Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z and I'm not making any money from
this.
Chapter 11: Hereditary
September 16th
Hmm. I wonder, how come superglue doesn't stick to the tube? It's supposed to stick anything, right? So why doesn't it stick to the inside of the tube? I guess that's another just one of life's mysteries.
"Trunks?"
I sat up, glancing towards the door, and after a few seconds, Goten appeared.
"What?"
"Phone. It's your mom."
"Mom? What does she want?" I asked, frowning. I hoped she wasn't phoning to give me the third degree about that thing the other day. I feel stupid enough as it is. Getting up reluctantly, I went into the living room and picked up the phone.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Oh, Trunks, glad you're there. Listen, I know I gave you two weeks off but I need you to- "
I sighed, holding the phone away from my ear and squeezing my eyes shut in an attempt to calm myself down. Whenever mom started off with 'I'm glad you're there,' it meant as business trip was on the cards. What was it now? Some merger that just couldn't wait?
" - So you see, you have to be there, you are the vice president after all."
"Why do I have to be there again?" I asked, having been too busy wishing I'd never been born to hear what she said.
"Oh, honestly, you should learn to concentrate more. I said; the president of Nataku Corporation wants to see us in order to settle the merger. I said it'd be okay to fly out there."
"When?" I asked miserably, rubbing my eyes with my free hand.
"Today."
I opened my mouth to protest, but she was still talking.
"I know you won't have time to pack, so I took the liberty of packing for you. All you need to bring is yourself. I'll see you at Capsule Corporation for...let's see...what time is it now?"
Packing for me? Jesus. I wonder, just what atrocities were in the capsule this time? I still haven't forgiven her for the short trousers, black sweater and blue scarf look - her take on civvy clothes. I looked at my watch glumly.
"Half ten."
"Right, then I'll see you at eleven at the latest. Preferably before."
"Mom, hold on, I thought you said - "
"I know, but just think of this as a holiday. We'll be there for about two weeks anyway."
Hold on a minute. Who did she think I was? Did she really think I wouldn't mind her springing this on me? She was still chattering away as I felt my anger welling up inside me and interrupted her.
"Can I just stop you?" I snapped.
"Well, I - "
"Mom, I do have a life outside the corporation." I told her icily. "Why should I just drop everything for you? I do have better things to do with my time."
There was silence on the other end.
"You really expect me to just come running every time there's some merger? To tell you the truth, I couldn't care less about the damn company."
"What? Trunks, you - "
"Maybe it's something you and grandpa are dedicated to, but did you ever stop to think that I might not be as enthusiastic about it as you two?"
"How dare you?" Mom shouted in disbelief. I trailed off, realising I'd just made the most idiotic mistake ever. I'd actually succeeded in provoking my mother's temper. I banged the handset against my forehead.
"You fucking moron." I whispered to myself.
"Do you know how bloody lucky you are, Trunks Vegeta Briefs?" she exploded. Damn. She never, ever uses my full name unless she's pissed beyond belief.
"I have done everything for you! Do you have any idea how much I've sacrificed for your sake? You dare to stand there and throw everything back in my face you ungrateful little - " She stopped herself, and I closed my eyes, mentally kicking myself. How could I have let myself make her lose it?
Smart of you, Trunks. Give yourself a pat on the back and a gold star. You're just so fucking intelligent, aren't you?
"Who's been there for you whenever you needed her, Trunks?" she yelled. "Who's put aside her own feelings to make sure you're happy? Who do you always come running to with your problems?"
I said nothing, just scowled at the phone like a fourteen year old.
"Now, for once in your life, you will do something for me. You will be here for eleven 'o' clock and you will come with me on this business trip, and you will do so without comment or complaint! Do I make myself clear?"
I had a feeling that the only answer that wouldn't result in my slow, painful death was 'yes'. So that's what I said. Or, rather, mumbled. And as rapidly as her anger had appeared, it disappeared. The pleasant tone came back into her voice.
"I'm glad. Anyway, it'll do you good; get you back into the routine. It won't be that bad, honey." A pause. Some suit was probably approaching her.
"Oh, damn, I have to go." I heard a polite 'nice to meet you' that sounded as sincere as I did when I told Aya I'd wanted to go on that date. "See you later, sweetheart."
Click.
I put the phone down and sank into a chair. This was just great. A few minutes ago, I was looking forward to the prospect of two weeks of lounging around. Now I was 'looking forward' to spending two weeks with my mother in a stuffy hotel exchanging niceties and tech talk with a load of idiots in suits. As a 22 year old man is inclined to do. Obviously. What fun I was going to have these next two weeks.
My mood had just darkened considerably.
"Trunks?" Goten called in a singsong tone. I gritted my teeth,
"What, Goten?"
"Marron's here to see you!" he told me, completely ignoring the edge in my voice.
I folded my arms as she walked into the room; the look on her face told me she was not best pleased.
"What?" I asked, annoyed, even though I knew she'd done nothing wrong. But why was she glaring at me? What had I done?
"Do you remember a girl called Aya, by any chance?" Marron asked, her voice that dangerously calm tone I'd learned the hard way not to incur.
"Oh, please. Mar, I don't have time for this." I muttered, standing up and trying to get past her out of the room. She blocked my way, planting her hands firmly on my chest and shoving me backwards. I glowered at her, ignoring the tingle that flooded through me at her touch.
"Trunks, why did you stand her up?" she asked.
"Because I felt like it." I said flatly. I wasn't in the mood for sugar- coating.
"What?" Her eyes had widened in surprise, and I stared straight at her.
"Because I felt like it." I repeated. She blinked, dumbstruck. Then she drew her hand back. I stood there, motionless, felt the sting of her hand as it connected sharply with the side of my face. Her eyes burned into mine.
"How could you be such an arrogant bastard?" she demanded angrily. I narrowed my eyes. Hmm. Seems like I hadn't lost it after all. I don't know why I was acting like such an ass. I guess it was just one of those days when I decided that if I was gonna be in a bad mood, everyone else was too.
"Hereditary." I replied. Then I turned around and started walking out of the room. I had to be going, after all. Wouldn't want to be late for my riveting business trip. How excited I was to be going.
"Trunks, why are you being like this? Aya didn't do anything wrong! She only asked you for a date!" Marron called after me. Her voice was shaky, and I knew I'd upset her by being that way. I don't like to upset Marron. I hate to see that look on her face, those eyes looking into mine. She has this way of making me feel like the nastiest bastard alive, just by looking at me in a certain way. I felt the guilt nagging at me, but it was vastly overweighed by the anger I felt towards myself. What was I doing? I was screwing everything up again, upsetting my friends, and I couldn't even fix it because now I had to go on this stupid business trip to do a job I hated. Think of it as a holiday, she said. Heh. I suppose it depends what your idea of a holiday is.
"I'm running late already." I said, picking up my jacket and grabbing my keys from on the hook in the kitchen. Goten was standing by the table, looking at me in surprise. He was probably wondering how my mood could have changed so drastically so quickly. Too bad I wasn't in the mood to talk things out with him.
"Trunks, wait! What's wrong with you?" Marron cried. I faltered, deliberating whether to go back and apologise, and explain, but eventually my pride won over and I ignored her question, opening the door.
"See you both in two weeks." I said over my shoulder, then closed the door behind me.
~~~~
A/N: Hey people! As you probably gathered, I'm back! *grin* I'm pleased to have internet access again, I've got some catching up to do. Well, that's that done! Seems Trunks is having yet another bad day. Will this boy ever get any peace? Will he ever stop screwing his life up? Will he ever get anything right? *smile* Well, now that he's gone on his business trip, what will happen back home? I wonder... ^_^ Well, that's all for now. Remember to review, and I'll see you soon for chapter 12!
Aerith
Chapter 11: Hereditary
September 16th
Hmm. I wonder, how come superglue doesn't stick to the tube? It's supposed to stick anything, right? So why doesn't it stick to the inside of the tube? I guess that's another just one of life's mysteries.
"Trunks?"
I sat up, glancing towards the door, and after a few seconds, Goten appeared.
"What?"
"Phone. It's your mom."
"Mom? What does she want?" I asked, frowning. I hoped she wasn't phoning to give me the third degree about that thing the other day. I feel stupid enough as it is. Getting up reluctantly, I went into the living room and picked up the phone.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Oh, Trunks, glad you're there. Listen, I know I gave you two weeks off but I need you to- "
I sighed, holding the phone away from my ear and squeezing my eyes shut in an attempt to calm myself down. Whenever mom started off with 'I'm glad you're there,' it meant as business trip was on the cards. What was it now? Some merger that just couldn't wait?
" - So you see, you have to be there, you are the vice president after all."
"Why do I have to be there again?" I asked, having been too busy wishing I'd never been born to hear what she said.
"Oh, honestly, you should learn to concentrate more. I said; the president of Nataku Corporation wants to see us in order to settle the merger. I said it'd be okay to fly out there."
"When?" I asked miserably, rubbing my eyes with my free hand.
"Today."
I opened my mouth to protest, but she was still talking.
"I know you won't have time to pack, so I took the liberty of packing for you. All you need to bring is yourself. I'll see you at Capsule Corporation for...let's see...what time is it now?"
Packing for me? Jesus. I wonder, just what atrocities were in the capsule this time? I still haven't forgiven her for the short trousers, black sweater and blue scarf look - her take on civvy clothes. I looked at my watch glumly.
"Half ten."
"Right, then I'll see you at eleven at the latest. Preferably before."
"Mom, hold on, I thought you said - "
"I know, but just think of this as a holiday. We'll be there for about two weeks anyway."
Hold on a minute. Who did she think I was? Did she really think I wouldn't mind her springing this on me? She was still chattering away as I felt my anger welling up inside me and interrupted her.
"Can I just stop you?" I snapped.
"Well, I - "
"Mom, I do have a life outside the corporation." I told her icily. "Why should I just drop everything for you? I do have better things to do with my time."
There was silence on the other end.
"You really expect me to just come running every time there's some merger? To tell you the truth, I couldn't care less about the damn company."
"What? Trunks, you - "
"Maybe it's something you and grandpa are dedicated to, but did you ever stop to think that I might not be as enthusiastic about it as you two?"
"How dare you?" Mom shouted in disbelief. I trailed off, realising I'd just made the most idiotic mistake ever. I'd actually succeeded in provoking my mother's temper. I banged the handset against my forehead.
"You fucking moron." I whispered to myself.
"Do you know how bloody lucky you are, Trunks Vegeta Briefs?" she exploded. Damn. She never, ever uses my full name unless she's pissed beyond belief.
"I have done everything for you! Do you have any idea how much I've sacrificed for your sake? You dare to stand there and throw everything back in my face you ungrateful little - " She stopped herself, and I closed my eyes, mentally kicking myself. How could I have let myself make her lose it?
Smart of you, Trunks. Give yourself a pat on the back and a gold star. You're just so fucking intelligent, aren't you?
"Who's been there for you whenever you needed her, Trunks?" she yelled. "Who's put aside her own feelings to make sure you're happy? Who do you always come running to with your problems?"
I said nothing, just scowled at the phone like a fourteen year old.
"Now, for once in your life, you will do something for me. You will be here for eleven 'o' clock and you will come with me on this business trip, and you will do so without comment or complaint! Do I make myself clear?"
I had a feeling that the only answer that wouldn't result in my slow, painful death was 'yes'. So that's what I said. Or, rather, mumbled. And as rapidly as her anger had appeared, it disappeared. The pleasant tone came back into her voice.
"I'm glad. Anyway, it'll do you good; get you back into the routine. It won't be that bad, honey." A pause. Some suit was probably approaching her.
"Oh, damn, I have to go." I heard a polite 'nice to meet you' that sounded as sincere as I did when I told Aya I'd wanted to go on that date. "See you later, sweetheart."
Click.
I put the phone down and sank into a chair. This was just great. A few minutes ago, I was looking forward to the prospect of two weeks of lounging around. Now I was 'looking forward' to spending two weeks with my mother in a stuffy hotel exchanging niceties and tech talk with a load of idiots in suits. As a 22 year old man is inclined to do. Obviously. What fun I was going to have these next two weeks.
My mood had just darkened considerably.
"Trunks?" Goten called in a singsong tone. I gritted my teeth,
"What, Goten?"
"Marron's here to see you!" he told me, completely ignoring the edge in my voice.
I folded my arms as she walked into the room; the look on her face told me she was not best pleased.
"What?" I asked, annoyed, even though I knew she'd done nothing wrong. But why was she glaring at me? What had I done?
"Do you remember a girl called Aya, by any chance?" Marron asked, her voice that dangerously calm tone I'd learned the hard way not to incur.
"Oh, please. Mar, I don't have time for this." I muttered, standing up and trying to get past her out of the room. She blocked my way, planting her hands firmly on my chest and shoving me backwards. I glowered at her, ignoring the tingle that flooded through me at her touch.
"Trunks, why did you stand her up?" she asked.
"Because I felt like it." I said flatly. I wasn't in the mood for sugar- coating.
"What?" Her eyes had widened in surprise, and I stared straight at her.
"Because I felt like it." I repeated. She blinked, dumbstruck. Then she drew her hand back. I stood there, motionless, felt the sting of her hand as it connected sharply with the side of my face. Her eyes burned into mine.
"How could you be such an arrogant bastard?" she demanded angrily. I narrowed my eyes. Hmm. Seems like I hadn't lost it after all. I don't know why I was acting like such an ass. I guess it was just one of those days when I decided that if I was gonna be in a bad mood, everyone else was too.
"Hereditary." I replied. Then I turned around and started walking out of the room. I had to be going, after all. Wouldn't want to be late for my riveting business trip. How excited I was to be going.
"Trunks, why are you being like this? Aya didn't do anything wrong! She only asked you for a date!" Marron called after me. Her voice was shaky, and I knew I'd upset her by being that way. I don't like to upset Marron. I hate to see that look on her face, those eyes looking into mine. She has this way of making me feel like the nastiest bastard alive, just by looking at me in a certain way. I felt the guilt nagging at me, but it was vastly overweighed by the anger I felt towards myself. What was I doing? I was screwing everything up again, upsetting my friends, and I couldn't even fix it because now I had to go on this stupid business trip to do a job I hated. Think of it as a holiday, she said. Heh. I suppose it depends what your idea of a holiday is.
"I'm running late already." I said, picking up my jacket and grabbing my keys from on the hook in the kitchen. Goten was standing by the table, looking at me in surprise. He was probably wondering how my mood could have changed so drastically so quickly. Too bad I wasn't in the mood to talk things out with him.
"Trunks, wait! What's wrong with you?" Marron cried. I faltered, deliberating whether to go back and apologise, and explain, but eventually my pride won over and I ignored her question, opening the door.
"See you both in two weeks." I said over my shoulder, then closed the door behind me.
~~~~
A/N: Hey people! As you probably gathered, I'm back! *grin* I'm pleased to have internet access again, I've got some catching up to do. Well, that's that done! Seems Trunks is having yet another bad day. Will this boy ever get any peace? Will he ever stop screwing his life up? Will he ever get anything right? *smile* Well, now that he's gone on his business trip, what will happen back home? I wonder... ^_^ Well, that's all for now. Remember to review, and I'll see you soon for chapter 12!
Aerith