Daisy31- Oh, you had lots of questions, which I hope at lesat some are
answered in this chapter! Thanks so much for reviewing! ;)
Shades of Crimson- Akira is going to be getting with Arthos, possibly. Don't worry! ;) Bulma does have a very legitimate reason for running away like she did, and I hate to do it, but everyone's gonna have to wait a few more chapters to find out! There will definitely be more flashbacks, there's one in this very chapter!!! :) yeah! I love writing them. It's great! Unfortunately, I didn't get to the car shopping, like I had planned. Next chapter definitely, which I have already written up and waiting to be posted mu hahaha. Thanks muchly for the reviews!!! ;)
PunkOnna- Hey! Thanks for the review, Ana! I'm really glad you're still enjoying this story! ;)
Videlchan313- Thank you thank you! Vegeta and Bulma will be fighting on and off for a while, but don't worry. I promise to make it all work out in the end! ;)
Yari1- Thank you!!! ;)
DBZ-fan-JESS- Hey, thanks a lot!!! Enjoy tha next chapter!!! ;)
Seruleyan-Wings- This, as you know, is dedicated to you because you lost your paragraphs when trying to review! I'm sooooo sorry!!! (hugs) yeah, I really feel bad for Vegeta in that chapter, too, but you'll come to understand later why Bulma left like she did. I can't give out her reason yet, but I think I might have done the same thing, had I been in her position, if that helps you sympathize a little more with her ;) I haven't decided on what kind of car Trunks is gonna get yet. I have too many favorites myself, so it makes it a hard decision! Vegeta's loaded!!! hahahaha Thanks again, girl, as always! ;)
----
I luv ya'll a bunch, truly. without you guys, I wouldn't be writing these stories! Thanks you so much! ;)
----
Chapter 7: Who is Jelena Casa?
June and Chichi stood around the counter in the kitchen happily chatting away. Bulma walked into the room and went straight for the coffee pot. Her two friends stopped laughing and glanced her way. They could tell that she was in a bad mood, she had been all week! Chichi grabbed a piece of chocolate cake from the overhead shelf and walked over to her.
"Here, B. This'll make you feel better," she offered.
Bulma sighed. "The only thing that's gonna make me feel better is if Vegeta goes far far away." She still took the cake, though.
"What about some happy news?" June asked.
"Like what, 18?"
The blond woman gave her a smug look. "I have a date tonight with a Mr. Krillin Taki," she announced.
"Oh my gosh! It worked?" Bulma asked excitedly. She'd told Yamcha the truth about her coming up to him and his two business associates last week, and he had promised to help set them up.
"It sure did, and now that your here," she started, getting serious. "I need the afternoon off."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"I have to go buy a new outfit for dinner."
Bulma rolled her eyes. "I'll check the schedule to see if you can leave."
"I already did. You'll be fine," she cut in.
"Fine, go ahead. I don't care."
Chichi frowned. "What time are you leaving today, B?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Friday night. Dinner at your parents," she reminded.
"Why'd you remind me?" She grumbled back, chugging a good portion of her coffee.
"Because you would have killed me if I hadn't."
The back door swung open, and Goku walked into the kitchen carrying an overflowing box of potatoes. "Where do you want these, Chi?"
The black haired chef froze immediately at the sight of her 'crush'. "Oh, um. I don't know."
Being in the bad mood that she was, Bulma groaned, "Will the two of you just go out already?!"
Her old boyfriend and her best friend blushed profusely and stared at her as she stormed out of the room.
----
Akira tossed her pen and notepad on the counter and rushed for the phone. "Hello?"
"Real cute stunt you pulled. I gotta hand it to you," the person on the other end stated.
She smiled, holding in her laughter. "You really know how to leave a girl hanging."
"I would have called you days ago had I been able to find your number," Arthos countered, sounding very annoyed.
"Why, whatever do you mean?"
"You shoved your number beneath the backseat of Vegeta's car. I had to practically tear it out!"
She laughed at this. "What can I say, I'm not easy."
She could hear him chuckle from his end. "What are you doing doing tomorrow?" He asked.
"I'm not sure, that depends on what this guy I just meant has planned for us."
"Well, since that guy is riding down with his brother tomorrow at noon, the universal time when a lot of people eat lunch, he figured he'd take you on a picnic."
Radditz walked out of the kitchen a saw his sister with a huge grin on her face and the phone pressed to her ear. "Who's on the phone?"
She shot him a dirt look. "Get lost, Radditz!"
"Who's Radditz?" Arthos suddenly demanded.
"One of my nosey, no good brothers. You don't strike me as the type of person who likes to make little sandwiches and all that other stuff that typically comes in a picnic basket."
"I have my ways."
"I'm suddenly afraid."
"See you tomorrow?"
She thought about it a moment. "Yeah. I'll see you then." She hung up the phone and turned to Radditz, who was grinning like an idiot. "What?!"
He leaned against the counter and sighed. "Nothing. Nothing at all, little sister. I think it's cute," he teased.
"I really hate you sometimes," she whispered. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a table to wait on."
----(flashback)
She really despised these dinner parties that her mother and father put on, but at least she had Vegeta and Arthos to keep her company. Well, she had Arthos. Bulma glanced around, trying to find Vegeta in the crowded room, but he was nowhere in sight. He'd disappeared right after dinner. She grabbed two glasses of wine from a waiter at he passed and walked over to Arthos.
"Hey, where's Vegeta?"
The younger boy frowned. "I don't know where he ran off to. He's been really pissy all day," he answered.
She sighed. "Just great. I'm gonna go find him."
"Good luck."
Bulma searched the entire first floor of the house before moving to the upstairs. Suddenly, she felt stupid for thinking he could be anywhere but in her room. The door was ajar, and she used her hip to bump it open enough to get inide. Vegeta turned his face toward the door. He was lying on her bed, twirling his undone bowtie around in the air. Bulma shut the door behind her and walked over to him.
"What's up with you tonight?" She sat down on the side of her bed and handed him a wineglass.
He grabbed it and gulped it down quickly. "She called me this afternoon."
A surprised look washed over her face. "Jelena?"
"Yes," he mumbled. "She says she's coming to New York, and she wants to see me."
Placing her glass onto the nightstand, Bulma said, "And you told her?" She gathered her dress up to her knees and laid down next to him. She was glad this was the type of material that didn't wrinkle. Her mother would kill her!
Vegeta continued to stare up at the ceiling, but he gratefully accepted her presence by pulling her close. "Father wants me to go. He think it'll be good for the both of us," he scoffed. "What's he know?"
"Your father is usually right about these things. I think you should go meet with her," she told him, kissing his cheek.
"Fine, I"ll go, but under one condition."
Bulma smiled and wrapped her arms around him tightly. "What?"
"You have to go with me. I-I'm not facing her alone," he whispered.
"Go to New York City to meet one of the biggest fashion designers in the world? Hmm, let me think," she trailed off.
Vegeta rolled his eyes and pulled her completely ontop of him. "Nevermind. We're not going."
She grinned. "Oh, yes we are!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
He smirked slowly, a playful glint in his eyes. "Since we're here alone."
Bulma raised an eyebrow. "Our parents are right down stairs, along with all their friends. I don't think-."
He cut her off quickly, leaning up to capture her lips with his own, while his hands wondered slowly over her body.
----(end flashback)
Trunks rang the doorbell and stood expectantly next to his mother. "It'll be quick." he assured her. "We'll eat, chat for a few minutes, and then we can leave. Simple."
"It's never simple, hunny, but thanks for trying." She patted him on the shoulder and smiled.
"So, when are you going to tell me what happened Monday night?"
"Um, never."
"Mom."
"Just leave it between me and your father, okay?"
He shook his head. "When are you two going to grow up?"
"I probably won't be home tomorrow when you get back from your little father, son outing," she said quickly. "I have a date with Yamcha."
"You guys just went out Wednesday night."
Bulma glared at the doorbell. "What is going on? It never takes her this long to answer the door. Maybe it's broken!" She reached for it again, pushing it several times.
"Mom, stop it. I want to know the truth. What happened?"
"It's Vegeta. What do you think happened? We got into a fight. End of story."
"Whatever, I'll just ask him. At least he tells me the truth."
Her insides turned to ice. What if Vegeta did tell Trunks the truth? That he wanted Trunks to come live with him. It felt like someone was trying to tear her in half. What if Trunks wanted to go live with him? She wouldn't be able to handle that. He was her little boy, her precious little boy that she had raised all by herself. They were like best friends! Sh didn't want to loose him to Vegeta, but! She sighed. Vegeta had been right. He deserved time with their son as well.
"Trunks, it's complicated."
He shrugged, feigning indifference- a trait he inherited from his father. "Yeah, whatever."
"He," she paused, unsure if she could say it without breaking down in front of him. "He wants you to move in with him, and I got upset, as any mother would be in my position. You're my baby, Trunks, and even though I know that he's entitled to time with you too, I still want you all to myself. This whole thing just got blown out of proportion. He sprung it on me, and I handled it badly, and what the hell is taking your grandmother so long?!"
Bulma pounded on the door this time, and the only response was the outside lights flicking off. She let out a groan and tried to turn the door handle, but it wouldn't budge. "It's locked. Lillian Briefs has locked her daughter and grandson out of the house."
Trunks frowned. "Are you sure, mom?" He reached for the doorknob, too, and it wouldn't turn for him either. "This is really weird."
"I've got an idea," Bulma said, pulling out her cellphone. She hit several numbers and waited patiently. "Hi, mom. What seems to be the problem with the front door? Is it out of order?"
"Just go home, you ungrateful little brat," he mother wailed in her ear.
Bulma pulled the phone away and stared it in disbelief before putting it back to her ear. "Mom, what are you taking about? Are you off your medication?" She joked.
"This isn't funny, Bulma! I know you didn't want to borrow the money from us in the first place because, god forbid, you'd have to actually spend time with us! Just go home!"
"Not until you tell me what's going on, because I think I'm missing some big, important detail here."
The front door swung open, and Lillian stormed out, hanging up the portable phone in her hand and tossing it back into the house. "I'll tell you what's wrong! I recieved a visitor last night by the name of Vegeta," she hissed, pulling an envelope out of her pocket and thrusting it toward Bulma. "And he gives me this!"
Bulma frowned as she opened it and pulled out a check made out to her father and signed by none other than Vegeta Ouji Jr. She let out the breath she'd been holding and put the check back. "I didn't know about this, mom. I'm sorry."
"He just drops in and hands us a check for fifty-thousand dollars, and you really expect me to believe that you know nothing about it?! I'm not a fool."
"Would I be here if I knew about this, mother?!" Bulma yelled back angrily, and Lillian shut her mouth, a hurt look crossing over her features. Bulma nodded. "I wouldn't. Now, I'm sorry about this whole mix up, and trust me when I say, Vegeta is going to be very sorry about it too!"
Lillian stepped inside and was about to shut the door, but Bulma held it open. "Aren't you going to invite us in for dinner since we're here?"
"Why? You don't want to be here," she shot back, slamming the door in her daughter's face.
"I told you it'd be a quick dinner," Trunks mumbled.
"Let's go. I have a stop to make."
Trunks chased after his mother as she walked toward their car. "Um, mom. I think it's best that you and dad not talk tonight, or for the rest of this century," he warned.
"Oh no. He asked for it," she growled.
----
"He's not here, B. I'm sorry," Arro said, hiding behind the half-open front door. "There was a huge dinner party at the Remmington's house, even Arthos is over there," he whispered. "Allowing me a little privacy with my date," he told them, dropping his voice lower and trying to make them leave.
Bulma let out a frustrated cry and walked back to her car. 'He's hiding from me,' she told herself. 'Vegeta knew I'd be pissed off, so now he's hiding. That's not very like you, Vegeta!' She opened her door and slid into the driver's seat. "He's not there."
"I didn't think he would be," Trunks said. He reached over and grabbed her hand. "Can we please just forget about this and get back home before Son's closes. I'm starving," he begged.
She nodded. "Yeah, let's go."
----
Tessa Remmington checked her reflection in the bathroom mirror one more time before she walked out to join the party once again. She was a woman on a mission, and her target was none other than the very wealthy, sucessful, and gorgeous man talking to her older brother. The same man that she had crushed on all those years ago in high school. All eyes were on her, as she gracefully walked over to stand next to her brother, Alyn. He looked over at her and smiled.
"Oh, forgive me," he told his old friend. "I'm sure you remember my sister Tessa, Vegeta?"
Vegeta thought for a moment. "Weren't you a year behind us in school?" He asked.
She laughed. "Oh god, yes, but please never mention Worthington again. I absolutely hated that place," she told him.
Vegeta chuckled. "We all hated it."
"But some of us managed to have some good, old fashion fun behind the scenes," Alyn stated, his cryptic response gaining another laugh from Vegeta.
"Yeah, we certainly did," he admitted, thinking about all the little pranks they had pulled in the youth. "The trick was not getting caught." He looked at Tessa for a moment. "Wait a second," he said, smirking. "You're the one that Arthos had the huge crush on." He looked around for his younger brother and spotted him talking to their mother. "Damn, he's busy."
Tessa followed his gaze and caught her breath. They were both so handsome! She remembered the scrawny little boy that use to follow her around between classes. He had been one grade beneath her. "Well, I'll have to catch up with him sometimes," she said. "So, tell me. What ever happened to that girl you used to go with? Bulma Briefs? She practicaly disappeared."
Vegeta frowned, taking a large gulp of his scotch. Alyn, who knew very well what had happened, stepped in. "They went their seperate ways. Didn't her parents send her off to bording school?"
"Um, yeah," Vegeta replied slowly. "Something like that."
Tessa decided to change topics. "It's hard for me to keep track of all that. I spent so long in Europe," she told him. "I've meant the most amazing people over there, mostly designers like Jelena Casa. Did you know she actually lived around here for a few years? I was stunned when she told me, but she didn't say where."
Vegeta nearly spit out his drink when he heard the name. Jelena Casa, former super model and top designer in the world. His real mother. He painfully swallowed the burning liquid in his mouth and placed his glass on the mantle. "Excuse me," he rasped.
When he was out of earshot, Alyn turned on his sister. "Stay away from him, Tessa. I know you think you've found a new victim, but he's not as gullible as your usual type."
She glared at him. "I'm a big girl now, bro. I don't need anyone telling me what to do," she told him.
"You just had to bring up Bulma Briefs, didn't you?"
"I was just curious."
"And stay away from Arthos, too," he ordered her. "I saw they way you were looking at him when Vegeta pointed him out. He doesn't need to be dragged into your stupid little games either."
"If I listened to you, I wouldn't have any fun," she retorted.
Alyn shook his head. "You're a disgrace, and they're two of my oldest friends. Stay away."
She watched her brother walk off in search of Vegeta, and she grinned, turning toward Arthos. She sized him up and her grin turned to a wicked smirk. He definitely wasn't that little boy that use to follow her around anymore.
----
Alright! A slight cliffhanger. ;) I know you all love them! (hides under her rock)
next time: Car shopping, for real! I promise. I mean to get to it this time, but I had more to write in the time between that last chapter and the car thing than I thought I would! Akira and Arthos' picnic will also be in the next chapter, possible another flashback or two. I can't wait!!! ;)
----
PANDORA ;)
----
Review, please!!! ;)
Shades of Crimson- Akira is going to be getting with Arthos, possibly. Don't worry! ;) Bulma does have a very legitimate reason for running away like she did, and I hate to do it, but everyone's gonna have to wait a few more chapters to find out! There will definitely be more flashbacks, there's one in this very chapter!!! :) yeah! I love writing them. It's great! Unfortunately, I didn't get to the car shopping, like I had planned. Next chapter definitely, which I have already written up and waiting to be posted mu hahaha. Thanks muchly for the reviews!!! ;)
PunkOnna- Hey! Thanks for the review, Ana! I'm really glad you're still enjoying this story! ;)
Videlchan313- Thank you thank you! Vegeta and Bulma will be fighting on and off for a while, but don't worry. I promise to make it all work out in the end! ;)
Yari1- Thank you!!! ;)
DBZ-fan-JESS- Hey, thanks a lot!!! Enjoy tha next chapter!!! ;)
Seruleyan-Wings- This, as you know, is dedicated to you because you lost your paragraphs when trying to review! I'm sooooo sorry!!! (hugs) yeah, I really feel bad for Vegeta in that chapter, too, but you'll come to understand later why Bulma left like she did. I can't give out her reason yet, but I think I might have done the same thing, had I been in her position, if that helps you sympathize a little more with her ;) I haven't decided on what kind of car Trunks is gonna get yet. I have too many favorites myself, so it makes it a hard decision! Vegeta's loaded!!! hahahaha Thanks again, girl, as always! ;)
----
I luv ya'll a bunch, truly. without you guys, I wouldn't be writing these stories! Thanks you so much! ;)
----
Chapter 7: Who is Jelena Casa?
June and Chichi stood around the counter in the kitchen happily chatting away. Bulma walked into the room and went straight for the coffee pot. Her two friends stopped laughing and glanced her way. They could tell that she was in a bad mood, she had been all week! Chichi grabbed a piece of chocolate cake from the overhead shelf and walked over to her.
"Here, B. This'll make you feel better," she offered.
Bulma sighed. "The only thing that's gonna make me feel better is if Vegeta goes far far away." She still took the cake, though.
"What about some happy news?" June asked.
"Like what, 18?"
The blond woman gave her a smug look. "I have a date tonight with a Mr. Krillin Taki," she announced.
"Oh my gosh! It worked?" Bulma asked excitedly. She'd told Yamcha the truth about her coming up to him and his two business associates last week, and he had promised to help set them up.
"It sure did, and now that your here," she started, getting serious. "I need the afternoon off."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"I have to go buy a new outfit for dinner."
Bulma rolled her eyes. "I'll check the schedule to see if you can leave."
"I already did. You'll be fine," she cut in.
"Fine, go ahead. I don't care."
Chichi frowned. "What time are you leaving today, B?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Friday night. Dinner at your parents," she reminded.
"Why'd you remind me?" She grumbled back, chugging a good portion of her coffee.
"Because you would have killed me if I hadn't."
The back door swung open, and Goku walked into the kitchen carrying an overflowing box of potatoes. "Where do you want these, Chi?"
The black haired chef froze immediately at the sight of her 'crush'. "Oh, um. I don't know."
Being in the bad mood that she was, Bulma groaned, "Will the two of you just go out already?!"
Her old boyfriend and her best friend blushed profusely and stared at her as she stormed out of the room.
----
Akira tossed her pen and notepad on the counter and rushed for the phone. "Hello?"
"Real cute stunt you pulled. I gotta hand it to you," the person on the other end stated.
She smiled, holding in her laughter. "You really know how to leave a girl hanging."
"I would have called you days ago had I been able to find your number," Arthos countered, sounding very annoyed.
"Why, whatever do you mean?"
"You shoved your number beneath the backseat of Vegeta's car. I had to practically tear it out!"
She laughed at this. "What can I say, I'm not easy."
She could hear him chuckle from his end. "What are you doing doing tomorrow?" He asked.
"I'm not sure, that depends on what this guy I just meant has planned for us."
"Well, since that guy is riding down with his brother tomorrow at noon, the universal time when a lot of people eat lunch, he figured he'd take you on a picnic."
Radditz walked out of the kitchen a saw his sister with a huge grin on her face and the phone pressed to her ear. "Who's on the phone?"
She shot him a dirt look. "Get lost, Radditz!"
"Who's Radditz?" Arthos suddenly demanded.
"One of my nosey, no good brothers. You don't strike me as the type of person who likes to make little sandwiches and all that other stuff that typically comes in a picnic basket."
"I have my ways."
"I'm suddenly afraid."
"See you tomorrow?"
She thought about it a moment. "Yeah. I'll see you then." She hung up the phone and turned to Radditz, who was grinning like an idiot. "What?!"
He leaned against the counter and sighed. "Nothing. Nothing at all, little sister. I think it's cute," he teased.
"I really hate you sometimes," she whispered. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a table to wait on."
----(flashback)
She really despised these dinner parties that her mother and father put on, but at least she had Vegeta and Arthos to keep her company. Well, she had Arthos. Bulma glanced around, trying to find Vegeta in the crowded room, but he was nowhere in sight. He'd disappeared right after dinner. She grabbed two glasses of wine from a waiter at he passed and walked over to Arthos.
"Hey, where's Vegeta?"
The younger boy frowned. "I don't know where he ran off to. He's been really pissy all day," he answered.
She sighed. "Just great. I'm gonna go find him."
"Good luck."
Bulma searched the entire first floor of the house before moving to the upstairs. Suddenly, she felt stupid for thinking he could be anywhere but in her room. The door was ajar, and she used her hip to bump it open enough to get inide. Vegeta turned his face toward the door. He was lying on her bed, twirling his undone bowtie around in the air. Bulma shut the door behind her and walked over to him.
"What's up with you tonight?" She sat down on the side of her bed and handed him a wineglass.
He grabbed it and gulped it down quickly. "She called me this afternoon."
A surprised look washed over her face. "Jelena?"
"Yes," he mumbled. "She says she's coming to New York, and she wants to see me."
Placing her glass onto the nightstand, Bulma said, "And you told her?" She gathered her dress up to her knees and laid down next to him. She was glad this was the type of material that didn't wrinkle. Her mother would kill her!
Vegeta continued to stare up at the ceiling, but he gratefully accepted her presence by pulling her close. "Father wants me to go. He think it'll be good for the both of us," he scoffed. "What's he know?"
"Your father is usually right about these things. I think you should go meet with her," she told him, kissing his cheek.
"Fine, I"ll go, but under one condition."
Bulma smiled and wrapped her arms around him tightly. "What?"
"You have to go with me. I-I'm not facing her alone," he whispered.
"Go to New York City to meet one of the biggest fashion designers in the world? Hmm, let me think," she trailed off.
Vegeta rolled his eyes and pulled her completely ontop of him. "Nevermind. We're not going."
She grinned. "Oh, yes we are!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
He smirked slowly, a playful glint in his eyes. "Since we're here alone."
Bulma raised an eyebrow. "Our parents are right down stairs, along with all their friends. I don't think-."
He cut her off quickly, leaning up to capture her lips with his own, while his hands wondered slowly over her body.
----(end flashback)
Trunks rang the doorbell and stood expectantly next to his mother. "It'll be quick." he assured her. "We'll eat, chat for a few minutes, and then we can leave. Simple."
"It's never simple, hunny, but thanks for trying." She patted him on the shoulder and smiled.
"So, when are you going to tell me what happened Monday night?"
"Um, never."
"Mom."
"Just leave it between me and your father, okay?"
He shook his head. "When are you two going to grow up?"
"I probably won't be home tomorrow when you get back from your little father, son outing," she said quickly. "I have a date with Yamcha."
"You guys just went out Wednesday night."
Bulma glared at the doorbell. "What is going on? It never takes her this long to answer the door. Maybe it's broken!" She reached for it again, pushing it several times.
"Mom, stop it. I want to know the truth. What happened?"
"It's Vegeta. What do you think happened? We got into a fight. End of story."
"Whatever, I'll just ask him. At least he tells me the truth."
Her insides turned to ice. What if Vegeta did tell Trunks the truth? That he wanted Trunks to come live with him. It felt like someone was trying to tear her in half. What if Trunks wanted to go live with him? She wouldn't be able to handle that. He was her little boy, her precious little boy that she had raised all by herself. They were like best friends! Sh didn't want to loose him to Vegeta, but! She sighed. Vegeta had been right. He deserved time with their son as well.
"Trunks, it's complicated."
He shrugged, feigning indifference- a trait he inherited from his father. "Yeah, whatever."
"He," she paused, unsure if she could say it without breaking down in front of him. "He wants you to move in with him, and I got upset, as any mother would be in my position. You're my baby, Trunks, and even though I know that he's entitled to time with you too, I still want you all to myself. This whole thing just got blown out of proportion. He sprung it on me, and I handled it badly, and what the hell is taking your grandmother so long?!"
Bulma pounded on the door this time, and the only response was the outside lights flicking off. She let out a groan and tried to turn the door handle, but it wouldn't budge. "It's locked. Lillian Briefs has locked her daughter and grandson out of the house."
Trunks frowned. "Are you sure, mom?" He reached for the doorknob, too, and it wouldn't turn for him either. "This is really weird."
"I've got an idea," Bulma said, pulling out her cellphone. She hit several numbers and waited patiently. "Hi, mom. What seems to be the problem with the front door? Is it out of order?"
"Just go home, you ungrateful little brat," he mother wailed in her ear.
Bulma pulled the phone away and stared it in disbelief before putting it back to her ear. "Mom, what are you taking about? Are you off your medication?" She joked.
"This isn't funny, Bulma! I know you didn't want to borrow the money from us in the first place because, god forbid, you'd have to actually spend time with us! Just go home!"
"Not until you tell me what's going on, because I think I'm missing some big, important detail here."
The front door swung open, and Lillian stormed out, hanging up the portable phone in her hand and tossing it back into the house. "I'll tell you what's wrong! I recieved a visitor last night by the name of Vegeta," she hissed, pulling an envelope out of her pocket and thrusting it toward Bulma. "And he gives me this!"
Bulma frowned as she opened it and pulled out a check made out to her father and signed by none other than Vegeta Ouji Jr. She let out the breath she'd been holding and put the check back. "I didn't know about this, mom. I'm sorry."
"He just drops in and hands us a check for fifty-thousand dollars, and you really expect me to believe that you know nothing about it?! I'm not a fool."
"Would I be here if I knew about this, mother?!" Bulma yelled back angrily, and Lillian shut her mouth, a hurt look crossing over her features. Bulma nodded. "I wouldn't. Now, I'm sorry about this whole mix up, and trust me when I say, Vegeta is going to be very sorry about it too!"
Lillian stepped inside and was about to shut the door, but Bulma held it open. "Aren't you going to invite us in for dinner since we're here?"
"Why? You don't want to be here," she shot back, slamming the door in her daughter's face.
"I told you it'd be a quick dinner," Trunks mumbled.
"Let's go. I have a stop to make."
Trunks chased after his mother as she walked toward their car. "Um, mom. I think it's best that you and dad not talk tonight, or for the rest of this century," he warned.
"Oh no. He asked for it," she growled.
----
"He's not here, B. I'm sorry," Arro said, hiding behind the half-open front door. "There was a huge dinner party at the Remmington's house, even Arthos is over there," he whispered. "Allowing me a little privacy with my date," he told them, dropping his voice lower and trying to make them leave.
Bulma let out a frustrated cry and walked back to her car. 'He's hiding from me,' she told herself. 'Vegeta knew I'd be pissed off, so now he's hiding. That's not very like you, Vegeta!' She opened her door and slid into the driver's seat. "He's not there."
"I didn't think he would be," Trunks said. He reached over and grabbed her hand. "Can we please just forget about this and get back home before Son's closes. I'm starving," he begged.
She nodded. "Yeah, let's go."
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Tessa Remmington checked her reflection in the bathroom mirror one more time before she walked out to join the party once again. She was a woman on a mission, and her target was none other than the very wealthy, sucessful, and gorgeous man talking to her older brother. The same man that she had crushed on all those years ago in high school. All eyes were on her, as she gracefully walked over to stand next to her brother, Alyn. He looked over at her and smiled.
"Oh, forgive me," he told his old friend. "I'm sure you remember my sister Tessa, Vegeta?"
Vegeta thought for a moment. "Weren't you a year behind us in school?" He asked.
She laughed. "Oh god, yes, but please never mention Worthington again. I absolutely hated that place," she told him.
Vegeta chuckled. "We all hated it."
"But some of us managed to have some good, old fashion fun behind the scenes," Alyn stated, his cryptic response gaining another laugh from Vegeta.
"Yeah, we certainly did," he admitted, thinking about all the little pranks they had pulled in the youth. "The trick was not getting caught." He looked at Tessa for a moment. "Wait a second," he said, smirking. "You're the one that Arthos had the huge crush on." He looked around for his younger brother and spotted him talking to their mother. "Damn, he's busy."
Tessa followed his gaze and caught her breath. They were both so handsome! She remembered the scrawny little boy that use to follow her around between classes. He had been one grade beneath her. "Well, I'll have to catch up with him sometimes," she said. "So, tell me. What ever happened to that girl you used to go with? Bulma Briefs? She practicaly disappeared."
Vegeta frowned, taking a large gulp of his scotch. Alyn, who knew very well what had happened, stepped in. "They went their seperate ways. Didn't her parents send her off to bording school?"
"Um, yeah," Vegeta replied slowly. "Something like that."
Tessa decided to change topics. "It's hard for me to keep track of all that. I spent so long in Europe," she told him. "I've meant the most amazing people over there, mostly designers like Jelena Casa. Did you know she actually lived around here for a few years? I was stunned when she told me, but she didn't say where."
Vegeta nearly spit out his drink when he heard the name. Jelena Casa, former super model and top designer in the world. His real mother. He painfully swallowed the burning liquid in his mouth and placed his glass on the mantle. "Excuse me," he rasped.
When he was out of earshot, Alyn turned on his sister. "Stay away from him, Tessa. I know you think you've found a new victim, but he's not as gullible as your usual type."
She glared at him. "I'm a big girl now, bro. I don't need anyone telling me what to do," she told him.
"You just had to bring up Bulma Briefs, didn't you?"
"I was just curious."
"And stay away from Arthos, too," he ordered her. "I saw they way you were looking at him when Vegeta pointed him out. He doesn't need to be dragged into your stupid little games either."
"If I listened to you, I wouldn't have any fun," she retorted.
Alyn shook his head. "You're a disgrace, and they're two of my oldest friends. Stay away."
She watched her brother walk off in search of Vegeta, and she grinned, turning toward Arthos. She sized him up and her grin turned to a wicked smirk. He definitely wasn't that little boy that use to follow her around anymore.
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Alright! A slight cliffhanger. ;) I know you all love them! (hides under her rock)
next time: Car shopping, for real! I promise. I mean to get to it this time, but I had more to write in the time between that last chapter and the car thing than I thought I would! Akira and Arthos' picnic will also be in the next chapter, possible another flashback or two. I can't wait!!! ;)
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PANDORA ;)
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Review, please!!! ;)