I used a song for this one, it's called If It's Love by Train. Oh God, I really love that song! :) And I find it kind of perfect for this story.
Chapter 30
It was 7 in the morning. A very unusual happening in the Heartfilia Main Building that it was really early and the conference room was already set up for an urgent meeting Lucy Heartfilia called for. Most of the Board of Directors was on holograms, except for Makarov and Jiemma. Makarov sat on the chair on Lucy's right and Jiemma was across them. He was with Sting, sitting on his right, this time and a couple of guards behind them.
"So what's with the urgent meeting my future daughter-in-law?" Jiemma was in a surprisingly happy mood today. That smile makes Lucy happy, happier that in a second she'll be able to wipe that wicked smile off his face.
She remained composed and a triumphant smile lingered on her beautiful face. "Well about the marriage.." All of the Board's eyes were on her. "I would like to cancel it." Lucy was surprised to see Sting was looking at her almost shock and relief was on his eyes though she's not sure it was that.
Lucy waited for Jiemma to frown be mad and those sort of reaction but he just made a straight face. Then a smirk formed on his lips as he leaned on his fists, elbows resting on the table.
"I had an option right? I've read my father's will and there is one where I could choose the person I'll marry."
"But he has to pass my –"
"Standards. Yes. But not only yours. It's said that the Board were part of those who'll criticize him."
She could see Jiemma puts his hands down on the table clenching his fists but opens it and looked straight to her.
"Very well then.."
Everyone looked at him. Does he back down that easy?
"Introduce him to us." He smirked. Well maybe not that easy. Lucy still has to convince the Board even if it's Jiemma who'll be against them. It's just the other Board whom she has to convince for she knew whatever she do, Jiemma won't agree with this. It's just that why does it looked like Jiemma was enjoying this. She should not let her guard down for that.
Lucy could feel heat rushing from her neck to her cheeks. This is it. Even if she hasn't told Pinky about it, she has to. Maybe this way she'll be able to save herself and the company. Well she might be able to talk Pinky out of it. She'll deal with him later.
"H-He's not really a stranger to all of you. He's been part of the Band Battle and their band was doing well." She said proudly. "He is Natsu."
Murmurs echoed in the room. "Natsu? The lost Dragneel?"
"Isn't he dead?"
"Yes. I remember he was with his parents during that tragic cruise."
"Rest in Peace Dragneels" One of them said.
"Silence!" Makarov said and the murmurs quieted down to themselves.
When everyone was silent now, Lucy stood up. She was shaking. "Unfortunately, h-he's not the Dragneel heir." All of them remained silent and Lucy continued. "He's name is Natsu and he is the vocalist of Fairy Law."
"A vocalist? What would he be able to do?"
Questions and critics fired right away. She expected this but not so much. She didn't know it was worse than she expected. They just mentioned the incident and left it like that. Even she won't be able to move on that easy but she should. She has to.
"He doesn't even know anything about business."
"Maybe he hasn't finished studying yet."
"The question is what will he do? Sing for the company?"
"Maybe he can be an attraction?"
"Attraction? But other people could do that for the company?"
"I say he won't be any use for the company."
"I think he's not just fi –"
"HE IS." Makarov yelled. "He is ready for this!" They were all shocked at his reactions. Porlyusica, Yajima and Bob were looking at him in disbelief. And Lucy was confused as to why he reacted that way. "I-I mean. We haven't known him yet so we should not judge him by what we first know of him." He said sitting back down on his chair.
Lucy smiled at him. "Thank you." She mumbled. "I believe in him. I hope you could too. He's a really good friend of mine and during the time we spent together during the past week it.. just happened. I fell in l-love with him as time pass getting to know him."
"Well then we could test him." Yajima said smiling at Lucy.
Everyone started to see the light in him and considered him as someone fit for the position. Murmurs started that they could test him, some said they could give him pointers and some said if anything they could still improve him to fit as Lucy's partner. This made Lucy smile appreciatively.
Jiemma was still on his sit. The truth is he wasn't surprised that Lucy was doing all of this. He knew what happened during the whole week she was out. He was tapping on the table happily. And he figured Lucy was going to do this all. And he was just thankful last night happened and that he had her as his colleague.
"Miss Heartfilia?"
Lucy gazed at him and the Board stopped chatting.
"I was just thinking. Maybe you weren't informed of the concert your 'boyfriend' went to last night." He said and rested his elbows on the table.
"I am very well informed of that. In fac –"
"So have you seen the news?"
She stared at him incredulously. Makarov was also confused as to what Jiemma was talking about. Thoughts flooded Lucy's mind. Did something happen to him? Is he hurt?
"Well, guessing from your reaction and your sudden call for a meeting I'm guessing you haven't." He said smirking. Jiemma raised his hand to call for one of his body guards and he was immediately handed a remote. The screen behind Jiemma lighted and there was the news.
"I'll show you this part. His part in that concert." Jiemma smirked. "Be glad I recorded it."
At first sight Sting's eyes widen. He doesn't know there was a concert for the Sabers. His father forbade him to do band-things since he was officially engaged to Lucy. And this just made his hopes down. In truth he was happy that Lucy came up with something to stop that marriage but this.. He clenched his fists. Sting just can't wait any longer.
The show started and Lucy like the other Board Members stared at the screen.
"Hello Era! It's nice to be here." Natsu said grinning at the crowd. "I was really happy to guest and actually I have this really good news for all of you. I just saw the girl I wanted to be with. I'll sing a song for the girl I really really really care for. You're happy for me right?" He asked quite hesitantly but the crowd only roared in cheers and Natsu chuckled. "I figured. And I'm just really happy, though we're not yet.." He emphasized the word YET. "..dating officially. I just wanted to tell her what she–WE were both feeling and with it nothing else really matters."
Lucy felt her cheeks flush. Why the hell would Jiemma record something like this? Is he a fan of Natsu's? Thoughts flooded Lucy as she became more curious as to what happened at the concert. She hasn't watched it yet but she's planning and now Jiemma was saving her time for doing two things at the same time. She's having a meeting while watching Pinky's concert.
"Okay! So here it is." Natsu inhaled deeply and exhaled. The intro started though it felt odd for the background music didn't come from the people usually heard it with Natsu's voice.
While everybody else is getting out of bed, I'm usually getting in it
I'm not in it to win it and there's a thousand ways you can skin it
He started to walk around the stage. Lucy remembered the time he sang Lucky Strike, he was amazing. He could make everyone smile just by looking at him. Well they smile not because it's funny but because there's just something in him that could make anyone smile for no reason. Maybe it's those inviting eyes or those sexy lips or just his infectious smile–which could make you smile–yeah maybe that's it.
My feet have been on the floor, flat like an idle singer
Remember winger, I digress, I confess you are the best thing in my life
Natsu pointed on the screen knowing it was directed at him. Lucy's heart beat faster.
But I'm afraid when I hear stories 'bout a husband and wife
There's no happy endings, no Henry Lee, but you are the greatest thing about me
He puts his hand on his chest.
If it's love
And we decide that it's forever, no one else could do it better
If it's love
And we're two birds of a feather then the rest is just whatever
Natsu walked to the other side of the stage and sang. His voice was lively as needed for the song. The girls were squealing.
And if I'm addicted to loving you and you're addicted to my love too
We can be them two birds of a feather that flock together
Love, love, got to have something to keep us together
Love, love, that's enough for me
Natsu grinned to no one in particular and Lucy's heartbeat sped.
Took a loan on a house I own, can't be a queen bee without a bee-throne
I wanna buy you everything except cologne 'cause it's poison
We can travel to Spain where the rain falls mainly on the plain side and sing
'Cause it is we can laugh, we can sing, have ten kids and give them everything
Natsu held his hands up and the crowd did too. He waved it as he sang and the crowd did too.
Hold our cell phones up in the air and just be glad that we made it here alive
On a spinning ball in the middle of space, I love you from your toes to your face
Natsu pointed to the crowd and pointed to them toes to head.
If it's love
And we decide that it's forever, no one else could do it better
If it's love
And we're two birds of a feather then the rest is just whatever
And if I'm addicted to loving you and you're addicted to my love too
We can be them two birds of a feather that flock together
Love, love, got to have something to keep us together
Love, love, that's enough for me
You can move in, I won't ask where you've been
'Cause everybody has a past
When we're older we'll do it all over
Again
When everybody else is getting out of bed, I'm usually getting in it
I'm not in it to win it, I'm in it for you
If it's love
And we're two birds of a feather, then the rest is just whatever
Lucy felt a light. His voice is really soothing just like the time he sang to her–to them at the island. She remembered how she told him they just can't be because they just don't match and now he was singing this. Was it for her? She doesn't know herself. She was getting flustered as the song goes on. Other Board Members were also entranced by his performance to which made Lucy proud. She was happy he really did have that effect on anyone when he's on stage.
Then the rest is just whatever
If it's love and we decide that it's forever, no one else could do it better
And if I'm addicted to loving you and you're addicted to my love too
We can be them two birds of a feather that flock together
Love, love, got to have something to keep us together
Love, love, got to have something to keep us together
She remembered Natsu the first night they stayed at the island. Before Erza interrupted them, he said he didn't care of anything of what other people says. What mattered is what he felt. Does he mean it?
Love, love, that's enough for me
The song ended and Lucy was red. Makarov looked at her with a sly smile on his face. She felt more embarrassed knowing Makarov knew about them. She looked at Jiemma but he kept his smile. There's nothing that happened during Pinky's whole performance. She sighed. The show continued and Lucy turned her eyes back to the screen.
Natsu panted but was still smiling to the crowd. "Wow. I just sang my heart out." He chuckled and the crowd roared. "Well the.. the girl I was t-talking about.." He tried to speak even through his uneven breathing. "Most of you know her." A blush was visible on his cheeks. "She's the best thing that happen in my life. I have lots to tell you. But first and foremost, I love you L –"
Lucy's eyes widen. Her hands flew to her mouth in shock. Makarov's eyes were shocked and there was a glint of hatred in his eyes. Porlyusica, Yajima and Bob clenched their fists looking at Jiemma.
The show stopped and the screen had a picture of Natsu and her. As much as Lucy wanted to take off her eyes from the screen, she can't. "I don't really get why people write things about popular people for in fact they're just like normal people experiencing normal experience normal people experience. Coincidentally I came upon this.." Jiemma puts the remote control in front of the table.
On the screen, was Natsu and Lisanna.. kissing. She's frozen in her spot that moment. She couldn't see Natsu's face but it was clear that he is the guy kissing Lisanna. Lisanna's arms were around his neck and behind them was a big screen that shows them kissing on stage, probably for a clearer view for the people at the back.
She felt weak that instant. She was just fortunate she was sitting or else she might have fallen on the ground. Lucy looked down not wanting to see that image anymore. She shook her head. Nothing else mattered right now. It's just the image.
"Turn it off." Makarov hissed sensing Lucy's distress. No one seemed to hear him so he shouted. "TURN THAT THING OFF!"
Jiemma smiled but hid it giving them an 'I know I'm right all along' look. "I would like to consider the idea that you're choosing someone for yourself but as your 'guardian' I wouldn't agree with a person like this. I wouldn't want to see you crying because of him." Jiemma said a worried town that he is clearly faking. "You're still too young to decide for yourself." He smirked.
"Yes. Miss Heartfilia has the company to attend to and she won't be able to concentrate to the company if she'll marry that kind of man. He'll just be a nuisance to her."
"I agree to that. He'll just make her cry."
"And what about the company if she'll just look after some kind of guy like that?"
"Uhhh. This is a waste of time. If she can't choose a man fitted for that position then how will we be able to trust the company to her? I'm leaving."
"Such a headache."
One by one the Board's holograms were disappearing. They were all muttering disappointed notes before they leave. Saying how irresponsible she was and how could they trust her decisions this way. Some were saying she should just let Jiemma run the company and follow his orders for the company's good and hers too. And the lasts of them saying their morning was wasted that they could do something more important than being in this humiliating scene.
Yajima, Bob and Porlyusica were one of the lasts who remained.
"We should move the wedding." Bob suggested.
Yajima was glaring at Jiemma. "I believe she's in need of time to prepare her mind. And yes, more time."
Jiemma raise his hands. "Alright, suit yourself. 5 days and that's it."
Porlyusica looked at Makarov as if their talking through their eyes. And soon the three disappeared.
Lucy was still frozen on her seat. The Board of Directors that she knew was on her side were silent. She didn't know what to do or what to say. Is that what really happened at the concert? She just can't believe it. Images of Natsu smiling at her saying remember that he meant what he said flashed in her mind. She can't believe she fell for those lies. A tear fell from her eyes and she immediately wiped it and tried to stop.
"He isn't fit for the position." Jiemma said. "And looks like you got what he's showing you the wrong way. He's a player and he'll never change. You shouldn't have believed him. He'll just hurt you. Look at what happen, you just lost the Board's trust, ruined your image, humiliated yourself and broke your heart." He leaned back on his chair. "5 days."
Jiemma's words, should she believe them?
"I'm just being a good 'guardian' here. I don't want you to be hurt. This just shows that you're still too young to choose something good for yourself and not to mention the company." He said.
"She is –" Makarov started but was cut off when Lucy hold his wrist.
Her bangs were hiding her eyes as she looked down. She inhaled one deep breath and looked at the people around the table. "I'm sorry Gramps." She muttered. "I'm sorry everyone. I'm sorry for wasting your time." She stood up and walked away.
Loke and Capricorn followed her once she exited the conference room. They were shock to see her that way but they didn't ask.
"What are you up to again?" Makarov asked once the conference room was empty. He just want to know why. "What did you do this time?" There's not just something bad that happens that he has nothing to do with.
Jiemma chuckled. "I didn't do anything. I was just concerned about the girl's being."
Makarov snorted. "Stop fooling around. I know you planned this."
"I swear I didn't." He said raising his hands. "All I did was save that girl from having a worse heartbreak. Right from the start I knew she wasn't capable of –"
He was stopped with a loud bang of the door.
"Those reactions those are just what I needed." Jiemma said when he leaned back to his chair.