Videl: Warrior Princess: I've now heard from other people that Videl's mother died from cancer. Gomen nasai then. I didn't know. In the DBZ magazine it just said that she died when Videl was really young. Hopefully, she didn't die as corny as a death I wrote her. I feel bad about that. Maybe I'll one day rewrite all my fics and give her a better one. And, oh yeah, if you thought the last chapter was bad, you might not like this one. Who knows? I've written what I thought was absolute crap, and people loved it. Maybe I am too hard on myself. Oh well. Read on!
Chapter Three: One Down and The Other Going
The punch bag dropped to the ground quickly, yet sluggish in Videl's mind like petal falling from a flower. A flower like a rose from Mom's garden. Videl violently shook it out of her head, or at least tried to. Now it's been half a year, six months and yet she couldn't deal with it in public. She had been training like heck, trying to subside or destroy the pain, but it didn't work. Her birthday was two weeks ago; she was now four. "Another," Videl whispered hoarsely, practicing her punches, and Cook cleared her throat. "Give me another one please," she sighed, and Cook shook her head sadly. They would fight a lot in the past, but they were still close to being friends, and now, they were as closer than any other two people in the whole mansion.
Cook couldn't bear to see her take it like this. She was only a kid, and even though she could be rotten at times, she didn't deserve this. A child her age should be able to go out and play without a care in the world, not having to live with such a bitter blow as losing her mother and her father not giving a damn about her. It was still a shock to her though; she had looked after Diabla her whole life, and now she was gone. Now she was in charge of Videl, and she was determined to make sure that Videl would grow up into a wonderful woman, even though all that had happened to her when she was a little girl. The alarm on her watch went off and broke her out of her trance.
"Miss Videl, it's time for your English lesson," she calmly replied and handed Videl a towel to dry off her sweat. Videl moaned a bit but did as Cook said.
"Can't we just skip English today Cook?" she asked innocently, looking at her pleadingly. Cook began to laugh though and shook her head. She placed her hand on Videl's shoulder and walked with her to her lesson. "Cook, can we go play later?" she asked as they came to the study, and Cook gave her a warm smile.
"Sure we can Hun'. Now, run along. I'll be back when the lesson's over," she answered and left to do her other duties. Videl watched her walk off and kept staring at where she was for a few moments until her teacher called for her.
"Videl, come on," Ms. Jeorge commented. Slowly, Videl sat at her desk and opened her English book. "Now, we're going to learn the alphabet today."
"Man, was today's lesson every boring! I'm sure glad you came!" Videl exclaimed, spinning around in the hallway. Cook only laugh at Videl's jumping about.
"It wasn't that bad Miss Videl," Cook chuckled. "Anyway, what did you want to play today Miss Videl?" Videl stood there in thought for a moment.
"How about…umm…I uh…" Videl muttered undecided. "I know! How about checkers?!" Cook stifled back another laugh.
"That'll be just dandy," she answered, and Videl cheered. She led her to her room, and Videl grabbed the checker box out of the closet.
In the end, Cook let Videl win three, and Cook won four. Cook glanced at her watch, it was now seven o' clock. Time for dinner to be served. "It's time for supper Miss Videl," Cook calmly replied, and Videl regretfully left the happy surroundings to the dining room. The room was dimly lit with the only light coming from the candles on the table. Her father was no where to be seen; he must be in another meeting with his promoter Pizza. Videl hopped into a chair, and a maid came in with the first course. She looked up from her bowl of vegetable stew at Cook and took a deep breath, trying to prepare herself from the answer she knew might come.
"Cook, when's Daddy coming to dinner?" she asked timidly. To her surprise, Cook swore softly under her breath, and Cook tried her best to put a smile on her face and to keep her voice calm.
"He's at a meeting Hun'. He won't be back until tomorrow," she answered, and Videl gulped harshly, trying to keep back her tears. Daddy was always off on some meeting or another thing like that. He was never around for her, not even when Mom was alive. It was a fact of life that Videl had to deal with, but it wasn't an easy pill to swallow. Oh well, at least she had Cook with her.
"Hey Cook, why don't you eat with me?" Videl offered, not wanting to spend another dinner by herself. Cook smiled at her innocence and sat next to her.
"I'm not hungry dear, but how about I sit with you instead?" Cook asked, and Videl thought about it a second and agreed with the idea.
"Okay, sure!" she chimed and continued her dinner for the first time in a happy aura since her mom died.
They spent the next several days together like that. Together and happy, that's how they were. That is until that day…
Mr. Satan had called her to his office. Cook gulped as she placed her hand on the doorknob. Should she open it? No doubt this was bad, but what could it be? She hadn't done anything that was against her job description. With a deep breath to calm her nerves, and a quick prayer, she went in. "Mr. Satan, you call me sir?" she asked, closing the door behind her. He nodded and gestured her to come closer. "How are you faring today sir?" she asked again, only receiving silence.
"Cook, do you know why people respect those in power?" he asked in a cool voice, looking out the window, looking at the city with the sun setting in the background.
"Because men with power tend to create intimidation, and also they hold many people's jobs," she answered carefully. An tsk came from his mouth, and he took another sip of his wine.
"No," he responded, "that is not why." Cook swallowed hard, trying to figure out what he was thinking or doing.
"Then, why sir?" she asked, hoping her voice didn't sound as suspicious and dry as she felt.
"Because people in power are higher than other people, and they are jealous of that. And they are generally act the way the public want a leader or role model to behave," he replied in the same emotionless, cool, hard voice. "But as always, they cannot fully keep up with the people's expectation 24/7. So the people have secrets that are meant to be kept behind sealed rooms." Cook looked on in wonder at what he was trying to accomplish. "You know one of those secrets. One…of my secrets," he added in a colder tone. Her breathing, although silent, quicken due to her nerves. "I have a rep to protect, a daughter to provide and care for, and …I can't have you around to spill it."
"And are you actually caring for your daughter by never being there for her and by sleeping with your promoter?!!" Cook shrieked in anger. Mr. Satan gripped his glass so hard, it shattered under the pressure, spraying the wine everywhere. She smirked, enjoying the torture she was apparently giving him. "You don't know the definition of a father!! A true father would love his daughter and actually spend time with her!!" she continued, growing louder with each word.
Several servants cowered around the door, listening to Cook's speech and gasping with horror, for what he might do to Cook, and trying their best to stifle their laughs. Mr. Satan was finally getting what he deserved.
Mr. Satan spun around and stared at her in a mixture of emotions. His eyes showed madness and craziness as he took a step towards her. "You think that you know what my daughter needs?!" he demanded. He another step closer, but Cook remained firm and only held her head high.
"After practically raising her after her mother died, yes! I know that she is a wonderful child, much like her mother, and I know that what she needs the most is someone to stand by her and love her for what she is!!!" Cook screamed. Mr. Satan's hand swiped his end table, knocking everything on it off.
"You know nothing about Videl!!" he roared, and a feeling crept over Cook that she had never felt before.
"At least I know a hell lot more than you do!!" That was the final straw. He picked her up by the collar of her shirt and screamed a mountain of curses upon her. Cook struggled away from his grip and sat on the ground, gasping for air. She stood up, her face reading blank, not sadness of anger or fear. A moment of silence passed between them and none of them spoke, at least Cook didn't.
"Cook, I hereby fire you. I want you to take your things and leave now," he ordered, and she nodded.
"Just let me say goodbye to Videl, and I'll be out of your hair forever," she replied and turned for the door, but he stopped her.
"No, you will leave now," he sharply commanded, and Cook looked at him puzzled. "I already took the liberty of having a couple of servants to gather your things for you and to leave them at the door. You will take them and be gone." Cook shook her head slowly.
"No, I can't…I can't cause that kind of pain to Videl…she'll never understand! Let me say goodbye to her!" Cook cried, but Mr. Satan shook his head. "I will say goodbye to her!" she cried louder. He turned around and stared at her with his eyebrow cocked and an evil smirk on his face.
"Security!" he called, and two men wearing black suits walked in.
"Yes sir?" the one to the right, who was black, asked. Mr. Satan gestured to Cook.
"Take this woman outside and make sure you give her her things," he answered with a sneer.
"Understood sir. Ma'm, I'm afraid you are to come with us," the other security guard, who was white, replied. Cook stood there dumbfounded, unsure of what to do. The black security guard took her, gently yet forcefully, and led her out the door, and there awaited her a taxicab.