Three Million

Beau's still awake when Sting arrived. I took him with me to the living room to keep an eye on him while nursing Sting whose lips are bleeding and with bruised cheeks.

"Ouch!" he hissed.

"I'm sorry, Sting," I sighed.

He shook his head like me apologising to him is really wrong. I never discouraged him to have a girlfriend in those times he went with me. I want him to meet other girls. He doesn't need to be guilty about what happened three years ago.

"It's not your fault, Lucy. I will protect you. I just really made a mistake earlier. I should be the one saying sorry." He messed with his light blonde hair.

I dabbed the warm towel to bruises, "No, I'm the one who made a mistake. This idea will limit your chances to start anew. I shouldn't have dragged you to this —"

"You didn't drag me. I am willing to help you on this. Natsu would be never able to hurt you as long as I'm here, Lucy."

I stopped damping his bruises. I dropped my hand. He looked so stressed. His hair is messy and his white long sleeves is crumpled. There are even blood stains there.

"Sting, sleep here. It's already late and you're tired."

He looked at me. I saw the regret in his eyes that quickly vanished. I don't know why he's regretful nor the reason behind it.

"Okay, Lucy..."

He turned to be before closing his eyes and calming himself. He stayed for the night. It somehow made me feel better.

The following weeks, I did the work for Infinity Towers. I also painted again and had time for Beau. Sting's visit remained frequent, in fact it became more recurrently compared to last week.

I helped Beau get comfortable in the high chair that daddy prepared in his house. After two weeks, we visited dad. I'm not that busy anymore and my project with Infinity Towers is almost done.

"Represent me for the ConFAP event. Your mom called and she's furious that I still don't have a plan for that. Loke and I would both leave next week so we cannot come. And Virgo is out of town." Daddy sipped on his coffee. "Oh, Virgo's out of town? That's why she doesn't go to condo these days. When is the event, dad?" I asked despite me not wanting to come.

This is the even that Ashley would attend with Natsu. "This Friday at Caelum CC. Are you free?" Daddy asked.

I nodded and turned to Beau.

"You can bring Sting since he also needs to go there."

My phone rang while we're eating. I took it to see what caused it. I received an email for an unfamiliar account. I opened it.

From: Seilah . Helm @ gmail . com

Good day, Ma'am!

Greetings!

We would like to schedule an appointment with you in your most convenient time. We are impressed with your work and we would like to hire you as our Interior Designer. This is for a house at Caspius Park, Chrysanthus.

We hope for your fast response.

You can contact us through email and through text. Thank you!

Their number and the details of the house was attached below. It's not just a house, it's a mansion.

"Lucy?" Daddy called.

"Dad..." I yelped.

"Who texted? I said if you'll bring Beau to Caelum CC?" Daddy asked.

I quickly shook my head, "That's not possible. Uh... I have a new client."

Daddy sighed before looking at my phone, "How many times do I have to tell you that you should stop working. Look what happened before, you got sick! I'm fine with you painting, just not work."

"Yup. I won't take companies anymore. Just small projects like houses or mansion, dad. It's extra income too."

Daddy just shook his head, still disagreeing with what I wanted to happen.

I proceeded to make a reply to the email. This looks like a good project. The house is really huge and is located at a high end real estate. This would be a great opportunity too! If I'm lucky, I'll be making many digits through this.

Good day, Miss!

Sure. I would like to take this project. I will be available next week, Saturday at around 6PM. If possible, I would like the meeting to be just around Sativus because it's accessible to me.

Lucy Heartfilia

Their reply was immediate.

From: Seilah . Helm @ gmail . com

Thank you for that fast reply. Saturday then, 6 PM at Asta La Pasta.

I took a deep breath. Thank God and they agreed. I'm gonna get this project done and then probably accept the rest house of Juvia and Gray in Shirotsume. That would be easy...

I finished two paintings during my rest day. Those are all abstract arts. I'm happy that Beau and I have time to bond. I also visited daddy and mommy every now and then.

"Will you be in the ConFAP activity at Caelum Convention, Lucy?" Mommy asked while playing with my son.

"Yes, mom. I'll go with Sting."

"Ashley's going too. With Natsu, imagine that darling? They seem to get closer!"

I pursed my lips. I don't know what to say.

"By the way, where did you and Sting get married again? Did you have a church wedding or a civil one? I haven't seen your pictures. Not because you both got married in Stella doesn't mean that I cannot see your photos anymore..." mommy said in a curious tone.

My eyes widened. My heart started to boomed. There is no reason to lie. And now that mommy became curious at it then I can do nothing anymore but tell her the truth.

I wiped Beau's hands which are covered with chocolates. We're on the pool side, eating the chocolate cake that mommy baked. Uncle Apollo and Ashley aren't here. It's just the three of us here.

"Sting and I aren't married, mom..." I answered.

She got stunned for a moment. Her expression displayed a comical shock like she didn't hear me. I stared at her.

"W-What? But... What? Lucy, you two... Why?" She stuttered like she doesn't know what to ask first. I won't blame her, though. All this time, it's what she believed. I never told her that Sting and I are married, though. Everyone just assumed that we are..

"He's my ex, mom. We're already finished before we left Fiore..."

"But what about Beau? You didn't get back together for Beau? Well, it cannot really be forced, but Lucy? This is your chance to give Beau a complete family. I don't understand! All this time I thought Sting's your husband. Why didn't you tell me?"

I couldn't calm mommy anymore. Her words came flooding me that I don't know what to reply to her. She shook her head like she cannot believe what I told her.

I just don't know if it's right to tell her about Beau's father. I don't want them to think that I suddenly exposed the truth right after Ashley and Natsu's relationship improved. I'm fine with Natsu not around me or Beau. I can do nothing about it. I also don't want him to choose us just because of Beau. I don't need anyone by my side as long as Beau's with me.

"You assumed. Sting's just my friend... i have no plans to get married, mom."

Mom's jaw dropped. She still cannot proess anything.

"Well, that's the choice I did years ago with you, Lucy..."

My eyes dropped to the glass in front of me. Like mother like daughter, huh? But unlike her, I won't leave my child for anything. I am content with him. I don't need to seek love and affection to other people anymore. Beau would love me and that's enough for me. I am happy with him.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me about that. All this time..." she shook her head and didn't finish her sentence.

I carried Beau and put on his inflatable vest. I told mommy that I'll watch over Beau while he's swimming. She nodded and drank the wine I gave her.

I removed my cover up to swim in the pool with Beau. Now that mommy knows the real status of Sting and I, I feel like a heavy burden got removed in me.

I told Sting about that. With arms crossed, he watched me get ready while I'm telling him everything that mommy and I talked about.

"If your mom knows that we're not married, she may tell Uncle Apollo and Ashley. And Ashley would tell Natsu about it..." Sting said.

"I don't know, Sting. We'll know today."

He sighed and shook his head, disappointed with what I did.

I stared at my reflection on the vanity mirror. I don't want to lie to my mom.

"Fuck that Dragneel," Sting touched his lips. The bruises aren't there anymore but it looks like he can still feel the pain.

"If he tries to mess this event up, I'll break his jaw!"

"Sting, the last time we went to a ConFAP event, something happened. Let's not repeat that tragedy, please," I scolded him.

We went to the venue together. Sting was the one who brought a car. We were still far but I already saw the flashes of cameras in the entrance of the convention. There are huge paintings on the wall. The red carpet is full packed with huge people from different industries.

"Many would definitely wait for you. Especially since this would be the first event you'll attend ever since the Magnolia controversy happened."

"The issues cleared up, I'm sure..." I looked at him.

"The media already asked your dad, me, Loke, and even Virgo about that but still, the answers are different if it came from you yourself."

True enough, reporters flocked to us as soon as Sting and I went out of the car. Some of them were my friends way back in college so I became comfortable with the questions.

"Aren't you afraid to attend ConFAP events because of what happened three years ago?"

I held Sting's arm. Reporters circled us and he shielded me from them. I grasped the material of my long gown which is flowing slightly on the floor to avoid stepping on it.

"Not really. It's been years and we already know the masterminds so..."

"You knew? How? And why weren't they jailed? Didn't Mr. Dragneel got jailed because of what happened before? Aren't you afraid that the two of you might meet here since he's also attending this event?"

My throat dried. The media doesn't know the whole story and who was really behind the shoot out. My dad settled it privately. What I said was so wrong. Fuck!

"The accusations against him weren't proven. I also believe that it's not his fault," I didn't add more.

"Then, who is at fault? You told us earlier that you know who. Why weren't they jailed?"

"Excuse me, that's private. Can we stop the interview?" Sting butted in when he sensed my fear.

The reporter smiled and faced him with chin up.

"Last one, Mr. Eucliffe. Aren't you afraid..." the media turned to me, "That Mr. Dragneel might take his revenge?"

I'm pretty sure that the question is a personal one. It wouldn't be published on the magazine or newspaper but just to satisfy their curiosity.

"That's a personal question! Excuse me, we need to go..." Sting said.

He tugged me away from that reporter. My heart is still racing while that question is still making a mess inside my mind.

We went inside and saw that the program has started. The usherette guided us to our table. We're on our way to our assigned table when my eyes involuntarily looked for Natsu.

He sat crossed legged while Ashley's arm is hooked on his elbow. They're really close and whispering to each other while looking at the stage.

There's a bidding for the children's paintings. Many businessmen are bidding for those. I turned to Natsu and Ashley again. It's dark but I saw how they chuckled at each other even when there's nothing funny going on.

I bit my lip and forced my eyes to stay on the stage. I can't lose my cool now.

"Which painting do you want, Lucy? Let's join the bidding..." Sting said.

"I like the flower, Sting," I answered.

Sting raised the board and joined the bidding. His first bid is a hundred thousand. I looked at Natsu and Ashley again. My sister's looking at Natsu while Natsu found my eyes.

My cheeks burned. I almost called all the saints to thank for the darkness of the venue for the bidding.

Natsu raised his board too.

"Two hundred thousand," Natsu said in a cold voice.

Ashley playfully hit his arm. I bit my lip again. I'm afraid it would bleed. They seem very close. Well, maybe it was really Ashley who's there while he's inside the jail.

"Damn that Dragneel..." Sting whispered and raised his bid.

"Three hundred thousand..."

Natsu raised his board again, "Five hundred."

The crowd got shocked. The guests may be rich but the bidding never got this high. They put large sums in the donation and not on the bidding for the paintings.

"Sting, stop it..." I whispered but it wasn't enough to make him stop.

"Six hundred thousand!"

Natsu lazily asnwered, "Eight hundred thousand..."

The crowd's whispers are starting to make me deaf. Ashley turned to my direction and her smile vanished upon seeing me.

"Sting, stop it. You're making the crowd look at us. I don't want another issue," I quickly said.

"Dammit! One million!"

"Sting! That's too much... We're donating two million-"

"One point five..." Natsu said with a bored voice.

Sting's breathing became fast when he shifted on his seat. He turned to me and tried to calm down.

"He's challenging me, Lucy... Because of what happened. And I don't want to back down. I don't want to lose to him... never again," he shook his head at me before raising again, "Two million..."

I touched Sting's arm. He needs to stop. I shook my head.

"That's enough. Please..."

"Three million," Natsu said with a lazy tone. Sting turned to me. His jaw clemched before letting out deep and rugged breath. He nodded and tightly held my hand.