Chapter 13: Vegeta's Influence
Months ago she had made it a point to make people happy. However, these last few months had an impact on the heiress, and she was sick and tired of having her life messed with. Sure, she had thought that making others happy would in turn make her happy. She didn't like the thought of everyone thinking she was a ruthless bitch. Hell, she had even been compared to Martha Stewart in the boardroom. She had a bad reputation for being volatile when she didn't get her way, a loose cannon so to speak. Yep, making people happy was supposed to make her life better.
Well, that sure turned out to be a crock of shit.
Bulma had never felt so alone and vulnerable in all her life. She could have been happy being her old self, even if she didn't have Yamcha. How the hell was sacrificing what she wanted out of life for the sake of people who couldn't give a flaming rat's ass about her supposed to make her happy? Obviously, it didn't.
Rufus' article had sent her life into a downward spiral. Even though she had nipped the rumors about her and Vegeta in the bud, her life still continued to get muddied up. There was speculation that she had bought out the mud rakers, which she did, making it rather difficult to maintain credibility in the business world. Needless to say, her father was rather insistent that the Red Beacon be distanced from Capsule Corporation.
That's why Bulma had decided to sell the paper.
There were plenty of people dying to get their hands on the Red Beacon, but Bulma had been rather selective on her choice of buyer. Even though his bid was lower than most, Bulma sold to a colleague she knew she could trust. Best to tie up all loose strings, as they say.
Which brings us back to Rufus. This guy had real dirt on Bulma. He had the truth, and if he dug deep enough, he could really expose her if he sought out the right channel to do it through. Bulma needed a plan, and she needed a good one. Her little star reporter had turned into just that, a star reporter. However, Bulma knew that beneath that goody two-shoes mask he had adorned as of late, the Gossip Columnist in him thrived to get out. That was her ticket to security, bribe him with whatever he wanted to be happy, and then scare the begezzus out of him with the consequences of his loose lips.
A wicked smile graced her lips.
Bulma picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Hello?" An upbeat male voice answered.
"Hey there. I haven't heard from you in a while, how's training going?" she answered.
"Alright. I got a little beat up yesterday, but I'm healing well. What'cha need Bulma?"
"Am I that transparent?" She chided.
"Yep, and I love ya for it."
"I'm having a little problem with an associate of mine. I need a little intimidation, and I was hoping you could give him a slight demonstration of you power. I have a feeling money isn't going to be enough to keep his mouth shut about a certain Princely houseguest. I just want him to see what you can do, not get hurt. A little fear factor, ya know?"
"I don't know. I don't like people seeing what I can do. Is this guy really that bad?"
"It's Rufus Messer."
"Tomorrow at three, I'll find a safe place and call you with the coordinates."
"Thanks, I owe you."
"No. I owe you."
"See you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow." Bulma heard the line fall dead.
Hints of a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she envisioned what the new day would bring. By tomorrow evening, Bulma would have Rufus right where she needed him. Tomorrow, he would see the good life that Capsule Corporation could give him.
Maybe it was Vegeta's influence, maybe not, but Bulma felt drunk off the power she felt. She manipulated power just like the rest of them; only her power was fear rather than ki. Tomorrow, she was bringing out the big guns. Tomorrow, Rufus would see her power, along with that of her allies.
Tomorrow, Rufus would meet the Wolf Bang Fists.
Well, I just got my hundredth review! Yay!!!!!!! Thanks to all!
I know, it's short, but I've been awake for 28 ½ hours. It's time for some rest.
Read and review!
Kanjizai