GRAY'S POV

It had been two days since I met Juvia at Lyon's wedding. Even though we didn't talk with each other, our eyes spoke on our behalf.

I know what I did to her was unfair and injustice but I had left with no other choice. So I let go of her.

I had hoped she would have continued with her new life and would have settled down very least.

But she didn't and that stings my heart with guilt.

"Good morning, Ice-princess. What brought you this early to work?"

My thoughts were interrupted by my colleague/friend, that was none other than Natsu Dragneel.

"Shouldn't a policeman always be early and on alert? Idiot!! It's you who's late to work.
Look at the clock, it's 10 am. Just because Laxus is on leave, you can't come as you wish."

I scolded him while he kept on his bantering on stupid things just to keep up the verbal stiff with me.

"Fine!! I get it. So any improvement in that accident case?" Natsu asked me.

"Yeah!! Looks like Loke caught hold of CCTV footage from the nearby shop and with the help of another footage which we retrieved from the traffic department. We can nab the culprit by tomorrow"

I told him while playing the video footage on my desktop so that Natsu could see.

"Good, this angle clearly shows his face and number plate. We catch him and let's pay a visit to the hospital and check on the victims." Natsu added which I felt was right.

"Hey don't forget me. If it weren't for my help, you guys would still be searching for evidence.
I sacrificed my day offs for you both so that you guys could enjoy the wedding."

Loke exclaimed as he entered the office with his goofy smirk.

"Yeah...yeah thanks to you, Mr.Loke. Wedding went on well except..." Before I stopped Natsu, he stopped himself.

"What happened?" Loke asked out of concern and looked towards us.

"Nothing much. It went perfectly. That's all. Now excuse me." I got up and went to the information source department to collect details.

After collecting necessary details and cross checking them once again, I left the place.

Three days ago, Magnolia Union Bank was robbed single handedly by a thief.

His crime rate increased when he shot the manager who tried to stop him.

Luckily, the manager was shot on his shoulder blade and was taken to hospital as soon as the thief left with the squandered money.

The case came to mine and Natsu's hand but due to our prior engagement. We made Loke to investigate privately for two days even though it's wrong doing to push our work on someone's shoulders.

Poor fellow had to sacrifice his two days off for us. Now with this enough details and a bit of inquiry from the bank staff, I'm certain we could finish this case by today or at most by tomorrow.

Suddenly, my mobile vibrated and it was a call from my fiancee, Diana Williams.

"Hello Gray, Good morning. Did you reach your office?" She asked me softly.

"Yeah! Morning. I'm working on that bank case. So I will be busy for the next few days. Is something wrong?" I asked her.

She sighed over the line,
"I thought we might go on a dinner date tonight. You know it's been a month since we went out together.
But if you are busy, I don't have the heart to disturb you so continue on with your work, officer."

I chuckled which made her laugh. "Come to think of it, you are right, Diana. Let's hope I finish this case soon. So that we can enjoy our alone time."

I said in a convincing voice which made her feel assured.

"Okay Gray, I believe you. I thought of paying uncle a visit. Is he still in hospital? Or back home?" Diana asked me clearly with concern laced in her voice.

"Nope!! He's there in hospital. Doctor informed me that by this weekend we can get him discharged.
I'm actually feeling quite relieved to know my dad's recovering."

I had a small smile on my face as I talked to her. It was a daunting experience when my dad suffered from a heart attack two weeks back.

Luckily, he's recovering and out of danger.

The main reason I chose policeman as my profession was to follow my dad's legacy as he was the ex-commissioner of Magnolia and also to protect people especially my loved ones.

"Gray....Gray...Are you there?" Diana interrupted my thoughts and began to continuously call out my name.

"Yeah... I'm over the line. Okay, go pay him a visit. I will talk to you later. Bye, have a nice day." I hung the call and went back to my cabin.

It had been two months since I and Diana got engaged. I was dead against getting married due to some personal reasons.

But my dad wasn't taking no for an answer and wanted me to settle down just like my friends.

As a means to make me agree, he emotionally cornered me. I had no other go nor things were going to according to my plans. I agreed.

Diana, a pretty blonde whose a year younger than me worked as a high school teacher in Fairy Tail High where Erza worked as P.E instructor. Me and my friends all are alumni of this institution.

My dad and Diana's dad were colleagues at the workplace. It was her dad's suggestion in getting us married which my dad thought was reasonable.

Before the engagement, we met each other through blind date. Indeed, she's pretty, soft spoken and had a warm personality but she didn't hold the mantle to the real deal.

Diana was already comfortable with this arranged marriage set-up. She made sure I was also equally comfortable with it.

Thus, after a few dates, I disclosed this news to my friends and received congratulations and wishes except for Erza and Lyon.

They totally resented this decision of mine and even didn't attend my engagement party.

It was during this party that we exchanged rings, a tradition followed by her family which signified half of the wedding was done.

But personally, Erza didn't show her resentment towards Diana and that was enough for me.

Soon my friends welcomed her in our group and made sure even she was part of any parties which we organised.

The reason why Diana was not present at Lyon's wedding was because my cousin didn't want her there for his friend's sake which I respected and sprouted some excuses so that she doesn't attend their function.

During lunch break, Natsu invited me to his daughter's birthday party which was on coming Wednesday, another five days to go.

"This year, she's been pestering us to buy her that princess home set.
So Luce had already booked it online and would be arriving tomorrow here at our station."

Natsu informed me so that I could collect the gift set in his absence.

"Gray, I want to ask you something?" Natsu suddenly blurted out my name in a serious tone.

I raised my eyebrow and looked at him, "What do you want to know?"

"What's the secret between you and Erza regarding Juvia's matter? Why did you break up with her out of blue?" Natsu questioned like I'm a culprit.

My eyes widened due to sudden questions regarding Juvia but regained my composure.

I chuckled to dissipate his attention,
"It's nothing like you think. As I said back then, she was being over clingy. I felt like I was living in an unhealthy, toxic relationship.
That's why I broke up with her as soon as our graduation ceremony got over. She was in pain...."

Before I could finish my statement, Natsu got up and punched me on my face.

For a moment, I was startled as to what the hell happened a few seconds ago. He then caught hold of my collar.

"How can you keep on saying the same lie over and over again? Do you think if you keep repeating the same lie, it will become the truth?" Natsu hissed and kept punching me.

His words stabbed my heart very badly as it was throbbing in pain.

"Idiot, we can see the truth in your eyes. You don't like that girl, your heart still holds Juvia in it.."

Natsu yelled and again was ready to break my nose. Luckily, Gajeel stopped him and caught hold of his fist.

"Idiot, what are you trying to do to him? And you Gray, why can't you defend yourself?" Gajeel shouted at me.

Once my mind processed Natsu's last sentence, I snapped at him.

"Idiot, don't go spouting nonsense. I'm going to get married to Diana in another one month.
I'm over Juvia. She doesn't have a place in my heart anymore. She's my past."
Tears began to fall from my eyes.

NATSU'S POV

As Gajeel caught hold of my fist before it could make contact with Ice-princess's nose for hurting Juvia.

Gray snapped at me and began to tell his reasons. But unknown to himself, tears were streaming down his eyes.

His eyes showed the reality which his mouth was trying to deny for a long time.

Once he realized, he was literally running the waterfalls. Gray excused himself to the bathroom.

I sat back on my seat and tried to calm myself down. I know, it's his and Juvia's problem.

But what good friend am I? If I don't help my best friend find his true happiness.

Clearly at Lyon's wedding, it was evident Juvia has not even slightly moved on from her feelings for him.

As far as I remember, Gray was the one who confessed and started their relationship where both of them literally lived an eternity by each other's side.

"Natsu, why did you try to hit Gray? What did he do? And what was about his exclamation?" Gajeel asked me.

Once I told what happened before his entry even he supported my reasons.

"I know that idiot is hiding something. But if he's still not over her, why did he agree to get married to another girl? " Gajeel began to rant about this decision of Gray's.

"That's what I and the girls are trying to find out. You know it's been at least three months since Erza properly conversed with him. Whatever it is, I'm going to get him and Juvia back together."

I exclaimed and looked at Gajeel who was also equally determined.

"We need to hurry up. We would have got more time if Jellal's cousin had properly conveyed Juvia's feelings. Now we have only a month left to get these two back together."

I told him how Lucy and girls had actually been discussing the same since returning from the wedding.

From Gajeel's surprised expression, it looks like Levy didn't reveal this matter to him.

"But for that to happen, Juvia should come back to Magnolia first. Let's hope we find a way for this." Gajeel added.

That's when Gray entered the room and before going back to his chamber apologised to me for shouting at him.

Even I apologised for hitting him which he shrugged it off and told me to get ready for the arresting the bank robber.