Heyy! Sorry for not updating for so long. I didn't know I'll be this busy since school started. I'll try to update as soon as I can. Really. :) And thank you for the support! I really love the reviews. I was surprised by the sudden increase. :DDD Thank you, really!
Chapter 33
"Where the hell is Natsu?!" Jellal shouted inside the Fairy Law HQ.
"Maybe he's drunk and passed out somewhere." Levy said, yawning lightly.
"We need him now!"
Suddenly the door opened showing a wasted and exhausted looking Natsu. Jellal immediately went to his side and helped him to the couch. Levy gave him water and a hot towel.
"Where have you been?" Jellal asked looking at Natsu.
"My car was hit by a truck." They gasped and for some seconds they were unconsciously holding their breath. Now that they looked at him closely there were a few bruises on his arms and some on his face but he was mostly covered with char. "Luckily, I was able to turn a little and it was just the back part that was hit by the truck." He chuckled and then there was silence. "I should've just died back in that accident. I should've just died with my parents."
Levy furrowed her brows and looked at him intently. "What are you talking about?"
Gray went out with his performing outfit and joined the group crowding Natsu. "What the shit happened to a shit?" He asked rather loud. He heard what Natsu was saying and is really disappointed in him. "If you really wanted to die then why don't you just tell me? I've been itching to beat you up lately."
Levy smacked him on the gut and glared at him. "Natsu why are you talking like that? You should've been thankful you're alive from that accident. Thankfully that truck didn't hit you directly. But why was it that up until now we weren't informed of it? Where are those reporters?" She hissed.
"I know it wanted to kill me. The driver runaway when he hit my car." He leaned further on the couch. "That idiot didn't check if he killed me."
"What the hell are you blabbing about? You're saying some people are trying to kill you?" Jellal asked in exasperation.
Natsu was silent and they started to feel anxiety creeping through their veins. Is Natsu's life really in danger?
"I'm the Dragneel heir."
Jellal, Gray, Levy and Gajeel went silent until Gray laughed out really loud. "That was a really good joke." Natsu remained serious and Gray stopped laughing. "You aren't kidding?"
Natsu shook his head and sighed.
"WHAT THE?!" Gray shouted taking a step back away from him.
Gajeel's eyes were wide.
"Stop messing with us Natsu!" Levy huffed. She was shaking of fear, shock, a tad of happiness and anger. "It's not funny!"
Natsu looked away from them and pouted. "That's one reason I didn't tell you. You won't believe me."
"But.. But.." Gray tried to form words and try to tell him what an idiot he was for not trusting them with that secret.
"Why didn't you tell us? Why only now?" Jellal asked. His voice was shaking. Hey, it's not every day that a friend of yours reveals a secret that he's an heir of a company partnered with one of the biggest Groups in the world. And was saying someone was trying to kill him. Well that wasn't something you hear from someone everyday.
"I didn't want you guys to be involved. If anyone knew I survived that accident in the ship, the killers of my parents would surely go after me."
"Why would they go after you?" Levy asked. She had a lot of questions in mind and they continue to flood in there.
Natsu shrugged. "I don't really know why. I guess, something more happened in that cruise ship. Well that was my guess even before.."
Gray pointed at him. "If you're the Dragneel heir.. then.. then.."
"You're the one that Lucy was saying she really loved, even from the start? She even tried to stop loving you because of –WAAAAAH!" Jellal shouted. "This is just all so confusing!"
Gajeel scratched his head, clearly having a hard time absorbing everything.
"You're Lucy's best friend. The one I'm substituting to the substitute." Gray said weakly, still absorbing the fact Natsu just told them. It was really hard to believe that this friend of his was the lost heir, the supposed-to-be-dead Dragneel heir.
"And you're the one arranged to Lucy since you were kids." Levy said and covered her face to stop the tears from rolling from her eyes. "Why the hell did you tell us now?!" She shouted in anger.
Natsu snorted and chuckled. "Because if I don't, I'll break down. I'm not as strong as Lucy. She can keep all her problems to herself until time slowly fix them. I can't." He looked at them. "And Lucy's the last person I wanted to know I'm him."
Gray grabbed him by the collar. "Y-You.. you made her sad so much. You made her suffer all through those years making her believe you're dead?! And to think that you're watching her be hurt like that all this time? You knew you were that.. that Dragneel and yet you didn't do anything to help her and ease those problems she's facing because of you! You just let her! Didn't you even care for what happened to both of you when you were still kids? Those memories Lucy treasured so much.. doesn't those make you feel guilty of what you were doing to her?!"
"I can't remember."
"Wha –" Gray's grip on him loosened.
"I can't remember those times. I wanted to remember that past I shared with her because that's the Natsu, Lucy loved. That's the Natsu who made her happy, not this person in front of you who kept giving her problems." Gray finally let go of him. "I really wanted to remember, but I'm also scared that if I remembered the past then that means I'll also remember the accident with my parents. All the feelings will come to me all at once. I didn't mean to cause her problem. I tried to keep that annoying me in front of her, treated her like any other girl to keep her away from me as we investigate but I only end up falling for her.. I became even more attached."
"But why did you want to die!?" Levy asked. She was trying hard not to cry for him.
"Because if I did die back then, then Lucy must have been living a happy life now. She won't have any problems like these that I'm constantly giving her." He paused. "No killers will go after me and the ones who knew about this. You guys won't be involved. Lucy won't be involved."
Gray punched Natsu hard on the face. "What the hell are you talking about?!"
Everyone in the room fell silent.
"If you didn't show up would you think Lucy's life would be any different from what she is experiencing now? Probably she will be married off to that bastard sooner and that Jiemma would totally rule her life. If you died do you think anything in her life would be better? Nothing will change and I think it'll be worse. Haven't you realized that Lucy has grown used to you? That she smiled because of all of us, and you? That you gave her hope in this miserable life she was living in?" He shouted clenching his fists. "Do you think there will be a Fairy Law if you died? I'm sick of you saying if you just died then.. Then you're bullshit. As much as I hate to admit this but, we are happy you are here. I'm happy you've became a good… friend of mine." He finished and walked out.
"Gray's right." They were surprised from the new voice coming from the direction of the door. "As much as I wanted to beat you up for not telling Lucy you are the person she was longing for so long, I'll spare you for now."
"Erza.." Jellal mumbled.
Erza smiled at Jellal. "It took me everything to be calm and hear everything from your side of the story. You didn't know how she suffered your death; you guys only saw the aftershock. I met Lucy in middle school and I know she was still broken even though years passed since that incident. I witnessed Lucy change after she met you guys. After she met you.." She looked at Natsu straight in the eyes. "the other Natsu, who broke her heart again!" Erza took a step forward and punched Natsu in the face. Anger was visible in her eyes. "You love Lucy right?" Erza brushed the hair that was on her face roughly and glared at Natsu. She was panting heavily and slowly she was able to calm herself slightly.
Natsu's eyes were wide and he wasn't able to speak or make any movement of what his answer was.
"If you did so then do everything you can to make up to her. Explain to her everything."
Natsu looked down. "No. Not now. We haven't figured out who the killers were. I don't want to risk her safety. Besides, that Band Battle and that Lisanna issue made her really stressed out. I don't want add myself to her worries."
"But she deserved to know!" Levy whined.
"And she doesn't deserve what was happening to her. It's all my fault, I know. But I didn't mean it. I didn't want her to feel that way.. I didn't want her to experience these things.." Everyone fell silent. Natsu was right and wrong at the same time. He has a point of making this entire still a secret to her but really, it isn't fair for her. It wasn't fair long enough that she struggled so long. "The first time I met her.. I was shocked to see her personally and couldn't stop myself that I kissed her. That time I regretted I introduced myself to her and entered her life again. I wasn't planning on going back into that life, I only wanted to know who killed my parents and give justice to them." He chuckled. "Hell, I didn't even care for her at the beginning.. but then maybe instincts overpowered me and now here it was. I'm sorry for everything."
"You shouldn't apologize to us. Tell that to Lucy." Gray hissed.
Natsu smiled weakly. "I tried."
"What happened when you went to Lucy?" Levy asked out of nowhere. She sat on his side and cleaned his bruises. "I'll patch you up. But continue answering our questions until we all got ready for the performance tonight! That secret you just told us made me shiver and I'm still trying to absorb that you're that rich heir, that title doesn't even suit you too."
Gajeel coughed and sat on the couch too. "I saw Lisanna and that big old guy we saw at the concert talking to this bastard, walking together. So can anyone tell me they're not dating? Because it's just too disgusting."
Sting was sitting on the side of his bed wearing white tux and shoes. A white shimmering tie decorated his plain suit and his hair was tousled. The all white dress made more accents to his blonde hair, even if it's originally pale now it looked a more of a darker shade of gold. His hands were clasped in between his legs and he was sighing every now and then. It's only been minutes since he finished his preparations and all he was waiting for was the person who'll call him to enter the Doors of Hell and be trapped in there with the girl he doesn't even want to marry. If it only was Yu –the girl she loved then Hell would still be Heaven. He sighed again. His face was full of sadness. He just can't runaway because his room was surrounded by guards and cameras that reports to his father every now and then.
Knock Knock Knock
Knocks on the door made him snap out of his trance but he didn't look up. Is it time already? He wasn't ready yet and maybe he'll never be ready to marry Lucy Heartfilia. Well, it's not really bad for him to marry her but the thing is he doesn't love her. She was just a childhood friend to him. They played several times after Layla Heartfilia passed away and she had been a good friend to him ever since. Well except for the time when his father was asking him to make a move on her and he went overboard that he acted like a complete jerk and pervert in front of her. He regretted it. He doesn't want what he was doing but at the same time he doesn't want to go against his father's wishes.
All he ever wanted was to have a life with choices. Not one where people will dictate you what to do. But ever since his mom died Jiemma became like that, hungry for power. He exerted extra time for work and made Heartfilia Groups as his goal.
"What's with the low face, Mr. Groom?" A low familiar voice made him look up and there he saw Rogue. "You should be happy if you're getting married."
Sting rolled his eyes. "And what do you want me to say? 'Oh my gosh I'm marrying Rogue's childhood crush. I'll make babies with her and own the Heartfilia Groups'" He said in a girly sarcastic voice.
"She isn't my crush."
"Yes she is! You even made some chocolates and give it all to her!"
"That's from me and Yukino, your childhood and up until now sweetheart slash crush slash –"
Sting's eyes widen and he blushed. "That's not true!"
"Oh yeah? Says the guy who is really protective over her, who is really sweet only to her, who doesn't want to marry because it's not Yuki –mmmmph." His words were muffled under Sting's hand, but he kept on saying incoherent words. Soon after Rogue finished he straightened his suit. "You're still childish Sting. You should not strangle your best man hours before your wedding or else you won't have any."
Sting plopped himself on the bed and stared at the ceiling. "I don't want to get marry at a very young age. The truth is I don't want to get married at all."
"Or you don't want to get married because it's not Yukino who's your marrying?"
"Yeah." Sting said nonchalantly. The moment that word escaped his mouth he saw Rogue snort and he felt really embarrassed realizing what he just said. "DAMNIT!" He shouted through the pillows.
"So what do you want to do to stop this freaking wedding?"
Sting froze but soon he relaxed. "Nothing.."
Rogue looked at him confusedly. "You just said you like Yukino and yet you won't stop this wedding.."
"Yep. I won't stop it." He said and pulled himself into a sitting position on his bed. "I can't do anything. You know that Rogue."
Knock Knock
They both looked at the door and it opened before Sting gave his permission to enter. A girl of purple hair stuck her head at the gap she opened. She smiled at them apologetically. "I'm sorry for interrupting but Mr. Eucliffe.. It's time."
Sting sighed and nodded. He reached his hand so to shake Rogue's hand. Rogue looked at it hesitantly but gripped his hand with his. Sting pulled him and bro hugged Rogue.
He pulled away and patted Rogue's shoulder and walked out of the room.
"Good evening to everyone! It is really rare for us to have weddings at these times but if it's for the love of the groom and the bride then the time doesn't matter as long as they would be tied to each other starting this day." A brown haired man said. "Now, for a starting gift coming from the groom's father we will be serenaded by popular bands from the on-going Band Battle. To start the processional here's Lamia Scale."
The song started and the white doors opened. It revealed the dashing groom, his hands were inside his pocket and he was standing alone unlike the usual processionals where the groom was standing beside his parents. He lazily started to walk and was yawning in the process.
I do by 98degrees
I do cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
I will love you still
The aisle was decorated with white trees but they don't have any leaves only branches painted plain white. Gold fruits were hanging randomly on several branches, which can be easily seen because of its sparkling designs and the plain white tree to where it was hanging freely. The place was filled with different powerful and rich people wearing formal dresses and suits that matched the event. The aisle was carpeted with a white carpet with gold accents, petals were scattered on the sides of the carpet.
From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much
I do
The lined trees were separating the guests from the processional and even though there were white trees the guests kept on turning their heads to every person who comes down the aisle.
It was Mermaid Heel who sang next.
This I Swear by Nick Lachey
I may not say it half as much as I should
When I say I love you darlin' that means for good
So open up your heart and let me inAnd I will love you, till forever
Until death do us part we'll be together
So take my hand, and hold on tight
And we'll get there
This I swear
The ceiling was decorated with white cloths hanging loosely. It looked like the heavens but there were golden stars that made it just looked like the skies having stars at daylight. Everything was base with plain white and gold were scattered just to say they weren't plain. They were elegant and formal.
I'll Be by Edwin McCain
The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath.
And emeralds from mountains thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth.
"Where was the best man?" Asked the wedding coordinator who was feeling nervous that very moment. "Look for him. Fast!" She whispered to her runners.
Tell me that we belong together,
Dress it up with the trappings of love.
Two men runs to the back of the line and called for the lost best man but they didn't find even a sign of his shadow that he's been there. The song continued to play and it was now Blue Pegasus who was singing. On the side of the altar was a video of the guys who were singing live somewhere in the hotel. Some of the teenage guests, probably daughters of businessmen were just watching the live telecast and was quietly but constantly squealing.
I'll be captivated,
I'll hang from your lips,
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above.
I'll be your crying shoulder,
I'll be love's suicide
I'll be better when I'm older,
I'll be the greatest fan of your life.
Soon the men who looked for Rogue came back with nothing. And so the coordinator just proceeded with the processional because the long absence of the people walking down the aisle became disturbing and that people started to think something was wrong.
The fourth song was sung by Quatro Cerberus who kept a rather wild but happy love song.
From This Moment by Shania Twain
From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
The processional continued even though the best man's space was left untouched. The priest himself was quite confused but then he just shrugged it off and continued waiting as the processional ended and the bride was here so he could do whatever he was paid to do so.
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on
From this moment, I have been blessed
I live only, for your happiness
And for your love, I give my last breath
From this moment on
The whole wedding place was in a place where commoner won't be able to enter neither does reporters nor uninvited people were allowed to enter, everyone has to have a pass or the invitation to get in. It was a rather private wedding and only hired professional photographers were allowed to take pictures and video the whole event. Guards were scattered all over the place and not only were the hired by Jiemma was there but also body guards of different powerful families and businessmen who were invited.
For the fifth song, Lisanna was the one singing for The Sabers and she looked innocent and lovely on screen. Her voice echoed throughout the place and gave chills to Lucy. She can now hear the sounds outside the room she was kept, which was just outside the area where the wedding is being held.
Marry Me by Train
Forever can never be long enough for me
To feel like I've had long enough with you
It was just kind of awkward because it's coming from the girl who broke her heart together with that guy she trusted. Well maybe she was happy for her. Lucy was quite confused as to why The Sabers were the one singing. She doesn't know what will happen to the whole wedding because in the first place she isn't the one who prepared for it. Not because she is busy but because neither her nor Sting seemed to be interested in it.
Forget the world now, we won't let them see
But there's one thing left to do
Now that the weight has lifted
Love has surely shifted my way
Marry me
Today and every day
Lucy was still standing at the end of the line and the processional may seemed long but it really was. Even if it is the guests were still enjoying and were eager to see the amazingly beautiful bride. They were being serenaded by famous bands though it doesn't seem that the bands knew it was the CEO's wedding because if they knew, Lucy knew Erza and the others would be here right now. She should've told them about the wedding before she went here. That way it would be fair for them even if her friends were not part of her wedding. Even if it is her wedding she doesn't want to include them in this misery and doesn't want them to worry about her. She tightened her hold on the bouquet of flowers in front of her.
"My daughter-in-law.." She froze at the voice. She forgot he wanted to be the one who will escort her to the altar. He said he wanted to make sure she'll walk straight to the altar. "You look really pretty today. Just like your mother."
"I can walk by myself."
"But it would be rude to refuse a gentleman's offer." Jiemma said and Lucy just rolled her eyes. "Besides I have a surprise for you."
Lucy looked away from him and didn't take the hand he was offering.
"Now, that's a bad attitude to your father-in-law." He smirked. "You should just enjoy this last song. And oh… If I might tell you something. I talked to your 'lover'.."
"He isn't my lover." She said weakly.
"I bet WAS is a better than not at all." Jiemma stood beside her and waited for the fifth song to end. "Well then, I don't care if you won't listen but he said he was happy for you. That he was sorry he misunderstood you and that to make it up to you, he'll be singing the wedding song for your march down the aisle." He felt Lucy stiffened and he chuckled.
Marry me
If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will
Say you will
Before Lucy could react the white doors in front of her were being opened and a soft voice reached her ear. Jiemma yanked her arm and he was leading the way down the altar.
On This Day by David Pomeranz
Lay your head upon my shoulder
Let it rest there for a while
I guess that I'm still good for something
Once in a while
On the sides she could see that Porlyusica was looking at her full of concern. On the other side were Bob, Yajima and Makarov all were looking at her, but it was clear that their eyes were not happy. She stared back at the altar and saw Sting was standing there lazily, but his eyes were wide looking straight at her. She could hear comments like 'Indeed, so beautiful' 'We must have arranged with the Heartfilias before' 'Look how lucky Sting is' The guests clapped when she was walking.
And then she heard it. The thing Jiemma was talking about. It was Natsu's voice on the speakers. His face on the screen and she gasped. He looked really calm and happy singing.
And if you need someone to talk to
Just give a call, I'll be around
And if you want me to avoid you
Just say the word
If you love him you should leave me
That's the best thing to do
And if you need him you don't need me
Like you used to
And if you believe that you'll be happy
Then I'm happy for you
She'll never forget how this voice soothed her on her troubled times. How it tell her things to put a smile on her face. She tried to stop a tear from falling and smudge her make up even before the wedding starts. She's grown to love hearing his voice. She sighed and looked down.
To think that she has considered asking help from him and forget everything she has planned and lived with from the start. That she considered cheating on the Dragneel heir for him. After considering her options.. what did she get? She humiliated herself in front of the Board, lost their trust and all. Just because she didn't plan thoroughly and looked into things first, now she lost everything. And the only way to still be in the company and slowly earn their trust again is to follow the person who earned their trust, Jiemma, and eventually earn what she lost.
Yes and it's just kind of funny
Ain't it me who never cried?
I guess that I'll still kind of love you
For a little while
That day when she arrived home she immediately locked herself and sent Loke and Capricorn away. She didn't want anyone to see her in that state. During those times she was crying like there's no other time that she is allowed to cry again. She was beyond broken. Lucy realized her mistakes and finally made her decision. She will go through this. She locked her heart away.
But hearing his voice..
She wanted to runaway and tackle him into a hug. But that isn't what her mind was saying. Doing that won't do any better for her or the company.
And if you love him you should leave me
That's the best thing to do
And if you need him you don't need me
Like you used to
And if you believe that you'll be happy
Then I'm happy for you
With every step she takes, the heavier she felt. She was feeling herself lagging and that Jiemma has to pull her in order to snap her out of her trance and walk again. Her feet wanted to be glued on the floor but that's not what she has decided to do. This time now, she'll remain firm to her decisions. She'll stay with her mottos in life. She'll stick with her decisions and plans now.
Silly thing
Don't you apologize
No, no
No, no, you
You don't owe me
Jiemma sensed her hesitation and pulled her harder. Lucy stared at the screen showing Natsu's face singing calmly on stage. She felt her stomach twist and felt the urge to vomit but held it in. She tasted the bitter taste of the puke she held in. She missed Natsu. She really wanted to do what she told she would, slap him hard and erase Lisanna's kisses on him but that's just not right. Even though she felt that way now she has to hold it back and let him be happy with her. She wanted to believe what he was telling her back then but, after that it felt like it was hard to believe him. She hoped this will stop but then again.. who would do that? She pushed Natsu away and lost her chance to be free. She let her emotions take over her but who could blame her? She was humiliated in front of the people she wanted to please all her life. Lucy was mad at the kiss but she could've opened her mind that time if only she hasn't felt that during the meeting. Then maybe, she would hear him.
But everything's too late now. The only thing she was thinking to keep herself from running away is that she was making herself guilty for feeling that way for another guy other than Natsu Dragneel and that the company is at risk. She kept on repeating his name in her head and it looked like it was effective because up until now, she hasn't turned around.
No, no, you
You don't owe me
No, no, no, no, no, you
You don't owe me
If you love him you should leave me
That's the best thing to do
And if you need him you don't need me
Like you used to
And if you believe that you'll be happy
Then I'm hap −
The song stopped rather not right. Lucy felt Jiemma's hold on her tightened and they proceeded walking down the aisle. Soon they reached the altar and Jiemma reached for Sting's hand and forcefully gave Lucy's hand into his. He was smiling at both of them. Lucy looked straight into Sting's eyes and sadness was also clear in his. That moment she realized Sting also doesn't want this and he was just forced by his father.
"I'm sorry.." He mumbled soft enough for only Lucy to hear.
The song ended but not beautifully. It was like cut. It was kind of an awkward finish but felt like something has happened to them. Worry crept into Lucy and hoped she isn't right. The priest raised his head to look at them with worried eyes. It was just obvious that something is wrong with them but the priest chose to continue.
"We are gathered here today to witness the exchange of vows between our beloved Sting Eucliffe and Lucy Heartfilia.."