For Peace
We stayed at daddy's house for a while. He personally requested for us to live there even for two days.
It's fortunate that Aunt Michelle didn't react. She said nothing about my stay but I'm not planning to abuse that by staying there longer.
"Oh my God!" was Levy's high pitched squeal when they finally saw Beau.
My son just woke up. It's a Saturday morning when the two visited us in daddy's home. They were very eager to see me and Beau so they rushed here the moment they got the chance.
"Oh my God! He's so heavy!" Levy exclaimed when she carried him.
Beau extended his arms for me. I just grinned. He still doesn't want to interact with unfamiliar people.
"Hi Beau! You look just like your father!" Cana smirked while playing with his hands.
I sharply glared at her. Cana just winked before turning her attention to Beau.
The sun was already out when we went to the poolside of the house. I sat on the chair while pouring their glasses with juice. We're under a huge umbrella to shield us from the morning heat.
"I know what you'll say... let's not talk about him," Cana said.
"Come on, it's been years, Cana. I don't mind. Just not in front of Beau."
Levy scoffed before placing my son to her lap, "You won't tell the kid about his real father?"
"I can raise him alone. My love would be enough. I love him so much. More than anything, Lev."
I can see the pure disagreement in Levy's face. I sipped on my juice to somehow stop the forming tension inside me but my friend continued talking.
"Okay, let's not think about Natsu but... you are being unfair to Beau. He deserves to know. And besides, you don't have to tell him everything. You just need to give him the right to know his father. One day, he will ask. He will definitely ask about his father and what would you answer? Hmm? Sting?"
I placed the glass on the table. I already thought about that but I still haven't arrived to a decision. I just wanted to live in the present and just let the future come. I just want to savour this moment first, while he's young and innocent.
"Natsu didn't want a child. I don't want him to feel like he's unwanted." I shook my head.
Both of them shut up. Levy smiled at Beau who's starting to warm up to her.
"How did you know he didn't want one?" Cana asked.
"He's the one who wanted me on pills. And come on, men like him?" I didn't say anything after that because they both know what I'm talking about.
"Still, you can't judge him just because of that."
I didn't reply anymore. I don't know. I don't want to face that problem yet. I just want to simply enjoy what Beau and I have now. Both of them played with Beau while we talked about what's going to happen on Friday.
"Your designs are under Architect Pnrecht Gaebol's designs. Your paintings are already in the main venue," Levy informed.
"Is it fine with Architect?" I asked for the nth time.
Levy chuckled, "Of course, Lucy. He knows you. Anyway, why are you just including three paintings for the exhibit?"
"I just wanted to include three," was my only reason.
"Tranquil, Stella, and Moment, are the titles you included, right?" Levy confirmed.
I nodded.
"Did you know Ashley will put her own version of Satellite?" Cana said before grimacing, "If that is an own version. Lu, it was copied from head to toe! Even the surreal feeling it gives, she copied it! I would get it if she copied the title or it was just purely coincidental but even the symbols?"
"That cannot be avoided when talking about art —"
"Huh? No! Are you saying that it was just coincidental that the both of you thought the same concept and title? The three coconuts, the big surreal moon, the setting sun?" she almost shouted.
"The painting is not with me anymore so it doesn't matter..."
"Where is that painting, by the way? Isn't it in the house of the former minister?"
"Maybe... I don't know..." I tried to avoid the topic but Cana continued on talking about my sister.
"She conducts exhibit almost every month, Lu. I'm not sure if it's because she's prolific or she really just can't sell anything?"
"Stop it, Cana. Let her be. She's good at this so probably she's prolific."
"I'm sorry, Lu. I just really don't like her." Cana shrugged.
I instructed a househelp to get Beau and give him to Virgo to play for a while. The three of us continued to talk about work after that. They told me everything that is going to happen in the event and the information about the interior designs.
"If someone would like your works then you can sign a contract and provide the designs they need —"
"But I can't work full time-"
"Chill! You are not going to work full time. They'll just get the design. They would just give you a project so you won't be under a company. You'll work alone if you're chosen."
I tried to absorb everything. Cana gave a list of the executive guests to scout for real estate. I'm not surprised that the Dreyars will be there. Natsu and Jellal are also included in the guest list.
I swallowed hard. I know they're staring at my expression while I'm reading the content of the long list they gave. I tried to act cool.
"What about those who would scout?"
"There..." Cana pointed at the huge companies.
I let out a relieved sigh. Dragneel Realties won't be coming since the Dreyars would be there to choose for their real estates or hotels. Thank God!
"Oh! Why are you so relieved?" Cana raised an eyebrow.
"It's nothing..." I said.
"But we can't assure you that Natsu won't be there. He's on the guestlist. If he wanted to come, he still can since Ashley would be there too," Levy quickly pinched her lips like she said something wrong.
I didn't reply. I don't know if I should question her reaction or not. But before I could stop myself, curiosity got the best of me, "What about Ashley?"
Cana and Levy looked at each other before Levy continued. Cana busied herself with the juice and lasagna I prepared for them.
"Ashley always invite Natsu to her exhibits. Maybe because your mom wants to so he's always spotted attending her exhibits."
My eyes went down to the lasagna before shrugging, "Well, good for Ashley. Natsu probably liked her works, that's why..."
I know they're worried about how I'll react to that. It's really fine, though. I mean, it's been years. Compared to before, I'm a completely different person now. Everything I would do has a purpose. This us all for Beau. Nothing can stop me from this.
It was Monday when we moved to my condo. I went with Aries, the help that Virgo hired to watch over Beau when I'm not around, and Virgo. Daddy doesn't want my sister to live in my condo but she insisted to stay for some days. I didn't encourage her too.
"Will you two be okay here?" Sting asked while I'm carefully placing Beau who's sleeping on his blue bed.
Sting is leaning on the doorframe. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows. His light blonde hair is slightly messy too. I smiled at him.
"We will be."
"I am going to visit you the whole week, every night..."
I grimaced, "Come on, Sting... How about your girlfriend?" I joked.
"I don't have a girlfriend, Lucy..." he defended.
"Okay... Whatever." I smiled and saw him look at his watch.
I don't know if it's the caffeine but these past few days, I noticed he got so busier than before about things. I heard him talking to a woman back in Stella so I can feel that he has a girlfriend despite him denying it. It's not new to me but it's been years since I saw him with another girl so...
He's true to his word. He visits me and Beau every night. He also walked into me painting every single night while Beau was playing beside me. I can't thank him enough for always being there. Of course, even if Aries is here to help me, his presence is still a huge help to me and my son.
"So... Beau likes pasta? Did you plan this or..." Sting asked while feeding the Ziti to Beau.
I took a seat on the highchair on the counter. Beau has his own highchair, it has a small bowl of Ziti. In front of me is Sting who's watching Beau while he's eating.
"More!" Beau exclaimed, he moves his face to meet the spoon that Sting is feeding him.
"It's a coincidence. I baked Ziti and Risotto and of course I let him try it. He liked it. He likes pasta..." I grabbed a fork to eat.
"Though he shouldn't eat too much of this."
I nodded, "Yup. He eats vegetables only when it's cooked like pasta or included in it. That's why I let him eat it."
Sting would even wait till we go to bed before leaving. I'm just letting him as he wants. I'm glad that we're okay after everything.
Friday came and I became nervous. I've never been nervous about launching exhibits in Stella before. Maybe because I'm now in Fiore? The media would be covering it and it's my first time to come out after years of being abroad.
Loke would attend to represent daddy. It isn't connected with our business but because of ConFAP, my brother needs to make an appearance.
I got the constant urge to retouch inside the car. I'm wearing a black terno and my hair is down while straightened. I took an overall glance at my top and fixed it once. It's revealing my cleavage and some skin on my stomach. I've never been this conscious with what I'm wearing. Crap!
I went outside the car before clicking my keys. I boarded the elevator and saw some familiar people.
"How are you, Lucy? Didn't know you're back!" a classmate in college said.
"Yup," I smiled.
"We thought you'd stay abroad for good because of what happened?" my classmate asked, concerned.
This is what I want to avoid. The elevator dinged while opening and I saw the red carpet which leads to the venue. The clicks and flashes of camera came quickly to the artists, business tycoons, models, celebrity, politicians, and many more.
Each corner of the venue has reporters. Even the clothes of the famous people were made an issue. After taking one step on the red carpet, I quickly saw Levy and Cana rushing towards me.
It made me smile while looking at them. It's been a while since I saw them this dressy!
"Is that Lucy Heartfilia?" a loud voice of a familiar reporter was heard.
Crap! It was Max! Cana and Levy quickly sandwiched me between them to shield me from attention but backed down upon seeing Max in front.
"Lucy! It's been a while..."
"Max, you're still with that same magazine?" I asked.
"Yup but I'm also working as a news anchor every Saturday. I'm with a TV station..."
I nodded while glancing at the two who are both listening.
"You're displaying your works here? Years ago you told me you stopped painting!" Mac said while holding his phone. He's recording what I'm saying and I saw a camera behind him. Crap!
"I stopped for a while. I guess old habits just die hard..." I smiled while looking at the camera.
"And my... you look so stunning than ever, Lucy!" he gestured my dress, "Mind telling me about your dress?"
"Oh! I just bought this under Laki Olietta. I wasn't able to hire a designer for this event."
"Still classy! And didn't you leave Fiore right after the Magnolia shoot out? What happened with the case?" Crap! Really!
"Max, I think we should go. The exhibit's about to start..." Levy politely said.
I held her hand. I'll face this question. I know that Max won't be the only one who'll ask me about it tonight.
"Yes. I was shot and left the country for my security. That's my dad's orders too and my personal decision..."
"You're in some sort of family feud with the Dragneels, right? But that was years ago. Right now your family's in good terms with them. Is that the reason why you came back?"
Crap! I didn't know that part. Or he's just over reacting?
"Yup. I believe that at some point, people will stop fighting for a better cause... For peace..." I nodded.
"But still in a feud with the Alabaster's, though. Aren't you scared? The case wasn't solved because of the lack of evidences in both sides. Do you still believe that they're the masterminds behind what happened?"
"Honestly, Max, I just hope people would stop the feud. I hope for the best," I nodded again to prove my point, "I don't want to give life to that issue. It's done. It's over. Years ago..."
"You were seen with Natsu Dragneel at Jellal and Erza Fernandes' wedding years ago. What does this event suggest? Are you two still friends?"
I almost gasped. I expect every question earlier but not this one!
"Max, please... We need to go..." I sensed the irritation in Levy's voice.
"Oh!" Max's eyebrow raised like he sensed some secret. Crap! I am going to put an end to this issue.
"That's just a coincidence, Max. We're friends years ago before the Magnolia event-"
"So you're saying that you're not friends now?"
I felt how blood left my face. Thank God for make up!
"We don't talk anymore. Of course because of the issues but I'm not saying that we're not friends anymore-"
"So if you're going to see each other, you'll be civil?"
"Max, why are you making this a big deal?" Cana irritatedly asked.
Max ignored her. "Of course I would. Why not?" I chuckled before turning to Cana to calm her down, "We need to go. I need to check my works..."
"Thank you for the time, Lucy and good luck!" Max smiled and let us go.
It's like a heavy thing was removed on my chest when we got inside. Many are still planning to interview me because of what Max did but we ignored them.
We're already on the venue's entrance when I saw the paintings. We quickly went to where my works are. I even encouraged Levy and Cana to go to their booth but they didn't leave my side.
I turned my head to the huge double doors and saw the blinking flash because of the arrival of a man with some business tycoons. My eyes widened upon realising that it's Natsu. He's wearing a black tuxedo and a red necktie.
My breath got caught in my throat. He's still the same. He faced the reporter who greeted him. I wanted to hide behind my paintings. No... he's not the same. He's better. He's more... intense. Dammit!
He towered over the reporters. He ran his fingers in his hair. I saw how the women around him comically turned their heads to see him. They're all drawn because of him. I'm sure of it. He's beautiful and intense. His chiseled jaw, straight nose, broad shoulders and long powerful legs would shame all the gods of Mount Olympus! Only his pink hair is the only thing that is brightening his dark expression!
I fixed my hair before turning to my paintings. Holy crap! My knees are trembling... I can't calm down no matter what I do!
"Where are Architect's works? Shall we go there?" I asked the two.
Dammit!
