Chapter 18

"Daddy! Daddy! Natsu said his drawing was way better than mine." Said a sad little blonde girl as she approached the man she called daddy.

He lifted her up to his lap. "May I see?"

The little girl handed a piece of paper to her father shyly. It has a stick drawing of 3 unidentified lollipops with yellow heads but of different length in what you might say as the body.

"You liked it?" asked an expecting smiling little girl to her daddy.

The man hesitated for a while because he just couldn't understand what was on the paper. "Could you give daddy the meaning of this drawing?" He asked the little girl challengingly trying not to offend her.

The girl just took this as a challenge so she snickered closer to his father and pointed, starting at the right most drawing. "This was Mom, she's wearing a skirt like she always do, this was me I was holding her hand because she guides me to everything in life.." Said the little girl earning a little frown of jealousy from his father, then she pointed at the left most drawing. "..and this is you, daddy." She smiled innocently at him. "Your hands were just waiting near me, because you're always there to shoo the flies, that make my skin itchy so much, away and protect me from bad things."

The man smiled.

"Also because you're always there to catch me if I fall." She said, and then the little girl was shocked when she was hugged by her father.

"I'll always be here, for you. Never leaving your side. Always, my precious daughter."

The girl couldn't understand a word her father was saying, of course her father would always be there for god's sake they lived in the same house, but she nodded through his neck. She never really understand why her father hugged her, but she returned the gesture.

Just then everything went black again.

It was all just a dream.. a dream from her well loved past.

It was another morning. The sun was high in the sky and Lucy cringed when the sun's rays touched her eyes. She rubbed her eyes to wipe the sleepiness away. She leaned back on the chair she was sleeping on. And yes, she was on her desk and slept on another pile of paper she's been working on the whole night. She stretched her arms and yawned.

The thing she dreamt made her smile. She felt peace. Even though she had a rough night, that dream which includes the Natsu she knew, her father's healthy days and the days when everything was fine, gave her peace. How badly she loved to go back to that time but she knew she just can't.

She looked for her phone to check the things she needed to finish today and she was greeted by a message. She opened it and saw it was from Natsu.

"I'm going to see you first thing this morning. So wait for me in your room."

She rolled her eyes and threw her phone at the pile of papers on her table and rested her head on her arms again.

Just then her cell phone rings.

Lucy yawned again before looking for her phone buried under the pile of papers right in front of her. When Lucy found it she held it up and tried hard to open her eyes to read who was calling her so early. It's only 6 in the morning, her usual waking time now that it was only the 'Band Battle' she was focusing on. Last night she tasked herself to do a lot of things and finish a lot of papers that were left piled since the 'Band Battle' has started and maybe more for the purpose of forgetting.

At last she felt her phone's existence through the papers she looked at it and it seems it has a lot of missed calls from last night. Maybe it's just her friends, they might be worried she left without a word but she ignored it for now. She can always call them later. "Hello?" She answered in a sleepy tone.

"Miss Heartfilia, sorry to interrupt you. This is Dr. Brithe, the one handling your father's case.." His tone low.

She blinked her eyes once, twice and thrice to fix herself when she realized who called her. "Oh yeah doctor, how may I help you? Is everything okay?"

"Actually Lucy, your father's maid has been trying to call you all night, but she just can't contact you.."

His voice caught Lucy's attention.

"Your father's been calling out to you since last night and it was his worst condition.. We couldn't do anything anymore Miss Heartfilia. We're very sorry to say that.." Dr. Brithe's voice trailed.

"What? That's f-foolish doctor. I said I will pay any amount of money just cure him. Don't joke around cause I'm not buying it." She said a bit louder, her voice was shaking. "I ne.. I need you to cure my father so don't stand around there and get some fucking cure for him! I'm not paying you to –"

"Princess, I'm here to warn you ab –" Said from the other line. Virgo snatched the phone from Dr. Brithe when she heard Lucy's screams while resisting the urge to cry.

"No. No Virgo. Pay them! Triple the fee if needed. Just give father the medicine he needed!" Lucy said now sobbing. Her breathing has labored. Lucy just can't take everything anymore. Her head bumped on the desk a bit hard, her crying increased as she almost scream. "I.. I couldn't lose him now." Lucy mumbled when she dropped her phone, and all the energy she has stored in her sleep has been drained in the moment. She doesn't want to hear it, but deep inside she knew what has happen. She just can't hear it right now.

All the things she did was all for her father. Lucy knew he's been suffering that disease even before her mother died. And the sadness her father felt just added to her father's condition. The information she just received made her feel that life is just not on her side. She must have done something bad in the past that made the heavens mad at her.

"Why were you taking everything from me?" She cried. Her sobs can be heard all over her room but she tried to lower it down not wanting to attract attention.

She was crying. Sobbing.

Lucy just can't accept it all.

Now she's alone.

Forever.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

She silenced herself hearing the knock on her door. That must be Natsu. But she was just too weak and broken to deal with him right now. She rubbed her eyes and wiped her tears away.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The person outside her door can't seem to wait and was feeling irritated. She stood up not wanting to hear anymore of the knocks. She has to stop it, but first she washed her face to remove the evidence that she cried, to remove the sadness she felt. She even practiced smiling in front of her mirror.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

It was more irritating now and Lucy just had enough of it she went to her door after feeling satisfied with her 'disguise'. She grabbed the door knob and opened it.

"Natsu, can't you just wait until lat –" Her eyes widen.

"You're waiting for someone? I'm very sorry to disappoint you, Miss Heartfilia."

She opened the door full and composed herself. "Uhh. No. I was sorry to mistake you for someone else Mr. Jiemma." She gestured for him to come inside her room. "Have a seat. Do you want coffee?"

"I'm not here to have coffee with you." Lucy stopped at the tone of his voice. He seemed happy and threatening at the same time. "Seat with me Miss Lucy."

Lucy did as he said and sat across him. "So what is so important that you're here early this morn –"

"You'll be obeying my orders from now on."

Lucy's eyes widen but she smiled. "What are y –"

"I know your father died last night. You weren't able to talk to him at his last moments." Jiemma said leaning back.

Her eyes watered hearing that. She cut Virgo's call a while ago just to avoid hearing that word but this man just said it nonchalantly.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I hit a nerve?" He asked smiling.

She won't show him she's weak. "Uhm. No. I'm sorry. So what is with me following your orders again?" She asked bravely.

"I was able to talk to him during his last moment." She looked at him hopeful. "And he wanted you to marry someone that will pass my standards or someone I'll choo –"

"WHAT?!" She shouted shocked.

"You heard it. I'll be the one who'll choose the one you'll marry. He was thinking you were incapable of doing all the work for the company so he said I'll be acting as the CEO of the multi-company until I marry you off. But I don't want temporary ownership so I'll be marrying you to Sting. Soon."

"I-It's not.. I don't want to!" Lucy shouted as she stood up.

"You don't have a choice. It's either I'm the CEO and continue to own what was rightfully mine or you'll marry my son, have a part in the company to manage and poof your company will still have the Heartfilia brand on it."

Lucy closed her fists. She wanted to punch the guy in front of her but she's just hurting her palms through her nails digging into her skin, just to remind her that she shouldn't.

"Are you going to waste your parents and those Dragneels.." Their name was a ting in her ears. "..efforts?"

She's trapped. She doesn't want to give Jiemma the company even if it's just for a short time. She doesn't trust the man enough to just let him manage and rule over the company her parents and the Dragneels worked hard on. And she won't be able to find the perfect guy, because the only guy Jiemma would agree to was his son.

She tightened her closed fists until their numb. "I.. I.. I'll think about it." Was all Lucy was able to say.

"Very well then. I will be the CEO effective today. I'll be giving you a week to choose. If I don't hear a thing from you I'll be taking over the company, completely." He emphasized the last word and walked out of her room.

Lucy fell on the floor. She looked at the closed door where Jiemma exited, unconscious of the tears that were slowly pouring down her eyes. She wasn't able to talk to her father, the only person she was with. He's gone and never coming back. They're all gone and never coming back. She sobbed more. Her father just died and now the company's at risk. She needed to choose between what she wanted and the company. She actually cared for both, her happiness and the company. But her happiness seemed to be out of the picture now. She has no source of happiness now. It's just the company and her. She has to protect it. She rubbed her eyes and wiped her tears away.

"I.. I still need to do a lot of things." She mumbled lowly trying to stop the flow of tears from her eyes.

She got up, prepared herself for the day and worked.

Lucy just can't seem to do any paper work right. She has stopped crying but her eyes were still reddish. Now she's just waiting for her eyes to go back to normal, but everytime that happen she went back to crying.

It's almost time for the next stage of Band Battle Royale. She's decided. She'll smile. If she'll cry nothing's gonna happen and her father won't be happy that she's wasting time. Plus, she knew she would be able to think of something until her one week ends.

She packed the things she needed and opened her door.

"Lucy.."

She was was bit surprise but then she continued to go out. "Hey Erza!" She smiled and closed the door behind her. Erza's voice seemed to be sad, no, more like full of worry. Lucy guessed Erza already knew what happen. Oh news really flies fast.

Erza looked at her a little confused. For god's sake it was her father who died, can Lucy just show them she's sad? Though Erza doesn't want Lucy to be sad, she knew Lucy was just suppressing the feeling. "H-How are you?" She asked hesitantly.

Lucy was smiling. "Don't worry about me Erza." She held Erza's hand and squeezed it gently. "Now, I'm going to work and prepare for the event later. Let's just not talk about this for now.. Okay?" Lucy's eyes watered but she held it back. She looked away not wanting Erza to worry about her more.

Erza reached her hand. "Lu..cy.." She said as but too late because Lucy walked fast. She puts her hand down and turned back. She was pissed at that smile. That fake Lucy smile. Erza clenched her fist. She just wanted to punch someone right now. She walked to Fairy Law HQ and slammed the door open.

Everyone inside looked at her.

"What's the problem Erz?" Levy was the brave one to walk towards Erza.

Erza was looking down. Her fists were still closed.

"Levy get away from her! She might hit you!" Gajeel whisper shouted.

But Levy stayed and held Erza's arm. Slowly Erza loosen her fists and hugged Levy. The guys sighed and walked towards them.

BLAG

And Jellal was down in one punch.

"Jellal!" They shouted in unison, including Erza.

Erza sat beside him and cradled him in her arms. "I'm so sorry." She said. But her voice seemed satisfied.

"I-It's okay Erza. Just glad you already released that anger you're storing." He struggled to get up. "So, care to tell us what happen?"

She stared at the band's clueless faces. They all shook their heads from side to side as Erza look at them one by one with a qyestioning look. Finally, she looked down. "L-Lucy.."

Natsu who just finished his morning routines heard her name. He looked at the group of people, two were on the floor while Gray, Juvia, Gajeel and Levy were standing and were waiting for Erza to speak.

"What happen to Lucy?" Natsu asked when Erza can't speak.

They all looked at him curiously. "Her father died.." Erza finished.

Levy and Juvia gasped. Gray, Jellal and Natsu's eyes widen. And Gajeel, just same old Gajeel face.

"What happen? She must be very sad now.." Levy said.

"Juvia is worried about Lucy.."

"I need to see her." Natsu said walking towards the door.

Gray smirked a little. He stood up wanting to follow his pink-haired bandmate.

"His father died due to body failure. The doctors still can identify what's making him worse and last night was his worst condition. And actually, Lucy's not sad at all." Erza continued after hearing their comments.

"What?" Levy asked surprised of what she was hearing.

"That's impossible." Gray muttered.

"She is sad. But she just won't show it." Erza said still in a low voice.

They weren't surprised of what Lucy will do. Sure they knew her of keeping those sad thoughts to herself. They knew Lucy doesn't want any of them to worry about her.

"Damn that girl." Natsu muttered. "I'll find h –"

Erza stopped him. "I think she's busy right now. She chose to work for the event later. Let's just all conf –"

"Event?" Gray asked.

"Later?" Jellal continued the question.

Erza looked at them curiously. And they all seemed to be all clueless. "The Band Battle will continue later?" She said it like a question. "It was announced last ni –"

Natsu gasped and covered his mouth. Everyone looked at him with narrow eyes. He grinned cheekily. "I-I forgot. Sorry! I have to g –" Natsu opened the door once again but Jellal grabbed him.

"You'll be preparing first." And he was back inside the Fairy Law HQ.

Natsu pouted but did as what Jellal said quickly so he can go and find Lucy quick too.

"Idiot." Gray and Gajeel muttered.

"WHAT DID YOU THE TWO OF YOU SAY?!" Natsu said glaring at Gray and Gajeel.

"Actually Jellal, you guys were assigned a theme right?" Erza said as she watched the band walked everywhere.

"What theme?" Jellal asked Erza clueless.

"The peacock? You picked it for the band right?"

Jellal thought of it and just like that he asked everyone to wear the peacock costume that the crew delivered to them right after the last Band Battle.

"Why peacock?" Levy asked while getting her clothes from the pile at the middle of the living room.

"Every band needs to be in animal costumes and it just so happen that Jellal picked peacock for you guys." Erza chuckled a little. She hopes Lucy was here with them so she could really laugh with them.

After a while each member were on peacock costumes in different styles but all had a large fan on their behind.

"Do we really have to wear this?" Gray asked.

"Yep." Jellal said while resisting the urge to laugh.

"Natsu seemed to be enjoying the costume though." Juvia said lauging lightly at Natsu who's been role playing as a peacock in front of the big mirror.

"Oh that. He does that as a routine." Gray explained.

"Juvia is glad you don't do that Gray." She blushed a little and Gray just didn't hear what she said.

"Let's head out so we can still talk to Lucy." Levy suggested.

"Good idea!" Natsu jumped in joy and run towards the backstage of the concert ground.

As soon as Natsu reached the backstage she saw Lucy's blonde hair. She was talking happily to some crew.

"She seemed fine though.." One crew of violet hair said as she passed by Natsu.

"I hope Miss Lucy is really fine. But isn't what she's doing hard?" The brown haired girl agreed to her friend's comment.

Natsu just looked at them. Even the people that weren't that close to her were worrying about her. He looked at her with worry. She looked like nothing has happen, but Natsu still felt it. Lucy's grief, that is. He wanted to walk over to her but his feet just won't move.

"Why am I here in the first place?" He asked himself softly. He couldn't understand himself. Is he really ready for this? Why was he worried for her? Natsu wanted to grab Lucy right now and hug her tight but he doesn't know why he would do that. He hasn't thought of his feeling for her – He walked towards her fast. He has thought of it right last night. How could he forget?

"Lucy." Natsu called for her as soon as he was near her. She instantly turned and smiled at him but frowned when she saw his face. Lucy walked away but Natsu held her hand to stop her.

"I-I-I still need to do some things.." She stuttered.

"Miss Lucy everything is done. We're just waiting for the bands."

"I-I think I should check it." Lucy replied nervously, she felt Natsu's grip on her arm tightened.

"But you checked everything twice a while ago, right?" The crew asked.

Just her luck. Natsu smiled. "Come on." He pulled her and she bumped to him. Natsu smiled at the crew. "I'll just ask her of what will happen later, okay?"

The crew just nodded and watched them walked away.

Natsu was holding Lucy and pulling her somewhere she doesn't know.

"Where are you going?" Erza asked when they bumped into them as they were exiting the backstage.

Natsu smiled at them. "I got her first. You guys will get your turn later. Bye!" He runs until they disappeared from the band's sight.