Chapter 12
That Friday, Lucy went home immediately after her working hours since she didn't feel like doing some overtime. By 6 pm, she was settled back to her home, wearing her comfortable clothes, holding her warm chocolate drink, and her most recently bought novel book.
Walking towards her large window and sat on the ledge of it, she was able to watch the setting sun. She sighed and just stared at the scenery.
"I miss moments like this," Lucy said to no one as she slowly brought the mug to her lips and took a sip to her drink. After that, she sets the mug down by her feet and let her back rest against the wall. Talking to herself once more, she said, "I miss doing this with mama and papa...then they'll decide to paint and make the most beautiful replica of this moment" Lucy started reminiscing about her past but it was cut short when a loud sound suddenly interrupted her
ARFF! ARFF! ARFF!
Looking down at the floor, Lucy slowly smiles and puts down her feet to pick up her white dog. Snuggling it close to her chest, she then began to rub the head of her pet.
"Alright Plue, I'll stop being melancholic," Lucy said as she pulled her dog in front of her
ARFF! ARFF! ARFF!
"I know, this will be the last time for this month that I'll be down," Lucy then hugs her dog before releasing him to run and do whatever her dog needs to do.
When her pet dog disappeared somewhere in her apartment, she sighed then stood up. She grabbed her almost empty mug and picked up her novel to begin her reading session by her comfortable couch. And within a few minutes, Lucy was within the world of the novel.
…-…-…-…
"Hello, milady." a man in a black suit said before he bowed and took her hand to plant a kiss on her backhand. With such gentle and affectionate gesture, the woman couldn't help but feel her face warming up. And so when the man looked up at her, she shyly smiled and said, "Good evening milord," she then curtsy before the man, who lovely watched her.
"I have been looking at you, the entire night." the man said as he took a step forward. This should have scared Gabriela but instead, she let the distance between them be shorter, and answered the man.
"I have noticed milord," Gabriela then looked up and gazed into the dark brown eyes of the man, "Do you perhaps need anything from me?"
"I do..." The man said in a stern and low voice, almost like he was whispering, "I was wondering if I could know your name"
"My name?" Gabriela suddenly widens her eyes in surprise to the man. She knew who the man was, he was the son of the most influential businessman in France. He was the sole heir of the business, and she was just a mere flower vendor at the market. She was just lucky enough to wear such a beautiful gown and shoes tonight through the help of an old lady who wished for a company at the ball.
"Why would a man like you, who has everything ask for a name of a woman who has nothing?" Gabriela then steps away from the man as she looks away, feeling embarrassed for even standing close to him.
"You know who I am?" the man surprisingly asked as he took a step closer to her
"Who wouldn't? You are Rouie Xander Bordelon, the son of Vincent Iryl Bordelon who own almost everything in France..." Gabriela then turns herself away, ready to walk away from the place, when suddenly she felt a warm, protective hand, on her wrist.
Slowly looking at her wrist and followed the trail of the arm, she saw the man, pleadingly looking at her.
"I may be a Bordelon, but I own nothing of my father's wealth. I'm just his son, who holds his last name. I'm just a mere son of a man who knows nothing about being a father." And with that, Rouie slowly holds Gabriela's hand and let it rest against his heart.
"Now, milady, I humbly ask you...may I know your name?" Rouie then smiled genuinely at the astonished woman
"Why do you need to know my name, milord? It's not like we'll ever see each other again" Gabriela asked as she glances at her hand against his chest then back to his eyes
"So that I know the name of the woman who will be clouding my mind, from this day on until then..."
…-…-…-…
SLAM!
Lucy abruptly closes the book as she stares away at the far end wall. The moment she read the last line of the male protagonist before closing it, she knew she has heard a similar line already. She just couldn't pinpoint, when and where.
"I heard those lines...I know someone said that to me..." Lucy then tried to dig up her memory when suddenly she remembers a man with pink hair, wearing a tailored suit, standing by a painting, and he was trying to stop her as well from walking away. Just like Gabriela.
"Gabriela and Rouie's first encounter is like my first real encounter with Natsu..." Lucy said with pure overwhelm in her voice. She then turns the cover and sees a man and a woman stood close to one another as they stood at the top of the hill.
"You've got to be kidding me..." And without a second thought, she throws the book to her coffee table and gave an inquisition look, "Really? I am trying to forget my encounter with him this morning, and now you're reminding me of that night?!"
Since Lucy was alone, the silence answered her as she just puffs in annoyance. But as time went by, she just sighed in defeat as she leaned over to grab the book. Staring at the cover, she said, "Back at the meeting, I noticed how he kept his attention on me..."
"I have been looking at you, the entire night." the man said as he took a step forward
"He looked at me with wonder, surprise...and gratefulness" Lucy continuously mumbles as she recalls another line from the book
"Good evening milord," she then curtsy before the man, who lovely watched her.
"I wonder...now that he knows my name...what is he doing? is he like celebrating or something?" Lucy then drops herself to the couch as she lets her eyes close. But before she slips into the dreamland, she recalls one more line from the book.
"So that I know the name of the woman who will be clouding my mind, from this day on until then..."
As the night got deeper, Natsu immediately called his friends to come and hang out with him once he finished his work. For the first time after years of being too focused on his position, Natsu asked his friends again to have fun. And so, with that sudden change, none of his friends could deny the invitation and they all met up at the Crystal Frost Bar within the Crystal Hotel owned by the Fullbusters.
"This is so new!" Levy shouted as she nudges Natsu by the shoulder once she drops herself to the large couch
"Oh come on Levy, I always ask you guys for a hangout!" Natsu defended when his friends chuckled at Levy's comment
"Back in College, yes. But after? Nu-uh!" Lissana said as she swipes her finger in front of Natsu, as a sign of disagreement
"Even you Lis?! Come on, I didn't become a party popper!" Natsu whined but his friends just laughed at him, which he copied as well. Soon he took his beer and raised it, "Cheers for our friendship!"
"Cheers!" All of them shouted as they clang their drinks to one another
"Oy, Salamander," Gajeel suddenly called after the cheer, "what's the occasion and you asked for a hangout?"
"It's either he is happy, stressed out in work, or..." Gray then glances at his friends and soon enough they all harmoniously said, "Miranda!"
And with that, they laughed so hard, making Natsu chuckle as well since it was true. But when they were about to continue having fun, Natsu's phone suddenly rang which made them stop, thinking it's about his work.
"It's Miranda," Natsu said before he sighed tiredly and answers the call
"Hey, Natsu! Where are you?" Miranda asked with her very high pitched voice
"I'm somewhere...why?" Natsu asked back, obviously not thrilled talking to the woman
"Where is that somewhere?! Can you stop being so vague, it's irritating" Miranda scoldingly said back and this irked Natsu
"Why are you even asking?" Natsu couldn't help but let his voice sound irritated as well
"I want us to have dinner together. It's been a long time since we ate together, and who knows, maybe we can get along better"
"Look, Miranda, I like the gesture but I'm with my friends right now-" Natsu then was interrupted
"Friends again?!" Miranda shouted, and unexpectedly Natsu's friends heard it loud and clear. And so, without hesitation, Levy grabbed the phone of Natsu, who was taken aback at first, and placed the phone to her ear.
"Hey Miranda, you have no right to stop Natsu from hanging out with us. We are his friends, and we know him longer than you. So keep your mouth shut and stop bothering Natsu!"
Without letting Miranda speak, Levy quickly ended the call. When she was to return the phone back to Natsu, she had her smile but then it quickly became shaken when she noticed the look she was getting from her friends.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Levy asked while she looked at her friends one by one
When everybody was still shocked, it was Gajeel who quickly snapped out of it and shouted, "Now that's my shrimp!" And with that everyone slowly laughed along with Gajeel's loud chuckle
When everybody was back to normal, Levy handed the cell of Natsu and gave a sweet smile, "Here you go"
"Thanks, Levy..." Natsu said as he took the phone
"Thanks? What for? I practically interrupted your call and took your phone..." Levy questioningly looked at Natsu who smiled and shook his head
"I know, but what I mean is for confronting Miranda. Right now, I have no choice but to be nice to her. So, thanks for doing it for me" Levy then returned the big smile as she taps the shoulder of the young president
"Of course! That's what friends are for," and with that Levy took her margarita and raised her glass in front of Natsu, who followed after her. And soon, they cheered once more.
As the celebration went on, Natsu suddenly stepped out of the place and went to the balcony of the bar to take in some fresh air. As he stepped out, he was quickly greeted by a chilling breeze but it didn't bother him because he has this irregular warm body all the time.
The moment he was out by the door, he took in the sight. He saw the beautiful night skyline of Magnolia. Ever since, their family has lived in Magnolia, though their ancestors came from Alvarez, a different country with a different culture as well. If he were to be asked, he likes it better in Fiore, especially in Magnolia.
"Okay, what are you thinking?" A voice suddenly asked making Natsu turn around and see his scarlet-haired friend
"Nothing," Natsu said smiling before he turns again to lean forward to the railings, "Just observing the night..."
"You always do that in your office," Erza said as she stepped closer to the railing and slightly leaned her body towards it, "You work overtime, eat your dinner there, stare at the sky, then, you go home."
"How did you know that? Are you stalking me?" Natsu then mischievously smiled as he stood up and turned to face Erza
"Idiot, we all know. Every time we ask Lissana, she'd say those words" Erza replied as she shifted her body and let her hips lean towards the railing as she faces Natsu as well.
"Well, I guess your right. That has been my activity for the past 2 years" Natsu then gently smiled as he looked down and watched the people walk by the street, "Lissana has told me once that I wasn't like me anymore..."
With his words, Erza couldn't help but feel bad for her friend. And so, resting her hand on his shoulder and gives a soft squeeze she said, "Well, the Natsu we know doesn't sulk like this and makes some emotional thinking about his life. He's a reckless and 'just go with it' kind of guy"
"Why do you make it sound so bad?" Natsu curiously asked as he had amusement in his eyes when he looked up at Erza. Scarlet just chuckles with him as she shrugs off his question, "I don't know, I guess that's just how bad it should sound"
"Hey!" Natsu then stood up straight as he laughed along with the scarlet woman
"So," Erza suddenly said once she slowed down from her laughter, "What's the real occasion for tonight?"
"Occasion? Nothing," Natsu casually replied as he turns and leans backward to the railing while he crossed his arms
"Well I'm sure it's not because you're stressed out, which leaves me to think it's because you're happy,"
"I guess you can say that..." Natsu then nods his head in agreement to himself
"What made you happy?" Erza asks again
"Nothing..." Natsu said though he was trying not to show his grin because the moment Erza asked, he quickly recalls the moment he knew the name of Luciya Hart.
"Yeah, right! Then why are you grinning?" Erza said as she pointed at the smiling face of the pink-haired president
"Okay fine, let's just say...I discovered something that I have been searching for," Natsu smiles warmly as he thought of the blonde
"Vague...but, whatever," Erza then dismisses the man with a hand gesture as if she was brushing it off, "But whatever is making you happy, I'm happy that it has that effect on you"
"Me too...I feel so much more like me..."
The celebration went on until midnight until all of them ended up checking-in at the hotel, courtesy of Gray Fullbuster. The man wasn't pleased at first because it was sure to be deducted from his earnings but he was grateful to experience an overnight again with the boys.
When the morning sun came up, Natsu quickly went out of bed and started to freshen up. Despite it was a weekend, Natsu got used to the habit of waking up early, and so he just decided then to be just productive as can be.
When he finished freshening up, he stepped out of the bathroom with a towel hanging on his hips and a towel around his neck and stared at the room. The room was occupied by him, Gray, Gajeel, and Jellal. He remembered the room was neat when they went up, and he also recalls they all just slept. But looking at the room, he wondered how all the unkempt clothes, wrappers, and drinks were everywhere.
"I guess this is how our room always looked back then..." Natsu commented before he started dressing again.
Soon enough, he was dressed and left the room. As he was about to leave the hotel, he suddenly sees the girls were having breakfast at the hotel's restaurant. Despite being invited to eat with them, he declined and told them that he had to go home because his apartment might be occupied already by a ghost. And so, they let the man go.
Within a few minutes of driving, Natsu finally arrived at his apartment complex. The place wasn't as luxurious as his family's Manor, but it was good enough to give him a homey feeling.
When Natsu climbs the stairs for the front door, it suddenly opened and reveals an old lady whom he has met numerous times.
"Good morning Mrs. Hyoka," Natsu greeted before he stops a step away from the woman
"Oh, it's you..." The old lady smiled genuinely, "It's been a long time since I've seen you around,"
"Yeah, well...I have been going to my parent's home for family matters," Natsu replied as he rubs the back of his neck
"Well then, I hope everything is fine..." The lady then slowly descends, which Natsu voluntarily helps to reach the last step. When they did, the elderly faced him and slightly taps the cheek of the man, "Thank you, my boy,"
"You're welcome," Natsu answered with a smile
"Oh, by the way...I think I saw someone enter your apartment. She was wearing a lot of things on her body...why do you know such ridiculous woman?" The elderly then widens her eyes in disbelief
"A woman? With a lot of things on her body?" Natsu asked confused
"Yes. You should consider a simple woman. I know this lady who dresses up simple, yet still beautiful. She loves art and books." The elder then bounces her eyebrows as if she was to tease him, "You want me to introduce her to you?"
Nervously looking back at the woman, Natsu said, "Uhhh...it's fine. Maybe I'll meet her someday. Thanks for the advice, though,"
"No problem," The lady then taps the arm of the man, "Anyways, I better go...have a great day!"
"Same to you, Mrs. Hyoka!" Natsu then waves goodbye to the old woman
True to what the elder said about a woman coming over to his apartment. Natsu quickly notices the strong scent of the woman's perfume despite just walking the hallway towards his apartment. And just as he opens the door to his home, the smell of the strong scent overwhelmed him that he nearly gagged in disgust. Pinching his nose, he slowly took off his shoes and walked inside his home.
Walking further inside, he loudly shrieked when he saw the woman in bed, lying down with her stilettos and a fur coat on.
"Miranda! What are you doing here?!" Natsu shouted making the woman turn her head and slowly takes off her shades
"Finally, you arrived," Miranda said bored as she sat up, "What took you so long?"
"You didn't answer my question," Natsu then drops his hand as he walked up to his closet to grab a new pair of clothes
"I want to have breakfast," is what all Miranda said before she stood up and walked towards Natsu, who quickly walked away after getting a fresh t-shirt and jeans.
"Then have breakfast. It's not like I'll be cooking some meal for you," Natsu said as he headed to the bathroom
"Then we'll have it together," Natsu then quickly stopped in his tracks and slowly looked at Miranda who was running her finger over a picture frame by his night stand
"You came here to have breakfast with me?" Natsu asked despite knowing the answer, but he just needed to express his disbelief
"Yes. Now will you dress up, so that we could leave?"Miranda then raised her brow at the man who looked down to the clothes he was holding. Left with no choice, Natsu just sighed as he turns to head inside the bathroom.
Long enough to make Miranda annoyed, which is like 5 minutes, Natsu finally came out with his hair fixed, his scarf on, white v-neck shirt and his faded tattered jeans.
"Will you take off that scarf? That looks ridiculous," Miranda quickly commented right after Natsu stepped out of the bathroom
"Will you stop putting those perfume on? It smells ridiculous," Natsu irritatingly said back as he took his keys and wallet.
"Whatever," Miranda shrugged as she shakes her head
Soon enough, Natsu was out again but this time with Miranda on his side. The moment they were on the street, the woman walked up to Natsu's car and called him, "Natsu! Where are you going? Your car is over here..."
"Who said we're driving?" Natsu asked
"Um, do you expect me to walk in these shoes?" Miranda sarcastically looked at him as she lifts a foot to show her 6 inches heels
"Well, why would you wear them if you're not going to use them for walking?" Natsu answered back with a furrowed brow
"Are you seriously kidding me?!" Miranda exclaimed, making Natsu crunch his face in pain
"No! Now will you just start walking? The Diner is close by..." And with that Natsu began to walk again but quickly stops when Miranda shouted once more, "Diner?! Do you expect me to eat in a cheap diner?!"
"Who said we're eating at a high-class restaurant?!" Natsu countered back, "You know what, if you don't like to eat there, then fine. I'm hungry and I want a full meal of scrambled egg, bacon, mac n' cheese and oh~ pancakes...damn, I'm hungry" Natsu ended up daydreaming of what to order
"You can't eat that much. You'll get fat!" Miranda scolded
"Say's who?" Natsu asked, "I'm hungry, so I'm leaving. You can follow me if you want." And with that, Natsu walked ahead. Despite the hate of eating in a cheap place, Miranda stomping followed Natsu towards the diner.
"Okay, I'll just repeat your order," a girl with chestnut hair said as she held a pen and notepad, "One meal of Scrambled egg with bacon strips and garlic rice, 5 stacks of pancake with maple syrup and cinnamon, one large bowl of 4 cheese flavor of mac n' cheese, and a regular bowl of chicken and corn soup"
"Oh, and a pitcher of orange juice" Natsu said as he points at the notepad
"Okay...and you ma'am, what would be your drink?" The girl then glanced at the shaded woman
"Grande café latte," Miranda uninterestedly said
"Um, sorry but we don't have that..." The girl apologetically smiled
"What?" Miranda astonishingly asked as she looked at the girl
"We only have black coffee and hot chocolate"
"Uh!" Miranda suddenly looked away, pissed to hear some ordinary coffees
"She'll have black coffee with light cream and three sugar cubes" Natsu answered instead, making the waitress nod and leave
Just when the waitress left, Natsu suddenly notices a man in a suit holding a briefcase who was about to leave the Diner. When he sees the face of the man, he quickly realizes who he was.
"Attorney Justine!" Natsu called as he raised his hand to catch the attention of the lawyer
"Ah, Mr. Dragneel," The lawyer quickly greeted when he saw who called him, "Good morning"
"Good morning too!" Natsu greets back
"Who's he Natsu?" Miranda curiously asked after she looked at the lawyer from head to toe
"Ah, Miranda, this is Atty. Freed Justine, our family lawyer" Natsu said before looking at the lawyer, "Attorney, this is Miranda...she's uh, a family friend,"
"Fiancee," Miranda quickly corrected as she extends her hand, which Freed shook
"Of course...from the Zuhara family, " Freed said before looking at the president and saw his sour face
"Anyways," Natsu quickly changes the topic, "How are you, Freed? I heard you just won a big case. Congrats,"
"I did, thank you." Freed then bowed his head in gratitude, "But my work isn't done. I'm actually studying an old case again"
"Old case?" Natsu asked curiously
"Yes...Actually, it's a case involving your family. Your father didn't want me to openly discuss this yet with anybody since there is no official case conference yet for the case" Natsu suddenly ran a hand over his mouth as he tries to hide his surprise
"What case is this?" Natsu curiously asks
"It's the murder case of the Heartfilia Family," Freed suddenly became nervous while Natsu somehow froze in his seat as he heard the long forgotten last name
"Murder case of the Heartfilia family?" Natsu whisperingly said but his thoughts were quickly interrupted when Miranda suddenly said, "Can we not talk about this? It's too early for depressing news. You just ruined a good morning, Attorney Justine!"
Snapping out of his daze, Natsu suddenly looked confused until his attention went back to Miranda who was snapping her finger in front of his face.
"Hey, Natsu!"
"Huh? What?" Natsu confusedly asked when suddenly a hand taps his shoulder
"Natsu, sorry if I shocked you. But I better get going, because I still have a session to attend" Freed apologetically said as he watched Natsu nod his head and bid him goodbye.
Soon enough, all the food they ordered came. The sight should have been appetizing, but Natsu suddenly lost his appetite after hearing the reopening of the murder case.
"I thought you were hungry?" Miranda stated as she took her spoon
"Yeah, I was...but I somehow lost my appetite" Natsu then slouches back to his chair and crossed his arms
"What about the food?" Miranda curiously asked
"I'll eat that later..."
After some time of thinking, he decided to eat. But as he ate, his mind was still on the case he was told about. He knew the family. They were a family of artists. His family has been friends with them since they were one of the original artists of the Dragneel Art Corp. Ever since he was young, he has become familiar with them, but somehow, he has lapses of memory about them after he discovers the death of the family.
Now that the case was about to be reopened, he wonders, who filed an appeal to reopen the case, who killed the family, and what does his family have to do with the case. There's just so many questions he didn't realize he had about the death of the family.
To be continued...