Stranger
I went home with Loke and Daddy. I didn't talk while seated beside dad and Capricorn, the head of daddy's bodyguard.
"I want to transfer some patients..." daddy's still insisting that he wants them to transfer to Crocus as fast as possible.
Not that he doesn't trust Natsu's agency, he just believes that the medical care they need is better in Crocus. I sighed and stared at the road. The van at the back is consisting of our bodyguards from Loke and Natsu.
Loke's in the front seat and keeps on glancing at me. I know he's going to start once dad's done with his calls.
Daddy is calling Aunt Michelle now. I know she and mommy doesn't have a goot relationship but they're being civil nowadays.
"We just looked if they're fine. We're now on our way home to Crocus —" daddy paused, "Apollo got shot and their daughter Ashley too!" He explained.
Aunt Michelle and daddy's argument lasted for a while before daddy dropped his phone. He turned to Capricorn beside me and ordered him to tighten the security around us.
Loke couldn't stop himself anymore. He turned to me. Our eyes met. His lips were pressed in a hard line. I continued staring at him seriously. I know what he's thinking and I am prepared for his questions.
"Why are you with Natsu Dragneel?" Loke asked.
"He took me with him to their Headquarters. We were in a meeting yesterday when the problem broke out."
He nodded but I know he's still not contented, "So after the meeting you went straight to Balsam? How did he make you come with him? Are you two cool? Are you two starting this one again?"
I took a deep breath and hoped it can help me answer his questions, "I'm not sure if we're cool. But... we're civil."
He nodded again and shifted his eyes to the carseat, "And he knows about Beau?"
"No. I went to Balsam with him to find time to tell him but then this happened."
Loke went silent. His eyes are now in the road. I'm still looking at him waiting for his questions.
"And when he knew about Beau, you'd change his surname? What?" He couldn't look at me.
I shrugged, "I am not even sure if Natsu's ready to hear it, Loke. This will all depend on him."
He looked at me again. His expression is more serious now.
"Doesn't your sister like him?" Loke asked.
I pouted and nodded my head.
"Are you going to..." he didn't finish it but I know where this is going.
"The things I left for Ashley and my mom, Loke, we're things... They couldn't decide on their own. That's why those are easy to give away. So easy to choose. But Natsu's not a thing. And this is not easy. He's the father of my child. This is entirely different."
Loke nodded, "I just thought you'd leave again. I'll leave next week with Aries, to Stella for a vacation. If you'll leave, I can book another ticket for you and Beau."
"Leave? What's this all about, Loke?" Daddy asked, confused.
"I'm not leaving," I quickly said.
"Who does your sister like, Lucy?" Daddy asked.
Damn it! Loke turned to dad. I don't want to talk about this.
"Her sister. I mean, her other sister," Loke said.
Daddy and I looked at each other. I saw the confusion in his face. He doesn't need to involve himself in this issue.
He chuckled, "Ashley? And? You're gonna give him away for your sister?"
I frowned and looked at daddy, "What answer do you want to hear from me, dad?"
He shrugged, "I know you were raised unlike your brother and sisters, Lucy. You're independent. And yes, that's because of my shortcomings. But I can see that you turned all our flaws into your strengths. By now you probably know the answer to that question."
I bit my lip and looked outside. Dad and Loke continued talking about what happened. I stayed silent.
When we arrived on my unit, I couldn't stop hugging Beau. Daddy and Loke went with me. We saw Virgo, Sting, and Aries whose eyes are glued to the television. It's all over the news but some details were concealed.
I kept on kissing Beau's head while he's playing with his toy cars. Daddy turned the tv so we all looked at him.
"We should hire more bodyguards..." Sting started.
"No need..." Loke said while holding his phone, "I think the guards here are enough. And they already caught Touka along with those men who escaped."
My eyes widened because of shock. That damn fast?
"Thank God!" Virgo said, "It's unnerving! Dad, I can't believe you risked it. You and Loke even went to Balsam!"
My phone rang. I panicked and got shocked when I saw it on my pocket. I quickly grabbed it and got stunned upon seeing Natsu's number on the screen. I closed my eyes. And here I am sitting in this sofa with his son. Damn!
"Hello..." I plainly greeted, "How was it?"
They all looked at me. I made my voice quieter than before. If only I could, I would have carried Beau to the kitchen so we can be alone.
"Touka and the others who escaped were already caught. But we still want to find out there are still people involved. We can't let our guard down. Are you home?"
"Yeah... I mean, yeah... I heard. From Loke. We're home. I'm in my condo..."
Sting and I looked at each other. His stare at me is sharp like he knows who I'm talking to.
"Good. I asked my men to roam near your unit. Are you comfortable?"
I bit my lip. A deafening silence covered our living room, "Yup. That's okay..."
Virgo made an action to carry Beau to maybe free me from my seat.
"No!" was Beau's firm and angry shout. Dammit!
"Hello?" Natsu said.
I almost covered Beau's mouth. Virgo quickly ran away from me, laughing. Damn it!
"Yes. Yes... Uhm, we're fine here. I'll call you back. Daddy and I are talking."
"Okay, then..."
I quickly ended the call. My heartbeat is still racing. That was frigging close! Not that I don't want Natsu to know about Beau, I just think that this is not the right time for that. Not in this situation.
"Wow! I can't believe I am part of this. Are you really keeping this a secret?" Loke asked.
"Loke, stop it. Let Lucy deal with her own problems. In the mean time, we need to go back to work. Just prepare for your vacation with Aries next week. You can't leave when you're not done. Sting, I'll leave you here. Please look after my daughters."
"No problem, Uncle," Sting said.
"I'll leave some of my guards here."
"Natsu's guards are enough," Loke said, "His men are well trained."
Daddy and Loke looked at each other before dad shrugged.
Dad hugged and kissed Beau before leaving. Loke did too. They bid goodbye. Virgo showed herself after they left. She said she got scared of me so she ran off. Was she really scared? Then why was she laughing so hard?
That day, I don't know what to do. I was happy that I got home already. At least I won't be worried about Beau anymore. It's also good that Virgo, Aries, and Sting were here. They're watching TV and kept on playing with Beau.
I'm not sure if I should do the designs Natsu asked just to distract myself or paint. I'm too stressed with what happened to I cannot think clearly.
Natsu called again when nighttime came. I made sure I'm alone when he called.
"We're still not at peace," he said, pertaining to Touka's accomplices who might still be out there.
"Thank you so much for the help. I know you're not involved in this but —"
"The Alabaster's are our business partners and Touka is an old friend. And another thing, she also targeted your father and the result was you got shot, Luce. How am I not involved here?"
I sighed, "I'm sorry... Thank you, really. How's my mom? And Ashley? Uncle Apollo?"
He didn't talk for a moment. It's like he's estimating the tone of my voice. It's frustrating.
"You're mom is calm. Ashley's recovering. Your Uncle Apollo too. He'll file a case against Touka."
"How's Ashley's wound?" I asked. "Her spleen's affected," Natsu said.
"Oh God!" I touched my lips in shock, "And? Does she need another operation?"
"No... It doesn't require surgical repair but she needs monitoring."
"Mommy agreed for the transfer in Crocus?"
"No... And I don't think the doctor will approve too. Maybe they'll stay here for five days, Luce."
I couldn't speak. As much as I want to visit my mom in Balsam, I can't just leave Beau again. I just hope the transfer here to Crocus would be fast so I can visit and take care of them here.
"Are you okay?" He suddenly asked during our blank silence.
"Yeah..." I even nodded.
"You sure? What are you doing tomorrow?"
"I don't know. Maybe I'll just stay in my condo. I'm still kind of scared because of what happened."
"Good. But don't be scared, I sent many body guards."
"You added some more?" I asked, almost hysterically.
He chuckled at my reaction. I suddenly wonder where he is right now. In the hospital? In their HQ. And when did we start calling each other like this? I didn't even notice that we're already okay!
"Just two, Luce..."
"Are they going to follow me if I leave the unit?" I asked.
"Yup. The other two would be left there to make sure your unit's fine."
I sighed. "Fine." I couldn't resist his help. This is for Beau. "Wait... You had no sleep last night, right? You should rest now..."
"I still can't. I'm supervising the investigation. Maybe when all of these are finished."
I pouted. "Then you won't sleep tonight? Are you in the hospital?"
"No... I'm in our HQ. Aunt Layla called me earlier, she wants me to go to the hospital but I have some things to do. Maybe I'll drop by later."
I nodded and stayed silent. I don't know why my chest suddenly hurt.
"Please take care of my sister..." I said.
He didn't speak. A deafening silence embraced our line.
"Natsu..." I called.
"I will take care of anyone close to you..."
I felt my heart clenched. My decisions final. Because like what I said, I'll give Natsu the chance to decide. I am not going to be unfair to him for the nth time. I'm giving him this decision.
But even now that he hasn't made his decision yet, I felt so lost. Before, I'm contented as long as Beau's here with me. But since last night, I realised how hard it is. I realised that I cannot live that way again.
"Luce..."
"Yeah!" my voice trembled.
"Are you okay?" I can hear the frustration in his voice. "Yup... I'm okay..."
"Okay. You need to rest now. Will you rest for me?"
I nodded. Tears streamed down my face. I don't want to talk. I feel like he'll hear my sobs.
"Lucy..."
"Yes... I'll rest now." Damn! "Okay... Good night!"
I dropped the call. I gave myself some time to gather my emotion. When I felt fine, I went out of my room.
The sight of Sting furiously typing on his phone while seated on the sofa greeted me. He noticed me so he put his phone down. He shifted his eyes to the TV.
"You know... Sting you can go if you're bored here. We'll be fine. Aries is here to help me —"
"I'm here to guard you-"
"We have so many guards outside. I appreciate your help but I still owe you. I asked you a favour yesterday to stay here. And now that I'm here, I'm fine if you're out."
He didn't flinch with what I said. His eyes stayed on the TV with a cartoon program going on for Beau. I yawned. Because of too much stress the past day, I still haven't regained my strength and energy.
Sting still looks upset while hugging the throw pillow. His lips curved into a frown as his sharp eyes stayed on the locked screen of his phone like he's waiting for a message that never came.
"Sting, come on! You can go!"
"Dada!" Beau said, clinging to Sting's leg while smiling at him.
"Beau..." I said.
"Lucy... I'm sorry," he said.
I woke up at what he said. My eyes widened as I saw his defeated face.
"I'll come back tomorrow. I just really need to do something tonight."
"At last!" I chuckled, "Bye, dada!" I waved Beau's hands to him.
He kissed Beau's forehead. He did the same to me. I watched him leave my unit. I smiled. I wish everything returns to normal now...
"Mommy, dada out?" Beau asked.
I nodded. "Yes, baby. We should sleep now."
"No!" He shouted.
I rolled my eyes. So stubborn and energetic. I missed him.
So I stayed in his room the whole night. We watched cartoons. I mean, he watched it. I couldn't stay awake longer so I found myself drifting away before Beau did.
I woke up early because of sleeping early last night. Beau's sleeping tight. I looked at the clock and saw that it's just 05:30 in the morning.
I went out of the room and heard sounds from the kitchen. I walked there and saw Aries surveying the cabinet.
She blushed when she saw me, "Good morning, Miss Lucy! You're up early. I was just about to cook."
" I would just buy outside. I'll jog now..." I said.
"Okay, Miss. I'll just clean the living room" Aries said, dropping the pasta
I nodded "If Virgo or Sting called, ask them if they eat breakfast here, okay? I'll bring my phone so text me their answer immediately."
"Okay, Miss!"
I went to my room and changed into a midriff racerback and jogger pants. I wonder if Natsu's bodyguards are awake right now? Well, Loke said they are trained. And besides, it's Sativus.
I tied my lace before telling Aries about my leave. She knows what time Beau would wake up and what he does during the morning. I actually want to be there when he woke up but I still need to buy breakfast after my jog session.
It was dark when I did my stretching in the long road of high street. I also saw some people stretching there too. Some of them are familiar to me so it doesn't bother me at all.
I ran after five minutes of stretching. The coldness of the morning breeze soothed my skin. My eyes entertained themselves with the restaurants I passed by. It's really early but there are already customers. Either the early risers or the late sleepers.
I ran for almost an hour. I was sweating hard so I slowed my pace down. Now where shall I buy our food? The sun is already up and the road is starting to get busy.
I ran for another hour before deciding to stop and buy our breakfast.
"I'm sorry Beau, it's not pasta. I'll just cook tonight."
I bought three different meals for us. I checked my phone and saw no texts from her. I bought five just in case. We can microwave the other two later anyway.
After ordering, I thought about calling Aries. I just want to make sure. I know Virgo's out and she'll be back later tonight but I'm not sure about Sting, maybe he'll come back later.
"Aries..." I said when she answered the phone.
"Yes, Miss!" She cheerfully said.
It's almost eight thirty. I'm sure Beau's up.
"Did Sting call?" I asked.
"He didn't, Miss. I think Sir Sting won't come here today since he was with Yukino. But someone is here right now for you, Miss. He's umm... handsome..."
I stopped walking. Fuck. Who is it? If it's a family, Aries would straight up tell the name! My heard boomed. The place where I bough our food is slightly far to my condo's tower.
"Ries... did you let a stranger in?" I almost shouted.
"I-I'm sorry! But he said he's not a stranger, Miss. He said he's your friend and he came here with Sir Jude's bodyguards..." Aries stuttered.
My knees trembled and I felt my palm sweating. I feel like I'll fall down any moment.
"He... he actually looks like Beau, Miss. He's really handsome!"
Holy crap!