A/N: So I'm done with my responsibilities as a teacher. My Ghad! Making and doctoring the grades of my 758 students are really took my time. Yes you read it right, I'm doctoring my students grades because I don't want them to be failed -_- especially those students who kept on taking leaves during our class. 

Anyway, stop with my crazy life as a teacher, I'm happy to announce that, we are almost done in the flash back. I think this story will be a little longer that I thought it will be. Happy 20 Chapter Guys 

Khiegilsan

 ||T W O M O N T H S L A T E R || FEBRUARY 2021

I INHALE sharply before I check myself in the mirror. I asked my manager if I was really going to wear this cute white dress in this interview. I mean, I don't have any problem wearing this thing, it's just that – this talk show will be broadcast nationwide. My dress is a little uncomfortable when sitting down because it's too short.

"You look beautiful, Lucy" Athena complimented me before patting my shoulder.

"I know, it's just that... I don't think it is a good idea--" I couldn't finish my own words before Athena raised her hand causing me to shut up.

"That's one of your endorsement clothes. We can't change it even if we wanted too" she explained softly, "And, I just want to remind you that this is part of your plan, Lucy," she said, making me pout. For those people who don't know her, she's Lilian's best friend. Lilian recommended her to me when she was pregnant, telling me that Athena will surely help me.

Well, ever since Lilian died, Athena did help me to cope up. She helps me to pull myself up and even helps me to be a good... urgh... never mind. Why the hell am I thinking this? I should be worried about this interview for God sake!

"Earth to Lucienne Heartfilia" she said, snapping her fingers in front of my face. I pouted my lips on her "I just want to brief you with your schedule why you are here," I nodded and waited for her to finish "Are you sure that you'll be okay, alone?"

"I'm fine" I said, not sure if I was really fine "But, I'll contact Mira when I feel something is wrong with me and needs to be fixed."

"For a record, Lucienne. You are not broken" I remain myself mute. I don't even believe on that part anymore. Athena sighs, "You promise?" I nodded and I smiled. She open her mouth to speak but eventually close it – as if her words failed her "Lilian will be proud of you when she sees you"

"I hope so," I mumble under my breath.

I breathed through my mouth when I heard the host called me to come up on the stage. With practice a smile flustered on my face, I waved to the audience and went straight to greet the host, Erza Scarlet.

"It's been a long time," she greet me warmly as if we are inside her house "have a seat"

I did "Thank you," I said before I bit my lower lips. Erza looked at me carefully so I let out a nervous chuckle "I'm sorry, I'm just... I felt overwhelmed."

Erza's eyes shine with pure amazement as if she discovered something treasure "Well, be at ease. I promise I won't bite" she joked.

I laugh. Erza started asking me some questions with regards to my work as a model and as a business owner of 'Lucienne'.

"How does it feel like at the age of twenty – five years old, you achieve most of your goals in life?" Erza asked me.

"I'm not sure if I have achieved most of my goals in life yet. But... Well, I'm satisfied with my achievement. I mean, my boutique 'Lucienne' and the 'hotel the 'Lucienne' are really on the highest peak and I can't thank my customer enough for choosing our service and my personnel – who really did their best to give the best service to our customer" I say.

"If you are satisfied with what you've achieved by now. Do you have any goals that you haven't achieved yet?"

I nodded with a smile "Yes, but that's a secret. I can't disclose that here" I chuckle.

"Despite being a busy woman," Erza looked at me carefully, "Do you have time to fall in love?"

I laugh "I do have time for that, it's just that... I just focus on my career than to fall in love"

"People are asking if you are dating Lucas Obelia," Erza asked me straightforwardly.

"We did, date in the past" the audience gasped at my answer as if they didn't believe it because we never confirmed it before.

"Did in the past?" Erza asks "You mean you guys are separated?"

"We broke up after six months of dating" I said "But we're still friends. That is why most of our LuLu fans are still trying to ship us together because they always seen us having a coffee or dinner but they didn't know that Lucas was my business partner in my hotel and Lucas is happily engaged to his non – showbiz girlfriend"

We talked about some random things before Erza told me that I was linked to the four richest bachelors in the country.

"Actually, I don't know what you are talking about" I let out a chuckle "I don't know who the richest bachelor in Japan"

"You don't"Erza gape at me. And I nodded. "Well, our team, get some pictures of yours together with them and people want to know if you are dating one of them." Erza snapped her fingers and the whole studio got dark – my mouth parted when I felt my heart start to beat faster.

And before it could be worse, a picture on the big screen flashed. It was a picture of us, Natsu, Jellal, Gray, Loki and Me during our college days and some pictures of them with me when they went to Italy to visit me. Seeing those pictures brought me those times when Natsu's trying to show his feelings towards me. I felt nostalgic.

"They are my friends since college" I told them "I don't even know that they are rich" I look once again at the picture and then looked at the camera "I'm not dating one of them. They are my friends"

"Many people don't know that, you're a friend of four richest bachelor in the country," Erza emphasized the word 'friend' as if she wants to clarify something on the media, "Way back on our college days, I'd witnessed how they stick with you"

"They did? I thought it was vice – versa" I laughed "But nowadays, we don't often see each other because we are too busy dealing with lives," my eyes didn't take my eyes off the picture on the big screen "But I kinda miss them" I sincerely said.

Before Erza could speak, someone suddenly appeared on the screen, called it from whom and when she answered it was the first thing seen on the screen was Loki's face, followed by Gray and Jellal and lastly, Natsu.

"This is unexpected," Erza said as she recovered from the shock. "This is probably the first time something like this has happened on my show." Erza's smiles were eerie.

"Lucyyyy" Loki and Gray said as if they were ignoring what Erza said, "You didn't tell us that you came home?" they said almost at the same time.

"First of all, sorry if we crushed on this show, Ms. Scarlet" I saw Jellal sigh "She doesn't need to tell you when she's going home, Gray and Loki" he said in the matter - in - fact tone "But we deserve an explanation, Lucienne"

I saw how Loki, Gray and Natsu's mouth parted, I shrugged my shoulder and smile to them "I just kinda want to surprise you guys"

"I think you need to explain to us," Natsu said with a frown "why are you calling Lucy, 'Lucienne'?"

"Do I have too?" Jellal asks innocently.

"Yes, you do" – Gray.

"Of course, you need too" – Jellal

"Guys," I said, I felt a little embarrassed about how they argue about my name. "Are you going to argue on national TV?" I reminded them "Stop arguing right now" I said while smiling, "I just want to remind you guys, that I'm the guest on this show." I said.

Gray pouted his lips and I knew some fans squeal "We misses you so much"

I beamed at him but didn't bother to answer him. I look at the host who is currently smiling darkly on the screen as if she wants to destroy it. "I'm sorry about their behavior. Think of them as wild animals" I grimace on the last two words.

"That's too much," it was not a voice coming from the speaker. I looked over my shoulder and I saw them casually walking towards me – as if they were invited. What the fudge!

"Sad to say, Lucy" I heard Erza say – her voice is calm but it feels like she wants to explode "this wild animal has been invited by the director."

I don't know how the interview ended. Everything became chaotic when these four animals entered. I don't even know how Erza handled the show gracefully.

I didn't bother to look at them after the interview. I know they were following me because I can see the staff looking at us as if they see something like this. I forced myself to ignore them and approached my manager, Athena.

When I finished my schedule in the studio we decided to eat lunch first. Gray booked the reservation in the restaurant. I didn't bother asking what the special menu at that restaurant was because I do trust Gray's taste when it comes to the food.

"I'll just meet you there," I said. Jellal's mouth opened to howl at my suggestion so, frowning I raised my finger to stop him "I have my own car and I can't leave it, okay."

"It might be dangerous," he said.

"You know, I went here safely with my own car," I said.

Jellal open his mouth again but Natsu interrupt him "Can we just go? I'll be the one who will drive Lucy's car, Jellal. Stop acting like his dad." My eyes widened on him "Keys please?" I absent minded gave my keys to him, "Then it settled" Natsu said firmly. Is he in a bad mood now?

Our whole trip to the restaurant was quiet. Though, from time to time, Athena and I talk about my upcoming activities.

"How about Luna's 2nd birthday?" Athena asked while looking at her tablet "We haven't talked to the organizer for that event yet"

I thought for a moment, "Let's not talk about that first. I still don't know where his birthday will be held."

"Who's Luna?"

"My daughter--" I stopped to answer and looked at the person driving my car. He was also looking in the rear-view mirror and I noticed the shock on his face. I cleared my throat, "Luna is my daughter, Natsu. Have I never mentioned it to you?"

"First time hearing it," he replied and since then he has not spoken to me.

When we got to the restaurant they were already inside. They also ordered food for us so when we got there we ate immediately. During our meals we engage on some topic that we discuss, until Jellal asked me a question that I never knew he will ask during this meal.

"You didn't tell me you dated that man, Lucienne," Jellal said.

I choke my own food because of his question. Natsu immediately gave me a glass of water "Are you okay, Lucy?"

I nodded and looked at them bewildered. "It's only for... six months" my voice was trail off – and I don't know why we are talking about my dating life. I mean, it's only happened once.

"And after that, I never tried dating again" I said, completely closing the topic "Next time, I'll tell you Daddy Jellal" I said sarcastically.

Jellal grimaces, "You know... you should just call me brother Jellal instead of calling me Daddy. It almost looks like... I was your sugar daddy"

"Pfft" I tried my best to stop myself from laughing but I never did. Jellal glare at me so I bit my lower lips to stop myself from laughing "I'm sorry"

I looked at my side and there I saw him staring at me intently. I don't know why he was staring at me but I can't take my eyes off him. I bit my lower lips, and excuse myself to them. I immediately went to the washroom to calm myself.

I can feel that my heart is beating like crazy and I had to stop this foolish emotion that was starting to build inside me. Natsu will never be mine again.

Our chapter ended when I first left him because of my dreams.

When I finally calmed myself – I left the washroom. But again I was stunned to see him standing and probably waiting for me.

"Natsu?" I breathe through my mouth.

Natsu was staring at me as if he was trying to read my soul. I know... I shouldn't feel this way. But I just can't... I knew in my heart that my heart will always belong to him.

He came over to me and held my hand, I didn't say a word and just let him do what he was going to do next.

He stared into my eyes "Lucy..." his voice was sad.

My mouth parted a little - I absentmindedly lifted my hand and stroked his cheek "Is there a problem, Natsu?" I asked worriedly.

He put his head on my shoulder and took a deep breath "Lucy?"

"Yes, Natsu"

"You are here, right?" he said which caught me off guard – I was about to talk when all of a sudden his hand gently snake on my waist and he pull me closer to his, "You are finally here!"

I gently wrapped my arms around his shoulder and inhale his scent "Yes, I'm home, Natsu"

"Welcome back, Lucienne"

________________________ End of Chapter #20