Chapter 1: Blue

'It's raining…'

She taught as she got out of the airport and was now on her way to her car, in order to get to the resort she was staying at. Juvia is a 23 years old accountant, kind of fresh in the business but as determined as ever. As soon as she graduated from college she got lucky and became the accountant of a small, but promising, corporation which with her help soon became one of the first fifteen companies in America for everything connected to computers…yes computers, technology. Things she kind of hated, even though they were related to her work. I mean she did her job on the damned thing! But as weird as that sounded Juvia despised them, don't get me wrong, they help you and make your life better, easier, but that doesn't mean they don't take a lot from you too. In her land of business you work all day every day on those machines, it overtakes your life so effortlessly that you don't even see it until it's too late. She basically lives her life on her phone and computer, in the online world, and it got to the point that she doesn't have time to go take a decent, relaxing bath without worrying she missed an important call…let alone her friends… I mean her only two friends, Gajeel and Levy, her family basically and the most important and precious people in her life. So living an online life was not allowed anymore, she decided.

She was in a crucial place in her life, she always pushed herself to the limit in every aspect about her, that meaning at her work as well. She thought she accomplished everything there was to achieve at her workplace and after a year and a half spent at that company, time in which she dedicated herself to her job completely and as a result the corporation she worked for developed and became one of the top, she decided it was time for something new.

Luck was on her side yet again, finally after a depressing childhood, and she wasn't the only one who wanted to start fresh. It seemed that the Fullbuster Corporation had the same vision, they were working on replacing the current CEO, Silver Fullbuster, with his son Gray, the lawyers, his assistant and of course the accountant as well. That only served for her to go on an emotional and anxiety rollercoaster and submit her CV in. It wasn't the thickest or the most astonishing CV ever, but it contained all her small and big victories. Silver dealt with everything in the smallest of details and was surprised, or rather startled by her courage and gut. She definitely had some balls if she dared to submit her CV in. I mean Silver was very pretentious and had skyrocketing high standards, it wasn't easy to please him, not even some of the best in the field dared to submit their CV in, in fear they will be made fun of and risk their career plunging to the ground. But this young, and I mean young, woman had such bravery in her, that it amazed him to the extent that he decided he was going to hire her.

The process wasn't that easy, he was going to personally handle her, seeing that the accountant's job is a very important and difficult one, and because he wanted the best for his company…and his son. So he was to make sure Juvia is a trustworthy and reliable person for both parties to work at their best. Silver decided to invite her to where it all begun, to the resort in Alps mountains, to put her to the test. The "test" consisted in Juvia looking through all the files and figure out what is wrong, after that Sliver will make the final decision regarding her employment. The process will take a week, starting next Monday until Sunday, the day of his decision. The work trip was taken care of, Silver's assistant called and informed her about everything, including Silver being impressed of her courage and kind of fast development related to her work, Juvia accepted kindly, said that she won't let him down and ended the call.

"I…I can' believe it. I did it!"

After the life changing news were delivered to her she got so excited she called Gajeel immediately to inform him as well. Levy was with him, taking that they lived together and told her that they needed to meet up as soon as possible. They were all delighted about the good news.

It was early in the afternoon when she received the news so she decided she must go out find some new fitting clothes as her work trip was far away and in a very cold place where the California skirts and tops were not fitting at all. Plus she ought to be by herself and enjoy the moment without anyone calling to ask for work related advice, since she was the best there. And so the tiring trip to find thick enough clothes for her destination started. Where, you ask?... at the mall obviously.

It was Friday, middle of September, and the sun was threatening to kill everybody regardless of the season, which was a bit annoying to say the least. After a few hours spent at the mall, Juvia decided to ask Levy and Gajeel out and treat them with dinner for her big step in the working field along with her life. They settled for a not so big but not that small either restaurant, with rustic décor and subtle modern touches the main themes being burgundy, brown and lots of green from the big plants which were spread all over along with vintage tables and chairs. The atmosphere was delightful and relaxing, supported by the rather coldness in the air, that she didn't mind. She found out she enjoyed being in the cold when she is tense for the reason that it calmed her. Those were things Juvia needed so much right now, the situation she was in being very stressful and nerve wracking, but she determined she'll worry about that tomorrow in the comfort of her own home and alone. Now it was time to be happy and spend quality time with her friends. As soon as she stepped in the restaurant to check in and wait for her friends at the table she reserved…things took a turn.

"What do you mean you don't have any more tables left?!"

"I'm very sorry sir, but I'm afraid the last one was booked fifteen minutes ago and we don't have anything left. But if you would be interested I could make you a recommendation about another place just a few blocks around, as good as this one. "

"There is no such place! I need to go somewhere where is cold so I can enjoy my food peacefully and not melt! I suffered enough from the heat today, I don't think I can handle it anymore. At this rate I might as well have a heat stroke… " the last words were said in a muffed voice that you could only hear it if you were close, which Juvia was, due to her wanting to check in.

"I'm sorry sir, I can't do anything else right now…"

"Forget it, I'm out!" he said as he turned on his heel and waved his right hand in the air as a signal of dismissal and got out, but not before he almost bumped into something, or someone…blue. He didn't know what or who it was, because at this point all he saw was the color blue. You could read mild confusion on his face, but then the blue spot made a move and…talked… 'so it's someone, not something', he thought.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to get this close…" she said along with a guilty look on her face, which made her adorable, he thought. So adorable that he almost forgot that he was angry, almost but not really. After he mentally slapped himself for thinking that way, he managed to say an "aa" and rushed out of the restaurant leaving a shocked and embarrassed Juvia behind.

Gray didn't understand exactly what happened in his head the moment he saw the blunette, but he was stunned by the fascinating shade of blue her hair and eyes had. If eyes were the window to the soul, Gray would be excited to see hers and learn more about her and her tempting eyes. Juvia instead was a little taken aback by his sudden behavior but decided not to pay too much attention to it, since she already had done enough by getting so close to him that the poor man didn't even have space to turn around and leave.

After the dinner with her friends was done, which was lovely and much needed, she got home, but not after getting a lecture about self defense from the ever so worried Gajeel. He was like a brother to her so of course he will torture her about safety and everything like that, from where she was staying, what will the work consist of, how much will she work? She shouldn't get overboard and put her health at risk just for a job, how long will she stay there, to, and I quote: "If a dirty dickhead dares touch my Juvia, they will get it! I mean it!". Even though he could be a bit tiring and a lot to deal with sometimes, he made Juvia happy because she knew someone was caring and worrying about her.

Saturday passed rather quickly and Juvia didn't have that much time to worry about what she will do Monday between packing and making sure everything will be alright at home, that her cat, Frosh, will be taken care of and her beloved plants won't die. After that Sunday morning she was at the airport and got off to her destination.

This brings us where we were, at Juvia getting in her car to go to the place where she will be tested and put through hell and back only to get a job at the biggest and most extraordinary chain of hotels and resorts in America. You may be thinking 'but if it's in America, why Alps mountains? Why did they call her there if her job will be in America, and are they extended in Europe as well?', well, that is because there is where Silver, Gray's father, was born and he held a special place in his heart for it, so when he saw the opportunity to build and open something there, he took it. And of course if he wanted to start fresh, what better place to renew and revive then the one who made him and the company he has build, who he was. He wasn't that extended in Europe, only a few places here and there, but they were all in the mountains, where it was cold and it snowed all the time.

The car ride felt so long and drenching that she felt it took 7 hours, when in actuality it only took about two and a half. When arriving to the resort she was greeted by the most luxurious and expensive looking hotel, with an amazing slope for different types of activities, like skiing, going with the sledge, snow fighting, everything you could think of that included snow. It also had a lot of small booths for things such as hot chocolate, ornaments, deserts, appetizers, toys or clothes. It held a Christmasy vibe even though it was no way near that time of the year yet, and by the way people were laughing and smiling it was a grate place to be at.

Juvia was guided to her room at the hotel and was told to settle in, and that at seven o'clock pm she'll have dinner with Silver and Gray Fullbuster, discussing about what she will have to do for the following week.

"Thank God! I can finally rest a little." She said as she crushed down on the bed and went straight into sleep mode.