Me and My Manager!

Chapter 16: Seatbelt

As they approached the car, Lara couldn't contain her excitement. "Let's go!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with anticipation. Natsu, however, maintained his stoic demeanour.

Natsu opened the backseat door for her, expecting her to sit there. "Sit," he ordered, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation. To his surprise, Lara had already slipped into the front passenger seat. She waved at him with a mischievous grin.

Natsu sighed, placing Lara's luggage in the trunk.

Natsu ran a hand through his hair, a silent plea for patience. He got into the driver's seat and buckled up. "Ugh," he muttered under his breath, his frustration evident.

Natsu pulled out his phone and quickly typed a message to Ryu, informing him that they were on their way. Ryu's immediate reply, a simple "All ready here 🙏🏻", appeared on the screen. Natsu slipped his phone back into his pocket and started the car.

Lara's excitement was palpable. "Let's go!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with anticipation. Natsu, however, maintained his stoic demeanour.

Lara asked Natsu his name as she didn't know. Natsu replied in a firm tone, "Natsu."

"Woah, that's an old name. There um... I mean, that's a very nice name," Lara said, trying to sound more natural.

Natsu, still focused on driving, didn't react.

"So you're my manager? Right?" Lara asked with starry eyes.

Natsu looked at her. "What's up with these eyes?" he thought to himself with amused surprise.

"Yes I will be your manager." Natsu replied.

"That would be perfect!" Lara said happily.

Lara bombarded Natsu with questions, her excitement evident. Natsu's patience was wearing thin. "Could you keep quiet for a while? I'm driving," he said, his tone slightly annoyed.

"I speak a lot, don't I? Old habit," Lara admitted, looking out the window at the passing streets.

"Aa, so beautiful," she exclaimed, mesmerized by the sights of Japan.

Her eyes darted towards a perfume ad featuring a boy and a girl holding hands closely. She got lost in her own world, daydreaming.

Lara began to imagine a scenario where she would subtly apply her perfume, the scent enchanting Natsu. He would compliment her, their hands brushing against each other, igniting a spark of attraction.

As she reached for her perfume, hidden in her jacket pocket, a satisfied smirk played on her lips. She sprayed the perfume generously, closing her eyes as she imagined the intoxicating aroma filling the car.

Natsu, sensing an unusual scent, sniffed the air. His expression remained unchanged, but a hint of annoyance flickered in his eyes. To dispel the fragrance, he rolled down the car window, letting the fresh air circulate.

Lara's daydream shattered like a bubble. Her eyes widened in disbelief as the perfume she had applied with such care vanished into thin air. A defeated expression crossed her face.

Lara, exhausted from the day's events, closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Natsu, having brought the car to a halt at a red light, took a moment to observe his passenger. Lara was fast asleep, her head tilted slightly to one side. A sigh escaped his lips as he realized the situation they were in.

Suddenly, a nagging thought struck him. Lara wasn't wearing her seatbelt. He reached out to wake her up but hesitated at the last moment. He reached out to wake her up but hesitated at the last moment.

Gathering his courage, he leaned closer, his hand hovering over the seatbelt buckle. As he was about to fasten it, Lara's head turned, bringing their faces little close. As he was about to secure the belt, the traffic light turned green, and the cars behind them began honking impatiently.

Startled by the sudden noise, Lara jolted awake. Both of them blushed intensely, their eyes locked in an awkward moment.

Natsu quickly retracted his hand, his heart pounding. "Put on the seatbelt," he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lara, nodded obediently and fastened the seatbelt.

Natsu was a bundle of nerves. His heart raced as he focused on the road, his mind replaying the awkward encounter with Lara. "Hell," he muttered under his breath, his frustration evident.

Meanwhile, Lara was on cloud nine. The close proximity to Natsu had sent her imagination into overdrive. She replayed the moment in her mind, adding her own dramatic flair. She was lost in her fantasy world, a blissful smile plastered on her face.

For the rest of the journey, an awkward silence enveloped the car. Natsu was eager to reach the studio and escape the uncomfortable tension, while Lara was content to bask in the afterglow of her daydream.