A/N: I got so many positive responses with just the first chapter alone, and that was really a confident boost for me. A big thank you to those of you lovely readers who alerted and/or favorited Decoding! Reviewers — XxShyxX, CloverPiece, GingerLily01, Elonore (guest), Fadedwriterpiece, PixeyLane, and XxCherryXJellyxX — I'm so blessed and happy that you all took the time to leave me a review, I love you!
Elonore: I'm excited to know that I have a French follower, and I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint you.
Enjoy chapter two, and don't forget to tell me your thoughts at the end!
Decoding
Laxus Dreyar was entirely too many things: too hot, too rich, too manipulating. And he has his sights set out for a certain, unsuspecting Heartfillia.
Chapter Two
What's in a Name
Freed strolled down the large hallway of Fairy Tail High School with a yellow file folder in his hand, his leather shoes clicked softly on the elegant, brown mélange marble floors. The file contained information on Lucy Heartfilla, something Laxus had ordered him to research about for the past two days. Having the connection and power, people-searching had become something almost like a past time to Freed.
Two girls smiled and waved at the passing male, which he responded by a detached nod. Upon reaching the mahogany doors to the student council office that also served as Laxus' personal office, Freed knocked once before entering. The spacious room was dark, saved for the little sunlight pushing past the heavy, drawn shades. The first person he saw was not the spiky blond, but an alluring female. The female's eyes narrowed slightly when she saw the Vice President.
"You've got company," she slurred disappointedly. Red painted lips pulled down into a frown.
She was situated awfully close to the seated blond, but Laxus didn't seem to mind and only rested his chin on his hands habitually. He eyed the folder and without even looking at the female companion besides him, said: "It's time for you to leave, Ayame."
There was relief of ridding himself of her present in his voice, although Freed was the only one who could detect it.
The girl, now known as Ayame, sighed and strutted out the office when she can't seem to hold the President's attention anymore. When she stepped past Freed, he noted that she was the daughter of Dai and Jean Hirose, founders of Japan's top boat company.
The Hirose had been spreading their influence over seven different countries in the past few years; Freed acknowledged that Laxus was most likely only showing interest in Ayame to get closer to the Hirose Company for business gain.
"Well?" Laxus inquired when Ayame disappeared behind the doors.
"I've collected all the information you wanted on Lucy Heartfilla. She has quite an interesting profile."
"Oh?" Laxus' eyes sparkled as he motioned for the Vice President to have a seat. "Do tell."
"Lucy Heartfilla transferred to Love & Lucky Public High School the second week her first year, reasons not confirmed. She now lives alone in a small apartment complex down on Magnolia Street," Freed reported without the need to look at the file. He slid the folder across the table. "She is the daughter of Layla Heartfilla, deceased, and Jude Heartfilla, founder of the Heartfilla Konzern."
That got Laxus' full, undivided attention. The name Heartfilla did strike some curiosity in the blond, Freed was sure of it, but he had thought nothing of it then. Upon hearing the Heartfilla Konzern, it suddenly made sense. It was a successful company in Japan, but the Heartfillas didn't profit the Dreyar Corps the slightest and were deemed unimportant in Laxus' eyes. Nevertheless, Freed knew that this girl was proving to be a bewildering mystery to the President, and he would stop at nothing to figure her out…and then break her.
"The letters were sent out, Lucy Heartfilla should be informed," Freed said, rising from his seat. His work was done, for now. "Should I bring Ayame Hirose back?"
"No." The terse response was enough to tell Freed that he was no longer interested in the Hirose heiress anymore, as he most likely have already secured any future business relations. Laxus' superior, calculating intelligence of the business world was a result of his father drilling business lessons into him at a young age—he can be pretty scary for a seventeen-year-old. "But, I do want you to arrange a small welcoming party for the two incoming scholars."
With much respect, Freed nodded and left the office. He'll have the whole thing planned and ready within the day. He was used to it, especially if it concerned someone of the President's object of interest.
. . .
It was getting significantly darker outside when Lucy reached her street. She loved the color of the sky when the sun only left a line of orange across the horizon as the night engulfed the city. The stars were very bright today, along with Lucy's smile.
She teetered across the edge of the sidewalk, keeping an eye on the ground so she won't miss her step.
A biker rode by her. "Don't miss your step and fall, Lucy-chan," he warned as he always did.
As Lucy reached her humble apartment, she made a beeline to the mailbox attached to the side of the building. It has been a week since she took the exam for Fairy Tail. A rush of nervousness coursed through her body and each step she took slowed as the rusty mailbox came into view.
"Bills…bills…junk…junk…ad…" she was almost afraid to look through the pile anymore, but then an ivory envelope peeked out from the bottom. She stuffed the rest of the mail back into the box as she examined the letter. Fairy Tail High School was printed in gold calligraphy across the front.
Lucy opened the envelope without caring to be gentle on the soft material. "This is it," she breathed, pulling the light-salmon colored paper out with slightly shaky hands. The paper was thicker than regular printer paper and rather crisp.
"Lucy Heartfilla—we gladly inform you that you have passed the Fairy Tail entrance exam."
Lucy's eyes widened. "YES! YES YES YES YES!"
"Keep it down, brat! You are disrupting the neighbours!"
"Oops," she smiled at the landlady apologetically, shrinking back with fear. The landlady gave her quite an intense stare before retreating back into the apartment. The excitement came rushing back. "I can't believe it!" she squeaked, this time at a notably lower tone.
Take that, father, Lucy grinned. She wanted to prove she wasn't just some prissy daughter of a business man who only relied on power and money. She can make her own living and even get into the prestigious Fairy Tail High School without the influence of the Heartfilla Konzern.
It wasn't until a droplet of water marred the salmon-colored paper did she realize that it was her tear. She wiped her face with the back of her sleeve, her smile spread. She was so proud of herself.
"Excuse me."
Lucy yelped and threw her hands up at the sudden voice. She was in between an alley-like space between two apartments, and a figure was looming over her. I'm going to get robbed! Or stabbed! Or… she shivered; hands instantly shot up into a defensive stance, Oh, my God, sexually harassed!
"Heartfilla-san, please, I mean you no harm."
"How did you know my name?" Lucy gritted suspiciously. "Did father send you?"
The male only cocked his head, his long, green hair swiftly followed. He didn't look particularly dangerous; his clothes looked too sophisticated to be some lowlife mugger/thug and she didn't recall anyone working under her father having long, green hair.
"My name is Freed Justine, Vice President of the student council in Fairy Tail."
Lucy flushed; damn it, she looked like a complete fool in front of one of her future council members. Lowering her hand to her sides, she stepped out of the alley and bowed to the handsome Vice President. "I'm so sorry!"
"No worries Heartfilla-san. I am just here to deliver your uniform," he handed her a red bundle folded and neatly wrapped in shining plastic. Lucy took it, careful not to drop the precious uniform. He then handed her an invitation. "Our President would like to host a welcoming party for the scholars. Please make your presence on Sunday night. Dress casual."
"O-okay," Lucy blinked.
The Vice President bowed with one hand behind his back, turning around to the sleek limo parked in front of the apartment.
A welcoming party, huh? I almost forgot parties were how the rich society functioned, Lucy sighed and started walking. Before closing the door to the apartment, she looked up to the sky.
I got into Fairy Tail, mama. If only you can see me now... I'm so happy.
. . .
"Freed."
Said male was close behind the President, ready to report any minute. "Lucy Heartfilla and Levy McGarden are both here. The rest of the student body is getting restless, should I make the announcement now?"
Laxus peered down from the second floor balcony. The "small" party was grand, as it was to be expected from the doings of the loyal vice president. Close to every student of the school had come to attend, not so much because they cared about the new scholars, but the mere fact that it was Laxus Dreyar who's hosting it.
He spotted the blond female from the corner of the ball room. She was looking around frustrated, clearly feeling out of place.
"Yeah," he snapped his fingers, "let's get this started."
. . .
Lucy was pissed. Freed had told her to dress casual, and that was exactly what she did. She really wasn't about to go out and buy herself a gown, anyway, since she didn't have that kind of money. But the stares some people were giving her were making her mad. She should have known this was going to happen, after all, her father has made her go to enough parties before she left. She knew how the people were.
But so what if her outfit can't compare to some of these expensive dresses?
She found her short white dress, decorated with blue patterns on the back, and long, knee high white socks to be rather comfy. And every fashionable, she scowled inwardly.
"Ano…" A girl came up to Lucy timidly; her hands were clasped together in front of her nervously as her eyes displayed hope. She was short, about half a head shorter than Lucy. Her sky blue bangs were brushed back with a colorful bandanna while the rest of her hair barely touched her shoulders. "Are you…one of the scholars?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm Lucy Heartfilla," Lucy was relieved to find someone like her. The girl wasn't wearing an expensive gown either; instead, she donned a simple yet cute orange heather-top dress.
"I'm Levy McGarden, nice to meet you!" she replied happily. "I was so worried that I was the only one accepted into this scholar-funding program. Fairy Tail is very strict on who comes in, I heard only those who scored a perfect hundred on the exams are admitted."
"Eh? That's pretty harsh…" But that meant she must have scored perfectly!
"Yeah, you either have to have the money or the brains to come here."
Lucy seconded that. Without her father's money, she can only rely on herself and her hard work. But it was all worth it in the end. "Fairy Tail is a wonderful school, and it's great that they started this funding program," Lucy said, flashing a sweet smile at Levy. "I hope we can become good friends, Levy-chan! After all, us 'commoners' have to stick together, ne?"
"Of course!"
The two girls giggled softly and conversed amongst themselves. It was pure, dumb luck that they met—they had so much in common!
"May I please have your attention for just a few minutes," someone announced through a microphone, his voice amplified throughout the ball room. It was Freed. "Tonight we are here to welcome two intelligent beings in joining Fairy Tail. Lucy Heartfilla and Levy McGarden, please step up on the stadium."
The spotlight swung to the girls' direction, making the crowd turn their heads to the duo. The shorter girl audibly gulped; it seemed that she wasn't used to all the attention suddenly directing at her. Lucy squeezed Levy's shoulder gently, showing some reassurance as they both walked up to the Vice President.
Once they took a stand next to him, Freed gave them a minuscule of a smile before addressing the students again. "They will be part of us starting tomorrow, please take care of them, everyone." Lucy and Levy both bowed right after, earning some applause from the crowd. There were whispers; most of them seem detached with obvious boredom etched on their faces, but some were giving them curious once-overs.
"I hope you both enjoy the welcoming party." There awe as the host of the party, in a casual purple dress shirt and black pants, walked across the room. He was stunning. Girls all around batted their eyelashes at him as he walked past.
The only thing Lucy could do was to blink blankly. By the way he carried himself, she knew he was important. Very important.
"Hello, Lucy Heartfilla," he took her hand and grazed his lips across her knuckles. Some gasps could be heard in the crowd, but Lucy was too stunned to pay attention. "Laxus Dreyar, as you know from the first time we met, also the President of the Student Body Council."
"Um, nice to meet you…" Lucy replied. It finally clicked...she finally knew where she'd heard of him. When she was shadowing with a group of students around the school, the leader had briefly mentioned all the seated members in the student council but she didn't pay the names any special attention. She just had no idea she bumped into the student body president that day... Glancing at Levy for help, Lucy only got a apologetic smile and a thumbs up from the girl as she slipped away from the stage to get away from staring eyes.
"Can I interest you in a drink?" Laxus asked, nodding to the refreshment table. When he saw the suspicious look on her face, he chuckled. "Don't worry, it's sparkling water."
"I...guess?"
Laxus excused himself and swiftly made his way to the table. The Vice President came up next to him as he grabbed a glass. "Laxus, there are a number of girls demanding to know why you're giving the scholar student special attention."
Laxus smirked. "Just keep them away from her. Entertain them…I do not want any interruptions."
"Of course."
Lucy eased up when it looked like some of the girls stopped giving her the evil stare. She had taken liberty in hiding herself by some giant potted plants. It was pretty rude of me to leave the President, but, whatever. This event was pretty boring, all in all, and she really wanted to go home.
"There you are." She jumped as the hairs on her arms stood on end. Shoot, what's with these people scaring me half to death?
The spiky haired President handed Lucy the glass of sparkling water and smiled. She took note that he smelled really good with a pinch of spice. She was sure the cologne was name brand, just like everything else he has on.
"It was nice of you to host a welcoming party. You don't have to do that, you know," Lucy started, trying to make a conversation. It was a nice notion on his part. She suddenly found herself following him on a small walk. They were out of the ball room and in an empty hallway within seconds. "Ano, is there something you want from me?"
"Ah, I do have some questions for you," Laxus assented. His dark gaze was piercing. "The exam…it seemed that you passed with flying colors."
Lucy blushed. "I did study a lo-"
"I wonder…You didn't even have to take the and you would of gotten in with money," he cut her off.
She immediately closed her mouth. Her blush was no longer there as she furrowed her brows deeply. What he asked sounded innocent enough, but there was the underlying tone of coy. Laxus Dreyar had this type of air around him—that dangerous without even trying type—it was starting to worry Lucy.
"What are you trying to say, President?" she inquired.
"What I'm trying to say, Lucy Heartfilla," Laxus stressed the name. He wanted to figure out her secret. "You could have used some monetary means to get in—or even," he leaned awfully close to her face, "some more intense, intimate means."
The girl abruptly took a step back. He was starting to aggravate her, he could tell by the way her face was intensifying into an angry scowl. "It's very common. In fact, there are some girls here who did exactly that. That other scholar—she too, maybe she-" Cool liquid suddenly made contact with his face. Laxus raised his brows, surprised as sparkling water dripped down from his perfectly styled hair, forehead, and cheeks down to his shirt. The girl in front of him was holding out an empty glass; her frame shaking slightly.
"You," her head was down, blond strands of hair was curtaining her face. "Are a pretentious scum. I may not know Levy for too long, hell, I just met her today! But I know she's not the type of girl who would do that kind of stuff. I don't care how much influence you have in the business world, don't you ever label me or Levi as the type of girl who gives a rats' ass about power and money, much less yours!"
The sound of shattering glass on the marble floor echoed throughout vacant hallway; crystal shards glistened under the light, and Lucy left without caring about the possible consequences her actions may bring in the future.