Warning: This is an AU, there are no Saiyans.

Disclaimer : I do not own any rights to DBZ/GT

Chapter 1

Another long day at the office! I sit behind my desk and sigh. It's just after 8am on a Tuesday morning, and my Personal Assistant called in sick at the last minute. Now don't get me wrong. I would rather her be home than infecting everyone here, which doesn't seem like a bad idea now. What I would do for a few sick days.

I buzz the main reception desk. "Mrs Ross, can you please hold all my calls, unless it's urgent; Megan can deal with all the messages when she gets back…oh, and if my ex-wife calls feel free to just hang up."

I could get a temp, but the last thing I need is a flirtatious young girl, who would do nothing but gawk at me all day, and then call me up when she's not just to giggle every time I answer the phone. I hate my life…

The thing is everyone has been walking on egg shells around me lately. My family, the people who work for me… I bet my assistant is really sick of my bad moods! Ha! That was funny…ahem.

Anyway, this is all due to my recent divorce. I just can't get over the whole thing yet. It's kind of hard when I've been married for fifteen years, and been with her for twenty. That's almost exactly half my life. Yeah, yeah I'm thirty nine. It feels as if I've wasted all those years, we had our good and bad times like any marriage, but was it all worth it if it ended so suddenly?

The media hasn't been kind to me either; they've been following me more closely since our breakup, and they are already pairing me with this model and that actress. I just want to be left alone to dwell in my misery...

###

It's already after 10 now. Time just seems to pass by so quickly these days, or rather for the past six months, which is when my problems began. Well, it actually started a long time before that, but six months ago is when my now ex-wife confessed that she was pregnant with another man's child. I always knew something was different, especially after we stopped being intimate. I just never wanted to admit it to myself. Until she dropped this huge bomb right in my fucking lap!

I'm buzzing my assistant, and only after a few times of cursing and buzzing do I realise she called in sick today. I'm so hungry, having skipped breakfast this morning. I guess I'll go to the lobby.

About a year ago I started a mini mall down there, for struggling businesses, or people starting out with little to no capital. I've never been down there. Well, I was at the opening ceremony, but that's it. My assistant usually gets my food when I'm not forced into going to some fancy restaurant with clients, or my mother and sister. I could ask Mrs Ross, but she must be swamped today. I'll just go down there myself. I have nothing better to do anyway. No meetings, no calls. I do have a ton of paperwork, but I'll leave it to pile up for a few more days.

###

I spot a bakery in one of the corner units, in the food court section. It looks inviting, not your typical pink frosting type place, which are common in West City. I would never eat in a place that painted its walls the same colour as my hair, which is purple by the way; or pink, because that would totally clash. Now I'm not trying to sound like a pansy, but I do have an image to uphold.

This was different, the sign on top of the doors has a red textured background, and written in beautiful white writing was 'La Patisserie', and in the right hand corner in smaller writing, but still visible was 'Cake Shop'. I love cakes and pastries, so this place will suit me just fine. I hope the walls are not pink inside. I've been having enough bad days as it is.

###

As I walk closer, I notice the window to the left of the door has a mahogany display which covers the entire window. It's made up of little block shelves of all different sizes; on each shelf is a cake, cupcake, pastry and bread, all decorated beautifully. As I enter the shop, I notice the walls are white, and filled with framed pictures of all sorts of baked goods. To the left of me are two small glass cabinets, and one opposite the entrance - it makes up an L-shape. There is a space the width of a standard door next to the one opposite me. I can see the kitchen, and access behind the cabinets; the shop isn't very big. The two on the left has a space between the cabinet and wall - which has some counters with cupboard space against it. A coffee maker sits on top of the counter. To the right of me are four square tables with two chairs at each covered in red, brown and green striped fabric…

I look around, and realise I am the only one there. I guess someone will come serve me eventually, or I can just pick something off the display. Shrugging, I make my way over to the table in the corner, away from the window. I still don't see anyone behind the counter, and I'm kind of bored. I play with the vase on the table which has a single red rose in it, made out of icing. Maybe I'll just eat this! I hum a soft tune, no song in particular, and tap my foot while spinning the little vase.

###

"Hello…"

I jump at the sound of her voice, nearly dropping the vase. I can see her clamping her lips, trying not to laugh.

"Hi, err… do you have a menu?" I close my eyes realising how stupid that question was.

Of course there are no menus, you just choose something and pay; it's all on display. She is looking down at her apron which is covered with flour. I can see some in her hair, on the tip of her nose and her right cheek.

"People usually just come up and choose something from the cabinets; you can order some coffee or tea if you like too. I'm sorry for the wait, and my appearance. The girl that helps me had to run a few errands. We are not that busy today so I let her go."

"No worries…" I watch as she tries to unsuccessfully wipe the flour off her apron. "I'll come over and choose something then…

###

"Any suggestions…?"

"Sure, I recommend the chocolate Danish. It's my favourite…"

"Ok, I'll have that and a coffee too, with hot milk and one sugar." I'm not sure if I'm supposed to order my coffee like that, but she seems fine with it. Guess I should be polite. "Please…"

"No problem, I'll get that ready for you." She types the order into the till.

I continue standing there like an ass, probably waiting until she gives me permission to sit.

"I can bring it over if you like…?"

She's looking at me… She has beautiful eyes, as black as night with a sparkle - just like a star. She's smiling at me now, and I can't help but stare. My eyes traveling between her eyes, and her full rosy lips…

"Err… thanks." I reply after I notice she's getting a bit uncomfortable with me checking her out.

###

I look out the window, and realise people are staring at me, not the cake display. Some are trying to take photographs. Maybe someone will take one where my hair will be exactly in line with the top of that cupcake, it would add a nice layer of purple icing.

This is why I don't like to go out much, if I do it's usually somewhere with privacy. I shake my head sighing, just as she walks over. She places my Danish and coffee on the table - it smells delicious.

"Oh, I'll get you some cutlery."

"No, that's ok I can use my hands…maybe just a napkin though."

"Sure…" She rushes off to get the napkin.

I find her intriguing, not once since she came over to help me, did she make reference to who I am, or get all starry eyed and try to flirt with me.

"Here you go…enjoy."

"Excuse me…" I call out a little too loudly as she walks away.

She turns back, standing at the chair opposite mine. "Yes, can I get you anything else?"

I glance out the window every now and then, feeling a bit nervous as I see a group of over excited females walking toward the shop. Next thing I know, she rushes to the doors closing them just as the women reach the door; turning the sign around to 'closed'.

"I thought you could use some privacy. It's been a slow morning, and I doubt they're coming to buy pastries."

"Thank you…" I sigh relieved as I watch the group of now angry women stomp away, glaring at her through the window. "I think you just made some enemies…" I'm worried now, what if they vandalise her shop?

"Don't worry about it, I'll be fine." She replies, watching also, as they walk away.

"Are you the baker?" Another stupid question…What's wrong with me today?!

She's still standing at the doors, but walks to the table closest to her, and places her hands on the back of the chair. "Yes I am; I also own this shop. Well, at least the business inside the shop."

"It's very pretty." What the fuck? Could I really think of nothing better than that?!

"Thank you," she answers politely.

I take the first bite of my Danish. "Mmm…Oh My Stars, this is – Wow! You made this?" I'm speaking and chewing. Was I taught no manners?!

"Y-yes," she answers. I watch her clamp her lips again, trying not to laugh.

"What's so amusing?" Other than my stupid questions…

This time she chuckles. "I've just never heard anyone use that expression before…it's cute."

I laugh. Genuine laughter filling the air, something I hadn't done in what seems like forever. "You think so…? Thanks, I guess." I watch her hands gently move across the top of the chair. "Are you busy?" I didn't want to keep her from her baking.

"Not really, I was just cleaning up. Business has been slow for the past two months. I don't bake as much anymore. There's so much more competition around here now."

"How could anyone resist this?" I ask pointing to the Danish. "I must ask my assistant why she never brought me some of your pastries and cakes before!"

"We don't get a lot of Capsule employees in here; most of the business owners have relatives working for Capsule Corp, so they go to support those places. I do a fair amount of trade with the visitors though, but it has slowed down considerably."

I look at her, and I have to ask the question. It's bugging me that she's talking to me like any other person. That never happens not even with my staff. Well excluding my family, personal assistant and Mrs Ross. I must admit it is refreshing though. "You do know who I am, right? Seeing as you rushed to close the doors."

"Yes of course, I'm sorry…I never meant to offend you. I didn't want to come across as a stereotype, Mr Briefs."

"I'm not offended; seriously…It's refreshing to have you treat me like everyone else."

"You're also not what I expected …"

"This is delicious." I reply, avoiding her statement and taking another bite. If she only knew how messed up my personal life really is, and that behind all my stupid questions and idiotic behaviour, I'm feeling really down. "I'm going to spread the word at Capsule; you'll have plenty of new customers in no time!"

"You would do that for me; really…Thank you so much, Mr Briefs."

"Of course, I think everyone should try your cakes!"

I watch as she moves a stray hair behind her ear, and she's blushing. "I'll…"

"Would y…" we say simultaneously.

"Sorry, you go ahead," she smiles at me.

"Err…would you." I bite my lip, hoping I'm not being forward. "Would you like to join me, seeing as you're not that busy, and I'm the only one sitting here?"

"S-sure" she walks over, and sits on the seat opposite me."

"What's your name?"

"Pan…Pan Son."