Disclaimer: Not mine.
Helpless 13
Who doesn't like shopping?
"This is the biggest Chinatown in the country," Trunks said, as they drove through the narrow streets. Marron gazed avidly out of the window, fascinated by the quaint little restaurants adorned with bold signs in red and gold, the tiny souvenir shops and the tourists of all nationalities who spilled off the crowded sidewalks.
She stared wide-eyed as the cab pulled around a corner restaurant that blazed with red and yellow lights. When Trunks had suggested Chinese food for dinner, she had never imagined anything like this.
Over the wide, glass-fronted entrance two huge lions reared up in front of a giant pagoda, and a doorman resplendent in a green and gold robe greeted the customers at the top of gleaming white marble steps.
The cab driver deposited them in front of the entrance, and Marron stood for a moment to watch a chattering, laughing group greet the smiling doorman. The women wore chic black dresses, and the men wore ties.
Marron had dressed in what she'd normally wear to go to a Chinese restaurant: a floral skirt and a black cotton sweater. Watching the elegant crowd at the top of the steps, she felt decidedly under-dressed.
"Something wrong?" Trunks asked, pausing to rest on his crutches.
She gave him a swift shake of her head, but he must have sensed her hesitation, as he frowned. "You don't like the restaurant?"
"I'm not sure I'm dressed for it."
His brow cleared. "Oh, is that all? Don't worry about it. People tend to dress up in Taurus at night, but nobody takes any notice if you decide to go casual. Look at me, I'm not wearing a tie."
He wasn't, but he still looked elegant in a black polo shirt and slacks, worn with his leather jacket.
He saw her skeptical look and grinned, "Believe me, I'd be wearing jeans if I could get them over this lump of plaster on my foot."
Still not wholly convinced, Marron approached the doorman, who gave a slight bow and called her "Madam."
Inside the restaurant, seated on a brocade-padded booth beneath a hammock of flowers, Marron looked up at the embroidered Chinese lanterns hanging above her head and felt as if she were dreaming. Any moment now she'd wake up in her mediocre apartment in Pisces and see the familiar water stain on the bedroom ceiling.
Although she would never have admitted it to Trunks, she felt overwhelmed by her resplendent surroundings, and would have much preferred a hamburger or a pizza in a cozy little fast-food place where she didn't have to worry about deciphering the novel-length menu.
Standing on the steps with him later while the doorman went to flag down a cab, Marron shivered in the damp, cool air.
Trunks glanced at her in concern. "Are you cold? The sea wind can be biting." Gratified that he'd noticed, she shook her head. "I'm fine," she assured him. "I'm just a little tired, that's all."
"I thought so." Trunks smiled down at her. "You let me do most of the talking in there. That isn't like you."
The wind blew a strand of lilac hair across his forehead, and she felt a strong surge to brush it back for him. Resisting the impulse, she returned the smile. "I'll do better tomorrow, I promise."
"Good. Because there are a lot of places I want to show you."
She looked at him warily. "I hope you have a good map. This is the biggest city I've ever been in. I'm not sure I'd now how to find my way around."
He shook his head. "Don't worry, we'll take a cab wherever we want to go. You can't see the sights if you're worrying about driving."
She started to protest, but right then the cab arrived and by the time Trunks had settled himself and she'd climbed in next to him she'd forgotten what she was going to say.
So far he hadn't mentioned anything about work, she thought, listening with only half an ear to Trunks' continuous commentary of the city landmarks. She hoped they would at least work on some of the reports so that she could justify the trip. She'd feel guilty getting paid to just have fun.
She left Trunks at his door, certain that she wouldn't sleep at all, but the minute she sank into the wide, soft bed she closed her eyes and remembered no more until she awoke the next morning to the sound of the soft music from the radio alarm.
Peeking out of the window, she could see nothing but a thick mist that effectively shrouded the view. Her disappointment soon vanished when she took her shower in the gleaming blue and gold bathroom. Even it she couldn't see much of the scenery; it would be fun to explore the city.
After a lot of agonizing, she decided to wear jeans and a sweatshirt under her warm jacket. Taurus, she'd discovered, was a good deal colder that Pisces.
Her phone rang just as she was putting the finishing touches to her face, which amounted to a little more than lipstick and a touch of mascara.
She ran a quick comb through her hair. No matter what she did, it would do its own thing anyway. Hurrying across the room to the phone, she wondered, a little apprehensively, what Trunks had planned for the day.
His cheerful voice greeted her when she spoke. "Hi, are you all prepared for your tour of the city?"
"I think so."
"Good. First thing on the agenda, I want to shop for something to wear. Most of my wardrobe is at my house at the beach."
She frowned. "Can you manage to go shopping on your crutches?"
"I'll manage. I've hired a car and driver for the day. I explained the situation so he'll be prepared to help when necessary."
She heard him mutter a soft curse and asked quickly. "Mr. Briefs? Are you all right?"
She heard a long sigh, then Trunks said in an odd voice. "I'd feel better it you'd learn to call me Trunks."
"Oh." She felt confused, and sought for something to say.
"So why did you swear?"
"Oh, that. Sorry. Just a little self-pity, I guess. This is a great city, with so much to do, and it's frustrating to be hampered by this damn ankle."
She could well understand how he must feel. "Would you like to go back to Pisces?"
"Not on your life!" He laughed. "After seeing your expression last night at the Golden Palace, I can't wait to show you the rest of the city. The car should be waiting for us by now. Are you ready?"
"I'll be right there." She put down the receiver, wondering if she'd ever felt less ready in her life. She never knew what to expect from Trunks Briefs, and she had an idea that this day promised to be quite and adventure.
The mist had cleared, and Marron was pleased to see the sun shining weakly through the pale haze when she emerged from the hotel. The snow-capped mountains across the bay took her breath away. She was used to seeing mountains, but the view of the impressive city nestled at the foot of them, surrounded almost entirely by water, made for a spectacular sight.
A long, black stretch limousine pulled up in front of the steps, and she watched the uniformed driver climb out, anxious to see if she recognized the celebrity who had to be inside.
She was shocked when Trunks greeted the driver and she realized that this would be their transportation for the day.
She was still trying to recover from her very first ride in a limo when the car pulled up in front of an expensive men's store in the heart of the city.
She felt a bit self-conscious at first. The solemn, well-dressed gentlemen who assisted them intimidated her, and she wished Trunks had let her wait in the car, instead of insisting that she come in with him.
He sat in an armchair provided by one of the assistants, his bandaged foot stuck out in front of him while he looked around the store. "Take a look for me, would you?" He asked Marron, giving her his helpless look. "I just need a couple of shirts and slacks. The gentleman here will help you."
The gentleman inclined his head. Marron felt sick. She had a problem picking out her own clothes. Following the assistant to the back of the store, she prayed she wouldn't make a fool of herself.
The quiet-spoken elderly man who assisted her soothed her fears by making several suggestions, some of which she declined, and offered some advice in answer to her hesitant questions. Finally she headed back to Trunks, followed by her faithful adviser.
"How about this?" She asked Trunks, dangling in front of him a dark blue shirt with a pale lavender collar that matched the binding on the sleeves.
Trunks leaned back in his chair and gave the shirt his full consideration. "I like it," he announced. "We'll take it."
When he approved of everything she chose, except for a pearl gray cashmere vest that her father would have loved and which Trunks said was a little bit conservative for his taste, she heaved a huge sigh of relief. The whole experience had been an ordeal. She was just thankful she didn't have to do that everyday or she'd be a nervous wreck.
When Marron climbed back into the limousine she was surprised when Trunks dropped a package in her lap. She opened it, and was even more astonished to see the pearl gray vest.
"For your father,' Trunks explained, when she looked up at him.
Having seen the exorbitant price tag on the vest, Marron felt embarrassed. "Oh, I couldn't. I mean, he'd love it, but it's too much. I don't think he'd understand."
Trunks grinned. "There's no strings attached, if that's what you're worried about."
"Of course not." Marron said, feeling even more uncomfortable. "I just think my father might wonder why you'd buy a perfect stranger such an expensive gift."
"After everything you've told me about him, I feel that I know him. Besides, you don't have to tell him I bought it. I know you wanted to buy it for him. Call it a bonus for your much-appreciated assistance. You've earned it."
She colored, remembering how she'd debated long and hard over the vest before deciding she couldn't afford it. "That's very generous of you, Mr. Briefs-"
"Trunks."
"Er. Yes, but I think-"
"You know the trouble with you, Marron?" Trunks murmured, settling down in his seat. "You think too much. Now, just sit back, relax and enjoy this incredible scenery."
She looked back at the vest, fingering the soft material. "Thank you," she said quietly. "It's beautiful and I know he'll love it."
There was no point in trying to explain to Trunks, she decided. He was obviously used to buying expensive gifts whenever the mood took him. It meant nothing to him.
How could she expect him to understand what such a gift would mean to her father? She would have some explaining to do over that one, she thought, smiling at the thought of her father's pleasure when he saw his gift.
Yeah, who doesn't like shopping?
I looooove to shop. That's why I've been surviving on dorm food for some time now. I need to save for another splurge!
New reviewers: Welcome! And thank you for taking time off to review this fic. It will be finished. Actually, it is already finished and is sitting nicely in a diskette. I'm now working on a new one. It's longer than the other two and I still haven't decided on some important stuff. Hehe
Ariele Dawntreader: Thank you for reading Fair! No, this is not shameless advertising. Just happy that someone still reviews it even if it's already finished.
I'm an impatient girl too. I snarl at anyone that says "Patience is a virtue." But I have a lot of activities lined up in the Real World. I'm booked until the end of September. At this rate, I'd have to celebrate my birthday either doing induction rites for org # 3 or hosting a Japanese speech contest for org # 1.
Anyway, that's enough ranting for today. Thanks again for the reviews! Mata ne!