Chapter 6: Free day

It was Saturday morning and the sky was so bright it could wake up even the people who slept with their curtains closed, but Juvia was not one of them. She was a morning person and liked to be woken up by the sunshine and the birds chirping their sweet songs. That's how she woke up today as well, it gave her energy for the day and a sense of relaxation she didn't usually have for long.

As she stretched out her arms and straightened her back, she looked out the window to appreciate the view she was gifted with. She got out of bed and put on a robe because she was dressed in only a very thin, white, night gown and didn't want to grace people with her body, as it was not something she wanted to expose to the whole world. Arriving in front of the glass she saw, in the far left area of her balcony window, that even at this early hour there were people playing with the snow, the rest of the view being full of trees that were green even in this temperature conditions, but covered in a thick layer of puffy, white snow, that gave the appearance of clouds. Along with the trees you could see the beautiful mountains that were huge and strong. They looked peaceful, but terrifying at the same time. Juvia had a fear of heights and seeing how the mountains were so ridiculously tall, she couldn't help but imagine what she would do if she was up there, that giving her a bit of anxiety, all of it going away though as she saw the person she was trying to ignore, or rather to keep at distance, outside, instantly making her heart melt.

Gray was woken up by the strong sunlight coming through his curtains, which he hated. He hated waking up because honestly, he did not have a reason to. He didn't have someone he was excited to be with or that he wanted to share every single thing with. He only had Ur, but being that he was an adult now, they didn't saw each other that often and that was not because he didn't want to, it was because he didn't have time to. Did I mention he despised waking up for the soul reason that he had to go to work? Don't get me wrong, he actually was interested in his job and liked it, but considering he knew in the back of his mind that all of his devotion and efforts will ultimately be in his father's benefit he got sick to his stomach and wanted to damn it all to hell.

But now was different, for the past week he was excited when he got up. He went to work having a good attitude and was seeking for ways to spend more time working. He had a reason to go to his office and look through files, he loved having someone to share his morning coffee with, share an opinion about some old contract he found that was absolutely stupid and talk about trivial stuff like the weather. And all that because of a simple human being who got him, who laughed at his jokes, and who listened to him. Juvia was a simple woman, even if they didn't knew each other for that long, he saw how her mood lightened up because of the simplest things and was satisfied with whatever she had, thanks to that it was easy for Gray to read her and most importantly understand her. It was all Juvia that made Gray want more from him, as crazy as it sounded, but every single time he opened his eyes and knew there was someone waiting for him and needing him, it gave him a boost of energy and happiness he usually didn't have.

He slowly opened his sleepy eyes and looked directly at the curtains who, in his opinion, didn't do their job pretty well. He started scratching his head, messing his hair even more than it already was and yawned as he started to stretch the upper part of his body. When he got out of bed he saw it was only 7 a.m. in the morning, which was a really early hour to wake up considering he loved to sleep in, plus this was the first and only free day he will have for a while. Suddenly thinking that today was off he was washed with a feeling of distress because he didn't knew if he'll see the blunette. He was also trying to figure out what he did wrong yesterday to make her keep her distance with him… it really bothered him that she was kind of avoiding him. Did he say something to upset her? He did not think so because they didn't even talk for that long yesterday. Or was it because he stared at her for too long when he saw the scene he was presented with. I mean he was a man so he was obviously going to look, he couldn't control it really, but at the same time he knew he was wrong for doing that. She had every right to be upset with him because it was not his business to look at her and try to memorize her forms without her consent.

So as he came to the conclusion he acted like a freaking 16 years old, he decided to make it up to her. But the question now was…'how?...'

After thinking for a bit he suddenly remembered his father telling him to show Juvia around, to give her a tour of the resort. That was perfect! It was the ideal excuse to spend the whole day together and not be questioned or turned down, because as fucked up or as disgusting as it sounded, he was absolutely sure Juvia wouldn't refuse something Sliver offered her. Although he will only use the Silver card if he sees her back down on his suggestion. So with this settled he started getting ready.

"Ok…how will I do this?" he wanted to do something for her that was first of all special, so that he'll bring a smile on her face and apologize for his bad behavior, but that will also be funny so he started thinking about different ways to do that. Thus it was difficult considering that they were boss and employee and just started to form a friendship, the problem being he only thought about more… romantic ways to get her to forgive him. Ways like buy her breakfast and flowers and deliver them to her room, or make her something himself and write a card with his apology and the best one yet… go to her room dressed only in boxers and a tie and be her intimate slave for the day, which was out of the question immediately because they were not there yet.

'Yet?...' as he was thinking more he realized this woman was too powerful for him, even if they basically knew each other for almost a week only, she had him at her pinky. He would do anything she wanted and Gray really started considering he was falling in love with her. And the worst part… he didn't mind. He was finally feeling good, a sense of happiness, desire and motivation washing over him, things he hadn't felt for so long he forgot the reaction and pleasure it brought.

As he thought about that a smile graced his lips and he was full of energy. He was determined to figure out what were his feelings towards Juvia precisely and if he was starting to feel love towards her… then he will have to find a way to win her, but until then he has to apologize for his mistake and give her that tour.

After he was ready and dressed appropriately, because they were mostly going to spend the day outside where it was kind of cold, in a pair of thick creamy colored pants with plaids, a thick black turtleneck and on top of that a massive, maroon and cozy jacked along with a pair of chunky boots, he got out and did the only funny and friendly thing that came to his mind that will make Juvia forgive him.

"Alright! Let's get to business." He rubbed his hands together and put on a pair of dark colored gloves and started building. Yes, building. He figured out he would build a snowman in front of her balcony window and will wait there until she wakes up and sees it. After that he will ask her out for coffee and tea and apologize then.

"Ok! It's done! Now the only thing missing is for Juvia to see us." He told the snowman with a joyful and satisfied smile.

'But what if she already woke up and left? I mean her curtains are already removed… oh don't be silly! It's only 8 a.m., it's weekend and nobody leaves their bed that early!'

He was nervous and impatient to get his plan moving. Gray was so positive and optimistic about her that the bad scenarios didn't even come to his mind until he finished the snowman and started waiting. But that didn't discourage him, he didn't let his negative part interfere and spoil everything for him. Not now when all he wanted was to spend time with her and laugh and do funny stuff like snow fighting and walking around the lake. So he looked at her window and waited patiently for her to wake up, it didn't matter how long it will take, he will wait.

Time passed by, but it didn't take long for him to spot something blue at her window. As he saw it he quickly set up for the next steps and waited for her to see him. At first she looked in the direction of the slope and smiled, after, looking above him, probably at the mountains, he thought. A couple of minutes passing by before she finally looked at him. He started to wave the hand of the snowman and smiled as big as he could at her, telling her good morning. She started blushing and disappeared from the window making Gray panic.

"Fuck! Was I going too far?! Is she really that upset with me?..." but before he could worry more she got out on the balcony, and smiled at him while waving as well. She left for a few seconds to put on a coat before getting out on the balcony, as it was cold outside. But from the way she was smiling and blushing she was happy and not upset with him, so he figured it was the perfect time to invite her to breakfast.

"How does hot tea and some breakfast sound like to you?" he shouted at her, both hands at his mouth so that he will be heard better.

"Great!" Juvia said while doing the same thing as Gray with her hands.

"Good! Meet me at the lobby when you're done, I'll wait for you!"

After Juvia gave him a smile and a confirmation she got inside of her room. This man was really crazy, he made Juvia feel like a princess in a romance movie. When she saw him outside she was flabbergasted, she didn't know how to react. She made herself a promise to keep her distance, but at the same time she couldn't suddenly act that cold towards him. He was a good man and she could see he was going through his difficult stuff, like every other human being.

She will keep her distance, but still act like friends with him, because it was not fair of her to stop communicating and avoid him, when it was only her problem that he was gorgeous. If she started feeling butterflies in her stomach every time when seeing him, it did not mean he was also getting them. 'He just wants us to be friends', so that's exactly what she's going to give him. Nothing more but also, nothing less.

Juvia headed towards her closet when her phone started ringing. As she approached it she saw it was none other than Gray calling her. She picked up the phone and answerd.

"Hello"

"Juvia! Hi, I called to tell you to dress well, it's cold outside."

"Ok, are we serving breakfast at that booth again? Or…" she was confused for she thought they will serve breakfast inside, but if he wanted to go outside then so be it since she didn't mind going there. She was actually looking forward to it because she was here for almost a week and still didn't get the chance to fully see the resort and the surroundings. It was a good thing he called and told her to dress according to the weather since she had no idea where he was planning to take her.

"You will see. Just please dress as thick as you can."

"Ok" she said while starting to giggle. He was acting all nervous and cute right now and it made Juvia's heart fill up with glee.

Gray waited for her in the lobby and was so happy with the reaction he managed to get form her. Her smile made his day a lot better and it gave him the courage he needed to ask her for the tour.

After about half an hour of waiting Juvia made her appearance and left Gray stunned yet again. She was so delicate and even for this weather she had a fucking skirt that was matching… Juvia was dressed in a tick black turtleneck with a long and thick blue skirt that 'OBIOUSLY', Gray thought, had a slit in it. It had some kind of wool under it though, so it could keep her warm, besides that she had a pair of high black, flat boots that were so high Gray couldn't see their end as she was coming down the stairs. To complete the outfit she had on a massive and heavy-looking blue coat with white and gold touches, a black cozy scarf and a hat that was matching the skirt and coat. She was looking gorgeous as always, and Gray's heart started to flutter as she got closer to him.

"So, where are we going for that breakfast?" she said and to Gray every word she spoken was coated in honey making him feel hypnotized. He got silent for a few seconds because she left him paralyzed, but he got to his senses when he saw her confused expression.

"Did I dress bad? Is it not appropriate?" She was concerned she didn't dress good seeing how he looked at her and made a face of disbelief. But in actuality Gray had that face because he didn't comprehend the fact that she had a slit skirt for every occasion and it drove him insane.

"No, not at all! Sorry, I was just a little taken aback by your outfit. It really looks good on you!" he didn't know what to say. I mean 'No, not at all! Sorry, I just got the urge to fuck you as soon as I saw you because you make me go insane with your fucking skirts that are so damn appealing.'… now that did not sound so good.

"Oh! You really think so? Why thank you! I just bought this clothes and couldn't wait to get the chance to wear them." she blushed a little but nothing major, and then asked him: "So, where are we going that it's so cold I had to dress into this?"

"Before I tell you that I wanted to first of all apologize to you for yesterday. I really didn't mean it, I'm sorry I did that to you."

"What do you mean?"

"Weren't you upset with me because… you know… I kind of stared at you when you were full of tea on your shirt…"

"Oh my God… don't!" she started laughing at him when she saw his guilty face. She did not mind that, in fact she should, but she didn't. Juvia thought that if she were in his place and he was full of tea that made his shirt see-through, she would most likely do the same as him. But with him doing this it only showed her that she shouldn't change her behavior 180 degrees, because it made him confused which she did not want.

"I was not upset yesterday. I'm sorry if I baffled you. I told you I was just tired from work, it's really stressful for me since I really want this job. I hope you can understand me. And please do not be sorry about that as I knew it was an accident, besides, it was really my fault that that incident happened."

She really meant that. The only deceitful thing she said was that she was not upset, because she was, only not on him. As I said before she was bothered because fate did not allow them a chance to get closer to each other, but now she accepted that. She came to the conclusion that, even though they were employer and employee, Gray was a special person and she wanted him in her life despite it being only as a friend.

"I see, and don't worry about the job too much because you are amazing at what you do and I'm sure you will get it." With that he managed to get yet another smile from her.

With every smile she send him his heart and ego grew little by little and he decided it was finally the time to tell her where they are going. But before that he thought he should ask her for that tour, since he saw she was in a good mood.

"Well before I tell you where we're going I wanted to ask you out for that tour I should've gave you a couple of days before. But it's never too late to ask, is it. So what do you say?" He waited full of hope for, fingers crossed, her good response.

"Sure!" she said all excited. "I was actually planning to have one today. The view here is stunning and I want to see everything this resort and mountains have to offer, so of course I will go with you. I needed a guide anyway and you are just perfect for that."

"Perfect, it's a deal then! Well, as your personal guide here at the resort in Alps, our first stop will be at a secret place where we'll enjoy breakfast and a hot cup of tea for the lady, and one of coffee for myself."

Author notes

Hi guys! First of all I love your reviews, they really keep me going so I suggest you to leave me some more if you would like! 😊 😊. Also thank you for worrying about me and helping me get through everything. As always I hope you like this chapter, I'm trying to write as much as I can, although I don't think I like this chapter that much. I feel like I'm repeating myself, but I don't know what to do. I want to enjoy it and properly describe everything and that's taking a lot. I don't think I'll be able to have a chapter longer than 3k words because I'll loose myself in it. And by making my chapters this short I can't fit in that much action so it feels like I'm not even doing anything…yeah… it's driving me insane. Have a good weekend and lots of love!