NEXT DAY

JUVIA'S POV

I got up at sound of my alarm clock. It's 7 in the morning. I slowly stretched myself to remove the laziness from my body.

I did my usual morning routine and came out after taking quick warm water shower to wake up the muscles of my body.

So that I can remain active throughout the day.

I remembered what happened yesterday and how I spoke my heart felt words to Gray-sama.

I'm really grateful to him for saving from that dangerous situation. Moreover, he called me by my name not by my last name.

I came out from the bathroom and got dressed up. Then I made way towards the kitchen, from the corner of my eyes, I saw Gray-sama sitting on the couch reading newspaper.

I didn't bother to greet him as he would never respond back. But today, he greeted me first.

"Good morning, Juvia"

My movement was halted and abruptly turned my head to face him.

First thing, he greet me and more importantly, he called me, Juvia again.

I thought yesterday he just called me on the heat of moment. But it doesn't look like that now.

I love the way he calls my name. It makes me feel light and joyous.

"I said, good morning Juvia"

I stuttered, "Go...good morning, Gray-sama." He smiled softly.

"That's strange, you never greet me. How come today, Gray-sama." I asked him disbelief.

Gray rolled his eyes, "Hey can't I greet a friend of mine, first thing in the morning?"

"Friend of mine" I repeated back in utter confusion.

"Hey don't look so shocked. After listening to your grief yesterday, I have decided to interact with you on friendly basis.
   So that, you won't feel lonely in this house till you stay here."

Gray said with a smile which looks so adorable on his handsome visage.

For a minute, I got lost hearing his words. What does he mean by this?

Gray-sama is willing to interact with me as a friend. Is this a good change to begin with?

Nevertheless, I agreed to his offer happily.

"Juvia, listen I don't want you to assume things like I began to like you as my wife and will do romantic stuffs with you." Gray-sama said in a serious tone.

As expected, my hopes goes down the drain, "Fine Gray-sama, I understand. Thank you for considering me as your friend. I won't cross that boundary, I promise." I assured him.

Then Gray-sama asked me to prepare a cup of coffee for him as well which I happily obliged.

By the time, I made the coffee. He came back dressed up in coat and suit, fully ready to go for work.

I handed him a cup of my hand made coffee which he gladly accepted.

"Thanks Juvia"

"Your welcome, Gray-sama. Hope you like it."

"I never knew you could make such a perfect coffee. It's according to my taste. I love it. Thanks once again." Gray-sama smiled and drank the coffee.

After he finished drinking the coffee, he handed me the empty cup which I took it along with my cup and kept in the sink.

I took a look at my wrist watch which showed 7:45. It's time for me to leave for college. If I leave now then only, I can catch the 8 o'clock train.

"Bye Gray-sama. Hope your day goes well." I said and went towards the door.

"Same to you, Juvia. Bye, take care."

I heard his voice from behind which made me feel really happy.

"Sure Gray-sama, thank you."

I said in soft voice and left the house with my bag.

GRAY'S POV

After thinking for hours yesterday, I decided to take this decision of talking to her in friendly manner.

Just me talking to her casually, made her this happy. She gets satisfied with small things.

Seeing Juvia with a smiling face makes me happy as well.

That's the least, I can do if we are going to stay under the same roof for another 7 months. I really did made my point clear to her.

Soon I reached the office, as I enter my cabin Lyon greets me with his ugly smirk.

"What's with the cheerful mood?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes and made way to my seat and removed my coat. I looked at Lyon who was giving me a goofy smile.

"What?" I hissed at him.

"Nothing you look different. What's with the sudden change?" He asked and sat in front of me.

"What change did you notice in me?"

I rolled my eyes and sat down on my chair and began to do work with my laptop.

"You look happy which I'm seeing for the first time after a long while. Did something happen?" Lyon wiggled his eyebrow and smirked.

I told him what happened yesterday and her grief and my decision. He smiled and patted my shoulder.

"You are trying to change which is good thing. Keep up the good job."

"Shut up, Lyon. I'm just being friendly with her which I made it clear to her as well, so stop sprouting some nonsense." I hissed at him.

Lyon grinned, "You never know what can happen in life especially if you are married. Now go do your work, uncle will be coming back today at 4, I guess."

He left the cabin after taking whatever file he was searching for at the locker.

LYON'S POV

I'm really happy with the development Gray is showing towards Juvia-chan.

I feel guilty for inflicting the idea of contract on his mind at the beginning.

As soon as they got married, the very next week, uncle called me and Juvia-chan's friend, Meredy-chan.

He told us the reason for behind their marriage and how he wanted Gray to change and move on with his life.

Uncle told us to be a pillar of support to them and help them sort out any difficult issues together.

FLASHBACK

I remembered what he said that day,
"Listen you guys, I want you both to be with them out so that they can get close and slowly fall for one another.
  I know Gray married her just for the becoming CEO. He made her sign the contract and his ignoring her completely."

I became as fidgety how Uncle came to know about the contract.

"Meredy-chan told me. Juvia is suffering and I feel guilty about it. I never expected my son to be such an inhumane.
   Meredy-chan, please do continue telling me her worries. So that if my son goes beyond the limit, I can take action." Uncle said in a worried tone.

He looked at me, "I know you are the reason behind the contract. But if you really want your cousin to be happy, try to change his mindset up and make him see her as a 2nd chance in love. I hope you will at least help me."

I couldn't help the guilt building within me, "I'm sorry,uncle. I just meant to help him. But don't worry, I will try my best to change his opinion on her and assist you and Meredy-chan in this plan." I assured him for which he thanked me.

END OF FLASHBACK

Ever since then, I and Meredy-chan made sure to hear their every day life in detail to know their development.

During this process, I and Meredy-chan got closer together much as good friends. I feel happy  to be associated with her.

Hope she calls me today as well.

MEREDY'S POV

I sat on my bench waiting for Juvia-chan to come soon but it looks like she will late today which is rare.

As soon as she enters the class, she ran upto me and gave a tight hug.

"Good morning, Meredy-chan. I'm so happy today."

"Wow….wow..Juvia-chan, I can see that. Now leave me, its suffocating. Anyways, Good morning."

She let go of me and blushed in embarrassment while I giggled.

"Looks like your husband as shown you something magical, huh!!!"
I smirked at her.

Juvia-chan grew red, "No...no….it's not what you think……."

Then she told me what happened yesterday and today in morning.

I'm really happy with the way Mr.Gray decided to help her out.

"Congo Juvia-chan, now you are friends soon this will blossom into love and eventually you can lead a good married life. I'm happy for you." I smiled and patted her shoulder.

Her face grew sad, "But Gray-sama said not to assume things and develop feelings. I promised him that I will keep up my words."

"Don't worry, everything will change with the flow of time. Now come let's go to class, our business studies lecturer has come back from her maternity leave."

I got up and extended my hand to help her out.

After an hour of business studies, the class dismissed.

"Yo Juvia, Meredy, how are you?"

"We are fine, Erza-san."
We said in unison.

Erza Fernandez, 26 year old, alumna of Fairytail Academy, business studies lecturer, recently joined the college after 8 months of maternity leave.

She is very bold, brave and beauty with brains, as she came to college till the very end of her gestation period.

She along with other 3 friends are very close to Juvia-chan from her middle school days.

"Erza-San, we missed you a lot. How are Jellal-San and Rosemary-chan?" Juvia hugged her tightly.

"We all doing fine. Now come let's go to canteen and talk about the things I missed here during my absence." Erza-San smiled and led us to canteen.

Luckily we have our class at 11, so we can chit-chat with her for a while.

We talked for an hour sharing the things which Erza-San might find interesting.

She showed us the pics of her baby girl and shared the stories of her baby girl's naughty, playful stuffs.

When I was going to say her about Juvia-chan's marriage, she stopped me and whispered in my ears,
"No Meredy-chan, please don't tell her. Anyways my marriage is gonna last for another 7months more. I don't want to say my depressing issues to her and make her sad. Please".

I stopped and complied to her wish.

"Erza-San, can we visit your place sometime and meet your baby personally?" I asked her in hype.

"Sure come anytime as you wish. Just let me know beforehand, so that I can prepare something for you guys to eat." Erza-San smiled and sipped her juice.

Just then Juvia-chan asked her something, "Erza-San, do you know any place where I can work as part timer? I'm in need for a job right now." She smiled sheepishly.

Erza-San thought for a second and then spoke, "Yeah just last month Mira opened a cafe and requires few employees. I'm sure she would love to have you there. Here this is the address."

Juvia-chan took the mobile from her hand, "7th Avenue of Crimson Lane, Opposite to Magnolia state bank"

"This place is near Juvia-chan's house." I thought to myself.

"I will inform her and you can start the job from this weekend. Don't worry even others and their husbands will come for a get together.
  So your first job will be serving us and our friends. Got it, Juvia" Erza-San smiled and encouraged her.

"Hai Captain" Juvia-chan saluted her which made us giggle.

GRAY'S POV

It's 5 in the evening and I'm still in the airport for my dad to come after getting his luggage checked at the check point.

"Why do you always stick along with me everytime I go somewhere?" I hissed at Lyon.

"Simply. I came to receive my uncle and do you have any problem with it." Lyon spated back.

Just then my dad calls us from behind, "Yo boys, how are you guys?"

"Hi dad"

"Hello uncle"

"So Gray, where is Juvia?" He asked looking around for her.

"Dad, she is at college now. So how was your trip?" We led him to the exit.

"It was successful as expected. Now my son, how is your married life going on? When will you make me grandfather?" He smiled.

Hearing this, I grew red due to embarrassment and Lyon chuckled.

"Shut up dad. She is still a college student. Don't go stupidly asking her such questions." I scolded him still with a blush on my cheeks.

"Okay okay got it." He patted my shoulder.

I can't disclose the contract to my dad and tell him I just see her as my friend.

So I need to act according to convince him that I'm leading a happy life. What a tough life.

Just then, my mobile rings. We sat inside the car and then I attended my call.

"Hello Natsu, what's up?" He is my best friend.

"Yo Gray, what are you doing lately? It's been a while since we saw you. Where are you anyways?" He asked me.

I didn't inform any of my friends that I got married as I know this marriage won't last long, moreover it was fixed at the last moment.

"Busy with work lately. How are you, Lucy and Luke?" Natsu got married to Lucy, who happens to be a good friend of mine whom I befriended back in high school.

Their little bundle of joy Nash, who is just 2 year old looks just like his mom except for his dad's spiky hairs.

"We are doing great. Did you hear Mira started a cafe last month and has arranged a get togehter coming weekend. So are you free?"

Natsu spoke but his voice got disturbed as Lucy snatched the mobile.

"Yo Gray, how are you? Did you what Natsu said? You must come, don't sprout excuses or else I will inform Erza. Got it?" Lucy said.

I gulped after hearing Erza's name. She is another good friend of mine who is quite scary and bossy.

She works as a lecturer in our college and her husband Jellal Fernandez, works in the police department.

Last time, I saw all of them together was when Erza invited us to small party on the occasion of her husband's promotion as superintendent which was 5 months ago.

"Sure I will come. Don't worry. So everyone is coming right?" I asked her.

"Yeah Cana, Levy, Gajeel, Lissanna, Loke and…." She sounded excited.

"Okay missy the list is going on. I will come, send me the address and timing. Ok take care, I'm a bit busy now. Bye see you guys on Saturday."

"Ok bye Gray" she kept the call.

"Looks like you are having fun this weekend." Dad asked me.

"Yeah, you know Mira right? She has opened a cafe and arranged a get together for us. So I will be going. Lyon are you coming?" I asked him.

"Nah!! Gray, I'm going on a date. So you enjoy.." He smiled and began texting someone.

"Date" I rolled my eyes.

"Since when did you get serious with date and stuff?" My dad asked him.

"Since Gray got married to Juvia-chan. I don't wanna be left behind." He grinned.

"So who is the lucky girl?" My dad asked him excitement.

"Uncle for now, let that be secret. But I assure you, I will let you know." He said with a small blush.

Soon we reached my previous house where now only dad lives.

"Okay Gray, here is the souvenir which I got it for Juvia. Convey my greeting to her. Bye" Dad handed me a paper bag and left us.

Then after dropping Lyon at his apartment, I went to my house. It was 7 in the evening. I guess, I should order the food through online delivery.

After reaching the house, the door was unlocked. That means she must come back from her college.

As I enter the house, she greets me with a warm smile, "Welcome back Gray-sama."

"Hi here, Juvia"

I smile back and make way to my room while she continued watching TV.

After getting freshened up, I go downstairs as now we are friends. It won't be awkward to sit and watch the TV in her company.

I sit across her and take the remote from the coffee table to change the channel.

She remained silent and got up and went to kitchen.

"Juvia, if you don't mind, can you make a cup of coffee for me?" I said looking at her and she smiled accepting my request.

After changing the channel to one of the music shows, she comes and hands me a cup of coffee.

"Thank you" I took the cup from her hand.

After finishing the coffee, we kind of chatted for awhile and she told me, she got a part-time job which was nearby our house.

I asked her in concern as I don't want her to go through what happened yesterday, "Is that place safe enough?"

"Don't worry Gray-sama. One of my lecturer who also happens to be my good friend suggested that place. And the person who runs that cafe is also someone I know personally. So it's safe." She assured me.

"Okay if that's the case then you can go. I have no problem with it." I said while looking at the TV.

Then I don't know why I asked her this question, guess out of curiosity, "Why do you call me Gray-sama?"

She blushed which made her looks cute. Man, what am I thinking? I must consider her as a friend.

"Because I felt like to. It's a small wish of mine since my childhood that I should call my husband with 'sama' suffix. So that's why."

She bowed her head down to hide her embarrassment.

I chuckled, "Its okay, don't hide your face. I understand but don't forget about the contract."

She waved her hand, "No I won't forget about that but still for time being you are my husband, right! So I can call you that, isn't it?"

"Sure go on. Call me however you want." I assured her.

"Gray-sama, now that you consider me as your friend. Will you eat what I make for us? If you don't want then it's okay." She asked in hesitation.

"I don't see any harm in it. Sure I will eat whatever you cook for me." I handed her the empty cup.

"Oh really Gray-sama. Are you willing to eat what I'm cooking for us?" She asked in disbelief.

Her blue orbs widened in shock which made her look 10times cute and innocent. I really like her eyes it suits her perfectly.

"Yeah really I mean it." I chuckled.

"Okay got it. Now do you have any preferences?" She asked me in excitement.

"Nope, go make your favourite dish." Soon she dashed off to kitchen and began to prepare dinner for us.

By this time, slowly I dozed off to take small nap.

JUVIA'S POV

As I finished making dinner for us, I'm quite excited as this is the first time Gray-sama is going to eat something which I cooked. Hope he likes it.

I made rice, vegetables curry, soup and omelet.

"Gray-sama, dinner is ready." I called him out but I got no response. When I turned around, I saw him sleeping.

It was 8 o'clock. I went near to wake him up. He looks to handsome and peaceful when he is sleeping.

I didn't want to disturb his sleep but had to as it was dinner time. I slowly shook him by his shoulder to wake him.

He slowly opened his eyes and yawned making him look do adorable.

"Gray-sama, dinner is ready. Go wash your face. I will arrange the food on the dinning table." I smiled and went to the kitchen.

He got up and went to his room.

I arranged the food on the dinning table and waited for him to come. Gray-sama came and stood behind me.

"Yum it looks and smells delicious." He sat opposite to me. I smiled and thanked him.

I prayed before having my food. Gray-sama looked curious, "You pray before having food?"

I raised my eyebrow, "Yeah Gray-sama. Is something wrong in that?" I asked him.

"Nah!! It's a good habit and I like it." He grinned and began to eat.

After taking few bites, "Wow Juvia, you are good chef. I really love your food. Thank you for making me dinner." He smiled happily.

I blushed, "Thank you Gray-sama. It's my pleasure. I would like to make you breakfast and dinner everyday, if you like too." I asked in a bit of hesitation.

He thought for awhile, "Sure why not? I would love too." He said casually with tiny tint of blush on his cheeks making him look adorable.

I nodded my head happily. I'm looking forward for our friendly development in coming days.