Chapter 20
It's past two in the morning already when Lucy arrived at her apartment. As she opened the door to her place, she saw how empty her apartment was. It's dark, empty, and silent as if no one lived inside that place despite staying there for two years already.
"I wonder why I still can't get used to this? I've been living alone nearly half of my life…" Lucy then shook her head in disbelief as she closes her door and dropped her bag at her dining table.
With the lingering feeling of sadness, Lucy went straight to the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of wine and glass. She thought to herself, she needed a little more alcohol to make her fall asleep faster. So, as she poured herself a drink, she went to her wide windowsill and watched the city go by.
Lucy took a seat by her window and let the wind caress her. But along with that, she couldn't help but feel her eyes sting as tears begin to pool in the corner of her eyes. It's weird, she thought, how her emotions were such a roller coaster ride tonight. Moments ago, she was laughing with her new companions, now that she got home, she suddenly felt sad, then the next thing she knows she's crying herself to sleep.
"Hi mama," Lucy whispered, "I made friends today…" Lucy then inhaled despite her haggard breathing, "I thought I'll always be alone…ever since you and papa left me, I thought I'd have to walk this world alone…but you brought me to this situation,"
Lucy then wipes her tears as she sits up straight and sips her drink, "For the past 10 years, I've been hiding from everyone who knew you…but I still met him and now…he's knowing me more than I want him to…"
"I don't know how I can hide…the true me…your daughter…" Lucy then closes her eyes as she lets her tears roll down her face. She remembers how her mother would smile at her whenever she felt down and suddenly she felt like she needed her embrace, "I miss you, mama…I miss you and papa…How I wish I can be with you…"
Lucy finally gave in to her emotions as she brings her knees up and hugged it close to her chest while she hid her face in between. She then sobbed silently until she fell asleep in her position.
|…..||…..|
It's a sunny morning in Acalypha and Layla felt like completing her painting with her daughter. It has been two weeks since her daughter had to stay in her room and observe her because of her sickness. Knowing that it would bore the child, Layla spent most of her time with Lucy to keep her company. But as days went on, the cheeriness of her child slowly faded and somehow this made Layla sad as well.
"It's a sunny day," Layla cheerily states as she paints her canvas, "What do you want to do today?"
"Play outside…" Lucy softly answers as she looks out to their garden, "May I?" the young child then looks at her mother with a pleading look and somehow this made Layla feel sad.
Slowly putting down her brush, Layla gazed at her daughter for a moment and saw how much her daughter wanted to step out of the house to have fun. But in her condition, Lucy can't afford to get worse.
"I'm sorry, honey…" Layla then stands up when she saw Lucy slowly turn away from her and look out at the garden again, "But you know that you can't…"
"I know…I just thought that maybe I can at least…" Lucy then looked up at her mother, who was seated next to her, "Sit down in the garden and make flower crowns…"
Layla then brushes Lucy's hair with her hand and cups her cheeks as she answers her daughter, "I know, but your doctor said we need to heal first your pneumonia…"
Lucy then looked down at her lap as her smile quickly disappeared and turned into a frown. Not wanting her mother to see her sad, Lucy turned away from Layla and looked outside instead.
"How about this…" Layla said as she tries to catch the attention of her daughter, "Once your doctor allows you to step out of the house, we'll play outside! What do you think?"
Lucy quickly looked at Layla with her eyes twinkling in excitement, "Really? We'll do that?"
"Yeah," Layla then smiles widely at her daughter who was brightly smiling back at her, but then Lucy slowly frowned, and this made Layla curious
"Wait…why do you still have a long face?" Layla then carries Lucy to her lap
"I remembered even if I get better…" Lucy looked at her mother, embarrassed
"Yeah?" Layla states, trying to make Lucy continue
"I don't have a playmate…" Lucy said as she shook her head, and this made Layla chuckle immediately
"Is that it?" Layla asks as she caresses Lucy's hair and Lucy nods her head, "What if I tell you that you could have a playmate?"
Lucy's eyes widen in surprise as she quickly jumped out of her mother's lap, "You have a baby in your tummy?!"
"What?" Layla stunned shook her head, "No,"
"Then what do you mean?" Lucy then leans to her mother as she is enveloped in her mother's arms
"Well, I met this young boy, who is a little bit older than you. But he loves playing," Layla then smiles widely as she sees Lucy's eyes grow wide, "He is the son of your Auntie Grandine. Do you remember her?"
"Yes! She's…the beautiful mommy with blue hair!" Lucy then giggles at her description, which her mother copied as well
"Yes, that's her. She has a son and his name is Natsu. So, when you get better, we'll call them, and you can ask Natsu to play with you,"
"I like that mama! I'll ask Summer to play with me!" Lucy repeats before she pulls away from her mother and twirls around in excitement
Chuckling at her daughter, Layla corrects her, "Honey, his name is Natsu, not summer,"
"But that's what his name means, right?" Lucy asks back as she shrugs her shoulders
"Yeah, but I think he'll like it more if you call him Natsu,"
"Alright! Natsu then!" Lucy then giggles with her mother before she tightly hugs her mother, "I'm so excited mama! I promise I'll get better soon so that I can ask Natsu to play with me,"
"Yes, and I'm sure you'll be good friends with him,"
"You think?" Lucy curiously asks
"Why yes…" Layla then cups her daughter's cheeks, "My Lucy is a very sweet child. There is no doubt that he'll enjoy your company,"
Lucy then smiles sweetly at her, "Thanks, mama…Oh! Oh! I have a good idea!"
"Ok, what is that?" Layla then stands up as she watched Lucy be excited and run up to the canvas that was nearly forgotten
"This!" Lucy points at her unfinished painting, "This is me, looking out at the garden…and, I thought we could give this to him as a gift,"
"I like that idea," Layla happily replies, earning a bright smile from her daughter, "After all, that is you,"
And with that Lucy hugged her mother once again as they both looked at the canvas and imagined the finished painting.
|…..||…..|
Arf! Arf! Arf!
Lucy slowly stirred in her position and brought her head up slowly. Having her neck stiff after sleeping by the window, Lucy immediately groaned in pain.
"Ow…" Lucy moaned as she massages her neck, but her attention quickly shifted when her dog wouldn't stop from barking at her, "Alright, alright, Plue…" Lucy then brought her legs down before she slowly stood up and headed for her room.
When she was able to change from her work clothes, Lucy went straight to her kitchen and pulled out Plue's bowl and poured him his usual morning food.
"You're really hungry, huh?" Lucy asks her dog as she watches Plue munch on his food with so much gusto, "I bet your dinner wasn't enough that's why you were barking at me so loud," Plue then looks up at his owner and tilt his head before he gave one loud bark. Lucy then chuckles at her dog and pets his head as she replies, "Sorry Plue, didn't mean to come home very late,"
Soon enough, Lucy's stomach growled, and she immediately looked down at her stomach. She gave a short laugh before looking back at her dog and said to him, "Well, that's the sign. I'm hungry too…" Lucy then stood up while keeping her gaze on her pet, "Now, finish that up 'cause we'll take a walk to the bakery. We'll order our favorite sandwich," Lucy's tummy growls again as she thought about the food she would be ordering, "Okay, that's it, I'm changing," and with that Lucy left her dog to eat while she headed to her room to take a bath and change for the day.
After a half hour of a bath, Lucy was all ready to change into her casual clothes. Wearing a simple white shirt and jean shorts, Lucy grabbed the leash of Plue and wrapped it around his neck.
"You ready?" Lucy asked after clipping the leash and stands up. When her dog barked, Lucy smiled at Plue back and quickly grabbed her purse, keys, and phone. Within a few minutes, Lucy was out of her apartment and was heading towards her favorite bakery.
Soon enough, the bakery was in sight and Lucy could already smell the delicious fresh baked pieces of bread. Smiling to herself, Lucy looked at her dog and mumbled, "Can you smell that Plue?" The dog just then looked up at her before looking back at the street.
Lucy pushes the door open to the bakery and immediately the aromatic smell of the bread triggered her to be hungrier. So, smiling widely, Lucy was about to call on the owner of the shop and greet her, but then she saw someone else standing by the cash register, where the elder usually stays. So, slowing down her excitement, Lucy stood in the line and waited for her turn to give her order.
Within a few minutes, Lucy had settled down to the back of the bakery, drinking her coffee and munching on her cream cheese bagel. As Plue, eats his own sandwich, Lucy was looking outside the bakery when the doors opened and revealed Mrs. Hyoka. She was being trailed behind by a man, who was carrying the groceries for her.
"Gyorin!" Mrs. Hyoka called out and a man with white apron steps out of the kitchen and replied
"Yes?" The man asked and saw his boss. Quickly he knew what his boss wanted and stepped up to the pink-haired man carrying the grocery
"Place all the food properly in the kitchen, I'll follow after," Mrs. Hyoka instructed
"Hai," the man then enters the kitchen
When her staff went back to the kitchen, Mrs. Hyoka then looked at the man behind her and gave him a bright smile. The elder said, "Thank you very much son for helping me out,"
"No problem," Natsu replies as he tries to brush it off, though he shyly scratches his head, "I'd love to help you out,"
"Oh, you are sweet," Mrs. Hyoka complimented, "Since you have been helpful to me today, I'll treat you some delicious breakfast,"
"Really?! Awesome!" Natsu then chortles as the elder grinned at him
"Alright, I'll head on to the kitchen and prepare your food," the elder then turns around and heads to the kitchen. But before she could enter, she suddenly notices a blonde woman, whom she is fond of. A smirk then appears on Mrs. Hyoka's face before turning around to look at Natsu.
"Son!" Mrs. Hyoka called as she gestures him to come closer
"Yeah?" Natsu replies back as he walked up closer to the elder
"Do you remember what I told you about looking for a simple woman?"
Natus then chuckles, "Yeah, sure...I never forgot that. Why?"
"Well, why don't I introduce you today as well to someone who is simple but beautiful?"
Natsu laughed harder when he noticed the eager look of the elder, "Mrs. Hyoka! I never knew you are a matchmaker!"
"Oh! I can be sometimes," Mrs. Hyoka laughs as well
"Mrs. Hyoka," Natsu said as he placed a gentle hand on the elder's shoulder, "It's okay. I'll find a simple and beautiful woman on my own,"
"Oh, let me try just this once," Mrs. Hyoka then smirked at the man, "After I get your food,"
"Yosh! That's more I like it," Natsu then chuckles
"Alright, find a table and I'll serve your food soon," and with that, Mrs. Hyoka went to the kitchen, leaving Natsu by himself.
As Natsu looks around the nearly full bakery, a bright blond hair suddenly caught his attention. With the person facing the other side of the bakery, her hair shined like a halo as the sun glistens inside the shop. Natsu suddenly remembers a similar image, except that this person was a grown woman instead of a child. Tilting his head in curiosity, Natsu slowly walked up to the person and soon enough discovered who it was. A grin slowly appears on Natsu's face as he took silent steps towards the table of the woman.
"May I take your order?" Natsu suddenly says, obviously startling the woman with his sudden appearance
"Huh? What?" The woman quickly turns to look at him and this made Natsu grin wider
"Ohayo!" Natsu greets and immediately, Lucy grew her eyes wide at the man
"Natsu?" Lucy mumbles
"Yep! That's me," Natsu then took a step forward but stopped for a moment when he noticed the dog looked at him with curiosity. When the dog did not bark or attacked him, Natsu slowly pulled out the chair and took his seat
"What are you doing here?" Lucy stunned asks as she kept her gaze on the man, "Are you following me?"
"What?" Natsu gawked before he chortles, "No, I'm here to have breakfast," The dog then barks at the man, and somehow, Natsu didn't hesitate to pet the dog, which he learned that the dog liked the attention
"I didn't know you have a dog," Natsu commented as he continuously caressed the head of the dog
"You eat breakfast here? Like on a usual basis?" Lucy continued to ask, ignoring the comment of the man
"Well, not on a usual basis. But, if I got free time, I usually grab some meals here. Why do you?" Natsu asks back
Lucy suddenly gawked at the man as she shook her head, "I can't believe this,"
"What can't you believe? That I live close by?" Natsu asks again as he tilts his head
Before Lucy could reply back, Mrs. Hyoka suddenly arrives and took noticed how Natsu was seated with someone he knew.
"Oh, it looks like you're with a friend!" Mrs. Hyoka remarked as she walked closer to the table Natsu was sitting by
"Mrs. Hyoka, thanks!" Natsu happily thanked as Mrs. Hyoka placed the plate in front of Natsu
"No problem," the elder then winks at the man, before glancing at the person in front of Natsu. Suddenly, Mrs. Hyoka was taken aback when she saw it was Lucy, though she was curious why the woman was looking too stunned
"I didn't know you two knew each other," Mrs. Hyoka commented before looking at Natsu, who was in the mid of shoving a spoon into his mouth
"Hai," Natsu shortly replied before shoving the spoon into his mouth
"Uh, yes...he and I work together," Lucy then looked at Natsu then back to the elder, "How did you two know each other?"
"Oh, we're neighbors," Mrs. Hyoka genuinely smiled at the blonde
"Neighbors?" Lucy repeats before looking back at Natsu
"Yeah, she lives next door to me," Natsu confirms as he puts down the sandwich and tried to finish the food inside his mouth
"We are good friends!" Mrs. Hyoka added, "I actually want him to meet you so that you two could da-"
"Ah!" Natsu quickly interrupts as he slams a hand on the table, startling the two women, "Mrs. Hyoka!"
"What?" The elder asked confused
"Um..." Natsu then swallows hard before glancing at the blonde. Knowing what the elder was about to say to Luciya, Natsu had to interrupt her because he didn't want to make the blonde uncomfortable. "Uh, your food is great!"
Mrs. Hyoka then chuckles at the man, realizing what the pinkette was trying to do. So, as she shook her head, she attempted once more, "Oh, I know that...Why don't you two share the food, just like a coup-"
"Ah!" Natsu suddenly stood up and soon enough, he urged the elder to walk a little farther from the table and whispered to her, "Mrs. Hyoka,"
"Yes?" The elder teased
"Why don't I take it from here?" Natsu suggested embarrassed
The elder then grins wide at the pinkette, "Good. Now, I'll leave you two and get together soon!"
"H-hai..." Natsu awkwardly bows his head as the elder walked away with a trail of laughter.
When Mrs. Hyoka was no longer around, Natsu turned to look at Lucy with a sheepish smile. Lucy just looked at him nearly with no expression until she began to chuckle at the pinkette.
"Well, that's a first," Lucy comments
"First? What do you mean?" Natsu asks as he sat down in his previous seat
"Seeing Mrs. Hyoka so giddy," Lucy then shook her head before she pops a piece of bread to her mouth
"Oh..." Natsu nods his head before he thought of a question, "By the way, how did you know Mrs. Hyoka?"
"I guess I can say I'm a regular of the bakery," Lucy smiles at the man before leaning on the side to check on her dog, "That's new,"
"What's new?" Natsu then looked down to where Lucy was looking
"Plue isn't agitated to leave after eating his food," Lucy then looked up at Natsu, "Do you think he's sick?"
"Huh?" Natsu then picks up the dog, who didn't even flinch at the sudden attention, "He doesn't look sick to me,"
"See!" Lucy suddenly points at them, "He usually doesn't like being carried by people he only met,"
Natsu then raised his brow at the blonde, "Just because of that?"
"Well...he could be feeling unwell," Lucy then pushed back her chair and quickly stood up as she grabbed her purse and phone
"Where are you going?" Natsu questioned, quite alarmed
"I'm going to the vet," Lucy then walked closer to Natsu and picked up Plue from his hold
"You're being dramatic," Natsu remarked and earned him an irked look from the blonde, "If this is your way of getting rid-off me, it's not working," Natsu then stood up
"What?" Lucy confused expressed
"I'm going with you," Natsu then waited for Lucy to walk out of the place but then Lucy just tilted her head and asked, "What about your food? You barely ate it half," Lucy then looked down to his plate and was surprised to see it was empty, "How?" Lucy stunned looked at Natsu, who was just grinning at her
"Remember, I can eat my meals in less than 10 minutes?" Natsu teased before he turns the blonde around and pushed her gently towards the door. Before they could step out of the bakery, Natsu called on to the elder and gave his thanks, and soon the two was out on the streets.
"So, where is the vet place?" Natsu asks as he looks at the dog, who appears to be in a good mood despite Lucy's claim that Plue was being unusual
"Just a few blocks," Lucy replies as she looks down to her dog, "Plue, you are oddly quiet,"
"Is he?" Natsu remarked and Lucy quickly looked at him. With the way the woman was looking at him, Natsu just shrugged his shoulders as he shoves his hands inside his pants' pocket. He then continued, "I don't think your dog is sick,"
Lucy then scoffed, "What do you know about animals? As if you have any pets,"
"Sure, I do," Natsu replies back as he looks at Lucy, "I have a cat...a blue cat,"
"Uh, you mean a Russian Blue cat?" Lucy asked but Natsu shook his head
"No, like a literal blue cat," Natsu then grins when Lucy gave him a skeptical look
"Liar," Lucy comments
"No, I'm not!"
"There is no such kind of cat that is literally blue...unless," Lucy then stopped walked as she gawked at the man and quickly slapped him on the arm, making the pinkette yelp in surprise while the dog barked at him, "How could you torture him!"
"H-hey!" Natsu yelped as he tried to save his arm from being damaged, "I wasn't the one! He's more of an experiment cat, I actually saved him!"
"You what?" Lucy said as she stopped midway hitting him
"I saved him..." Natsu then took a step back away from the blonde, just in case she decides to hit him again, "He was an experiment cat according to the caretaker of the shelter I got him from,"
"Oh..." Lucy then looked down at her dog, and caressed his head, "What's his name?" Lucy asked and then they began to walk again
"Happy," Natsu simply answered as a smile lingers on his face
Lucy looked up at the man, and somehow, she likes his expression. She then said, "I see why..."
"Huh?" Natsu looked back at the blonde, "What do you mean?"
"You named your cat Happy because whenever you see him, talk about him, he makes you happy," Lucy then brightly smiled at the man, "Right?"
Natsu then chuckles as he thought that Luciya knows him more than he thought, "...True"
Soon enough the two arrived at the Veterinary clinic and they were immediately accommodated by the staffs. In less than an hour, the two stepped out of the clinic, with Natsu grinning widely at Lucy, while she puffed out her cheek in shyness.
"I told you," Natsu teased
"Shut up," Lucy retorts back, "I was just worried..."
"Okay," Natsu replies as he shrugs his shoulders, "I think Plue just likes me that's why he's not his usual self when he's around strangers,"
"Oh, wow! Now, you claim that Plue likes you," Lucy then scoffed before she shook her head
"What? It's true! Right, Plue?" Natsu then looked down at the walking dog, who suddenly barked, "See!"
Lucy then rolls her eyes at the pinkette, "Whatever, Mr. Dragneel," Lucy then stopped from walking, making Natsu stop as well as he looks back at his companion
"So," Natsu suddenly became a little hesitant, "Where do you want to go?"
"I'm going home," Lucy answers. And with that, she turns away from Natsu but then the man quickly stopped her
"Wait!" Natsu took a big step to catch Lucy's wrist and as he did, Lucy quickly looked back at him, quite surprised
"w-what?" Lucy stuttered, unsure why
"Um...since it's a weekend, why don't we hang out today?" Natsu then scratched his head, feeling very shy
"We don't do hangout, Mr. Dragneel," Lucy said as she shook her head
"Why are you calling me Mr. Dragneel all of a sudden?" Natsu curiously asked as he unconsciously took a step closer to the woman
"Well, out of habit I guess..." Lucy then unconsciously tilts her head up as she keeps her eyes on the man
"I see...then make it a habit to call me, Natsu," Natsu then smiles at the woman, who finally snapped out of her short trance
"Uh yeah, yeah...sure," Lucy said as she took a big step back, "Um, I better get going...bye, Natsu," and with that, Lucy turns away from the man and never looked back.
It's nearly 12 in the afternoon when Natsu arrived at the Devilish Bar and Resto, where most of the people inside were busy preparing for the grand opening that night. It was a surprise for some to see the pink-haired man visit them when usually Natsu would bail out on them because he was too busy.
"Well this is new," Bickslow mutters as he places his hands on his hips while he watched the pinkette walk closer
"This shouldn't be surprising," Natsu replies back after he chortles at the comment of the man, "Where's Mira?"
"Kitchen," Bickslow answers before he walks along with the man, "So, what are you up to?"
"Food, obviously," Natsu snickered as he shook his head but then he got knuckled in the head by the older man, "What was that for?!" Natsu retorts as he rubs his head
"I know you want food! But I was talking about you being actually present today," Bickslow then pushes the door open and suddenly shouts, "Hey, Natsu's here!"
"Natsu?!" Everyone inside the kitchen exclaimed as they looked away from their tasks and greeted the newly arrived man
"Sup, guys," Natsu waves back
"What brings you here? I thought you'd be going to the office?" Mira questions as she steps up and walks closer to the pinkette
"Well, something unusual happened," Natsu vaguely replied as he accepts a plate that Mira handed
"Like?" Mira adds
"Umm...seeing Lucy," Natsu then quickly turned away and headed to the simple buffet displayed inside the kitchen
"You saw Lucy?" Erza suddenly asks as she drops her spoon and walked up to her friend, "What did you two do?"
"Nothing," Natsu mutters back as he peeked at his shoulder then returns his attention to the food
"Well, then why was it unusual?" Erza further inspects but Mira quickly pulled her back
"Come on, Erza, let the man eat first," Mira then chuckles at her pouting scarlet
"Thank you, Mira," Natsu sarcastically rolled his eyes at the redhead
"Fine," Erza then turns away from them and headed back to her plate, "But you have to explain,"
"What do I have to explain?" Natsu quite irate replies back
"Everything," Erza utters back
"Erza seems curious about Natsu and Lucy," Lisanna comments, earning her a glare from the scarlet-haired woman
"Do you happen to ship them?" Mira questions her friend
Natsu suddenly reacted faster than usual, "What ship are you talking about?"
"It's a term people use to refer people they wish to end up together," Lisanna clarified but then Natsu just raised his brow at the younger Strauss
"Right," Natsu then looked away and began eating his food, while the others just laughed.
"So, what's the real score between you and Lucy?" Bickslow questioned as he gave a grin to the pinkette
"What are you talking about?" Natsu skeptically looked at the man before he shook his head, "Lucy and I are just good friends and besides, I have a fiancee,"
"Oh, come on Natsu, you know that Miranda is not a fiancee material," Erza then rolls her eyes as she crosses her arm over her chest, "And you can't lie to us about Lucy. Even if you both are just friends, I know that you find her more interesting than any us,"
"Erza, I hate to break it to you, but that's not how I feel," Natsu slowly shook his head.
When Natsu glanced at Lisanna, he saw the skeptical look his best friend was giving him. Lisanna knows better about what he's saying.
"Just trust me," Natsu raised his hand like he was swearing an oath, "Luciya Hart is nothing but a friend to me. No more, no less..."
"Well, then, fine..." Mira then looked at the others, "We just have to believe him,"
|…..||…..|
While everyone was busy setting up the place for the grand opening of the bar, Lisanna and Natsu were tasked to put tissues inside the tissue dispenser. They were just by themselves talking, and Lisanna decided to know the truth from Natsu.
"Natsu?" Lisanna calls as she interrupts him from his laughter
"Yeah?" Natsu then wipes a tear out of his eye
"Be honest," Lisanna slightly turned to look at him, gesturing to him that she was being serious, "Are you starting to like Lucy?"
"What? No," Natsu shook his head furiously, "I know it sounds unbelievable but it's true. I don't like Lucy the way you think I do,"
"But you find her interesting," Lisanna questions
"Yes...just as much as before," Natsu then stops whatever he is doing, "She's like a mystery...like in some way, I feel like I know her from somewhere...like I have met her before and she's playing a big part of my life,"
"Maybe you're just mistaking someone from your past with her," Lisanna reasons out but Natsu isn't convinced
"No...She's like exactly the same person from my past...but I can't remember much about my childhood days so I can't figure out," Natsu unconsciously holds his head and gave it a gentle massage
"So, you're trying to know her and you're hoping that something might trigger?" Lisanna questions
"I don't know...I guess," Natsu then looked up at his best friend, "I just feel like, it's just right to know her,"
"Well, okay. I'm not going to meddle in your business, but, I just want to warn you about Erza," Lisanna then glanced at the back to check on Erza to see if she was staring. But to her relief, the woman was too busy instructing the waiters, "Look, Erza mentioned to me that she's going to do anything to stop you from doing the arranged marriage and that's how we feel too. But you know that I'll do it as long as you agree to it,"
"I may not agree to it too, but it's for my family. And there is nothing more than I want but my family's happiness," Natsu then gave a small smile, "Erza doesn't have to worry about me,"
"I don't think you can take that away from her. So, you better watch out for her because I think she's going of use Lucy to break your arranged marriage," Lisanna then gave a nervous smile to the man, when suddenly, someone sat in front of the two.
"Whatcha guys talking about?" Bickslow intruded while he smiled at them widely
"Bickslow!" Lisanna yelped in surprise
Bickslow laughed out loud as he slams his hand on the table, "I got you!" Natsu just smiled at the two before he glanced at Erza, who was still busy commanding people.
"Hey, Natsu," Bickslow called. When Natsu looked, he continued, "Don't forget to bring Lucy later, okay? She's part of the gang now."
"Should I call Cana too?" Natsu questioned, but Bickslow just scoffed as if he found the man ridiculous
"Nah, that woman is on her way. Mira called her," Bickslow then stands and winks at Lisanna, "See you later, babes," and with that, the man walked away. But before he could disappear into the kitchen, he turned to Natsu again and shouted, "Natsu! Call her!"
It's past 7:30 pm already when Natsu started pacing back and forth in front of Lucy's apartment building. The opening of Mira's restaurant was in a few minutes, and he should have done this earlier. He should have at least called her.
"I should have just called first..." Natsu said to himself as he stopped right in front of the door, then he shook his head and began pacing again, "What if she's asleep already? Or worst, she's not even here,"
Natsu then groaned in annoyance with himself, "Gah! I don't care!" Natsu then stomped his way up the stairs and stopped in front of the door. He glanced at the doorbells, and realized, "What is Lucy's apartment number?"
He looked up at the building and contemplated for a moment. Natsu then thought of an idea. He pulled out his phone, dialed his secretary's number and waited for him to pick it up.
"Mr. Dragneel?" Daichi answers
"Daichi!" Natsu enthusiastically responds, "I need a favor,"
"Yeah, sir?"
"Can you look into Ms. Hart's profile and know her address?" Natsu widens his eyes in anticipation
"...Okay, wait," a movement was heard in the other line then Daichi was back, "May I ask sir, what this is for?"
"Oh, uh...nothing...I just have to give some files to Ms. Hart," Natsu said as he gave a sour look after lying
"I don't think she'll like to be disturbed on a weekend..." Daichi comments and Natsu couldn't agree more
"Yeah, I think so too," Natsu then sighs as he looks up at the four-story building
"I have it now sir. It's Apartment 4B, Lighthouse bldg., Strawberry street, Richville Village, Magnolia."
"Alright, thanks, Daichi! Bye!" And with that, Natsu drops the call as he immediately presses the 4B button.
Soon enough a buzz was heard and Natsu quickly stepped back to check on the windows, although it was doubtful he'll notice anybody moving around inside. When there was no response, Natsu gave it another ring and after a minute, there was still no one.
"I tried," Natsu reasoned out before he turns and decides to just head on to the restaurant. Until a voice echoed in the speaker box.
"Yes? Who's this?"
"Lucy," Natsu mumbles as he turns to look at the speaker box
"Hello? are you still there?"
Natsu ran up as quick as possible and immediately presses the voice button, "Luce!" He shouts and it was audible to hear the blonde gasp
"N-Natsu?" Lucy stunned questioned
"Yeah...it's me,"
"What are you doing here? How did you know my place?" Lucy continuously asks
"Um, I drove you here once, remember?"
"Oh..." Lucy line then was cut short, making Natsu wonder
"Luce?" Natsu called as he pressed on the speaker, "Are you busy?" Natsu gently asks, trying to make the blonde answer but then the buzz never came again when suddenly the door opened, making Natsu step back in surprise.
There stood Lucy in her pink silk robe, clutching it tight to her, "Well, this is odd," Lucy started as she stares at the man
"Yeah, I guess...this day has been pretty weird," Natsu then grinned
"Come on in," and with that, Lucy opened the door wider to let Natsu walk inside. Soon, the two headed for the elevator and pressed the fourth floor.
To be continued...
Hey Readers!
Sorry for the OVERLY late upload of this chapter. And I just want to give you a heads up, the next chapter will pretty much be LATE again because I have school on weekends and work on weekdays. So...I'll try my best to find time to update.
Thanks for reading this chapter and story!
Love,
FairyTailxNaLu