Picture Perfect: a Gray and Erza lovestory

CHAPTER 13: THEIR PAST

It was about 8 in the morning when they arrived at the Milkovich hotel. Gray had became weary since about an hour before they arrive. Something seems bothering him. Erza noticed this, 'maybe there is a real reason why he was so surprised that day'. She recalled the first team meeting about this project when she mentioned that they were going to have a photoshoot here and he reacted differently.

Erza and Evergreen went to the lobby while the others went to the parking area to unload their stuff. At the lobby, Erza told the receptionist that they are from Urbane and they reserved 3 family rooms. The receptionist told them that they were expecting them to arrive today. And their manager would meet them a little later. The receptionist also informed them that Juvia is already here and in one of the rooms they rented.

When all of them are at the hotel lobby and waiting for the elevator to come down, the manager arrived. "Hello everyone, I am the manager, Lyon Vastia... welcome to our hotel."

Erza reached out her hand, "Nice to meet you Mr. Vastia... I am Erza Scarlet, and this is my team." As Erza introduced them, Lyon approached them and shook their hands. "These are Elfman Strauss, and his wife Evergreen".

"Ah I suppose you are Miss Mirajane's brother? and your lovely wife..."

"Nice to meet you, sir," Elfman said, "and yes, I am her brother."

"These are Wendy, Bisca, and Cancer." Lyon also shook their hands, "Max, Toby, and our photographer Gray."

Lyon stoped in front of Gray, "so you finally landed the job you always wanted?"

Everyone is surprised to find that Gray and Lyon seem to know each other. Gray looked at them, particularly to Erza, "I um... I used to work here."

Lyon laughed, "he used to train here, until he said he wanted to be a photographer and be independent..." they were curious, what could the connection between them be? "Gray here is my little brother."

Their jaws dropped, especially Toby, Elfman and Max. They necer knew thar Gray was from a wealthy family, making him one of the hotel heirs of their many family businesses. After that, they went now to their room. The elevator is already full, forcing Gray and Erza to take the next one.

Erza was not talking. Gray looked at her while waiting on front of the elevator doors. "Erza.. I kept it a secret because I wanted to be treated like everyone else. I..."

"It's ok Fullbuster..." Erza interrupted, "even if I knew, I would have treated you the same, besides, I am your superior in this team, I would scold you no matter who you are, we are both employees, I dont like giving special treatments."

Gray smiled, because even if it sermed like Erza is angry, he know that she understood him. "Thanks," this was the only word he was able to say when the elevator door opened.

As the door opened and Gray was about to enter. He noticed that Erza is not moving, so does the guy inside the elevator who he assumes suppoed to be getting off the elevator. He looked at Erza, eyes wide open, pale, and almost trembling while looking straight to the guy inside. The guy, tall with blue hair, very well dressed, Gray thought that he might be a CEO or a politician or somewhere in that level, was also looking straight at Erza.

The blue haired man smiled, "Fancy seeing you here."

Erza did not move. The man approached her. "Why are you here Jellal?" There is some tense in her voice, Gray noticed this. She seemed surprised, angry and nervous at the same time.

"I am taking care of...well the one I told you about last week," Jellal said.

Erza's face saddened. Gray entered the conversation, "Hi! Gray Fullbuster, I'm their photographer... you are?" he asked while reaching out his hand.

"Atty. Jellal Fernandez," and shook Gray's hand.

"I think we need to go, right boss?" Gray told Jellal while looking at Erza. He knew something is wrong, speciay between tbise two and he needed to get Erza out of the situation.

Erza seemed to woke up from a dream when she heard Gray calling her boss, "Oh yeah right! Sorry Jellal we need to go."

"Erza!" Jellal called out as she and Gray entered the elevator. But she just looked at him as she pressed the close button of the elevator.

Inside the elevator, Erza pressed 7th floor. A tear fell off her eye that she immediately wiped hoping that Gray did not see it. Unfortunately for her, Gray had a sharp eye, he held her hand. "Hey, just like I said before, I am here if you need a shoulder to cry on."

Erza was so touched by Gray's words and more tears fell from her eye despite holding them back. As they reached the 7th floor, Erza took back her hand from Gray and wiped the her eyes. They went straight to the rooms. They were standing in front of the door when Erza faced Gray, "He...he is my ex-boyfriend."

Gray felt his heart like being struck. Erza opened the door and entered, leaving Gray perplexed, staring where Erza was standing before she entered to room.

"Guys" Erza called her team mates, "Mira need me to get back at the office, she said that it is very important. So... I'll be leaving Wendy and Ever in charge of today's shoot ok?" She explained. Gray does not seem to be thrilled about it, "I'll come back as soon as I can, anyway its just an hour away."

"You can count on us Erza, don't worry", Ever assured her.

"Erza I'll go home tonight, is that ok?" Max asked.

"Yes, as long as you guys make sure that everything is in order before you leave. That goes to everyone, you can go home tonight if you want to, be sure to cone back early tomorrow."

"Are you...going to stay here tonight?" Gray asked.

"I hope to, besides, I'm looking forward for the cheesecake Mr. Hotelier."

At this, everyone laughed, as if nothing is wrong. And Erza left. Gray accompanied her to the lobby. Again, they saw Jellal. Erza just walked fast to go out immediately. Gray called a cab for her and she went. When Gray went back inside the hotel, Jellal was looking at him.

"Are you going out with Erza?" He asked Gray.

"She is my boss", he replied bluntly.

Jellal chuckeled, "But you like her?" He laughed again,"I'll have her back. She'll be my mistress, she is crazyabout me and I know that she will be willing to even be my mistress just to be with me."

"You seem to be overflowing with confidence," Gray sarcastically told him.

Tension built up even more between them. Luckily Elfman went down from their room and saw Gray and Jellal, "Hey Jellal, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Its nice to see you too Elfman."

"Let's go Gray," He asked, "he is just a waste of your time."