Chapter 5: Hot tea

She sat on the bed and pressed his number on the phone's screen, not even two seconds passing before he answered.

"So?!... I'm very much impatient to hear what you have to say! And Levy don't you dare interfere, I know damn well you were worried too!"

Juvia swallowed hard again and was feeling so apologetic she had no words. Gajeel was absolutely right and she couldn't believe she'd done that to him because her boss was the hottest and gentlest man she had met and she couldn't keep her mind from imagining all sorts of things with him. She was acting like a teenager falling in love for the first time, only she wasn't falling in love! No, no, no, she can't possibly start to fall in love with her new hot-like-the-sun boss! She figured she only had a thing for him because he was truly gorgeous and that's it. She wasn't attracted to him because he was gentle with her, made her laugh, always looking like he was stalling just to spend a little more time with her, asked for her professional opinion because he wasn't a misogynist who didn't consider women capable of getting such important jobs done… No, it was just a physical thing and she had to get a grip of herself and act like a business woman. This wasn't a high school and he wasn't her colleague, they were two adults who were working together for the same company having a strictly work related relationship, nothing more and nothing less. With this figured out she was ready to finally talk to the only man in her life that mattered, Gajeel.

"Yeah…Well first of all, did I mention I'm as sorry as a person could possibly be?" she put on her puppy eyes even if the person on the other end couldn't see them. But she was sure he could feel them.

"Well… y-yes… b-but that does not change the fact that…that…" As she predicted Gajeel was feeling them and he started to stutter, not finding his words. He never resisted his girls charms, even if they were done across the world and on the phone none the less.

"Gajeel… it was not my intention to do this to you, the program here is so hectic and I have a ton of work to do. And before you say anything of how I shouldn't push myself over the limit…I, I know that. It's just… I want this job so bad, I'm willing to sacrifice a few hours of sleep just to get it. I love you both so much, there aren't even words to describe how much I love you guys, I don't ever want to do this to you again! It is my first time doing this big of a mistake… I hope you can forgive me…"

"Ohh girl… Give me the phone!" Levy's voice was sounding through the phone, she got it from Gajeel because the big boy started to form tears in his dark eyes and his girlfriend knew he wasn't capable to say something for now. He was too soft to Juvia and herself, they were his girls and she could understand where he was coming from. She knew Gajeel was so angry because he loves the blunette and doesn't want her to get hurt, but she could also understand Juvia in some way, I mean they were both girls. She could connect the dots, it wasn't that difficult really. She knew Juvia will have a young boss and would never do such a thing unless something occupied her mind all the time. And what could possibly do that other than a man?... Levy could not tell this to Gajeel because his reaction will not be… good. So she decided she will interrogate the girl when she'll come back, it wasn't that long until then anyway. Don't get me wrong, she was worried as well, but she was more of an optimistic person and did not want to stuff her mind with dark and bad scenarios.

The phone conversation went good after that, Gajeel forgave Juvia and then they started to talk and talk for a couple of hours until sleep got the best of her and she had no more energy left. They said goodnight and the blunette got to sleep not even bothering to take a shower at that point, she will have time for that tomorrow.

It was Friday morning and Gray was tired, he didn't get that much sleep because a blue haired girl filled his thoughts… and they were all sorts of thoughts. Ranging from 'how is she? Is she good? How did the phone call go? Did it end good? Was she in trouble?' To… 'she really will be in trouble if she wears those tight, long skirts with slits that show her long fucking legs' because good God he doesn't think he will resist much longer.

He was in front of the office now and when he got inside his eyes were faced with something nobody could predict… there she was, mugs broken on the ground and her blouse soaking wet. Given that the top was white you can imagine what kind of sight Gray was gifted with. Her white lacy bra was very visible through the wet material and so were her gorgeous breasts, he got a good look at them before she put her hands over them hurriedly. He quickly turned his head around and coughed a little, his face starting to get a bright red color, before getting closer to her as he took off his jacket and handed it to her saying:

"Here, take this." He was looking to the side not wanting to make her feel more uncomfortable then she already was, even though he wanted to look at her a bit longer…

Juvia got the jacket and put it on her immediately because the state she was in was not a professional one at all… from the neck to the hips she was wet with a dark colored substance that was rather hot and burned her. But that was not the problem, despite the fact that it hurt a lot considering the drink was boiling, it was the blouse that was see-through at this point, and Gray, her hot boss, came in and looked at her like he wanted nothing more than to ravish her… now that made her blush like a maniac and forget about the pain for a few seconds, but soon after the embarrassment and pain kicked in.

"Oh God does this hurt!" she put her hands over the affected area feeling how sensitive it was and how it started to swell. Gray turned his head and was now looking at her, putting his hands over her shoulders and asking if she was ok, looking very much worried.

"Fuck. How bad does it hurt? Let's go see a doctor. Now!" he was commanding her, not speaking lightly. You could feel how unsettled he was, but Juvia, on the other hand, when she heard the word doctor being pronounced wanted to bail and leave everything behind. She did not want to see no doctor as she didn't think the wound was that bad, 'a little cream and everything will be good' she thought, and considering she never had a good experience going to see one.

But Gray had none of that. Seeing her slowly trying to get away he grabbed her arm, holding it a tad bit to tight and saying: "You will not refuse me! We have to go see a doctor for Christs sake. You burned yourself!"

He was looking at her in the eyes and you could see how he was holding back no to push it too far, but he was serious and Juvia could see every emotion in his dark obsidian eyes. She could see how worried and even panicked he was. Gray was her boss and she decided she will keep it professional… but how was she supposed to act or to feel when he was so close and so eager to get her to see a medic because she was hurt and he was looking desperate to make her feel better.

"It doesn't hurt that bad though…" she was blushing because he was holding her hand for dear life.

"Juvia, please." He got even more close to her and was pleading now to go with him. She felt his hot breaths on her face and felt like she was hotter in her cheeks then the drink she spilled on herself because of his close proximity. But the pain was still there and it hurt, so she decided to listen to him and go.

They arrived at the medics room and after the doctor checked Juvia and gave her some medicine and a cream to massage the sore area, both of them were left alone. Gray got close to her when she gave him permission to and was sitting in a chair next to her.

"What happened? I asked the doctor and she said it wasn't that bad, just a mild burn that will go away if taken care of. But how did you manage to get in that situation in the first place?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry about me… I felt bad after ditching you so abruptly last night so I got up a little early this morning and decided to make you some tea as an apology….but when I went to set the mugs and teapot on the table I slipped and everything went flying…"

"You didn't have to bother yourself with me, just take care of yourself. Don't ever do that again! I thought I'll have a stroke when I saw how red your…skin was…"

At this point both of them were blushing and Juvia didn't know what was worse, the fact that he saw her "skin", aka her breasts, or the fact that he was so worried and caring with her. She looked in his eyes and saw how pure his intentions were, 'he just didn't want one of his employees to get hurt, that's all' she said in the back of her mind, but another voice in her head said: 'yeah, because that's totally how you proceed when one of employees is hurt, that's how he handles every other person working for him'. She didn't have time to argue with herself because he looked her in the eyes with yet another worried look on his face, that brought her back to reality.

"So… how did the phone call go? If it's not too much to ask"

After the panic left him when seeing she was ok, another thing bothered him so he decided to just be straight forward and ask. He was curios who managed to get her so worked up, it was a man who she talked to so it was only natural for him to be this concerned. He was very much aware of the fact that he was her boss and she was his employee, but he was also conscious that he did have a thing for her. Never did a woman have such an effect on him that it wouldn't let him sleep for days, he was getting intrigued by her with each minute passing by, and he really felt like he should invest in the relationship with this woman. Only that he didn't know much as well. I mean yes, he knew he was attracted to her, and not only physically, he loved how intelligent, efficient and dedicated she was with her work. She knew every little detail of the paperwork and that amazed him.

Gray wanted to get closer to her with each and every chance he got, but he did not know what he wanted from her, he did not even knew if this… the things he felt, that he didn't know how to name, towards her were right.

"Yeah, it all went good in the end. I presume after I acted the way I did and then ditched you, you do have the right to hear a somewhat explanation for it."

"It just took me by surprise when I saw the way you panicked and took off. Not to be pushy or anything like that, you don't have to feel like you have to give me an explanation, but I did feel a little uneasy after you left like that"

"I'm sorry, again, it was not my intention. It's just that since I arrived here I forgot to call home and my brother-like friend got really upset with me because of that. That's why I was behaving like a kid who did a big mistake, because I did do one"

"Ooh. I get it, well how are the things going on between you two now? Did he forgive you?"

Juvia started laughing when she saw how every drop of concern he had in his eyes disappeared when she explained him the situation. They looked at each other and Juvia gave him a gentle smile thanking him for taking care and worrying about her.

"N-no problem!...just be more careful next time… I don't want something bad to happen to you again because of me…" he was slowly getting more silent because he was embarrassed of what he said. It was like he couldn't control it, his mouth talked without his consent.

Juvia blushed again and mentally slapped herself for getting so vulnerable in front of him. He truly did trigger things in her, and she had to take some action in order to put some distance between them. Not that they were very close, but they could both feel something when being around one another, so she got up and told him it was late and they should start working as today the last day and they had to finish everything for Sunday when Silver will meet up with them and see what they did. Gray agreed with her and they went to the office who was by now cleaned from any tea and broken mug, even having a new, fresh set of clothes for Juvia who did not have time to go and change. Gray took care of everything for her and after she changed really quickly they got to business.

The rest of the day went smooth, Gray was still somewhat concerned about the burn Juvia had on her chest, so he asked from time to time how she was feeling, but that did not stop her to get her job done. Gray felt something was unsettling her, and as strange as it sounded he was feeling avoided by her, if that was even possible.

After they finished and were sure every detail was correct, Juvia got up and packed her things without telling him a word or throwing him a glance and was ready to go, so Gray got up and grabbed her arm gently.

"I'm sorry… did I do something wrong?..." She was caught by surprise and his hand send jolts through her veins, he was close to her yet again today, so close she could feel his breath. His scent was radiating from him and it was so masculine and alluring it transformed Juvia into a puddle. But once again she knew she was wrong for feeling that way towards him, they can't be more than friends and she should see him like Gajeel in a way. I mean she never wanted to jump Gajeel like she wanted to do with him, and just thinking about it made her sick to her stomach, so if she would imagine Gajeel instead of Gray, maybe that will help her to get over him faster.

"There isn't anything wrong, it's just that I'm tired… all I want to do is get to bed and have a good night's sleep."

She lied to him, don't get me wrong, she was tired, but she wanted to go so badly because she didn't want to spend more time with him being that the attraction going on between them was irresistible. He was intoxicating her with every aspect about him, just by being him next to her and valuing her opinion, making her feel special and giving her every drop of attention he had was enough to make her feel that way, as she never experienced such things.

"I understand. Well take care of yourself and have a good rest." He smiled at her even though you could feel he was disappointed because of her departure, but she got going regardless.

With that they left and were both feeling upset. Gray was upset because he felt guilty about her wound and because he did not know what and how to get her to spend time with him tomorrow, as it was a free day. And Juvia…Juvia was upset because things were like this, fate was like this. She sincerely wanted to give them a chance because they had so much potential… but the circumstances did not allow them that, so her only option now was to keep her distance and see him only as a friend and not a potential lover.

Author notes

Woow my longest chapter yet! I hope you guys like it, your reviews kept me going! I cancelled a study day just to write this chapter as I felt I kept you waiting enough. Things are not exactly pink in my life as not so long ago, just a few weeks, I ended my first ever relationship which was 4 years long… it was really painful so you can imagine I didn't want to hear about romance. But I feel a bit better now and I wanted to start working again asap. Thank you for the support and everything, I love you! Have a great week and stay healthy!