Chapter 41
Lucy was never embarrassed in her life than she is now. She just went to check on Jellal and talk to him about the Band Battle but Natsu happened. She was blushing really hard with Natsu smirking at her.
"If you're going to flirt please the door is open. You have your room and Gray's just fine." Jellal said. His hair was disheveled and papers were on his desk. A coffee on one side and his phone was vibrating.
"Oh no! Not that room please." Gray said entering the room and walking over to Gajeel's bed. "The hotel's big, the world is big flirt somewhere else."
Natsu flinched when Lucy unconsciously gripped tight on his hair. "Shut it you two!" Natsu shouted and pulled the blushing girl beside him.
"Natsu, you're so clingy." Levy said popping beside them and pulling Lucy closer to her.
"Great! Now the whole band's here!" Jellal was irritated, glaring at Natsu. "If you weren't so clingy...!" He hissed.
"Uh, no. Not in yet!" Gajeel said from the door as he was about to take a step inside their room. "And I'm in!" He said laughing to himself, he looked over to his bed and glared. "Ass, off my bed stripper!"
"Juvia's not there yet too!" Juvia shouted from the kitchen.
"Uggggh!" Jellal sighed exasperatedly.
Lucy walked over towards Jellal and she glanced on his desk. There are papers with a list of caterers, flower dealers, photographers and pictures of the exterior and interior of at least 5 chapels, and some other small private places. And then it came to her.
"You're planning your wedding." She mumbled loud enough that Jellal was able to hear. He looked up at her and she smiled really wide. "Oh my gosh! That's so sweet!" She squealed which caught the attention of all the other people in the room.
Jellal tried to stop her but it was too late. They earned their stares already and so he went back to face his desk and slumped his head on top of all the papers on it.
"Can I help? Can I help? Can I help?" Lucy squealed and jumped up and down like a little girl. "It's my dream ever since I was a kid! Nat-My childhood friend and I used to play wedding when were kids!"
Jellal froze in his seat and sat up. He looked past Lucy and to Natsu. He was looking at Lucy with shocked eyes. It just caught him off guard that Lucy had blurted something like that in front of them. But she didn't know that that childhood friend she was talking about was right behind him. She probably altered his name with 'my childhood friend' to avoid their question or any confusion. But the truth is, everyone in the room knew.
"Jellal!" He snapped out of his thoughts and looked back up to Lucy. "I really want to help! Please?"
Jellal sighed. "Fine!" Lucy cheered happily. "But-" She stopped. "this is a secret. Especially from her."
"Why would Erza not know?"
"Well, I haven't set a date yet. We haven't talked about it at all, yet. But I know it's soon, so I prepared things." He smiled at Lucy. "Normally it's the bride who's busy at this things but I'm really lost right now!"
Everyone in the room was staring at them getting hints of things of what they were talking about. Apparently, Lucy caught him inflagrante in secretly planning his wedding with Erza.
"I don't even know if she'll like it. Or if she —"
"Uhhh, stop it Jellal. We all know Erza said yes to your proposal. So she'll be ready even if you marry her now." Natsu said.
"And! Even if your weeding theme is like.." Lucy stopped. "Adventure Time! You know how Erza hates cartoons—even though I caught her once watching it and actually getting into it—she'll be really happy." Lucy patted his shoulder. "You planning those things made me realize you're really serious about her." She smiled at him.
Did she just noticed that now? Anyway, Jellal was quite happy Lucy was on his side now. He never wanted the world's military force pursuing him. And like hell that would happen.
"So where do we start?"
There was silence in the room until Juvia knocked on the door opened it. She stood there with a ladle in her hand. "Food's ready!"
The sounds of utensils and plates clattering echoed in the whole room. They managed to squeeze all seven of them at a table for 6, with Gajeel, Natsu and Gray sharing one side that is meant for two. And with their bulk figures they couldn't help but bump each others' elbows as they eat. It was funny to look at. Big guys, squeezing and minimizing their movements so they could eat. It looked like they were girlish big guys. To which Levy and Juvia, sitting across them, couldn't help but giggle. It wasn't really a good plan letting the girls sit on one side and all of them squeeze themselves on the other.
"I want it small and private." Jellal said talking to Lucy from across the table.
Lucy nodded and made a mental note on that.
"I don't want Erza knowing about it until everything's done or I've talked to her about it."
She nodded again and took a big bite of her food. "How many do you plan on inviting?"
"Maybe 25."
"Alright." Lucy said nodded once again as she chewed on her mouth. "Where?"
"I haven't thought of that yet."
"Theme?"
"Adventure Time?"
Lucy's eyes sparkled. "Really?"
"No. Erza wouldn't want that."
She huffed and went back to eating. "Well?"
"I'm thinking scarlet and royal blue.. But, I don't really know." Jellal sighed. "I don't know a thing about how to make it beautiful."
Juvia raised her hand. "Juvia would love to be the Ministress of Beauty in this wedding!"
They both looked at her and Lucy clapped her hands in excitement. "That's good! You're the best event's organizer! You can plan their wedding!"
"Uhh.. Lucy?" Lucy turned to Levy. "I thought you're going to help Jellal."
She laughed sheepishly. "As you can see, I don't really have the time right now. But! I will! I promise!" She turned back to Jellal. "Okay, let's continue. How about, Erza's wedding dress?"
Jellal almost coughed his food out and had to drink first before he could recover. "I haven't thought of that at all!"
"Oh no! No one in here has better taste than Erza when it comes to fashion!" Levy freaked.
It was silent for a moment. Lucy has been thinking so deep about something and suddenly she smiled. "I know! Don't worry about that. I'll handle that." She said smiling. "Flowers?"
"Doesn't that belong to the theme?"
Lucy tapped her cheek and nodded. "So is there anything that you've accomplished in this 'surprise' aside from the number of guests?"
"Nope. None. It's only been a week since I started. And since the Band Battle—"
Lucy hit the table with the palm of her hands and looked frantic a Jellal. "JELLAL!" She said loudly her eyes wide. "We have to talk about the last battle!"
"Last battle?" Natsu turned to look at her.
Lucy sat back on her seat. Everyone's eyes on her and she sighed. "Ughhh. Knowing Jellal was making such a thing for Erza made me forget everything I'm doing and needed to do."
Juvia and Levy chuckled. "For a moment, Juvia forgot about everything too. She was too excited when she heard about Jellal's plan."
"Me too. Don't worry Lucy! No one's hurrying you! You're the CEO, people are going to go at your pace." Levy winked at her.
She shook her head. "It's not that simple. I have a lot of paper works because of the last Band Battle Royale.." She sighed. She shouldn't really let them know about those things. "Anyway, Jellal, it was the last. And it's called One-Shot."
"One-Shot?" Gray asked out of curiosity.
Lucy gasped. She forgot that she just have to tell the managers about it and not the whole band. Now she has to go to every HQ tomorrow to tell all of them about the up coming last battle.
"What is it?" Natsu asked worriedly.
She shook her head. "It's just I was supposed to just tell only the managers about that.. Anyway, it's a one-shot because you'll just have this one song per band. And that's it."
"How could we even set the mood like that?" Gray asked looking up from his food.
"I don't know." She smiled. "It's a challenge for everyone. I'll think of other rules or something like that."
"YOSH!" Natsu shouted pumping his fist up in the air. "We will win this!"
Lucy giggled. It was the reaction she expected from them. They were all smiling together with Natsu. Determination in their eyes as they all laughed at Natsu's antics.
"But, I warn you. It won't be that easy." Lucy said making everyone stop and look at her. She proceeded with her food and finished the whole thing with everyone still looking at her. "What?"
"There's a catch." Gray said stating the obvious. "Spill it, Lucy."
"I was just thinking about something." She smiled. "Anyway, you guys can do anything right?"
"Hm.. Juvia was thinking about what if Fairy Law win.."
Lucy chuckled. "You guys sure about Fairy Law winning?!"
"Duh, who else would believe us if we don't believe in our band in the first place?" Natsu stated as a matter-of-factly. "Besides, with my charms.. Levy and Juvia's talents and the others."—A comment to which Gray hey-ed, and Gajeel glared at Natsu—"It's going to be a blast baby."
Lucy smirked. "Let's see about that 'charm'." She smiled devilishly which made the other members of the band shiver. "Well, I know you guys can do it as much as the other bands can do it. So I'm really sorry for not siding with you right now, but you guys know I have to be fair."
"Doesn't sound like she meant it." Gray muttered under his breath.
Lucy was glad that they did took it in a good way. She won't be cheering for them this time. Well she hasn't been cheering for them before, but she felt different right now that everything between her and Fairy Law is doing great. Before, she and Natsu weren't in good terms and so she had an excuse not to—not that she could. But now that they were officially and finally dating, the press and the other bands are having a little doubt about the results. And so, Lucy knew she just have to do something about it.
"Well, with Natsu here dating the CEO, it wouldn't be a surprise if we actually won." Levy added. "And if that happens, Lucy would be bad mouthed."
"Then, Juvia thinks Fairy Law just have to give all of them a reason why we won."
"That's not even in the plan. It was a sure win." Gray said nonchalant. "Reason my ass."
Levy rolled her eyes. Being the longest to be with the band among the girls she just has to make them realize what the problem really is everytime and just has to put up with them everytime. "But we have to make sure there won't be any issue about Lucy on why we won."
"Yeah, and I'll kick those guys asses who'll make up those things about Luce." Natsu said looking as determined as anyone.
Gray rolled his eyes. "As if you could kick their ass, weakling."
"You said something droopy?"
It was like they all make it look like what was happening was an everyday occurrence and not something they all should take seriously. Lucy was watching them and was quite surprised as to why they were actually talking about already winning and what the people would say and not what the people would say if they win. She giggled.
She stood up from her seat before any fight could even start. "So, Fairy Law, give it your best shot?" She asked smiling at them. She extended her fist towards Jellal in a challenging way.
The band was surprised as to what she just did. They were all looking at her and her extended fist.
Jellal was surprised at her sudden change. But if you think of it thoroughly, it wasn't really sudden. He looked at the fist Lucy was extending towards him. He stood up, chuckling. "It's on, Heartfilia." He fist-bumped Lucy's fist with a smile on his face.
"Care to tell us where you learnt that?" Gray asked smirking at Lucy's now red face and then staring at Jellal and hers fist-bump.
"Why are you smiling?" Lucy asked Natsu as they walked down the halls back to Lucy's room on the top floor with the executive suites.
Natsu flashed his grin towards her even more, and just can't stop himself from smiling.
Getting a little nervous of what's going on, she stopped walking and pulled Natsu into a stop. She looked at him in the eyes. "What's going on?"
He shook his head and brushed a stray hair on her face. "Nothing."
"You smiling like that makes me worry even more." She said and started walking again.
"Why? Can't I smile now?" He asked as he jog so as he could walk beside her again.
"Nope." Lucy didn't look at him because his smile was kinda creeping her out. She loved his smile, but right now he is smiling for no reason or he is smiling he's going to do something or he did something. And that makes her nervous even more. "Why are you smiling?"
"Nothing that you should worry about, love." He said, still grinning, as he slumped his arm on her shoulder drawing her near him.
"But it's creeping me out." She blurted. "I felt like you smiling like that is something inside a box that would pop out or explode anytime."
He looked at her curiously. "What? Like jack-in-a-box?"
"Even scarier than that.." She trails. "Who know. What goes on in your mind.."
They stopped in front a door in the executive suites floor and Lucy reached for the key she hid behind the lamp that decorated the side of the door.
"Now, I can enter your room anytime I want." He rubbed his palms with that same grin on his face.
Lucy rolled her eyes. "As if I'd place it there again." She opened the door and stepped inside. "Wanna come inside?"
Natsu smiled. He looked at her face. She looked so tired, for him. She looked pale and maybe she lose a couple of pounds since they started investigating for the lost Dragneel. But she was still the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. He smile grew wider. He is one lucky man. Be it the jerk, man-whore vocalist of Fairy Law or that supposed-to-be dead heir.. He sure is lucky for having Lucy for both his lives.
"Okay.. So you're really creepy right now." Lucy said and reached a hand to check his forehead with the back of her hand. With her other hand she compared it with hers. "You seemed—"Before she could finish, he gripped her hand that was on his forehead and pulled her into a hug. "Natsu!"
"You've changed. A lot." He whispered in her ear and she stopped moving. "To tell you the truth you annoy the hell out of me when we first met." He chuckled. "I was just stunned by your looks, which made me decide to make you my next target."
She smacked him on the chest and pouted.
"Ow?" She hit him harder this time and glared. "Okay! I'm sorry! You were living a really boring life before, you know that?"
Lucy pulled away to look up at him. "It's no—" But she was cut off when Natsu pushed her head against his chest again.
"It really is. Everything planned and no challenge at all." He hugged her tighter. "I don't know why but that somehow lured me into you. My life before was nothing like yours when we met."
"Natsu, what's with you all of a—"
"Shut up! Let me talk." He felt her nod and he continued. "I really don't like you before."
"The feeling's mutual. I don't like you too." She muttered.
He chuckled. "So.. Opposites really to attract?"
Lucy pulled away again. "What's this all about Natsu?"
"I was just thinking. We don't get along well before, I don't want any other thing to do with you.. But now.." He looked at their intertwined hands in between them. "I can't get enough of you."
"That's the Heartfilia charm." She said and giggled.
"No. It's D-the Natsu charm."
She stuck her tongue out at him. "As if you had that, and if you really did.. It didn't work on me."
He ruffled her hair. "Oh yes, it really did work!" She glared at him. "You know what made me stick with you?"
"Because your damn head over heels for me?" He rolled his eyes.
Natsu cupped his face in his hands. "Because at some point, you've been like me and I've been like you."
Lucy scrunched her face.
"We had similarities now." He chuckled. "And that's what keeps this bond stronger. You're going to stick with me from now on, Lucy."
There was silence between them and Lucy's face was burning. Natsu had just sweet talked all of a sudden. She didn't expect him to be like this. But she somewhat liked it. He was quite clingy, possessive, annoying, destructive and playful for a boyfriend but Lucy couldn't ask for more.
"Natsu.." She pulled away and looked up to see him. A smirk playing on her lips. "I still think that my Heartfilia Charm theory lured you to me."
Natsu chuckled. "Nah, it's my charm babe." He pulled her to him and leaned close to her. "I have proof." He smirked down at her.
"What?"
"This." He leaned in and closed the gap in between them kissing her on the lips. Lucy didn't respond for she was surprised but then she melted into it and kissed him back. Lucy stopped the kiss feeling the need for air. She panted and her face was really red. "Told you, it was my charm." Natsu managed to say and pulled her into a hug again.
"Sure it wasn't." She said which made him chuckle. She could feel the vibrations from his chest and the sound his chuckles made her insides warm and made her feel at ease. All of a sudden she felt Natsu tensed. "What is it?" She asked worried.
Natsu looked around but nothing or no one else was there at the corridor. "Do you have guards tonight?"
"Loke and Capricorn will be here any minute now." She said looking at the hallway where they came from.
He nodded. "Alright. Go inside." He kissed the top of her head. "Call me if anything okay?"
"Seriously Natsu, what happened?"
He leaned and whispered in her ear. "Nothing. The same feeling before, felt like someone's watching."
"Maybe you just felt that because Gramps ordered an increase in security." She said looking around them once more. He didn't answer. Lucy reached for his face and pinched his cheek. "Don't worry okay?"
He nodded and grinned. "Go get some rest."
"Alright. You too!" She smiled sweetly. Lucy stood on her tippy toes and kissed his cheek. "Good night!" Before he could react she was inside her room with the door closed.