High Rollers
Chapter 2: Her name is Bulma…
I wanted to make this just a DBZ story but I found that I can't do so for now this story or these five chapters will be for DBZ.
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z or any of its characters. Thanks
"What is your name sweetness?"
"B-Bu-Bulma" She swallowed.
It was at this moment Vegeta was hooked.
"Bulma" He rolled her name over his tongue as if savoring a fine wine. His hand tightened to her hip, fingers applying just enough pressure to make his presence known. It sent a current of desire through her in a way no man had ever done before. She should have felt shocked that he had this effect on her but couldn't muster up the guilt for some reason.
"Blow for me" He said in a sinfully thick accent. Irish? She wondered. Her eyes dropped to the clear dice lying on the blue ape stenciled on the felt. Not Irish. Scottish. She wanted to ponder this more but a portly man interrupted.
"Hey lady! Blow on the damn dice already! Let's go!" Yajirobe said as he waited impatiently for the roll that could change his life. He was ready to leave Korin's home, hopefully find a woman who would love him the list went on.
If looks could kill he would have been dead at that moment because Vegeta looked at him with the biggest scowl on his face. Affectively shutting him up. Bulma realized what was expected of her at that moment and leaned forward to blow over the dice cradled in his hand.
"I'm Vegeta by the way" He spoke again and she looked back into his eyes. He leaned into her, holding her hip, which she didn't mind. His closeness pressed a wall of masculinity into her. He winked at her then let the dice fly.
The box man waited until they rolled to a stop. "Winner Six! Pass line bets wins!"
Several people around them cheered while others groaned. She looked back at Vegeta. His face was so close she could feel the sharp smell of his cigar on his breath. "Did you win?"
"It appears so. Can I have a little more?" He said, his mouth close to hers. "Luck that is"
"Sure, it's fun" Bulma leaned away. She enjoyed the game immensely. She also enjoyed the way he hovered, though she pretended not to notice. It was just flirting. Besides, she was just learning something. This could be a good way to turn things for her and Yamcha. What could be the harm?
"Work that magic for me one more time." His hand went down her hip then drew respectfully away. In a bold move he placed the dice in her hand. Shocked that she would be throwing the dice Bulma swallowed the lump in her throat. She shook off the nervous flutters that sent tremors through her hands and then smiled up at him. Was he a tycoon that dropped gold coins wherever he went? Could a little more encouragement prove lucrative? He had touched her. It was the brush of his hand but a woman knew when a man wanted more.
A part of her felt guilty, almost enough to give him the dice back. Regardless Yamcha would be pissed if he saw any of this. Bulma withered as a sobering pang of guilt stabbed at her heart further. Not just for allowing this, but also for secretly liking it.
"Give me room, please." Said Bulma. Vegeta stepped back with his hands raised. Bulma exhaled. Finally, she could process a thought.
"Coming out! Bet those hard ways. How about C and E? Hot roll comin', play the field." The stickman might as well have been speaking another language. Bulma watched the bets stack up in an assortment of colorful chips. She realized that there was a science to the strange chant. She looked over at her handsome benefactor. He stared on, unconcerned about his fortune in her hands. That to her was sexy. She shook the dice in her cupped hands. She hoped she didn't blow it. Bulma let the dice roll….
Yamcha pushed through the crowd at the men's room. It was worse than game day at the stadium. He figured all the free drinks kept the never ending line growing. He checked his wrist watch. He couldn't believe how late it was. Time seemed to stand still in a casino.
Yamcha hadn't said anything to Bulma but he stashed and extra two hundred dollars that he borrowed from his cousin for emergencies. That meant they could stay in the thirty dollars a night roach motel a little longer while he searched for a job. He might even treat her to a buffet.
A man in the restroom said the seafood buffet at the Rio was good. He continued his stroll. His girl was right. His sweet Bulma always was. They needed cash. It was his responsibility to find it for them. She deserved the best. Walking through the slots Yamcha scanned the faces glued to the machines. She wasn't going to last that long on seventy dollars, so he figured she was probably hanging around the bar.
The sounds of laughter and cheers perked in his ears. A large crowd had formed around a game table. It left the other tables barren in comparison. Yamcha ignored the players. Whoever the lucky sap was, his winnings wouldn't do shit for him. He headed to the bar instead. Empty. Confused, he wished they had more than one cell phone. Bulma's phone had been left behind because it was on her parents' plan.
She felt that she would be convinced by her grandmother to come back home. Sometimes Bulma's thinking confounded him especially since she was so smart sometimes her decisions benefited neither of them. Because they needed the fucking phone now. Yamcha circled the casino floor. He soon found himself drawn to the game table once more, just to take a peek at what the excitement was about. But getting a look over the shoulders of on lookers and side betters proved not worth it.
Until he heard: "I did it! I did it!"
"Lady wins, lucky number six" Announced the stickman.
Yamcha knew that voice in his sleep. He forcibly pushed aside the men to get in. He found his Bulma jumping up and down. His eyes dropped to the stack of chips pushed over toward her.
"What the hell is going on here?" He snapped.
"Yamcha!" Bulma gasped. She turned and handed of dice to a sharply dressed man behind her. His coal eyes meet with his and he automatically disliked the man.
"Baby you should have seen me. I won. Well he won, but I did it for him!" She pointed to the man whose stare never wavered.
"What's up, man?" Yamcha said.
"Bulma. She's as pretty as she is lucky."
Yamcha put his arm around Bulma's shoulder. He felt pride at the way she hugged him back. Her arm eased around his waist firmly. The stupid grin on her face didn't fade. The man reached in the pile of chips, then handed Bulma a yellow one.
"You earned it." Vegeta said tossing the chip to her.
The table thinned. Apparently the game was over. The floor man retrieved other winnings for his boss. Bulma accepted the coin and turned it over.
"Oh my, a thousand dollars!" She gasped then smiled.
Yamcha frowned. "We can't take that."
"You can" He looked directly at Bulma. "Maybe our paths will cross again someday"
Bulma put the chip in front of his eyes to break the glare that Yamcha shared with the man. Even if he couldn't deny the appeal of a thousand-dollar coin. When he looked up again the stranger was gone.
"A thousand dollars. Babe, do you see this? Oh My God! We did it! We have a thousand dollars!" She squealed, then hugged his neck tightly.
"You did it"
Bulma grabbed his hand. She pulled him away from the table. They went to cashier booth. Bulma was so excited, she bounced on her heels. The woman counted out ten crisp hundred dollar bills. She took the cash, turned, and waived the money like a fan.
"Bulma, jeez!" Yamcha snatched the bills and shoved them in his front pocket." You don't want to let everyone know you won. It's dangerous."
"Oh, okay. Sorry Babe." She gushed.
Yamcha smiled. "I didn't think you'd do it. I really didn't. But you did! And you know what?"
"What?"
"We can get married here! Let's do it before we get to Portland. I'll buy you the prettiest dress." Bulma leapt into his arms in front of the cashier booth, kissing his face and nearly knocking his cap from his head.
"I love you so much! I do."
"I love you too Bulma."
"Pardon me?"
Bulma and Yamcha froze. There stood a casino worker in a green sports coat with the hotel's blue ape insignia on his lapel. The man waited be acknowledged.
"What is it?" Yamcha asked alarmed.
"Mr. Ouji would like to invite you both to dinner at the Charming Saiyan restaurant upstairs. As a personal guest."
"Mr. Ouji? Who is that?" Yamcha asked.
Bulma held his hand. She stared on blankly. "Somebody important, I suppose."
The casino manager looked at both the patrons in disbelief. "Mr. Ouji is the owner of the Sayian Tower, sir. Now please right this way.
Yamcha looked to Bulma. "Owner? You met the owner?"
"No I didn't. I was just playing the— "She looked back at the table and thought of beautiful coal eyes. Mr. Obsidian Eyes. She mentally giggled at that thought. She remembered the name the stick man used. "Oh, wow. He was the owner?"
"Who, the man at the table, shitting thousand dollar coins?"
"Yamcha!" She said, hitting his arm.
"Tell him we decline."
"No!" Bulma glared at him. "I want to go. It's the least we could do."
The casino manager eyes went to Yamcha, who frowned at Bulma. She poked her lip out in a pout. If he didn't give in, she'd give him hell later. And he didn't need hell from her, heck he craved her. He calmed himself. Maybe he could rush through this with dinner and get her in bed probably in the next hour.
"Screw it. Let's get this over with so we can get the hell out of here."
"Oh thank you, baby." Bulma kissed his cheek.
The casino manager smirked. "Right this way, Sir. Miss?"
Bulma. Bulma. Bulma. Her name was on his mind for a while now. So much so that he had to invite them to dinner. He arrived, after speaking with his sister. He stepped off his private elevator and strolled through his restaurant, rolling the golden coin over his fingers. Vegeta was a betting man and he knew that they would show up to thank him. Well she would and he would be proud. Now after that he would have to play it all by ear.
The restaurant manager tripped over himself to land at his side. The man fixed his suit and adjusted his tie. "Sir we've seated your guests. Please follow me."
Vegeta's hand went up silencing him. "I see them" He said. He flipped back his jacket to bury his left hand in his pant pocket, as he worked the coin between his fingers with his right. He should have said he saw her, because his closed the distance between them and her beauty radiated like a lighthouse beacon.
She laughed a little as she sipped her wine, then smiled at something the young man next to her whispered in her ear. In his mind, he could hear the soft chuckle that escaped those sexy lips of hers. Several seconds passed by and his eyes never left her. His constant boredom was starting to break. And when it did it made him and the Ouji men very, very bad boys.
The manager and the other diners faded. Vegeta walked through the restaurant, focused on the flower he planned to pluck. Twirling the coin, his black eyes sharpened and held her in sight.
"Shit, it's him." Mumbled Yamcha.
"Him who?" Bulma said returning the glass to the table. She looked out into the restaurant. It was him. He moved and others stepped aside. She had never been captivated by another. Yamcha could have kicked her numerous times under the table and she would not have looked at him. Her focus was solely on Vegeta Ouji. And his focus was solely on her.
Vegeta demanded things any woman lucky enough to be snared within that captivating stare. She felt weak in his presence and she had to respond somehow. He brought with him an air of authority. There was something else he brought to the table. It sparkled, a coin? It did the trick and broke the spell.
Bulma slowly looked at the that secretly held an invisible thread of attraction, the one she'd felt secretly from the moment he lifted his eyes over to her at the dice game. She had almost forgot about Yamcha! She prayed that he did see Vegeta Ouji's effect on her, and her stomach soured to find that he did.
"He probably wants to say hi." Bulma said releasing a nervous chuckle. Vegeta stopped before them and she lowered her gaze. She suddenly felt hot and shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"Welcome to the Sayian Tower." Their benefactor said.
"Thanks" Bulma answered first. Then she realized her mistake because her voice came out hurried and girlish in pitch. Yamcha looked at her and she rolled her eyes, wanting to smack herself. She needed to get it together, she knew that she would not be this flustered with any other man.
"So this is your hotel?" Yamcha said breaking Bulma out of her trance. He drew the stranger back to him, the spell for her was broken. Yamcha looked at her for a moment he forced Bulma to move closer to him.
"I'm Vegeta Ouji."
"Hi!" Bulma said. She dropped her hand under the table to calm Yamcha's temper. He didn't like the way the man kept at her, he just didn't like it. What was worse was that he could feel her staring at him like they had some sort of connection.
"I'm Yamcha. You met my fiancée, Bulma."
"That I did, Vegeta smirked, she has an eye for the dice."
"She sure does, and I have an eye on her." Yamcha said. He dropped his arm heavily around her shoulders. Bulma was so embarrassed she tried her best not to tell him to let up. It seemed that Vegeta didn't seem pressed to explain himself further or for the reason for the invite. One of the bus boys cleared the table while another one filled their glasses with the second bottle of very expensive wine.
"So you're the owner huh?" Yamcha almost growled. "You like giving away money. You got some sort of complex or something?"
"Yamcha" Bulma whispered cringing at his words. She was sure Vegeta heard him too, his gaze went from her to him and hardened.
"Not quite, I own several casinos on the strip. Every once and a while I like to join in on the fun." His eyes returned to hers and softened. "Looking for entertainment."
Bulma could not believe it he was visibly flirting in front of Yamcha. And how old was he, he looked young but not that young. About his late twenties, no his early thirties. If anything he was definitely older than both her and Yamcha's twenty-three years. But she had to deescalate the current situation before Yamcha embarrassed her.
"Thanks again for everything" Bulma said forcing a smile. "We really appreciate it."
"Are you staying here?" He asked her.
"Here?" Yamcha snorted. "No. A little too ritzy for my us. We got a place downtown, here"
"Right downtown" Vegeta smirked.
A cold look appeared on Yamcha's face. Bulma felt the sting too. Downtown Vegas was the area in town where the seedy hotels were and you neared East City. One part of the city was great to live in the other half was a hell hole. It spoke volumes what kind of trip this was for them. Vegeta's gaze moved into the restaurant. Bulma's eyes followed his line of sight.
She caught the exchange between him and the manager with just a simple nod. Her guy was unusually quiet. Bulma knew by experience that this was a bad sign. Maybe it was best for all her to stop this flirting or whatever this was. She wanted to focus on her upcoming wedding with Yamcha. The manager made his way over.
"Yes sir, Mr. Ouji?" Zarbon said as he approached the table.
"Mr.?" Vegeta cut Yamcha an expectant look for an answer.
"Amari." Yamcha grounded out.
"Mr. Amari and his fiancée will be staying at the Sayian Tower. Make sure they are accommodated with a suite, as my guests."
"That's so generous." Bulma gasped.
"Hey! We can't accept this offer man, we pay our own way, he tapped Bulma softly, Let's go Bulma we will not accept the offer."
"Of course not." Vegeta's deep voice stopped them. "I really haven't made an offer…yet." His hand rested on the table. That word stopped them in their tracks, the word yet stuck in their mind. Bulma looked at the coin in Vegeta's hands. When he spoke again his thick Scottish accent was prominent it was sexy. But his words got to her then. Part of her wanted to know what he wanted to do next, the other part of her wanted hear what he wanted. The coin in his hands flipped through his fingers before it he stopped it.
"Yamcha, tell me, what would you do with five million dollars?" He asked.
"F-Five million dollars?" Yamcha leveled his eyes at Vegeta frowning.
Vegeta eye-brow raised. "Yes. Five million dollars."
If Bulma were to be honest five million dollars for them was a lot of money. Bulma released a breath she didn't know she held. Yamcha looked her way and she put her head down slightly. Yamcha on the other hand felt that the man in front of him was bluffing with them. Had to be.
"I never thought about five million dollars." He answered.
"Yamcha, that's a lie. We talk about this you'd open up a sports bar and I— "
"What is your game man?" Yamcha questioned.
"Take a look around you, gambling. Made a fortune off of it." Vegeta's gaze lifted to Yamcha's, and a dark smile filled his face.
"I've seen a few people walk out of here millionaires. I've seen some people coming in as millionaires then walk out almost broke. For our purpose let's say I'm curious." He said leaning forward in his chair lacing his fingers together. "The game I play Mr. Amari is chance. I feel so generous that I will give you a chance. So I ask again, what would you do with five million dollars?"
"We would do what other people do, I guess. Make our lives better. Get married and stuff. Bulma has the convention coming up that could help us out money wise."
That caught Vegeta's interest and he looked at the sexy woman behind the brooding man-child. If memory served him correctly that convention was one, his sister and her husband were forced to go to in Seattle, Northwest City every year. As his sister told him it was imperative that she went especially now since her father-in-law passed this year and he was the chairman of the event previously. Vegeta wanted to know why the woman wanted to be a part of that convention, what did she have that could set her apart.
"…Right but you two are on your way to doing that regardless of money—correct?" Vegeta pointed at the ring on Bulma's finger. She lowered her gaze behind Yamcha. Yamcha felt a tinge of anger over the action.
"Yes we are, thanks to the thousand dollars I won today." She said. "Thanks to you."
"Sure. Thanks. Now let's go, Bulma." Yamcha gave her a nudge.
Bulma threw her hands up." Yamcha, please just look at this place. Let's stay for the night. I want to stay. It's obvious that he is giving us a chance to play more even win more."
Yamcha saw that look Bulma gave him, the one what she didn't want to stay in a roach infested motel. But what was he supposed to do, his pride was gone. This slick, older man had given Bulma what she wanted twice. Why? He looked back to Vegeta Ouji and his eyes, like those of a hawk they just stayed on Bulma. The manager from before returned during the silent stand-off between both men and placed a platinum keycard in front of them.
Bulma ran her hands over beautiful card.
"May I suggest Mr. Amari, that you call it?" He said opening his hand with his golden coin. "You stay here at the Saiyan Tower. If it falls the other way, then you and the lovely lady can take your leave. Your choice. That and a little chance." He said smiling, which scared Bulma a little bit.
She tried to get Yamcha's attention but his male pride seemed to be in play as she felt him pull away from her and called out, "Heads and we stay here tails and we get to go downtown like I originally planned."
"Yamcha, please no don't do this!" Bulma said but the coin had already flipped in the air and was on the back of hand. "Well then what is it, are we staying here or not?"
Vegeta lifted his other hand off of the coin, and his Bulma's eyes bulged out of out of her socket at the results. So much so that he had to look himself.
"It seems that you are staying here for the night" He said smirking at the couple. He saw Bulma grab the platinum card quickly and her little boyfriend glare at her. The boy looked over at him to attempt to check the results again but he removed it by rolling it between his fingers.
Yamcha looked over at Bulma with disappointment in his heart. Was his girl that into the asshole sitting in front of them. Did money mean that much to her that she wanted him.
"Care for another wager Mr. Amari?"
Bulma sat in her seat with a hand over her chest for a moment. She still tried to still her beating heart as she looked down at her plate. She could kick Yamcha's ass for his little testosterone kicks right now. This entire situation wasn't about him and one of his friends at home he could jerk around with. The man in front of them was well different. She had barely heard the previous question before Yamcha responded.
"What, you got more coins in your pockets?"
Vegeta's eyes gleamed in amusement.
"So how much did you win tonight? Bulma asked. It was time to end the pissing contest before she was back in the rat infested motel because of Yamcha. "I just kept rolling the dice and you kept winning, but I couldn't tell."
"Well I couldn't tell you either since I gave all of my winnings back to the hotel" He smirked at her. He squinted a little so that he could see lovely prize in front of him.
Her eyes froze on his lips when he spoke. Looking up at him now gave him her attention and despite her resolve to ignore the attraction. An unresolved tinge of desire tickled her below with the way each syllable formed over his lips and he just winked at her.
"All a game for you, huh, man?" Yamcha said throwing cool water over the flames over her heart.
"Like I said, it's business" he studied Bulma thoughtfully. "The next wager I want is all about pleasure" The huskiness lingered in his voice.
"Huh? Pleasure? What kind of pleasure?" Yamcha asked.
"You two like to gamble, I take it." Vegeta said cutting Bulma a sharp look.
"Well I do because it's what life is a gamble. But Yamcha here gets bored with gambling quickly." She answered.
Yamcha shrugged. "Just don't like the odds. And let's be honest here, if you were to really give out that kind of money you advertise about all the time you'd go bankrupt. If I want to gamble, the chips should be stacked in my favor."
"So you'd gamble if it is in your favor?" Vegeta asked. "But my question here is what do you really have to lose, Yamcha?"
"I get it. You want to spot us some money to gamble with? What is this a publicity stunt or something?" Yamcha asked.
Vegeta sat back to take a good look at the man who was blocking his pleasure. Bulma saw the humor in his eyes and was starting to get annoyed by it. She looked back at Yamcha again and could tell he was being toyed with and maybe her was toying with her also. It suddenly placed a damper on how she felt about him. She knew that this wasn't about a publicity stunt, this man was making this personal but why? She would soon get her answer.
"Money, the kind that can give you the American dream. Think about it. What's it worth to you? Please enjoy you stay at the Saiyan Tower. We'll meet again." Vegeta eased out of the booth, shooting Bulma one last parting glance before he strolled away.
"What the hell was that" Yamcha snapped.
"I dunno"
"What is wrong with you?" Yamcha asked. He stared hard at her. She picked up her glass sure he could see right through her and her pathetic attempt to hide her lust for the man who just left their table.
"Nothing. Let's just go, get our things from the motel and check in."
"This is heavy for a hotel key." He mumbled. He rubbed the shiny finish with the thumb. "What do you think he meant by pleasure?" He said attempting to gauge her reaction to the slick man.
Keeping her eyes downcast she answered, "I dunno, Yamcha. Come on, let's go."
He looked at her once more. Bulma sighed and forced a sweet smile. "He was being a jerk but screw him. We have each other, plus a thousand dollars. We have more than we thought we would. Now let's celebrate." She said looking at him suggestively.
To this Yamcha smiled softening to an agreeable state. He drank his wine and nodded "Let's go to our new room."
"What are you doing here Launch." Vegeta said glaring at the woman he saved when he bought her from her pimp and enemy Tien Shinhan. His greatest reward was getting her from a huge bet he won flawlessly. "You are to only come to me when summoned"
"And you haven't summoned me for weeks." Launch noted as she strutted through his dark suite, following him to his bar. "I had Honey let me in. What's going on? I haven't heard from you, Vegeta. Have I done something wrong to you."
Vegeta lifted the top off of the decanter and poured some brandy. Launch's hand landed on his back gently, then she moved it when he scowled at her. He looked up at her since she was four inches taller than him. For a few months he had his share of her screwing her brainless. And she still had no idea who he was really. It was just what his dick wanted. That and possibly it was his fault that he gave so little of himself, lately though he was getting tired of getting his member waxed by his faithful girl.
"Aren't you due on stage?"
"In another hour. I have time to spend with you baby." She said flicking her hair back.
Vegeta sipped his drink, then nodded and walked off. Launch sighed behind him. When he sank into his leather chair, he could hear the click of her heels coming towards him.
"Ok Vegeta, I'm just going to say it."
"Please do." He said swirling his brandy.
"It's been over a year since we met. I know you sleep with other women but you and I? Well it's obvious we still have something special."
His eyebrows rose "Is it, really."
"Yes, it is." She said crossing her arms over the rack he bought her for her birthday. "I want a commitment. Something real between us, I deserve it. I mean besides if I am your main lady then why am I shaking my ass on stage for strangers."
Vegeta smirked. He brought the glass to his lips. He let the smooth burn hit his throat and chest. "Launch, you haven't been a lady since you turned your first trick."
"You asshole! I told you that in confidence. If I'm a whore, you-"
"If?"
"Why do you do that? You and I know I'm the only woman willing to put up with your moody, arrogant, non-committal ass."
Vegeta shrugged. She had a valid point. But he still didn't care. She was who she was and it is what it is.
"Leave, Launch."
Launch of course refused to leave right away. Vegeta struggled with his temper. "Leave before I give you a good tossing on that champagne ass of yours."
"You continue to treat me like shit, Vegeta, and expect me to stroke your ego. I'm not your fucking wife!" Launch lowered down to him, she touched his wrist. "But if you are nice I will let you do whatever you want to me baby. You know stop acting like you don't care because I know it's an act."
"When I want to see you, I'll call you," He said. "That's always been the deal." Launch sighed. She turned to leave but stopped herself. When she saw him lift his head she kneeled placing her lips over his. Vegeta's head was forced back as he tongue darted in and out of her mouth. Vegeta possessed it for a moment, then his mouth went lax against hers. She sighed again, stroked his cheek and drew back.
"Why don't you let me come back after my set? Let me take care of you?"
"He stared into her eyes, a hard passionless stare that made her roll her eyes. "Fine call me when you want me Vegeta." She turned on her heels and switched away, picking up her purse as she reached the door.
Vegeta set his brandy glass aside. After a quick check of the time, his eyes were on the phone. He pushed up from his chair and crossed the room.
"Mr. Ouji, sir. How can I help you?"
"Our guests in 405. Did they check in?"
"Yes sir. An hour ago."
"Under what name?"
"Amari, Yamcha Amari."
Vegeta dropped his hand in his pocket. "I want a hotel account set up for Mr. Amari."
"The balance, sir?"
"Five million."
"Yes sir."
"Send for Nappa."
"Sir he's left for the day."
"Have him here in a half-an-hour." Vegeta ended the call. He strode over and picked up his brandy glass. Now he had something to look forward to.
"I was born for this," Bulma said as she slipped into the bubbling warm water of her bath. With her lap top near her, free Wi-Fi in use, she worked on her current invention while the scented bath beads, fizzed and foamed around her.
As she worked in her project for the convention for a few minutes she decided to pick up the remote and surfed channels, stopping on videos. She worked on her calculations while listening to the TV. Bulma couldn't wait to reach out to Chi-Chi and finally tell her friend everything.
She missed her so much but from e-mail she received this evening she was here in Vegas. Bulma just needed to find her. She didn't want to tell Yamcha before since they hated each other but she wanted to stay here to see if she could find her best friend. Like her, Chi-Chi was tired of the country, mountain life so she ran away from her father, alone.
She wanted to find her best friend. Soaking and relaxing, she felt a pang of guilt. She shouldn't have been so hard on Yamcha. Although he was a selfish prick over all. He was her selfish prick and if they were going to get married Yamcha she would have to get his ways under control. Who knows he may even be supportive when she tells him about finding Chi-Chi.
"Yamcha? Yamcha! Babe come here! Come join me! They have the sports channels you like!"
Nothing.
Bulma sighed. She sat up in the waters, splashing pink bath suds over the side of the tub. Did he hear her? He was sleep. She rolled her eyes and knew the deal. She reclined back against the tub the glanced at a leather folder. She picked it up flipping through the menu.
She was starving and the wine she had waiting for Yamcha was not enough. The things on the menu meant that they didn't have to leave the room, ever to be satisfied. She nearly creamed herself when she got to the last page. There was an in-room massage, manicure, pedicure and hair styling. Life didn't get any better than this. She was happy that she could taste a little piece of heaven before selling her projects. Then the phone rang. It was built into the wall. Bulma set the menu aside, curious. She brought the receiver to her ear.
"Yes, hello?" She relaxed back, letting the cool jest massage her.
"Bulma?"
"Mr. Ouji?"
"I hope I'm not calling you too late."
"Oh no. it's ok…I was taking…I mean it's okay. The room you have us in is nice. Thank you."
"I'm pleased you like it, Bulma."
"Yes, we both do," she said. She lifted in the tub to look at the door. Yamcha could walk through the door and that was all she needed tonight. "Why are you calling?"
"I was hoping you and your fiancé could join me again. There's something we need to discuss."
"I don't understand." She felt the screams of panic in the back of her throat. What if he pulled the plug? Demanded they pay? Yamcha said it was too good to be true. Damnit she should have never gotten her hopes up.
"I have an offer that you might find interesting. We can meet in the casino bar."
"Well, I can ask Yamcha? But does it have to be tonight? I mean we just got settled in, and— "
"You're getting married tomorrow?"
"Huh? How did you know that?"
"Your fiancé asked the concierge to make the arrangements. I apologize. Did I spoil the surprise?"
Bulma sunk back into the water. Yamcha was going to surprise her. And here she was thinking that she had to do all of the planning. That was like him to go and do the unbelievably sweet thing and act like a total frat boy all in the same day.
"Bulma?"
"Sorry, no. It's okay. You didn't spoil it."
"Good. Will you join me?"
"Why didn't you tell us at dinner? She questioned because anything that was important should have been said there."
"I think you're more receptive to it now that you've seen that I deliver on my word."
She swallowed. There's something mysterious in the inflection of his voice and the personal way he spoke to her. Again, warning bells went off in her head. This will surely be another thing that would piss Yamcha off.
"Ok, I'll get Yamcha."
"Meet me in thirty minutes?"
"Sure. Bye." She hung up. Bulma stepped out of the tub. Her feet landed on the lambskin bath rug, she grabbed the thick terrycloth robe with the embroidered ape. Wet and nervous, she tiptoed into the suite.
"Yamcha?" She whispered, approaching the bed. Yamcha had climbed under the covers. His mouth gaped in an open snore. She walked over to shake him and wake him. Something stopped her. Remembering how angry he was when he first met Mr. Ouji, she held back. If there was a game to win more money, Yamcha might blow it with jealously. She figured it was best that she meet with the man and hear the deal. She could soften Yamcha up for later. Quickly Bulma dashed to her suitcase and dragged it silently to the bathroom. She needed to hurry. The bubble of excitement had her stomping on clouds.
Bulma knew she shouldn't looking like this. As she groomed her hair into a ponytail, the bath left it limp and frizzy. She placed a little lip gloss on her lips and liner on her eyes to give her natural beauty more of a boost. She chose a sundress with a peasant-girl bodice with a thin sleeve that rested on her shoulder. The dark purple the dress dropped sweetly off her hips and swirled around her knees when she walked.
She used a cotton-silk that she ordered from a fabric store online. It had cost a fortune, even on sale but it felt good on her skin. Rich. She's been saving it for a special occasion. Yamcha knew it. Yet she chose to wear it to meet a stranger who was waiting in a bar, behind his back. Again she was pushing it. Bulma squared her shoulders and continued on.
Thank God Yamcha hadn't awaken.
From his snoring pattern he would be out for the night. She was sure of it. When he slept, the world could be ending and he wouldn't even know it. Bulma strolled through casino alone. The familiar dings and bonks from the machine and the colorful light display of flashing slots weren't as nerve grating as they had been earlier. Hell, things couldn't be any better. A top notch suite, a thousand dollars to head to Portland with and a surprise wedding tomorrow, plus the promise of a little something extra got her juices flowing.
"Miss?" A hotel employee walked up to her. Shocked she stopped. "Yes?"
"Mr. Ouji asked that I escort you. This way, please."
"But how did he know that I was here?"
The man turned on his heel stalking off. Bulma followed. Her gaze went up to the globes in the ceiling. Was he watching her on the security cameras? The feeling of being under surveillance unnerved her. She didn't like it. They crossed the casino to the bar where she and Yamcha had been just hours before, Bulma didn't see Vegeta Ouji.
The employee veered to the right and hurried her steps. There was more to the bar than she originally believed. Private booths. The one in the far corner had a hand resting on it and a gold coin moving gracefully between long fingers. The pungent burn of a cigar floated toward her as the smoke blew out in a misty swirl.
Bulma smoothed her dress, her dress sitting up at the front. She held a breath and stepped forward. And there he was. His eyes were half open. He drew on the cigar and gazed at her under dark lashes. The escort nodded and withdrew. Vegeta gestured for her to join him, extinguishing his cigar. She sat across from him and smiled.
"Yamcha is asleep. I figured I'd hear your offer and tell him."
Chapter 2: Complete
Thanks for all of the current support. Chapter 3 should be out soon.