Chapter 15
Walking down the hall to her apartment, Lucy could hear the sound of her dog. Smiling to herself, she couldn't help but feel grateful somehow that at least someone was waiting for her to come home. So, fishing out her keys from her bag, she quickly slips it to the keyhole and turns the knob to open her apartment. The instant she opens it, the familiar barking of her dog reached her ears and saw how her dog.
"Hey, Plue," Lucy cooed as she watched her dog turn relentlessly while happily barking at her as his welcome, "I know, I know," Lucy then scoops the white Maltese dog, "Sorry if I'm late again," Lucy then smiles at her dog, Arf! Arf!
"Alright alright, off you go," and with that Lucy gently puts down her dog, who quickly dashes out of her sight. When her dog was no longer in sight, Lucy suddenly breathed out a heavy sigh as she slowly enters her apartment and places down her bag on the plush couch.
"Well, who would have thought living alone can get this lonely…" Lucy mumbles to herself as she thought of sitting down on her couch. Dropping herself to the sofa, Lucy brought her tired feet over her coffee table and leans her head on the back of her sofa.
Staring blankly at her ceiling, she thought of all the things that happened that day. From the moment she saw the pink-haired president early in the morning, to the time she made new companions with the employees of DAC, to the instances she smiled and laughed with her new co-workers, and the time she roamed around the building she would be working at for the next three months and met different people besides her team. All of it ran inside her head when suddenly a distinct sound was heard.
Kruuuuugggg
"Okay now that is a sign," Lucy said to herself as she sat upright and tapped her empty stomach, "It's time to eat," and with that, she stood up and quickly headed to her kitchen. She did the fastest meal she could make so that her empty stomach would stop grumbling in hunger. Soon enough, she finished cooking and was now taking a seat at her dining to eat her late dinner.
She made herself a bowl of pesto spaghetti and she was about to take a bite when her dog began rushing in again and twirled around her legs. Laughing at her ridiculous dog, Lucy scoops up her pet and places him on top of her table, "Sit," she instructed and the dog immediately follows her order, "Good boy," Lucy then rubs her palm against the head of her dog before standing up to get the bowl of her dog and place it on her table.
"Now, I have someone to eat with," Lucy said as she smiled at her dog, who did not pay her attention once his food was served
"You know what Plue, I met new people today," Lucy said as she took her seat again and this time was able to take a bite of her food, "I didn't expect the big group but it was great…well, I thought it would be,"
The dog suddenly lifts his head and tilts his head in confusion as he stared at his owner. Lucy then continues as she watched the confused look of her pet, "Don't take me wrong, those people were nice. They're a little loud and weird but very nice people…it's just their boss," Lucy suddenly trails off mindlessly twirling her fork to her food when suddenly Plue barks loud enough to snap Lucy out of her thoughts.
"Yeah, it's the pink-haired man I have been telling you about, Natsu," Lucy then shoves her fork to her mouth then quickly chews her food to speak once again, "I don't know why I act so girly and shy around him. I mean, it's our first real long interaction and stuff after a long time…So I don't get it why I act the way I do,"
Arf! Arf! Arf!
"Exactly!" Lucy exclaims as she points her fork to her pet before dropping it to her bowl and places her arms over the table, "People knows me as someone who is confident and outspoken. But when I'm around him, it's like I'm the opposite. Cana has been teasing me about it and I hate that she is pointing the obvious thing," Lucy then sighs as she drops her head to her crossed arm over the table, "Plue, I shouldn't be acting like this in front of him. Not because I want to look confident in front of him but because I need to keep my secrets intact…" she then lifts her head and seriously stares at her dog, "It's the last thing I want him to know about me…the real me,"
Arf! Arf!
"Yes, I promise to be more focused…" Lucy then smiles as she rubs the forehead of her dog
"Are you home?" a motherly voice asked over the mobile phone which was owned by the president of the Dragneel Art Corp. With the question given, Natsu couldn't help but stiffen his back as he realized that his mother was assuming he has gone back to his apartment since it was passed 10 in the evening already.
"Umm…on my way home?" Natsu guiltily says as he softly turns the folder close so that he could start cleaning up his desk
"Natsu Dragion Dragneel, how many times should I be telling you that you do not live in that office and that home is somewhere you rest?" Natsu's mother, Grandine said, sounding very irritated about the fact that her son was not yet home despite the late hour
"Mom, relax, I'm just about to leave the office and head home…so, no worries," Natsu then grins as if his mother could see his smile. Soon he took his phone and turns off the loud speaker so that he could place his mobile by his ear, "how's everyone?"
"Psh, lame excuse," Grandine exasperatedly mumbles before answering the question of her son, "Well, everyone is good. Your grandfather is finally resting in his room since he has an early flight tomorrow then your dad is at his office, as usual. And Wendy is at her room, researching about medical terminologies," Natsu then hears the growing smile of his mother, which he also had on his face
"Among the people you have mentioned, mom, it's only Wendy who made me feel happy," Natsu said, finally walking towards the elevator
"Me too…I have a mini me," Grandine chuckles over the phone which Natsu copied
"How about me?" Natsu asked, sounding like he was hurt by his mother's words
"Oh, you copied your dad…" Grandine teases as her smile slightly dropped but then she quickly changes the topic to enlighten her mood, "So, I was thinking this weekend, you'd come over and have lunch with us,"
"Sure…but isn't this weekend the Zuhara family would be visiting?" Natsu asks as he steps inside the elevator and immediately presses the 'UG' button
"So? I would just make an excuse that we have a family matter to attend and vuala, no Zuhara," and with that, Natsu heard his mother laugh, which made him smile.
Natsu almost forgot that it wasn't only his friends who have been stopping him from agreeing to the arranged marriage, but also his mother and sister. There have been many instances that Grandine expressed her distaste in arranged marriage, especially to the fiancée of her son. She would always make some comments about Miranda, pointing out Miranda's bad skills in cooking, sense of fashion, taking care of her son, and even just being a good citizen of Fiore. Grandine just couldn't see her son marrying someone who was incapable of taking care even oneself.
"Mom, as if sofu (grandfather) would even allow it…you know how much he is trying to win the Zuhara family," Natsu reminds his mother who audibly whines
"Natsu, let me clear one thing," Grandine's voice then turns to be firm, "We don't need the Zuhara. The moment we fix what needs to be fixed, you don't have to do this arranged marriage,"
"What do you mean?" Natsu curiously asks, unaware of the depth of what his mother had said
"Maybe next time Natsu…I'll explain it," Grandine then sighs, "Well I hope you're getting your butt to your car and head home, okay?"
Letting go of what his mother said, Natsu just nodded his head as he answered, "Yeah, on my way…"
"Good. I'll hang up now, sleep tight my love," Grandine lovingly mutters and Natsu didn't stop himself from smiling as he replies back, "Sweet dreams, mom" and with that, the call ends.
After some time, Natsu finally reaches the underground floor and quickly heads to his parked car. As he unlocks his car and takes his seat, he immediately ignites his vehicle and drove to the front entrance of the building. The moment he did, Natsu quickly spots the guard who has been a loyal worker of DAC.
"Mr. Joe!" Natsu calls when his window rolled down. The called security suddenly turns his head and sees the pinkette, "Ah! Mr. Natsu! Going home?"
"Yep, I'll be going now…take care, alright?" Natsu then grins at the security who had a smile on his face while nodding in agreement, "Yes sir!" the guard shouted back, and soon Natsu rolled up his window and took off, heading home.
Tuesday morning came and Luciya Hart is already walking the halls of the Arts department section. It was just 6:45 am when Lucy arrived at the building of DAC, with the intention of avoiding meeting the president of the company again. And at the moment, she was grateful for not seeing any pink-haired man walking yet.
As Lucy reached her joint office with Cana, she immediately settles her bag to her desk and took her coffee mug. Since she left early from her apartment, she was unable to make herself a cup of coffee and decided to grab one from their pantry. She discovered yesterday that they kept that place well-stocked with goodies because someone from their department used to demand a full stocked of pastry, chips, juices, and coffee. So, she thought, whoever that person was she would like to him or her because she has many options to choose from.
Nearly reaching the pantry, Lucy could hear that someone was inside the pantry room, probably getting some breakfast too. So as Lucy stridden towards the pantry, her pace suddenly stops just before the doorframe when she heard the voice sounded familiar. Patiently standing behind the walls of the pantry, she tried to know who it was.
"…because I wanted to disturb your fucking sleep…," the man's voice said, making Lucy furrow her brows with the vulgar words of the man, "…since I'm at the office before 7 I wanted you to suffer too…shut up stripper!"
Lucy then widens her eyes in disbelief. She couldn't believe that the man inside the pantry is some masochist and pervert. Acting upon her human rights advocacy, she was about to stump inside when she noticed who was inside.
"Natsu?!" Lucy shouted in her head when she saw the familiar pink-haired man, making her step back and hide behind the walls again. Lucy kept herself still as she listened again to the pinkette.
"Mother Fucker!" Natsu shouted, "Oh not you, it's the coffee filter…but yeah, that also goes to you ice princess,"
"Oh my god, is this the real Natsu Dragneel? Is he seriously having a sex-phone conversation in the office? Doesn't he realize that maybe someone might hear him?" Lucy thought, freaking out that she has been hearing the most bizarre thing first thing in the morning. Realizing that Natsu might come out, Lucy hurriedly walks away from the pantry and hides back to her office.
"Seriously! What is wrong with that pink man?!" Lucy exclaims as she shuts her door loudly. Walking to her computer chair, she drops herself into it and places her mug back to her table before she lets herself twirl around in her seat.
"All this time I thought I have avoided him when actually he is at work earlier than me…" Lucy mumbles to herself when suddenly her door opened and a loud shriek came, making her startled and fall out of her chair, "Kyaa!" Lucy shrieked back as she falls and hits her butt on the floor
"Lu?!" a woman's voice called out. With that nickname, Lucy suddenly wondered who usually called her that, when she was called again, "Lucy-chan? Lu-chan~" and with that, Lucy quickly sat up and there she sees a blue-haired petite woman standing by her door.
"Levy?" Lucy calls and that made the woman screech in excitement. The woman ran up to her while she slowly stood up, still surprised to see her best friend back in high school
"Lu!" the blue-haired woman shouted as she jumped up and down in front of the blonde, "Oh my god! I can't believe it's true that you are working here!" Levy then hugs the woman, who dazed hugged back the blunette. When it has finally synced into Lucy what was happening, she finally expressed her excitement as she tightens her grip to her friend
"Oh my goodness! Levy!" Lucy then jumps up and down with Levy who both chortles in happiness. When they pulled away, Lucy grasped the shoulder of her friend as she smiles at her, "I never thought I'd see you here. I thought you were residing in clover town for the meantime after your exhibit here in Magnolia?"
"Well, I was planning to but I changed my mind…" Levy then smirks at her best friend who gave a skeptical look
"What made you change your mind? From what I remember, you don't usually change your decision so easily," Lucy then nudges the blunette who became shy all of a sudden
"Let's just say, I fell in love with Magnolia and leaving this town would be the worst decision I would ever make," Levy then smiles at the blonde who only giggled at her friend's blushing face
"Yeah right, did you really just fall in love with Magnolia or did you fall in love in Magnolia?" Lucy snickered and this made Levy even more blush but the blunette quickly waves her hand in front as if to dismiss the thought, "Lu-chan!" Levy whined before she chuckles along with her friend, "You're still the same,"
Lucy and Levy then slowly calms down from their laughter. With the last comment of the blunette, Lucy couldn't help but feel emotional, thinking that after all the things that happened to her before, her first best friend can still see the real her. Without realizing, Levy has stood closer to her and gave a very warm embrace, making Lucy hug her friend tighter.
"I missed you, Lu," Levy mumbles before she pulled away, "When you left Acalypha, I thought I would never see you again, you just disappeared..."
"Sorry about that, I just had to leave...but that doesn't matter anymore now that we're both here," Lucy then grins at the blue-haired girl who happily smiled back at her
"You're right. What matters now is that we're both working under the same group-" Lucy quickly interrupts the blunette, "Technically no. I'm still under MAI,"
"Whatever doesn't matter. What matters is that I will be seeing you more often now!" Levy and Lucy both chuckled when suddenly the doors to the office open once again and reveal a busty brunette.
If Levy could make any comment about the woman, she would say that the brunette could be one hell of a bitch, because as she can see the woman was mincingly staring at her, had a scowl on her face, and a tumbler in hand. Levy unconsciously swallows as she returns the gaze, until the newly arrived woman spoke.
"Who is she?" Cana asks the blonde who still had a smile on her face
"Oh, she's my best friend!" Lucy then drapes an arm to Levy's shoulder, who quickly flinches in surprise
"Best friend? I thought you only had a few..." Cana said getting confused until she realized what Lucy said, "Wait, so you're Levy?"
The blunette woman timidly nods before looking down to her flat shoes, when suddenly a loud laugh was heard. Looking up at the brunette, Levy was about to bellow at her due to being offended but then Cana spoke again.
"Oh my goodness! You look adorable!" And without prior notice, Cana steps closer to the blue-haired petite woman and hugs her tight, almost lifting her up from the ground, "Blondie you never told me that Levy was a cute little girl!"
"Wha?!" Levy and Lucy harmoniously gasps
"Nah! Just kidding! But really, Levy, you look adorable," Cana said before she stood up straight and extended her hand to Levy. The woman didn't stop herself from staring at the offered hand, until she heard Cana speak again, "Cana Alberona, Blondie's co-worker and best friend I guess," Cana then gave a short glance at the blonde who immediately shrugs at the label of their friendship.
Finally smiling back at the brunette, Levy gave a relaxed sigh before she took the hand of the brown-haired woman. As she held it and gave it a firm shake, Levy replied, "It's nice to meet you Cana-san. Levy McGarden, Lucy's best friend back in high school,"
"Ahh, I see..." Cana comments before she and Levy laughed together, making Lucy nervous after hearing their meaningful chortles
"Are you mentally making a plan against me?" Lucy teasingly asks her friends
"May~be," Levy and Cana said together and this made the three laugh together. As their laughter died down, the three of them walked towards the couch to take a seat to continue their conversation. But the moment, Levy took her seat she glanced at her wrist watch and saw the time. It was quarter past 7 already and Levy suddenly felt panic as she remembered she still had a seminar to attend. So, the moment Lucy and Cana sighed in relaxation, Levy quickly sat up straight and alarmed the two ladies.
"Levy-chan, is everything alright?" Lucy asks slowly sitting up straight as well. Levy then turns to look at the blonde and gave an apologetic smile, "Yeah, but I have to go…" She then stood up which was followed by the two ladies, "I'd love to stay and catch up but Master Zen has a seminar workshop to conduct for the new recruits. And as his assistant, I have to be there,"
"Right, of course! You should go," Lucy then headed towards the door and opened it, "It was really nice seeing you again Levy," The two women then hugs by the door when Cana suddenly spoke, "Why don't we have lunch altogether later?"
"Lunch?" Lucy and Levy replied to the brunette harmoniously, and Cana just smiled as she answered back, "Yeah, so that we could know each other better…and how about we ask Lissana to join?"
"Yeah! Lissana is a good friend of mine too here," Levy added as she grinned at Cana
"That's great!" Cana expressed as she smiled back at the blunette until they looked at Lucy who had a conflicted expression. But then it quickly fades when she answered, "Alright, I'll do my best to finish what I need to finish before lunch,"
"Yehay!" Levy giddily cheers before she hugs the blonde and the brunette. When the hugs ended, she quickly slips out of the office and bid the two ladies goodbye. And soon, she was no longer in sight.
When Lucy closes the door to their office, Cana suddenly commented as she dropped herself to the couch, "So, she's your friend who calls you by the nickname 'Lucy'?" Cana then glanced up at Lucy who was suddenly turned stiff but relaxes immediately, "…yeah, but she really calls me 'Lu-chan' most of the time and not Lucy…"
"Really? No wonder she also called me 'Cana-san', that sounded new to me," Cana then chuckles as Lucy followed after "I can call you Lucy right? Your name Luciya is too long for me," Cana teasingly smiles at the blonde who chortled in response, "You call me Blondie most of the time,"
"Eh, it suits you," Cana nonchalantly replies and this made Lucy chuckle. As Lucy sits down next to Cana on the sofa, she leans her back to the couch and sighed, then replies, "I guess your right…"
As the Tuesday morning went on, employees finally came to office and soon, the whole team for the International Arts Exhibit was complete. Not later than that, they all began to work and continued their discussion about the planning for the big event.
Bisca and Cana had their own meeting, talking about the different fashion industry they wanted to showcase in the exhibit. They were also talking about a particular theme for the designers to exhibit because they wanted the event to be as organized as possible. As for Lucy and Lissana, they were discussing the list of artist that would represent Fiore. Each artist that had been scouted is being re-evaluated to see if they were classified to be part of the event since all participants in the said event would be artists that had great experience already. But at the same time, Lissana is also considering new artists that had great potential for a world-class exhibit.
"The one thing DAC is known for is showcasing new artists' talents. We do not limit our recruits so, I would like to expose our artists to these kinds of events," Lissana said as she hands a list of new recruits of DAC to Lucy, who had been reviewing the art profiles of the more experienced artist.
"That's very generous of DAC. But, isn't this event too much of a pressure to them? I mean, participants of this event have at least done a few exhibits and their artworks have been sold more than once already." Lucy questions as she skims the list of names of the new artists
"That is the risk we take every time we sponsor them an exhibit. And the best result we get is a total sold out of their artworks," Lissana proudly answers before she grabs her mug of coffee and sips her drink. Smiling at the silver-haired woman, Lucy nods understandingly as she places down the list given to her, "Alright, maybe I can adapt to this method of yours. Since your team has been doing this for a long time, I'll trust DAC," Lucy then slides the list to Lissana who looked down at the handed paper, "I hope this method does work,"
"Trust me, it will" Lissana victoriously smiles, when suddenly Cana leans to their table, making the two women look at the newly arrived woman.
"So, who's ready for a lunch date?" Cana looked at the two, as her eyes gleamed in excitement. Soon Lissana raised her hand and happily answers the brunette, "I am!"
"Great!" Cana then stood up straight and soon Lissana stood up from her seat, which Lucy followed after.
Soon the trio ladies headed down the building and met up with Levy in the lobby. As they were finally complete, they all headed towards a family restaurant just across the street. It was one of the known eating places in the street for having a homey feeling and delicious home cooked meals.
As they entered the family restaurant, they were immediately greeted like they were home guests, welcoming them to their home. As the four ladies find this amusing, they entered the place happily and soon they found themselves taking a seat by the window.
"So, ladies, what can I get you?" the waiter asks as he brings out a notepad and grabbed a pencil behind his ear
"Um, what is your home specialty?" Lucy asks as she looks at the young waiter, but then her question was replaced when Cana spoke, "No, no, no…What is your favorite meal served here?" Cana then winks at the boy who suddenly blushed at the teasing gesture
"We-well…I like most of the food here because it's cooked by my parents…" the waiter replies nervously as he looks at Cana, "B-but if I would suggest any me-meals I suggest, roasted potatoes with herbs then roasted wine chicken,"
"That sounds delicious, do you mind getting us each a plate?" Levy requests and she, later on, receives a nod from the waiter
"Great thanks!" Lissana exclaims, "oh and yeah, our drinks, could you get us sparkling water?"
"Alright, noted," The waiter replies until Cana grabs his forearm and stops him from leaving, "No, make that 3 sparkling water and one-pint glass of beer,"
"One-pint beer glass? Are you-?" The waiter questions but was immediately cut off
"Yep, now, go, we're hungry," Cana gently pushes the waiter away who stumbled a little in surprise. But also left as he questions how a woman like her could drink such drink in an early time of the day.
When the waiter was no longer in sight, Levy immediately questions the brunette about her drinking habits, "So, you like beer?"
"Me?" Cana points to herself, "Yeah, of course. I'm actually married to it,"
"I thought you're married to wine?" Lucy teasingly asks back Cana, who gawked at her
"Shh! The beer doesn't know that" Cana then laughs as Levy, Lucy, and Lissana laughed with the brunette
"Oh my goodness, I can't believe you drink so much alcohol and yet you're not getting any of those beer bellies," Lissana remarks and Cana then shrugs her shoulder before she chuckles along with her new gained friends
"Oh, I bet you party hard too," Levy comments but sounded more like a question
"Well, not really. I'm just more of a drinking person than dancing and grinding person," Cana answers, then she taps the shoulder of the blonde, who suddenly flinched in surprise, "And this woman thought me that. She said it was better for me to drink a lot rather than play around with boys who could knock me up,"
"True," Lissana and Levy nods at Cana before glancing at the blonde, who had a proud smile on her face
"So, Lucy, what has happened to you? I don't know much about you anymore since you left in high school," Levy then prompts her arm to the table as she rests her chin over her closed fist
"Oh not much, just the usual. Finished college then started working," Lucy then crossed her arms over the table and tightens her lips, as if she didn't want to speak anymore
"Well you could have made some social media accounts so that I could have followed you or something," Levy teases and Lucy just chuckles as she shook her head, "Sorry, not much of a social person,"
"Yes, believe me when I say she is an asocial person. I even force her to come join me in some of my parties," Cana then nudges her seatmate who bashfully looked away
"So you don't have many friends?" Lissana asks
"You can say that…" Lucy chuckles as she looks down to her hands before looking up, "Just like Cana said, I don't have many friends…It's only this woman whose persistent to make friends with me," Lucy then nudges back the brunette who victoriously grins at her
"I can see that," Lissana answers smiling at the two ladies in front of her
"Oh, Lu-chan, you shouldn't have secluded yourself just because of what happened to your parents," Levy gently grasps the forearm of the blonde, who was immediately surprised with the mention of her parents. Suddenly feeling nervous, Lucy swallows hard as she stares anxiously at her blue-haired friend.
Clearing her throat, Lucy seriously speaks, "I don't like talking about that, Levy-chan,"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Levy guiltily pulls her hand away, embarrassed for even talking about something sensitive for the blonde woman, "I didn't mean to mention them,"
"What's wrong with mentioning your parents?" Cana curiously glances at the blonde who was obviously uncomfortable now
"It's a sensitive topic for me," Lucy seriously answers and this indicated to the three women that the blonde woman was no longer in the mood to answer those kinds of questions. And since Cana was the one who pressed the question, she decided to be the one to change the topic. So clearing her throat, she asks no one in particular, "Where is that food?"
Successfully distracting everyone, they all glanced at the front desk. Thankfully, they saw the waiter who attended to them was now grabbing the meal they have ordered. Soon enough, their plates have been served and they were finally starting to eat.
During their meal, they all fell into an awkward silence. And Lucy knew it was all her fault for destroying the mood. So, she decided to be the one to destroy this bad vibe.
"So, Levy-chan," Lucy called in a happier tone, "how did you get into DAC?"
"Oh, it's incredible. You know how I always made those jars and pots?" Levy reminds Lucy who nodded in reminisce, "Well, I exhibited one of my artwork in Magnolia University and surprisingly Mr. Kaito Dragneel was there to judge in one art competition there and he saw my work. Then the next thing I know, I was having an internship in DAC where I met Natsu," Levy shrugs before she shoves a potato pebble into her mouth
"So you've met him since college?" Lucy questions and Levy nods in response, "Well you must have been really tired of his boring attitude,"
" Natsu? Boring?" Lissana and Levy then look at one another before chuckling together. With the two laughing ladies, Lucy and Cana couldn't help but raise their brows
"What? It's true," Cana injects as she tries to stop Lissana and Levy from giggling, "Ever since I met Natsu in Blue Pegasus bar in person, I never thought of him as someone who goofs around," Lucy then nods in agreement, "Yes that's true. If he was ever a goofy man, he would have at least shown it once in the office or any meetings," Lucy added
When Lissana and Levy had slowed down from their laughs, they both wiped their tears away as they settled down. Lissana then wipes her hair backward as she leans forward, "What you said about Natsu is true. I admit, Natsu hasn't been goofy and playful lately. But trust me when I say, that is not the real Natsu"
"Uh-huh, that's true. Lissana here is Natsu's best friend. They have been friends since middle school, so practically, Lissana knows a lot about Natsu," Levy said as she points her thumb to the silverette next to her
"Y-you know Natsu since middle school?" Lucy questions Lissana as she suddenly felt nervous when she started recalling a memory back in her past. Suddenly having the urge to question, Lucy was about to ask. But then she immediately stops herself, as she realized it just might lead her to be too exposed.
"Yeah, there have been many instances Natsu have shown his goofy side that I have personally witnessed. I mean, back in high school, there is this art gallery he always drops by but never comes near it. He would just stand on the opposite street, and start doing some comedy act,"
"Really? What for?" Cana asks, not noticing the suddenly silent blonde next to her
"Well, he really never told us the reason. He would just say because he wanted to make himself a fool in the street, which I may say, he does really look stupid. But Gray and Gajeel guesses that he was doing it for a girl painting at the art gallery," Lissana then looks down at her plate as she played with her potato pebbles, "Then a sad story came…and we never talked about it,"
"What do you mean?" Lucy feeling curious with the sad story unrevealed but her curiosity was not answered when Levy shook her head and said back, "We'd rather not talk about it…"
"Oh…I see. It must be something about the family," Lucy comments before falling into deep thoughts about her own secrets. When suddenly Cana disrupted her thoughts, "I guess all clowns have a sad story to tell,"
"I guess so…" Levy replies before they all fell silent once again. And soon, they all just ate silently as they tried to finish their meals.
As the lunch date of the four ladies ended, they all returned back to the building of DAC. They have talked about almost everything, finally filling some gaps between them. Although, it's too exaggerating for Lucy to say that it was a smooth conversation, because, in all honesty, she directed all conversation towards others and not on her. If there was anything they discovered about her, it was her days during MAI and nothing before that time.
With her effort of diverting the attention away from her, Lucy was able to discover new things about the president of DAC. Everything she has made as a description to the pinkette was all contradicted by Levy and Lissana. They have told different stories, telling her how Natsu was more of a playful and childish guy than of a man who is serious, workaholic, and boring. At first, she wouldn't believe it. She would continuously deny and point out how boring and workaholic Natsu was. But then, Levy and Lissana are very persistent and convincing of how Natsu was not the man he is now.
"I have to go to the 20th floor. How about you guys?" Levy asks as she turns to face her friends
"I should be heading towards the artists' lounge for an orientation," Lissana said as she hand brushed her hair
"Is that on the 13th floor too?" Lucy questions as she stood next to Lissana, who looked at her and shook her head, "No, it's just on the third floor,"
"Oh, then how about you Cana?" Lucy then looks at her brunette friend, who was busy looking down at her mobile phone
"Sadly, I'm not coming with you Blondie 'cause Bisca is asking me to come up on the 15th floor…what's on the fifteenth floor?" Cana asks as she glances at the two DAC employees
"Oh, that's where the in-house runway stage is located. Bisca-nee might show you the different designs made by our fashion designers," Lissana replies as Cana nods
"Ah I see, well then I should go," Cana then walked ahead before she slightly turns again to face the girls, "Who's coming?"
"Me!" Levy and Lissana exclaim as they raised their hands while taking a step forward. When they noticed that Lucy didn't answer, they all looked at the blonde and waited for the blonde's excuse, "Go ahead, I need to talk to Coco for a moment,"
"Alright, see you later Lu-chan!" Levy then waves goodbye before she walked ahead towards the elevator with the other girls.
Soon, Lucy was by herself in the lobby, waiting outside the elevator doors. The true reason why she stayed behind was because she wanted to be alone for a moment, wherein she could think by herself. For some odd reason, Lucy wanted to contemplate about what she has discovered about Natsu. She just couldn't believe what Levy and Lissana have just said but then again when she tries to recall her past, she was told as well how the young Natsu was very energetic, playful, and loud.
Startling the blonde with the sudden sound of the elevators ring, Lucy gently flinched in her spot before looking around if anyone saw her reaction. Thankful enough, no one was paying attention to her. The moment the door to the small contraption opened, Lucy quickly slips inside and presses the 13th floor and soon, the door closed as it headed up.
As Lucy was inside, looking up at the ascending number shown above the doors to the elevators, she didn't stop herself from speaking aloud, "How could they see Natsu so different to the Natsu I see now?" Lucy then leans to one leg as she crosses her arms, "I mean, okay fine, Natsu could be fun. But that would be before…maybe he's changed and now he is this boring, workaholic guy…" Silence then answers the blonde, who later on sighs in defeat
"Why don't I see him as the Natsu all people know?" Lucy thought to herself before she stood up straight and shook her head, "I don't get it, if he is this fun and energetic person, why isn't he like that then?" again, silence answered her, making her sigh, "It's not like it's a crime to be playful and funny at times at work, right?" for the third time only silence was heard, "Oh, what am I saying…it's not like I'm a fun person too…if anything, I'm the boring one…the workaholic…" Lucy then sighs before she drops down and sits on her calf. Placing her arms over her knees to prompt her chin over her opened hands, Lucy started to sulk, when suddenly the doors to the elevators opened and she stumbled getting up. As she stumbles backward, she gripped the handle inside the elevator and stared at the people waiting outside the small contraption. She realized, all those people waiting outside just saw her stumble.
"Ms. Hart are you alright?" a lady in brown dress asked as she slowly moved forward to help Lucy
"Yeah! I'm good!" Lucy stood up straight and timidly laughed, "I uh…just did a small squat…" Lucy then chuckles, trying to make the situation look funny. Finally stepping out of the elevator, she smiled back at the employees and said, "Haha, have a…have a nice trip!" Lucy quickly says before she turns away from them and walks away.
When she was at her door, she immediately slips inside her office and rested her back on the door as she closes it. Sighing in exhaustion, Lucy shook her head before laughing at her little embarrassment.
"Ha…I guess it doesn't hurt being funny at times…" Lucy then smiles to herself before she pushed off from her door, "It sure wouldn't be bad to see the energetic, fun, and playful Natsu…" she then moves a blind aside as she peeks outside, still not seeing any pink-haired president. With that realization, she exhales before dropping her hold to the blinds and walk back to her chair. Once she's seated, Lucy looked down to a magazine placed in front of her, wherein the pinkette was the cover model.
"Natsu Dragneel, youngest president of all time, "Lucy read the caption for Natsu's story as she picked up the magazine, "Huh…I wonder what the real Natsu is like…"
To be continued…