Chapter 2

Gray was wearing a grimace as he waited for his dad to come out from the house. He was sitting on the passenger's seat of his car, still pissed that his father woke him up to help him buy something. He didn't have any inkling on what it would be and he would rather just stay in the house than accompany his father.

"Sorry 'bout that, need to make sure nothing was plugged before we left," Silver explained as he climbed on the driver's side.

"Yeah, whatever. Where are we going anyway?" Gray asked, yawning. He slept late last night since it was his off from work today.

"Groceries and some things," Silver replied, his smile mysterious.

Gray shrugged and didn't ask any further. He was still displeased that he had to wake up early just for this.

When they arrived at the grocery store, he just followed Silver blindly. He didn't really understand why he had to come just to push the cart for him when his father was clearly, still able.

After buying what they needed from the grocery store, Gray thought it was over until the car stopped in front of a jewelry store.

"What are we gonna do here?" Gray asked, confused.

"Just come," Silver replied.

Gray sighed and came out of the car to follow his father inside. He glanced at the transparent glass where countless jewelries were displayed. Silver was talking to a saleslady while Gray glanced around. He looked out of place inside with his brooding face and uninterested gaze.

"Gray," Silver called and Gray approached him.

"Choose the best design."

Gray frowned and took a look at the rectangular box which contained some beautifully crafted silver rings. He turned to his father.

"What the hell is this for?"

"Why do you keep on asking questions, kid?"

"I ain't choosing if you don't tell me what this is for."

Silver grinned. "I'm giving this as a gift for Juvia-chan. It's for a special occasion so choose one."

Gray looked indignant. "The hell, dad? Of all things, you're giving a ring to a young, unmarried woman? Do you even know what that means?"

"Do I look stupid to you? Just choose," Silver replied impatiently.

Gray was astonished. Wait, was he still dreaming? Did his father really wake the hell out of him to buy groceries and a ring? Yeah, this must be all a dream. Because why the fuck would his father buy someone a goddamn ring? Was he proposing or something?

No, of course not. His dad would never. Maybe it was just really a gift. He did mention it was for a special occasion. A birthday? A promotion? Perhaps that Juvia simply adored jewelry and wouldn't accept any other gift except those. There were lots of eccentrics in the world, and maybe she was one of them. Yes, that was more likely.

Gray calmed down. "Okay, so why am I the one who needs to choose? Are you gonna tell her it's from me? How many times have I told you, I'm not interested in having any romantic relationship with anyone."

Silver raised his hand and slapped the back of his head. "You're her age so I figured you would know what to choose. But well, if you're unwilling then get out of here."

Gray clicked his tongue and massaged the back of his head. His gaze returned to his father who was apologizing to the saleslady for the fuss he made.

Gray couldn't really help it if he thought like that. Whenever his father came home, he would never fail to mention her lovely secretary to him. Like how she made cupcakes for him or how amazing her work was always done. Every little thing, that Gray grew tired of hearing her name. If he could ban her name in the house, he would gladly do so.

It wasn't the first time Silver had intentionally matched him with a girl. It started in high school, and Gray never let him succeed.

Silver did stop a few years after Gray graduated college. Perhaps he thought Gray needed the peace since he just started his business. Until Juvia-chan. His father even tried another approach. He never told Gray to meet or contact her. He just wouldn't stop talking about her.

But Gray knew his father well. He wouldn't just talk about anyone without a motive. And the first thing he thought when his father told him to choose a ring for his secretary was to deceive her into believing it came from him or maybe to let her know that he helped choosing it. So she would be curious and ask about him. Yeah, a very detailed imagination.

In the first place, why was he even obsessed with Gray's love life?

Gray wanted to come out of the store. But before he started walking away, he saw his father eyeing a ring with a large gem on it. It wasn't just expensive but it looked excessively designed. He might've seen rings like that worn by old women or rich ladies who wanted to brag they could afford that kind of luxury.

As he recalled what kind of woman his father would gift the ring to, he concluded that the ring wouldn't suit her. She might even reject the gift, if Silver was telling the truth that she was simple and humble, and Gray didn't want to imagine himself accompanying his father the second time in a store like this.

Gritting his teeth, his eyes hovered to the rings. He saw one with a very small solitaire in the center, it wasn't intricate but it looked elegant and not over the top.

Gray pointed at it. "This would look good on her... I think."

Silver raised an eyebrow at him, as if he didn't believe it.

"Oh whatever, I'm going out," he rolled his eyes. Shoving his hands inside his jeans' pocket, he walked out. He heard the saleslady agreeing with him before he could close the door from the outside.

The hell it was even for? He didn't need to give a ring, wouldn't clothes do?

Juvia was met with her Uncle Jose's blazing eyes when he came out of Silver's office. She felt a little fearful. Had she not accidentally found out the truth, she would've lost her assets in his hands. This was the man she and her parents trusted. Before highschool, she had even lived with him and he took good care of her. Who would've known he had been planning everything since then?

Being betrayed like this, she also felt a bit hurt. But more importantly, she was relieved. She had finally opened her eyes. That murderous look he showed her was enough proof that he hadn't care about her after all this time.

"Jose..." she muttered, gritting her teeth.

"You're not gonna call me uncle now?" His tone mocking.

"Don't ever show your face to Juvia again."

Jose harrumphed and left with a swish of his sleeve.

Juvia breathe a sigh of relief when she couldn't see him anymore. Her eyes felt hot but she refused to cry. He didn't deserve her tears. How to stupid was she that she kept being betrayed by people she trusted.

She calmed herself and made her way to the president's office. She knocked the door and when she heard his answer, she entered. She stood there and watched Silver organizing a stack of papers.

"Hold on a moment. This will be quick," he told her, his movements became faster.

She smiled. "No hurry, Silver-sama."

It hadn't been three hours since they got married. There wasn't a ceremony nor vows, just signing the papers—both pre-nup and the marriage certificate. There were two witnesses; Gildarts Clive, a friend of Silver and Makarov Dreyar, his godfather. They weren't told about the real circumstances of the wedding, and the two didn't pry for information.

As much as possible, Silver wanted to keep the real reason a secret. He said it was more convincing to do that.

After the signing, Silver contacted her uncle and informed him about it. "You can come to my office if you want to confirm it." Silver had provoked.

Jose really went and the two argued because the former had yelled at Juvia. "You ingrate!" Her uncle had called her and Silver was so angry he told him bunch of threats.

Juvia had left the room when Jose turned hysterical. She didn't know what else Silver said to him that when Jose came out of the office, he didn't say anything offensive to Juvia anymore.

"Juvia-chan, is everything okay? He didn't say anything, did he? I warned him not to so if he did, he'll need to answer to me," Silver looked at her as he grabbed his coat from the rack.

Juvia's cheeks flushed. "He didn't. Thank you, Silver-sama."

Silver wore his coat and grabbed the keys on the table before approaching her.

He stroke her hair gently. "You have nothing to worry about now. I will closely monitor him and make sure he does nothing fishy."

Tears welled up in her eyes. Silver was so warm and kind. "Juvia will do anything to repay you, Silver-sama."

"Let's not talk about that for now. Come, we have dinner to attend."

He guided her out of the office and they went to the restaurant Juvia reserved that night. Honestly, she felt a little awkward in the beginning. This man was now her husband. Although, it was a pretend marriage and they will eventually part ways, that fact made her embarassed.

But seeing Silver acting like usual, Juvia finally relaxed. Nothing changed, just the fact that legally—they were married. Silver had also assured her that he would be the one to prepare everything for their annulment after all this.

As they waited for their order, Silver took out something from his coat's inner pocket. It was a blue, small velvet box.

"This is for you," he said as he put it on the table, near Juvia's side.

With his urge, Juvia opened it.

As she expected, it was a ring. She couldn't stop the gasp that escaped her lips when she saw it. It was a white gold, engagement ring with a round cut ocean blue diamond solitaire. It glistened like the sea under the light.

"Silver-sama, t-this, Juvua can't accept this. She received so much help already."

He grinned, as if he knew she would say that. He grabbed the box from her and ook out the ring. She wanted to protest whe he held her held her left hand but he warned her with his eyes so she shut up.

"Wear this as your wedding ring so no one will doubt our marriage. It will also help chase persistent insects away, don't you think?" His smile was lopsided.

Juvia blushed as she looked down at her hand.

In fact, she dreamed of a fairy tale-like wedding. But she knew the real reason why she has to marry in haste, leaving no room for complaints. Imagine, preparing a wedding in less than a month? That was exhausting.

So in a way, she was happy to receive this gift from Silver. It proved that he has her in his thoughts. After getting deveived by one of the people she believed in, receiving warmth from another restored her faith. There was still a person who truly cared for her.

"Juvia will take good care of it, Silver-sama. Thank you." Her heart swelled in gratitude.

"That's more like it," he chuckled. "Right. Gray helped me pick it," he mentioned, appearing nonchalant

"He did?" That was another surprise. Juvia had heard a lot of things about him from Silver. He didn't seem like a guy who would gladly choose a ring for someone he hasn't met yet. Maybe she thought wrong.

"In his own way, I guess," he replied, amused.

"Have you told him about Juvia?" She asked carefully.

Silver shook his head. "I will tell him within this week, before you move in with us. I just need to warn you, he isn't the easiest to get along with especially under this...circumstances. We can't blame him, but let me know if he said something offensive. He can be an ass and I won't tolerate him disrespecting you."

Juvia smiled broadly. "Juvia will keep that in mind."

Knowing that someone worries about her and was willing to protect her, makes her happy.