“Natsu.”

What’s this guy doing here? How did he even get in? He doesn't work here. He doesn't have an I.D. to get past through the elevator, let alone the guards at front! I better take him somewhere, far away from everyone else before he hurts someone.

                 “Come with me.”

Mirajane and Cana were squealing at the thought of me ‘sneaking around’ with Natsu during office hours. They have no idea how dangerous this man is.

                 “Please, excuse me, ladies.” Natsu smiles before following me.

The safest place would be the rooftop of this building. Only one way up and out of here: through the elevator.

                  “Tell me what the hell is going on. You don't work here!”

Wait a minute. He dyed his hair pink!

                 “You. You're running away from the police. You knew I reported you.”

Natsu tucked his hands inside his pockets, letting out that smug face he'd been hiding from my friends. “I have to look after you, you know? Man, this job sucks. You've seen me in my true form and then, my motive, and now, you told on me.” He clicked his tongue, like a disappointed parent who didn't get the perfect child they were hoping for. “This is such a drag and I expect you to cooperate if you know what's best for you.”

                  “You think I'm going to cooperate with you?” I scoffed. This man is more delusional that I thought. “Pathetic! Why are you stalking me? I don't have any money. I'm broke, I can barely pay my monthly due rent!” This is my chance though. I had my phone in my hand behind my back, with the recorder on. This way, our conversation's going to be evidence he's trying to kill me.

                 “Oh, sweetie,” Natsu took one step at a time towards me, until I found myself backed against the wall. The only wall keeping me from falling down this building. “I'm not cheap. I just need you to shut up until things are clear and you'll be fine.” He tugged on one of my hair strands that fell from my ponytail. “But if you don't, I'll kill you and all your little friends.”

With that said and done, completely paralyzing me to the ground, he showed me my phone that he's already had in his hand. He crushed it, smirking with his eyes in the shadow. “I expect you to be on your best behavior and get along with me during work hours. I've been assigned as your assistant writer.” He walked away like nothing happened, pushing the down button of the elevator. When the ride down was about to close on its own, he pressed his hand against the doors preventing them from closing, he was waiting for me to join him.

                 “Are you coming?”

🦇

Both of us came back at the same time, our entrance howling from Cana and Mirajane cheering for our little dirty deed. Saying how proud they are of me.

                 “Ooh, that was quicker than I thought.” Cana had her arm wrapped around Mirajane, the two of them sharing a look only they can understand.

                 “It's nothing like that.” Natsu denied, putting his hands up as he laughed along. “Please don't mistake me and my girlfriend as those kind of people.”

Girlfriend?

                 “Girlfriend? I'm not his—” there it was. That little stare down he was doing behind their backs to keep me from tattling, which I followed. “I–I didn't want to. . .tell anyone yet.”

Natsu laughs again, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Eh? My girl's too embarrassed to say anything at the moment.”

                 “Aren't you two the sweetest!” Mirajane continued to coo, almost unable to handle herself, enough to faint and fall back in her chair. “Mr. Fullbuster's impressive at set-ups. Who knew?”

That’s right. Mr. Fullbuster probably knows the faces of his employees and memorized through everday encounters. He's sure to prove this criminal doesn't work here. “Ah, I just remembered Mr. Fullbuster needs me in his office.” That’s it, Lucy. Walk away and hold your breath. That man might predict your move.

Unfortunately, upon opening the door, our boss had company. A woman with long blue hair was sitting across his desk. A woman I feel I'm familiar with.

                   “Ms. Heartfilia! This isn't a good time.” Mr. Fullbuster had to bite his lower lip to keep himself from chuckling, I believe. The woman, too, seemed to be comfortable with the atmosphere.

She’s the woman Mr. Fullbuster had a folder about!

                  “So, this is the famous Lucy Heartfilia.” She walked towards me with a rather intimidating approach, scanning me from head to toe with her arms folded.
   
                  “P-Pardon? I don't think I'm popular to be known.” My name can barely be read on print. And besides that, someone is interested in my articles? Who knew!

                  “Gray—er, Mr. Fullbuster has told me about you, how proud he is to have you on board. And oh, how rude of me. Juvia Lockser. I'm an intimate friend of your boss.” Juvia reached out her hand to me; was she expecting me to shake it? I haven't done an introduction like this since grade school.

                 “You two are. . ?” it was awkward enough that I had barged in without knocking, how much more if I asked about their relationship?

                 “My father set us up on a blind date, claiming I need a woman in my life.” Mr. Fullbuster was straightening his tie. It's obvious how interested he is in Ms. Lockser, though. Look at his subtle smile at the corner of his lips, his cheek slightly lifting up, squinting his eye. “What was it you needed to ask me about?”

                  “Uh, ooh, uhm, I wanted to ask if you know a Natsu as an employee under M.A.G.E.?”

He furrowed his brows. His hand was all of a sudden held by Ms. Lockser, who seems to have him convinced. “Ah, yes, he started working here a couple of nights ago.” Mr. Fullbuster raised his head to meet my gaze. “I believe he wanted to be transferred to my building, specifically, due to residence.”

I guess it makes sense, but why now, of all other possible days? Too coincidental. Too convenient. Mr. Fullbuster doesn't find this strange one bit.

                  “Would that be all?” Juvia butts in this time.

                   “A—Ah,” I have nothing else to say. If I peep, he might be hearing me through the glass door. I took a peek and saw him chatting with the girls, while he was raiding on my computer, he had his eyes on me the whole time. “I-I’m going back to work.” And I did, after leaving with a bow.

Never mind the fact that Natsu tried lurking through my personal information. Never mind the fact he had just went through my private emails—most of them was with Mr. Fullbuster, anyway. Nothing important. Never mind the fact Mira and Cana had taken a liking to this stranger without a clue on who I am as a woman who's single and yet they believed his words than mine.

Typing away the sorrow, I timed myself. I had no time to fear if I had a timer. The clock ticks away as I continue to say whatever I wanted to say about Patience, Patience is key and bullshit like that.

                    “Lucy may be a rookie, but she's the best writer at her age.” I can't clearly hear what they were saying about me, but I'm fully aware it's Mira.

                  “Really? Then I guess I'm lucky, then.” Natsu chuckling, I felt his hands rest on top of my shoulders, trying to give me a massage. I flinched without thinking, coming out of the zone. My routine's been broken.

                  “Lucy? You alright?” Cana had stopped cooing with Mira and handed me her cup of coffee.

                  “Y-es.” I didn't have to look at his face to see myself almost blowing his cover. “I. . I could've sworn I told Natsu not to do that in public. . .” What the hell am I doing? What the hell is he doing? And why is Mr. Fullbuster so convinced Natsu moving here would be a good contribution to this company?

                   “I can't help myself.” Natsu spoke, leaning in to my ear, “good girl.”

I'm literally being sexually harassed right in public and no one seems to care. No one's noticed. Not even those two whom I consider the closest.

🦇

My shift's finally over. Thank God.

I didn't bother going to Mr. Fullbuster's office like I normally do before going home. Checking up on him. Ms. Juvia Lockser had it all covered. Mira and Cana went with Natsu and I into the elevator. Their breaths almost fogging up the entire transportation, but I had something else on my mind. I'm having writer's block which I believe doesn't exist, to be honest. Maybe I'm just tired. Perhaps.

Natsu might be following me home again. Fuck this shit.

                   “You guys want to go karaoke?” I said out of the blue.

                   “Ooh, trying to show off your man, huh?” Mira wrapped an arm around me, cheering. “I'm in!”

                   “I'm in since Mira is.” Cana wiggled her eyebrows, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Natsu, you coming?”

He and I made contact for a second or two and what he said next hadn't been brought up in my assuming scenario. “Nah, you guys go ahead. I have a lot of catching up to do with work.”

                  “Oh, okay. See ya!” And with that, the three of us grabbed a cab to the nearest karaoke bar we could find. I ended up following him walk the other way with his back turned from me.

What's he planning on doing now? He couldn't be—

                  “Uh, guys? You know what, on second thought, I'll go on ahead. Natsu needs company.” Never mind if he's going to act all hostile and tough on me. Never mind if he ends up hurting my wrist or hand or whichever part of me, so long as he doesn't kill anyone—my conscience is clear and clean.