Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ! But this story is inspired by Charismatic Beauty
Chapter 18
"Duh, I was sixteen of course I looked young." Laura said and took the picture from Trunks before frowning. It was an old High School picture of her when she was still overweight. It was taken the day before her graduation and as she stared at the photo, only one question ran through her mind.
"Trunks, did my appearance bother you?"
"No, you're appearance never bothered me" Trunks said and both of them knew that it was a lie. To be honest he was exactly pleased with her appearance at freshmen orientation but he didn't want to hurt her feelings by reminding her what a jerk he was.
Shaking his head from the thoughts. He was getting irritated from yet another guilt trip she put him on. "Do you want to have lunch or not?" Trunks asked and Laura noticed that she had angered the make.
"I'm sorry"
Trunks' facial expression softened and he smiled at her. "It's alright, let's go" He said and and Laura nodded. She put the photo back on top of the fire place, grabbed her things, exited the house and locked it.
The drive towards the restaurant was silent and an awkward atmosphere surrounded them. Laura didn't know what was going on with her at all. At first she would get angry at Trunks when her past was mention and this time she felt guilty for putting the guilt on him once again.
"Sorry, I lost my cool back there" Trunks suddenly said and Laura's eyes briefly widened. She frowned slightly and shook her head at the male. Why was he apologizing when she was the one that started it?
"It's okay, it was my fault"
At the restaurant...
Laura and Trunks entered the restaurant and Laura was slightly surprised at the fanciness of the place. She didn't expect Trunks to bring her to a place such as this and felt that she was underdressed but it was supposed to be only lunch.
A waiter showed them to their table before giving them their menu and took their order. Laura ordered something simple and not too expensive as well as Trunks. She looked around at the restaurant and the silence that lingered around them started to bother Trunks.
"So, Laura, how's your work going?" Trunks broke the silence and Laura smiled slightly. She was glad that he broke it because she was starting to suffocate under the silence. The car drive was already too much for her.
"Good, we have a lot more clients than usual. A lot of people are making appointments the last week so we've been thrown under the work. What about you? I heard that you started working at Capsule Corp this week," Laura said and Trunks nodded.
"Yeah, but as the new CEO of Capsule Corp things are hectic. Everywhere I go, there is paperwork that I need to fill in and sign and I have many appointments. Though I think some of them are really stupid" Trunks said and Laura laughed lightly.
Just like that, they started to converse more freely and the awkward silence finally vanished into thin air. Time flew as they conversed and ate their lunch. Before they knew it, it was time for Laura to return to work.
They climbed into the car and Trunks drove Laura back to her job. This time the silence wasn't that bad and Laura found that it was slightly comfortable. Trunks finally arrived and just as Laura was about to get out of the car Trunks spoke up.
"Hey, do you want to have dinner with me, Laura?" Trunks asked and Laura briefly froze before she climbed out of the car. Dinner sounded too soon and too fast for her. She felt slightly uncomfortable with the idea.
"That's kind of serious, don't you think? I mean it would make us look like a couple and well..." She was starting to get nervous and swallowed thickly. She was barely able to go out to Lunch with Trunks and now he wants to go out with dinner?
"Okay, how about the four of us, Goten and Sara with us, have dinner?" Trunks suggested and hoped that Laura would agree but she didn't. It didn't sound much better than his previous suggestion and it had the same idea behind it.
"Well it would seem like a double date then"
"No it wouldn't. We're just four friends having dinner. I don't see the harm in that" Trunks disagreed. He didn't understand what the problem was. They were only going for dinner and it was with Goten and Sara.
"Can't you think of something a little more casual than dinner?" Laura asked, still not comfortable with the idea and Trunks frowned. She was getting so nervous about the idea and he didn't want her to freak out about the dinner idea.
Trunks let out a sigh. "Alright, what about a movie then?" Trunks suggested once again and this time Laura smiled. She seemed to like that idea much more than the other two and nodded in agreement to the suggestion.
"Hmm, well, we would have to check everyone's schedules but I'm sure Sara wouldn't mind considering how crazy she's about Goten" Laura pointed out and Trunks raised an eyebrow while frowning.
"What about me?
"Um, I'll call you later, okay? I've gotta go" And with that, Laura closed the car door and quickly walked up to the building, Trunks groaned and leaned back into his seat as he watched Laura walk off. Why does she do that?
Deciding not to stay there any longer, Trunks drove to the coffee shop. He needed something strong to drink before he headed back to Capsule Corp. He didn't have time for work with his busy mind and didn't have the energy either.
Sara caught glance of Trunks as he pulled into the driveway and watched as he stepped inside the coffee shop. He waved at her and gave her his usual order. She saw his troubled facial expression and raised an eyebrow.
"How was your lunch with laura?"
"It was fine but Laura's still kind of guarded. When I dropped her off at work, I asked her if she would like to have dinner with me and she immediately avoided it. It's like she's avoiding to do anything serious with me" Trunks said and Sara gave him a sympathetic smile.
"I know Laura is a little challenging but she has a pretty painful past and I'm not just talking about you but you know what Trunks?" Sara asked and Trunks raised an eyebrow. "I think deep down, she really does like you. She's just suppressing it out of fear. Fear of being rejected again.
"I'm not going to reject her again. What would I have to gain from doing that?" Trunks asked and Sara blinked in surprise. "If I really wanted something, I would've already gotten in and kicked her to the curb but I didn't. I'm doing my best to be patient"
"Just don't pressure her so much. After all, she was willing enough to talk with you and have lunch with you. That's a good start and I did tell her to cut you some slack. I can see what a genuine guy you are and I can tell that you really like her" Sara said and Trunks smiled at her statement.
At least someone had his back.
"You know, I was even a little jealous of the attention that Laura was getting. For a minute Laura even thought that I was in love with you" Sara said while laughing and Trunks' eyes widened at her words.
"WHAT?!
"But I'm not in love with you. It's just, even in High School I felt that I was missing something. I was very eager growing up despite the fact that I had a relatively normal upbringing. I was the average girl in High School with average looks and average grades" Sara said and Trunks' face softened.
"I've always dreamed of finding the man of my dreams and marrying him before living happily ever after. Laura though I sounded like a schoolgirl. In many ways I am still a schoolgirl" Sara said and laughed slightly.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, Goten really likes you" Trunks pointed out with a smile and Sara smiled back at him. To be honest, she already knew that he liked her but she liked him a lot as well.
"I know, I like him too. He's so funny and energetic"
"Yeah, Goten was always funny and energetic in school. All our classmates loved him. I was the cool one and he was the funny one. The two of us were quite a combination" Trunks said as he was reminded of the old days.
"In addition, I think you'll be good for Goten. He needs to mellow down a little and so do I" Trunks added and Sara laughed at his statement. They sounded like quite the pair in High School and she kind of wishes she could've seen them.
"I agree" She said while winking at him and Trunks frowned playfully at the female. He knew that she was only teasing him but still, he wasn't all that bad was he? He didn't think so but why would she?
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. But seriously though, ChiChi and Goku would love you. ChiChi's a little overbearing at times but she has a strong soft side and she's really into the whole picture-perfect-cookie-cutter-family-lifestyle." Trunks said and she laughed.
"She's into happy endings. You would have a lot in common with her" Trunks said and paled slightly when he noticed the look on Sara's face. Her eyes were wide and somehow sparkled with a wide smile on her lips.
"Oh Wow! Though, as much as I want to marry and have children, I think it's too soon for me and Goten to take that step. I want to get to know him a little more. I'm surprised my parents aren't pushing me to marry yet" Sara said while getting his coffee and Trunks chuckled.
"I know and it's weird too but Moms are pushing us to marry, settle down and bring them grandbabies" Trunks said and Sara almost let his coffee fell when she suddenly squealed with a wide smile.
"Oh! I love babies!" Sara exclaimed and clapped her hands together. Trunks paled slightly at her behavior but found it more amusing. He took his coffee and just as he wanted to say something, her Boss walked in.
"Hey, Sara! Get back to work! We're still on the clock!"
They both sweat dropped and Sara let out a heavy sigh. "Sorry, Trunks. I'll talk to you later and take it easy, okay?" Sara said and Trunks nodded. Sara started to go back to work and Trunks paid for his coffee.
"Bye, Sara! See ya!"
At Capsule Corp...
Trunks returned from the coffee shop already twenty minutes ago and was currently sitting in his office. He was busy with typing on the computer and filled out paper documents at the same time. He had a lot of work.
He didn't even notice Bulma who was leaning against the doorway of his office and she smirked. "Well, how was lunch with Laura?" Bulma asked. Trunks was so surprised that he jumped in his seat and Bulma chuckled.
Trunks wasn't even paying attention to the door nor did he see his mother at the door until she spoke up. He was so wrapped up in his work. "Oh, Hi, Mom. It was fine...well it was so-so" He said with a chuckle.
"Is Laura still acting, you know...?"
Trunks watched as his mother stepped into his office and shook his head. "Yeah, but I'm being patient. I did ask her if she wanted to have dinner with-""Oooh!" AT the mere mention of 'dinner; Bulma squealed and called her hands.
"Dinner? That's so exciting! That's a really a big step but is Laura ready for that?" Bulma asked as she swallowed her own excitement and saw Trunks' small frown. He shook his head once again and put down his pen.
"Apparently not. She thought that it would make us look like a couple so in the end, we both opted for a movie with Goten and Sara" Trunks explained and Bulma smiled. She was glad that Laura still agreed to go out.
"Oh well, that's fine too. But it would be a very special night when she finally takes up your offer" Bulma said and winked at Trunks who blushed. "But, just don't get too carried away young man! You treat her like a lady!" Bulma teased and Trunks blushed even deeply while being highly offended.
"Mom! You know I would never make her do that! I respect Laura too much!" Trunks exclaimed and tried to get rid of the embarrassment. Bulma laughed at her son while Trunks' brow twitched in annoyance.
"I know, relax" Bulma said as she kissed him on his cheek before she walked out of his office. Trunks grumbled and whipped his cheek like he did when he was a kid. Why are all woman always like this? Trunks thought before going back to work.
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