A/N: My next update will be October 31, 2021.

"I'm jealous, Lucienne"

I stopped breathing with his sudden confession. I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn't find my own words. It was as if my own words failed me. Natsu held my cheeks and stared at my eyes lovingly.

"During the Fashion Gala, I had to attend some conference with my dad. It was unexpected for me and I can't say no to my dad. During the conference, I really had thought about you. About the fashion gala. But my dad said that I should focus on the conference since sooner I'll be the head of our company and I should be familiar with it"

I stared at him and still couldn't find my own words "After the conference, I really want to go immediately. But my father told me that I should have dinner with our stockholder. My dad wouldn't let me go"

"You should at least texted me that night" I say

"My father won't let me use my phone during the conference and it's really frustrating me" he bit his lower lips and reached for both of my hands. He held it for a while before he continued "I went to the event even though I knew it was done. But when I saw you with that man. I was jealous. Because it looks like you didn't bother thinking about me when all I think the whole time was you"

"Natsu..."

"I was jealous and I couldn't really control it so I left. I can't face you that time because I don't want to do something that I might regret. So I walked out. Which is wrong in my part. I shouldn't act that way."

I can't believe it. He was still thinking about me even in that state. When I was contemplating with a serious face, he gave me a shy smile as if he misunderstood my reaction.

"I'm sorry, Lucienne" he says softly "I'm sorry if I didn't keep my promise to you. I just... I just don't want to talk to you when I know I'm not ready," he explained.

"Because you were afraid to lose me?" I asked him softly. He nodded to me.

It was a light comfort, but surprisingly. It comforted me so much. I smiled and nodded to him "you will never lose me, Natsu" I said as I caressed his cheeks.

He just stared at me as if he was memorizing every part of my face. I licked my lower lips and I saw his eyes followed my action before he swallowed as if something was blocking his throat. I opened my mouth to speak but my own words failed me.

The atmosphere between us was different. It was something that made my inside tingly. Damn, what the hell is this?

"Natsu?" I bit my lower lips not sure what to say.

Natsu presses his forehead into mine, and now I'm staring his ash mauve eyes up close, "Can I stay for tonight, Lucienne?" he asked me.

"But I have things to do, Natsu," I whispered as I bit my lower lips.

Natsu shrugged and buried his face over my neck as I felt his hand snake on my waist pulling me closer to his. My mouth parted "Doesn't matter," he mumble – I held my breath when I felt his warm breath brush against my skin "As long as I have you by my side tonight"

"O...Okay" I mumble almost like a whisper.

Natsu prepared our dinner and I went to my study room so I could start preparing things that I will need for my output. I tied my hair into a bun before going back to the kitchen to help.

"What is it? Tempura?" I asked

"Yes. Just sit down. You're distracting me" he said, refusing to look at me.

What? In what way was I distracting him when I was just standing there? I pouted and sat down on the high chair near the table, watching his back while he was cooking. I still can't believe that he was right here in front of me. Just a week ago, I was hesitating to talk to him because I didn't want to argue with him. Oh, I have to tell him something.

"The 'Who made me a Villainess' was published, Natsu" I said "Lisanna and the author of that book, ask for my autograph. And Gray too,"

"I never heard about it. Is that the reason why you had a partner during your last photoshoot?" he asked me without looking.

"Yes" I said "It was my first time seeing the picture and it was good. Lisanna told me that I was beautiful"

He looked at me and asked, "Who's Lisanna?" he ask me.

"She's my senior, I think" I answer immediately. "She asked me to sign her book and told me that I was beautiful" I said happily "And oh! She asked me to be friends with her. And I accept it"

Natsu smiles at me warmly which makes my heart beat faster again. Damn! Why does he keep on smiling like that?

He chuckle "You are always beautiful, Lucienne"

"Am I... really beautiful?" I ask just to make sure.

I heard him laugh again, refusing to answer. He just left me thinking until he finished cooking. He prepared our plates, utensils and rice in front of me. After that, he removed his apron and sat in front of me, waiting for me to take a bite.

I took a bite and gave him a thumbs up. It was really delicious. He was such a great cook. We ate our dinner and talked about our lives. It was great to have him here with me.

"Just sleep. I can wash the dishes"

After eating, I offered to wash the dishes for him because he was already looking tired. He gave me a slight nod and walked into my room. I told him to stay in the guest room! I just sighed heavily before taking the plates from the table.

I washed the dishes and everything he used when he cooked earlier before opening my room to check on him. My mouth formed an 'o' when I noticed that he changed his clothes into a more casual one. Maybe that's what was inside his backpack. He was already wearing a pair of sweatpants and a white shirt, peacefully sleeping on my bed, even hugging my pillow.

I smiled by myself before sitting beside him on the bed. I lay down in the available space but I kept a distance from him so I wouldn't wake him up. I just stared at his features and admired his face the whole time.

I even more my hand and lightly traced his eyebrow down to the tip of his nose. My eyes widened when he suddenly held my hand and moved it down. When I checked, he was still sleeping.

When I tried to leave the bed, his grip on my hand tightened so I just went back and fixed my position on the bed. There was a pillow in between us so we wouldn't be that close right? Minutes later, I also dozed off to sleep.

I immediately woke up when I felt someone move beside me. When I opened my eyes, I saw Natsu's collarbone... wait, what?

I almost hit my head with his chin when I looked up so I could see his face. My mouth parted, then tried to move my head to our surroundings – I even checked my clock besides my bed. I gasped when I saw it was 6 am in the morning. How the hell did we end up cuddling? When I tried to look at his face, he was still sleeping with his arm below my head.

My hand was on his waist and the pillow between us was already on the floor. I moved my leg away from him carefully so I wouldn't wake him up.

His breathing was so calm and he smelled so good! His perfume was addicting so I stayed in that position for a few more minutes, cherishing the moment. My eyes widened when he moved his arm and pulled me closer to him, my lips touching his neck.

I immediately covered my mouth with my hand and tried to scoot away but his grip was even tightened.

I blush furiously when I realize what just happened, "Oh My Gosh! Did I just kiss his neck?" I whispered to myself.

We slept for 9 hours! Breakfast! I needed to prepare breakfast before he could wake up! I slowly removed his hug from me and got off the bed. Good thing he didn't wake up from it. I just changed the pillow so he wouldn't feel like I was gone.

I started getting some ingredients from my fridge. I decided to cook some Tamagoyaki and chicken mushroom soup. Until I finished cooking, Natsu was still sleeping. He was really tired, huh? While waiting for the rice, I just sat on the high chair and checked my email. I don't have class today so my management probably put in some photo shoots but surprisingly there were none.

"You cooked breakfast? You should've woke me" I was surprised when I saw Natsu walking towards the table. He fixed his hair and sat down in front of me, looking refreshed.

"I'll get the rice. It should be ready by now" I stood up and went to the kitchen again to check the rice. I waited for him to get the food first before I got a portion for myself. He even added another scope of rice to my plate.

"Are you still on a diet?" he asked curiously while eating.

"Yes," I say truthfully "I'm preparing my body to become a runaway model because I needed to deliver myself properly"

"When are you going to stop being a model?" he asked me absentmindedly.

I stared for him for a few minutes before I shrugged, "I don't know. I'm not even thinking about retirement now, Natsu. I'm just starting my career"

"I can't really stop you" he whispers under his breath which is hard for me to understand.

I gave him a confused look but he just smile towards me and reach for cheeks "Just do what's makes you happy, Lucienne"

"Are you going to support me until the end?" I ask innocently.

"Yes. I'll support you, Lucienne. As long as you are happy"

"Why are you doing this, Natsu?" I ask him. I know I'm his bestfriend but the way he take care of me is like I was his sister but he told me before that he didn't  think of me as his sister. I'm confused. 

He smile towards me "I refused to answer your question."

"What the hell! Why?" I almost yell at him. 

He look at me lovingly "Because you are not ready to hear my answer, Lucienne" 

"When I'll be ready?" I ask him. 

He shrugged "Who knows, Lucienne?" 

This is one of the moment that I should've encourage him to speak. But... I was scared to know the reason behind his action. I was scared that something might change between us.

I'm scared to risk our friendship. 

_______________________ End of Chapter #13