Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ! But this story is inspired by Charismatic Beauty


Chapter 30

Days later...

The world was certainly a small place. Trunks realized that as he walked through the park for some fresh air and managed to bump into an old school friend. His name was Riku and Trunks couldn't remember the last time he saw the male.

"Hey, Trunks! Long time no see! What have you been up to these days?" Riku asked as the two males shook hands. They grinned at each other and went to sit down at one of the wooden benches near them.

"Well, I've been busy with Capsule Corp since my Mother made me the CEO and I'm also seeing someone" Trunks said and this sparked the guy's interest. Trunks could practically see curiosity within the male's eyes.

"Who are you seeing? Are you seeing Cindy or some other girl?"

Trunks shook his head at his friend's question. "No, I'm not seeing Cindy. We broke up and you should know that." Trunks said and a frown came onto his lips. Riku must've known that they were history.

"Yeah, but you always break up and get back together" Riku pointed out as he was reminded of the times they broke up and got back together. Trunks resisted from getting frustrated and nodded. He knew that he and Cindy used to get back a lot after their breakups but this time it was final.

"Well, this time it's over. For good."

"Whatever... So who are you seeing then?" Riku asked, his interest shifted from Trunks' previous girlfriend to the mysterious girl he was seeing. He wondered what kind of model or hot babe he got this time. He was a lucky guy.

"I'm seeing Laura Smith." Trunks said proudly and Riku's eyes widened. "We're good friend but we're not a couple yet" He added and Riku was baffled by this. Trunks was dating that girl?! He must've been joking!

"I know what you're thinking. Laura's not overweight anymore and she's really beautiful, kind and an intelligent woman. She's a successful pediatrician and she loves kids." Trunks pointed out but it didn't ease Riku's shock.

"Yeah, but still... What made you suddenly see Laura Smith in a different light? Did you run into each other?" Riku asked and struggled to get his head wrapped around the news. This was something unexpected from Trunks' side.

"Well, yes we did. I ran into her at the beginning of the summer and was just hanging out with Goten at the Coffee shop when I saw this really pretty redhead. To be honest that was the reason why I suddenly took notice in her" Trunks explained.

"But, after spending time with her and getting to know her on a deeper level, I finally understand her now. She's so amazing" Trunks finished and he had a smile plastered onto his lips. Riku's doubts vanished and he took smiled at Trunks.

"Well, that's really something. I'm glad that you found a woman that stole your interest and who also has amazing qualities. You really sound like you're in love with her despite just being friends" Riku pointed out and Trunks snickered.

"You can say that"

"Does she love you back?" Riku asked while raising an eyebrow. They were just in the friend status but he loved her? Riku expected Trunks to have made a move but it didn't seem like he did. Usually he was fast to get things on the roll.

"Well, not exactly. She's scared to take that step, with me of all people. She was hard to crack at first. I had to literally stalk her to get her to talk to me. Gosh! She even thought I wanted sex" Trunks said with a laugh.

"Well, isn't that what it's all about man? Finding a girl was never hard for you, but damn. She's playing hard to get with you Trunks" Riku pointed out. This was definitely a first. A girl was playing hard to get with Trunks Brief.

"For once, I'm not looking for sex, and besides I respect her too much for that. We've come a long way and we still have a long way to go too" Trunks stated and Riku nodded. He wasn't sure if he understood exactly but he had an idea.

"So, do you see yourself marrying Laura? You know Bulma is going to expect you to marry, and have a heir to Capsule Corp. Goten's mom is the same way, more or less" Riku said. He was still getting used to the idea of his friend, Trunks with one of the most unpopular girls in school.

"Hopefully, things will progress that well. If our relationship even makes it that far then, yes, I would most likely ask Laura to marry me. Yes, ChiChi wants Goten to marry too. Goten's in a relationship with a lovely young lady named, Sara" Trunks said.

Riku was shocked to hear that Goten also had a girlfriend. "Dude, Goten has a girlfriend?! You guys are holding out on me! Why can't you tell your friends that you've got girlfriends?" Riku asked and Trunks shrugged.

"Well, we've been busy working"


Meanwhile...

Laura decided to visit her parents for the day since her mother asked her the other day to come and show her face a bit. It's been quite a long time since she's seen them and she's been busy with work as well as new friendships.

Laura entered her parents' house and the first thing that caught her eyes was her mother making lemonade. She sat down with her mother, each with a glass of lemonade in their hands and started to catch up a bit, on what they've missed in each other's lives.

Her mother's completion was almost identical to Laura's. She had her fiery red hair and her rusty brown eyes that made both of them unique. She wasn't as pale as Laura but she had a light skin that didn't contrast too much with her daughter.

"Mother, I need to tell you something" Laura said as her mother turned to pour in another glass of lemonade for her daughter. Sharon grabbed the glass, handed it over towards Laura and went to sit down next to her.

"What is it, dear?" She sweetly asked.

"Well, I'm kind of seeing someone right now...but in a friendly way!" Laura added the last part and strained. She wondered how her mother would react seeing her together with Trunks Briefs. The very boy who broke her heart in High School.

"Kind of seeing someone? Is he a young man?" Sharon asked curiously and Laura nodded in reply. "Do I know him?" She asked again and received a mere nod. She was starting to get a bit frustrated because she wanted to know who he is.

"Well, who is it, Laura?"!

"Trunks Briefs" Laura finally replied and Sharon went silent. She wasn't sure if she had heard Laura correctly and recalled her words again. Laura bit her bottom lip as she watched her mother's reaction.

"The Trunks Vegeta Briefs? The very boy who broke your heart in front of all your classmates in High School?" Sharon asked in confusion as well as disbelief. She didn't expect Laura to ever see or talk to him after what he did to her.

"Yes, Mother"

"I don't know, Laura. Why would you even talk to him after all that... I mean..." Sharon couldn't understand what her daughter was thinking. She was completely broken after what he did to her and now she was seeing him. Even if it was in a friendly way...

"Because, he's different now"

"Look, Sweetheart. I just don't want to see you get hurt again. That was just too devastating at that age and time. Boys can be so... DO you even know what his motives or intentions are?" Sharon asked skeptically.

"Mother..."

Laura groaned at her mother's question but Sharon shook her head. "Honey, listen for a second" Sharon gently took her daughter's face in her hand. "You were beautiful then and you're beautiful now. If Trunks could not see that then, why waste your time on him now?"

"Because he's changed, Mother" Laura defended the male once again. "He's kind, sweet, funny and very genuine. To be honest, I never thought that I could like him again but I managed to develop trust and respect for him. I feel comfortable around him"

"Just be careful, Laura, and don't give him too much of yourself. Physically and Emotionally. Once you give a man all of yourself, you'll be all drained when he leaves you" Sharon warned her daughter in much concern.

"I'm not giving myself to him, not like that. I'm not ready for that step yet" Laura said with a small laugh that seemed to break the tension. Sharon smiled and felt a little better about the current situation.

"Well, that's good"

Laura blinked in surprise at her mother's statement and raised an eyebrow. A small smirk came onto her lips and she nudged her mother softly. "So, you don't want grandchildren?" Laura asked and Sharon laughed.

"Well, I would like to hear the pitter patter of little feet running around this place again. I miss having a baby around" Sharon fondly stated as she recalled Laura's birth so many years ago... "Good times..." She murmured softly and Laura blushed in embarrassment.

"Mother, that was a long time ago"

"Well, you are my only child and I envy you. You get to spend time working with children" Sharon pointed out and Laura gave her a reassuring smile. She gave her mother a small kiss on her cheek as her father, John, came in from cutting fire wood.

"Don't worry, Mom"


Tuesday Morning...

Trunks sighed as he relaxed her sore shoulders from all the stacks of paperwork that he had to read and sign. It was only Tuesday and the workload was already this much. He stretched a bit and heard the phone ring before he picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Trunks. I'm sorry for bothering you but I want to ask you something. Can you come and meet my parents? I met yours so I want you to meet mine as well" Laura's voice came over the phone and Trunks raised an eyebrow.

"Are your parents okay with that?"

"Well, I told my mother about us seeing each other and she wasn't too excited or happy. She was even worried and cautious. I mean, she knows about that day and the crush I had on you" Laura said and Trunks frowned slightly.

"Oh wow, I'm really sorry... So, you told her about that day in the cafeteria?" Trunks asked and felt slightly offended. Why does he get the feeling that this is another guilt trip? Hasn't he had enough of those?

"Well, she's my mother and I confided in her"

Laura's confession didn't make him feel any better. "So, does she not want me to see you or what? Because I don't want to stop spending time with you, Laura. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get your mother's approval" Trunks said and Laura smiled on the other side of the phone.

"Trunks... That's very nice of you but I doubt it. She's not trying to stop us though. She just warned me to be careful, that's all" Laura said and felt a blush want to creep onto her cheeks. He was prepared to go that far for her?

"Be careful? Why would she say that?" Trunks asked in confusion and received silence as an answer."Well, I guess I can't blame her or you for that matter" Trunks felt terrible. His past actions against Laura definitely have consequences and he was still dealing with them to this day.

"So... Are you like, mad now?" Laura asked cautiously over the phone. She couldn't see his face and didn't know how he was reacting to all of this. She hoped that she didn't anger him because it wasn't her intention.

"No, I'm not mad" Trunks said and sighed heavily into the phone while running his fingers through his hair. "So, when would it be a good time to meet your folks?" Trunks asked, trying to change the subject.

"Is Saturday at noon alright with you?"

That was faster that Trunks had expected but he decided it was better that way. "Sure, Saturday is fine" Trunks said. "Oh, can you do something for me?" Trunks asked as he was reminded of something.

"What is it?"

"Can you meet some of my old friends? A few days ago, I ran into my old High School friend and he asked how I was doing. I told him that I was busy with Capsule Corp... and you" Trunks added the last part.

"So you want me to meet your friends?" Laura asked in an uncertain tone. She was feeling a little uncomfortable by this because they were probably as shallow as Trunks was. She could only imagine how they would react to meet her.

"Yeah, they'll love you just like I do!"

"What if they don't? What if they can't look past what I was...? What if...?" She trailed off and swallowed thickly. She didn't want to say it. The mere thought of it was already disturbing enough for her.

"Hopefully, they will have matured since High School. Laura, you have to give people a chance. You're beautiful, smart, kind and you help people. You are a very successful pediatrician who helps children. Give people a chance to see that. Who you are is all that really matters to me" He said.

"Oh, Trunks" Laura murmured and she was flustered once again. She don't know why but he always had a way of doing that to her. She swallowed thickly and wondered what his old friends would think of her.

"That's what I really love about you. I told my friend Riku that"

"What else did you tell him?" Laura asked as she raised an eyebrow in her own curiosity. She hoped that he didn't tell him anything bad. She also wondered what else Trunks could tell the male except the compliments he always use to give her.

"I told him that Goten and Sara are in a relationship but that's all you need to know" Trunks said and winked despite her not being able to see him. "So, how about it? Let's both face our fears" He encouraged and Laura bit her bottom lip.

"Alright, so when?"

"Riku's having a party. So how about Saturday evening at 6 pm?" Trunks asked and Laura pondered on the thought. Maybe Trunks' friends changed just as he has. Trunks was right, she needed to give people the chance to get to know the real her.

"Sure, I'll be there"


A few hours later...

It was finally lunch break for Laura and she decided to go to the Coffee Shop to buy a drink. She wanted to relax a bit before returning to work. She smiled at Sara as she entered the shop and they greeted each other.

"How are things going with you and Trunks?"

"Good, I guess. Trunks is going to meet my parents this weekend and then he wants me to meet some of his old friends from High School. His friend Riku is having a party on Saturday Night so we're all going" Laura said.

"That's great!" Sara exclaimed in excitement but noticed how nervous Laura was about the idea. "Hey, everything's going to be fine. Trunks won't ask you if he didn't think it was going to turn out bad" She pointed out.

"I know but still..."

"Hey, if you're worried about what they think of them then you have to think again. Trunks accepted you just as you are so they'll do the same! He changed and so can they" Sara encouraged and Laura smiled at her best friend.

"You're right. Thanks, Sara"


Later that night...

Trunks decided to go by at his parent's home after work before he went back to his own home. He was sure that his mother would want to know that he was meeting Laura's parents the weekend and of the party.

"What did you want to tell me?" Bulma asked as she finished up in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in hand. She was quite tired after the work from today but she was glad that Trunks wanted to make a turn before he headed home.

"Well, I'm going to meet Laura's parents on Saturday and I came here to tell you since I know you'd want to know" Trunks said and Bulma's eyes widened. She smiled widely and gave her son an unexpected hug.

"That's great, Trunks! I'm so glad that she arranged that. It's only fair though that you meet them since she met us" Bulma pointed out and noticed that Trunks was slightly uneasy about the thought. She put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a warm smile.

"Hey, don't worry. Everything is going well for you too. See this as another step in the right direction for you two" Bulma said and Trunks had to admit that he felt slightly better. He smiled at her and nodded.

"Yeah, thanks, Mom. I really needed to hear that"

Bulma nodded and gave Trunks a small squeeze on his shoulder. "Just know, you can come to me anytime for some advice, okay?" Bulma said and Trunks nodded. He knew that he could depend on his mother for support.

"Thanks, Mom. I'll see you again! Good Night!" Trunks said and gave his mother a goodbye before he decided to go back home. He still had work the next day and he didn't want to be tired. He arrived at his home a few minutes later and let out a sigh as he fell onto his bed.

"I can do this" He encouraged himself and smirked. He was going to do his absolute best to get Laura's parents approval and he was going to make sure that Laura was going to enjoy the party. He knew he could if he tried hard enough.


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