Chapter 6
When Lucy was told by Lissana that she had a new article, Lucy quickly checks the internet and found different websites talking about her, beginning to date again after being spotted in Fairy Tail Bar and Resto. She was seen together with a pink-haired man, which is Natsu, and the media immediately made it a new gossip about her. The articles all said that she was dating a new guy and that she is no longer the obsessed ex-girlfriend stalker of Loke De Leon. Feeling happy about getting rid of the bad rumor, she quickly started to rejoice but then she remembers that without Natsu, she wouldn't be able to pull off the unexpected diversion. And so, Lucy decided to get Natsu's number from Lissana to thank him and offer him something he wouldn't resist.
After the call Lucy made to Natsu, despite his hesitation, Lucy giddily ends the call and smiles to herself. As she stood in her room, she turned on her heel and glanced at her bed, "Oh-kay, I have two hours to waste..." Lucy then bites her lower lip as she thought of something to do.
In an instant, she decided to head towards her work table and begin her secret hobby, which is writing. She had dreamed publishing her own fiction stories and be a known writer. But with her job as an actress, she barely finishes her novel in time for her yearly plan goals.
So, as she started writing she barely noticed how time flew by as she busied herself with her novel. When she began to stretch her sore muscles, she was able to glance at her desk clock and there she finds, she had 30 minutes left before their meet up.
"Shit!" Lucy cursed as she pushed her chair backward and sped towards the bathroom. She began her brisk shower and within a few minutes, she was out and stood before her walk-in closet.
"Alright, what to wear?" Lucy asked herself as she slowly walked into her closet and brushed her hand to her clothes. As she stops her hand to a white dress, she quickly pulls it out off the rack and placed it in front of her as if she was imagining that she was wearing it. She walked to her long mirror and studied herself, "Nope, too classy"
She then returned the dress and kept on looking for new attire. She took out a black leather skirt and a peach sheer top, then once again she went in front of the mirror, "…Still no"
As Lucy returns to her set of clothes for the third time, she looked at all of her clothes in a wide view with her arms folded across her chest.
"I just need clothes that look good for a Saturday coffee break…" she said to herself before nodding to herself and was about to take out another sheer top. But then she retracts her hand and stood back, "No, not that…I need to look beautiful in front of Natsu…"
Wait…
"Did I just say that I wanted to look beautiful in front of Natsu?" Lucy asked herself in disbelief before she gawked at her realization, "Oh my god! What am I talking about?! Lucy, get your shit together!" Lucy said to herself as she slapped her cheeks as if trying to wake herself up
"My goodness!" Lucy exasperatedly sighed before grabbing a pair of jeans, "How about this?" Lucy glanced at herself with the jeans in front, "Okay this is good", and Lucy then walks towards her bed and drops the jeans. Soon she headed towards her drawers and stared at her folded t-shirts, "Which color should I choose?" Lucy flipped through the shirts and decided on a Pomelo pink v neck, unconsciously it reminds her of a certain pinkette.
So quickly dressing, she stared at her fashion. She wore a pomelo pink v-neck shirt and a faded blue ripped jeans. Nodding to herself in content, she heads to the closet of bags and grabbed her brown satchel. She grabbed her things, such as phone, wallet, and even IPod.
As she was about to leave her apartment, she suddenly remembers something, "Oh wait! I need a paper and a pen" and quickly Lucy dashed to her room and grabbed her last minute things. And soon she was out of her place.
After a few minutes of driving, Lucy arrives at the Blue Pegasus Café and heads towards it. She walked to the front door, she was being taken pictured and she, of course, noticed this. And she knew, it would be another article about her, hopefully about dating the guy she went out last night.
Proudly walking, with her shades on her face, she looked at the obvious media and gave a sweet smile. And soon she disappeared inside the café.
Lucy took a seat that was good for two only. With a small table, Lucy placed her bag on it and pulled out her phone. She checked the clock and it was 11:10 already. Looking around, Lucy tried to find any pinkette, but to her dismay, she found none.
As Lucy patiently waited, she ordered a salted caramel cream latte and a slice of Chicago cheesecake. She would glance at her phone from time to time until she realized it has been more than 15 minutes since she arrived at the café.
"I thought I would be late, and yet he's later than me…" Lucy hissed as she slams her phone down on the table. When she no longer can take waiting, she grabbed her phone and decided to text the man but before she could even start texting, a young teen walks up to her and shyly greeted, "Um, hello Ms. Lucy Ashley"
Looking up, Lucy saw a young brunette girl, holding her phone tightly in nervousness while greeting her shyly, "Hello" Lucy sweetly greeted back as she smiles towards the girl
"Um, I'm a big fan of yours…do you mind if I ask for a picture together?"
"Oh I don't mind, come," Lucy then stands from her chair and the young girl excitedly shoves her phone to her friend before heading next to the actress. Soon, the other teen asked for a photo and when they took the photo, the young teens thanked her. When her young fans left, another group of teens approached her and asked for a photo. Lucy jokingly asked if they were inspired by the two teens earlier and surprisingly for Lucy, they said yes
"Thank you, Ms. Lucy!" One blonde girl said when their photo was taken, "My, gosh you're so pretty!"
"Oh, thank you!" Lucy bashfully thank as she smiled at the girl
"I'm a total fan of yours!" A brown haired girl exclaimed as Lucy smiled sweetly to her as she thanks the teen as well
"Well, don't be shy to approach me for a photo if you ever want to," Lucy said to the group of teens as she taps one of the shoulders of the teens
"Of course, we will! And oh," A black haired boy expressed as he steps forward to be noticed by the actress, "We're so happy for you that you have moved on with Loke."
"Oh…uh, thank you?" Lucy surprised to hear that from a young fan
"Let's go, guys, I think she's on a date with that guy…" the blonde teen shyly pointed at the back of Lucy making her raise a brow. When Lucy turned, she suddenly spots Natsu by the entrance of the café looking for her and when their eyes met, Lucy gave a soft smile which Natsu returned.
When Natsu was walking towards her, Lucy hardly hears the teens talking as they walk away, "Isn't that the guy on the internet with Lucy? Gosh, they look perfect together!" The young teen barely hid her excitement and Lucy just chuckles as she watches them walk away.
Finally standing in front of the blonde actress, Natsu noticed that Lucy wasn't smiling towards him instead, she was staring at the group of teens he walked pass. Giving a short glance at the group before looking quizzically at the blonde, he raised his brow, "Why are you smiling?"
"And why are you late?" Lucy sweetly asks as she finally looks back at the young CEO
Rubbing his head in embarrassment, Natsu coyly smiled at the woman before answering back, "Um, I almost forgot about our meet up"
"Uh?!" Lucy exaggeratedly acted offended as she widens her eyes to the man, "How could you? I waited for you here for almost 30 minutes!" Lucy then places a hand on her heart as if she was stabbed but what was more amusing was the way Natsu looked, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to oversleep at my desk after the meeting" Natsu defended but his grin was becoming evident which Lucy found enticing
"You have no sleep?" Lucy asked concernedly as she sits down along with Natsu across
"Well, you kept me awake…" Natsu nonchalantly replied as he settles his suit jacket at the back of his chair. When he turns to look at Lucy, she was a bit red, "Are you okay? Your face is red…"
"S-shut up!" Lucy retorted back as she looked away from the pinkette and grabbed her coffee instead to drink it. But as soon as she took her sip, she suddenly remembered something and so she sets down her drink. "Oh, by the way, have you eaten lunch? Let's order here"
"I haven't eaten breakfast yet and I'm so hungry…" Natsu then grabs the drink of Lucy as he drank the coffee
"Hey!" Lucy was stunned to see the man drink her coffee when suddenly she realized he placed his lips right where she placed hers. And she thought, "Oh my gosh, indirect kiss!"
"Oi, Lucy!" Natsu snapping her out of her fantasy
"Huh? What . . . What?!" Lucy snarled at the man who just chuckles back at her after seeing her day dreaming
"I said, let's order 'cause I'm hungry" Natsu then folded his arms as he leans back to his chair
"Right, uh…" Lucy then raised her hand and signaled for a waiter available. When a waiter came to them, Lucy began to give her order, "Um, I'd like a tuna salad sandwich with baked potatoes…how about you Natsu?" Lucy then glanced at the man
"I'll have spicy chicken tomato pasta" Natsu casually said his order. Then Lucy looks up at the waiter and smiles again, "That's all…"
"Alright…I'll just clarify, four servings of pasta, right sir?" the waiter asked the pinkette which made Lucy stare surprised at the man, "wait-"
"Yes. Thank you" Natsu then smiled at the waiter and when the staff left, Natsu looked down at the blonde, "What?"
"Can you really finish four plates of spicy chicken pasta?" Lucy asked worriedly
"Yeah of course, and take note that is still based on my diet schedule" Natsu mischievously grins at the blonde who gazed at him surprised
"Just kidding…but seriously, four plates is still a few" Natsu casually replies as he leans forward with his arms folded in front
"Where do you put all those food in your body? You don't seem to be fat…in fact, your fit" Lucy commented almost sighing contently which she didn't notice but of course, Natsu had to
"Well yeah, I work out…and it seems like, you really give attention to my body" Natsu playfully commented as he winked at her which made Lucy blush and deny what he said
"No, I don't! it's just . . . you know, it's obvious your all . . . muscles and . . . um, stuff and not fats" Lucy crosses her arms under her chest making it more obvious for Natsu because of her tight shirt
"Okay..." Natsu raggedly exhaled before looking away, "if you say so…" Natsu then leans back at his chair and began to glance back at the blonde and study her.
It may be just their second time seeing each other for a meetup but he couldn't deny the feeling like he has known the woman so long that he could casually talk with her. The last time he went out with a woman, she was acting all shy and demure, while for Lucy, she was a cute mean girl and a very loud woman. Just the way he likes his woman. Even if they haven't known each other for so long, he won't disagree with the fact that he is enjoying her company and he'd love to be friends with her.
"Would you stop staring at me" Lucy sternly said as she raised her brow in annoyance before rolling her eyes away from him
"Okay, fine…" Natsu then looked above the head of the blonde but he couldn't resist looking back at Lucy. And so, he sat up straight and caught the woman's attention, "So, what was your reason for us to meet up?"
"Well," Lucy suddenly sat up straight too before she looked at the man, in a friendly way, "I just wanted to thank you…"
"For the diversion, you have mentioned on the phone?" Natsu asked curiously and Lucy nodded in agreement, "Well, you don't have to thank me. I barely did anything to get the media's attention. It was all you"
"Maybe…but I need you now" Lucy said making her and Natsu sit silently for a minute until Lucy realized what she said, making her beat red, "I-I mean…I-I need your help, from now on"
Clearing his throat after the somehow awkward conversation, Natsu leaned forward with his arms in front, "And what help is that? Be your distraction for the media? I already did that. Isn't that enough?"
Leaning as well, Lucy looked at Natsu straight in his onyx eyes, "I know, but rumor won't last if it's seen only once…I need a new guy to pretend to be my new boyfriend until my rumor with Loke is totally done."
"Okay, then use my name…do whatever you wish, we don't necessarily need to be seen together" Natsu nonchalantly replied making Lucy puff in irritation
"I don't need your name…I need your physical body close to me" Lucy answered back pissed but after grasping her words, she bit her lower lip to start correcting herself, "I mean…I need someone physically to act as my new boyfriend"
Natsu was stunned at first with the choice of words of Lucy, but then he composed himself once again as he replies, "That's not my problem…" Natsu bored acted back and Lucy got irritated even more, "Uh! Since you have been my diversion, I need you to go out with me" Lucy huffs in annoyance
"I don't have a reason to do so…It's all for your own good" Natsu then stared at the blonde who sulks in her chair and leans away from him
"That is why I'm offering you a deal…" Lucy almost hissed as she replies back. Lucy was mad at first until she slowly smirked mischievously at the man, making him curious, "You'll be my diversion, and I'll be your diversion…just like what Lissana thought about"
Natsu then shook his head in dismay "And like I said it's gibberish…so no" Natsu sternly denied as he leans back to his chair.
Before Lucy could make another comment, the food was finally served. The waiter places the sandwiches in front of her with her baked potatoes then the staff served Natsu with his four plates of pasta. Soon enough the waiter left the two with a suffocating silence
"Look, I'm sorry if I made you wait for so long, but I'm not going to your weird schemes," Natsu said before he dug his fork into his food.
Staring at Natsu for a moment, Lucy then leans forward making her food be pushed forward, "I don't care if you made me wait because I learned my fans are so happy to see me dating someone else. Now, you being here with me in the café is just another part of that weird scheme you are saying"
Sternly gazing back at the blonde actress, Natsu began to grit his teeth in irritation, "Why are you insisting this? What do you really want to happen?"
"Simple, you, be my boyfriend…" Lucy challengingly looked at Natsu who don't seem to be fazed by the actress, "I just need to clear out my name. I want Loke to suffer the way I suffered because of that damn stupid rumor. That is why I'm insisting this" Lucy now seriously looked at the man, who somehow was loosening up
"Why me?"
"'Cause you are way better than Loke. And I don't think any guy could fill in your shoes…" Lucy seductively grins making Natsu somehow chuckle, which Lucy found adorable, "So, what do you say?"
Despite the hesitation to agree to Lucy's plan, Natsu slowly nodded before looking down at his food and begin to eat again, "Fine, I'll be willing to help you. But that's all"
"Oh, don't be a superhero Natsu, I'm willing to help you too, remember?" Lucy said before she began to pick at her food. Without looking at the man, Lucy knows that Natsu was somehow surprised with what she said despite mentioning it before
"Thanks, but no thanks" Natsu finally said when he snapped out of his shock
"And why is that?" Lucy curiously asked as she bites her sandwich
Natsu looked up at Lucy who was looking at him with interest. He then sighed before he began to eat again, "Look, it's not that you don't look like a supermodel, because truly, you look hotter than those I dated" Lucy then blushed at Natsu's words but, of course, Lucy shrugged it off, "But the problem is, they are all notable women. They come from rich families, and somehow mom wants a rich daughter for me because she despises women who wanted nothing but our riches"
"Oh, so you date noteworthy women…" Lucy suddenly grins devilishly before she leans forward to the table, "I guess I haven't introduced myself properly…"
"What are you talking about?" Natsu stared at the woman. And soon Lucy extends her hand to him for him to shake, "Hi, I'm Lucy, Lucy Heartfilia, the only daughter of Jude and Layla Heartfilia"
"Wait what?" Natsu was taken aback with Lucy's introduction, and Lucy was just playfully smiling back at him as she pulls back her hand since she realized she has truly surprised the man, "You're the mysterious heiress of the Heartfilia Konzern?"
"Well, you can say that. But yeah, I am that heiress" Lucy suddenly smiled sweetly at the man before looking at him with hopeful eyes, "Now, will my background work? You see, no one knows that except for my friends and assistants. Media and the people know me by Lucy Ashley. So, hearing my real last name would be a great surprise"
"So now you're telling me your real identity…" Natsu finds the situation a little bit fishy but with the confidence Lucy was showing and her radiating smile, he couldn't say no
"Yes, to help you. Now, I'll be your diversion whether you like it or not"
"Fine"
"Good!" Lucy suddenly clapped making Natsu startled a bit. Soon, Lucy pulled out a clean piece of paper and a pen, "So, let's begin the contract deal"
"Wait, contract deal? What is that for?!" Natsu obviously was stunned with Lucy's schemes, "You planned all these!"
"Well duh…so, let me write our name…Lucy Heart-fil-ia…Nat-su Dra-gneel…" Lucy loudly said as she wrote their names, "Okay!" Lucy then looked up at the man who just curiously stared back, "Oh wait! I'll write the introduction…" Lucy then began to write down and Natsu just sighed tiredly before he began to eat his third plate of pasta.
Soon Lucy and Natsu began to construct the contract deal, wherein the two would bicker about something. Then the two would laugh as they find something ridiculous with what they said. Without knowing, the two finally finishes their food and their follow-up ordered drinks as they finished creating the contract.
"Okay, let me read it…" Lucy said as she pulls the paper away from the table and read it aloud, "A secret deal between Lucy Heartfilia and Natsu Dragneel"
Natsu and Lucy then shared a glance before Lucy looked down to the paper again, "This deal is constructed by Heartfilia and Dragneel on the 24th day of May, year X797. This deal is about Heartfilia and Dragneel becoming a couple in front of the media, society, family and friends. The deal is a closed door…" Lucy then looked up at Natsu who was attentively listening, "Are you sure with the closed door?"
"Yeah, continue…"
"Uh, fine" Lucy rolled her eyes at the man before she looked down at the paper and find where she finished reading, "The deal is a closed door contract between the two, however, in this deal there are two accomplices to help Heartfilia and Dragneel make the plan effective. Lissana Strauss and Levy McGarden are the said accomplices of this deal. The rest of the people must know nothing about the deal to preserve the diversion the two individuals are involved. Along with this, a few rules and regulations must be observed"
Lucy then looks up at Natsu who sighed deeply. Before Lucy could continue to read Natsu pulled it away from her grasp, "My turn" Natsu said before looking down at the paper.
"These rules are…"
1. The two individuals involved are not allowed to disclose any hints about the secret deal to anyone, especially to their family and friends.
2. The two are to act as a couple only in front of the media and family of Natsu.
3. There shall be no touching, kissing or any intimate actions between the two unless appropriate. For the media and family front act only.
4. One should always be available in time of need of front act.
"…I just realize these are all your rules…" Natsu suddenly deduced as he looks up at the blonde, "That's unfair, the contract said we made it both"
"Fine, then add some of your rules" Lucy exasperatedly replied before she sarcastically smiled at the man
"Okay, these are my rules…" Natsu began to scribble his rules and after a few minutes, he pulled the paper and read it aloud to the blonde
5. No complaints unless appropriate
6. One must tell their schemes with regard to their deal beforehand
"Wait" Lucy cuts off the man who quickly looked at her, "I need to add another rule…"
"Okay, here" Natsu then handed the paper. After writing her last rule, Lucy handed the paper and made Natsu read the last rule
"Seventh, one must not fall in love with the other person involved" Natsu seriously glanced at Lucy who had the same expression, "Of course…" Natsu said before finally reading the last paragraph
"Any rule that is violated is called for the termination of the deal, with no appealing. The contract is only good until the rumors are said to be over and Dragneel's family is resolved with his personal life"
And with that, Natsu signed the paper before handing it to Lucy, who signed after. After giving it a final glance, Lucy looked up at the man who looked like he was debating with himself. But after some time, he sighed exasperatedly and gazed at Lucy. When the two smiled at one another, the two simultaneously stood and shook hands.
"Well then, I expect you tomorrow as my date," Natsu said before he turned to grab his jacket at the back of his chair
"Wait, what are you talking about…the rule said we are to act as a couple only for media and your family" Lucy reminded the man until Natsu looked back at her with a serious expression
"I know, that is why I need you to come with me tomorrow" Natsu finally stood straight making him tower over the woman
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked nervously as she focused on the man's eyes
"The Dragon Empire Group have an Annual Charity ball every 25th day of May. And so, tomorrow there will be a charity ball and my parents are expecting me to bring a date. And you as my pretend girlfriend, I expect you to come"
"Woah wait! Rule um…" Lucy then frantically searched her bag and grabbed the paper once again to reread a rule, "Rule number 6! You wrote it yourself! One must tell their schemes beforehand!"
"That is exactly why I'm telling it to you now, right?" Natsu frustratingly defended
"Uh! Unfair!" Lucy exclaimed as she raised her arms in exaggeration
"Rule number Five Luce…no complaints unless appropriate" Natsu snickered before turning his back and walked away. Lucy almost run after him when she saw him walked away, but before she could run, the man turned once more and said, "I'll pick you up tomorrow, 7 pm" and with that, he turned and pushed the door open to leave.
Soon, Lucy was left alone in the café with her stunned thoughts and soul. She suddenly felt numb and scared as she stared at the closed door of the café.
"What have I gotten myself into?" Lucy thought to herself before she dropped back to her chair.
To be continued…
