Chapter 6 Losing Pride
My dad created a gravity room for Vegeta to train in. Everyday, he would train in that contraption and everyday, he would raise the level just a bit. One day, it would be 200 times normal gravity, and the next, it would be 210. But he wasn't a hermit. He had a daily routine in which I became accustomed to.
I awoke one summer morning to the running sound of the shower. "Damn. He beat me to the shower again. He takes so long in there." I gathered my things, my rope and towels, and waited on the stairway for Vegeta to get out. During my wait, I counted the tiles on the surrounding ceiling. Three hundred. I said the alphabet backwards, then forward, constantans only, then vowels. I sang some songs. My favorites from Eve and No Doubt: I kinda always knew I'd end up your ex-girlfriend... I knew he heard me. I waited an hour. He emerged from the bathroom in a fog of humidity. An old pair of jogging pants hanged helplessly on his hips, and his thick hair hanged gently to the sides. He was still slightly wet, but he quickly dried when he stepped outside the bathroom and into the air. "I thought you had drowned, jerk." He grinned. "This isn't funny! You do this every single morning. And I am tired of waiting hour on end for you to finish bathing!" "Well," he began, "you should spend more time trying to get sleep and wake up to beat me instead of spending your nights with that weakling you call your lover..." That was a mouthful. And he walked away, leaving a trail of water down the hall and into his room. Whoa. Did he really think that of Yamcha and me? I thought he wouldn't even care. But I had to admit myself as I took my shower. In my cold bath, since that jerk used all the hot water, I realized that Yamcha displayed much affection toward me in front of Vegeta. The flowers, and candy, and sappy letters. That could get to anyone. Was it possible that...the prince of the saiyans was jealous of my relationship? Nah.
In the kitchen, I fixed myself some coffee. No one made breakfast, so that cup was going to have to do. I had on some old baggy jeans and a tank top with the company's insignia on the front. I was so eager to go shopping, a new tube top and some flares I needed. I was in desperate need for new clothes, and Yamcha was due here any minute to take me to the center. My phone rang when I thought of my daily schedule. It was he. "I'm on my way, Bulma. Be ready." "I am." As soon as I hung up, Vegeta came. He had strolled in, with some new jogging pants on, dry. Didn't say hi, didn't say wassup. Just went to the refrigerator and unloaded it. He sat down at the opposite end of the table, with piles of bread and meat, and soda pops. "Do you buy groceries?" "Huh?" he responded, stunned. "Do you buy groceries, idiot?" Once again, he grinned that cocky grin. "You should be honored to feed a prince like me. Hell, you should be honored to have a prince live under common earthlings like you." "Whatever." He had this serious look on his face. I just went all out laughing. "What? What is with the laughing?!" I couldn't help it. It was so funny, that smear of mustard on his chin. I heard Yamcha approach. "Oh, dear Vegeta," I said. I got up to his side. I gently wiped the smear from his chin with my middle finger, and lifted his head to face me. I gazed in his ebony eyes and cooed, "I don't care who you are or what you think. You are a guest in my home. Respect me the way I deserve it." He stared his eyes into mine, and we had a moment. I finally saw that tender saiyan I thought existed. I winked, wiped the mustard on his chest, and walked away. "jerk." I muttered as I walked away out of the kitchen. I heard him growl, but I knew he wouldn't retaliate. I wanted him to remember that look I had. I wanted me to be on his mind all day long. I wanted him to see my face, with my hair hanging down my shoulders, a single strand over my left eye. Remember me. This was the beginning of the weeks to come when I teased the prince.
It was major fun. Yamcha would come by in the morning and I would return in the evening. At the door, I gave him my good night kiss, if he wasn't spending the night, and told him to page me. I would run passed the den, making sure Vegeta see me bounce from the couch, to head upstairs to the bath. Then, I would appear in front of his eyes with some very small boxers and a very complementing tank top, only to get the phone and head to bed. I acted like a teenager. I didn't know whether he was watching me or not. Yet, I had this craving to gain his attention. So one night...
"What's on Vegeta?" I asked, sitting on the other side of the couch from him with my usual inviting nightclothes on. He didn't say a thing. "Hmm...must be deaf from all that fruitless training." Didn't stir. I snatched the remote from his side. But before I could turn the channel, he snatched it back. I was astounded. I couldn't even tell if he moved or not. "I am watching the news, stupid." "Oh. What's the main story?" "Would you shut up?" "No, now what's the news about?" "Nothing, now shut the hell up." "That can't be right. It's called the news, something's going on." I knew I was getting to him then. But I notice that with each response, he wouldn't look at me. In fact, if I hadn't known better at that time, I would say he was blushing. He was. And I got quiet. Silence sustained for minutes, an uncomfortable silence. Then the phone ranged. "Hey...nothing...hmm...nah...no...not tonight...n-o dammit...can't you get that through your thick head?!...Fine!" I pushed the off button as hard as I can and tossed it. "That utter moron." Vegeta chuckled. "What's wrong? Did Mr. Supalovaman want to get into the panties tonight?" I looked at him more amazed than mad. "Must not know how to put it down right." Huh? Did he just mention sex in front of me? "What are you saying, runt?" "Hmmp! What I'm saying is you two go at it everyday I bet. I can tell you're getting tired of him, am I right?" He was. "What would you know anyway?" "It's a matter of anything, stupid. Just like me. I can't train all the time. I need time to rest and relax, then get back to some training, hardcore style. If I take too big of a cut, then I become uninterested. You've had a two-year break from that loser, and now you don't feel the same like you used to, right?" I didn't answer. I simply turned away. "I know I'm right. What you need to do, instead of wasting your time on him and bothering me is find someone new. I bet he has." "That's impossible! He wouldn't do--" "Oh? I would wager right now that he is over some other woman's house, getting exactly what he wanted from you." "Whatever." "Whatever indeed, stupid." "STOP CALLING ME THAT, JERK!" I had tears in my eyes. He turned to me with a grin, but then it went away. He looked concerned. "You don't know a thing about my man and me! We're going to get married and have lots of kids! It'll be more than what you'll ever have!" "Have he proposed yet?" My eyes widened. "Just as I thought. You don't think I see this everyday? He comes by with flowers and candy like its your damn anniversary, looking sorry, while you get all dressed up, acting like a geek just to meet with someone who has lost interest in you. I see this. Hopefully a so-called genius like you could too if you'd get that damn hair out your eyes. Stupid. Marriage indeed." I swung at him with all the rage a woman could possibly build. He dodged, of course. So I did it again, yelling and screaming, "Go to Hell, you jerk!!" "I have already been." he teased. "I hate you, I hate you, Vegeta!" He grabbed my arm and pulled me to him, my face practically buried in his chest. "Would you calm down?" I growled and tried to shake free. "Calm the hell down now, woman." I reached back to slap him with my free hand, but he caught it. "Bulma, please, calm yourself." Bulma? That was the first time he had ever called me by my name. We've known each other for so long, and he finally voiced my name. I let out a sigh, and calmed down. We sat there, with my wrist clutched in his powerful hands. I held my head down, too embarrassed to hold it up. I noticed he had on those infamous training shorts and some house shoes. Very comfy in my house. I all together looked back up at him. He was smiling. Smiling, my Kami. He let go of my wrists. "Now shut up. The sports reports are coming up. Stupid. Too much damn pride."