Onto next part! Hope you'll like it!

To mention a few changes I've made. No need to reread the story, only I changed ages a little. As you know, I'm writing a little of the present story in the start and the rest is a mere flashback. I realised Natsu and Lucy would be over 30 years and that would make them too old! So, The present story will take place after 3 years of the past. Also, the age of Lucy and Natsu is 23 in the flash back and 26 at present.

I think that sounds better!

The usual disclaimer is applied!

Be my wife

Chapter-4

Sting?

The atmosphere around them was getting tenser. Somebody had to break that tension or it will drown the both of them. Either of them had to so he took the initiative.

"How is Sting?" he asked with a monotonous voice.

The blonde immediately choked on her coffee. After 3 years, that is the first thing he says? A pain flashed through her eyes which went unnoticed as her companion closed his eyes waiting for her answer. Regaining her composure, she replied, "He's fine"

They reverted back to the silence they were previously sitting in. Maybe, having nothing said was better.

"Lucy! Let's go to the amusement park!" the guy exclaimed in excitement, making the blonde sweat drop. What was he- A CEO Of the leading company or a 3 year old child?

"No!" she replied. She had to go back to her apartment, it already being late.

"Lucy, Please~~~" he whined, making his eyes big and sparkling with enthusiasm. She tried to look away but couldn't seem to avoid those puppy dog eyes of her 'yet to be' boss.

"Fine! But only for an hour and after that I'm leaving," she stomped her feet inside while he followed her with a "Yay!"

Natsu dragged her to various rides, most of them churning her insides out. He wouldn't even give her break in between two of the rides. Eating cotton candy, having a drink, jumping in joy and excitement upon seeing a new ride, shouting during the ride- Lucy felt like she was babysitting a spoilt brat.

"Let's go in" he said, standing in front of the Haunted house. The mere sight of the attraction sent shivers down the blonde's spine.

"You go, I think I'll pass," she said, trying to walk away. Natsu however grabbed by her hand into the attraction. The moment she stepped in she ran away, screaming in fear.

"Lucy!" he ran after her, whining that she didn't come with him. Regardless of his rants, she only came to a halt when the spooky attraction was out of sight and that happened to be the scariest thing in his life for Natsu, apart from Erza, of course and recently, Lucy.

"So, this is the last one," Lucy said, standing in front of the roller coaster. Natsu paled upon seeing the gigantic ride. For unknown reasons, he just couldn't stand the thought of them.

"Hey, are you alright?" she asked, seeing the shaking mage.

"Lucy, come with me!" he said without a second thought, dragging her away from his death.

"Wha-? Wait!" she shouted but that never happened. All she could feel was the CEO dragging her off to some place far away.

"Phew!" he sighed heavily. His hands fell on his knees. His breath that fastened seemed to gradually slow down. He looked over to steal a glance at the blonde who was on the ground, panting. Who wouldn't after a long run, long enough to get his nightmare out of the sight?

He watched her trying to catch her breath. It wasn't too well lit spot in the amusement park, the place they were in. He had only the moonlight to deal with. It seemed enough though. The way it shone her pale skin made her look angelic. A smile graced his lips as he took in the beauty he got to spend the time with.

He offered her his hand to stand up on her feet which she gladly took. He pulled her up, making her slightly bump into him. Draping an arm over her waist, he grazed into her eyes that held a small smile people could die for.

"Hmmm…" a grin broke on her face. "So, Dragneel is afraid of the roller coaster"

He paled again.

"What are you talking about?" he retorted, acting innocent. Only a limited people knew this. He had to congratulate her on joining the list of those who knew his little secret.

"Don't play smart Dragneel! Although it is me who is smarter here…" she spoke in a casual tone.

"Look who's speaking! I'm not afraid of anything, mind you!" he snorted, making her giggle more.

"Then maybe you want a ride there?" she tried to force him to move but he held her back. She struggle a little but he didn't budge. It was obvious he was going to win because he trapped her between his arms. It was worth a try though.

"See? You're afraid of them!" she said in a mocking tone.

"I'm not!" he retorted, glad it was dark and Lucy could possibly not see the tint of red his face took on due to embarrassment.

"Ha ha!" she laughed. Her laughter rang like music to his ears.

"Natsu is afraid of rollercoaster! Natsu is afraid of rollercoaster!" she teased but the guy only smiled at her. He didn't retort or cut her or do anything. He just stood there listening to every word she said.

When she felt his gaze never leave her face, heat crept to her cheeks.

"W-What is it? You're acting strange!" she said, controlling the stutter her voice threatened to reveal.

"It's nothing. My name… it feels good to hear my name from your mouth," he blinked his eyes charmingly.

"Nani?" she wondered what he was talking about.

"You just said my name for the first time," he leaned in and whispered in her ears.

Blood shot up to her face, making it redder than before.

"No, I didn't," it was her turn to retort. He just chuckled and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Admit it, Luce…" he said, giving a little laugh. "I could picture a day when we'll get married. It would be soon…"

She was baffled about what the guy was talking.

"Somewhere deep down you know you're falling for me," he said, making the blonde flinch.

"No way!" she pushed him away, freeing herself from his trap.

"You are! I bet!" he snickered.

"I'm not!" she retorted. That cannot happen.

"You're just in denial. One day when you wake up in morning, you'll realise that you are wrong all the time," he said, mocking her.

"No! I can't!" she screamed.

The pinkette rose his eyebrows in confusion. What does she mean?

"I…I… I can't love you," she stuttered, hugging herself. Her body was trembling in fear. "I won't be able to…"

Her eyes were closed, not wanting to agree with this guy who was so optimistic about everything. She can't possibly give him any love. How can she marry him and spoil his life?

She felt warm hands embrace her. He nuzzled his head into her blonde hair. A smile formed on his face.

"You don't have to love me to marry me," he said. Lucy's eyes opened wide. What does he mean? She doesn't get it. No, she doesn't want to.

She pushed him away from her; tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"No! You don't understand!" she screamed as she ran away from the very spot she was standing a minute before.

"Lucy!" he called her but she didn't turn back to even look at him. Pained, he ran after her, hoping he didn't say anything that hurt her.

~0~

There was huge traffic jam and the Eucliffe heir was stuck in it. It was really rare for him to be seen in Magnolia of all places. Their territory was different and if it was not for a business deal he was sent for, he wouldn't have wanted to come to this place.

Resting his elbow on the car's window and his head on his hand, he began humming a happy tune. Their company was going to sign a deal with the Fairytail – That would earn a lot of profit for both of them. These two have been rivals for a long time when his company or more to say, allied companies under the name of Sabertooth, were under the Presidentship of Jiemma. After his passing away and after his daughter leaving the company, the authority fell into the hands of Rogue, his friend and him. This deal they were going to sign was important to mend their spoilt relationship with the Fairies.

The blonde Eucliffe heir looked outside taking the view of the outside people when a flash of blonde caught his attention. His eyes widened as never before.

"No way! That couldn't be…" he gulped the ball that was forming in his throat. It's been so long that he's seen her.

He flung the car door open, ordering his driver to get back to the inn and assuring him that he has some work before he returns to the assigned inn. He ran after the blonde, hoping he didn't lose sight of her. Sweat trickled down his face. His eyes haven't shrunk in size ever since he got a glimpse of her.

"Lucy! Lucy!" he shouted, as he felt he was nearing her. His shouts didn't catch her attention. She continued to run till she made it out of the city and into a plain around it. She slumped onto the grass, her hands rising to hide her face in them.

He was bewildered. What happened? He didn't know. He didn't want to either. He placed a hand on her shoulder, hoping to catch her attention at least then. This worked or so it seemed.

When she turned to look at him, all he could see was her tear stricken face and tear flooded eyes.

"Lucy?"

~0~

The blonde slumped on the ground. The cold wind hit her body wanting it to crave for some warmth. She couldn't believe what that jerk was saying. Doesn't he know love is what is necessary in a marriage? She couldn't marry him without loving him. Rather, she couldn't love him first than to marry him.

She felt a hand on her shoulder. She so hoped it was not the Dragneel heir. She turned her head to answer whosoever it was. She had to answer him no matter how much she hated to think about it.

"Lucy?" the voice called. It was different from the pinkette's with whom she spent her whole day with. It was something familiar… someone she's known for a long time.

She opened her eyes wider taking in the moon light that is reflected off the other person's face. Blonde hair like hers, a scar on his face- She didn't require more details to know who this person was.

"Sting-kun?" Her hands closed her mouth shut. More tears erupted from those brown orbs.

The said guy nodded, pulling her into an embrace.

"Shhh…. It's alright now. I don't know what happened but now that I'm here, everything will be fine," he whispered. The poor girl clutched onto his shirt as she released more of her tears.

He gently brushed his hand through her hair.

"Everything's gonna be fine, Lucy. I promise you," he said, smiling gently.

~0~

Natsu saw some blonde haired person run after Lucy. Determination showed in his eyes as he wanted to eliminate whosoever he was if he was planning on hurting the blonde haired girl.

"I'm coming Lucy!" he muttered to himself, increasing his speed.

However, what he saw upon reaching the end of his chase left him shaken to his soul- The blonde haired guy hugged her while she was hugging him back. She was crying in his arms.

He clenched his fist tighter upon the sight. Various pessimistic thought entered his brain among which the prominent were:

"Could it be possible that… she loves this guy? Is it why she said she cannot love me? Can I never get her?"

Is it going good? What do you think about this story? Let me know! You can leave your comments, opinions and suggestions in the box below or just pm me.

Thank you for reading!

Bye for now!