An: HEY guys! I am baaack. Yeah! I didn't take weeks this time. Gracias for all the great reviews (Or arigatou, however you wanna say it.) before i start my usual blathering i wanna say something. i am a straight up american, i read these stories and some of them I'm like, "what?" what in the world do san, kun, son, sama and all those other "last names" *they allways come after the names * mean? someone tell me please! okay, blathering: umm. i think im all dried up with my blathering. no wait heres some: it's a beautiful day in my neighbor hood, a beautiful day in (blah. blah) something, something have a neighbor, just like you. ive always wanted to live in a neighborhood, with you. blah. blah wont you please wont you please. please wont you be…my neighbor (i don't own that song, duh)
Disclaimer: much to the distress of all the readers, i do not own dbz. I do not own much of nothing come to think of it. (Does anyone read these? or the an's?)
PRESIDENT BRIEFS
Chapter six: FREE (AT LAST!)
Bulma crossed and re-crossed her legs nervously. * Vegeta? * No response. *Now that's strange. Maybe I can 'feel' him… * Bulma reached out with her mind and tried to touch Vegeta's. He was meditating, and she startled him.
What the h*ll do you want, woman? I was in the middle of something. *
*Well, gee, you're the one who made the link, not me. No need to get p*ss*ed at me. If I had my way… *
Vegeta sighed heavily, *Just tell me what you want woman *
*Before I tell you, I want to know how you did that? It seemed like you were blocking me somehow. *
Vegeta sighed again, *Just concentrate and imagine a thick wall between us. That is all. Now leave me alone. *
*You know, you don't have to be an *sshole. * Bulma thought, blocking him out before he could reply. *Jerk. I can't believe he can be so good looking and still be such an *ss with a bad attitude at the same time. Oh well, I have more important things to dwell on; things much more important than his sexy voice and his captivating eyes that see into you soul, his sophisticated nose, his…what in the world am I thinking! *Bulma mentally slapped herself.
*I need to snap out of this * she thought tiredly.
"President Briefs? The doctor will see you now. " A secretary told her, breaking into Bulma's thoughts. Bulma got out of her seat a little nervously. She followed the secretary out of the waiting room and down a corridor to two large, soundproof oak doors, then left.
"Please sit, Bulma." Said a hard voice from behind the desk.
"Dad what did you want to see me for? I'm really in a hurry so if you wouldn't mind getting to the point." Bulma said sitting down, and trying to be brave.
"Mind? Oh, I mind all right. You just shut your d*mn mouth and listen." He sneered. "Where are those files you were supposed to send me?"
"Files?"
"Yes, b*tch, files. The ones from Harper Inc."
"I can't and I won't do it, Dad. I'm sick of doing all of your Kami forsaken dirty work. You can not hide behind me any more. As President, I have certain duties to those I serve. Some of those are moral duties, and what you've been making me do in the past is immoral, idiotic, intolerable, not to mention illegal. Why can't you get to the top in a more honest way? I refuse to take part in any more of this cr*p. I don't care what you do to me." Bulma stated firmly, getting up to leave.
Dr. Briefs flew to his feet and slammed his fist down hard on the desk, causing Bulma to falter.
*Oh Kami! I've gone too far. I know he won't hit me though. Physical abuse was never his style, but he will do all he can to attack me mentally. *
Dr. Briefs' eyes flashed angrily as he sat down, leaned back in his chair, folded his hands, and gave Bulma a predatory smile. He shook his head, still smiling and sighed.
"Oh Bulma. You stupid b*tch, you good for nothing piece of trash. You $.02 wh*re…" He stopped smiling as Bulma lost her composure and began to sob quietly, unconsciously letting her mental defenses down. Vegeta's eyes flew open in surprise when he felt Bulma's mind open to him again.
*Woman, what are you carrying on about? *He thought. Bulma didn't hear him. He listened to her thoughts as they ran through her mind:
*No, stop! I'm sorry Daddy. Please! I know I'm a bad person. I'm everything my father says and worse. I don't deserve to live. Why? Why am I even alive…NO! I'm not food for nothing…yes I am * her thoughts battled with each other as she tried to decide if she should go with her father or defy him. Vegeta listened to it all in surprise.
*Defy him Bulma * he thought forcefully. *Do not let him command you about * he commanded.
Bulma suddenly noticed Vegeta's 'presence'. * Vegeta! Oh d*mn. What are you doing here? * She thought stupidly.
* How am I supposed to concentrate when your loud thoughts keep distracting me. I am beginning to regret this link *
* Ha, you're not the only one. Besides, who told you to make the d*mn thing in the first place *Bulma 'snapped'.
"Bulma! Wake up and listen to me you stupid *ss!" Dr Briefs roared. Vegeta was giving them his full attention. "You will do as I say and retrieve those files."
"Get this, Dad. I. Will. Not. EVER do anything for you again! I am sick of being led about by a string. I swear to Kami, mess with me again, and I will drag you to court if I have to, you… b*st*rd, but you will do as I say for once, or I will kick your withered *ss, from here to Kami's lookout!" Bulma screamed.
*Now that sounds like something I would say * Vegeta thought.
Dr. Briefs stared at his daughter in disbelief. Usually all she needed was a little degrading, maybe some yelling, and she was putty in his palms. He gaped at his daughter as she grabbed folders out of his cabinet and threw them around the room.
"I'm leaving this Kami forsaken office an I am never coming back. Remember what I said and don't think I will be easy on you because you're old and…vile. Good bye father." Bulma ground out as she left, this time for good calling her chauffeur on the way out.
Dr. Briefs sat back in his chair in surprise and gazed at his now messy office. *Well…that was unexpected * he thought.
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Bulma walked out of her father's CC office with her head high. * I've done it! And it's all thanks to you Vegeta. I couldn't have done it without you. *
*You got that right *
*Ah, the prince has a sense of humor I'm assuming? That's unbelievable! But after what just happened in there, I'm ready to believe in just about anything. * She thought dazed. She got into her limo and had the driver open the sunroof. She undid the bun, that she wore 99.9% of the time, and stuck her head out of hole (?). The wind made her hair fly behind her, making her look like a pagan goddess. She threw her arms out as if she wanted to embrace the world.
*I have never felt so free or happy in my life * she thought, her heart filling with joy.
Vegeta felt her happiness and yearned to see Bulma in reckless abandon. He frowned in irritation. * Woman, what are you doing that is making you so cheerful? Whatever it is, stop it. You're making me sick. I can feel your d*mn emotions because of this link *
*Oh, I've just taken my hair down, and I am hanging out of the sunroof. *Bulma thought defiantly.
*I've never seen you with your hair down *
*Isn't that a tragedy. *
*I hate that infernal bun on your head. *
*For Kami's sake, it's my hair and I will do with it exactly as I want. Stop trying to run things Vegeta, you're reminding me of my father. * Bulma thought angrily sitting down in her seat (much to the driver's relief and blocking Vegeta out.
Vegeta's scowl deepened as he imagined every male passing by the limo wanting Bulma with the same fierce desire that he wanted her for himself. * Stupid woman. * He thought angrily, leaving his meditating and going to lunch.
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Bulma sighed in frustration at Vegeta's arrogance and persistence in being a jerk. She smiled thoughtfully as she recalled Vegeta's reference to her ever-present bun. *At least he notices me. Maybe he actually has feelings, though you couldn't tell by looking at him; he hides his emotions so well. He has a great poker face. * Bulma laughed at that. * I guess my bun irritates him * she put her hair back into her neat and precise bun and smirked.
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Vegeta's ears 'perked up' (and I don't mean that in some kind of weird way) as he heard the door open and the telephone ring at the same time (he had just finished lunch, and was sitting in the lobby). The butler greeted Bulma at the door and Susie answered the phone. Bulma walked into the lobby and greeted Vegeta mutely, waving her hand tiredly. Susie walked in, "Madam, phone call. It's Clairesse."
"Thanks, Sue, I'll take the call in here." Bulma sighed picking up the phone, and sitting on the couch, across from Vegeta.
"Bulma? I heard from Sue that I just caught you in the nick of time! Why weren't you at home lavishing a shameful amount of attention on that handsome young man who likes you?"
"I see you're your usual self." Bulma said dryly.
"Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way. As a matter of fact, neither would husbands." She lingered on the last word lovingly. "I'm getting off topic. I read in some book that there is really nothing to seeming older. All you have to do is three things: throw great parties, party, and maybe a little partying on the side." Clairesse chuckled.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Bulma inquired, smiling a little.
"I am going to throw a terribly large and expensive costume ball. No one ever does them anymore, so I am going to bring them back in fashion. You and a date are invited to attend. I suggest you take that irresistibly charming Vegeta."
"Irresistible? Ha! I'm having no trouble resisting." Bulma choked on her laughter, avoiding Vegeta's inquisitive glance.
"Just wait, Bulma. The two of you are made for each other. I…hold on Bulma."Clairesse is calling her 'husbands"Dane! Come here dearest. Take the phone. Now, tell Bulma that you darling wife knows what she is talking about."
Dane took the phone. "Ignore her, Bulma. This hopeless romantic can never stop match making." He teased.
Clairesse took the phone back. "Dane get your disobedient self out of here before I eat you, you delicious little…"
"Ahem." Bulma coughed.
"Oh, sorry Bulma. I'm mortified. Whatever must you think of me! Here I am in this day in age in love with my husband of all people. That is absolutely unthinkable!"
"I need to go Claire. Thanks for the invitation. I'll probably come. Bye." Bulma said hanging up and looking Vegeta in the eye. Vegeta raised an eyebrow in question.
"We're going to a costume ball." She told him, smiling tiredly resting her head on the back of the couch.
"We? I never agreed to this foolishness." Vegeta retorted angrily.
Bulma closed her eyes in fatigue. "Oh just go. You're the only one I'd really want to go with anyway. Besides, there will be lots of food." She said softly.
"I refuse to parade about a room with a bunch of fools in some kind of…costume." Vegeta growled.
Bulma didn't answer.
"Are you listening to what I am saying, woman?" Vegeta said glaring at the woman in question. She had fallen asleep with her head hanging over the back of the couch. Vegeta's face softened as he gazed down at her sleeping form. He walked over to her and touched her soft cheeks. The contact did not startle him as much by now. Bulma sighed contentedly in her sleep. Vegeta backed away from the girl.
*Watch yourself, Vegeta. You never know what Kami has in store for you; she may be just a test of your self-control. * He thought grimly. He turned his back on her, and went back to his room, leaving the sleeping Bulma alone with her dreams.
Later that same day She tossed in turned in her sleep frantically. She 'woke' up and tried to open her eyes, but she couldn't (that is really scary when/if it happens to you!). She whimpered once, got onto her feet and held out her arms, searching for…* What am I doing? *Bulma thought groggily. She blindly groped around her and she suddenly came in contact with warm flesh. She tried to open her mouth to speak, but words would not come out. An arm grabbed her roughly, and suddenly she could see. She was in the middle of a dark room with a single spotlight, and Vegeta smiled languishly at her. He was holding her around her waist with her back to him.
"I know you are attracted to me woman." He said.
Bulma shook her head frantically.
"You deny it?" He bit out.
She nodded weakly.
"You lie to yourself. You want me." He said in her ear.
Bulma tried to shake her head, but all she could do was nod.
"So come and get me." Vegeta smirked, disappearing.
Bulma sprang to consciousness with a start. * That was weird. No…more like disturbing. I hope Vegeta didn't see that… *she checked on Vegeta. He was asleep (for once) and dreaming of nothing.
Bulma sighed in relief. Her bedside phone rang. She picked it up on the 3rd ring.
"Hello?"
"Bulma, I am afraid I am the bearer of bad news. Your father's dead. He shot himself this evening. Capsule Corp. belongs to you now."
For a second (if even that long) Bulma's eyes watered, then her tears disappeared.
"Thanks." She said, and hung up the phone.
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A.N. So what did you think? Did you like? Did you hate? I'm Joe and I want to know… (Just kidding, my name isn't Joe, nor am I male). Now that you've read, all you have to do is review! Thanks for the suggestion J zero. =) Something is going to happen soon.