Chapter 8
"Mom, let me introduce you," Natsu said as he and Lucy stopped in front of his mother, wrapping his arms around the small waist of the blonde actress and pulled her closer, "Lucy, my girlfriend"
As Grandine almost widens her eyes in surprise because of meeting her son's girlfriend, the blue-haired woman expertly hides her astonishment by smiling genuinely to the couple, "Hello," Lucy said as she pulls out her hand to offer a handshake with the bluenette woman, "I'm Lucy, Lucy Heartfilia"
When the young lady said her full name, Grandine was no longer able to hide her shock for she softly gasped, making Natsu and Lucy confused somehow. Lucy knew that her family name was known but she couldn't understand why Natsu's mother was so flabbergasted about hearing her name.
"Oh my, are you Jude and Layla's daughter?" Grandine excitedly asks as she slowly opens her arms for a hug from the blonde woman. Still confused as to what was happening, Lucy just went with the flow and hugged the woman. And so, when Lucy hugged Grandine, the mother just tightens her embrace and stared surprised at her son, who was just smiling childishly.
When they pulled apart, Lucy shyly smiled back at the mother, "Uh, yes"
"Oh my, your parents are good in hiding you from the lens of media, the way we did with our children," Grandine said as she looked at the blonde from head to toe then back to her eyes, "You look exactly like your mother"
"I have been told" Lucy then smiles genuinely, now realizing that the woman in front of her somehow knows her mother.
Before Grandine or any of the three could make a statement, a new person suddenly arrives and joins the small conversation, "And who might this beautiful young lady standing next to my idiotic son?" A tall red-haired man suddenly asked as he wraps his arms to the smiling Grandine, "Iggy," Grandine called out as she looked up to the man
"Yes?" the man replied, looking down at her
"She's Natsu's girlfriend" Grandine revealed in all smiles, showing her true excitement. And this news was a surprise to the red-haired man as well, "Really?!" the man exclaimed to his wife before looking at his son, "Since when did you have a girlfriend?"
Hearing his father, Natsu couldn't help but gulp in nervousness but his nervousness decreased when Lucy suddenly wraps her arms around his waist and answered for him, "We've been together not for long. In fact, just recently"
With that news, Grandine and Igneel couldn't help but raise a brow. And so the married couple looked at one another before looking back to the couple.
"Recently?" Grandine repeated as she eyed the blonde woman from head to toe again but, this time, more suspiciously, which has brought a cold shiver to the blonde, "I don't remember my son going on dates. For he kept on declining my blind dates offer"
"Well," Natsu started as he tightens his grasp to Lucy when he begin his lie, "the reason I kept on saying no to those blind dates was because I was secretly seeing Lucy"
"And why would you keep it a secret?" Igneel, this time, asks as he skeptically studied his son
"Because I'm an actress!" Lucy suddenly declared, making the attention be on her, even Natsu, "You know, as an actress who have a love team…relationships can't be really revealed to avoid bashing from fans and stuff"
"Bashing? Who my son?" Grandine questioned unbelievably, "Don't they know that my son is the new president of our company"
"Uh-" Lucy started but was quickly interjected by Natsu
"That is exactly why Lucy and I didn't want people to know…because she didn't want to affect the company and her career" Natsu then looks down at Lucy who was visibly thankful for answering for her
"Is that so?" Grandine voiced out her doubt as she looked at the couple before them. When Grandine felt the tightening of Igneel's hold to her waist, she slowly turned to him and eyed him as if to tell that they should talk away from the couple.
Realizing what the married couple's doing, Natsu quickly thought of a way to get away from his family. And so, he asked Lucy, "Why don't we get some food to eat?"
"I, uh, I'd love to…excuse us" Lucy softly mumbles as she picks up her dress and made their way across the room.
When Natsu and Lucy were no longer earshot, Grandine and Igneel stepped apart and sighed in exasperation. After a few exhale, Grandine quickly looks at her husband with pure worry in her voice, "Iggy, I have a bad feeling about this"
"Oh Dine, just relax. Maybe this time, it's true" Igneel said before he began rubbing the bare arm of his wife
"True? Iggy, the last time Natsu introduced a girlfriend to us, that woman tried to exploit Natsu's inheritance without him knowing!" Grandine furiously reminded the man who puffs in defeat
"Yes, I remember that. But Dine, look at this woman," Igneel stretched his arm to point out the blonde without being obvious, and as Grandine looked at Lucy, she sharply inhaled, "She is showing so much class. I bet she came from a rich family."
"She sure is," Grandine said as if she was dismayed
"What do you mean?" Igneel then looked at his wife
"She's a Heartfilia," Grandine said first before looking at the eyes of the man, "Jude and Layla's"
"Who would have thought, that the daughter of the man who offered a marriage proposal seven years ago to us, is actually seeing our son" Igneel stated as if amazed of how things were working out for them
"Don't you find it fishy?" Grandine then asked making Igneel stare at her. But instead of answering, Igneel just leans down and captures the woman's lips for quite a long time. When they pulled apart, Igneel rested his forehead to his wife and softly mumbled, "Don't worry, we'll keep an eye on them"
Before Grandine could reply, a clearing of voice was heard behind them, so the couple pulled apart and looked at the person, and there they found, their youngest child, Wendy, with her red face.
"Sorry mom, dad…I didn't mean to interrupt" Wendy shyly said as she looked at her parents but Igneel just laughed out loud making some guests look at their way
"Oh, it's fine sweetheart. You just postponed us from making you another brother or sister" Igneel said as he grinned widely while making Wendy blush furiously
"Igneel!" Grandine reprimanded as she blushed madly with what her husband just said. But instead of stopping from laughing, Igneel just laughed harder.
As Natsu and Lucy slowly walked at the buffet area getting their food, Lucy would glance at Natsu once in a while before looking back at the food. When Natsu noticed this, he began to talk while continuing to stuff his plate with numerous beef.
"Is there something on my face that you keep looking at me?" Natsu asked as he poured gravy over his meat
"Huh?" Lucy then fully turned and stared at the man who is still grabbing some food, "I'm not looking at you" Lucy defended
"Yes you are," Natsu then grinned to Lucy before he struck his fork to a meat and stuffed it into his mouth
"Am not!" Lucy then puffs her cheek as she blushes in front of the man. But Natsu just smiled at her as he pokes her puffed cheek, "Alright, if you say so" he said before chuckling and walk past the blonde.
When Natsu walked away from her, Lucy just gawked at the man before carrying her gown and followed next to him. Soon enough, Lucy arrived at the table of the Dragneel and took her seat next to Natsu to start their dinner.
As soon as she did, a little blue-haired girl beamed her with a smile and greeted, "Hi! I'm Wendy"
"Hello, I'm Lucy" Lucy smiled back at the girl who giggled in happiness
"You look lovely tonight Lucy-nee. Did you pick that gown?" Wendy innocently asked before she grabbed her drink
"Oh, uh-"
"Wendy" Natsu quickly interrupts and calls his sister who just smiled and giggled "Sorry about that" Natsu whispered to Lucy as he leans closer to her who just shook her head and said, "Its fine, your sister is just being friendly"
"I know, but-" Natsu tried to counter back but was stopped immediately when Lucy placed her hand on his arm, "It's fine"
"So Natsu," A black haired man suddenly appeared and sits down next to Natsu, who was taken off guard, "Do you mind of introducing the lady next to you?"
Natsu then glanced at Lucy who was just clueless as to who the man next to her supposed boyfriend was. But Natsu looked away and gazed at the man, "Zeref, this Lucy, my girlfriend" the man named Zeref suddenly widens his eyes, which goes for Wendy as well, "Lucy," Natsu then looked at the blonde actress, "This is Zeref, my older brother and Wendy, my youngest sister"
"Hello," Lucy shyly nodded to the two Dragneel siblings, who both nodded back to her
"I knew you're not just any friend of Natsu-nii" Wendy commented as she smiled at the blonde actress but then she saw her brother widen his eyes to her as if to tell her to stop embarrassing them. And so, Wendy stifled her laughter as she continued to eat
"It's nice meeting you, Lucy. I know Natsu could be-" Zeref started but was cut short quickly
"Brother," Natsu called out and widens his eyes to him, "Your food is getting cold"
"So as yours," Zeref remarked before smiling softly to his brother whom he knew was embarrassed. And with that, they all continued to eat.
As they continued to eat, Grandine and Igneel suddenly walked up to them, hand in hand, "Having a great dinner?" Grandine inquired to her children as she smoothes out the straight hair of her daughter
"Yes, mom, great choice of food!" Natsu remarked before shoving a meat to his mouth. As few gravies slipped out of his mouth, Grandine gestured to her son about it. And when Natsu was about to wipe his mouth with his sleeves, Lucy quickly stops it and wipes his mouth with a table napkin.
Staring at Lucy's gesture, the Dragneels couldn't help but feel happy for Natsu, knowing that the woman next to him could be his ideal wife. But then again, when Grandine thought of that, she remembered her doubt.
"Oi Natsu!" Igneel called to his son, who looked up to him after thanking Lucy, "You got a keeper there!"
"Dad!" Natsu scolded his father but just laughs at them
"Natsu dear, can you accompany me to the drinks area. I'll get your father some of his drink while you get Lucy some juice" Grandine then opened her arms to the man, who nodded in agreement.
When Natsu and Grandine were standing by the installed bar, Grandine kept her silence when Natsu ordered their drinks. After that, and when the bartender was far enough, Grandine quickly looked at her smiling son.
"Tell me Natsu, how exactly did you meet Lucy?"
"Meet Lucy?" Natsu repeated to hide his nervousness with the sudden question of his mother
"Yes, I didn't know you had many friends who are in the show business" Grandine then raised her brow when she has convinced herself even more that something was odd
"Well, I don't. It's just Lissana and her boyfriend" Natsu then smiles widely with his sharp teethes showing, "Lucy is a mutual friend of Lissana, and she introduced her to me. And from that day that we met, we kept in touch. Until one day I asked her out and she said yes"
"Just like that?" Grandine curiously inquired
"Y-yes…why mom?" Natsu asks back as if to show he was not worrying too much
"Nothing…" Grandine then shook her head as she looks away from her son. Just in time, the bartender returned and handed the drinks. And so Grandine handed the juice to her son and asked him to give it to Lucy and that she will come after.
When Natsu was walking away with the drink, Grandine quickly took the Jack Daniel's on the rocks for her husband and took a swig to the drink. Without knowing, she finished the drink and her husband was already walking in front of her.
"I believe that is supposed to be mine," Igneel said when he stood before his wife and gently took the glass away from her, "Why don't you ask for something that suits your taste"
"Iggy," Grandine said looking desperate
"Yes, Dine?"
"I think your son is playing the game again" Grandine's face then turns serious, which somehow moved the red-haired man, "What do you mean Dine?"
"Igneel, your son is playing with the fire, and I'm not letting him fool around again" Grandine sharply gazed
"Dine,"
"No, Igneel. Not this time again. We have to make sure that this is not a fraud" Grandine then nodded in determination, which the red-haired man liked. And so he quickly smirks and leans down to steal a kiss from his wife but too bad, the hand of the blue-haired woman greeted his lips, "Not for the second time Iggy…when we get home, you'll get your price"
"Yosh! Let's go home!" Igneel then pumps up his fist, which made Grandine laugh but she just shook her head and left the man.
When Grandine and Igneel returned to their tables, the married couple has been staring at the newly couple, making them uncomfortable in their seats.
"So mom," Natsu suddenly interjected to stop the suspicious looks, "how was the talk with the governor's wife?"
"Oh she's fine, after meeting her son's fiancée she was relieved to know she was not a fraud," Grandine said, emphasizing the last word and it made Natsu and Lucy more uncomfortable.
Knowing his mother, Natsu knows that his mother has become suspicious of them both. And to avoid and lessen the doubt, Natsu quickly looks at Lucy and extends a hand to her.
"Um, what is that?" Lucy asked innocently as she stares at the open hand
"A hand," Natsu joked and watched Lucy's face frown
"I know it's a hand," Lucy reminded him annoyed
"A hand that asks you for a dance" and with that Natsu stood up and Lucy's gaze followed his. With a short doubt, Lucy quickly shook it away and placed her hand gently on his. Soon enough, Natsu held on it and pulled her up, then the two walked in the middle of the room, leaving everyone in the table with a confused look.
When Natsu and Lucy walked in the middle of the ballroom floor hand in hand, some guests would glance at them, murmuring about them looking dashing and beautiful. Soon enough, the couple was at their desired spot and Natsu quickly pulls Lucy to turn and make her face him. And just in time when they faced one another, the orchestra began a slow song.
Natsu did the proper holding of a lady during a dance, he placed his hand around the waist of the woman and gently held Lucy's hand as they began to sway to the song. Lucy, of course, was not new to these things but she was surprised to know that Natsu knew stuff like this. And this amazed her, making her want to know him more.
"So," Lucy started as she looked up at his face, "Why suddenly ask me for a dance?"
"Mom was being suspicious," Natsu said nonchalantly without looking at his dance partner
"Suspicious? About what?" Lucy inquired and this time, Natsu looks down at her
"About us…I told you, my mom is very particular about fraud things like this" Natsu then leans his head to hers and let his breath tickle her neck, "She is actually watching us right now"
"Wh-what?!" Lucy exclaimed louder than expected because of the sudden sensation she was feeling in her neck and at the same time the thought that someone was watching them. But what made the sensation even more intense was when a fluttery and soft lip touched her neck, making her slight gasp
"Don't make it obvious that you're aware of her stares," Natsu said against her neck before pulling away to look straight into her eyes, "Just keep your act"
"I-I know…but w-why did you have to…kiss my neck?" Lucy questioned despite the forming blush in her cheeks
"It was a for-show for mom," Natsu said bluntly and this made Lucy stop suddenly but quickly went on to their dancing, "If you're thinking that I forget about our rules, well no…Rule number three, no intimate act unless appropriate for family front act"
With his reason, Lucy didn't understand why she felt bad that the kiss to her neck meant nothing to him. But then she mentally shook herself and reminded her that it was just in the contract. And so she said, "Good…I thought you were taking advantage of me"
"Of course not" Natsu then grins widely to her, which made her heart swell in sudden happiness and soon she was spun by Natsu, making her dress twirl around her.
After that turn, Natsu quickly pulls Lucy and wraps his arm around her waist but, this time, lower and closer to him. When Lucy was slightly pressed to Natsu's chest, the man just smiled at her.
"So tell me," Natsu began as he stared straight into her eyes and halted for a second on their spot, "how did you live as an heiress?"
"Why are you asking me this?" Lucy quickly countered as they began to sway again
"Nothing?" Natsu then smirks at the woman who rolled her eyes in reaction
"Let's not talk about me…" Lucy returns the mischievous smile, "Let's talk about you and your family"
"Okay, what do you want to know?" Natsu answered
"Hmm…you're cousins with Gajeel right?" Lucy asked making Natsu nod in response, "why doesn't he like coming to these events?"
"Are you Levy now?" Natsu teased as he watched Lucy roll her eyes and smiled, "Gajeel hates being bombarded by questions of when was he going to settle down with Levy because they have been together for quite a long time"
"Ah, so he doesn't want to pressure himself about that marriage stuff" Lucy then smirked thinking that she knew enough the long-haired man
"No," Natsu then stopped and slowly dipped Lucy and leaned forward, "He doesn't want to pressure Levy"
Soon, Natsu pulled themselves up and made Lucy closer to him, and leaned his head close to her neck once more, "So what's your next question?"
Lucy slightly pushed Natsu away and initiated the dance again, "Why does your mother seem so guarded about you have a girlfriend? Is there something you did?"
And with that, Natsu stopped in their dancing despite the continuous music. Lucy now realizing that they wouldn't be dancing again, she cleared her throat as if embarrassed and looked away.
"I think we had enough dancing" Natsu claimed but before Lucy could agree, the emcee of the event began to speak, "Good evening everyone, I'd like to welcome everybody once again to the 5th Annual Charity ball of the Dragon Empire Groups" The emcee started, "So tonight, let us all welcome the Dragneel family, lead by Mr. and Mrs. Igneel Dragneel"
"I think we should go," Natsu said as he slowly tried to find the hand of the blonde while keeping their gaze at the married couple who were starting to dance in the middle of the room
"Now let us welcome as well, their children, Mr. Zeref and Ms. Wendy Dragneel" the emcee announced
"Right of course," Lucy said to Natsu as she has finally realized what was happening. And just when the two was about to turn their backs, the emcee began again, "And lastly, the new president of Dragon Empire Groups, Mr. Natsu Dragneel and his lovely partner, Ms. Lucy Heartfilia"
Hearing the name of the blonde, a few guests gasp and whispered about having no idea that a Heartfilia and a Dragneel is in a relationship. And so, left with no choice, Natsu and Lucy had to return to the dance floor and sway along with the new music being played.
When Natsu and Lucy stood in the middle of the room, people came after and danced along with the family. But the more pairs that dance, the supposed couple was becoming more uncomfortable with their murmurs and stares. So, unconsciously Natsu pulled Lucy closer to him even more, to the point, Lucy's chest was being pushed upward against Natsu's chest.
"Um..." Lucy trailed, "We-we weren't dancing this close Natsu," Lucy said shyly knowing that her chest was halfway being exposed to him
"I know, but this how I really dance with a partner," Natsu said before he lowers down his hand to Lucy's small back and pushed her closer to him until he slowly dips the blonde again. When he pulled her up, their face was so close that their breaths were mixing together.
"What...are you... exactly doing?" Lucy asked breathlessly as she looked at him in the eyes
Gazing back at the blonde, Natsu answered, "People are looking at us and they know me for dancing intimately with my partners"
"Really?" Lucy annoyedly answers, "For the past five years you dance like this with your partner in front of others?" Lucy asked with a stinging intonation of voice
"We even make out at the end" Natsu then smirks before turning Lucy around and stops her so he can pull her back against his chest. Without warning, Natsu leaned to Lucy's ear and seductively whispered, "In the middle of the dance floor"
And with that, Lucy pushed herself off of the president and looked at him with a surprise for the sudden change of personality of the man she met two days ago. She was almost glaring at the man when she realized they were the ones left dancing while others were intently watching them. And so, Lucy composed herself and outstretches her hand to Natsu which the pinkette took.
Soon enough, Lucy pulled Natsu out of the hall and headed to the wide balcony of the manor. When the two were far enough and unheard from the crowd, Natsu lets out a boisterous laughter while Lucy irritatedly groans at him.
"What the heck was that about?!" Lucy exclaimed before slumping herself to the stone bench within the balcony and stares madly at the man who was still laughing. When Natsu's laughter dies down, Natsu sat next to her and looked at her.
"It was just fun to tease you," Natsu said with his huge grin, "I really don't do that..."
"What? Dance so close to your partner to the point their boobs are pushed against yours?" Lucy questioned irritated
"No," Natsu then shook his head, "the making-out thing...I don't do that"
"Good!" Lucy then sighed in relief before she chuckles as she recalls how they danced, "Do you really dance that close to a woman? I can actually say I feel violated for pressing my boobs to you" Lucy then glances at Natsu who looked at her too
"Yes I do," Natsu said straight to her before looking up at the night sky, "the only difference is that the other women I danced with don't have big boobs as yours"
"Hey!" Lucy expressed, "what's that suppose to mean?!"
"Nothing," Natsu said as he turned his head to look at her again before grinning
"I guess, you dated flat chested super models" Lucy suddenly bends down and pulls her dress up until her shoes appeared. As Natsu watched the blonde, he saw her unbuckles the lock of her shoes and slowly took them off.
When the shoes were off Lucy's feet, the blonde took it and sets it next to her and let her feet be covered again by her dress. Sighing in content, Lucy looked at Natsu who was stifling a laughter, "What?" Lucy asked confused
"Nothing," Natsu said, still trying not to laugh
"Shut up and spill it" Lucy began to glare at the man who raised his hands up in surrender
"It's just..." Natsu looked at Lucy then to her hidden feet, "I've never met a woman so comfortable letting her feet rest in rough cement flooring"
"It's just a floor, what's so bad about that?" Lucy asked confused
"I've met girls who keep on complaining about how their feet hurts but refuses to let their feet touch the floor cause it's dirty~" Natsu said the last two words girly, making Lucy giggle in his poor impersonation. Natsu then looks at Lucy who was laughing in happiness, "I like girls that are not picky...like you"
With his words, Lucy's laughter slowly fades as she looks at him in sudden astonishment, "Y-you like me?"
"Yeah sure...you're like Erza, Levy and sometimes like Juvia and Lissana," Natsu said in a matter of fact tone before he leaned on his stretched arms behind and gazes at the night sky, "They are not very picky but girly enough to know they are not boys...well not Erza really. I sometimes wonder if she is a boy"
Lucy's face then turned calm, when she realized what he meant. And so, Lucy copied the position of Natsu and stares at the bright night sky, "You know, I don't really know those girls you mentioned except for Levy and Lissana"
"Then I'll introduce them to you" Natsu then glanced at the woman next to him, only to be stunned with how angelic Lucy looked with the soft moonlight glistening on her face.
"Do you see that?" Lucy suddenly pointed out without looking at Natsu. Following her hand, Natsu tried to decipher what she was pointing at until he sees a pattern, he then grins and said, "Yeah? What about it?"
"That's the constellation of Aquarius and it's my favorite" Lucy then smiled to herself
At that point, Natsu knew, it was the first real fact he discovered about Lucy Heartfilia. And that is, she loves constellation, and her favorite was Aquarius. Silently, he sighed and smiled, "Nice choice"
"Thanks..." Lucy finally mumbles before they kept the night quiet, just gazing at the diamond sky.
To be continued...
Hey mina!
- It's been a month since I updated ALL of my stories and so I would like to say...
- GOMEN NASAI MINA _
- I think I have mentioned this before that I have been busy trying to finish all the plottings for my stories and GOOD NEWS! I have finished plotting this story so you don't have to worry about the , if you have thoughts for this story, you are MOST WELCOME to share your ideas. I am totally excited for this story...you know why?! you know why?!
- I am totally excited for this story...you know why?! you know why?! it's because...Ah I can't wait to update...
- Bad news, though...I haven't finished all of the stories' plots. And so, I'm trying to do so, while still trying to update. PRAY for me guys to finish those plotting so that I could focus now on updating...
- -But anyways, ARIGATOU my dear lovely readers for giving it time to read this story and my other ones. Leave a REVIEW, and FOLLOW & FAVORITE this story and my other ones.
That's all!
Love,
FairyTailxNaLu ":
