Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ! But this story is inspired by Charismatic Beauty

Chapter 10

The long awaited night...

Laura managed to finish work and get off a bit before nine to get ready with her night out with Trunks. She had to work twice as hard today to get things done but now she was on time and happy, more or less.

She started to get read by taking a shower and drying her hair but the problem came in when she wanted to choose an outfit. She had to remind herself that this was not a date and that she had to dress up casually.

She didn't want him to get the wrong impression.

At the coffee shop...

Trunks sat at one of the tables next to the window, dressed casually, while waiting for Laura to make her appearance. She should be here any minute now. He thought to himself and let out a sigh to calm his rising nerves.

He was thinking of what to say to her when she arrived and the time they would spend conversing. He thought of multiple possibilities and certain topics but thinking about them now didn't help him all that much.

He was a little nervous.

As he tried to find a way to calm his nerves, Laura arrived and stepped into the coffee chop before she advanced towards the table. Trunks let out a mental sigh and cheered himself on. He was Trunks Vegeta Briefs, he could do this.

"Hi, Laura" Trunks greeted and Laura gave him a nod with a 'Hi' of her own. Trunks took her appearance to find that she was dressed casually in a pair of dark blue jeans with a dark green top. But she still looked beautiful despite being dressed casual.

Trunks called over one of the waiters and they gave in their orders before Trunks started to run through his things he wanted to ask her. He could only hope that this was going to turn out alright for both of their sakes.

"So, Laura, what have you been doing since you graduated from High School?" Trunks asked as he sat comfortably in his chair and his eyes scanned Laura's unreadable features.

"Well, after High School I went to the West City College for tertiary study to become a Children's Pediatrician. I've always loved working with children and I didn't mind to study for a doctor first. In that time I also decided to get myself 'into shape'" Laura said.

She intentionally said 'in shape' as a 'guild trip' and her tongue had a bit of snap inside it. It was still a time that pained her when she thought about it but it did make her a stronger person. Trunks tried to ignore the comment and continued to ask her questions.

"How did you get into shape, if you don't mind me asking?" Trunks asked to show his interest more on the information than the comments. He had to show her that he wanted to know more about her and not just like her because of her looks.

"The old fashion way, I guess. I went on a strict diet and exercise program. Some people even recommended plastic surgery but I would never do that. Besides, at that time, I didn't have the finances to have plastic surgery" Laura answered and gave a shrug at the end of her statement.

"Well, you look great! It's good that you decided to get into shape" Trunks said and tried his best not to let it sound terrible. However, the harder he seemed to try, the more difficult it got so sound sincere.

"I'm glad that you're happy that I decided to get into shape" Laura smugly added and Trunks refrained from frowning. She was making this difficult for him. Not that he thought she would make it easy for him to talk to her but it wasn't easy to just ignore the comments.

Deciding it was the best path to choose, Trunks once again ignored the smug comment and changed the subject. He just had to think of something to talk about. He glanced up at the walls with the swirling designs on them and nodded to himself.

"This shop has quite an unique design on the walls. Usually words associated with coffee is engraved on the walls at other shops but this one only has swirls painted on them" Trunks observed. Laura, ignoring the male's statement, looked him right in his eyes.

"You know, Trunks, sometimes rejection and disappointment can be good for some people. It made me transform myself into the person that I've always wanted to be" Laura said with determination and Trunks felt a pang in his chest.

She always hit the sensitive spots.

Trunks decided that he needed a break because of the tension that was forming thickly between them. "Excuse me, I have to use the restroom" Trunks said and briefly retreated to the men's bathroom before pulling out his phone to text Goten.

"Yo, what's up, Trunks? How's the talk going along?" Goten texted when he read Trunks' message and wondered why he was texting him at this hour.

"Laura's sitting here and she's just throwing guild trips at me the entire time. She's so frustrating!" Trunks texted back and bit his bottom lip while looking at the door of the bathroom. Not a moment wasted, Goten texted him back and he immediately read it.

"You knew it wouldn't be easy, Bro. Make her laugh. Tell her about your life right now." Goten suggested and Trunks let out a sigh while realizing his shoulders. Goten was right. He knew it wasn't going to be easy, he just had to try harder.

"Thanks, Goten. I'll take to you later again. Wish me luck" Trunks texted back before he put his phone away and looked at himself in the mirror. He could do this. There was nothing more in this world that could beat down a half-saiyan.

Meanwhile...

Back at the table where Laura was sitting one of the workers came over to tell her that they were closing at 10. At the same time he brought their drinks and Laura thanked him before she waited for Trunks to return.

She frowned slightly and briefly wondered if she was too harsh on him. A part of her didn't care for his feelings at all and the other part of her…

"Hey, sorry I took so long but I see our drinks are finally here!" Trunks said when he returned to the table and Laura snapped out of her thoughts. She nodded at the male and decided to take initiative in the conversation.

"Tell me, Trunks, what are your plans further on? Have you decided to take on any work?" Laura asked and took a sip of her warm coffee. It was just what she needed for strength.

"Yeah, I'm going to be the new CEO of Capsule Corp in a week or so since my mother decided to step out of the big seat" Trunks said and Laura raised a curious eyebrow. Only in a week or so? Why was he waiting?

"Why don't you start to work now?"

"Well, my original plan was to chill for a few weeks before starting with my work. I wanted to chill before taking the responsibility of an entire company" Trunks replied but Laura looked at him with a baffled facial expression.

"Chill?"

"Oh, that's now what I mean" Trunks quickly covers up his tracks to avoid any possible conflicts. "I just wanted a breather. I wanted to relax for a while. After all, College was hectic" He said with a nervous laugh before silence surged around them.

Trunks had no idea what to say to break the silence and didn't know if he should break it or not. She was quietly drinking her coffee and he just stared off into his coffee hoping that something would pop out of the swirls of cream to help him with this situation.

"Make her laugh"

'I'll probably ask the guy that designed the walls of the coffee shop to design my office too…" Trunks said and Laura couldn't help but laugh at his statement. What was with him and the designs of the walls?

Seeing her smile, Trunks also smiled. "You know, You're really beautiful when you smile" Trunks said once again and Laura felt her face heat up as she blushed. Did he just compliment her? Why was her heart beating in her ears again?

"I'd like to see more of that" Trunks added in a serious tone and Laura also turned serious at his words. She didn't know what to say to him after that and suddenly felt cornered.

"Well…um…it's almost closing time and I've gotta get home. I have work tomorrow" Laura said and finished up with her coffee. She proceeds to get up but was stopped by Trunks when he suddenly grabbed her hand.

"Wait! It's not 10 o'clock yet!" Trunks said knowing that the time was in fact only nine thirty. He had checked the clock on the furthest wall from where he was seated.

"I'm sorry" Laura said but was still flushed from his earlier compliment about her needing to smile more. She had to admit that she had not seen that comment coming. If only she could get rid of the blush that stained her cheeks!

"When can I see you again?" Trunks asked in a desperate tone and his eyes pleaded her. He didn't want to stop talking to her and things just started to get fun. She actually laughed for something he said and things were looking good.

"Trunks, do you mind letting go of my hand? You're hurting me" Laura says in a serious tone and Trunk's eyes widened. He immediately let go of her hand and gave her an apologetic look.

"Oh, gosh! I'm sorry. Sometimes I don't know my own strength!" Trunks said and wanted to slap himself. He needed to remind himself that she was only human and that he could hurt her. "…but when can I see you again?" He asked again and Laura frowned slightly.

"Trunks, I work during the week…" Laura said and watched as his face fall, making her bite her lower lip. "…but I get half days off on Saturdays and Sundays" Laura said, holding her hand that still ached slightly.

"So can we talk more on Saturday, then?" Trunks asked with hope filling his eyes. Laura stared at him for a long time while arguing inside her head if she should agree or disagree with the male and finally gave him an answer.

"I'll think about it, okay?" Laura said and Trunks' face fell once more. He let out a sigh and thought to himself that she was one hard egg to crack. "Goodnight…Trunks" Laura said and Trunks smiled at her.

"Goodnight, Laura"

Laura mustered up a smile of her own.

It was a good night indeed.Review!