Mistake

After removing his rough hand from her stomach, she pulled the covers down and slipped out of bed. She started throwing on anything she could find; glancing at the digital clock perched on the nightstand every once in a while. It was 5:00 AM. She didn't have much time: he would wake up soon.

Once the laces on her tennis shoes were securely tightened, she walked silently to the pink crib placed in the corner. Small breaths could be heard coming from inside the wooden bars. Moving the twisting dream-weaver out of the way, she stared with tear-filled eyes. A choked gasp escaped her lips. She had to go. She was only sixteen; she made a mistake. She just wasn't ready for this life. Stealing a glance at the beautiful baby in the crib, she silently walked the closet and took out the nearest trolley. Quickly filling it with essential items, she then zipped it up and walked to the door.

She smiled weakly; she knew this would be the last time she would ever see this scene again. She watched the bulky figure in king-sized bed; listening to his soft snores. Her husband. Then her gaze landed on the crib one final time. Her daughter.

"Sleep well, Videl. I love you," Erica whispered softly and left.

The tyres screeched as the sleek black car came to a halt. Looking through her sunglasses, she stared at front yard. Her eyes landed on that creepy garden gnome that always seemed to follow her every move; a disturbing smile on its shiny face. She didn't know how long she stayed there, in that same spot, staring that tiny gnome down; but the next thing she knew the oak door was slowly being opened. Breaking the staring contest, she watched as a slender face with sky-blue eyes stared curiously at the unfamiliar vehicle. A smile etched its way onto Videl's glowing face. Her best friend hadn't changed one bit. Typical precautious Erasa.

But Videl couldn't blame her for acting like that; Ox City was not only notorious for its wealthy businesses, but also for its extremely high crime rate. Ah well. It was one of her two homes. Her mother's home to be precise.

Deciding to prevent Erasa from fetching the gun Hercule sent her as a farewell present, Videl opened the car door and stepped out. Brushing her long midnight tresses away from her heart-shaped face, she smirked as she made her over the pebbled pathway to her shocked friend.

"Hey E, long time no see, eh?" Videl said as she stopped just in front of the door.

"Oh. My. Gosh! Vi-" Erasa's shrieking was cut short when Videl covered her big mouth – both literally and figuratively speaking of course.

"Shhhhhh, Erasa!" Videl hissed, glancing around the quiet cul de sac, "I'm not Videl here! Not in Ox City, remember?"

Understanding shone in Erasa's wide eyes as she bobbed her head up and down slowly. She forgot about Videl switching identities when visiting; she respected her mother's wishes for privacy too much. It had been over two years since the duo had last one another. Erasa moved to Ox City; her father received a promotion so the family had to relocate there. The kept in touch however, through phoning and e-mailing. That's how Videl informed Erasa she was moving to Ox City temporarily, asking if she could crash with her.

It was due to times like these that, according to newspapers in Satan City, the famous Videl Satan liked to stay holed up in her cosy manor during the holidays.

"Thanks for letting stay here, E," Videl smiled, slowly removing her hand. "Mum wanted me to live with her, but after hearing that I could sleep on her single bed whilst she slept on one of the dining chairs; I refused immediately."

Erasa squealed and enveloped her best friend in a tight hug. "No problem V. But I'm so glad you're back! I've missed you so much."

Both girls emerged from Videl's new room, wearing loose t-shirts and shorts. After eating dinner and unpacking all her cardboard boxes, they grabbed some ready-made popcorn and sat in front of the TV.

Half-way through a commercial, Erasa turned to Videl. "Even though you told me previously, I still can't believe you're actually here!"

Videl tossed a couple of popcorn into her mouth and smiled sadly. "You know the whole financial situation going on with Mum, E," putting her long legs on the couch, she leaned back before continuing, "She can't find a stable job and she can't afford to move elsewhere. Currently she's working as a cleaner, and she's only paid three zenny per hour! Dad won't even spare her one zenny. I just couldn't leave her by herself anymore; what with her over-due bills and rent."

Erasa placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "Not that I don't want you to stay V, but how come you didn't send her some of your own money? You're one of the world's best fighters!" she widened her eyes in astonishment; "You win like every friggin' Buokai tournament in Satan City!"

Laughing lightly at her friend's expression, Videl replied, "I used to. But then Dad started managing my money too; he even found out once. Now, before I make any transaction, he has to be alerted."

"Waaaaait a minute." Erasa stopped shovelling popcorn into her mouth and scrunched her face in confusion. "How did you persuade Hercule to let you move here then? Even after Erica's parents died, may the rest in peace; it took a heck of a long time for him to retract the restraining order, let alone allow you to visit her!"

Videl sighed inwardly – Erasa had begun one of her rants again.

"Aaaaand that was after three whole years of the divorce!" Erasa continued, waving her hands around exasperatedly, "More importantly, how are you going to get Erica some money? If Hercule is monitoring your every financial move; moving to a different town isn't going to change that."

Videl smiled nervously and clutched one of the cushions on the couch. "Weeeeeell, E, I kind of, well, erm, told Dad that I was moving here because of you: you had a nervous breakdown because you gained a few pounds and you needed a loyal friend's support..."

"What? Videl Hercule Satan! I most certainly have not gained 'a few pounds'! How dare you indirectly call me fat!" Erasa yelled, shaking the bowl of popcorn in the air. She huffed and put her hands on her hips. "I am a curvy, sexy girl."

Videl crept out from her hiding place behind the couch and put her hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry E! I didn't know what else to say!" she sat back down on the couch. "Look, put down the bowl of popcorn and we can talk about this, okay...?"

Erasa took a deep breath. One hot guy, two hot guys, three hot guys...

"Okay then!" she beamed, switching moods, "Now, let's get down to business; more importantly, to this plan about making money. What are you going to do? How much are you going to make? And what do I have to do to get some?" she asked, smirking while wiggling her blonde eyebrows up and down.

"Erasa, if you keep wiggling your eyebrows like spaghetti, they're going to freeze that way and guys wouldn't want to date you anymore," Videl pointed out.

Erasa abruptly stopped, terrified at the idea of being single forever.

Videl chuckled and continued, "Don't worry, I already thought about the money. I don't need any for myself; I have my platinum credit card – again, Dad's tracking it. If he finds out I withdrew more than one hundred zenny a week, he's going to make me come home." She frowned at the thought of leaving her mother during a time like this. "Also, Mum needs way more than that; she'll be evacuated by the time I manage to withdraw the proper amount! I knew I definitely couldn't enter any tournaments here and fight – people will find out. Then I realised that I was quite good at assisting my Dad. I used to handle all the money, franchise and his training schedules, so why not become a secretary?"

"But won't the money be sent to your bank account?"

"Nope, not if I ask for it in cash. And with all the money I make, I can give it to Mum. I'm going to try and visit her every day."

"Ah...," then Erasa clamped her hands together, "That's actually a good idea, V! You're practically the most organised person I know! You helped me organise my lip glosses by colour!"

"You only have three, E. It wasn't that difficult," Videl deadpanned.

Erasa stuck her tongue out and chucked a couple of popcorn at her, "Oh whatever. But hey, wait... What about your résumé? How are you going to fake the details? Don't you need a passport picture? And who did you pick to work for? Mind you V, there are filthy people in Ox City, even many of the employers are."

Videl tried her best to answer all of her friend's rushed questions. "Don't worry, E. I've already sorted out the résumé and the photo; I've already handed it in. Here's a copy of the photo though," and with that, Videl grabbed her purse that lay on the coffee table in front of them. After rummaging through it, she retrieved a small photo and placed it on the couch between them.

"Oh my gosh. Is that you Videl?" Erasa asked wide-eyed. She gazed at the picture of a girl who resembled Videl somewhat. Her friend's waist-length raven locks were no longer there; instead she wore a bright blonde wig which flowed down to just below her narrow shoulders. Videl also had forest-green contacts on and had borrowed honey-coloured foundation from her other best friend, Sharpener; to mask her ivory skin by giving it a tanned look.

"Nope. That there, my friend, is Vivica Rogue," Videl answered, smirking and looking amused.

"Whoa..." Erasa looked up at her and raised an eyebrow, "...And who did you give your résumé to? Who are you going to work for?"

Videl gulped. She actually went to the interview as Vivica Rogue before she arrived at Erasa's house. The man who was in need of a secretary was Goten Son, the President of Son Incorporated. He was said to be the most royal and decent man in Ox City; unlike his older brother who was known for his playboy-ish and uncaring attitude. He was refused the role when their father Goku Son retired, having earned over fifty billion zenny. Once Goten interviewed Videl, he immediately hired her; saying she was perfect. Videl was ecstatic! But when she asked for the directions to his main office so she knew where to go when she started, he gave her a sympathetic smile. She remembered his exact words.

Flashback:

'"My apologies, Ms Rogue. Believe me, you are wonderful, definitely better suited for the job than any of these inarticulate ladies roaming around looking for my older brother. But alas, it's my brother who is in need of someone as perfect as you. I know you can change his careless ways; because if he doesn't get his act together and submit the annual figures and the FTSE report by the end of the year, the board will have him evacuated. Please, I need your help. This is actually the reason I was looking for a secretary. For Gohan. I'll triple your salary as a reward and you'll have your own office right outside my brother's office, of course. So what do you say?"

Videl hesitated. Who was this older brother? She hadn't even seen before, just heard many rumours about him using ladies. But she desperately needed the money for her mother. And did he just say triple the salary?

"Fine," she plastered a fake smile on her face. "I'll take it." How hard could one man be to handle? She'd handled lots before; one would be a piece of cake.

Goten grinned and shook Videl's hand. "Thank you, Ms Rogue. I assure you, your place here at Son Inc. will be enjoyable and safe. If there is anything you need help with or have any questions, please, don't hesitate to ask me.'

Videl just smiled and nodded her head; all the while wondering if she'd made the right decision.

End of flashback.

Videl inhaled and braced herself for Erasa's wrath to unleash again; she hid the lower part of her face behind the cushion and lowered her eyes. "Uhm... Guhhhmm Sssuumm."

"What was that, V?" Erasa leaned over the counter and angled her head so she could hear better. "Who are you working for? I'm sorry, I didn't catch that."

Videl groaned and lowered the cushion. "I'm going to work for Gohan. Gohan Son."

Let me know what you think?

~Rhen-chan.