AFTER A WEEK

GRAY'S POV

"Hey Lyon, I guess we can proceed with that plan. Inform Mr.Bob about it. Don't forget, idiot."

I hissed at him as he has the tendency to forget the important informations.

"Okay...okay..Relax, I got it. Geez, can't you be a bit considerate towards me. I wonder how Juvia-chan is handling you."

He asked as he got up from the chair.

I rolled my eyes at the way he calls her but chose to remain silent instead of answering him.

Just then, the telephone on my table rings, "Hello Sir, someone named Jellal has come to meet you. Are you free now?" The receptionist asked.

"Guess, he must have found something about her." I thought to myself.

"Yeah, I had called him. Just let him in." I kept the call.

"Hey Lyon, where are you going?"

"Oh about that, I'm going on a date. Bye, just grant me permission. See you tomorrow." He smiled widely.

"Idiot, who will take care of the works at your table? Moreover, go after the working hours."

I shouted at him but he simply waved his hand and slipped away from the room.

But in one way, Lyon's absence is good as I can't believe him he will keep silent about Stella's matter from dad when Jellal shows up now.

Soon the glass door opened to reveal Jellal in casual clothing along with a file, "Hi Gray" He greeted me with a smile.

"Hello Jellal, come have a sit." 

"Thank you. So Gray, I got what you have asked for. Here this file holds all the needed information about that woman.
   And it looks like she is not the one who you are actually searching for even if she's literally the same person."

My eyes widened on hearing his investigation and wondered what he was saying.

"Wait, are you saying she is not Stella?" I asked as I got up from my chair.

Now I'm curious to know who that person is who's quite similar to her.

"She…………" Jellal finally me told everything.

FEW HOURS LATER

JUVIA'S POV

"So Juvia, how's Gray treating you now?" Mira-San asked her concern.

My smile grew wider hearing Gray-sama's name. Ever since, his friends talked to him about us.

He's been literally the same in his way of interacting but somewhere I can feel him to be a bit different from before.

"Oh he's been treating me the same way. But don't worry Mira-San, Gray-sama has not been less of a gentleman." I replied with a blush.

Seeing me, even Mira-San showed her usual pretty smile and patted my shoulder,
"Don't worry Juvia, he will come around the corner in no time. We are sure about it. Now go, do your work."

"Hai Captain" I saluted her enthusiastically.

After serving an old couple their dish, the cafe's door opened to reveal Meredy-chan and Lyon-San who held her waist while she hugged his arm.

"Hello Meredy-chan" I hugged her as soon as he came towards me leaving Lyon-San behind.

"Hi Juvia-chan, why didn't you come today?" 

Yeah, I didn't attend my classes today as I got up late. I know it's a lame reason..oofs..

"I was just feeling under the weather, that's all. You could have informed me right that you were coming. We could have booked a special couple's table for you." I said as we broke the hug.

We heard fake cough sound from Lyon-San that's when we noticed that we had audience looking at our interactions.

We both grew red due to embarrassment. Then I showed them a free table and menu.

"Congratulations Lyon-San. You have found the most genuine and wonderful girl as she is beautiful both exteriorly and personality wise. Hope you cherish her." I wished him.

Lyon-San blushed and nodded his head, "Sure Juvia-chan, I'm indeed lucky to have found her in my life. I will treasure and love her forever and ever."

He said while looking at her holding her hand making Meredy-chan to blush.

Both of them look so adorable together. I'm really happy for them. Hope they last forever unlike us.

Soon they placed their order which I got them after few minutes.

Mira-san was pleased to hear about Meredy-chan and Lyon and she personality congratulated them afterwards.

"Lyon-San has Gray-sama gonna home." I asked wondering where he would be if Lyon-San is here.

"Oh he's still at office as Jellal had come to see him. Don't worry Juvia-chan everything will be alright.
  I heard about the last week incident from Meredy-chan. That idiot is surely changing and just see to it that he doesn't drink much." Lyon smiled.

"Thank you for your kind words, Lyon-San." 

After sometime, they left. Soon even my shift got over and thanked Mira-San for the work and left the cafe.

I reached home only to find it locked, "Looks like Gray-sama hadn't come yet." I opened the door and went in. Then after freshening up, my mobile rang.

It was a call from Gray-sama, "Hello Gray-sama"

"Hey Juvia, listen I won't be coming home tonight. As I'm going out station.
  So lock the doors and don't forget to eat. Bye, see you tomorrow night."

"But Gray-sama….Fine, be safe and don't skip your meals. Got it?"

"Yes Ma'am, got it." He chuckled.

"Good. Bye Gray-sama, good night."

"Good night, dear…" He cut the call.

That's when I realized he called me dear not Juvia. Did he say it wantedly or by mistake? But whatever it is I'm happy.

"Oh Gray-sama, I already miss you. Come back safely." 

GRAY'S POV

Currently I'm on my way to Hargoen along with Natsu.

After hearing the details from Jellal and seeing through the file, but the file didn't have any reason for 5 years of absence.

That's why, I decided to meet her personally and confront the matter.

As Jellal was busy with other works tomorrow, he couldn't come but instead sent Natsu who willingly want to tag along with me.

I informed Juvia that I won't be back till tomorrow night. 

"Dear huh?" Natsu rolled his tongue.

That's when I realized that I called her dear while talking with her.

It's not that I don't want to say that to her but not in front of this annoying friend.

"So what? She's my wife. Don't you call Lucy dear?" I huffed to hide my blush on the cheeks.

Natsu laughed, "No I heard someone say till last week that he didn't know what he felt for certain blunette. But now he whole heartedly calls her dear wife.
    That's why I was amazed, how hypocrite someone can be." He sarcastically remarked.

"Shut up" I yelled.

NEXT DAY

After freshening up, we left in search of the address where Stella lived or maybe someone who resembled her.

I knocked the door and as expected the said person opened the door.

"Yes Sir, how can I help you?" She asked me.

I silently looked at her from head to toe. She's indeed Stella even her voice was the same.

"Stella" My voice sounded hoarse.

She looked confused but soon spoke, "Yeah it's me. But who are you, Sir?" She asked me.

I remained silent so Natsu intervened, "Well can we come in and talk. Believe us it's really important."

Then Natsu showed her his and my ID cards for proof that we are not some thieves.

If she's really Stella then why isn't she able to remember anything about us.

"Okay come in both of you. Dear, come out we have got few guests." She called out someone as she led us inside the living room.

Just then, a tall blonde man came out wearing t-shirt and shorts. She soon went upto him and hugged him.

"Hey Wifey, who are they? Are they your friends?" He asked her.

"Don't know who they are? But they said they want to share something important with us." She said to him and went inside the kitchen.

"Wifey?" That means she's married.

Now my mind is running miles searching for an answer to all my questions.

"Okay misters, how can we help you?" The said man spoke politely.

"Well I'm Natus Dragneel and he's my friend, Gray Fullbuster. We came here in search of Stella."

Natsu slowly opened the matter while I was not able to speak anything.

"Yeah she's my wife, Stella-Rookins but now she carries my surname Holland. How are you related to her?" He asked us in amusement.

Now it's confirmed she's really the Stella who I thought was dead.

"Well if she's really the Stella Rookins then she must remember us. We are her college mate but looks like she doesn't even recognize.
   Moreover, we thought for all this while she was dead. But last week, I saw her in Magnolia. How come  just explain this?" I said in raised voice as I got up.

But Natsu made me sit down and caught hold of my shoulder to calm me down. I'm now really losing all my patience.

"Oh I see. Wait I can understand your doubts and confusions. See let the said person herself explain what really happened. Please calm down, Mr.Gray. Honey, come here." He called her out.

Stella comes holding a tray with 3 glass of orange juice and some biscuits.

Then he told her everything what we spoke a few minutes back. Her eyes widened in shock.

"So you guys know me. Finally I met someone who knows about me. You are that Gray! I'm really happy that I got to meet you again.
    Actually Mr.Natsu and Mr.Gray, what happened was 5 years back, I got into a deadly accident luckily my life was saved. I was severely injured and had been in coma for a year.
       When I woke up one day, I couldn't remember anything or anyone. The doctors said I had lost my memories and should be luckily I'm alive instead of retrieving those lost memories."

As she said what actually happened, I felt an unknown emotion in my heart. I felt guilty but at the same time, I'm happy to see her alive.

"But when I returned home, my parents didn't say anything about my previous life and they hid everything that was related to it. 
   After a year, I found my old diaries in the store room. That's when I found about myself and people related to me.
    My diary was filled with your names and memories which we shared but I'm not able to remember any of those. 
   Whenever I tried my level best to remember, my head aches severely and I lose my consciousness."

She began to cry as she told her burdens while her husband patted her back.

"Dear, he's that Gray Fullbuster whom I mentioned to you in my diaries. Gray, I'm really sorry for hurting you all this while.
    I know the relationship which we shared is something different more than just friend.    
      But I'm really helpless as I can't even remember anything what really happened back then.
   Please forgive me for putting you in bad conditions all this time." She apologized for her unknown mistakes.

"Hey please don't cry. I don't want you to feel guilty. It's not your mistake. It's something which just happened because of fate.
   I'm really happy you are alive and is leading a happy life. So don't worry about me."

I smiled finally so that she doesn't feel anymore guilty.

"Mr.Gray about our marriage…." I stopped her husband before he continues further.

"No mister, I don't need to know anything about that. I'm really happy that Stella found someone who loves her now.
  I'm really happy for you guys. Thank you, we will get going." I got up before my voice breaks even more.

"Mr.Gray and Mr.Natsu, thank you for visiting me. Please next time do bring your other friends.
    And Mr.Gray, next time I want you to come with your love. I really pray to God that you find someone according to your choice. Hope we will meet again.
    And thank you for everything back then." She smiled as she and her husband got up.

I gave my visiting card to them so that they could visit me when they come to Magnolia again.

After leaving her house, I and Natsu went to the hotel and checked out and got a taxi back to Magnolia. 

"Hey Gray, what happened? I know this matter is sensitive for you to handle but don't be like this or else you will suffer.
  Just let out your feelings before it explodes in another way."

He patted my shoulder as he was really concerned.

I fake smiled, "Hey Natsu, thank you for your concern. I'm fine. Just feeling depressed.
  Don't worry I will be alright. So you took a day off won't that affect your business?" I tried to change the topic.

"A day's leave won't affect much. Moreover dad's looking after it on my behalf for today. From tomorrow, I will take on as usual.  
  See if you don't want to talk to me or other friends about your feelings, at least talk to uncle." He advised me.

"Sure I will..."