Ch 25

"Hey Goten," said Videl as she took a seat across from him at a cafe. "What did you need to talk to me about?"

"Well I've been thinking a lot about this. When my contract is up, I'm leaving the music industry."

"It's your decision Goten but why?"

"I feel like a product more than a person. I've gotten offers to do interviews, radio, and other things to promote myself. That's fine, but I don't see how posing for a photoshoot completely nude helps my career. It's selling out if you ask me."

"They're still trying to push that on you, huh?"

"Yeah, and I'm not sure that's even the worst part."

"What?"

"Producers and directors have claimed they can boost my career if I sleep with them. This industry is sick Videl. They'll take my soul if I'm not careful."

"I understand Goten. I'm sorry that you're going through this. I need to be more on top of the people who interact with you. Anyway, how does Trunks feel about all this?"

"I—well I haven't exactly told him. I know what he'd want to do to the photographers, producers, and directors."

"That's Trunks for you, extremely overprotective. You know you have to tell him, right?" smiled Videl.

"Yeah, I mean all the times I've told him to be open with me, I at least owe him the same courtesy. I just don't know how he's going to react."

"Just remember he loves you very much. Anyway, are you worried about how your mom's going to react to your decision?"

"No, it's my life. It's too short to worry about what she things of me and my life decisions. I've being doing that for so long, and I can't do it anymore."

"Gohan told me about what Chichi and the Ox King were thinking about doing with Trunks' grandparents. It's despicable, and I was furious when I heard it. Believe me I know what it's like to be disappointed by your mother. When I found out from my dad that my mom left him for another man, I was devastated. What was even worse is that she had started another family with the man. It's not until recently that I found out that they moved to West City."

"Wow, are you going to see her and her family?"

"Yeah, I want to try and understand what happened. Plus my mom reached out to me on the phone. She wants to see my family. We're going to her house tonight at 6pm."

"Well," Goten smiled, "count me in and Trunks in," he said as Videl smiled appreciatively before they parted ways.

Goten had just come back with meeting with Videl to see father and son step out of the gravity room from a long training session. While Vegeta went inside instantly, a shirtless Trunks sat down on the grass, closed his eyes, and start his meditation session. Goten figured he would leave Trunks to it since he looked so peaceful.

"Chibi," smirked Trunks as Goten had made it to the door before he called out to him.

"I guess I need to practice on being more stealthy."

"You can try if you want, but I'd know it's you from anywhere. Besides, we're mates. Your smell gives you away. Also, I know you've been hiding something from me," said Trunks as he stood up from the ground.

"Why didn't you just confront me about it?"

"Easy I knew you would tell me right now."

"I'm sorry Trunks I didn't mean to hide anything from you, but I needed to be sure about it before I did. I just came from meeting with Videl. I felt like I owed it to her to tell her first since it kind of concerns her job."

"What's going on chibi?"

"The music industry isn't for me anymore Trunks. When my contract's up, I'm leaving. I know I've become successful at making music, but the cost is too high. Because I know this, I know that the more successful I get, the more people will take advantage of me. It's all ready started, but I've stood firm in what I want. I feel like the pressure could become too much someday, and I'll just give in. I can't let that happen."

"I know this couldn't have been an easy decision to come to, but you could have talked to me about this. Why didn't you?"

"You were going through a tough time with the nightmares. I didn't want to pile my problems on you. Besides I hadn't made a decision yet at the time, so I didn't want to tell you anything until I was absolutely sure this is what I wanted."

"Fine but you owe it to me to let me know the names of those people who have been pressuring you."

"No," Goten smiled, "but I love you for always wanting to be there for me."

"Always chibi," he smiled back as he took Goten's hand in his. "Anyway there's a shower calling my name, you care to join me?"

"I'd love to," said Goten as he followed Trunks inside the house. "Also, I told Videl that you and I would join her mom's family for dinner tonight at 6. Gohan and Pan are coming to obviously, but I want to be there for support. Her relationship with her mother is rocky."

"It's that action alone that makes me want you even more chibi," said Trunks as he took Goten's hand when they entered his bedroom.

Goten had never felt so nervous and excited at the same time. The look in Trunks' eyes was intense. There was lust, love, and something more he couldn't quite read. He knew he's probably going to find out once Trunks took him in the bathroom.

On the drive to Videl's mother's house, Trunks smiled, seeing his exhausted mate sleeping in the passenger seat beside him. He knew he shouldn't have exhausted Goten in the shower, but he couldn't help it. There was something about him that was irresistible and touching him and being touched in return felt like heaven.

Goten's snores broke through his thoughts, and he briefly looked at his mate. While he had exhausted him, Trunks couldn't help but see how peaceful he looked curled up in his car. Stopping the car at a red light, he looked out into the evening, wondering what the new year had in store for them.

Pulling into the residence where Videl's mother lived, Trunks felt a shift next to him, knowing Goten was awake. Looking at him again, he saw Goten's jaw drop at the size of the place. Trunks had to admit it was huge and ostentatious, but there was something about it that felt cold.

Seeing Gohan, Videl, and Pan about to go into the house, they joined right behind them. They followed the butler, which Trunks strongly disliked. He thought it was rude that the family wasn't there to greet them when they entered the house. When they were brought into the dinning room, the butler announced them and left to check on dinner.

"Videl," said an older woman Vivan with blue eyes, "it's so good to see you after all this time. I know we have a lot to talk about, but I hope for now we can enjoy this meal together," she said as they all sat down.

"Fine," said Videl as she felt Gohan squeeze her hand. "This is my husband Gohan, your grandchild Pan, my brother in law Goten and his boyfriend Trunks."

"Boyfriend!" exclaimed a girl who looked to be Trunks' age.

"That outburst is from my daughter Lily," said Videl's mother Vivian. "My husband Bob Terix is sitting next to me and on the other side of my husband is my son Julian.

Julian rolled his eyes at his sister's behavior. "They're a couple Lily, don't be rude."

"Anyway," said Bob as he looked Trunks' way. "You look familiar Trunks."

"Daddy! That's Trunks Briefs, president of Capsule Corporation. He's like the most richest, most successful, and not to mention most handsome man on the planet," said Lily all starry eyed.

"Oh that's it! Your mother is Bulma Briefs. We went to school together. How is she doing? I've been meaning to catch up with her."

There was something about the way he brought up his mother that he didn't like. "She's doing great. She's been enjoying retirement with my father."

"So she's married?" asked Bob.

"Happily," said Trunks.

The tension in the room was thick, and it was broken by the servers putting down plates in front of everyone. Trunks found this distasteful to, but he held his tongue. He didn't want to cause conflict. He was sure there would be a lot of that between Vivian and Videl later in the evening.

After dinner Vivan insisted they move into the living room for more conversation. As they followed the Terix family in the room, Trunks noticed the gaudy chandelier hanging from the ceiling and the couches that look like no one had sat in them for years.

"So, why did you reach out to me after all this time?" asked Videl.

"I've been feeling horrible about what I did to you, I left you with that foolish man."

"That foolish man is my father who raised me on his own. It wasn't easy, but he did. He never once put you down in front of me, but I always resented you for cheating on dad and leaving."

"Videl, honey I couldn't stay with your father. I didn't love him anymore, but you were always in my heart."

"Why didn't you just leave him? Why did you have to cheat on him while you were still married?"

"I loved his money too much. When I met Bob, I fell in love with him as well as his money."

"You left me behind."

"We fought for custody of you, and he won. I wasn't aloud to see you until you turned 21. I've been struggling ever since you turned that age whether I should see your or not. By then I was living with my own family in England. It was a busy time, and I was sure you had forgotten me and hated me anyway. I realize it was wrong now, and I want to make it up to you."

Goten saw some of the same traits in Vivian that he did in his own mother, but there was a coldness to this woman that made his mother look like a saint. While Videl's mother had abandoned her, his mother never abandoned him, even when they butted heads. He was starting to realize how lucky he was but felt sympathy for Videl.

"I'll think about it mom, but I can't make any promises," said Videl as she got up, "excuse me I need some air." Gohan and Pan excused themselves and followed her.

"So how committed are you to Goten?" asked Lily to Trunks.

"Forever," said Trunks.

"Wait a minute it's coming back to me now," said Julian as he looked at Goten. "You're Son Goten, the famous singer. I love your music. I'm a big fan."

"I don't know about famous but thank you. It's always nice to meet a fan of my music," said Goten.

"It just figures you're all ready taken," said Julian as he looked at Trunks. "It looks like you both hit the jackpot with each other."

"You know it's not about that, right? I'm not with Trunks because he's handsome and rich, and he's not with me because I've suddenly became famous. Our relationship is more deeper and more profound then what's on the outside. There's history between us, we grew up together, experienced life together and apart. Despite all that we came back together to be together because we love each other."

Trunks smiled. "I couldn't have put it better myself Goten."