Chapter 17

Standing in the middle of the room, Lucy struggles to be patient in watching the pink-haired president unravel the contents of the paper bag she has brought that night. Tapping her foot lightly to the floor, she could feel her patience is wearing thin the longer Natsu continues to play childish.

Sighing in her place, Lucy has come to realize Natsu Dragneel is one annoying person, trying to test all patience she has in her body and unfortunately she is failing in overcoming her challenge. But Lucy doesn't like failing, especially in a teasing game. So, she needs to overcome this.

Shaking her head and calming herself, Lucy brought her chin up and stood up straight. She slowly walked away from her position for the past 15 minutes and quietly heads to the shelves Natsu have in his office. It was full of books, and as a book lover, she is quite curious at the contents. Looking once more at the president, the man seemed to be preoccupied with his task to eat every ounce of food inside his takeout dinner, and that was a relief. Finally standing at one end of the shelf, Lucy quickly glanced at the books displayed.

The books have no particular genre. Each one was different, from subject to the author, to topic, and more. At this realization, Lucy couldn't help but wonder why medical books are being mixed with cookbooks and marketing textbooks. Tilting her head, Lucy runs a finger over the spine of one book before she gently takes it out of the stack.

As Natsu finally brought out and opened all the boxes of spicy chicken that Luciya has bought him, he was ready to devour it when a particular voice suddenly asks a random question.

"Are these books yours?" Lucy asks with her eyes on the books on the shelf, not bothering to look at the president
"Oh, that…" Natsu then stopped his movements and puts down his hands to the table as he watched the blonde be curious to his things, "Well, not all of it. Marketing strategy books are mine and the rest are either my mother's or sister. Why?" Natsu asks back before he continues what he was doing

"Nothing," Lucy said as she returns the book in hand and pulls out a medical book instead, "Just curious,"
"Ah..." Natsu expresses in understanding, "I'm guessing, you're a bookworm," Natsu then snickers at the thought as he pulled one takeout box close to him and begin to dig in
"I guess you can say that...but I think Levy is more of a bookworm than I am," Lucy then stifles a laugh as she remembers her high school best friend. Closing the book on her hand, Lucy finally faces the pinkette and showed him the book she was holding. As Natsu looked at her, she immediately asked, "You read medical books too?"

"Oh, no" Natsu shook his head before a smile comes up to his face, "That's Wendy's,"
"Wendy?" Lucy curiously asks before she turns around to return the book to its place
"Yeah, she's my sister," Natsu replies with a proud smile on his face, "She wants to be a doctor someday like mom,"
"You mean, Mrs. Dragneel?" Lucy then tilts her head in confusion, "I never thought Mrs. Dragneel is a doctor. All this time, I thought she was inclined to arts..." Lucy then trails off as she tried to remember the blue-haired mother she once loved
"Well, she used to be..." Natsu answers as his attention was on the chicken, trying to get the meat out of its bone using his plastic utensils, "She was a pediatrician before she got married. When she got married, she had to stop working so that she could have a kid,"

"And I'm assuming that's you?" Lucy asks back as she leans back to the shelf
"Yeah, she was quite pressured having me, because she had to have a kid in her first year of marriage..." Natsu then becomes silent as he remembers his older brother, who was constantly trying to avoid them
"But I guess it worked out, you're here, right?" Lucy then gave a small smile to him before she turns around and faced the shelf again, "So, besides from marketing management books, what else do you read?" Lucy then glanced at her shoulder to peek at the pinkette, who was in the midst of shoving his spoon to his mouth
"I don't read much," Natsu replies after he swallowed his food, "I just read those books to get by in my job,"

Lucy then chuckles, making Natsu laugh along with her. As Lucy laughed, she thought that Natsu was so honest, telling her things he shouldn't be telling, since they weren't that close. But then it warmed her heart, a little, for the idea that he trusts her for such information.

Before Lucy could even ask more about the pink-haired president, Natsu quickly looks at her and ask, "So, how did you and Levy meet? From what I remember, I first saw you in her latest exhibit," Natsu patiently waits for Lucy to answer, who was taken aback by the sudden question
"Levy?" Lucy pauses for a moment before she swallows down her nervousness, "Um, she—used to be my high school classmate,"
"Ah," Natsu expresses as he nods his head, "From what high school?" He asks again

Realizing quickly what Natsu was trying to do, Lucy quickly stops his attempt to know her more by smiling at him a little and ask instead, "How about you? How did you meet Levy?"
Natsu thought for a second before he answered, "When I was an intern here. She was a trainee in the sculpture arts,"
"Oh…I see," Lucy replies nodding her head as she remembers Levy's story side, "So, what school did you come from?"
"MDFU," Natsu nonchalantly answers before he shoves his spoonful of rice and spicy chicken, "And you?" he asks back while his mouth was full.

With his manner of eating, Lucy used it as an excuse not to answer the president and instead just scold at him, "Mr. Dragneel, talking while your mouth is full is very improper,"
"Oh, come on," Natsu snickers while his cheeks were puffed because of the food inside his mouth, "Don't be such a kill-joy,"
"Finish that up," Lucy then turns away from him and looked instead at the books she has been glancing at since awhile ago as to stop Natsu from asking her background.

With her back facing him, Natsu couldn't help but wonder why Luciya would never answer any question he throws her. It's as if Luciya is hiding something from him. But then, he thought again. Maybe Luciya is not sharing because they were not close enough, and it's a good reason for him to accept.

Silence then came between them, and somehow, Lucy couldn't bare it. So, turning around once again to face the pinkette, she watched him eat for a moment before she chuckles to herself at the thought that Natsu was quite a messy eater.

"You eat messily," Lucy commented as she tries to stifle her laughter with the use of her backhand to cover her lips.

With her comment, Natsu looked at his desk and saw it was indeed messy. So, looking up at the blonde, he cheekily grinned at her before he mumbled with a full mouth, "Sorry,"
Lucy gently smiles back at him before she shakes her head in disbelief. As Natsu continues to eat, Lucy began to walk around the office, trying to observe the place. It was clean, but only because the place wasn't full of furniture. Just a few tables, chairs, and shelves and that is it. She realized, Natsu usually stays in this office until late night and yet he had no food stock to keep him full.

"Just a thought," Lucy stated suddenly before she looks at the man, who was looking back at her, "Why don't you have a snack table here in your office? Seeing how you eat? I think you should have one," Lucy teasingly smiles at him
Natsu's eyes then grew wide before he cackles in laughter, "Oh ha ha ha, I guess because the pantry in the art department is always open for me,"
"Wait… you were the one who requested for a full stock of snacks and coffees in the pantry years ago?" Lucy asks a little surprise as she points at the pinkette. Natsu then nods his head before he grins at her, "Yeah, that's me. I was the mastermind for that!"

Natsu and Lucy then shared a short laughter before Lucy mockingly bows her head and gave her gratitude, "Well then, I should give you my thanks for free food," Lucy chuckles as Natsu laughed at her small tease
"Oh-ho-ho, did Ms. Luciya just thank me?" Natsu teased and Lucy just scoffed
"Whatever," Lucy said back before she truly smiled at him, "Eat your food,"
"Yes, ma'am!" Natsu saluted before he digs in his food once more, "How about you time me?" Natsu suddenly suggests to the blonde, who cocked her head to the side as she wondered at the pinkette
"Time you?" Lucy repeats
"Yeah, check out how fast I could finish this one last meal," Natsu said pointing his fork and spoon to his last box of chicken
"That is pretty childish," Lucy comments as she crosses her arms and raised one brow
"Oh come on! I'll surprise you!" Natsu persuadingly says before he bounces his brows at her
"Fine!" Lucy then sniggers as Natsu squirmed on his seat as he felt excited about the challenge
"Yosh! I'm all fired up!" Natsu chanted before he waits for the blonde's go signal. Laughing at his little motto, Lucy shook her head as she shouted, "I'm giving you ten minutes! Go!"

Soon, Natsu hastily devours his food and in less than the time given, Natsu slams his fork and spoon on the table as he shouted with a full mouth, "Done!"

Laughing at the bizarre act of the pinkette, Lucy gawked at him before she claps and says, "Oh my god, you're finished!"
"Meh," Natsu shrugged his shoulder with a smile on his face while he chewed his food. Natsu was feeling so confident that he has wide grin plastered on his face as if what he did was nothing, "ten minutes is too long,"
"Tsh," Lucy scoffed at the pinkette, "show-off,"

Natsu and Lucy then share another laughter as he throws all box containers to the trash bin. Once he was done, he cleaned his table and grabbed all of his things from his desk and placed it back to his bag, then zipped it up. When he was done, Lucy finally snapped out of her laughter and took notice of Natsu.

"Where are you going?" Lucy confusingly asks
"Home?" Natsu replies, more like a question than a statement
"Oh! Right!" Lucy then blushed at her stupid question. To avoid embarrassing herself, even more, she quickly dashed to the couch and grabbed her things. She slipped into her coat and slung her bag over her shoulder. Once done, she glanced back at Natsu and saw him standing before his table.

"Ready?" Natsu asks and Lucy nods in reply

Soon, the two left the office and headed for the elevator. If it used to bother Lucy being alone with the pink-haired president, for some odd reason, she didn't feel one bit awkward around him. At that moment, she feels like she has known Natsu for so long. They talked in the elevator as if they were good friends and it was a good feeling for them. And so, once they stepped out of the small contraption, the two were quietly laughing.

Walking towards the main doorway of the building, Mr. Joe, the security, quickly took notice of their presence and gave them a smile.

"Good evening, Mr. Natsu, Ms. Luciya," Mr. Joe greets and the two equally smiled back at him
"Hey, Mr. Joe, I'm heading home," Natsu said to the guard before he throws the key of his office to the guard and turn around to face the blonde once more

"I'll drive you home," Natsu said firmly as if he was instructing her
"No, I can take a cab," Lucy defied despite knowing Natsu wouldn't agree to it
"I insist," Natsu replies back, not taking a no for an answer, "You bought me dinner. It's the least I can do for you,"
"It's fine. You don't have to return any favor," Lucy shook her head, still trying to defy the president.

Before Natsu could make another argument, Mr. Joe, suddenly spoke making everything settled, "Ms. Luciya, it's very late already. It is best for you to take the offer of the president,"

"See?" Natsu teasingly smiles at the blonde, "Even Mr. Joe thinks it's right that I should drive you home,"
Glancing at the two men, Lucy thought she was being ganged up. But what they said was true. It wasn't safe anymore to go home alone at this time of night. So, giving up, Lucy defeatedly smiles at the pink-haired man and said, "Fine,"

Natsu's smile quickly came to his face and happily looked at the blonde, "Alright, I'll see you in front. I'll get my car," and with that, Natsu dashed away to the underground floor to get his car.

As Lucy was alone with Mr. Joe, she feels in her gut that Mr. Joe wants to make a snarky remark and she refuses to be embarrassed about it. So, throwing a soft glare at the short man, she said, "Mr. Joe, whatever you're thinking, it's not true,"
"Oh, I'm not thinking maliciously..." The guard teased before he turns his back and returns to his post, "I just thought that you two look great together,"

Lucy was then speechless, clueless even, how to respond to such comment. Slowly, she could feel her cheeks warm but she quickly dismissed the thought as she tries to answer back the man.

"Oh...Um, I better head out already," Lucy then raised a hand to wave goodbye to the man before she turns her back to him and head out of the building. Without looking back at the man, for the fear that he might tease her even more, Lucy just shouted a goodbye before she disappears from the exit door.

Once Lucy was out of the building, she quickens her steps and descends the short stairs. Before she could even realize it, Natsu's car has stopped in front of her and the president stepped out the driver's side to greet her.

"Ms. Hart," Natsu called and Lucy finally snapped out of her inner thoughts
"Yes?" Lucy replied a little too late
"Let's go?" Natsu asked with a tilt of his head, gesturing to the other side of the car
"Oh, right. Yes," and with that, Lucy walked past the man and headed for the passenger side. Before she could open the door for herself, Natsu has beaten her to that and opened the door for her. With the wide opened door, Natsu smiled at the woman, who looked up at him to give her thanks as she takes her seat. Soon, the car left and headed for Lucy's home.

x...X||X...x

The drive wasn't that long or could be presumed to be a short ride since the two were engrossed in their conversation. They seemed to enjoy one another's company, talking about their experiences as an art scout and teases each other about their embarrassing moments. Soon, they were driving the street where the apartment building Lucy was staying at. And before they could even laugh more, Lucy has noticed her familiar apartment building.

"That's me," Lucy suddenly says as she slows down from her laughter and points at a certain four story high building. Natsu then slows down the car as he comes closer to the pointed building. He drove the car to the side as he tries to stop right in front of the building.

Immediately, Lucy opened her door and stepped out of the vehicle before Natsu could act gentleman again for her. Once Lucy closed the door and stood before the car, Natsu has already stepped down from the vehicle and ran up to her side.

"Thank you, Mr. Dragneel," Lucy said at once when Natsu was close by. He looked back at her with a smile on his face as he stood up straight and replied, "You're most welcome," he bowed his head to her and somehow that made Lucy scoff knowing he was teasing her
"I should thank you too," Natsu states his gratitude to the blonde once they looked at one another
"For the free dinner?" Lucy joked, making Natsu chortle a little before he nods his head
"Yes. For the sudden free dinner of a concerned employee," Natsu then smirks when Lucy suddenly had her eyes grew wide in astonishment
"Y-yes…I'm just a concerned employee…" Lucy stutters all of a sudden and hates how she was being taken aback, "Th-this is pure professional relationship only," Lucy finishes along with Natsu as he copied her mid-sentence
"I know," Natsu then gave a knowing smile when Lucy suddenly skeptically looked at him, "And bringing you home is pure professional relationship only too…I'm just a concerned-"
"Employee?" Lucy cuts short
"Concerned citizen," Natsu then chuckles when Lucy blushed with her mistake. Lucy suddenly punches Natsu in the shoulder, making Natsu laugh even more
"Alright, alright," Natsu said trying to stop his laughter, "I'm just a concerned employee," Natsu then brought out his hand, asking for a handshake from the blonde.

Lucy quickly Looks down to his offered hand, and she confusingly stared at his hand first before looking back up at his face. With the expression on her face, it was obvious for Natsu that she was confused with the gesture, so he explained.

"Just a formal thing…We shake our hands," Natsu then grinned at the blonde, who slowly understood his point. And so, Lucy shook his hand with a firm grip, "Don't worry, Ms. Luciya, I'll treat this as an official business,"
"Tsh," Lucy scoffed before she pulls her hand away and fixed the sling of her bag on her shoulder, "You're seriously teasing me about it,"
"Well, you have cute reactions all the time," Natsu states, making Lucy blush but she quickly shook her head before she could be teased again
"Whatever, Mr. Dragneel," Lucy then turns away and headed for the short stairs before she turns to look at the man once again, "I better go,"

Staring for a moment at the woman, Natsu couldn't believe how his night had turned out. In fact, he couldn't believe how this day turned out to be. Just this morning, the blonde woman was pissed off with him about his absence for the past two days. Then that afternoon, he bumped Luciya and she showed concern for him when he hit his head on the floor, and now, Ms. Hart bought him dinner and he brought her home.

If he was told on the first day he saw her in the art gallery, that he would be this intrigued and charmed with her, Natsu wouldn't believe it one bit. But having this moment, standing before the woman who has been clouding his mind ever since that fateful night, he couldn't believe that he is at this moment. If there is one thing he realized about this day, it's the fact that he wants to get to know the woman even more. He no longer wants to know just her name but instead her whole being because she seems to fill the emptiness he feels inside him.

"Well then, good night…Ms. Luciya Hart," Natsu boyishly smiled at the blonde, who was a little flushed with his handsome look
"Good night Natsu," Lucy replies bluntly, forgetting to use his formal name. She just realizes it when Natsu replied, "We use name basis now? I thought this was just pure professional relationship,"

Somehow stunned, Lucy thought of a reason to give Natsu. But all she could think of is how natural it sounds to her to use his fist name.

"I guess, we could be friends," Lucy honestly answers before she gives a timid smile
"Friends?" Natsu repeats as if he was surprised. He then smiled at the word and say to the woman, "I like that," he then walked up to her and offered his hand once again. And just like the first, Lucy stared at it first before she places her hand to his and shook it back.

"Friends," Lucy claims as they firmly shook their hands before they let go. Once they did, Natsu stepped back and hurried the blonde to step up as he said, "Alright, get in now. It's getting chilly,"
"Okay," Lucy then turns around and headed up. As she was by the door to her apartment building, she heard Natsu say, "Good night Luce!" and she quickly looked back at him but the moment she did, Natsu was waving goodbye already and urging her to get inside. As she nods to him, the car then starts up and drove away.

"Baka," Lucy mumbles to herself as she watches the car disappear to the next corner, "Giving me a nickname already…" When the car was no longer in sight, Lucy turns to the door and quickly opens it and soon disappears inside the building.

The next day came and like the usual, Lucy came to work early. The only difference is that Lucy is more cheerful compared to the past three days. Her cheerfulness didn't go unnoticed because right at the moment she entered the building, Coco, the receptionist on the ground floor quickly noticed the light and happy aura of the woman. And for some reason, Coco thought that she liked the Luciya like this more than the blonde she sees in the morning.

As Lucy heads up to the art department floor, her aura was also noticed by the other employees. The instance she walked in, all heads turned to her and wondered what the blonde woman ate to look this radiant and glowing.

"Well, look, who is looking so beautiful today," an elderly woman's voice suddenly spoke, making Lucy turnaround from her spot in the pantry while she prepared her coffee. It was the secretary of the chairman of the company, who stood by the door frame of the pantry. When Lucy faced her, Mrs. Muzake smiled wider at her as she stepped further inside to grab a few bread offered in the pantry.

"Mrs. Dolly, it's so nice to see you," Lucy finally smiled at the woman once she got over her surprise, "Finally, I spotted you in the building,"
"Oh," the secretary then sweetly laughs as she pulls a plastic bag from the drawer and took the tong-clip, "It sure is rare for me to come in early. After all, my boss doesn't come to this place daily," Mrs. Mizake then stifles a laughter as Lucy lightly laughs along with the woman
"Well then, this day is great. I get to see someone who is truly beautiful," Lucy then winked at the woman who chuckled and blushed at her sweet compliment
"Oh, dear. You are such a sweet child," Mrs. Muzake then places a croissant on a saucer, "But I bet, all of the boys on this floor are asking you out,"
"Who me?" Lucy points to herself, a little surprised with the words of the elder, "People from this department have seen my monstrous moods. I doubt they'd find that attractive,"
"Oh?" Mrs. Muzake dubiously looks at the blonde before she squeezes out whipped cream on the cut-in-half croissant, "Then I guess you haven't noticed that a monstrous mood is very typical in this department." Mrs. Muzake then leans over the counter to whisper close to the blonde, who was standing at the other side of the counter, "They don't find that unattractive rather, they find it cool,"

Lucy then laughs as she pulls away from the elder who laughed along with her. Shaking her head, Lucy finds it ridiculous to even think that people from the art department would think of her as a monster when everybody is like a wild beast at times. There were a few times she saw people in the department arguing, throwing some harsh curses to one another but at the end of the day, they would go home together laughing.

"I guess you're right Mrs. Dolly," Lucy suddenly states as she sighs and momentarily stares off at the prepared croissant before her before she looks back at the woman
"Which part? That boys ask you out or that they find you cool?" the secretary then sniggers when the blonde chuckles again and shakes her head in disbelief
"That they find me cool…" Lucy corrected once her laughter slowed down
"Hm, I doubt," Mrs. Muzake then pushes the saucer to the blonde once she has completed the meal, "These boys are sly. They'll act very kind and approachable. And once you trust them, they'll start asking you out,"
"I'll keep that in mind then," Lucy then looked down at the saucer in front of her and points at it, "What's this for Mrs. Muzake? Isn't this for you?"
"Nope, it's for you," Mrs. Muzake then takes her plastic of bagel and shook it before the blonde, "This is mine,"
"Oh," Lucy then blushes a little for the sweet treat, "Thank you," Lucy then smiles at the woman, who returned the smile
"You're most welcome. You really do look beautiful and more cheerful today than I first saw you," Mrs. Muzake then winks at the blonde before she turns away from her and headed out. But before she could disappear from the pantry, she mumbles softly, "You might make the young president fall in love in no time,"

And with that, the secretary was out of sight, leaving Lucy a little confused and surprised. Looking down to her croissant, Lucy thought to herself, why are people saying I look more cheerful today? I'm always cheerful…and what does she mean I might make Natsu fall in love in no time? I'm not trying too…

"Huh," Lucy sighed and shook her head as she returned to her cup and pressed on the hot water to have her coffee, "Mrs. Dolly is just being playful. She's just trying to tease me…" Lucy nods to herself as she has convinced herself that the secretary was just trying to play a mind trick on her. Once done, she grabbed her cup and saucer and quickly headed back to her office.

x...X||X...x

Cana and Lucy have been working in the common working area for the team, the whole morning. When the brunette finally came into the office, Lucy's silence and peace were immediately interrupted because Cana constantly commented about her easy going mood today. Despite how many times Lucy has said to the brunette that there was nothing wrong with her and that she just feels great to be working, the woman didn't stop from trying to know what was different with Lucy.

"Let me guess," Cana said after skeptically looking at the blonde for the past ten minutes
"Again," Lucy said back sarcastically, without looking at the woman and continued her work
"You had a very late date with someone," Cana points at the blonde, who suddenly froze and slowly looked up at her. Suddenly feeling like she has won, Cana's smile slowly appears and widens when Lucy looked at her surprised, "am I correct?!"
"Cana," Lucy hushed calls, "How can you think that I could still date someone at a very late hour? I went home almost nine, you know,"
"Psh! That's still early!" Cana debates and Lucy just snorted at her friend's argument, "By that time, I must be on my fifth beer," Lucy then chuckles at the smug look of her friend. She then thought Cana is forgetting to stay focused on her accusation because she sounded like she is about to talk about something else,

"Yeah, yeah," Lucy rolls her eyes at the brunette before she chortles and continues to work. When Cana suddenly fell silent, Lucy looked up at her friend in curiosity. For a moment she wondered why the brunette was silent but then she noticed she was staring off at someone from her back. So, covertly turning around to check who her friend was staring at, she was a little surprised when she saw the president. Natsu

"You must have talked," Cana suddenly mumbles while she kept her gaze on the pink-haired man despite seeing the surprised look of the blonde
"No," Lucy denied, trying to keep herself calm regardless of the stern look the brunette have on her face, "I didn't see him yesterday aside from the last meeting,"
"Right…" Cana then doubtfully glances at the blonde, "You know the look that you have right now screams to me like…you're lying,"

Lucy quickly snorts at the brunette as to hide the truth, before she shakes her head in disagreement, "I am not lying. It's true, I…never got to talk to him after nine,"

Cana dubiously looked at the blonde. She couldn't help but think that something is different with her friend. It is like some miracle happened last night that made this blonde woman so easy-going and fun. Cana knows that Lucy could be a fun person but she has never felt her aura like this like she was just a happy kid waking up to see new people.

"Fine!" Cana shouts as she dismisses the thought in her head, "I'll believe you. Let's just say that a big miracle rain downed on you last night and made you this happy, cheerful, beautiful woman. You know that's unfair, right?" Cana then chortles as she saw her friend blush
"I-I don't know what to say. But thank you for finding me beautiful," Lucy then laughs along with her friend.

The two then continues to work silently with an occasional conversation. Until Lisanna came to their table to have Lucy check on some documents that needed to be reviewed.

"Hey, girls," Lisanna greets and leans on the table as she slides the folder to the blonde, "Luciya, this is the document that you asked awhile ago,"
"Oh, thanks," Lucy smiled as she grabs the folder and quickly checks it
As Lucy reads the document, Lisanna quickly noticed the bright mood of the blonde, and to confirm her thoughts, Lisanna moved next to Cana to whisper
"Am I the only one thinking that Luciya has a new aura around her? I've never seen her like this," Lisanna then glances at the brunette who had an excited look
"Oh my goodness, I know right!" Cana exclaims quietly next to the white haired woman, "She is totally different from yesterday…"
"Oh my, do you think something happened here last night?" Lisanna mischievously smiles at the brunette who was taken aback a little
"You mean Blondie talking to Pinky on the phone?" Cana then grins playfully
"More than that!" Lisanna whispers back, "Like, Lucy could have met Natsu in the building late at night and spends a good quality time!"
"Wait, Natsu stays here late?" Cana questions confusingly
"Yes, he overtimes always. And I think Lucy has been doing some overtime since she got here…" Lisanna slowly grins wickedly as Cana does the same too. The two women were having the same thought and soon they shrill in excitement. As they did, Lucy immediately looked up at her friends and questioningly looks at them, "Hey, what are you two so excited about?"

"Do you happen to see Natsu here in the building when you do overtime?" Lisanna frankly asks with an innocent look and smile, making Lucy nervous a little
"W-why would I see him in the building? His office is on the 58th floor…" Lucy then trails off as she notices the playful looks of her friends, "I just stay in the office then go home…I…I don't see him,"
Lisanna and Cana then looked at one another as they both replied, "Ah...Okay,"

Lisanna then stood up straight as she smiled at the blonde, "Well, I better go. I have more papers to find," and with that, she turns away from the group. But before she could walk away too far, she gestured to Cana to follow her and the brunette did.

When Cana and Lisanna were far from sight to Lucy, the two conversed about how they didn't believe the blonde at all. It was so impossible for Natsu not to see the blonde at all in the building because the man was such a kid at heart, likes to roam around the place at times. And so, Lisanna said to Cana that she would ask the pink-haired man instead if Lucy wouldn't say anything about it. Lisanna knows, Natsu is not a good liar and she could see him through.

x...X||X...x

Pulling a chair in front of Natsu, Lisanna quickly takes her seat and silently looked at her best friend. Leaning on the table with her arms placed in front and her chin resting on her palms, Lisanna quietly observed her best friend with a smile.

"Okay, what is it?" Natsu asks once his best friend was settled in front of him
"Nothing," Lisanna answers, looking innocent
"No. You always pull that look when you want to ask me something," Natsu then puts down his pen, crosses his arm over his chest and looked at the white-haired woman
"Fine, I'll ask you," Lisanna then leans closer, making Natsu lean forward as well. As Lisanna places a hand close to her lips, she whispered, "Is there any particular happening here in the office last night?"
"Last night?" Natsu repeats curiously as he pulls away from Lisanna, "Well nothing…Not much,"
"Not much? What do you mean?" Lisanna continued to whisper
"Well, nothing big happened last night. Just Ms. Hart dropped by my office and brought me dinner. I don't even know how she knew I was still at the office,"

Lisanna then smiled in triumph. She knew it, something special happened last night making Luciya so radiant this day. And the fact that Luciya has brought dinner for Natsu would mean she knew for quite some time now that Natsu does overtime all the time.

"What did she bring?" Lisanna suddenly asks, trying to investigate more
"Spicy chicken," Natsu then tilts his head in confusion, "Why do you ask?"
"What happens next after she brought you dinner? Did you two talk? Did she stay?" Lisanna continues to ask, ignoring the question of the pinkette
"Well, she was about to leave once she gave me the food but I ask her to stay-"
"Kyaaa!" Lisanna quickly shrieks as she wiggled on her seat, interrupting the man, "Oh my goodness! What happened next?!"
"Wha-" Natsu bafflingly looked at the woman, "Um…We talked about my family then I drove her home,"
"AHHHH!" Lisanna giddily claps her hand in excitement but she quickly snapped out of fangirling when she realized they talked about his family, which means, he could have mentioned about being engaged.

"Wait, did you tell her, you have a fiancée?" Lisanna panicky asks
"No," Natsu furiously shook his head, "Why would I tell her that?"

Lisanna was then silent. Why did Natsu have to tell he have a fiancée when Natsu's intention of knowing Luciya was nothing but for a platonic relationship only? But Lisanna felt like it was necessary because she knows deep inside Natsu was not just interested in knowing Luciya's name.

"Natsu," Lisanna sternly calls the pinkette, "I just want to remind you that you are still being arranged to the Zuhara family"
"I know," Natsu replies back seriously, "I never forgot that"
"But what about Luciya?" Lisanna worriedly asks
"You don't have to worry about my relationship with her. We just have a professional relationship and she emphasized that to me,"
"But is that how you feel?" Lisanna seriously looked at the man. She knows Natsu, and she thinks his intention to know the blonde isn't just because he is intrigued with her, but because he wants to be friends with her. She thought to herself that if Natsu stutteringly say yes then his response is only half-hearted and that he has doubts in his words
"Y-yes," Natsu answers and it was clear for Lisanna
"Okay," Lisanna then stands up from her seat and pushed the chair back, "I'll let you be," and with that, Lisanna left the pink-haired man.

As Natsu was left to himself, he was a little confused to why Lisanna was so interested in knowing last night. But what bothered him more was the thought of telling Luciya that he was engaged. Even though it shouldn't be a concern, it felt wrong to tell her. It feels like if he tells her, Luciya would slowly walk away from him and that's the least he wants to happen.

A quarter past 4 pm, the president of DAC stands at the reception area agitated waiting for someone to come by in the front desk. Being next to the president, Coco and Daichi awkwardly watched the pink-haired man switch foot as he waited.

"Sir, I can wait for the delivery," Daichi said as he watched the man jump in excitement before he glanced at the brown-haired receptionist
"No, it's fine…" Natsu replies back then looks over his shoulder to grin at his secretary, "I'm just excited to eat," Daichi and Coco then stifle their laughter, seeing how child-like Natsu was being.

Soon enough, a food truck immediately stops in front of the entrance and a crew stepped down from the truck. He ran inside and excused himself to reach the reception. Once he was spotted by Natsu, he quickly waved his hand and walked up to the man.

The crew apologized for his late appearance but Natsu didn't mind since his order was too sudden. He knew asking for the food truck to provide hundreds of burrito for the DAC employees would be a hassle if it's unplanned. But the crew confidently said to him that they were ready to feed half a thousand people. With that, Natsu gave his thanks to the crew despite the short notice. The crew then also handed the quick order Natsu asked. And with that, the president took the bag and thanked him. Soon, the president runs back to the elevator while Daichi and Coco assisted the crew of the food truck.

As Natsu steps out of the elevator with a paper bag in hand, he exclaimed immediately to the art department that a food truck was located at the open cafeteria and free burritos were being given. With that announcement, employees began to head down to the cafeteria leaving Natsu free to roam around the office without being noticed by others.

Natsu headed to the joint office of the MAI employees and quickly knocked on the door. After three knocks, Natsu looked around if anyone was spying on him but to his relief, no one was around. A familiar voice then answers to his knocking and instructed him to come in. Trying to sneak on the blonde woman, Natsu slowly opened the door and slipped his head first before he fully enters.

"Hey, Luce!" Natsu exclaimed, making Lucy jump in her seat as she looked up. With her stunned look, Natsu couldn't help but grin, "I brought you food!" Natsu then steps inside and headed to Lucy's table. With his approach, he noticed that Lucy's face didn't change its expression, she was still surprised.

"Did I really take you by surprise?" Natsu asks as he puts down the paper bag and one-by-one pulled out a burrito and a large burger. Lucy looks up at Natsu, with a red tint on her cheeks and her mouth is open-closing like she is speechless.

Before Lucy could fully form a coherent sentence, a clearing of the throat was heard, making Natsu abruptly turn and a brunette woman was sitting on the couch with a sly grin on her face.

"Hi," Cana greets as she wickedly looked at the pink-haired man, "Is that food for Luciya only?"
"N-no!" Natsu shook his head before he glances at the blonde, who was dying to hide behind her papers, "Um…I brought food for you two!"
"Oh really?" Cana teased, enjoying how Natsu was becoming bashful and red, "When you entered it seems like you forgot me…"
"Me?! Forgetting you?!" Natsu then laughed awkwardly before he grabbed a burger and handed it to Cana, "Of c-course not! Here is your burger!"
"Thanks," Cana took the food and nodded at the pinkette, smirking at the blushing man
"W-well…have a good meal!" Natsu then opens the door and steps out but before he closes the door he looked at the blonde and waved at her, which Lucy returned with a smile.

When Natsu was no longer in the office, Cana finally stood up from the couch and sat at the side of the table of the blonde. Seeing how cautious the blonde was, eating her burrito, Cana couldn't help but grin. She definitely believes now what happened last night.

"So, since when did the president use a nickname with you?" Cana teasingly asks as she opens her own food
"Nickname?" Lucy innocently asks while she looks up at her, "What nickname?"
"You didn't hear? He called you Luce…" Cana smirks at the blonde, who was slowly becoming red again
"He did?" Lucy denyingly said, "I-I didn't notice…"

Cana then chuckles as she stands from the table and walked in front of the blonde. She was definitely liking how this secret friendship is being caught red handed, "Are you going to overtime?"
"Hm?" Lucy looked up at the brunette, "Um, I might…why?"
"Oh, you should be taking it easy by now…We're more than ready for the meeting tomorrow already. So, why not come home early?" Cana suggests though she was hoping Lucy would say no so that she could tease her more
"Um, maybe I'll just stay for an hour after 5," Lucy then looked down to her papers, "I just need to make sure everything is good,"
"Is that really it?" Cana grinned and when Lucy looked back at her with a confused look, she continued, "Or so you could, I don't know, maybe buy Natsu another dinner?"
"W-who said that?!" Lucy defensively exclaims as her cheeks were fully red now
"A little bird," Cana then chuckles when Lucy suddenly stood up and ran up to her and held her shoulder
"Who is this little bird?! What else did that bird tell you?!" Lucy panicky asks
"The bird told me that you two chatted last night and he brought you home,"

Lucy's eyes then widen in astonishment and Cana couldn't help but laugh out loud. The secret friendship Lucy and Natsu were building was found out by her boisterous friend and she is afraid that every day she would be teased about it.

"Cana! Please, who is this bird?" Lucy then pouts at her friend
"The best friend of the president, of course," Cana then crosses her arms as she watches Lucy sigh in defeat, "Don't worry, I promise not to tease you always with the president,"
"Promise?" Lucy asked for assurance
"Yep. Just promise me too, not to hide anything from me from now on. I mean, what's wrong with making friends with the man. Natsu seems to a great guy, full of energy and fun acts, so don't stop yourself from being friends with him, okay?"

Lucy then smiles at the brunette and nodded her head, "You're right. It's just that I felt weird after making a fuss about the pink-haired guy now I'm being friends with him,"
"It's fine Blondie, no one is judging,"

Cana then walked to her table and throws the paper towel to her trash bin. She grabbed her bag and places all her personal things inside her bag and looked at the blonde, "It's 5 already…are you going home with me or are you going to stay late again and…" Cana then pauses as she mischievously smiles at the blonde, "maybe have dinner with Natsu this time?"

Instead of answering the woman, Lucy quickly ran up to her things and grabbed her phone and planner. Lucy then replies, "Nope, I'm going…too embarrassed to stay," Lucy then looked up at the grinning brunette, "Not a word…" and with that Lucy turned off her computer, grabbed her burrito and dashed out of the office, leaving Cana to chuckle to herself with how embarrassed Lucy was.

x...X||X...x

"Good afternoon Mrs. Dragneel!" Mr. Joe greets as he sees the familiar blue-haired woman, along with a young girl walking next to her. As the woman looked his way, Mrs. Dragneel waved at the guard and greet, "Good afternoon to you too, Joe!" and with that, the woman headed on inside.

Seeing the blue-haired woman, Coco immediately stood up from her chair and bowed at the incoming Dragneel family, "Good afternoon Ms. Grandine, Ms. Wendy,"
"Good afternoon, Coco!" The young blunette greets as the middle-aged woman gave a sweet smile to her. The two then stops by the front desk and ask, "How are you, Coco? Is everything alright here?" Grandine asks
"Yes, Ms. Grandine, everything is going well. Oh, I remember, Mrs. Muzake left this for you," Coco then brought out the books that are owned by the blue-haired woman
"Oh, thank you," Grandine then takes the books and checks it, "Will it be fine if I leave it here? Wendy and I will just head up to Natsu and greet him,"
"Sure, ma'am. I'll wait up for you two to come by again," Coco then takes the book back and returns it to its hiding place
"You don't have to wait up for us. Just place it there and we'll get it ourselves. You can go home, okay?" Grandine then sweetly smiles at the brunette before she steps back along with Wendy, "We'll go," and with that, the receptionist bowed as the two blue-haired ladies went on towards the elevator.

Just as Grandine and Wendy walk away from the front desk, two employees walked past them and didn't greet. It doesn't really bother Grandine if she isn't being acknowledged, after all, she didn't want attention. But for some reason, the two employees brought her a weird feeling, like she had a sudden feeling of longing. So, stopping in her tracks, Grandine looked back and saw a blonde woman along with a brunette lady greet Joe goodbye. With her sudden halt, Wendy was suddenly curious as to why her mother suddenly stopped.

"Mom? Is everything okay?" Wendy asks as she looks at his mother then follows the gaze of her mother. But all she saw was the entrance doors
"…Yes," Grandine said almost mumbling while still looking at the entrance, "I just thought I saw someone I knew…"

To be continued…

Sorry for the late update!

Love,
FairyTailxNaLu