"I'm sorry dear. But you can no longer stay at this neighborhood" the landlady said to Lucy.
This is why Lucy hated having fun and indulge herself to think that everything will flow smoothly and accordingly. Because whenever she have fun and put her guard down, bad things will come into her way. And this is one of those things.
"Can you at least tell me the reason ma'am?" She mused but deep down, she already knew the answer.
They are scared.
After all, a number of armed man suddenly came out of nowhere and fired a load amount of bullets at this particular house waking up the silent sanctuary of this neighborhood. It's a good thing that no one was harmed during the encounter but definitely, it will leave a mark at at their memory. Lucy's landlady were also so good at her that she even let her stay at her house for a week and didn't pushed her to pay off the damages that the incident incurred. She just realized it now that she's blessed with these people but they are not blessed because of here.
"It it's only me my dear, I won't let you go but you see... The neighborhood is anxious and scared of you staying here. They're afraid that the same incident will happen again and by that time, they will be no longer safe" the landlady explained. Lucy nod in understanding. This always happens.
The landlady hugged her that leave her shocked for a moment.
"Be careful my dear." The landlady said gently like a mother. She smiled sadly and hugged her back, she almost forgot how it felt was to have a mother caring for you ever since that unfaithful day that made her what she is today.
"Thank you for everything Mrs. Winston. Same to you too"
They parted their farewells and she lifted her box of things as Natsu were patiently waiting for them to be done leaning against his car.
"What now? Do you have any plans?" Natsu speaked.
"I have to find a new place to stay at. Then, I'll have to inform Kinana and Cobra about my whereabouts or else they'll gonna fetch me right here right now. Whether I like it or not" Lucy honestly said. The incident already happened when Cobra and Kinana happen to know about it, they are very furious at Lucy whose still recuperating at that time. They even thought of kidnapping Lucy to take her with them but Lucy stopped them hastily.
Lucy were so deep in thought that's when natsu approach her snatching away the box she was holding and puting it at the back of his car.
"Then how about you stay at my house?" That made Lucy come back from reality.
"No" she replied instantly.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to"
"And that is valid because?.."
"Because I say so" Lucy defended.
Natsu sighed in defeat. As far as he remembered, just earlier they are acting like a true couple but now they're arguing all over again.
"Luce, why do you have to be so unreasonable. It's very late now to find anything to stay at. Plus, it's still been a week since you discharged from the hospital. Don't be so stubborn and just follow what I said. Stop making me worry about you! Geez, your a very hard woman to dealt with" Natsu burst in frustration.
Lucy were taken aback and without any second thought, she get inside the car. Natsu was surprised that she didn't talked back at him and get to the car without any restraint.
Lucy looked back at his stoic disposition and question him ready to leave out of here.
"Are you coming or what??"
Natsu hurriedly get into the car and drove it to his place. They drive in silence but it was a soothing silence. After thirty minutes drive, a big front gate with the word Dragneels' imprinted above it welcome them. It opened automatically as Natsu escaped a long honk coming from his car. As they enter, Lucy was speechless. This is not a house, this is a freaking mansion!
"Don't be nervous. No family member is around the house. It's just me, Spetto-san and all other helpers" Natsu explained.
As the car put to a stop, Natsu and Lucy get out of the car. They entered the place but less than what Lucy expected, there's no tons of maid waiting for their arrival but instead, there's only one maid on her late 50's.
"Welcome back young Master Natsu" she greeted vanishing away her surprise when they entered together. She bow courteously and turn to Lucy that made her flinch.
"Welcome to Dragneel Estate to you too beautiful Miss. You must be Miss Lucy Heartfilla, the one young Master has a crush on" the maidservant said casually.
Lucy blushed involuntarily and Natsu reddened due to embarrassment.
"S-Spetto-san!! What the hell are you talking about!" He shouted as of his biggest secret has been caught and he needed to defend it at all cost.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" S-Spetto-san asked too innocently.
"Yes! Don't announce something like that as if it's the most common thing in the world!" He defended going redder if that's even possible.
"It doesn't?"
"Of course it doesn't!" Natsu replied.
Lucy watch as the two talked as if there's no big difference between their societal ranks. She smiled feeling delighted.
"...Plus..." Natsu paused and put a hand on Lucy's shoulder, yanking her towards him and closing the distance between them as he continued.
"... she's not my crush anymore because she's my girlfriend already!" Natsu shouted so proudly.
This is the time where Lucy wanted to disappear into the thin air or be invisible for all that she cares. She just don't want others to see how red her face is because of Natsu.
"Oh" Spetto-san's only reply. She didn't see that coming.
"That is a good news young Master Natsu. I'm already visualizing minnie versions of you and Miss Heartfilla running around the estate" she said once again all too casual.
After what Spetto-san said, they both widen their eyes in realization.
"Spetto-san!" Natsu burst. Lucy were just frozen in her place.
The lady just smiled at them as the two stared at her in disbelief before looking at each other and looked away feeling embarass.
"Young Master, do you want me to prepare dinner for you and your girlfriend?" Spetto-san said clearly not caring of the two in front of her whom all red from her casual tone.
Natsu just nod in reply too tired to argue at the moment. As the main head servant exited from the view, Natsu sighed deeply in exhaust. He scratch his head as a hobby when his getting uneasy and turn to Lucy.
"I-i'm sorry about that Luce. You know, Spetto-san isn't the type of a person who put a fake smile to appease everyone. She's way too casual and too straightforward for her own good. But she's a really good person and a very delicious cook" Natsu said.
"It's fine. I like her" Lucy replied.
"I think she likes you also..." He commented. Lucy turn to look at him and Natsu tucked the loose stray of her golden lucks behind her ear and look at her mesmerizing eyes.
"And I like you very much"
Lucy was surprised once again and she remembered Spetto-san's comment about them earlier. She was about to smack the sense out of Natsu when someone beat her for it.
"...And who is this one lucky girl"
They looked at the source of the husky voice and was greeted by a man on his early 20's wearing a business suit. This man and Natsu doesn't resemble anything on each other but this man oozes a kind of aura that speaks respect and power.
"What? Aren't I welcome here?"
Lucy stare at him in question.
"Oniichan..." Natsu murmured.
'...oniichan?...'
"Where is my hug from my beloved brother?"
Natsu smiled in joy and run to hug the man.
"Brother! Welcome back!!"
The man smiled but behind that smile is a dark conspiracy that they are about to see.
"Welcome back indeed. I am back"
He is back.
The worst is yet to come.
~Sayōnara
Scardylol.out