Chapter 17~ Catalyst to His Scheme

Lucy's POV

"What is the meaning of this?" I handed Mr. Dreyar the papers acknowledging the ownership of assets transferred from Natsu to me.

"I'm surprised to see contempt instead of satisfaction Ms. Heartfilia." His answer is calm and composed.

"What did you do to my husband?"

Mr. Dreyar calmly explains that Natsu himself all put all assets under my name in the midst of a grand scheme to frame me as he had secretly corrupted company funds for his personal benefit and if they were to be exposed, I would take the blame.

"Why are you doing this?" My curiosity is piqued not in gratitude but in consternation.

"Simple. I want my generosity to be met by equality." He replies vaguely, only to bewilder me further.

"I want you to become a major shareholder in our company in Natsu's stead as he was previously one of our significant benefactors but after the recent string of events he has been stripped of such title, my request is only you succeed him as Dreyar Corp's major investor."

Shocked by his offer, I was rather skeptical of it but my basic principle in life is always to repay a debt of gratitude with equal gratefulness and so my reluctance dissipated and the contract was signed.

A few days have passed and news of Natsu from my hired investigators has not been heard of to my disappointment. However, I soon realize that as the owner and benefactor of two major corporations in the country, I had no time to worry about such trivial matters as I was on the quick path to success, a path illuminated by the light of paradox.

Natsu's POV

The entrance was quite a sight to see, and grasping the doorknob firmly in my hand, I braced myself for the impending rebuke. My parents expressions were painted with plastered smiles, a little too graceful almost plastic. They sat poised and graceful in the quaint little living room even greeting me ever so sweetly. Then my gaze shifted upon the guest they were currently receiving, apprehension quickly etched on my visage as a bead of perspiration trickled down my forehead.

Seated in the room across my parents was Laxus Dreyar, the man whose wife I've been cheating with.

Lucy's POV

A soft knock was heard on my grand mahogany doors of my office, signaling the arrival of a guest.

"How are you feeling Gray? I'm glad you're well again." Relief inundated my tense mind immediately with the sight of Gray up and well again. Only, this feeling was completely shattered when the next figure enters the room, her gorgeous cerulean locks curled softly complementing her elegant navy blazer. It was his fiancée.

Exchanging common courtesy, although there was no apparent tension between us, there was an unsettling feeling that lingered deep within the depths of my heart at the sight of her with Gray.

We decided to visit a nearby café together to have lunch when Juvia had to step put for a bit to cater to an appointment. Left behind, was he and I.

"So how are things going on between you and Juvia?" In order to provide some respite to the awkward tension, I decided to pop an ordinary question.

"Actually, we've finally decided to get married next month and I would love if you would be the maid of honour Lucy."

My jaw drops at this stunning yet appalling revelation; contempt and scorn were all written on my countenance as the disbelief rendered me utterly speechless. I wanted so badly to ask "Do you even love her?" or "Don't you think it's a little too quick?" yet the words are unable to pour out. Not wanting to sound inquisitive or probing, I curtly congratulated him and ended our lunch, returning to my office trying to comprehend the situation.

I walked through the same park I caught Natsu cheating for the first time, thinking about my halcyon days and then how rapid pandemonium quickly shattered it all. Nostalgic and reminiscing, the wretched turn of events that hit my life like an unforeseen typhoon destroyed my world in rapid succession and it all happened here.

The afternoon sun burned through the day, scorching the plants in the park to a crisp, distorting the stems in contorted poses. As I walk pass a bed of red-stemmed dogwood, I gaze upon the gnarled rhododendrons and am ensorcelled by their enchanting yet haunting beauty. Mesmerizing yet frightening, truly paradoxical.

In the midst of my idle stroll, I spot a distinct tuft of azure hair behind the shrubbery accompanied by another figure. To my horror, they were intertwined in a passionate lip lock, the man I could only identify with his large stature and golden blonde hair before I broke into a constant sprint back to my office.

Shutting the door behind me, I plopped down on my office recliner; astonishment and swirling through my head at the thought of Gray about to embark on the same arduous journey that I took called betrayal. Yet there was a slight ignition of happiness in my heart at the divulgence of such scandalous knowledge. Do I love Gray?

Next on Love and Distrust

Chapter 18~ The Reiteration of History

"Natsu, Mr Laxus has agreed to return a portion of our assets for each deed you perform successfully under his command. As your parents, we deem it wise for you to accept his generous offer and obey his wishes."

Realizing that at this point in time he had no more cards to play, it was the only way he could survive.

"Name your terms."

"I want you to sleep with my wife."

Thank you so much for waiting guys its finally here! Sorry for the mini hiatus because I had a lot of exams and work but now I'm ready to dedicate myself to this story and see to its completion! :D I really appreciate your reads and reviews and honestly they do motivate me because receiving an email to notify a new review is extremely exciting to any author(or just me)!

So keep the reviews coming guys!

xoxo,

yourstrulytasha