Desperate Loser

I don't know what Natsu is doing in our building. He just told me to sit on the sofa on Laxus' office and he ordered his bodyguards. Laxus is just resting his chin on his hands while on the table, just observing the two of us. His eyes are shifting from me to Natsu.

"So you'll just wait 'till that Eucliffe goes home?" Laxus asked before leaning back on his swivel chair.

Natsu shook his head.

"Sting is still here?" I asked, it's been an hour since I left the office.

"We'll go now," Natsu announced while presenting his hand to me.

I accepted his hand. I couldn't avoid being worried. I know I shouldn't be worried though. Sting has no right to me anymore. The only thing that I'm worried about is my dad.

"What about Sting?" I asked, "He might see us?"

Natsu titled his had to the side, "No. The bodyguards got it handled."

True enough, when we got inside his car, I saw no shadows of Sting anymore. We also didn't see employees anymore aside from Laxus and some of his staffs, well, it's already late. Natsu took the Mustang from the valet on the private parking which is meant for executives. The heaviness on my chest only got lifted when we got out of the building's premise.

I quickly typed a short text to Cana and Levy to tell them I'm going home. Although I'm sure they already left, I just don't want to be rude.

We're now on our way to Natsu's condo. We decided to just have a dinner in his unit since there's a possibility that Sting's waiting in my condo.

"You okay?" he asked when he heard my violent sigh.

"Yup," I smiled. I pouted and stared at him while he manoeuvred the wheels, "What are you going to cook for me now?"

"Hmm... Something Veronican?"

My grin widened. He knows how to cook many dishes! Meanwhile, I can just make pasta, fried foods, and salad.

The familiar smell of Natsu filled my nose when we got to his condo. I feel like his bottle of perfume got spilled all over his room. I can't get enough of the smell.

"I have something for you, by the way..." he said while facing me.

We're in his living room so I dropped my bag in his sofa table. I wonder what he's talking about?

"What is it?" I frowned, confused.

He took my hands. He held it tight before taking it to his lips to tease my fingertips with his sinful lips.

"I'm supposed to give this to you on your birthday but then you're here and I can't wait."

"What is it?" My heart is jumping, "I know you have these but..."

Natsu opened his bedroom and I saw the different paints, water colour acrylic, and many more. There are even brushes with different sizes and some canvas! My jaw dropped.

He turned to hug me from the back. The only light illuminating those painting materials are the lampshade beside his bed.

"Why?" my voice wavered.

"I want you to paint again..." he whispered before intertwining his fingers with mine.

"But..." I couldn't bring myself to say my reason.

"It's your choice, Luce. This shouldn't be the choice of anyone else but you. This is for yourself. This is for you. Stop thinking about other people. I want you to think about yourself..."

I still have my mouth open when I faced him. I quickly look at his eyes. My heartbeat is faster than normal and it feels like it wants to break free from the bones that is serving as its cage. I want answers in his eyes. I wish for it. Right now! Right now!

Why is he doing this to me? Why is he making me...

I bit my lip. His onyx orbs with a green tint stared back at me with no fears. It's like he's presenting his whole self to me. He's making me see himself raw, the one without the masks, without pretending. He's giving me a view of himself, no more, no less.

But... we're in this arrangement. What if I got this all wrong?

Before I can even talk, he already shut me up with his lips. I wasn't able to close my eyes because of shock but I saw how his expression became peaceful as soon as his lips met mine.

"Come on..." he chuckled, "I still need to cook. I know you're starving."

I took a deep breath and nodded, "Thank you for this, Natsu.

That's why while he's busy in his kitchen, I remained on his bedroom while checking the expensive materials that he gave as a gift. I can't believe he would give me this. And how the hell did he know about my upcoming birthday?

I shook my head and grinned. I guess I should just enjoy it while it's here, huh?

Before, my mindset is that people like him who are staying in an arrangement give material things like clothes, bags, shoes, or the likes. I have never thought that he'll give something this... sentimental.

After I took a look at all the materials, I sat on his bed and started pondering. I will never regret giving my virginity to him. Even if our arrangement turned out to be bad. Even if all of these became really complicated. I will never forget that once in my life, there's a person who remembered even the smallest detail about myself.

I went to him after taking it all in. He's still in his white longsleeves right now. He just freed the first four buttons and folded the sleeves 'till his elbows.

He grinned when he saw me taking a seat on his counter.

"Did you like it?" he asked while busy with the cream sauce.

"Hmmm. Of course! But... how did you know about my upcoming birthday?" And will that really matter for a fuck buddy? I guess not! I didn't even think of asking him about his birthday.

"It's on your Facebook," he said. "Oh!" I grinned.

He placed what he did in front of me. It's taco and enchiladas. The smell of it is really appetising. It suddenly made me hungry.

I watched him while he placed the utensils in front of me. I noticed how he's used to this. He's a husband material when it comes to the kitchen.

"Do you like Veronican food?" he asked while pouring the juice on my glass.

"Yup. I just don't eat it much. I only know pasta and some breakfast."

He sat on the highchair beside me. I straightened myself.

"I hope you'll like this though..." he chuckled.

He put a huge amount of enchiladas and taco on my plate. I playfully scolded him for assuming I have a huge appetite. He almost put everything he cooked on my plate!

"Don't..." he stopped my attempt to transfer the food to his plate, "Tell me if you don't like it!"

My eyes widened. I wasn't able to stop my laugh. This is the first time I saw him with a low confidence level. I couldn't believe it!

He grinned before tightly closing his eyes, "Try it!" He looks so adorable!

I laughed again before taking the fork to try the enchiladas he made. He kept on staring at me while I'm chewing, observing if I liked his cooking based on my expression.

One bite and I quickly fell in love with it. This man loses his confidence over this? I can't believe him! I feel like he has no flaw. He has no weakness. He would never fail in anything.

"And?" he pouted.

"It's delicious!" I said after swallowing. It's really good. If I've known earlier that Veronican food tastes this good, I would learn how to cook it too!

"Okay. That's it. I'm fine with that," he said, expressing how he was contented with my answer.

I can't help but really laugh at him. He just smirked at me before taking a bite of his own cooking.

"You almost lost your cool because of this? I'm not sure if you're flexing through being humble or what?"

"How is that even possible?" He laughed at what I said.

I snorted, "You're the only one who has an answer to that."

Dammit! There's really nothing he can't do!

I helped him do the dishes after we finished eating. I couldn't help but notice how minimalist his condo's design is. He's a man, after all. He's busy and has no time to spare for the personalisation of the interior design of his house.

"No frames, paintings, and whatnot..." I commented.

"Hmm. Why don't you paint something for me then? So I can hang it here in my condo."

He was the one who gave me that idea so we spent the rest of the night painting. I mixed all shades of red in an abstract painting. His eyes stayed on my form the entire hour and thirty minutes I spent on painting. I'm getting shy, to be honest. I know painting is boring and dragging for audiences.

"I'll have it framed first," I said before looking at him.

I finished it in a span of an hour and a half. The canvas I chose isn't that big. He said he'll hang it in his living room. He's minimalist so I want it simple too.

"What do you call that painting then?" he asked.

I'm now standing while wiping my hands. My fingers are decorated with paint. I still haven't seen my reflection but I'm sure that my face has paint too.

Natsu took a step towards my back and started hugging me from there. I leaned my back on his toned chest while embracing myself with the warmth that his body emits. I rested my hands on his arms which is tightly embracing my waist while we're staring at my weird painting.

"I don't know... it's all red... maybe... blood?" I chuckled.

He softly kissed my right ear, "But what did you paint?"

My smile vanished. It was quickly replaced by a tug in my heart, "It's a rose."

"Rose?"

"Yup... a blooming rose," I tilted my head to look at him.

He stared at me. Hard. His eyes are serious and dark while soulfully gazing at my chocolate brown orbs. I averted my eyes. The intensity of his eyes were unbearable. Because of the heaviness of his eyes, I feel like I'll lose my strength and would fall down if I continued staring back at him.

"Rose, then?" he confirmed.

I nodded before returning my attention to my painting. I felt him tightened his embrace from the back. He buried his face on my neck which made me tilt my head to give him space.

The temperature of the room was cold because of the air conditioner but his embrace and the fluttery kisses that he was giving my neck made me feel warm. I became too comfortable and I fell asleep on his arms.

"Sting was furious last night when he knew you already left... We actually waited to make sure he won't follow you yesterday," Levy said the morning after that.

I slept in Natsu's condo that night. He just accompanied me to my condo after we finished breakfast for me to take a bath and he drove me to work after that.

"Thank you, really... I don't know what to do without you. I'm just so tired of Sting. I find him very toxic." I said while massaging my temple.

We're in the cafeteria right now, having lunch. I was just about to finish my last piece of mango when I saw Sting on the cafeteria's entrance.

"Speaking of..." Cana rolled her eyes when she traced what I'm looking at.

My blood boiled when my eyes met Sting's. I wanted to yell at him and ask what he's doing here. If he's here to start an argument again, he should just leave 'cause it'll be a waste of time.

"Let's talk..." Sting's tone was cold when he told me that.

"What for?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Sting, we are working..." Levy said, holding Cana's left arm in an attempt to calm her down and stop her from slugging him.

"Lucy, please!"

I was shocked with the desperation in his voice. I turned to both my friends who shook their heads. Levy's eyes were firm in telling me that I shouldn't while Cana's murderous eyes remained on Sting. I know I shouldn't talk to Sting anymore. He's just constantly ruining my day but for the sake of whatever's left in our friendship that I wanted to remain, I followed him.

Both of my friends sighed in defeat. I know they're disappointed with what I did.

Sting walked towards an empty table. It's near a large glass window which features the whole city. I sat on the chair beside him. He crossed his arms before turning to me.

"What is it, Sting? I do hope you're not wasting my time-"

"Are you playing with Natsu Dragneel, Lucy?"

I was stunned. I didn't expect that he'll bluntly ask that question.

"Tell me! Are you dating him?"

"What is this all about, Sting?" I irritatedly said, "What? You'll talk shit about him? You'll get angry? What for?"

"So you are dating that man?" his voice was almost hysterical.

I observed around to see if someone's looking at us and quickly glared at him when I saw others minding their own business.

"I don't get you, Sting! I told you already, there's no us anymore. Isn't that what you wanted too? For us to break up so you can freely enjoy with other women?"

"Lucy!" was his firm but hushed reply.

He held my arm like he's convincing me to believe whatever he'll said next.

"Lucy, you're dating a very dangerous man! Dangerous for you! Dangerous for the business! Dangerous for your father."

I slapped Sting's arm to release my arm. He just wants me back. His ego just got bruised so now he's telling me lies!

"Dangerous? You're the one who's dangerous for me, Sting —"

"Lucy!" he shook his head and tightly closed his eyes. It's like he's having a hard time saying everything, "That man is probably just using you to get to your dad's business!"

I just glared at him, "Using me? How? I'm not the one who'll inherit the business. It's Loke! And Sting, please stop this! You are being very desperate!"

I stood up. I honestly thought that whatever he'll say would be somewhat worthwhile but I was wrong. He'll just manipulate me into this. Whatever he is planning, I know it's only for himself and his well-being!

"Lucy! That man will try to kill your father if you don't stop this!" he said.

Some people near us looked at our direction. I slowly turned to him. My eyes widened, "What did you say?" I asked.

He took a deep breath. He massaged his temples and it's like he's having a hard time explaining everything again.

"Natsu is a monster in the business world, Sting. But he's not the kind of monster you're thinking about! If you're trying to manipulate me just to get me back, it won't work —"

"So you are fucking dating him, Lucy? Really?" Sting stood up.

He towered over me. But I don't feel any fear towards him. Not even a bit. I'm not afraid of him.

"You're dating him while we're together? What did he do to you, huh? How did he make you believe him?" his huge steps ate the distance between the two of us.

I didn't flinch. I didn't take a step back. Instead, I let him walk near me thinking he'll intimidate me only for me to slap his face. His head was titled to the right and the sound probably echoed but it was quickly swallowed by the busy sounds in the cafeteria.

"Stop talking like you didn't do anything to ruin our relationship! But let's forget about that! I am not doing this because I want to hurt you, Sting. I know you would never get hurt... Your conscience is calloused, anyway. I'm doing my thing here. You do yours! It's none of my fucking business so let this be none of your fucking business as well!" I half shouted while stabbing his chat with my index finger.

"Lucy, that man will ruin your business, will kill your father, or probably even you —"

"How dare you accuse him —"

"Fine! Explain it to me... Tell me... how did you two meet? How did he meet you? Did he already know you, huh? Why? Did you ask why? Go ahead, tell me."

My eyes widened. I can't believe he knows a lot of things about me and Natsu. But why is he asking about it? Does he know about us?

I shook my head in pity, "You're a pathetic, desperate loser, Sting. Please get out of this building or I'll make him throw you out of here!"