It Starts: Rendezvous
Bulma landed softly, just feet away from the scene of the crime. Her temper had calmed down some, but she knew that any little moment could still make her snap.
She looked toward the street where she suspected the book had been dropped. It wasn't too busy, being it only a tad past noon. It wasn't windy and it hadn't been last night as far as she knew. So where was it?
Bulma didn't know what to feel most: angry that she had let herself lose something so precious or miserable knowing that she might as well had lost her life already.
She walked up and down the street, sought left and right, but still, her book could not be found. Halfway giving up, she decided to take a break at a coffee shop.
The atmosphere of the place was warm and welcoming. The lights were dim, fueled by sun rays streaming from the windows and the music hummed a beguiling tune. Not many people were there and it pleased her. At least she could relax in peace for an hour. She ordered her drink and took a seat at a table for two. Reaching for the nearest magazine, she almost spit out her mocha frap when she saw the man on the cover.
Vegeta Ouji. The headline: Bachelor Engaged!
Bulma lifted an eyebrow and flipped through the pages until she found the particular section. Her eyes widened.
Vegeta Ouji, the adored bachelor of the Ouji Empire is now taken. On March 14, the beautiful couple announced their engagement to the public. Eighteen Takamatsu, world famous model and fashion designer and Vegeta have shared some words of their future marriage:
For some reason, Bulma felt a twitch in her heart. She looked at the picture of Miss Eighteen and Vegeta. Eighteen was beautiful to say the least. She had shoulder length blonde hair and a sexy figure. Bulma had to admit, her smile was very cute as well. Vegeta was holding hands with her in the photo. He was smirking, looking adoringly at his new fiancé. He looked different for some reason… different from when she had seen him last night at the hospital. I guess it's 'cause he looks happy? But something's missing in that smile of his. I can't put my finger on it though. But his fiancé, she's, she's-
Bulma heard the chair across from her squeak as it was being moved. She closed her eyes and she inhaled deeply. Are you serious? Out of all the places they could have sat.
Bulma felt the magazine being pulled from under her hand.
"Excuse me, but I was-" She lifted her eyes to see the culprit of such rudeness.
"Hmm. Interesting choice of magazine you have here." Said a deep rough voice.
First the jet black spikey hair, then the olive skin, finally those eyes. The eyes that revealed nothing but spoke 's mouth opened up but no words could escape it. Vegeta? What's he doing here?
Vegeta looked up at the oh- so-familiar woman in front of him. He chuckled and smirked at her shocked appearance. "You know, I had an appointment to go to yesterday. Your interference caused me to miss it. I don't think I received an expression of gratitude. I mean, I did save your life, didn't I?"
He looked at her with cold eyes while he took a sip of his drink.
His expression was impassive, but his words still showed the same amount of arrogance as the night before. Bulma lowered her gaze from his and blushed slightly. He was right. She owed him a thanks.
Taking a sip of her drink, she cleared her throat. "Uhh, thanks for yesterday. I guess I owe you." She looked back up to meet his amused face.
"Oh really? Well I'm free tonight. Meet me at Genki Dama Park tonight at nine. I don't appreciate tardiness." He chuckled and got up from his seat.
"Wait tonight but-"
"You said you owed me, am I not mistaken? I'm just asking for a bit of your time since you have used up mine yesterday. Oh, and I think this is yours." Vegeta reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a book.
Bulma's heart dropped. "Where'd you find it? I was looking everywhere-"
Vegeta tossed it on the table and nearly knocked over her coffee.
"I'll be expecting you, Bul-Moose Briefs. Nine o'clock." And with that he began to exit.
"It's BUL-MA!" She called out, but doubted he was able to hear her. She slumped back into her chair and exhaled.
Her book. Her book was safe. She flipped through the pages making sure no tears or stains were present. None were. Then she flipped to the last page.
MARCH 16 2014. DEAD. 363.
Still the same ending it had been since 25 years ago.
Bulma gulped down the rest of the contents of her cup. She rubbed her temples as she looked forward to the now empty chair. Another rush of embarrassment reached her face.
Aww man. He caught me looking at him and his fiancé. How embarrassing! I bet he thinks I'm some weird stalker now.
She picked up the magazine and tossed it back where she had gotten it. Their brief conversation was replaying in her head.
"Where'd you find it? I was looking everywhere-"
"I'll be expecting you, Bul-Moose Briefs. Nine o'clock."
Bul-Moose? What a dick. Bul-Moose Briefs? Briefs? How'd he know my last name?
She shifted her eyes to her book on her lap. Did he read it? Wait, can't just assume that. Maybe he got my name from the hospital attendants. I hope he didn't read this. Oh God. It'd take a lot of explaining. And why does he want me to meet with him tonight? Pretty unexpected, I mean he's getting married, right?
Bulma left the café and headed back home.
"Bulma you're back? So, did you find it?" Bunny asked carrying a tray of sweets.
"I did actually." Bulma flashed the hard back just before returning it to her purse.
"So where'd you find it? On the street?" Goku asked stuffing his face with a piece of chocolate cake.
Bulma hesitated for a moment. They don't need to know, for now.
"Actually yeah. It was umm near a gutter by a sidewalk. Luckily, it didn't get wet or anything." She lied.
"Well that's good. Hey B, you mind joining Goku and I for some dinner tonight? It'll be our treat." ChiChi smiled.
"Sure, what time?"
"Tonight at nine. That okay?"
Bulma almost choked on her cake. "Nine? Oh, I can't. I actually have somewhere I need to be. Sorry, next time though?"
"Where you going, honey?" Bunny asked.
"Where am I going?" Bulma scratched her head, nervously laughing. "Umm, well there's this place. Uhh, dad, Dad! Daddy told me to retrieve some plants for studying. Yup."
"Well, we can come help you get them. That way you'll finish faster in time for dinner." Goku suggested.
Dang it. How am I supposed to get out of this one?
"No, it's fine. I wouldn't want to bore you. I have to gather plenty. You and ChiChi deserve a date. We can always have dinner some other time."
"Well, if you insist. See you tomorrow then." ChiChi and Goku left the building.
For some reason, Bulma didn't want to tell them about her planned meeting with Vegeta. He was getting married anyways. No use for ChiChi, or Goku, or her parents fussing over something that will never be.
It was 8:52. Bulma had arrived at the park where Vegeta instructed her go. He better not have stood me up.
She got out of her car and leaned against the hood. Genki Dama Park was located high atop a mountain. It was actually known as a popular date spot. Another reason why Bulma questioned meeting Vegeta there.
She gazed at the beautiful view. There was a full moon that illuminated its surroundings breathtakingly. The dark navy was brightly lit, twinkles of diamonds sprinkled across the canvas and blurs of clouds glowing while being slowly guided across earth. Not too far below the park was a river. The scene of the moon was perfectly reflected across the still water. Down the hill, couples were scattered, taking in the view of the night. Bulma weakly smiled while looking at the moon. She heard the engine of a car approach her. Soon after, the door slammed shut and footsteps were ricocheted from the grass.
"Good. You're not late."
Bulma chuckled to herself, eyes still fixated at the night sky. "Ha, and you're not? I've been waiting here for about ten minutes, buddy. You know, I don't appreciate tardiness." She teased, turning her head to see the stunning man in front of her. He was dressed casually, but he still looked decent. His mouth was curled in the little half smile he always gave out. He looked down to his phone.
"Well actually, I said nine o'clock. I came here right on the dot." He walked over to join Bulma on the hood of her car.
"So, umm. I guess we didn't get to formally introduce ourselves. I'm Bulma Briefs."
"Hn. Vegeta Ouji."
The two sat in silence for a few minutes, taking in the scenery. The atmosphere was getting awkward. Why the hell wasn't he saying anything? He invited her here! What the heck!
"Uhh, congrats on your engagement. I happened to see your bride to be. She's gorgeous." Bulma said, but instantly regretted it. Why did saying that to him bother her so much?
Vegeta tilted his head. His face was expressionless yet again. It made Bulma a bit uncomfortable not knowing how that man felt. He could be thinking anything and wouldn't give any hint of it.
"Thanks. She sure is."
Bulma pursed her lips and looked the other way. Why the hell was she here anyways?
"That book. Is it a diary or something? It's very…detailed."
"UGH! You read it?!" Bulma raised her voice, feeling a bit insulted.
"Well it's not my fault you dropped it. What's your problem? You're lucky I didn't throw it away. If I hadn't seen you again today, I would've." His tone was harsh.
Bulma scoffed. "My problem? You should have given it back to me at the hospital. You had no right to read it… it's… it's personal." She crossed her arms and looked down at the river.
Vegeta noticed her change of tone. "So it is a diary? Who the hell has the time to record what they do every day? And that last page. What? Are you attempting suicide or something? Why the hell does it say dead?"
"Look. It's none of your business. I'm not suicidal or anything dumbass. It's a long story."
"No shit. That book had thousands of pages filled. Long story huh? Well we have all night. Care to explain?" Vegeta pressed on.
"Why do you care? Don't you have more important matters to attend to? You are of Ouji Empire aren't you? I bet you're very busy."
"And you're Bulma Briefs of Capsule Corporation. We're both very busy, yet here we are. The two of us in a park. I'm pretty sure neither of us would have come here if we had something else better to do."
"Well, you already read the shit right? You know my whole life story, so what about you? What's your deal?"
"I'm of no concern to you." Vegeta said coldly.
"Nor am I to you." Bulma responded.
"Hmm. I was born to a rich, successful family. My mother died when I was very young. My childhood…shaped me into the man I am today. I am heir to the Ouji Empire. Not too long ago, Eighteen Takamatsu and I were engaged. That's my life in a nutshell."
"Pretty blunt, don't you think?"
Vegeta leaned back, practically lying on Bulma's car. Bulma remained sitting. She decided to humor him.
"I was adopted by the founders of Capsule Corp. I don't know who my real parents are. I had a sucky childhood. During high school, I encountered… complications. I'm not married, nor am I seeing anyone. Basically, I'm a loser and that's it."
Vegeta looked at her questionably. "Pretty boring life story, don't you think. Ha. If you think so lowly of yourself, then you might as well be a loser."
"Like you're the one to talk! Your life didn't seem too fascinating or exciting from what you had told me." Bulma snapped back.
"Jeez. You're such a vulgar woman. Calm down."
She blushed, realizing her rude behavior. "Vegeta. Really, what was the use of inviting me here? Don't you have a loving girl to go home to?"
"Hmm. Why not? After reading your novel I found myself intrigued. I've known of you for some time. However, I never thought that we would meet the way we did."
Her face flushed with heat. "I guess you're right. We're both of well-known families. I guess our way of meeting was funny."
Vegeta sat up to look at Bulma. Who was she, really? What was up with that book of hers? At first sight, Vegeta already felt some sort of connection between himself and Bulma. And it wasn't just their bodies colliding on impact. Even before reading her book, intuition gave him a feeling that she was just like him. And talking to her now confirmed his notion. She was as lonely as he was. Small world indeed.
Bulma's phone vibrated, alerting her of a new message. It was her mom.
Dear, come home asap. It's very important k. Love you Sweetie 3
It disappointed her that Vegeta and she spent most of their time either in silence or bickering about minor discrepancies. But, her mother would never had texted her at this time if it wasn't important.
"It's getting late. I think I'll have to cut our little date short."
"Ha. Date? That's a little too forward."
Bulma smiled at him. "Nice talk…I guess I'll see you."
"Perhaps."
Vegeta gave her a nod walked back to his car and drove off without looking back.
It was an awkward conversation, but Bulma enjoyed his presence. Something about him…was strange, but in a good way.
"If you think so lowly of yourself, then you might as well be a loser."
I guess he's right. Vegeta. Bulma looked back at the glistening moon. Let's meet again soon.
Bulma didn't get back until about eleven that night. When she walked through the door she could hear her parents laughing, along with another familiar voice.
She made a quick stop to her lab to drop off her book. It had been a long day and she felt exhausted. What she wanted the most now was a soak in a hot bath and plenty of sleep.
When she walked in the living room, it wasn't just her parents there as she expected. There was an additional person. One that she thought she'd never see again.
"B. It's been a while. I've missed you."
Sorry for OOC Vege moments! For some reason, I struggled writing this chapter. I apologize for long updates in advance. I know how I want to end this story, but I'm stuck on what to write in the middle of all this. I hope I don't disappoint & a big thanks for those of you following this fic! Much love!
