The promise made but never kept

Chapter Fifty Two

Levy-chan cheered and everyone congratulated me.

I gave them all wry smile and went back to prepare the newlywed's after wedding reception.

I went straight to my good old friends, catching up for a tiny bit.

We had a group hug and everyone was happy.

I couldn't find Natsu anywhere.

We decided to continue the reunion on Mira's bar, wherever that place might be, tomorrow.

After the picture taking, I went straight to the Best Western Premier Hotel and took in charge of the arrangements on the reception.

Virgo was finally available to pick me up at the church right after the picture taking, since she was the one assigned to monitor the arrangements of the after wedding party.

I was talking to Levy-chan while ordering people around, to place this and that, to its rightful places.

I felt all my energy draining slowly, but this was the least I could do to make my best friend happy.

Someone lightly tapped my shoulder, I turned to see Natsu who's looking extremely worried.

"You look tired... You should rest for a bit." He furrowed his brows in concern.

"I'm fine. When did you get here?" I asked while smiling softly.

"Would you rest, please? You're making me worried." He appealed, dodging my question.

I looked at him and, sure enough, worry was evident on his onyx eyes.

I sighed in defeat and gave Virgo the clipboard.

"Hime, it's about time you take a break. I'll have everything prepared before Levy-sama arrives. Punishment?" Virgo asked in a straight face and I giggled.

She never changed.

"No. But, thanks Virgo! I'll just change my clothes and fuss over my best friend." I chuckled.

I was about to leave, when a warm gentle hand lightly gripped my wrist, to prevent me from leaving.

We looked at each other in the eyes and our eyes says it all.

He held my hand, reluctantly, and led me to an empty table.

I have to admit, his maturity shocked me to a whole new level.

Usually, at this time, he'd either hug me or kiss me.

But, no. There's already some kind of refined and classy ambiance around him.

How much has he changed, this past few years?

We sat silently on the table.

He was just smiling smartly.

I smiled back gently.

"How are you?" he began.

"Doing fine. Thanks for asking. How are you?" I responded politely and he just smiled.

"Natsu..." I called his name and he flushed.

"Yes, Lucy?" he started to smile, like the old times.

I was ecstatic to hear him say my name.

"You somewhat changed..." I confessed, blushing.

"Well, you did too...I never thought you'd be even more gorgeous than before. You really never fail to amaze me." He chuckled and tucked in a loose end of my hair to my ear.

His gaze softened.

"I missed you..." he added softly.

Silence.

"I missed you too..." I admitted quietly, looking at the ground.

He placed a finger under my chin, making me look at him.

A felt a tear fell and I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from crying.

I realized just how much I missed him.

How his arms would normally wrap around my waist.

How it would feel as he placed his head on my shoulder.

How we used to depend on each other.

He pats my head, and gazed at me straight in the eyes.

"I've been waiting for you to come home, you heartless woman." He smiled gently, and his eyes softened.

"Yeah... I'm home." I smiled genuinely.

"Welcome back!" he cheered, ruffling my hair and we laughed.

The newlyweds finally arrived the reception, receiving gifts, and receiving blessings.

Making me, hesitantly, move away from Natsu and assist my now happily married best friend.

After some speeches then dinner, the newlyweds finally left for their honeymoon.

This is where my gift comes to play, I gave them tickets to Paris and booked them a room in Hotel Eiffel Trocadero for two weeks.

As soon as Levy-chan and Gajeel left, I walked straight to my hotel room.

I had a feeling that I was forgetting something important, but I shrugged it off.

Then, it hit me.

I FORGOT TO GET NATSU'S NUMBER!

HOW STUPID WAS THAT?

I sighed in defeat and proceeded to my bathroom to take a bath.

Right after taking a bath, I dried my hair and slumped on the fine mattress.

How frustrating.

Ugh.

Never mind.

I'll just sleep it off.

The moment I woke up, I looked straight to the clock and found that it's around 11am.

I got up and prepared my stuff to get ready, since my flight back to Narita is at 3pm.

I just finished brunch, when someone knocked on the door.

When I opened the door, I was greeted by Virgo with a straight face.

"Good Morning, Hime." She bowed and I greeted back then let her in.

"I must pack your belongings, Hime." She stated awkwardly and went straight to the room then packed my stuff.

When I finished washing the dishes, I immediately jumped in the bathroom then took a shower.

I found all my stuff arranged neatly by the hotel door, then Virgo and I took off as soon as I got dressed.

We went straight to the airport and we still have at least an hour to spare to look around.

I looked over the place to find souvenirs I could give mom and dad when they arrive Japan, any day now, for the heiress announcement.

When I got satisfied with all the souvenirs I bought, Virgo and I went back to board the plane.

After an almost four hours of flight, we finally landed on Narita.

Virgo and I went straight to a home I designed myself.

The first dream house I made with the course I initially took.

Architecture.

Five more chapters to go!

Ready to say goodbye?