet it would sell..."

I smiled again. I saw mommy in a distance, she's staring at me. Ashley's busy talking to an old businesswoman. I recognised him as a CEO of a large condominium near Sativus.

"I'm not selling them anymore. I paint for ConFAP, not commercially..."

"But you have so many works, right? Where are they? We would love to see it!" the girl persistently asked.

"I'll probably donate it to the children in ConFAP or the foundation itself. Some are in my condo. I'm not anymore interested with painting..." I said with finality.

"You will donate? Wow! That's a big word! Wait! I would bid for your works, Lucy!" Max laughed, my friend.

I just laughed and told them I'll go ahead. When the reporters let me leave, I quickly went to mommy and kissed her cheeks.

"Mr. Dreyar is here. He's with his wife. They talked to Ashley earlier." Mommy smiled at the guests.

I glances at Ashley. Her medium length but straight almost brown hair is ponytailed. She's wearing black slacks, white cropped sleeveless top, and a vintage necklace. Mom is wearing a black dress. She's all smiles to the guests and keeps on greeted them.

"Lucy!" I heard my college professor called.

"Prof!" I smiled at her.

She's a known designer and entrepreneur. She took my hands and gripped it eagerly.

"How are you? Gosh!"

"I'm fine! This is my mom..." I looked at her, "Mom, this is Professor Milkovich. My prof in college."

"Hi! Nice meeting you!" Mommy greeted.

"Oh! So it means that Ashley Luna is your sister, Lucy? Where's your works, then? You should put them here!"

I was just about to answer when someone called again. I don't know who to talk to anymore...

"Lucy Heartfilia?" the voice called

My eyes squinted to a woman who is a bit old. When I slowly realised her, we both laughed at each other, "Mrs. Aguria!"

"Dear! I'm here to search for some paintings again. The last two pieces I bought was from you! Where are your works so I can choose!"

"Madame," I shyly said. "I'm sorry but I stopped painting already..."

"Huh? Why?" she and my professor chorused.

"I'm into interior designing."

"Aren't you also into interior designing when you made our painting at home? You should've continued painting, dear! It's such a shame. You're a very good artist!"

I glanced at mommy who removed herself from the conversation. I saw how she walked to Ashley who's staring at me. I waved at her but she just looked away.

I turned to my professor and past client, "Thank you. I'm just so busy with work so I haven't got the time to left to paint."

My eyes saw Natsu, Laxus, and a woman who's probably Laxus' wife. They're staring at a painting of the ocean. That's a very nice piece. Natsu glanced at me while he's talking to Laxus.

He raised his eyebrow. My eyes planned to stay connected with his a bit longer but Mrs. Aguria started to talk to me again.

"You should! Where are your previous works? Haven't I told you that I'll get your Lamb Girl painting? The one with a girl carrying a lamb? I like that so much! Only that my daughter loved the Enigmatic!"

I bit my lip. "It's in my condo, Ma'am... I can give it to you if you want." I smiled.

I saw how her eyes widened. She shook her head, "No! You need to get what you deserve and that's not going to be free! Definitely not!"

I chuckled. "Ma'am, that's alright. You've been my client for the past years, you deserve something from me too. And besides, I really have no plans to sell so I would rather give it to you for free..."

We both smiled at each other. My Prof started talking and praising me for being humble. Her words made me flustered.

"Lucy..." was mommy's cold voice.

She grabbed my arms before turning to the women in front of me.

"May I excuse my daughter?" she asked them. "Sure!" was prof's cheerful response to her.

She nodded at them and looked at me.

"Thanks for getting me out of there, mom. I really want to roam around to see Ashley's works. Where is she?" I roamed my eyes to look for my sister but she's nowhere to be found.

"Let's talk..."