I woke up exhausted and tired. My head was still dizzy from all the alcohol I had the previous night. I decided to try and get up, but immediately regretted it. I looked around and picked up my phone to check the time. It was 9am, I had to get up and get some breakfast before my body could collapse. I got dressed and exited my apartment to go to the local coffee shop a few minutes from there. I entered the shop and sat down on the counter, ordering my usual latte while trying not to feel miserable because of my headache. I was startled by someone touching my back.

"Good morning!"

"Levy! H-Hi..." I put a hand on my head, "Ugh, not sure if it's a good morning for me."

"Yeah, tell me about it... You don't look so good."

"How come you're not in the same state as me?" I looked at her and she looked fine.

"Because I'm not THAT intolerant to alcohol. Besides, I didn't drink as much as you did." she laughed.

"Liar! You drank just as much as me!" I laughed back.

"So, what did you do last night after you went home?"

"Ugh, don't even remind me..." I took a sip of my latte, "I encountered Natsu outside."

"What? Your boss?! What was he doing here?"

"I have no idea. He... kinda saved me from a really annoying guy, but that's the only good thing I could take from yesterday."

"What happened? Something juicy?" she smirked and teased me.

"Stop it, it's not that! Are you forgetting that he's my boss and I have a boyfriend?"

"Whoops, sorry... A girl can dream." she smiled.

"He acted so weird, Levy. I know he's my boss, but sometimes he acts like he's not. When he met me on the elevator, he talked to me like I was just some regular colleague, yesterday he defended me and even wanted to take me hom-"

"He took you home?!"

"Yeah... I was surprised too." I sighed, "Anyway, he told me to get in his car and well... You know... I got nervous." she laughed, "Don't mock me! I'm telling you, I was worried and confused about what he was doing. I know that's he's my boss and all the thoughts that crossed my mind were... stupid. Still, he drove me home and seemed almost... angry that I thought those things about him."

"Well, of course... You almost accused your own boss of... sleeping with his employers."

"Well, doesn't he? I'm pretty sure that there's something going on between him and Lisanna."

"Maybe... I think you worry too much sometimes, Lucy."

"What do you mean?" I raised my eyebrow.

"Well... I know it's your job and all, but you shouldn't stress over everything, especially after these random encounters with your boss. That's one step closer to failure. I think you need to take it easy."

"I mean... He IS my boss. One wrong move and he could fire me the next day."

"He won't fire you... How could he fire such a pretty girl like you? He would have to be insane."

She smiled and I smiled back. It was good to have someone who at least tried to cheer me up. I met Levy by accident and so far, it had been one of the best things that happened ever since I came to New York.

The weekend ended fast, but I couldn't deny that another afternoon spent with Levy was great. At least I could forget about work for a few minutes when I was with her. It was monday and time to go to work again. Time to face Lisanna and everyone in that office again. I got up and put on some professional clothes and left my apartment.

Once I got to the office, I greeted everyone there and sat on my desk to start with whatever tasks I had to do. I just hoped that Lisanna wouldn't ask me for last-minute-task because I wasn't in the mood to stay extra hours again. I was approached by someone who I hadn't met before and I was surprised. She was a girl, well... more like a woman with beautiful red hair. Her eyes were hypnotizing and not to mention her beauty was to envy.

"Hi, I don't believe we have been introduced before." she streched her hand to me, "I'm Erza."

"N-Nice to meet you, I'm Lucy." I shaked her hand and smiled.

"I've seen you around these past few weeks, but we never really talked. I figured it was time for you to meet some of your colleagues."

"Yeah, thank you! That sounds great, I'd love to know some people around here besides my supervisor, for a change."

"Lisanna, right? She can be a pain, but don't let her get to you. That's when she knows that she's winning."

"You had to deal with her too?"

"God, thankfully no!" she laughed, "I just know very well how she is. It's just a tip, don't let her think that she has her hand over you and you'll be fine."

That's the moment when I looked behind Erza and another person was approaching. For my big surprise, it was the devil with white hair.

"Are you two done talking?" she looked at us both and we didn't answer, "Good. Mr. Dragneel is almost here, behave."

We both looked at each other after she left and tried not to laugh. I got up and waited for our boss to arrive, just like everyone else.

Lisanna already had a smile on her face, but from time to time she looked in my direction with an angry expression. If Natsu looked at me today, she would certainly give me more extra work. Natsu's footsteps told us that he had arrived, until he appeared in my corner of sight. And as soon as he walked in the office, he looked at me. I could feel Lisanna's eyes on me too, but I tried not to pay attention or even confirm it. I was certain that other girls in the office were probably doing the same thing, since I knew that a lot of them had a big crush on their boss, but once again, I tried not to notice.

He passed by us and entered his room, with Lisanna heading there and closing the door behind him.

"What was that?"

I was startled by that question. Erza was still next to me and I had forgotten. I looked at her confused by the question, but she just stared at me with a silly smile on her face.

"What do you mean?"

"The boss looked at you."

"Doesn't he... look at everyone here when he arrives?"

"Hmm, not really. He tends to ignore everyone here, it's normal by now. Everyone's used to it. Except that today, he looked at you." she leaned on my desk with a smile, "Want to explain?"

"I don't... I have no idea why, he just... I don't know what he has against me, he kepts bumping into me outside of work and acts weird."

"When?"

"In the elevator the other day... Outside of a bar last weekend..."

"That's some random encounters you have with our big boss there." she smirked at me and I knew she was mocking me, "Have you been having more dates with him anywhere else?"

"It wasn't- I'm not having any dates with him! Shhh, please... If Lisanna hears you, I'm sure she'll give more extra work to deal with."

"I told you. Don't worry about Lisanna." she grabbed a few things from my desk and I just stared at her, "Trust me."

She winked and that's everything she said before leaving. She had taken some papers from my desk... How was I going to explain that?! Before I had time to go after Erza and get everything back, I was stopped by Lisanna who was standing right in front of me with the same expression she had on her face everytime she looked at me.

"Have you finished what I asked you to do?"

"Y-Yes! I have."

"You forgot to send it to my e-mail."

"I did? I-I'm sorry, I'll do it now."

"Good. Don't take too long, we need that file by the end of the day."

That's all she said before leaving. Ugh, I hated her so much. The superior look was driving me insane and the worst thing is that I couldn't do anything about it, no matter what Erza said. Once again, I looked like a pawn on her hand.

It was monday, so Natsu was probably at his office having an important meeting with investors, trying to figure out ways to make his company even more rich. Before Lisanna got inside the room, she looked at me again and gave me a bitter smile. I simply sighed and got back to work.

I sent an e-mail with the report that I had to do to Lisanna as fast as I could, I didn't want her to bother me anytime soon. I started doing the rest of the things I was ordered to do for the day and just as I was about to get up and try to find Erza to get my paperwork back, the phone on my desk starting ringing. I picked it up and answered it with a confused expression.

"Hello?"

"Miss Heartfilia, this is the reception. Mr. Dragneel asked me to tell you that he's called for you and is waiting in his office."

Without further words, she hung up the phone and I was left there, speechless. My boss was calling for me? What for? I got up, with nerves all over my body because I had no idea what to expect. I went to the big wood door and waited for someone to tell me what to do, but there was no one to be seen, so I simply knocked slightly. No one opened the door and I could hear voices coming from inside, I knew that our boss was having a meeting at that time, so I didn't want to interrupt. Although... He did call for me, didn't he?

Since no one had opened up the door, I decided to knock once more and waited. A minute had passed and I was about to leave, when the door finally opened. To my biggest surprise, obviously, it was Lisanna who was in front of me, with the same expression she always had whenever she looked at me, even though I had never done anything to make her act like that. She gestured for me to come in and I did as she asked.

The room was filled with business men, most of them I didn't even recognize. It had to be a very important meeting if so many people were there. Natsu was obviously at the center, in the other side of the table. The meeting was probably over, since none of them were talking anymore the moment I entered the room.

When I finally met his eyes, he was already staring back at me. He didn't take his eyes off of me, not even for one second. I couldn't read his expression or what he was thinking at that moment, I didn't know if he was mad or disappointed or something else entirely.

"You may leave, all of you." he ordered.

After all of them left, I looked back at the door and Lisanna was staring at me with fierce eyes. I immediately removed my eyes from where she was and looked back at Natsu. He was still sitting in the same place, looking back at me. I stood there, trying to understand what exactly he wanted from me.

"You surprised me today."

"Uh, I... T-Thank you, Mr. Dragneel." I paused for a moment, "I'm sorry, but... Why?"

"Given the things you told me during your interview, I wasn't expecting this." he got up and went to his desk, where he grabbed one of the papers there, "This is a well written report."

He handed the paper to me and I tried to understand what he was even talking about, since I had never sent him anything. I grabbed and read what was written there. It was a report that I had been writing a few days ago about some future plans for the company and a lot of deals that could potentially help the company grow and make more money. My eyes widened as soon as I saw that, he wasn't supposed to have that. I had written that and it wasn't meant to be sent to anyone. Did I send it by accident? Did I send that instead of the assignment that Lisanna asked me to do? I was so embarrassed.

"Oh, this... Umm, I only... studied the company a little bit. I wanted to try and understand something about it."

"Are you saying your opinion was based on something you read?" he raised his eyebrow.

"I... I think so."

"You don't give yourself enough credit, Miss Heartfilia. You've thought about many things that hadn't even crossed my own mind."

"But... H-How did you get this?"

"Does it matter?" he grabbed his coat and his car keys from his desk before I had time to answer, "Let's go."

"Go?!" I stared at him, "I'm sorry, go where?"

"You're a lot more interesting when you're not forced to act like my employee."

He walked to the door and opened it up. He turned around and looked at me. I just stood there, not sure what to say, not sure how to react. Was he inviting me to go somewhere? Was he taking me home? My head was a mess. He waited for me to say something and I was finally able to react. Since I didn't seem to have a choice, I walked to the door and left with him.

I was in front of his beautiful car once again. Who wouldn't want to have a car like that? It was completely out of my reach. I got inside and put on my seatbelt, still not knowing where he was taking me. He got inside as well and started the engine.

While he was driving, something inside me made me look at him for a few seconds. He was so mysterious, I could never tell what he was thinking or what he was going to say or do next. I could smell his perfume's scent. It was a lovely vanilla scent and almost intoxicating. I looked at him and I couldn't deny that he looked good driving and wearing that suit. That's when I turned around and looked through the window. I slighty shaked my head. What was I thinking? He was still my boss and I had a boyfriend waiting for me in Japan. I had Sting, I couldn't be staring at another man, especially not him.

I finally decided to break the silent.

"So... Where are we going exactly?"

"Have lunch."

"Lunch?" I looked at my watch and realized what time it was, "Wow, I really got distracted." I shaked my head again, "Still, why are you taking me? I have food at home or I could at some random restaurant by myself. You didn't have to bring me."

Suddenly, my stomach made an awkward sound. I wasn't expecting it, so I just turned around and looked throught the window again. I could hear his chuckle behind me after that, he was mocking me again.

"I'm not sure you'd handle it until home by the sound of that."

"Fine..." I sighted, "But where are we going to eat? I don't like fancy restaurants."

"Why not?" he looked at me and at the road while driving.

"It's... not really my thing."

"You mean you've never been in one, right?" he chuckled.

"I don't exactly have the same money as you do to eat at such places."

"Don't worry, we're not going anywhere "fancy". You're still my employee, remember?" he looked at me, "You're always remind me that I'm your boss, I'm just doing the same."

"Touché..." I whispered to myself, "So, where?"

"Fast food, where else?"

"Fast food?! Really?" he looked at me and I was stunned, "I... Sorry, I just... didn't picture you..."

"You do know that me being your boss and having a rich company doesn't mean I suddenly stopped being human, right?"

"Well..." I sighed, "As long as it's not expensive, I'm fine with it."

We stayed in silent the rest of the way. He parked at the entrance of a random fast food restaurant and stopped the car. It was a simple restaurant, decorated with glass, wood and stone on the walls. It wasn't close to the city, which was even more weird. I wasn't expecting to see him having lunch in a place like this. He got out of the car and I did the same.

We got inside and the decoration inside was just as interesting as outside. We sat on a table next to the window and waited for someone to write down our order. A lady came to the table with a nice smile on her face with a pen to write everything down. Before she could ask us what we wanted to eat, she looked at Natsu and almost stopped breathing. I was sure that she knew exactly who he was and she was speechless. I could imagine that she was probably appreciating his looks too, since she smiled even more after making eye contact with him.

"Can I help you?"

She finally said something and it didn't even make sense. Of course she could help us, we were at a restaurant, we wanted to eat.

"A double cheeseburger for me and a beer, please." Natsu said.

She noted it down and looked at me.

"Umm, the same... Please."

She wrote the order and left, but not before looking one more at him. Something about it was making me feel very uncomfortable. For my surprise, he didn't even pay attention to the girl or looked back at her. I looked around the restaurant to try and distract my mind for a bit. My boss was standing right in front of me and I was about to have lunch with him like it was the most normal thing in the world. I barely even knew him, but somehow, he was always talking to me like we had already met before I came to Fairy Tail. Well, he was my boss and he was the owner of a major company, it's not like he cared about this the same way I did, anyway. I looked at the big chandelier in the center and I could feel his eyes staring at me, but I didn't look away.

"This must be the most interesting restaurant in the world."

I knew he was mocking me again, so I stopped looking at the chandelier and turned my eyes to face him.

"I'm sorry, but... I can't exactly act normal with all this."

"With what?" he raised his eyebrow.

"This! You having lunch with me like it's nothing. I work for you, never in my life I would even think about the idea of having lunch with my boss like it's nothing, okay? Doesn't it seem weird to you?" he shook his head, "Of course... You're not the one working for me." I whispered to myself.

"Is that what's bothering you so much?"

"Yes!" I put my hands in my head, "I mean, first you met me at the elevator and talked to me like it was nothing. You told to refuse Lisanna's orders like it was nothing, even though she's my supervisor. Then, we meet at the bar and you surprisingly save me from that guy and after that, you decided to take me home like it was nothing." I tried to breath and calm down before continuing, "And now, you're just... having lunch with me like it's nothing. What am I supposed to think?"

"You think that just because I'm someone's boss, I have to act like an asshole?"

"No! I-I just don't know what's your problem with me."

"I don't have a problem."

"Then, why me? Why are you acting this way around me when you have plenty of other employers in your company, who could surely keep you the same company, maybe even better than me since I only work at your company for... three weeks? I mean, there's Lisanna-"

"What does Lisanna have to do with this?" he raised his eyebrow again.

"I mean, she's your assistant..."

"And?"

"Ugh... You know what? Just forget everything I said."

As soon as the food arrived, I ate as fast as I could because I just wanted to leave and go back to work. The cheeseburger was actually... not that bad, it was actually very good. Of course he had to eat at a restaurant with good food, even if it was fast food.

"Do you like it?"

"Yeah... It's actually not as bad as I was expecting." he raised his eyebrow, "I've... never really been a fan of fast food, so I try not to get my hopes up."

"I don't eat bad food, that wouldn't be a problem."

"Why this restaurant, anyway? It's not even close to the city or the company."

"I used to come here with my father when I was a kid." he stopped eating and place the hamburger on the plate, "It was his favorite place before moving to the city."

I was surprised by his conversation. Was he not as close to his father as he was before? Surely, his father became distant after starting his own company and burrying his head in work, but as soon as I saw a sparkle in his eyes, I knew that something inside him made him miss his father a lot. It must be hard to have a busy and working father all the time when growing up.

After we finished our meal, I started looking for my wallet to pay. Before I could do anything, he got up and went straight to the counter. I looked at him and noticed that he was grabbing his credit card and I immediately got up and tried to reach him before he could pay for the food.

"You're not paying for my lunch!"

He looked at me, surprised. I was surprised as well, I didn't know that I could just order my own boss to do anything.

"I was the one who invited you, wasn't I?"

He just stared at me with hypnotizing eyes that could only make me stand down and give up. It was like he was controling me with his eyes. He was intimidating, I couldn't deny it. I didn't know if I was scared of him or if there was something else that made me feel that way. I still had no idea why he was acting like that around me. I couldn't get my head around it, I knew that besides being my boss, he was just a normal guy. He was a man and I was a woman, all this nice behaviour was scaring me because I didn't know his reasons, I didn't know anything. He was so hard to read, I looked at him and I still couldn't read what he was thinking, what he was going to do next. I went to Fairy Tail to learn, work and have a professional life, this was beyond it.

We drove back to the building and I waited a few more minutes before leaving the car. He noticed my weird behaviour and looked at me, waiting for me to react or something. As soon as I came back to my senses, I looked at him and smiled. I needed to act nice, even though I was more than just confused about everything that had happened these few hours ago.

"Thank you... for the lunch. If you'll excuse me, I'll go back to my work now."

"Back to being my employee, huh?"

He just stared at me for a few seconds and nodded. I knew that he wasn't going to say anything else, so I simply left the car.

"Share your ideas a bit more, Miss Heartfilia. They're interesting."

I turned around to face him after those words, but he closed the car's window and left before I could say anything. For a moment, I felt comfort with those words. For a moment, I felt like my worth was getting recognized. Even though I had no idea what he even wanted me to do, I still felt... happy. I turned around after his car disappeared and went back to the building to continue the rest of my work.