Chapter 7

When Natsu discovered that the woman he met at the bar was the same woman he met at Levy's exhibit, he couldn't take off the smile he had. He even begged the owner to have the photo of the woman and kept it safe in his wallet
"You know Natsu, keeping that picture would mean something for other people" Lissana states as she doubles checks the costume she borrowed before looking at the taller man
"What would it mean if people saw the picture in my wallet?" Natsu asks densely as he looks at woman next to him
Rolling her eyes at the man, she sighs then answers, "Natsu, people might think she is your girlfriend or someone special"
"She is special"
"Uh, Natsu your impossible" Lissana playfully glares as she walks along with the man, "Just make sure that Miranda won't see that or else, you know what will happen"
"Of course, Miranda can't know about her" Natsu replies as he shoves one of his hand to his pants pocket, "I don't want to redecorate my office for the third time"
"I know…" Lissana agrees before the two laughed together as they remembered the last time Miranda made a big scene in the office

Weekend ended and weekdays came. It has been days since Natsu got the image and have a least a clue of the woman. Because of his excitement, Natsu began to blog again, telling his readers about how happy he is to have at least a physical object to hold on, making him feel that he is not delusional about the woman. He constantly addresses the blonde as the Woman in the Art Gallery and readers would tell him how hopelessly romantic he is about a woman he knows nothing of.

For Natsu, he knows that his readers were right; he knows nothing of her, even her name. But his readers can never waiver his faith that one day, he'll see her again. He needs to find her and know her name, and that would put him at ease and start moving on, just her name.

"Mr. Dragneel" Daichi calls as he opens the door of the president's office, making Natsu look up from his personal computer
"Yes, Daichi?" Natsu asks as he slowly closes his laptop and sets in aside
"You will be having a closed door meeting with the head of the National Arts and Culture of Fiore at 2 pm"
"National Arts and Culture of Fiore? Who am I with this meeting?" Natsu suddenly asks he raises his eyebrow in wonder
"You will be with the Chairman and CEO, sir" Daichi replies as he closes his planner
"Alright, kindly give me all the papers regarding the meeting. I also need the list of events done by the NACF in the past three years" Natsu instructs with his serious tone as opens his business laptop, "Is that all?"
"Yes sir"
"Okay, you may go" Natsu then looks down to his computer and starts working once the door to his office closed.

As Natsu work silently in his office, the door to his office silently squeaked open and revealed a short silver haired woman. She steps inside the room, quietly, when she noticed that Natsu was in his serious mode at work. Lissana abruptly clears her throat making Natsu look up stunned.
"Lis…" Natsu calls as he takes off his reading glasses and smile at the grinning woman, "What made you come?"
"I heard Mira-nee and their office would be dropping by," Lissana timidly asks as she slowly sits down in a plush chair
"Ah, yeah, the NACF would be coming to discuss something. I guess some event this year" Natsu replies before slipping the eyewear back to his eyes and begin to work again, "I think so too, I remember onee-san mentioning about holding a worldwide art exhibit here in Magnolia"
"Well, that's great. So," Natsu then looks up at Lissana again, "I'm expecting you to gather all your best art scouts for this year's event. We will need all the hand we can get to accomplish this"
"Got that" Lissana nods before standing up and ready's herself to leave
"And I expect you to be in the front line Lis, you're the head of the Art department"
"Of course, this is my game" Lissana then winks making Natsu chuckle, then she leaves the office with no more concerns.

Time flew by easily for Natsu. The next thing he knows, his secretary is calling him to go to the President's hall for the closed meeting with the Head of the country's art and culture department. He sat along with his grandfather and father as they all discuss the incoming big event for Magnolia.

The National Art and Culture of Fiore came to the Dragneel Art Corp. to give them an idea of the worldwide art exhibit which would be held in Magnolia. Since the Dragneel's are one of the well-known companies who sponsor artists' art exhibits, the department gave the honor to the company of finding and presenting new and well-talented artists.
"We are highly honored to take this responsibility of presenting world-class artists as representative of Fiore," Igneel says as he shook hands with the head of the NACF
"If we may ask, your proposal request how many artists?" Natsu asks as he looks up from his notes, "As of now, we have 20 renowned artists, a mixture of sculptors and painters."
"Well for this event, less than fifty artists would be coming and participating per country. Now, for Fiore, we wish to have at least 40 participants."
"40?!" Natsu gawks at the elder man named Makarov, "Mr. Dreyer, I hate to break it to you but having 3 months to prepare for this event alone would not be enough, and now looking for 20 more artists will be hard for our company." Natsu replies worriedly before glancing at the Chairman and CEO who seems to get his point
"Well, we have anticipated this," Makarov says as he closes his folder, entwine his hands on top of the folder, "That is why, we have given this proposal as well to the Magnolia Art Institute"
"What? How will this work exactly? We are two different kinds of company. We expose and popularize artists while they collect and make them instructors. They are an institute for arts, DAC is different." Natsu firmly states making the others raise a brow
"My son is correct Mr. Dreyer, how exactly will this work?" Igneel affirms as he coldly stares at the older man
"Mr. Igneel and Mr. Natsu," Makarov then clears his throat before he continues, but then another Dragneel interrupts
"Igneel, Natsu," Kaito calls, "Makarov is right about his decision to let the two companies work together."
"But sofu-"
"I'm not done Natsu," Kaito stares sternly to the young man "DAC and MAI should work together. We are all in the same field, Arts. Now, the two companies I believe shall collaborate in organizing the event and finding participants"
"True Mr. Kaito Dragneel. Thank you for understanding my point" Makarov then bows his head
"I trust you Makarov for your plans" Kaito then smiles to the other old man
"Then MAI and DAC should have a meeting about this event soon" Igneel states as he leans backward to his chair, "Natsu, make sure by the end of the week there is a scheduled meeting with MAI"
"Yes, sir" Natsu affirms as he scribbles it down to his notes, "Shall I remind your secretary CEO?"
"No, it's fine, we trust you with that Natsu. I have other matters to attend to" Igneel then stands and leaves quickly the hall

Soon enough, the Chairman and CEO exits the hall, leaving Natsu alone with Makarov. They began discussing what matters to handle during the event and within a half hour the meeting ended.

"Thank you for having us, Ms. Vermillion" Mira Strauss says as she grabs the extended hand of the short blonde woman, "We're looking forward to the upcoming plan for the event"

"Yes Ms. Mirajane," Mavis Vermillion, CEO of the MAI, says as she smiles back at the silver-haired woman, "Ms. Rosster and Ms. Hart will be taking care of organizing the event and finding eligible participants"
"Just want to remind you about the collaboration of MAI and DAC for this event. We hope by next week the two companies have discussed matters already." Mira says as she hugs the files she brought with her
"Of course"
"Well, then I better go, thank you for giving us your time" Mira then exits the meeting room, leaving the CEO, Arts department head and head art scout in the room.
"Ms. Rosster I entrust you with creating the plan that should be discussed with the DAC. While you, Ms. Hart, I expect a list of possible artists that we can invite to participate for the event" Mavis then smiles genuinely at the two employees before walking out of the room

When Lucy and Jane were left in the office, the two discussed further the plan for the event. It was then decided that Jane would be scheduling a meeting with the DAC while Lucy starts finding artists to invite. Jane also reminded that Lucy would be taking part as well in organizing the event because she would be needing assistance due to her conflict schedule.

After a busy day at the office, Natsu decided to go home earlier than his usual. At exact 6 pm, he was out of his office and headed to his vehicle. When he was out, his driver immediately opens the door for him and enters. Soon enough, the car was speeding off towards his apartment. And within half an hour ride, Natsu was able to reach his apartment.

His apartment was at the top floor, having a full access to the rooftop. Like his mother said, the rooftop in his apartment had the greatest skyline view of Magnolia. Besides the rooftop, he had a simple apartment, where the walls were painted white, his furniture were black and beige. His room was a mixture of black and red, wherein he had his own television besides outside in his living room. He had a cabinet of his video games and a shelf full of books about painting and arts.

When Natsu entered his home, he quickly enters his bedroom and left his bag at the bed. He instantly strips off his blazer, followed by his sleeve shirt and pants. Once he was out of his clothes, he enters the bathroom to take a shower.

It has been a long time since he felt relaxed. Ever since he took the position as the president, he was not able to enjoy his home anymore. He usually just goes home to sleep then wake up and head to the office. So for the first time in a long time, he was going to enjoy being at home. As Natsu was about to slump down to his rarely touched couch, the doorbell suddenly rang making him raise a brow. As the ringing kept on going, he tiredly sighs as he walks up to the door to open. And when the door opened, there Natsu was greeted by his friends.
"What's up flame head?!" Gray shouted as he raises two packs of beer in his hands
"Sup salamander" Gajeel nonchalantly greeted as he squeezes himself inside the apartment of the pinkette
"Woah! Woah!" Natsu alarmingly exclaims as he watches his friends suddenly enter his home without him inviting them in, "What the fuck are you doing?! Get out of my place!" Natsu shouted as he slams the door and stares furiously at the newly arrived group
"Shut up ash brain! We're going to stay" Gray replies as he sets the beer down to the coffee table
"Who said so?!" Natsu shouted as he walks closer to the men
"We did…" Jellal suddenly answers as he sits down comfortably at the couch
"Wha-even you Jellal?! Seriously!" Natsu now standing in front of the television as he tries to block the view from the men, "Get out of my house, I want to rest"
"Yeah, you'll rest in your room while we stay here," Gajeel remarked before grinning to the man who was even furious
"Hell no! As if I'll let you do that!" Natsu shouted back making the pieced man laugh loudly
"Come on Natsu, relax…" Jellal states as he sits up straight and looked at the man calmly, "The girls are just having a night out and Erza suggested that we visit you"
"Yeah, we were supposed to go to your office but then the security told us you left early" Gray added before he opened a can of beer
"Which is the first!" Gajeel bellowed before he laughs again, "Good job for you Salamander"
"Whatever" Natsu says as he rolls his eyes to his friends before taking a seat next to the blue-haired man, "But seriously, when are you all leaving my house?"
"After we finish all these beer and food," Gray says as he kept his gaze to the television while sitting down next to Gajeel
"What food?" Natsu asks curiously until the doorbell rang once again
"There's the food" Gajeel then stands up and walks towards the door to get the food. When the door opened, a pizza delivery boy appeared before the door and Gajeel excitedly accepts the pizza, "Oy, salamander! Pay this up"
"Wha-what?! Why should I pay for that?! I didn't even order that" Natsu then growls at the long-haired man who was just chuckling by the door, "We did, but this is your house so, you pay"
Being scowled at by his friend only made Gajeel laugh. And at the end, Natsu was left with no choice but to pay up.

Soon enough, the boys started their small party. They began their stories about how they became busy for the past few weeks, then they talked about what happened to them after they last saw each other. Gajeel shared to them that he was dating someone and it was getting serious, they boys teased him first but at the end, they were proud of him. Gray also shared about him and Juvia, which their relationship was still a vague idea. As for Jellal, he mentions that Erza has finally introduced him to her parents as her boyfriend and not as a friend anymore.
"Well good for you Jellal, I remembered that time when you and Erza fought about that labeling thing…" Gray says before he drinks his beer
"I know, it was horrible" Jellal then shakes his head while smiling as he recalls the memory, "Enough of me, how about you Natsu?"
"What about me?" Natsu asks before he sips his beer and gaze at the tattooed man
"Well, do you have any story to tell us besides your company and freak fiancée?" Gajeel remarks as he took a bite to his pizza
"I guess I don't have…" Natsu answers as he tries to keep his poker face after remembering the woman he met in the bar, "Nothing is new with me" Natsu kept his poker face as he denies the fact that he had something to share
"Really?" Gajeel then smirks devilishly making Natsu raise his brow
"What is up to you metal head?" Natsu inquires as he continues to stare at Gajeel with a prying look
"Then, do you mind explaining who this is?" Gajeel raises a photo of the woman he met at the bar. Gawking at the sight, Natsu quickly reaches out and tries to snatch the photo but Gray was faster than him that the raven-haired man was able to steal it, "Who's this?"
"I found that in salamander's wallet" Gajeel remarks as he sniggers at the almost blushing man
"Natsu, who is this woman? Your real girlfriend?" Jellal pries as he stares at the photo
"Wha-what?! No! I don't know her name!" Natsu finally was able to steal the photo which he kept securely back in his wallet
"Yeah, right ash brain! You wouldn't keep a photo of a woman you don't know"
"Shut up ice face!" Natsu insults as he tries to divert the attention of the man by initiating a fight
"I'll tell this to ji-chan" Gajeel then brings out his cell phone which panicked Natsu, making the pierced man stop his action, "Fine! I'll tell you!" Natsu shouted defeatedly as he slams down to his spot again
Gray, Gajeel, and Jellal then sits upright as they kept their full attention to the fully blushing man. As they kept their gaze to the pinkette, Gray couldn't help but notice the change of color in Natsu's face, "Fire butt is in love with this woman"
"How can you say so?" Gajeel whispers back
"Just look at his face, its red"
"Will you two shut up and stop acting like little girls gossiping about their crush" Natsu retorts as he comments at the two male
"Fine, now tell us" Gajeel then crosses his arms as he listened to Natsu
"Okay, to start off, I really don't know her name. I met her though in Levy's exhibit," Natsu tells until Gajeel stiffens to the bluenette's name but Natsu just shrugs it off as he continued, "then at the bar, I met her again but this time, she looked different. The photo you saw, that is her in disguise. I asked for her name but she didn't give it"
"Well, that sucks. I guess you got to let her go, it's a petty love story" Gray comments as he crosses his arm
"I wish I could do that. . . but I got a feeling that I'll see her again" Natsu says hopefully as he looks down at his hands and started remembering how she called his name
"As if bro, what are the chances?" Gajeel counters as he looks at the stunned man
"If I was able to see her in the bar, what are the chance we will again? And besides, I think she just lives in Magnolia too. I wouldn't find the photo within the city if she didn't live here"

When Natsu returned to work the next day, the company was able to receive an invitation regarding an exhibit of an independent artist. With this invitation, the art department decided to take this opportunity to start the progress for the incoming big event in Magnolia. With the approval of the president, chosen art scouts were to attend the said exhibit.

"Ms. Strauss, I expect you to bring along the new art scouts to this event as their field experience," Natsu says as he closes the folder that he used during the meeting
"Yes, Mr. Dragneel. But I have a concern." Lissana states as she looks at the attentive president
"What is it?"
"My assistant trainer can't come tonight for this exhibit, so handling four new art scouts would be difficult for me. I was hoping if you could come along since you are an artist scout trainer as well…" Lissana unconsciously bits her lower lip as she waited for the man to reply
As Natsu stares back at Lissana, he knows that his silence was killing the beauty because his silence only meant bad news. He was only being quiet to fool the woman that he was mad, when the truth is, he was glad to come. "Daichi," Natsu suddenly calls making the assistant somehow startled
"Y-yes, Mr. President"
"Cancel all my schedule after 3 pm, I'd be going home at 4," Natsu says seriously before he stands up and steps out of his seat, "Ms. Strauss, I'll see you at the exhibit"
Smiling widely as she hears Natsu's response, Lissana couldn't help but stand and bow happily before the man, "Yes Sir!"

Time flew by quickly and soon it was evening already. Just like Natsu promised, he was attending the exhibit as an Artist scout trainer to help Lissana. When Natsu arrived at the National Art Center, the place was packed. It was a beautiful venue, with classic black and white theme, where everyone is expected to wear formal wear. Natsu confidently enters the place, enticing everybody with his presence, wearing his slick tailored tux. As soon as he enters, Lissana happily greets him and introduces the new recruits and began the short briefing.

After some time, Natsu and Lissana split up along with the new recruits and roams around the venue to observe and study the arts displayed created by Marco Yamato, one of the rising independent artists. "Alright, your first task Naiiya and Hayto is to observe the kind of painting displayed in this area. I need you to see the kind of technique he uses, his theme and the quality of the art piece."
"Yes Mr. President" Naiiya and Hayto in sync responded making Natsu cringe in loudness
"Okay, you can call me tonight as Mr. Dragneel, alright?"
"Yes sir"
"Okay, go" And with that the two new recruits walks away from Natsu as they began their first task. As Natsu sighs deeply, he suddenly turns around and saw a painting where no one stood at. This made him curious because the painting was beautiful.

The painting was a shadow of a man whose back was facing. The image that the man was facing was abstract of black, white and silver. It was a pure confusion, even him, he suddenly felt confuse as he kept staring at the image. But this confusion suddenly fades away when a presence of another person came. He tried to disregard the person, but the longer he tries not to look at the person next to him, the more he was not able to concentrate. So giving in to his curiosity, he slowly glances at the person, so that they wouldn't disturb the focus of the person.

Once Natsu looked at the person next to him, his eyes grew wide and had his mouth agape. The person next to him was no ordinary person, it was a blonde woman who wore a white chiffon gown, and having her hair brushed backward until her hair freely to rest in her bareback. It wasn't just any blonde woman, it was the woman in the art gallery, the woman he also met at the bar. He couldn't take his eyes off her because she resembled an angel who was silently accompanying him to gaze at the painting.
"Hmm, interesting…" The woman stated as she kept her gaze to the painting
Hearing the woman comment, Natsu quickly looks away because he was afraid that the woman would suddenly look at him and discover that he is here in the exhibit. As Natsu stood still next to the unaware woman, he began to debate in his head. He was thinking if he should just walk away and miss the chance or take this last chance to know her name and end his curiosity.

Thinking of what to do next, Natsu suddenly raggedly exhales as he steps back and clears his throat, "What do you think of the painting?" He asked solemnly as he kept his gaze to the painting.
After hearing the question, the blonde woman suddenly looks at the person with her beautiful smile. But that smile quickly fades when she noticed who was standing next to her, "Y-you?"
"We meet again…" Natsu quietly answers back as he smiles softly to the stunned woman

To be continued…