Business

I didn't think about all those anymore. If Natsu isn't tired of revenge, then I can do nothing about it. It's not a choice I can make. That's why I busied myself with painting the next days.

I stared at my latest work while drinking my coffee. I noticed that I was using dark colours more than usual these past few weeks. My latest work is a painting of the night sky.

"Mommy, Beau play!" Beau said while showing me his toy cars.

I placed my mug to the coffee table and carried my son, "Okay baby, we'll play."

I spent the whole day playing with him. Sting is calling every now and then. I think it's his third call today to check if we're fine here. After what happened at ConFAP that night, he felt more responsible about me and Beau.

"Sting, please calm down. We're fine. I'm fine..." I assured him.

"I know... I just..." he sighed.

I smiled. I know I became harsh to him. I told him to stop calling me. I scold him almost everyday to not fret and joked about just focusing on giving Beau a playmate. I heard from Virgo that he's testing the waters with a nurse who turned out to be the one who looked after me when Natsu took me to the hospital during my presentation.

"I appreciate your effort, Sting. But..."

"What if something's going to happen?" I heard the fright in his voice.

I stopped. I quickly tried to imagine what he's thinking. A bloody and violent event like what happened years ago came to my mind. Natsu was in prison for months. We put a stain of his name. We hurt him, physically, emotionally, and mentally. I pray that he won't take his revenge to that extent.

"Nothing's going to happen," I said like I'm sure of it.

"We should tell your dad. We should hire some body guards. Let's tighten your security..."

"I don't want to make this big."

"Lucy, this is for you and for Beau..." Sting gasped.

I put Beau on the sofa and took another toy car. He likes those. Loke is also spoiling him. Every time he comes here from abroad, he gives bags of toy cars to Beau. I'm pretty sure my son has already a toy car made from each and every country due to Loke's frequent trips all over Earthland.

"Thank you so much, Sting. I'll think about it."

I spent the whole day playing with Beau. I can't match his energy that's why I got tired fast. I thought of taking him to other places. We've been at Fiore for almost two months now but he still wasn't able to roam around Crocus.

"Maybe after his 2nd birthday..." I decided before yawning.

After getting my rest, I took a bath and changed my clothes for my appointment at Asta La Pasta. It's not that far from here so I don't really need to rush.

I wore a simple maroon dress. My stilettos is black as well as my purse. I brought a jacket since the weather looks gloomy today.

The restaurant is slightly full packed when I arrived. I observed the place, slightly afraid and embarrassed that the client is already here and I'm late.

"Table for two, Miss?" the waiter asked.

"Uhm. I'm with Miss Seilah Helm..."

"Oh! This way, please..."

The waiter gestured to the exclusive part of the restaurant. It's enclosed with Midian walls and the insides felt comfortable. Only two tables are occupied and the tables are far from each other.

"This is Miss Helm's reservation, Miss..." the waiter said.

"Thank you," I smiled and took a seat.

I placed my things to the seat beside me. The waiter quickly served the appetiser. I took a deep breath and observed the restaurant. Maybe Miss Seilah Helm is a young woman. Maybe she's a daughter of a tycoon or something?

I emptied my glass of wine and the waiter filled it for another shot. I'm thirsty.

"Thanks..." I smiled.

A woman with long wavy hair went to me. She looks like in her early 30s. She smiled at me and I quickly felt the accommodating and approachable aura of this client. "Hi! I'm Seilah Helm..." she smiled.

"Hi! Lucy Heartfilia..." I stood up to shake her hand.

"Did I make you wait?" We both took our seats.

"I just arrived. It's fine."

I was shocked when I saw her with her files. She laid it in front of me before calling for the waiter.

"I'll just have some wine..."

"Sure thing, Miss."

She turned her attention to me. She looks so busy and in a hurry. It's like her schedule is full so we need to finish this quickly.

"So... the project is the house in Caspius Park. I haven't seen the design of the house yet."

"Yes. I have the blue print with me Actually, it's almost done. The designs inside are the only thing that's missing but I assume you have your designs? Your previous work?" Miss Seilah asked.

"Yes. I have them with me."

I also gave her my portfolio. I know it's slightly impossible for her to just pick there but I hope she'll get ideas from it.

"Before we get to that, let's talk about the terms first since I know you're a professional," she slightly chuckled.

Even if I can feel that she's accommodating and approachable, I can still feel her professionalism and stiffness when it comes to things like this.

"Yes! Sure..."

"Here are my terms. Enclosed are the agreed offers. Tax free." She gave me a contract which already has her sign. I skimmed through the contract and I was shocked. The payment was too much.

"Wait a minute... This isn't the standard royalty-"

"We want it done properly so we'll give you an extra." She smiled, "We also don't want you to rush so we'll give you six months to design everything in the house."

I read the details of the house again, making sure that I didn't miss something. The whole perimeter is included in my contract. I am to design every part of the house. I also looked at the blueprint and the temporary design of the architect. It is a very modern type of house. The door is made of glass as well as the walls of some parts on the first floor until second floor. The garage is spacious and it even has a garden! There are two swimming pools. In front is the biggest one and beside it is a smaller and shallower version of it. They used teak wood flooring near the pools. Isn't this expensive? But then, it's not my mansion...

"Is this going to be used as a home? For rent? For sale? Uh..."

"Home..." Miss Seilah Helm's confused answer.

"Okay," I nodded. This is a big project, after all. The house is really big but they gave me more than enough time to finish it so there would be no problem.

"Do you also need to see the house personally?"

I signed the contract before nodding.

"That would be great. Though, I can deal with the details you told me. But, yes... Since it's really spacious and I'm not sure with the rooms inside... Is this... This house has eight rooms?"

"Yes. Including the maid quarters."

"Okay..."

I closed the folder which contains the contract and turned to study the blueprint she gave me. I know I need to think of the designs for this thoroughly.

"Who's living with you, Miss, if you don't mind? I have no idea what the rooms will look like."

"Hmmm. Let me see." She smiled before continuing, "It's better if you'll just talk to the one who'll live there so you can know the details including that."

I frowned. I didn't know that she wasn't the one who'll live there. Well, most clients are really like that. The client's probably a busy tycoon who has no time for a meeting like this so Miss Helm is here.

"He's on his way. He just instructed me to come here first for the contract. By the way, I'm his lawyer..." she smiled, "I am also an engineer so I'm helping him out."

"Oh wow! I really thought you're the owner, Ma'am, I mean... attorney..."

She laughed, "No, I'm not. Wait..."

Attorney Seilah Helm fished for her phone inside her bag. She clicked her screen but her eyes widened before she can put it on her ear.

"Oh here he is..." she's looking behind me. I followed her eyes and got the shock of my life when I saw Natsu. What the hell? I don't know how I look like upon realising that he's my client. My shoulders fell. This is not happening! Why is he here? Did he plan this all?

He's just wearing a plan grey v neck shirt. Casual wear, unlike his usual attire for work and events. He wasn't even shocked when he saw me there.

Attorney stood up so I mimicked her to welcome the client. "This is Mr. Natsu Dragneel, CEO of Dragneel Realty. He's the owner of the mansion."

Natsu presented his hand to me. Are you kidding me? I didn't accept his hand. I find it ridiculous to make other people believe that we don't know each other in this situation!

Miss Helm's smile became awkward when she saw I didn't accept Natsu's hand. He shrugged. I clenched my jaw as he looks like what's happening doesn't even bother him. He did plan for this! He did!

"Shall we... Uh... sit?" Attorney asked.

I took a few moments to snap out of it. When I took my seat, I saw how Attorney felt the tension.

"So... Mr. Dragneel, shall I... leave you two? So you can deal with the details of the design?" Attorney Seilah Helm said.

Natsu and I looked at each other. His onyx eyes twinkled and I'm sure mine didn't. My stare at him is sharp. Judging.

"Sure, attorney. Thanks for the time," Natsu nodded at her.

"No problem, Mr. Dragnerl. Anytime." Attorney Helm stood up.

I managed to go back to my senses. She's gonna leave us alone! I turned to Atoorney.

"I'm gonna leave you two, Miss Lucy," she smiled.

I took a deep breath before accepting her hand. Let's get this over with!

Natsu called for a waiter when Attorney left. Their conversation wasn't long. He just told him to serve the main course that I think was ordered when the reservation was made.

I really can't believe it. Is this part of his plan for revenge? He opened the blueprint and pointed something.

"Shall we talk about the master's bedroom first before anything else?" His tone is now about business.

I don't know if I should take him personally or ride along with pretending that this is not a big deal. I chose the latter. Since I already signed the contract and I'll he doing this work, might as well know the details about it.

"What design do you want..."

"It's on the second floor. The second floor has carpet flooring; the first floor, hard wood. So all the bedrooms on the second floor except for the maid's quarter are carpeted. The master's bedroom will take the design of the whole house. White and dark brown. The furniture should be like that. I want the walls of the other rooms to be red. The furniture may vary. I don't know. You decide. No one would use those rooms anyway."

I swallowed when I thought of something ridiculous. I quickly banished the thought to not complicate what's happening.

"How about the furniture on the first floor?"

"Let me see your design. I have no idea." He smirked.

I stopped when the waiter arrived with the cart for our food. When he opened it, I almost fainted at the delicious aroma of the spices. Damn it! This place had good stuff!

"I'm not hungry so..." while I slightly pushed the food that the waiter placed in front of me.

"The client wants you to eat. That's called being polite," Natsu said.

The waiter bowed a little before leaving without a word. Natsu and I looked at each other again. I didn't last long as his eyes looked like it wanted to cage me so he can own my gaze. I quickly looked away before my emotions got the best of me.

"Let's eat," Natsu ordered.

I clenched my jaw. I want to talk about the details of the project. I didn't come here to eat dinner with him. I grabbed the fork and started to touch my food. Even with eyes on my food, I can feel his gaze on me.

"I will also let you choose the brand of hot tub I want in my bathroom. I don't know anything about that," he started again.

I dropped the fork and met his eyes. I sharply looked at him, as sharp as my feelings for him right now.

"Why don't you ask your designers? I trust you have your own. That's the nature of your work. The Dreyar's and Silvers have that too. Why find someone else to design it?" I said intently.

"Why are you asking me that? This is what I want, is there a problem with it?" The corner of his lips rose.

He's laughing? He's laughing at what's happening right now?

"Let's get this over with. Tell me everything you want to do to your house and I'll make all the designs." So we don't need to see each other again.

"My house is big, Lucy. You haven't notice it yet? Do you honestly think we can discuss this matter in just one sitting? This meeting won't be enough."

I got irritated more. This is part of his plan. I wonder what he'll do to me in this project? Is he going to insult all my designs just to get under my skin?

"I thought you don't like my designs? Didn't you hate my works in Infinity Towers? Why get me now?"

"Look, Lucy-"

"If you want to get me just to insult me, Natsu, then insult me right now! So you can finally be satisfied! That's your plan of revenge, right?" I couldn't stop myself.

He froze with what I said. His light aura earlier got replaced by a heavy one. Maybe because I hit the mark.

He raised an eyebrow and scoffed, "You don't know my plan of revenge."

My eyes squinted. Ever since then, that's all that mattered to him. Revenge. Revenge for the death of his father. Revenge for what happened in Magnolia. Revenge. Revenge when hurt. Me? I've been hurt so many times by so many people. Almost all of them are my loved ones, people I loved more than myself but I never planned to get even! Because I know that hate will only create ripples of hatred.

"What is your plan of revenge then?" I challenged.

"I want your hand... in marraige..." he said with no emotion.

My eyes widened. My traitor heart beat louder that I'm worried I'll become deaf. I wanted to shout and calm myself at the same time but I couldn't do any of those. I don't know if he's joking or he just wanted to hurt me so much by giving me hope.

"Have you lost your mind?" I breathlessly said, trying to control my emotions.

Natsu bit his lip before bearing his eyes on me.

"Give me your designs for the master's bedroom and the rooms next week. We'll meet again after this. For now, eat... I don't want the person who'll design me house get hungry," he said.

I just threw him a ridiculous look. He thinks I can eat in front of him? And after he said those words?

When he saw me not moving, his eyes became soft and dazed. He grabbed my fork and touched my food. I blinked. A warm hand caressed my traitor heart. I don't know why hundreds of memories clouded my vision. I can't help but feel like it's Natsu of three years ago again.

He rolled the fetuccini with the fork and moved it towards my face.

"I should've let you choose your food. You don't like pasta..." he said, sighing as he dropped the fork to my plate. I felt something pinched my heart. I don't know why.

"Don't fool me, Natsu. I'm sick of your bulls. I'm just here for the business..." I said with false courage.

"Yes, I am also here for business, Lucy." He seriously stared back at me.

Damn it!