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Chapter 3 Meeting
Bulma
Location: Charity Gala – Central City Grand Hotel
I loved and hated going to these things. Dressing up, getting dolled up, and the swanky places were nice and all, but schmoozing old men and women who thought they were better than everyone was no fun.
"Do you think he'll be here?"
We had yet to see Goku, but we knew he was around with my parents somewhere.
"Of course he is. He's probably busy with whatever my parents are making him do."
"Yeah, you're right. It's just we haven't seen him all week…"
"And you're horny, I mean worried," I winked.
Chichi's face turned beet red, but didn't disagree with me.
"Anyway, have I mentioned how stunning you look in that dress? I mean wow!"
"You have, but I don't hate the compliment, Cheech. You don't look bad yourself."
During the week, we had gone shopping for dresses, and, at the first store, I was able to find the most beautiful dress for the occasion. It was a formfitting royal blue floor length backless lace gown with long sleeves. It concealed all of my tattoos save the one on the back of my neck. Matching it with six inch black pumps, they both accentuated parts of my body that didn't need more accentuation.
"Let's go get a drink and find my parents. Hopefully, Goku will be with them."
"Thanks, Bulma."
We were able to get our drinks fairly quickly and walked amongst the "important" people in the room. We found my parents and Goku a few minutes later with ease because of Goku's ever gravity defying hair.
"Mama! Papa! It's been too long!" I smiled as I hugged and kissed them both on the cheek.
"Bulma, my dear. How wonderful to see you again," my father said.
"Yes, dear! Have you found a man yet?" my mother asked.
"Mama… I'll find a man when a real one appears," I sighed.
"Of course, dear. I'm just worried for you. You're almost 29 and aren't married yet," she replied.
"We can discuss this matter another time, dear," my father shifted the conversation. He always came to the rescue whenever my mother got on my case, especially on the subject of marriage.
"Yes, dear," she smiled.
"Bulma, how has your company been doing so far? Making a big profit I hope with the latest advances we discussed since the last time we've talked," father asked.
"It's doing better than expected. My capsule idea has brought in a few investors, but I plan on getting more tonight," I replied.
"Good to hear. Now we are one step closer to bringing down rival corporations with the funds from your company," father smiled.
Even though my father looked and spoke like a gentle soul, he was capable of more than that. Growing up as a yakuza boss' only son, he received the physical and mental training that made him further our family's group into the top yakuza group in the world. It also didn't hurt that he was known to be a genius not only in business, but in the sciences as well. As a child, I thought my father was a scientist until one day I saw all the tattoos that covered his entire body. It was only once for he always had his body covered in my presence. Once I knew about them and asked why he had them, he told me the story and truth of our family businesses. I was only 9 at the time, and that following year, I started my own training under my father and his top advisors.
I must have had a sour look on my face after my father's comment because Goku pinched my upper arm. I nodded silently giving my thanks and quickly faked a smile.
"Yes, well I think I should introduce myself to the people of Central City. If you'll excuse me."
I gave my parents another hug before I walked away, Chichi and Goku following behind.
"Thanks again Goku. I didn't realize I was making a face until you pinched me."
"No problem. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I don't know why what he said got to me this time. I won't break my dutiful daughter façade again."
"Okay…"
"I'm seriously okay. Here take this hotel key and take Chichi for an hour or two."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! You deserve a break after spending the week with my parents.
"Thanks, Bulma! You're the best."
"I know I know," I said as I hugged Goku before he took Chichi's hand and left.
I wondered around the room and meet some new and some old acquaintances. After about an hour, I was able to get new investors for my tech startup with an estimate of at least a million dollars. Not only were they impressed with the technology I've created, some of the investors were impressed with my looks. Several mentioned they couldn't believe a beauty like me could be a super genius. If I didn't need their money, I would have be highly offended by their comments and showed it through my actions. Luckily for them, I had the patience of a saint.
My feet were killing me and I needed a break and as I walked toward the bar, I felt a familiar tingle run down my spine. I slowly scanned my eyes across the room to see who it could be when my gaze came across obsidian eyes and swept up hair. I had seen the hairstyle on several occasions from across my penthouse, but didn't know a handsome face was attached to it. Dressed it all black in a form fitting suit that showed off a powerful body and a tie that matched my dress, but most importantly, he looked delicious. I waved my hand like I usually did as he raised the glass in his hand as he spoke to several people from a Central City corporation I had spoken to a few minutes ago.
As much as I'd wanted to walk up to him and introduce myself, I needed to get off my feet for a few minutes with a drink in my hand. From the corner of my eye, I saw my neighbor take a step toward me when I almost ran into a man.
"Bulma?"
"Raditz? What are you doing here?" I asked as I hugged him.
"Here for business. What about you?"
"I'm here for my tech startup I told you about. Getting some investors."
"I'm hurt you haven't gotten back to me this week…"
"Yeah, sorry about that. It's been a crazy week for me."
"Were you headed to the bar? I'll get you a drink."
"That would be great!"
"Lagavulin on the rocks, coming right up."
"You remembered."
"I never forget when a beautiful lady is involved."
"Yeah yeah, let's go get me that drink. It's been a long night."
I stumbled, but Raditz was able to catch me by the arm before I fell.
"Woah, are you okay?"
"Yeah, it's these damn shoes. My feet are killing me."
He held out his arm and looped my arm around his to steady my steps.
"Just lean on me and we'll get you that drink you deserve."
"Why thank you kind sir."
We got to the bar and Raditz ordered several drinks when I felt that tingle again. I turned my head to see that man stomping his way toward us.
"I need some fresh air, walk me out to the terrace?"
"Sure, Bulma~"
I was reaching for Raditz's arm for support when another arm wrapped itself around my waist to support my weight.
"Vegeta, here's your drink."
"I'll see the woman outside. Guard the door."
"You got it," Raditz replied without looking at me.
This Vegeta literally whisked me out to the empty terrace and I was first shocked then relived that my weight wasn't on my feet. I was not a light person, and was impressed he was able to lift my weight as if it was nothing with just one arm.
Once I was on my feet again, I kicked off my shoes, not caring anymore. My feet were throbbing at this point and a thought of destroying all the heels I own came to mind.
"Taking off clothes already? This is our first formally meeting, woman."
"Why don't you try wearing six inch heels for hours, man."
"You speak bravely for not knowing who I am."
"You speak bravely for not knowing who I am."
"Touché, woman."
"Name's Bulma, not woman."
"Name's Vegeta, not man."
We glared at each other before I broke out into laughter. With tears in my eyes, I saw Vegeta smirk into his glass as he took a drink.
"I see your bark is as good as your bite. I was impressed with your ability to beat two grown ass men who were twice your size."
I froze, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"The alleyway by Kame House sound familiar?"
"You are mistaken…"
"I don't think so. I'd never forget a body like yours."
Well, shit…
Vegeta
Location: Charity Gala – Central City Grand Hotel
I hated going to these things. An overcrowded room and sucking up to people for money sucked ass, but someone had to do it. Father suddenly fell ill so I had to work in his stead for the Ouji Foundation. The only bright side to these events was the never ending booze.
"Raditz, get me another drink before I kill someone."
"On it, boss."
I didn't know how much longer I could last before I shot someone, but I did what I had to do; fake a smile, shake some hands, and insist they donate to the Ouji Foundation.
I adjusted my royal blue tie and swallowed the last of my drink when I saw aquamarine from the corner of my eye. My gaze traveled down her body in a dress that looked like wax was poured over her body, molding perfectly with every curve. If I wasn't staring at her, I would have missed the way her body shivered for a second before she slowly started to scan the room. When our eyes finally locked, I got to see her feminine features clearly for the first time. She was the one living across from me and the woman I spotted in the alleyway. I could never forget a body like hers and I felt my pants slowly tightening.
The woman gave her usual greeting as I did mind, and I knew I had to get to her within the next minute.
"Excuse me, Dr. Gero, but I see a friend in need right now. Perhaps I can interest you in coming to the office when my father is feeling better. Here is his card."
I shook his hand and started walking in the direction of the bar, but stopped in my tracks when I saw the woman hug Raditz and lean on him as they walked to the bar. How did Raditz know this woman?
As I stomped my way closer, the woman made brief eye contact before she started leaning on Raditz again. I interceded in time before she was able to touch Raditz again and manhandled her onto the terrace, but she didn't seem to mind. I was a little taken aback when she shook off her shoes and the way she spoke. This woman, this Bulma was something I'd never experienced before in this type of setting. Who was this woman who fit in with the crowd inside, yet could beat two men who were twice her size?
"Who sent you?" she said nonchalantly.
Interesting. I didn't know what she was talking about, but I was thoroughly intrigued by the woman's reaction.
"Why have you been stalking me?"
"Stalking? It was by pure coincidence I was on the roof that night."
"What about being my neighbor?"
"I was there for months before you moved in."
"If you haven't been stalking me, how did you know you were there months before me?"
"I saw the unpacked boxes in your living room for days."
"You have an answer for everything don't you."
"Apparently so."
She looked shocked at first, but eventually we both had smiles on our faces.
"Why are you smiling?"
"Why are you smiling?"
"What are we, in high school?"
I don't know what it was about this woman, but being in her presences relaxed my usually stiff persona.
She took several steps to the railing and hopped on top to sit.
"Well Vegeta, if you aren't my stalker, what are you doing here?"
"Here on business for the Ouji Foundation."
"Ouji Foundation, based in East City."
"Who's the stalker now? What about you?"
"Same, but for my tech startup. I started a smaller tech branch of Capsule Corporation."
"Capsule Corporation. So that makes you a Brief."
"I guess we're both here for the same thing then."
"It appears so…"
I walked toward her side to lean against the railing as we looked into the brightly lit room in front of us. It was silent for several seconds, but it didn't feel awkward at all. Bulma started to rub her arms over the sleeves of her dress indicating she was starting to feel the chilly air. I shrugged out of my jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. I didn't realize how small she was compared to me until I saw her drowning in the jacket.
"Thanks."
"No problem… So how do you know Raditz?"
"I met him in a bar a week ago. You?"
"He works for me."
"So you're the boss he mentioned."
"I hope he mentioned nothing but the good."
"So far."
"Good or I'd have to fire his ass."
That got her to giggle and it made me smile. I'd never met a person who could make me smile so often in such a little amount of time.
Unfortunately, a black haired woman and a man who looked vaguely familiar came outside to whisk Bulma away.
"It was nice meeting you, Vegeta."
"You too, Bulma."
And like Cinderella, she forgot her shoes. And her prince.
