Fire Me
What Natsu said didn't leave my brain the whole time I was driving home. I quickly phoned Levy. I know she's already home.
"He told me that my husband's not strict," I palmed my forehead.
"He thinks you're married..." it's not a question.
Levy took a deep breath on the other line. It's like she wasn't shocked with Natsu's assumption.
"Everyone will think you are. You went overseas with Sting, right? I've also been asked many times by our batchmates if you two settled down. And why is this affecting you so? If Natsu thinks that then it should be a good thing, right? Just let him."
I closed my eyes, "Right! I'll just let him be!"
"Unless you want him to think you are single?"
I almost tugged my hair out of irritation. Why is this a big deal to me? I was just shocked that he got it wrong. Even before, he never failed to get the correct information about me. Now is the first time.
Levy's right. I should leave it like that. I don't care if Natsu thinks I have a husband. It doesn't matter.
I prepared the sample boards for the units of the three towers in Malyi. The towers are almost done and are just waiting for the details. I need to meet with some of the suppliers of the furniture included in the sample boards.
"Aries," I said while placing Beau on his mat.
"Yes, Miss Lucy?"
"I need to do something. I'll be back later before dinner. Please look after Beau..." I said.
"Okay, Miss..."
I needed to go to an office to present my sample boards and to gather information about the suppliers of the materials. I also needed to meet with the suppliers to make sure if my designs would be feasible.
I arrived early at the conference room of the realty company which hired me. I fixed my dress and conditioned myself for this meeting. After fixing the crumples on my beige sleeveless blouse and slightly dusting my brown skirt, I gathered my hair in a ponytail to make my attire more formal.
"Mr. Yajima is on his way with the board. They'll be here after fifteen minutes," the secretary said.
I nodded and smiled, "Thank you."
I checked the clearbook which contained the designs I prepared for today. I know they're going to be five executives in this meeting.
The double doors of the conference room opened after ten minutes. It was opened by the secretary who entertained me earlier. She gestured the conference room to the board while smiling. I recognised some familiar faces who are architect and interior designers. I shook hands with them.
I got shocked at the last one who entered. Natsu Dragneel graced the room with his black suit. His eyes met mine and I couldn't bring myself to go to him and shake his hand. His jaw clenched when he saw me. I cleared my throat before going back to my seat.
"Nice to see you again, Lucy..." Mr. Yajima greeted.
The old man is nice and has a comfortable aura. He's the reason why I'm not nervous about this presentation but after seeing Natsu, the previous effect of Mr. Yajima's light presence vanished.
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Yajima," I greeted
"Have a seat," the old man said while smiling.
We took our seat. I talked for a bit to the architects who are in-charge of making the designs for the designs for the tower's rooftops, offices, and ground floors.
"Gentlemen," Mr. Yajima greeted the five board members who are all men. Mr. Seam, who was with him in the Art Gallery, smiled at me.
How did Natsu become a member of this board? I mentally facepalmed upon realising something. It was three years ago when he told me he has a project in Malyi. It's a three-towered condo. Is this that project? Damn it! I didn't see that one!
"This is Lucy Heartfilia, our head spatial designer for the exclusive residential homes," Mr. Yajima said as an opening.
Natsu opened the clearbook I've prepared for the boards. He raised an eyebrow. It just made me more nervous. Damn it! He wasn't even talking but I'm becoming intimidated already.
"Lucy, these are the gentlemen behind the project. Mr. Crawford Seam, one of Titania group's executive, Mr. Gran Doma of the Doma International, Mr. Mest Gryder of the Gryder Industries, and Mr. Natsu Dragneel of the Dragneel Realty, I'm guessing you know him."
I almost swallowed hard. Why didn't I know that he's a member of this team? I already signed the contract so I cannot back out now. I need to finish this project. Anyway, the only thing I need to present is the design and furnitures. After this, it's over.
Natsu laughed, "Mr. Yajima, did you get her as the head of Spatial designs just because she knows me? You should've based it on the skills and abilities," he dropped the clearbook.
I clenched my jaw. Are you going to be difficult, Natsu?
"Natsu..." the old man started, "Lucy is a great designer. Besides, her credentials abroad and in Fiore are outstanding!"
"I'm sure Mr. Yajima won't hire someone just because they know you. So what if we know each other? Business is business. If I cannot perform, your business will fail. Mr. Yajima won't waste billions of money just because of someone being your acquaintance," I said with a straight voice.
Natsu just stared and raised an eyebrow at me. He looks at me like I owe him a huge debt and I have to suffer for it. He has no right to belittle me or my works just because of what happened three years ago.
Mr. Yajima laughed, "Lucy is right. I'm sorry for my introduction went wrong... Well, let's see the designs?"
The businessmen nodded before opening my presentation. The content on the clearbook I presented was also displayed on the huge monitor in front.
"Some of these designs were picked by Mr. Yajima. It's depending on the room size."
Natsu clasped his hands and covered his mouth with it while sharply glaring at me. I don't want to look at him but I cannot stop m eyes from doing so. He's not even looking at my designs. He's looking at me!
"Your target customers are bachelors, businessmen, and celebrities so the designs were made for them. The last floors of tower one, two and three were designed according to what you all told me. It's a big loft-like spacious room for bachelors. I included this on the reports for Byro Cracy. I will set up a meeting with him soon and we'll talk about his unit."
"Very good! I will give you his contact number. Or do you already have his?" Mr. Yajima asked, pertaining to the famous international rockstar who's one of their clients.
"Yes, I have his number."
"Do we get her designs for the three towers? Won't that be redundant?" Natsu asked.
My heart beat raced again. Is he questioning my ability? Three years ago he inspired me to paint again. This time he wants my confidence to shatter again. My inside became a wreck. This is not the time to feel this emotion.
"I-I have prepared more designs. Though it depends on the client —" my voice trembled.
"How many designs did you prepare?"
"I have twenty designs," I said.
"Do you know how many units we have for each tower?" He raised an eyebrow
I couldn't answer. I just did what Mr. Yajima asked me to do. He told me to prepare twenty sample boards. I didn't know that I should prepare more.
"Have you tried designing a whole condo before? Or is this your biggest project yet?" Natsu leaned back on his chair.
I cleared my throat. My knees started to shake. The businessmen with him just looked at me. The other two interior designers were avoiding my eyes. It's like they're the one who's embarrassed for me.
"You can't expect all the clients to like all the sample designs. They will want someone else to design their unit so it would be useless," I said.
"Our clients are businessmen, celebrities, Lucy... Do you think they have the time to contact their own personal designer to design their unit? I bet for businessmen, the condo they'll get won't be their first unit. They won't care and they would settle for the company's designs."
I went silent. My throat dried. He doesn't want me in this project. I turned to Mr. Yajima who's just looking at Natsu.
"I want you to design more. Give me more sample boards. It would be redundant to use these designs for all the three towers. Do you agree with me Mr. Doma?" Natsu asked the mid50s man beside him.
"I agree with Natsu, Lucy. We need more designs than this. The towers are nearing its launching. We need the designs fast too..." Mr. Doma added.
I couldn't breathe anymore. I get scolded in the past many times but this is the first time I got embarrassed this much.
"We need fifty more designs for the next two weeks. Stick to what Mr. Yajima wants..."
My jaw dropped at his demands. I'll do fifty designs? I don't have a team since Mr. Yajima hired me for the design he wanted. I didn't expect this coming!
"I-Is that even possible?" I couldn't stop myself.
"Fifty is actually lesser compared to the standard requirement. It should be more but you have limited time so fifty would do."
I wanted to curse him.
"Natsu, isn't that too much? Can we reduce it to thirty instead?" Mr. Yajima asked.
"We have almost 600 units all in all, Mr. Yajima. I think we deserve that number. Even more of that actually..."
My breathing is now violent. Natsu's eyes on me are still sharp. It's like he wants every word which comes out from his mouth attack me until I got hurt so much.
I repeatedly consoled myself by thinking that this is just work. This is how ruthless businessmen are. Especially him. I know he's a monster when it comes to business. Yes, that's it. I shouldn't take it personally! I should stop thinking that he want my confidence down.
"If you can do more, you can give more. But it should be at least fifty more, Lucy," Natsu said.
"Okay, I will." I don't know what I'm getting into. I'll die designing this within two weeks!
"Can you please give me the specific dates of the launching so I can set a deadline?" was my calm question.
"We need an earlier deadline. What if I don't approve of the designs? Your third sample board is for teenagers. We're not expecting our clients to be high school girls or college girls."
"But you can't say you won't have clients like them? What if these businessmen bought a unit for their high school girl child —"
"One is enough, don't do more of it. Focus on the clients... These furniture, did you contact the companies involved? You have Architect Gaebol's sofas. Did you tell him?"
I nodded, "He's already informed."
"She's recommended by Architect Gaebol, Natsu. We saw her designs on the Art Gallery..." Mr. Yajima explained.
"How about the other furniture?" He didn't stop.
"It's all confirmed. But about the fifty designs you want, I'll call the companies if the approval is finished. I don't want them to expect and then get disappointed if you don't like their furnitures," I said.
"You should. Thanks for that initiative," he opened the clearbook again.
The meeting ended fast because of the fifty designs I need to do. Today was supposed to be the finalisation of everything but it didn't happen because of those additional fifty designs he wanted. The tears on my eyes are begging to fall as I fix my things. The businessmen are already on their way to leave.
I gathered the clearbook but dropped it because of my trembling hands. The contents spilled on the floor. I cursed while docking to get those. Damnit!
My tears fell without a warning and I quickly wiped those. I have no time to cry.
"Why did you get the project?" Natsu asked behind me.
I jumped, hands froze in the air as his sudden presence shocked me. Why is he here? I thought he left with the board?
"In the first place, why did Mr. Yajima offered me that..."
"You lack experience. I can see it in your work," his voice is taunting.
I stopped gathering the papers on the floor to face him. I don't care if he'll see my crying or what. I don't care if he'll see me affected with what he's saying. I don't fucking care at all!
"I already signed a contract so I cannot do anything anymore. If you don't want me then you should've looked for a designer yourself. And if you want me out of this then fire me! I cannot back out now even if I badly wanted to walk out earlier!" Fuck! "You have that choice, you're one of the board members. Fire me, then!" I challenged.
The shock on his eyes became evident as I finished my rants. Something touched my heart. I'm staring at my son's eyes. Tears started forming on the corner of my eyes again which made my sight blurry. I couldn't even see Natsu properly anymore because of the water clouding my vision.
I turned my back on him and grabbed my things. I walked past him and left the conference room crying and very torn.
But no matter how broken my heart is, it's pieces are still beating for him violently.