Chapter 8
Grandine Dragneel is not a woman that is easily startled. No matter how much her children would like to prank or scare her. She had enough fair share of surprises in life and little pranks barely startle her. But for the first time in years, she couldn't help but gasp as the woman before her, introduces herself.
"You?" Grandine bafflingly looked at the blonde, "You're Lucy Heartfilia?"
"Yes-" Lucy answered but was cut off immediately when the sound system resonated, and the emcee asked the remaining guests standing to take their seats as the program was about to start. Grandine quickly scowled at the host for having such a wrong timing of interrupting.
"Mom, why don't we settle to our tables in the meantime," Natsu smiled knowingly at his mother, before urging Lucy to walk in a different direction.
When Natsu and Lucy turned their backs on Grandine, the pinkette quickly leaned close to Lucy and whispered in her ear, "You were awesome there, Lucy,"
Lucy turns to look at Natsu and was a little stunned at the nearness of Natsu's face to her. She then pulled back a bit before she replied, "What do you mean? I just introduced myself,"
"Yeah," Natsu then grinned as he stood up straight and wrapped an arm around Lucy's waist as he guided her towards a table, "But she didn't expect your last name,"
"You didn't expect my last name either," Lucy commented before she grinned at the pinkette who chuckles as well.
"Exactly, that's why your awesome," Natsu smiled wider as the blonde woman beamed at his compliment.
Soon enough, guests around Natsu's designated table welcomed him and Lucy. Guests immediately recognized the actress and happily greeted her. As Natsu and Lucy took their seats, they knew that half of the table was chattering about them, but they couldn't care less. After all, they had expected this kind of attention.
At the other side of the garden, Grandine fumed walking towards their designated table. She grumbled as she took her seat, making the other guests at the table raised a brow at the woman. Wendy, who was sitting next to Grandine, quickly reached out to her mother and gently brushed her hand to Grandine's. For the second time, Grandine startled at the sudden contact.
"Mom? Is everything alright?" Wendy questioned as she leaned closer.
"Oh, yes, dear," Grandine then gave a tight-lipped smile, barely able to come up with a genuine smile, "Don't mind me,"
"You know I can't do that," Wendy then tilts her head, and Grandine sighs in defeat, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, really dear," Grandine replies as she shakes her head before she taps her free hand over her daughter's hand, "Nothing, you should worry about,"
Igneel then arrives at the table and quickly takes a seat next to his wife. He hands the woman the glass of whiskey, for which Grandine was grateful. When Grandine hastily gulps the alcohol, Igneel couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise.
"Woah, honey," Igneel starts before grasping his wife's thigh, "Is everything alright?"
"See, even dad notices it," Wendy quickly injects, making Grandine chuckle while sipping her glass again.
When Grandine puts down her glass, she leaned towards her daughter and cupped her cheeks. She caressed Wendy's cheek as if to reassure her, "Point taken. But like I said, nothing you should worry about,"
Grandine then pulls back before half-turning to fully look at her husband. Igneel then notices the full attention Grandine was giving him, and he suddenly raised a brow in confusion.
"What is it?" Igneel whispered, knowing that Grandine intends to keep the conversation between them only.
"Natsu," Grandine simply started but Igneel barely understood the meaning of it. And so, Grandine continued after sighing in annoyance, "He brought a date,"
Igneel tilts his head in confusion, "A date for this event? I don't think that's unusual,"
"Iggy, it's not just a date for tonight," Grandine then leaned closer and whispered with gritted teeth, "He said he was dating the woman,"
Igneel shockingly looks at his wife, completely lost in the conversation, "Dating?"
Grandine nods furiously.
"But didn't he just say he didn't have time for that?"
"Exactly," Grandine clenched her mouth, "And you wouldn't believe who she is,"
Igneel then gave a deadpan look at his wife, knowing that Grandine tends to overreact with Natsu's girlfriends.
"Honey, the woman is probably a decent person,"
Grandine scoffs as she turns to look away from her husband before she shook her head in disbelief, "Probably,"
"What do you mean?" Igneel questioned Grandine's reaction.
Grandine then gave a stern look, "Would you believe me that our son is dating Jude and Layla's daughter?"
"Jude and Layla?" Igneel confusingly repeats, making Grandine roll her eyes.
"Jude and Layla Heartfilia," Grandine sternly replies and Igneel slowly understood the weight of the information said. Grandine then sighs as she looks away from her gasping husband before she muttered, "Exactly,"
As Natsu and Lucy sat quietly around the table, the two could feel a little awkwardness looming around them. They barely exchanged words, though they gave glances at each other from time to time. Natsu knew that bringing a date to these events may mean two possibilities for the public. One, he brought a girl for the sake of having a date. And second, he is really dating the woman he brought. But neither was true about his situation. After hearing Lucy's proposal, he thought that he'd just grab the opportunity and hoped that it would help him. But seeing how his mother reacted, he couldn't be thrilled enough to know that this game is actually working.
His intention to introduce Lucy to his mother had been a phenomenon. For sure, his mother is fuming with annoyance that she couldn't bombard him with questions. But that was it. That was the goal, and he couldn't bring himself to publicly declare to everyone at the table that the beautiful blonde next to him is supposedly his girlfriend.
"Mr. Dragneel," a brunette-haired woman called, snapping the president out of his thoughts.
"Huh, ye-yes, Mrs. Shuri," Natsu then tilts his head to conceal his bafflement.
"I see that you brought a lovely date," the woman then glanced at Lucy, who was observed to stiffen at the sudden attention, "She seems familiar,"
"Oh," Lucy then sheepishly smiled at the woman before glancing at Natsu, as if asking if she should respond to the question herself. When Natsu gave a subtle nod, Lucy looked back at the woman and smiled warmly, "Good evening, Mrs. Shuri, correct?"
"Yes," the woman then extends her hand which Lucy took to give a handshake.
"I'm Lucy, Natsu's girlfriend,"
The woman then gave a cheeky smile before looking at the president, "I didn't know you dated, Mr. Dragneel. The last thing I heard about you is that you're single,"
Natsu chuckles at the comment, "Well, as much as possible I try to keep my personal life very private. I don't like broadcasting to everyone that I'm in a relationship,"
"Ohh, Mr. President, you make it sound like we're being nosy," the woman then laughed out loud, making the others, who were listening, laugh as well.
"I don't mean it that way, Mrs. Shuri. But what you said is true. I'm not quite fond of people being nosy," Natsu then gave a mischievous grin at the woman, who slowly stopped laughing and realized the double meaning of the man's words.
"Forgive my wife, Mr. Dragneel," the brown-haired man offered as he notices the look of the pinkette, "Women seems to enjoy knowing other people's lives,"
"Well, I don't think only women enjoy that. Even men too," Lucy suddenly stated, quite annoyed about how he was singling women out, "I won't believe if you said that you weren't curious about who I am,"
The man was then silent like he was caught red-handed. Seeing the man stiffen, Natsu couldn't help but stifle a laugh before he tries to break the tension.
"Well, Mr. Shuri, I won't blame you or your wife for your curiosity. Lucy, here, is an exceptional woman. Hence, the reason I prefer to keep my relationship with her hidden from everyone,"
"We truly understand, Mr. Dragneel," Mrs. Shuri replies, finally taking the hint. But another guest suddenly comments, "But she looks familiar. It's like I've seen her somewhere,"
"You've probably seen me on the television," Lucy replies with a smile, "In a tv series or movie, perhaps?"
"Oh, right!" The other woman said wiggling her finger, pointing at the blonde, "I've seen you on the television! I've watched your show!"
Lucy then gave a shy smile. All of a sudden she felt bashful, and a little worried about a viewer's opinion of her work.
"Isn't she amazing in her craft?" Natsu suddenly butted in, making Lucy turn to him and wonder if he'd ever seen any of her shows to leave a such comment.
"Oh, definitely," the woman nods her head furiously, "I loved the Golden Castle. You were fantastic,"
Lucy whipped her head, looking back at the woman again, surprised that the woman knew one of her first tv lead series. She then smiled, thankful, "Thank you. I'm actually shy about my performance at that show, given it was one of my first lead roles,"
"Well, you were great. Although, you do look relatively younger there,"
Lucy laughed and shrugged her shoulders, "Well, that's what show business does. Actors sometimes need to look mature within a year. I may look older for my age, I guess,"
Natsu then looked at her and gave a serious look, "No you don't. You look younger for your age,"
"Alright, then what age do I look like?" Lucy teased.
"20!" the woman bellowed, making Lucy chuckle as she glances at her before looking back at Natsu. Lucy then tilts her head, challenging him to respond.
"18" Natsu replied before he grinned at Lucy's eye roll.
"Now, you're just lying," Lucy then chortles as the others softly chuckle along.
"Okay, 20," Natsu then glanced at the other woman who had initially suggested it, "Just like what Ms. Yuki said,"
Lucy just chuckles and nods her head, "Alright. Thank you then for the compliment,"
"Well, you look relatively young too, Mr. Dragneel," A different man suddenly comments, which made Natsu turn to look at the man. He was a business associate who had always been vocal about his displeasure of working for a younger man, "I'm guessing, you aren't even halfway through your twenties,"
"I'm 30 years old, Mr. Zayu. Not that young, but not that old," Natsu then gave a sarcastic smile before looking back at Lucy, "Would you like to walk around while waiting for the food to be served?"
Lucy quickly notices the annoyance Natsu had shown towards the man and nodded her head to help Natsu get out of the table.
"Sure. Tour me around your home, my love?"
"I'd love to," Natsu then stood up and offered his hand to Lucy, which she took immediately as she followed the pinkette after. Soon enough, Natsu excused themselves and headed to the opposite side of the garden.
While most of the guests were busy chattering at their tables, a few lookers glanced at Natsu and Lucy. The actress could immediately spot on if they were being talked about. After all, she's used to people talking about her.
Lucy suddenly squeezes Natsu's bicep, snapping the pinkette out of his thoughts, "You don't seem to get along with Mr. Zayu,"
Natsu glanced at the blonde and tried to read the actress' expression. But Lucy didn't seem curious, rather she was just trying to make conversation, "Well, not everyone is pleased with the idea that I'm head of a large corporation while having less experience than most employees,"
"I guess, we can't please everybody," Lucy replies as Natsu pushes a glass door open, revealing a beautiful greenhouse garden filled with exotic plants and flowers. Lucy was then stunned by the view and admired the garden, "Wow, these are lovely,"
"Glad you liked it," Natsu then pulls away from the blonde and walked ahead to turn on the garden lights, "My mother liked plants and flowers, and every day she'd tend to them herself,"
"That's nice," Lucy comments as she stops in front of an Amaryllis, "She and my mother would have gotten along,"
"That's a first," Natsu replies, making Lucy turn to look at the pinkette with a confused look.
"What first?" Lucy then walks closer to the pinkette before they started walking further inside the greenhouse.
"You mentioned a parent," Natsu remarked as he looked at the woman, who was a little unconvinced, "To be fair, no one seems to know you're a Heartfilia. So basically, I don't know anything about you or your family, other than Jude is a mysterious businessman,"
Lucy chortles at the description, "Well, I can agree that my father is a mysterious businessman. He can be notorious if he wants to,"
"Bad blood?" Natsu quickly notices the malice in Lucy's voice, making Lucy stop walking before looking back at the pinkette.
"So, tell me about your mother," Lucy then turns away and starts walking, making Natsu snigger at the obvious attempt of changing topics. Natsu then catches up to the blonde and answers her question.
"Well, Grandine is a loving mother, wife, and a very successful businesswoman. I don't know if you know that she manages one of Fiore's largest fashion publishing companies?"
"I'm aware now," Lucy replies, "I've noticed a few people from Fiore Fashion, and it seems she's the boss,"
"Well, she is," Natsu then slightly nudges Lucy before taking a right turn, "The people who came to your place are resident fashion stylists of Fiore Fashion,"
"That makes sense," Lucy softly chuckles, "I wouldn't have expected that you have a separate stylist that isn't under your mother's agency,"
"Although, she doesn't know that I hired her stylist to style you…But probably, she'll figure it out soon," Natsu then stopped at a large sago palm, "Did you know I planted this one?"
Lucy glanced at the plant and nodded at the trivia. When they were silent for a few minutes, Lucy decided to break it and asked, "Does the stylist know I'm not your real girlfriend?"
"She doesn't know my relationship with you," Natsu answers back, still gazing at the plant, "She probably thinks you're just one of my dates,"
"Uhmm," Lucy hums before she and Natsu fall silent again for a long time.
"Mr. Dragneel,"
Natsu and Lucy suddenly jumped at the sudden call, making the couple turn to glance at the intruder. Daichi stood a few meters away from them, completely aware that he had startled his boss and guest.
"Apologies, sir, but your father is looking for you,"
"Right, of course," Natsu then stepped closer to Lucy and wrapped an arm around Lucy's waist before jolting her to start walking, "I'll head towards them. Thanks, Daichi,"
"Sir," Daichi quickly calls, making Natsu half turn while walking, "Mr. and Mrs. Dragneel wish that you two would appear in front of them,"
"Right, got it," Natsu forcibly smiled at his secretary before looking away and mumbled softly to Lucy, "Put your game face on,"
As Wendy tries to enjoy her meal, she couldn't help but look around the garden. She has been trying to find her elusive brother, who was rumored to have brought a date—a girlfriend, specifically. Soon enough, Wendy's eyes widen in delight as she sees her pink-haired brother. But her enthusiasm even escalated when she recognizes the blonde walking next to her brother.
"Natsu-nii!" Wendy bellowed, making Grandine scowl at the rowdiness of her daughter.
"Wendy, tone down your voice," Grandine comments before noticing the approaching couple. Grandine then glanced at them and raised a suspicious brow.
"Oh, my god, Natsu-nii," Wendy astonishingly utters as she stands up from her chair and walked around to stand in front of the two. Her eyes were glued on the blonde, who was a little baffled at the attention.
"Don't tell me, you're dating the one and only Lucy Ashley," Wendy questioned flabbergasted, with her eyes twinkling in excitement. Lucy nervously chuckles at the young blunette before waving.
"Hi, you must be Natsu's sibling?" Lucy asked, quite unsure of Natsu's family tree.
"Yes!" Wendy grins before she grasps Lucy's and shook it, "I'm Wendy Dragneel, Natsu-nii's youngest sibling,"
"Alright, kiddo, calm down," Natsu finally interrupts as he notices the unwavering enthusiasm of his sister. He then sides step and pulls Lucy along to face his parents, "You were looking for us?" Natsu asked as he looked at his father.
"Yeah, well…your mom did," Igneel replies then he was nudged on the leg by his wife, "I mean, we both did,"
"Why don't you take your seats," Grandine then gave a gentle smile, according to Lucy's perception, but for Natsu, he knew it was far from being really gentle.
"We have our seats on the other side of the garden. We'll have our dinner there," Natsu slowly taps Lucy's small back to turn but stops when Grandine said, "Nonsense. I have already requested Daichi to change the sitting arrangement and make sure that you two will seat with us,"
"Mom, you know you can't do that. That will offend some guests," Natsu rebuts, but Grandine just chuckles.
"Oh, don't be ridiculous, I'm sure you're glad not to seat around Mr. Zayu. You'll just have an upset stomach hearing his endless comment about you being too young," Grandine then grinned at the tight expression of the pinkette.
Lucy glanced at the rigid man, who had his lips pursed and contemplating the circumstance. Taking the matter into her own hand, Lucy looked back at Grandine and put on her smile.
"Thank you for doing that," Lucy continued to smile as Grandine and Igneel finally regarded her, "Natsu was quite unsettled at our table, that's why we had to walk around to cool down," Lucy then stepped away from Natsu's grasp and grabbed the empty chair to take her seat.
When Lucy was settled, Natsu glanced at her and gave a questioning look. But Lucy just tilts her head like she was telling him to quit complaining and just take the seat. Huffing in annoyance, he pulled the chair and took his seat.
Grandine then gave a pleased smile as she watched her son take a seat in front of his father. Grandine was face-to-face with the blonde, and she felt elated to get the chance to know the woman in front of her.
Wendy too, took her seat next to her mother and immediately started asking questions, "So, are you Natsu-nii's girlfriend?"
"Wendy," Igneel warns, but the blunette seems to ignore him.
Lucy glanced at the red-haired man for a moment and smiled before looking back at Wendy, "Yes, I hope that doesn't disappoint,"
"Oh, my god! Natsu-nii!" Wendy bellows before she shrills in excitement, "My brother is dating Lucy Ashley!"
Grandine raised a brow in confusion, "Lucy Ashley? I thought-"
"That's my screen name," Lucy quickly rebuts as she notices the doubt on the woman's face.
"Screen name?" Grandine questioned.
"Yeah! Lucy Ashley is an actress," Wendy mentions, "I can't believe my brother is dating an actress! Who knew?!"
"Tone down a bit, kiddo. You might scare her away," Natsu chuckles at the enthusiasm of his sister, who later on giggles at his comment.
"So, you're an actress," Grandine repeats, grabbing the attention of two. When the servers suddenly came and placed food in front of them, Grandine waited for them to be finished before she continued, "I didn't know Jude's only child would actually be exposed in public. All this time, I thought he was just trying to keep his daughter in the shadows,"
"You extremely look like your mother," Igneel added, making Natsu and Lucy glance at him.
"Thank you, I've been told," Lucy replies with a soft smile before looking back at Grandine, "My father didn't hide me. I just…preferred to keep myself out of…this business," Lucy then looked down and tried to distract herself by taking the utensils, but then her fingers were quite shaky.
As Natsu just stared at Lucy, who was slowly becoming uncomfortable with the attention, he quickly notices the trembling fingers. So, Natsu grabbed his fork and knife instead and started cutting pieces of meat for the actress, like he was some gentleman helping his girlfriend.
Seeing Natsu takes care of Lucy, Grandine couldn't help but be a little surprised at the gentle side of her son. Her thoughts were then snapped, when Igneel asked, "So since when did the two of you start dating? Moments ago, you just told us that you didn't have time for romance?"
Natsu then looked at his father while continuing his task, "I only said that I didn't have time for romance tonight because Lucy and I had a disagreement last night. And the way we ended our call sounded like I was dumped," Natsu then glanced at Lucy, who quickly recognizes the mischievousness of his words, knowing that they did have a disagreement.
"Did you dump him?" Igneel inquired with a growing smile as he felt a little amused at the idea that his son was being dumped by a beautiful lady, contrary to his son's relationship history.
Lucy chuckles a bit before she shook her head, "I didn't. If anything, I thought I was dumped and came here to apologize to him,"
"Oh, my god, Lucy Ashley begging for Natsu's forgiveness? Well, that's new," Wendy comments, making the pinkette scowl, "Most of the time, Natsu is the one begging-"
"Wendy, that's enough," Grandine scolded with a stern voice, making Wendy shut her mouth immediately as she realized her words. Lucy quickly picks up the reaction and tries to understand it. She then looked at Natsu, but his expression was just blank before seating back in his chair.
"Well," Lucy quickly cuts the growing silence, making the others snap out of their stupor, "To be honest, Natsu is more of the understanding one in our relationship. He continuously has to deal with my fickle mood,"
Natsu then glanced at Lucy, feeling grateful for being quick wit in changing the mood. Although, he wants to disagree with Lucy's comment. It wasn't only her who was being moody, even him.
"You also deal with my boisterousness," Natsu then chuckles as Lucy laughs and leans on his shoulder while running a hand on his thigh. Natsu was quite taken aback by her boldness but immediately remembered that Lucy was an actress, and she was selling their relationship well.
"Well, that I can agree," Igneel comments, completely smiling at the interaction between the couple, "Natsu is such a rowdy boy, completely annoying," the red-haired man then laughs as Natsu rolls his eyes while Lucy nodded in agreement and laugh.
"You didn't answer your father's question though," Grandine suddenly interrupts, making everyone slow down from their laughter, "Since when did the two of you start dating?"
"Two weeks ago," Lucy said smoothly, making it impossible to think that it was a lie. The blonde then gazed at Natsu straight in his eyes with admiration, "He was introduced to me by Lisanna a month ago and from that point on, we immediately clicked. Talked about everything and I fell hard,"
"Wait, so you got to know my brother for like less than a month? Both texted and called each other for like three weeks then started dating after?" Wendy questioned with a raised brow, making the blue-haired mother a little too aware of the suspiciousness going on.
"Yeah," Lucy then smiled, trying desperately to hide her nervousness as she realized that it was going to be hard a little to lie in front of Natsu's sister. Lucy has the impression that Wendy is aware of her personal gossip and keeps tabs on her relationship with Loke. Lucy could only hope that Wendy does not bring up Loke.
"And as I said, I fell hard for this man," Lucy then turns to Natsu and cups his chin while gently, "He is quite remarkable and not easy to forget,"
Natsu then smiled softly at the whispered words of the blonde. But the two quickly snapped out of it when Grandine cleared her throat and start commenting.
"Well, that seems too quick," Grandine glanced at her son before she gently brought her fork to her lips and take a bite of her food, "Are you saying Natsu that you fell hard too?"
"I did," Natsu replies smiling before taking a piece of food as well, "It's not something uncommon to us though. You fell easily for dad too,"
"Correction, I fell for your mom first," Igneel said with a raised hand and Lucy chuckles at the adorable admission of the old man, "Then she fell for my charms. Right, honey?"
Grandine gave a side look to her husband before subtly smiling and rolling her eyes, "Well, your father is a sap and can be quite dramatic. He can be quite adorable," Igneel then leaned and gave a kiss to his wife on her cheek.
"Forgive my parents, they can be too lovey-dovey in public," Wendy remarks, earning heartful laughter from everyone.
As the night got deeper, Natsu had to remind himself that he still had work to do. He excused himself to do his rounds of greeting guests before starting the bidding. Lucy, who was a little hesitant to be left alone on the table with his parents, suggested that she'd tag along. But the pinkette was quite unsure of it. Until Wendy suggested that she'd bring Lucy over to where her friends were seated. She wanted to flaunt the fact that her brother was dating the infamous series princess.
So soon enough, Grandine and Igneel were left alone at the table, allowing them to fully discuss their children.
"Iggy, I have a bad feeling about this," Grandine remarked as she watched Lucy and Wendy walk away from their table.
"Oh come, Dine, just relax. Natsu and Lucy seem to be…in love," Igneel replies but Grandine widens her eyes in bafflement.
"In love?" Grandine repeats before looking away, astounded by the idea, "Igneel, your son is not in love with that actress. He is in love with Erra. Do you think he can get over that woman easily? The moment that he said that he fell hard too, I know this is a lie,"
"A lie?" Igneel restates, "Dine, did you see how he looks at Lucy?"
"Don't you ever consider that Lucy may be just acting? She's an actress," Grandine rebuts but Igneel shook his head as he chuckles.
"Sure, maybe Lucy could be acting. But your son? I don't think he can conjure the facial expression of being amazed and in love, unless he is in love," Igneel then grinned at his wife, who was rolling her eyes in the displeasure of being contradicted. The man then wraps an arm around his wife's shoulder and gave a soothing squeeze, "And besides, comparing Lucy to his ex, I think Lucy is a better choice,"
"None of them is a better choice," Grandine answers as she shakes her head, "Erra had used our son for her career and secretly tried to nick his money. Lucy can be no different. She's probably using Natsu for fame as well,"
"I don't think so," Igneel refutes, "I mean, just look at Wendy, that girl barely has time to do other activities other than study for her medical school. Yet, she is aware of Lucy Ashley, the actress. That says a lot,"
"Oh, don't be ridiculous. Wendy does other activities other than studying. She's quite accustomed to pop culture and trends. So, knowing that actress is not something surprising. My point, Iggy, I don't trust that actress,"
"Why, because she can be good at her job? Because she can be just pretending?" Igneel challenged.
"Because she's a Heartfilia," Grandine sternly looked at her husband, who suddenly was silent at the weight of Grandine's words, "Iggy, you know well who Jude is. He was once your associate partner,"
"I'm aware, honey. You don't have to remind me," Igneel then sighs in exasperation, "But just because her father is Jude doesn't mean she's onto something,"
Grandine sniggers in doubt, "Oh come, honey. Look at the timing," She then waited for Igneel to look at her before she continued, "Nearly for the past 10 years, we haven't met Jude and Layla's daughter up until now. All Jude had said to you was that he had a daughter, whom he'd like to set up with our son as a collateral for joint business partnership,"
"If there is something I should feel bad about, it's the fact that Jude is using his daughter. I don't feel any threat from Lucy,"
"Well, you should. Heartfilia Konzern has lost nearly 6% in trading for the past six months and his business is getting unstable. What do you think would save his ass?"
"Partnership," Igneel replies depleted as he thought about the man's increasing loss while their corporation was increasing gain.
"That actress is no better than that scum model. They are just both after Natsu's money and our company." Grandine then huffs in exhaustion, "Natsu's getting himself in trouble again by being involved with these scums,"
"Dine," Igneel pleads to tone down the insults, "We don't have to call them that. We don't even know Lucy enough to judge her,"
"Well, you can be the understanding parent and I'll be the judger. Bad cop, good cop," Grandine said as she pointed to herself and then to her husband, "I just can't take this lightly anymore, Iggy. You know what I almost lost,"
"It won't lead to that," Igneel reassured as he pulls his wife for an embrace.
"I won't let it lead to that again," Grandine then sighs as she rests her head on Igneel's shoulder.
When the bidding had ended, the emcee encouraged the guests to enjoy the music while dancing on the dance floor. Soon enough, couples one by one stood up and started dancing as the band began to play some upbeat jazz music.
Seeing that everyone was slowly enjoying themselves after the bidding, Natsu decided that he was done with his task. He immediately looked for Lucy at Wendy's table of friends.
As soon as he was close by, Wendy immediately waved at him and called over to sit with them. When Natsu waved back, Lucy turned in her seat and the pinkette immediately smiled at the blonde, who took note of his arrival with a smile as well.
"Done with your work?" Lucy asked softly as she tilts her head upward to look at the pink-haired president. She was then stunned when Natsu leaned down and brushed a gentle kiss on her forehead as he mumbled a yes.
Soon enough, the young adults around the table cooed at the sweet gesture, which made the two a little bashful. Although, Natsu expected it. He had to sell it to his sister and friends that he was really in a relationship with Lucy.
"See," Wendy states, making Natsu listen to his sister, "Natsu-nii is indeed dating Lucy Ashley. She isn't some date for tonight,"
"Wendy," Natsu quickly reprimands his sister's implication, "That's not nice,"
"I'm sorry," Wendy sheepishly says before looking back at the blonde, "It's just, I haven't seen my brother in a relationship again since…" She then trails off when she saw Natsu's stern gaze.
"It's fine," Lucy gently smiles as she grasps the resting hand of Natsu on her shoulder, "I'm sure, he's got some elaborate history of past girlfriends and dates. But I don't mind," Lucy then looked up at the man, who only returned the same soft smile.
"You must be lucky, Natsu-nii, to have Ms. Ashley," Romeo, Wendy's college classmate, states as he watches the couple be romantic to one another.
"Indeed, I am," Natsu then grinned when Lucy playfully slaps his hand while everyone chuckles at their corniness.
"Please, you don't have to call me Ms. Lucy or Ms. Ashley. Lucy is fine," the actress then beams when everyone at the table smiled back at her warmly.
"Does that mean, we get to say that we know Lucy Ashley personally?" another friend of Wendy, Chelia said as she stared in awe.
"Sure, why not. After all, you guys are Wendy's friends. Any friend of my boyfriend's lovely sister is also a friend of mine," Lucy then chuckles Wendy's eyes grew wide in surprise.
"Oh, my goodness, this night just got better," Wendy exclaims before she started giggling in thrill followed by the others.
As everyone was chatting around, a black-haired man suddenly approaches them and catches the attention of the young bluenette.
"Zeref-nii!" Wendy calls before she stands up and hugs the man. Soon enough, the man stands next to the bluenette with his arm around her shoulder.
"Hello, everyone," the black-haired man greeted the people at the table then ends his gaze at the pink-haired president, "Hello, Mr. President,"
"Zeref," Natsu smiles professionally before he gives embraces his brother, "You're exceptionally late,"
"Well, I needed to save a life," Zeref replies grinning before looking down at the blonde, who was attentively just listening, "Good evening, ma'am. I don't believe we have met," Zeref then looked at the pinkette who only rolled his eyes, knowing that Zeref is implying he was on a one-time date.
"Oni-chan! Meet Ms. Lucy Ashley, she's an actress," Wendy exclaims before she runs behind the blonde, who slowly stood up to greet the man back.
"Ms. Lucy Ashley," Zeref utters as he offers a handshake, which Lucy took as she replies.
"It's actually Lucy Heartfilia, but people know me more as Lucy Ashley, my screen name,"
"Lucy Heartfilia?" Zeref repeats in surprise, before glimpsing at Natsu, who gave a blank expression, "As in Mr. Jude and the late Ms. Layla Heartfilia's child?"
"You know my parents?" Lucy questioned, suddenly nervous at the fact that a sibling of Natsu is aware of her parents. But then she also felt amazed by the reputation of her parents.
"Couldn't miss them. They are…exceptional people if I may describe them," Zeref then gave a tender smile before looking back at his brother, "Natsu, I didn't know you knew Mr. Jude's daughter. To be honest, you're quite elusive," Zeref then regarded the blonde, who only chuckles at the comment.
"Well, I don't think I found her. It's more like, she found me," Natsu then stepped closer to the blonde and pulled her close as he wrapped an arm around Lucy's waist. Zeref then watched Natsu lean and kiss Lucy on the cheek.
Zeref raised a brow at the pinkette as if waiting for the man to explain. Natsu then chuckles, "She's my girlfriend,"
"Girlfriend?" Zeref stated perplexed before looking back at the blonde, "You're dating my brother?"
"Is that something surprising?" Lucy replies back with a growing grin as she watched the bemused face of the black-haired doctor.
"I guess it is," Zeref then looked at Wendy who only chortles as she shrugs her shoulder.
"Well," Natsu then cuts off the budding surprise and turns to the blonde and offered his hand. Lucy glanced at it and gave a confused look.
"What's with the hand?" Lucy asked jokingly.
"I don't know, we can play a game in front of them or dance," Natsu smirks playfully, "Your choice," Lucy then softly laughs before she places her hand over Natsu's. Soon, Natsu excused themselves from the group and headed to the dance floor.
When Natsu and Lucy reached the middle of the dance floor, hand-in-hand, Natsu gently pulls the blonde close to his body. As Lucy turned to face him, Natsu automatically rested his left hand on her waist while Lucy wrapped her arm around Natsu's neck. The band then plays another gentle upbeat jazz music while the couple swayed from left to right, twirling slowly in place.
"I didn't know you danced," Lucy commented softly as there were other couples around.
"Well, after so many charity events I had to attend, it's not a surprise that at some point I had learned the skill," Natsu mutters back looking down at Lucy's face, completely unaware of their proximity.
"Is it really the number of charity events or dance partners?" Lucy teased before she gently rubs the neck of the pinkette, who felt shivers with her ministration.
Natsu laughs at the implication, "I guess both," he admits. Natsu suddenly pulls Lucy even closer to the point her chest was brushing against his.
"Did you always dance this close to your dance partner?" Lucy questioned as she noticed the tightening grip of the pinkette, which was followed by a warm caress on her small back. She was then stunned when Natsu leaned down and nuzzled her neck, almost brushing his lips on the joint of her neck and shoulder.
"Na-Natsu?" Lucy called softly, feeling warm in her chest as she felt Natsu's breath on her neck. The pinkette slightly pulled back, then brushed his lips to her ear as he whispered to her.
"Mom's looking, I needed to put on some show," Natsu then fully pulls back and watched the flushed face of the blonde. He then gently nudged Lucy to twirl to make her see that Grandine was standing at one side of the dance floor with her eyes glued on them.
When Lucy was pulled back to Natsu, she looked back at him with a stunned look, "Didn't realize she was watching," she said.
"Sorry, didn't have time to warn 'ya. I had to improvise," Natsu mutters, making the blonde laugh at the choice of words. She immediately remembered what they did in Fairy Tail—what she and Natsu had to do to send Loke away and the little flirtation they had while being drunk.
"Well, then we're even," Lucy said as she grins at the pinkette and finally got over her surprise by doing her part of being handsy as well. She then wraps both of her arms around Natsu's neck, almost like she was hugging the man. The pink-haired man quickly took note of it and wrapped both arms around Lucy's waist and squeezed her sides gently while they continued to sway.
Soon enough, the band started playing a different genre of music to which people could dance more enthusiastically. Some couples took it as a cue to take some rest and head back to their table while younger guests took their place.
As Lucy pulls away, thinking that it was also their cue to stop dancing, she was quite dumbfounded when Natsu kept his hold on her waist.
"I think that's our signal, Natsu," Lucy then looked around and everybody on the dancefloor was starting to dance more fervently, "This isn't slow dance anymore,"
"Yeah, so?" Natsu utters before grinning and grabbing Lucy's both hands to nudge her to step back. As Lucy took a step back, chuckling, Natsu dropped his hold on her hand and started making moves that were borderline wacky and adorable.
Lucy started laughing as she watched the pinkette groove to the music like he was in a 70s disco dance. She then started feeling a little embarrassed when the pinkette was playfully bouncing his eyebrows at her as if he was trying to seduce her. But her laughter didn't die down all throughout the teasing. Natsu then exclaimed, "This is how I usually dance with my partners. You should too," the pinkette then grinned and laughed as Lucy shook her head in disbelief.
"Oh, my goodness, Natsu!" Lucy bellows in amusement.
"Come on, Luce! Give your best moves!" Natsu shouts back as he did some bopping steps along with the rhythm. Despite the embarrassing moves, Lucy couldn't help herself but laugh even more before she starts to break into a wild dance as well.
The blue-haired mother, standing on the right side of the dance floor, stared intently at the laughing and dancing couple. Noticing the still posture of his mother, Zeref walked up to Grandine and softly commented, "I've never seen Natsu like this for years. It's almost like, he's back to his old playful self,"
Grandine then turns to her son and just silently regarded him before sighing in exasperation. She finally turns away from the dance floor and headed back to their table. As Zeref apologetically smiled at his mother before walking away, the doctor couldn't help himself but feel a little relief that his mother has finally dropped the concern in the meantime. He then looks back at Natsu and Lucy, who was standing close to one another while they animatedly smiled, laugh, and chat with each other while trying to dance in beat with the song. Zeref then sighs in solace before he turns away as well and heads back to their table.
In a smaller garden within the manor, away from the event, Lucy and Natsu sat quietly at a stone bench. After dancing for almost an hour, the actress pleaded with Natsu that they find a place where they can be away from everyone while resting their feet. Natsu immediately thought of the small garden his grandmother loved for teatime and pulled Lucy away from the crowd.
As the night was deep and the sound of music was soft, Natsu and Lucy fell into a comfortable silence while they rested their feet. Well, mostly Lucy, as she took off her heels and let her feet rest directly on the cool grass. Natsu couldn't help but smile at the contrasting concept of Lucy in his head and the Lucy he was seeing.
"Thanks, by the way," Lucy suddenly mutters as she tossed her dress to cover her bare feet, before looking at the pinkette. She then tilts her head in wonder at the expression of the man, who looked like he snapped out of a trance.
"Th-thanks?" Natsu stuttered, trying to get a grip on the conversation, "For what?"
"For…not being mad at me about last night, for backing me up with your mother, for showing me a good night," Lucy smiles softly before tearing her gaze away from him and staring below, where the party was still ongoing.
Natsu then chuckles before he shakes his head to disagree with the blonde, "If there is anyone that should be grateful it would be me. You could have hidden anywhere in the world and left me hanging tonight. But you didn't,"
Lucy looked back at him and saw his gaze was surprisingly intense and sincere. She couldn't help but feel her cheeks warm up while trying to ignore the tingling feeling inside her chest.
"Well, we had a deal. And you were right, I insisted on this deal and the least I can do is own up to my words."
The two then looked away as they let the silence linger around them. It was comfortable and peaceful. The two didn't feel anxious or feel the need to make conversation. So, they just sat down and savored the silence.
As Natsu stared at the night sky, admiring the scattered sparkle against the dark midnight blue sky, Lucy kept her gaze on the ongoing party. When suddenly, Lucy asked a question that snapped Natsu out of his tranquility.
"What's with your mother by the way? She seems guarded about you having a girlfriend. I don't think my last name was any help," Lucy then glanced at the man, whose expression was kept impassive while looking back at the party below.
When Natsu finally looked back at her, he sighed in defeat and said, "It's something that has happened in the past,"
"What's with your past?" Lucy curiously asked before she realizes something, "I suddenly remember Wendy making some remarks about you being the begging type-"
"Ignore what she said," Natsu quickly cuts off, leaving the blonde quite stunned. But the woman immediately covers it up with a nod before looking away.
"Funny," Lucy suddenly comments and felt Natsu's gaze on her, "We both made a deal to help each other out with our personal dilemmas. Neither of us realizes that we are alike in more ways than we thought,"
"How so?" Natsu questioned back.
"You have past issues; I have past issues. You have parent issues; I've got parent issues. We both have bad break-ups that hunt us until now. We're like two peas in a pod," Lucy then chuckles knowing how ridiculous it is to feel too familiar with Natsu despite knowing him for at least 24 hours only.
Natsu slightly smiled at the idea and felt how true it was despite their scarce knowledge about each other. They seem to bond over the same tragedies in life.
"Well, at least we have some similarities. It won't be hard to relate," Natsu finally grinned when Lucy smiled at him.
"So, tell me," Lucy then stands to pull her dress up and seat cross-legged on the bench while facing the pinkette. The man was quite taken aback but was amused with her unruliness. Lucy then continues, "Do you always dance like that? You just start breaking into 70s moves?" Lucy then chuckles when Natsu started laughing at the memory.
"God, no," Natsu exclaimed as he tries to slow down his laughter, "I don't think I have danced like that in years!"
"Really? It seems like you haven't had a day without dancing! You definitely can sway those hips," Lucy then pokes Natsu's side, making the pinkette grunt in a tickle.
"Oh, my, is Mr. Natsu Dragneel ticklish?" Lucy teasingly said as she covers her lips with her hands before she launches herself on the pinkette and attempt to tickle him again. But Natsu was able to hold her hands while trying his best to hold his laughter.
As the two wrestled a bit while laughing, they barely noticed that they have moved closer to the point that Lucy was already leaning on Natsu's chest while his arms were around her back to keep her steady on the bench.
Lucy suddenly notices Natsu's eyes, just like how she recalls them on their first meeting. Without realizing it, her smile was growing while her cheeks colored red.
"I thought you had black eyes…" Lucy mumbles as she stares directly at his eyes, "Your eyes are actually dark greenish black,"
Natsu smiled widely as he replies amused, "Do you like saying things randomly?"
"Huh?" Lucy tilts her head, still keeping her gaze on him, "What do you mean?"
"On the first night we met, you told me that I have oddly warm hands. Now, you're telling me that I have greenish-black eyes," Natsu grinned, even more, when Lucy's cheeks turned brighter red, and her eyes grew wide.
Lucy immediately pulled away and suddenly shivered at the loss of warmth in Natsu's embrace. Seeing the blonde shiver, Natsu realized that it was getting colder. So, he quickly takes off his jacket and drapes it over her shoulder.
"Have I told you 'thank you' for this night?" Natsu utters as he pulls back while looking at the blushing blonde.
Lucy, in return, smiled at the pinkette as she gripped the jacket close to her, "You may have implied you were grateful,"
Natsu softly chortles with the blonde before he softly whispered while staring directly at Lucy, "I had a lot of fun, all thanks to you…Thank you, Lucy."
To be continued...