The Years that Went Away

Larvotto

"By the way Erza, it's almost lunch time now want to grab some lunch with me and Lucy," Gray offered squeezing every bit of courage that disperse at the sight of the redhead. He could seriously hear the tsk, Loke made. "Sure where to?" Erza asked. "Castelroc," he said. "Ohh Castelroc sure let's go," Loke grinned, no way does this model would back down. "Oh my gosh I almost forgot we have to go somewhere," Lucy scurry to fix her belongings and grabbed her cousin by the arm, with one last glance, the blonde editor gave Gray a wink. 'Mental note: Thank Lucy later' Gray internally smiled.

"I guess it's just you and me," Gray said standing up, offering his arm, "Shall we?" "Uhh wait I'll just get my bag in my office," Erza said turning around there's no chance would she ever let some acquaintance saw her blush this furiously, 'What the heck Scarlet? This is so not you, getting all flustered with some random stranger! Well maybe not a stranger I did know a thing or two about him but still...' and her thought of self berating began as she made her way back to the workshop to collect her things. Walking back t the lounge, she immediately saw Gray, "Ready?" he offered with a smile. 'That voice and smile should be banned' she mentally noted, "Yeah."

Out of the shop, Gray held his nape and sheepishly looked at her, "Uhh how do I say this. Uhm Apparently Lucy took the van and I uhm..." "That's my car over there," Erza pointed at the sleek black California T, tossing her keys to him, "I don't remember much of the streets here, so you drive."

Nodding, Gray, gentleman as ever, opened the the passenger door for the lady. After the 10 minute drive from Paix St. they've reached down town Monte Carlo, "So Erza, you're from Spain correct?" Gray started a topic while they eat. "I have a house there," she said swallowing her food, "But I'm actually from here, how about you? You're a natural born Monegasque?" "Well I'm part French but hey what's the difference I guess," he chuckled, "So what's your favorite food?" "A sudden switch of topic?" she raised her left brow, "I don't have any in particular as long it's delicious, or maybe if it contain chocolates," she answered with sparkles in her eyes.

The lunch went on, a companionable silence governed the moment with occasional small talks. "Here's the key, I'll be going now," Gray bid her a farewell as he made his way to hail a cab.

Reaching the Vraizen office, Gray paid the cab driver then immediately went to the top floor where the boss's office is located. Before he could open the glass door to the boss's office a cute 9yr old girl came rushing towards him, "Uncle!!!" she launched herself towards Gray. Patting his niece's hair, a gave a rather wolfish smile, "Miss me? Ultear sup?" "The sky is..." Ultear said watching the Monaco skyline from her chair, "Heard from Lucy the interview went great." "Yeah," Gray answered plopping himself on the sofa, "By the way can I take Wendy to Larvotto tomorrow?" Turning around, the older of the two siblings gave an inquisitive look, "Why?" "Well do I need a reason to bring my cute little niece with some friends to beach," he retorted. "I don't mind that is, if Wendy wants to..." Ultear turned her attention to her daughter. "If it is ok with mommy and uncle would be there," the blue haired girl smiled. "Good Uncle Natsu would be there with Romeo too," Gray muttered. Talking for a few more minutes, Gray then made his way to the parking lot of Vraizen and to his car.

About a fifteen minute drive, he reached home. His two floor, sleek home never changed as it was six, seven years ago; it is still sleek and modern with minimal furnishes much like Erza's workshop.

It's been the first time in five years that, he could produce a smile like that every time he comes home. The night went on, a stupid smug eternally plastered on Gray's face which would twinge in a split second into Deva King whenever Loke would pop in his mind. His things were properly packed in his backpack, which he conviniently grab when he sets off to walk towards their rendezvous.
Arriving at Fourth Pavillion, Gray noticed a certain redhead was waiting by the sidewalk leaning on the three, she probably hasn't noticed him yet. Before approaching her, Gray took in every detail of her, dark bikini covered by her almost see-through knitted tank crop top and high-waist denim shorts, "Well you look mighty fine," he called out with a wink.