Project

"You mean to say you have plans in marrying Natsu Dragneel because he's Beau's father?"

I couldn't believe that mommy just asked me that. That's not what I mean by refusing to help Ashley. I don't want to be involved in Ashley's pursuit of him. I want to respect myself and respect my son. It's what I wanted to say. But she got it the wrong way...

"Mom, it's not it —"

"For God's sake, Lucy! If he's Beau's father, why didn't you get married? That can only mean one thing... and you even hide this from me? You made me believe that Sting's the father of Beau?"

"Auntie, Lucy didn't say that..." Sting butted in.

"Natsu knows nothing about Beau, mom. You know what happened between us years ago. How can I tell him when I thought our lives are in danger when he's around?"

Mommy couldn't answer it but the disappointment is still etched on her face. It like anything I'll say won't make her believe me. She would always find a way to point out my flaws. She would always justify herself.

"Ridiculous! That's a stupid excuse! And besides, why won't you help Ashley? Do you believe that you two can still be together? Are you hoping for that?" She shouted.

"Auntie, please stop..." Sting said while holding my elbow for support. My patience is wearing thin but I did everything to not shout at her.

"I am not hoping for us to be together, mom —"

"Do you think he would choose you just because you have a child, Lucy? You'll use Beau just to get him back?"

My eyes widened. It's something I can never do.

"It's not like that, mommy! I can never use my son as a bait just to get him back! I would rather live alone with Beau than make him come back to me just because of a responsibility!" I shouted.

"Then live peacefully with Beau! Don't hope too much for that! I thought you learned from my experience, Lucy? When you're still inside my womb, your father can't take responsibility of you! He can't marry me just because of you! Of all people, you should be the one who should understand that the child isn't the key to make the father yours!"

Tears threatened to fall in mom's eyes. My heart clenched while accepting everything she said. I know. I know what she wanted to say. And yes, of all people, I should know. I know.

"I know, mommy. But I want to respect my child. I want to respect Natsu's decision. I don't want to be part of this. I won't stop them, mom, but please, don't use me as an instrument for them to get together. He's... my child's father." Tears lined my eyes.

Mommy sharply glared at me. She finished her wine in one gulp before turning to Sting.

"Drive them home after this. I'll check on Ashley..." mommy said and didn't look at my anymore.

I waited for her to leave before letting out the breath I didn't know I was holding. I turned to Beau who's eating innocently beside Aries who looked at me with worried eyes. Her lips trembled, maybe she's scared of what happened earlier.

"Lucy, we should go..."

I nodded and grabbed my things to change my clothes.

I didn't bother to tell mommy we're leaving. I don't know how to face her after that row. Sting drive us to our unit. He quickly sat down on the sofa and sighed while Aries took the sleepy Beau to his room. He got tired swimming.

"Are you okay?" Sting asked. "Yup. I'm fine..."

I was restless while we're in the living room. Aries went to the kitchen and was holding a tray of sandwiches and juice when she got out. I quickly drank the juice to calm myself.

"I understand what you did there, Lucy. It's okay."

I sat beside Sting and massaged my temple. I am not going to apologise for anything. I did the right thing. I would never do things that are against my beliefs.

"I'll talk to Auntie."

"No, Sting. Let us settle this. You shouldn't be involved here. I don't want mommy to to attack you too just because of me."

I'm sure Ashley would understand, right? If she'll know that Natsu is Beau's father, she'll understand..."

I nodded, "I hope so..." I tightly closed my eyes. Even if I'm hoping for that to happen, I know myself that she would never understand.

I massaged my temple. Sting caressed my hair to soothe me.

"Don't think of it too much, Lucy. This will pass. She's your mom. She got carried away. I'm sure she'll call and apologise to you the next day..."

I stiffened But quickly relaxed. Thank God Sting's here.

Two days passed and there's still no call from mommy for apologies like Sting was thinking. I already finished the design for Natsu's bedroom. The bed he picked is too big for two people. But who am I to comment on that? I work with the resources he gave me. Besides, his master's bedroom is big too.

I fixed my attire. I'll meet him today. Our meeting would be in the conference room of the Dreyar building. It made me wonder if Dragneel Realty has its own building. And where is it? Is it in Drakes building? And where's the Drakes? I don't know anything about that.

"Mr. Dragneel is inside, Ma'am," the woman at the receiving desk said.

I'm wearing a floral body con dress today. I dusted the skirt for a last time before walking inside the conference hall. Are we going to be alone?

The sight of him sitting on the swivel chair in the centre greeted me when I opened the door. I slightly stopped walking. I shouldn't be nervous! So what if we're going to be alone? I calmed myself down.

I quickly placed my laptop on the table that's separating us. He watched me as I do my thing. I didn't even greet him. Whatever.

I looked at him when I finished setting up my laptop and monitor before placing the hard copies of my designs for his bedroom and bathroom.

"This is what I finished based on the resources and furnitures that you gave me" I said. I clicked my laptop. Projected in front of us is the more detailed design.

"I made some tweaks but of course it is still based on what you told me..." I said.

He observed my design with keen eye. As expected, he's not going to just say yes to this. This is his house, of course he would be more hands on with it.

"Is this the hot tub I requested?" he asked.

"Yes, that is." I swallowed.

"Is it too small? Or just fine?" His eyes looked up to me.

"I... I think it's okay. Depending on... of course... If you'll use it. That's fine."

"What if there's two of us who would bathe in it, is it alright?"

What the hell?

"Yup. It's big..." I nodded and averted my eyes.

"Alright, I am fine with this. Do you like it?" he asked.

"Yes... I mean... It's okay. I designed it after all..."

He ran his eyes again to the pictures I gave before turning to me.

"The next ones are for the remain rooms. In how many days can you finish it?"

"Seven rooms, right? If you're not in a rush, and if you want it unique for each room, I can finish it in two or three weeks" I said.

"Okay... First two rooms? Next week?"

I frowned, "Aren't you wasting your time and effort? We can meet after three weeks and I'll just present all the designs in one go."

"What about you? Are you wasting your time right now?"

I shook my head, confused, "This is work."

"Then I don't mind. We're meeting next week for the first one or two rooms?"

"I can do two rooms." I nodded and noted it on my phone.

"When? So I can set it up?"

"Same time and day. I need your number so I can just text you where our next meeting."

I stopped at what he said, "We can do it here. I'm fine here."

"I want it somewhere in Sativus. This is too far," he cannot look at me.

"Give me your calling card."

I bit my lip before grabbing a calling card in my purse. I put it in front of us and he quickly took it.

"Are we done for today? I'll pack up now," I said and started to close the softwares opened in my laptop.

"You still have something to do? Why are you in a hurry?"

He leaned on the back rest of his swivel chair. He's intimidating. That's why instead of looking back at him, I averted my eyes to my laptop.

"I need to work on your projects of course-"

"Do you still paint?"

"Yes..."

"I want to buy all your paintings and hang it on the walls of my house..."

I look at him in surprise. His face has no hint of joking.

"Those are expensive and too many..." Really, Lucy? You cannot think of other reasons? Expensive? Too many?

"Give me the list of the prices..." he said.

"You haven't even seen my paintings yet," I reasoned.

"Then let me see it," he said in a challenging voice.

"I'll give you my portfolio."

The door suddenly flew open. I quickly turned to it while taking my files

"Sir, I'm sorry. I know you don't want anyone in but..." the woman who greeted me earlier almost cried.

"Hi!" my sister entered while waving her hand.

I stopped breathing. I don't know how to react! Why is she here?

"Hi Lucy! Hi Natsu!"

"Ashley!" Natsu stood up like he wasn't expecting her.

I felt the stabbing pain in my heart. No... no... I don't want to feel this. I forced myself to set it aside.

"Ashley, are you fine now?" I stood up and went to Ashley.

Natsu looked at me before turning to Ashley, "You got sick?"

"Nothing. Just mild fever..." Ashley gave me a tight smile.

My throat dried. I feel like I need to leave right now. I'm ruining whatever meeting they have.

I continued packing my things and turned to them when I finished.

"You should've just stayed home. Why are you here, by the way?" Natsu asked Ashley.

"Excuse me..." Dammit! "I need to go."

"Oh! You're done with..." Ashley raised her eyebrow, "Why are you here, Lucy? For business?"

"Yup..." I quickly said, "A project. So... I'll leave you two..."

I quickly took steps to leave. Maybe mommy didn't tell Ashley about me designing Natsu's house. Maybe she doesn't want to tell since Ashley might get mad at me.

But before I can make my escape, Natsu grabbed my waist and firmly planted his palm on my hips before manoeuvring my body to face him.

"We're not done with our meeting yet. Please sit down," was his authoritative order.

I pointed the door, "We've discussed the project for next week. I believe we're done."

Ashley's eyes bounced from my form to Natsu. What is he planning to do?

"What project is that? Infinity Towers?" Ashley cheerfully asked,

"No..." Natsu said and gestured the exit to Ashley, "Shall we go..."

"I have important things to do, Natsu. If this is not about business, I need to go..."

"Our business is also important. Stay here and we'll be back."

He held Ashley's elbow to guide her to leave. I swallowed while watching him touch my sister. Ashley smiled and waved at me while they're leaving.

I abruptly sat and cursed. If they have something to do then why didn't he let me leave? Dammit, I still need to buy some things.

I tried to control my patience and entertained myself with my laptop. I opened it and searched for some designs to have an idea for Natsu's house.

The doors opened. I thought it was Natsu but his secretary went in, "Ma'am, uh, I'm here to ask if you want coffee, tea, or juice?"

"What? Where's Mr. Dragneel? It's been an hour!"

She bit her lip and saw her eyes watering, "Umm... he... he's still talking to someone, Miss. But, uh, he told me to tell you to wait for him."

"Tell him too that I still have errands to do. This is a waste of time. I am hungry and I don't need your coffee, tea, or juice. I need to go..."

She quickly bobbed her head, "I'll tell him but please stay for a while, Miss" her voice trembled.

"How many hours is he going to make me wait? Please ask him that too. And what business are we going to talk about. We're done with what we need to talk about, why did he make me wait?"

Tears lined his secretary's eyes. I feel like I pressured her too much.

"Ma'am, okay... Please calm down. Mr. Dragneel clearly said that... uh... What foods do you want, Miss? I'll bring the menu..."

"This is going to take that long? Long enough to have my food prepared and even for me to eat here?"

The woman sobbed. Her hands are shaking while fishing the papers for something, "I... I have the menu for the drinks. I'll just come back for the food."

Damn it! I feel like Natsu would fire her if she failed to make me stay here and that's why she's afraid. I accepted the menu and calmed myself.

"I'll have some coffee. Tell your boss everything that I've said," I scoffed in irritation at him.

She nodded and bowed her head a little, "Of course, Miss."