I'll reply to the reviews at the end. I think you may want to read this chapter before reading my replies. *wink*

Note: - There is a small change I'm making in the ages. Natsu is 21 years old. I'll change that soon after updating this chapter.

The Highest Debtor

Summary: Natsu took a large amount of money as loan from Heartfilia Finance. When the time of payment drew near, he found himself kidnapped by the President's men. Threatened by the President, Natsu agreed to a deal to date his daughter till she grows tired of him. He assumed her to be stuck-up rich brat and found the chances of falling for her low. However, his opinion of her changes as the time progresses. He finds her mysterious, hiding things so minute from everyone. What is she hiding? Will he ever find out? Will she ever find out what he is hiding?

Chapter-2

Catch your girlfriend

Is it not tiring

For you to fly for miles

Why don't to pause

And be by my side

"So, he's coming?" Her lips stretched from one corner of her mouth to the other. "I love you, Papa. I'm waiting for the both of you. Come home soon, okay? Be safe"

A few of the maids wore a worried expression as they saw their mistress running down the stairs. It's not like they were not happy to see her happy. What if something happened to her? With such thoughts on their minds, they ran behind her, onto the soft floor of the ground. In case you were wondering why the ground is soft instead of begin hard, it was covered with rubber to prevent any hard impacts. Their master believed their little mistress was fragile. Hence the extra care.

"Ms. Supetto, Ms. Supetto!" A worried head maid came out of her room only to find the young mistress smiling. She grabbed her hands and spun her around, her laughter echoing the empty halls of the mansion. "He's coming Ms. Supetto! Papa's getting him!"

The head maid smiled weakly at her princess. Ever since the older mistress died of a rare disease, she had watched the girl grow into the fine young lady she was. In the past 17 years she had never seen her so happy. When she is now… she felt her eyes filling out.

"Now, Ms Supetto, don't cry. It's a happy occasion. I'm going to get a boyfriend,"

"These are tears of happiness, Lucy-sama. You're becoming a grown up woman," she replied, wiping off the tear before it could leave a trail on her face.

"Lucy-sama, Plue-sama isn't eating his food," one of the maids complained to her mistress.

"Not again? Tell Plue I'm coming upstairs. I wonder how he will live without –"

"Lucy-sama! A lady should not speak such words" Her nanny scolded.

"Sorry Ms. Supetto. I'll remember that next time. Now, where's my boy? Is he hiding upstairs? He's getting lazier day by day" She said, a frown now taking the place of the grin she had earlier. She started climbing the stairs when she remembered something.

"Virgo" a pink-haired maid stepped in front, nodding her head, "How is Lyra's father? Did he recover? Does she need any help?"

"The doctors said his condition is stable. He's still unconscious. But he's out of danger" the maid replied in a monotonous tone.

"I'm so glad. Ask Sabertooth to bill it in my name. She won't be able handle such a high bill. Besides, it was me who insisted he'd be treated at Saber" the heiress smiled at her. The maid nodded and stepped back.

They watched her form disappear into the upstairs, her blonde hair waving as she ran. Not a single moment did she lose her poise and elegance nor did the smile fade from her face. They hoped the person who was coming would be one who's keep the smile on her face forever.

~0~

"We're here, Natsu-kun. I want you to think again before you meet her. She's a very sensitive girl and I can't see her cry" Jude said, reminding him of the deal they had. He wanted to reassure himself that it really is happening. His daughter's wish coming true, even though in the end it would destroy a few lives.

"I've made up my mind, Mr. Heartfilia. I'm not backing down now," his companion replied, smiling at him.

"You have to keep her happy. If she ever cries, I'll not back out before suing you," Natsu smiled at the old man's concern.

He followed him inside watching the raised ground. It felt soft instead of its regular quality of being hard. Natsu noted the material it was composed of and why the ground was made of it. He thought only someone insane would do that.

"This is my-" Jude could never finish his words as he heard a shriek. The familiar voice that called out made his insides tremble and he could only watch as a blonde girl fell from the first floor.

~0~

"Ahhh!" Natsu turned his head up to witness someone fall. On instinct, he ran and caught the person in time. His eyes came in contact with a pale face, a slight make up hid the natural beauty she had. Her eyes were closed, making it difficult to see her eye colour. He was left staring at the beauty in his arms until Jude yelled in shock.

"Lucy!" He put the girl down on the soft floor. He watched her tidy her dress as she turned to face the president. He ran to the girl, checking for her safety. He pulled her into his arms, his eyes wide open with fear; so did the servants follow him and crowd around her. It took a lot of persuasion on the girl's part to convince them all that she was fine. When a small room was created enough for something white to fit in, he heard a bark and saw a white dog jump into her arms. It nuzzled its head into her. She rubbed the little boy's hair and smiled at him.

"So she is the girl…" He gazed at the smiling face she flashed.

"Ano… are you okay?" she asked. Natsu blinked before nodding his head in response.

The said girl sighed in relief.

"Lucy-sama, your hand might have hit the railing. I'll go call the doctor" an old lady, dressed in a maid outfit said. Her gray hair was neatly done in a bun with no stray hairs.

"Ms. Supetto, please call Saber's. I need a complete check up of hers done within an hour" The blonde haired man said. His expression wasn't playful.

"Stop it, you guys. I'm fine, really. You're embarrassing me in front of our guest." Lucy hinted a red, her eyes glancing back at the face of the pink-haired boy.

"Ah, I'm sorry" Jude cleared his throat. "Lucy this is-"

"I'll ask." She said, a playful glint in her eyes was visible, "I'm Lucy. Lucy Heartfilia"

She extended her hand for him to take. He looked at it, wondering if he was supposed to take it or what. He looked at her face. She was trying hard to keep the smile on it. Maybe, it was a fear of rejection. After all, it was a relationship of money. In any other words, he was being paid to date this girl. Everyone knew, such relations don't last much.

"Natsu. Just Natsu," he replied, accepting her hand. The smile on her face only grew larger to an extent that he thought he saw tears at the corners of her eyes. He wondered if it was that important for her to get a boyfriend. I mean, her father loved her so much. She was the heiress to one of the richest corporations in Fiore. She could have all she wanted. She was a lucky girl.

"Hai! Nice to meet you, Natsu-kun" The way she said those words, closing her eyes, tilting her head to the side a little, cheerful made him feel warm. He found himself nodding back.

"Papa, we're going out." Jude frowned. Before he could retort, she continued, "Don't worry we'll be back before it's late. Tell Caprico to take out the car"

Natsu watched the girl chirp and bounce. To think only he was capable of reverting back to his five year old self, he was foolish. This girl was capable of that.

He was so dazed with the new developments that he found himself following her lead. There was something he still couldn't understand. By the looks of it, he could see how much she was loved by everyone. But why does he… a certain random stranger, uh, okay, maybe not totally random, fit into this picture? The more important question was why?

"Uh, Lucy, you go ahead. I have to talk something to Natsu" Jude said. Lucy obeyed and excused herself. Natsu looked at the old man, who looked like he could tear up any moment.

"I leave her to your care. Bring her back home safe" As if he was going to chew her up. The old man forgot that he was a human and no man eater. Natsu nodded before leaving for the car.

~0~

As he approached the car, he saw her sitting there, silent. Her lips were pressed in a firm line, her eyes dozing off into infinity. Her expression was far from the smile she posed inside.

When he reached for the door, she turned to him and smiled.

His insides twisted. She was confusing… weird, to be exact. She behaved like a completely different person when no one's looking. Is it about appearances? Is it about them worrying? He didn't know anymore.

That is why when the driver asked them where he should head to, he gave the address of someone he knew despite her urging that they should go to park or a beach. Well, Lucy did not know that someone was a medical student. Even if she did, there was no way he was going to let her do as she pleases. Especially with that injured arm of hers….

To be continued…

Thank you so much for reviewing, faving and adding this story to alerts. I think someone had their wish granted. Lucy turned out to be nice, eh? Now, I know Natsu's behaviour might be confusing. I mean while he might admire what's happening in front of him, he'd not fall in love with someone he made a deal with instantly, right? He is still sceptical about the matter.

Special thanks to TheUnicorn (I hope you get what kind of person Lucy is) and bookwurm247 ( I'm glad you look forward to this story. I'm in the mood of some angst too! *Somebody help me!*) for

Who do you think Natsu is taking her to? Who could it be? Any guess?

Also, see those first four lines of the poem- they are continuation of the one in the last chapter- about the butterfly and flower. Who do you think they represent?

Leave a review, ne? Pweeease? *puppy eyes*

Important notice

Beta reader needed for this story. Anyone interested? PM me, please.