Eleven

His secretary quickly returned with my refreshment. Her hands are shaking as she put the tray on the table in front.

"Did you tell your boss?" I asked. "Yes, ma'am... He's in a hurry now."

What? This is crazy. What else does Natsu need from me?

If not only for the fact that his secretary, I wouldn't be here now! Damn it! It's almost twelve noon and I am already hungry. I still need to run some errands, buy things... Why did he make me wait here?

My stomach is already complaining. Fuck! I was about to stand up and leave when the door opened and the sight of Natsu filled my vision.

My cheeks flamed. I feel like I'll explode because of my anger. He quickly raised both his hands in surrender. He knows I'm furious.

"Sorry. I talked to Ashley to —"

"Why did you make me wait? What for? I don't care if you talked to my sister. I'm fine with that! What I wanted to know if what else do you need from me? We're finished talking!"

He flinched and panicked at my shouts. I abruptly stood up and grabbed my things.

"I want to have lunch with you," was the only answer he could muster.

The hand that was holding my external drive stopped midair. I was so irritated that I waited for two hours just to hear that answer.

"I don't. So I'll go now... You made me wait for nothing."

I took my hand bag and placed the laptop bag on my shoulder properly.

He tried grabbing my laptop but I gave him a sharp glare that's enough for him to back off. I don't know where my sister is nor the reason how he came back here.

"I'm going with you..." Natsu said in a calm voice, "Come on, Luce..."

"If you want to have lunch, why didn't you invite Ashley?"

He bit his lips. I saw a ghost smile in his lips that he's suppressing very hard not to show because of me. His ear also became red. My cheeks warmed more. I feel like I said something wrong. I started marching again to get out but he grabbed my hand and pulled me back to him.

He's leaning now on the table, half sitting and half standing so our eyes would be the same level.

"What?" I pulled my hand back but he didn't budge.

"Please, hear me out. I want to have lunch with you. And what errands are you talking about? My secretary said that you still have things to do. I'll go with you."

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up because of what he said. I forced to pull my hand back but it seems like his fingers were clinging desperately on my wrist like his life depends on it. I get hurt every time I try to free myself.

"And you think I'll let you?"

"Please... I don't want a fight with you, Luce. Please, don't be difficult. I know you know why I am asking you this."

I stopped. I'm angry, yes. But I don't want to tell him why I'm angry. I don't want people making me wait.

He tugged my hand again. I'm spacing out. He owned my attention. "I didn't know your sister's coming. But she's gone now-"

"I don't know what's in between you two, Natsu, and I don't want to ruin it. Whatever it is, leave me out of it."

"Nothing's going on between us two," he seriously said.

Why is it so hard to believe? And if there's something then it isn't my business anymore. I wanted to dismiss the topic but I couldn't stop myself.

"Tss. That's enough bullshit for today."

I was about to walk away again but he managed to make me come back to him with just one tug. Him acting like cuffs isn't funny anymore!

"She was with me while you're out of the country, Luce. And no matter how furious I am with you leaving me, I still can't survive knowing nothing about you. She's the only source I have when it comes to you. Your mother and your sister!" he said. "Drakes was impaired... And I'm..."

He didn't finish it. I saw how his eyes became weak and fragile. He's... he's inside jail, of course.

His hands weakened, giving me the chance to free my hand but I didn't. I can still feel the heat from his fingers enclasping my wrist.

"She is your friend," my voice cracked.

His eyes went to mine. I saw the pain and tiredness there. "I'm sorry, Luce. I have no other choice but to ask her things about you..."

I bit my lip. I know I shouldn't ask him these things but I have no control over myself as of this moment.

"And what did she tell you?"

His jaw clenched, "Your mom told me that you married Sting," his eyes went down to our hands.

He caressed my fingers. I know I can free myself from his hold anytime now but I didn't. I stayed standing there, staring at his onyx eyes.

"How many months were you imprisoned?" I asked.

He cannot look at me. I can feel my heart hurting. We stayed quiet for a while. I didn't talk, still waiting for his answer.

"Eleven months..." he said.

Damn! I already gave birth to Beau by the time he got out! I bit my lip which made him look at me again.

What Cana and Levy said was true, then. Uncle Apollo might've helped Natsu and that's why he met and became close to Ashley.

"And after three years, it's impossible that you didn't like my sister. You two were very close. You two share secrets..." you never told me.

I remembered that Ashley knows something about me and Natsu. Ashley said Natsu wanted revenge. If that's the case, Ashley knows how Natsu loathe me. She knows about us.

"I don't really fall easily, Luce. Because if I did, I'm probably married by now..."

The thought of Natsu marrying another woman made my chest hurt. I slightly pulled my hand back but he quickly stopped me. I couldn't hide my anger with that thought so I just averted my eyes.

"I need to buy some groceries. I'll leave now."

He pulled my hand again, "I'll drive. Leave your car here. I'll return you here after that so you can get your car and go home."

"I can drive-"

"Yes, you can, I know that. Just let me do this..."

"Fine," I said in defeat.

I quickly walked out the moment he freed me. He followed me without a word.

The people around us stared at us. The employees of this company might have been here three years ago so they might know something.

I tilted my head when we arrived to the valet parking. How did he make Ashley leave? I wonder...

"Are you in a hurry?" He clicked his car keys.

I don't even know if he's joking with that question. I was about to roll my eyes at him but I saw that he's serious. He opened the door and gestured me the front seat of his shiny Mustang.

"My secretary says you're starving. We should eat first," he said.

"Where?"

I got shocked when he brought me to an all Fiorian cuisine resto. It's not as expensive as the resto we went in the past but I know the Fiorian food there were superb.

He ordered my favourite and added some more foods that I wasn't sure we'll finish.

He was reading the menu while I observed the place. There's a group of women wearing black jackets and pencil cut skirts uniform which keeps on staring at him.

I turned to Natsu to check if he's aware of the eight women my age who are fantasising about him but I saw his eyes glued to me.

"Where are you going to buy your groceries?" He asked.

I answered his questions. The nervousness I was feeling earlier disappeared upon realising that his questions would be light. Maybe he wanted me to be comfortable. It's all just about today and about work.

I go to supermarkets to restock every week so what I'll buy today isn't that much.

"You already love pasta, huh?" He asked when he noticed that my entire grocery consists of pasta ingredients.

I got nervous again. This is not the right time to tell him about Beau. I am not even sure why are we both together right now!

"Yeah..." I said without looking at him. Damn it!

I fished my bag for my wallet but I saw that my make up pouch was open so the lipsticks and blush ons are on the bag which made it hard to grab my wallet. Natsu noticed that so he grabbed his wallet too. He swiped everything in his gold freaking card. I almost cursed at him.

"I can pay for that!" I shouted.

"You are taking too long. Besides, it won't be always," he insisted.

"I'll pay you back! You're not going to pay me for the designs I gave you this day!"

He grabbed the packed groceries and avoided my rants. I followed him to repeat what I was saying.

"I'll deposit the amount to your bank account tomorrow! I'll pay! Those are mine! I'm independent. I can pay for myself and for my..." fuck... "house!"

He turned to me, shocked at my shouts, "Is this going to be a big deal to you? It's just nothing. Don't worry, this won't be always. The next time you buy things, I am not going to interfere. Calm down..."

I was catching my breath when he finished his calm response. I was about to retort back but shut up because of embarrassing upon almost tripping.

He did what he promised earlier. He returned me to the Dreyar building and even walked with me to my car.

"Who's going to carry these bags to your unit-"

"I can. These aren't heavy," I said almost too quickly.

"These are heavy —"

I know where this conversation is going and hell no... he's not going to my condo my condo unit! No matter what happens!

"I can carry these! I let you drive me to the store so let me do this. I can do it..."

He pouted, "Fine."

I entered my car and started the engine. He's still outside, standing beside my car and starig at me. I wanted to say thanks but just glared at him upon remembering what happened in the conference room before leaving.

It was already night when I got home. Natsu took me to Dreyar before the sky got dark. I couldn't wipe the smile on my lips. Damn! What's happening to me?

"Good evening, ma'am..." the guard on the lift said.

"Good evening!" I smiled back.

I am carrying the groceries and my bags. I'm in a great mood, I can't believe it! Is it because of what happened? What's funny with that, by the way?

My smile remained even when I was walking towards my unit. I placed the groceries on the floor to open the door to my condo.

I turned the door handle. My smile faded upon seeing mommy and Ashley on my living room.

"Mom, Ash... why are you here?" I asked while closing the door.

Mommy's expression didn't change. The look she's throwing me is filled with anger and disappointment.

Aries quietly scooted towards me. She muttered a small greeting and apologised for letting them in. Maybe she can read the situation.

"Where's Beau?" I asked after assuring her that it's fine.

"He's in the kitchen, Miss, playing on his mat."

I nodded. I wanted to go to Beau and kiss him but I couldn't. My mom and my sister are right in front of me.

Ashley craned her neck to look at the frame placed above our sofa. It was my Tranquil. I don't want to sell it so I just displayed it on my unit.

"You have a nice artwork, Lucy. This only got ruined by this..." he touched the prt where Beau's handprint its.

I pursed my lips, "I think that's the essense of it, though. I like that one because of Beau's handprint..."

Ashley turned to me after I said that. She gave me a bitter smile.

"Lucy, is it true... Are you Natsu's rumoured girlfriend?" Mommy said without flinching.