Resign
"Did you kill them?"
I already lost count on how many times I asked this question today. No one answered. Virgo slowly crept to me to calm me by touching my shoulder but I shrugged her off. I want my dad to answer me directly! I want the answers with no sugarcoating. I need it!
"The target was Senator Alabaster... It was an accident, Lucy. They're not supposed to be killed," daddy explained.
I wanted to curse loudly. He did it! They did it!
"Three years ago, the business was failing. We had no choice but to accept smuggled firearms to earn. Senator Alabaster got suspicious of it. We all know he has connections to the Fiore Forces. We also know that our business would just fail more. We stopped smuggling. We don't want to go to jail," daddy said while sighing.
"But Alabaster won't stop. He holds personal grudges, dear. We want to give him a warning so our men blocked their main van to talk to him. Turns out, he wasn't there. Their bodyguards fired first." Uncle Weiss said, "You know what happened next..."
"You did kill them!" I accused them.
"Dear —"
"Lucy, calm down..."
"You killed them, dad? You're criminals!" I shouted.
"Lucy, watch your mouth!" Loke shouted back.
I stared at my brother who's still standing beside daddy. I can't believe Loke will also accept dad's ways! Just because he doesn't want daddy to go to jail, he thinks that it's fine even if dad killed someone? I don't want dad to go to jail too but killing does not justify that!
"You are being used by a Dragneel! They want evidence! And that was an accident. Senator Alabaster knows that!"
"Accident? Just an accident that you managed to kill Natsu's father?" I can't even recognise my own voice.
"Yes, Lucy! For God's sake, we're not that kind of people!" Daddy angrily shouted at me.
I scoffed. Not that kind of people? Then what kind of people are they? I wiped my tears. Now that my family's involvement with that happened became clear, I can't entirely blame Natsu for what he did.
"Now, that Dragneel is using you to get to us. Stay away from him, Lucy. Before he hurt you. He will use you for revenge! We are protecting you from him!"
"Protecting me? Are you really? Or are you protecting yourself? Because you're afraid that Natsu would avenge his father's death?"
"Lucy!" Loke snapped, "Stop it! I don't want you to he with that man too! Not because of what happened but because of his intentions. I know how fragile you are and he's taking advantage of it."
I can't speak. I averted my eyes to Loke who's now fuming mad too. The angry veins on his forehead and neck are showing to prove his point.
"You think he did not research about you? He knows about you. He knows you and Sting are together. He knows everything about you and he will use it against you."
I shook my head. I got his point. I got everyone's point. I just can't believe that my family was capable of doing that to anyone. Killing a man is such a horrendous sin.
"Leave him, Lucy. I don't know what's in between you two but please, leave... Leave before this even complicates," Loke said.
I already left, Loke. You don't need to tell me that. I don't need you to order me that. I know what to do.
"Lucy," Sting calmly called.
I gave daddy a last look before turning my back on them. I heard Sting's call again but I paid him no mind. He followed me but I ran to get out of their house.
I violently slammed my key to the car's keyhole and started driving fast. The wheels made a screeching sound as I made a turn before taking the road outside their estate.
Alone. That's the only time I felt peace in myself. I felt it too when I was with Natsu in my cold room. But that won't happen anymore.
I stared at my white bed. The only noise surrounding my room is the tiny sounds made by the air conditioner. I dropped my bag somewhere before taking off my heels. I crawled to my bed and quickly felt the coldness of the comforter and the pillowes. Hot tears spilled on my cheeks.
That's enough. I'm done playing. And now I'm the one who's crying. Crap!
I know where Natsu is coming from. I hate that I couldn't blame him. If I were in his position, I would also loathe those who did ill to my parents.
I fell asleep while crying. The sounds of my sobs and the tears streaming down my cheeks became my lullaby that night.
I still went to work when Monday came. Cana and Levy were both silent, like they're estimating my feelings. They know the situation.
"Lunch?" I asked when afternoon came.
The two of them looked at each other. Levy nodded, still silent.
When we got to the cafeteria and finished ordering our foods, we quickly sat in our usual spot. The two of them are still quiet. I want to break the ice. I know they think that I'm still broken because of what happened. That's true. But I am not going to let it ruin my everyday.
"How the project? Did you finish it?"
Their eyes met again. Levy was hesitant to speak so Cana answered for her.
"Not yet, was to lazy to finish it yesterday."
"I'm almost done. Lev?"
Levy just stared at me like I have something in my face. She didn't speak. I took a deep breath and she mimicked my action.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm fine," I smiled.
"How about Natsu?" was her concerned question, "We're over."
"You told him why?" Cana butted in.
"I didn't. I'd rather not. We started in the arrangement, we'll be over within the arrangements too. That's it," I said before shifting my attention to my food.
"And he let you go that easily?" Cana asked. I didn't answer. I continued eating.
"If he really did have some plans, he would stop you from breaking it off. He wouldn't let you leave like that, right? He should've persuade you to stay. He could even beg for you to stay!" Cana exclaimed.
Bitterness just crept into me. He did persuade me. Was that because he's not done with me yet? He wasn't finish utilising me? My chest hurts. I was happy that I broke it up before he can use me. What are his plans with dad? Is he going to make dad pay for what happened?
After work, I went to the basement parking to go home. It didn't shock me to see Sting leaning on the door of my car. I sighed in annoyance when our eyes met.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
He dropped his crossed hands and placed it inside his pocket.
"You need to resign."
My jaw clenched. Realisation dawned on me. Right. I'm working for Laxus Dreyar, Natsu Dragneel's cousin.
"You can work at ConFAP. You can help the kids everyday. You can teach there."
"What is this? Is this dad's plan so I can get away with Natsu?" I asked.
Sting shook his head, "This is my plan. I don't want you anywhere near that Dragneel, Lucy. And this is not because I want to keep you. I want to protect you and our families."
"In the first place, they shouldn't have done that. This is all their damn fault!"
Sting tightly closed his eyes and looked at me after opening it for a while, "We can't do anything about it. It's done, Lucy. Let's just deal with the situation right now."
He stepped aside when I made my way towards my car. He did not offer to drive me home. He knows I wouldn't let him.
"Do you want me to write your resignation letter and send it right away so you don't need to go here tomorrow?" he asked.
I quickly refused, "No, Sting. I'll do it myself. I'll go here tomorrow. I'll finish all my on going projects before I leave. I can even train an intern first."
"You need to get out of here, Lucy. If that Dragneel's persistent, he would find you here."
"You don't have to protect me from that. I can protect myself. You also don't need to watch over me. Although I despised what dad did to those people, I am still going to try to protect my family."
I entered my car and started driving. I left Sting alone in that basement. A mix of bitterness and pain ate my system. I've been feeling this two days now.
I'm confused if that's because of what I learned about dad or because of what happened to Natsu and me.
I did the usual things. I ran through the long road of high street. I used that time to think about things. I ended my day curled up on my cold bed.
The next morning, I went to Architect to inform him of my resignation. I gave him my resignation letter but then he told me to go directly to our big boss.
I don't have any other choice than go to the 40th floor where Laxus Dreyar is staying. My breath became laboured while I'm alone in the elevator. I don't know why I'm feeling this way.
Come on, Lucy! It's going to be just Laxus Dreyar there. This is not Natsu Dragneel's office. Why am I even thinking of the impossible?
A heavy burden has been lifted when I saw Laxus alone inside his office. He's just staring at his laptop and glanced at me when the door made a sound because of my entrance.
He straightened his back and followed me using his eyes. I put my resignation letter on his desk. He grabbed it and gave one look before dropping it again.
"Why are you resigning?" he asked.
"It's in my letter. I want a new experience... with... probably other companies," I said.
"Is that really the real reason?" he asked, eyebrow raised at me.
"Laxus, please don't make this hard for me. I did my job well. I'll finish all my projects first before leaving. I could even train an intern so I can have a replacement. I can stay for at least two weeks —"
"You dumped my cousin, Lucy?" Laxus asked with no hesitation.
My throat dried. I didn't expect that question. Laxus took a deep breath before shifting in his seat.
"You dumped him so now you're resigning to cut the cords?"
"Whatever you think this means, I just really want to resign," I said without meeting his eyes. The way his eyes sharpened reminds me of Natsu. I don't need it now. I don't need it, ever.
"Okay, then... I guess I have no choice..." Laxus said before leaning on his swivel chair.
"Thank you, Laxus!"
"This is effective by Friday. Finish everything before that," he massaged his temple.
"Sure. Thank you, Laxus..."
I was about to leave when someone opened the doors of his office. I turned to the woman standing on the doorstep. I clearly saw the shock on Touka Alabaster's eyes when she saw me there. I clenched my jaw. I'm not sure what I feel for her.
"Touka." Laxus said, "I sent you the designs you wanted. The breakdown is also there. Why are you here?"
I took some steps back. I should be out of here. I can't find the right time to tell Laxus I'm leaving.
"I'm here to get some blue prints. My secretary's busy." Touka turned to me, "Lucy..."
I cleared my throat. "Excuse me, Laxus. I'll go back to the office," I said.
Laxus nodded and grabbed the phone. I turned my back on them and quickly went out. Touka called me before I board the elevator.
"Lucy... wait!" she said while catching up to me.
I weakly turned to her. She held my arm.
"I'm glad you did the right thing. I'm sorry for all the trouble Natsu has caused you."
I tiredly smiled, "Thanks for telling me too."
She smiled back, "You're resigning?" I nodded.
"I can make some recommendations to other companies. Although I know you don't need to work," she said.
"No thanks. I'm going to volunteer at ConFAP."
Her eyes widened, "So you're going to be there next week? You're attending the opening of their new Home?"
"Most probably..."
She nodded.
"I need to go, Touka. I still have things to do..." I said.
"O-okay... Sure!" she removed her hold on my arm and I left her there without looking back.
