'Face to Face'
Chapter Eleven: Something More
'And I'd give up forever to touch you,
because I know that you'd feel me somehow.
You're closest to heaven I'll ever be,
And I don't want to go home right now.
And I don't want the world to see me,
'cause I don't think that they'd understand.
When everything's made to be broken,
I just want you to know who I am.'
Goo Goo Dolls: Iris
Bulma stared in her wardrobe despondently. Despite the fact it was walk-in, huge and filled to the brim with clothes, she couldn't find a thing to wear. Or, more importantly, she couldn't find the perfect dress to wear.
She sighed and slammed the door, stalking over and plopping herself down at her dresser. I've got to wear something amazing…something breath-taking…something that is going to blow Vegeta's mind. She pulled a face and decided there was nothing more to it- she'd have to go shopping. Her mouth bloomed into a smile, Shopping is always something to be happy about.
Bulma reached her favourite designer store and smiled, her whole body relaxing as the staff rushed over to her with a glass of champagne, a tray of chocolate truffles and mouthfuls of compliments. She beamed as they ushered her into a seat and started preparing a large dressing room for her, and she popped a truffle in her mouth as she waited for her personal assistant. Ezme appeared no more than a minute later.
"Oh Bulma! You look wonderful! Your hair!" Ezme rushed over and hugged her tightly, leaning back to admire Bulma's hairstyle. "Gosh it is amazing!"
Bulma beamed, "Zuuo is a genius!" She sipped at her champagne as Ezme perched on the seat next to her.
"So, what can I do for you today? Got a hot date? Or is there another travelling wardrobe you need doing?" Ezme tossed her black hair over her shoulder and grinned.
Bulma smiled, "I need a dress for a ball. Not just any old dress, it's got to be perfect!"
Ezme grinned knowingly, "Someone to impress?"
Bulma sipped at her champagne, "Maybe," she said coyly, "Speaking of which, how are things with your lovely boyfriend?"
Ezme grinned wider still, "Oh, its brilliant Bulma! He's just booked us a holiday! It's a surprise location and everything!" She paused as one of the assistants scampered over with a booklet of the store's clothes and passed it to Bulma. "He's so romantic." She added dreamily.
"It sounds it!" Bulma said, feeling a little envious, before flipping the book open and scanning through it. She was almost at the back of it, having found nothing she liked and nodding a long to Ezme's boyfriend talk, when she spotted it: The perfect dress.
"Oh!" she said aloud, eyes widening as she scanned it meticulously. Ezme stopped talking and peered over her shoulder.
"Oh yeah, that's wonderful." She whispered, and Bulma nodded, so she motioned the assistants over to get the dress. She stood up and led Bulma into the changing room, and then clapped her hands to shoo everyone out when the dress arrived. She gazed at it with reverence before passing it to Bulma, "Here you go."
Bulma grinned and shut the door, peeling her clothes off hastily and stripping to her underwear, staring at the dress in wonderment. It was gorgeous. Hopefully it will be on me too! She glanced over it quickly again and realised she'd need to take off her bra, so she did that quickly before gently picking up the dress and putting it on.
Moments later, the dress was on and Bulma- not looking in the mirror yet- opened the door to Ezme, "I need tying up please!"
Ezme obliged immediately, tying the thin straps around Bulma's neck prettily and waiting as she turned around. "Oh wow." She said gently as she took in the blue-haired beauty's appearance.
Bulma smiled and stepped into line with the mirror, immediately grinning at what she saw. The dress is perfect, breathtaking and mind-blowing!
"This is it Ezme!" she turned around excitedly and Ezme nodded frantically.
"You look so amazing Bulma," she grinned, "and you know what- I think I have the perfect shoes and accessories for that!"
Bulma beamed excitedly and glanced back into the mirror again. Oh you are going to be eating your heart out Vegeta. And I can't wait.
Vegeta got ready slowly and grumpily, scowling as he struggled to tie the thin black tie into a smart knot. After another few minutes of fumbling, he finally got it looking presentable and he scanned himself in the mirror. Mrs Briefs had gotten him the same sort of suit he had worn a few weeks back at the dinner, but it was even more finely cut and slick. Vegeta rolled his eyes, I wonder how much that lunatic woman spent on this suit. His mind wandered involuntarily to Bulma and her own outrageous spending habits. No doubt she's spent an absurd amount on another pointless piece of material. He briefly wondered what she'd be wearing, before his mind flashed up images of her slinky black dress at the dinner, her tiny red bikini and her scruffy but fitted tank top and shorts lab uniform. He couldn't deny the fact that she looked gorgeous in anything she wore. And probably even more gorgeous in nothing, he thought, desire coiling in his stomach.
Bulma smiled politely at the Professor her father was introducing before glancing around him towards the door once more. Still no sign of Vegeta…maybe he isn't coming? Heck, he better do! I didn't get this dressed up to be perved over by some of Dad's old colleagues! She glanced around the room to see if he had snuck in and burrowed himself away in a dark corner- as was customary for him in social events- and instead found herself the subject of many admiring and lecherous gazes. She narrowed her eyes and tossed her head, smiling another polite greeting as the next scientist sidled up to her and her father.
Bulma spent the next half hour doing much the same thing, looking for Vegeta, politely acknowledging the top Capsule Corp associates and getting annoyed at the sheer audacity of the staring men. Honestly, I know I look good but have they no shame?! Eugh! She tried not to think about the fact that she wouldn't be complaining if a certain Saiyan Prince was doing the staring.
She snatched a glass of champagne off a passing waiter and glanced up as she downed half of it in one go, immediately catching sight of a pair of onyx eyes locked on her. She blinked and the eyes were gone, but knowing it was Vegeta, she rushed over, pushing past and ignoring any Capsule Corp employees who tried to speak to her in her hurry. She found the corner she thought she had seen him in and sighed when she found it empty. Oh Bulma, have you lost it? Did you just imagine that? She sighed again and downed the rest of the glass, sliding it onto a table next to her and almost jumping out of her skin when a low voice tickled her ear.
"Shouldn't you be entertaining your guests?"
Bulma spun around and found herself face to face with Vegeta, who was lurking further along in the shadows of the corner, his face only slightly illuminated by the moonlight filtering through the dining hall's frosty glass ceiling.
She couldn't contain the grin that spread across her face at the sight of him and her heart seemed to skip a beat as she noticed the smirk playing across his lips. "Well, what would you like me to do to entertain you Vegeta? You are a guest after all." she winked and sauntered over closer to him, sashaying her hips and making sure the moonlight hit a spotlight on her.
Vegeta's eyes widened as he took in her full appearance. She looked…like a goddess. A queen. She was wearing a satiny navy dress, which fell against her like a wave of shimmering silk. It was held up with little straps tied around her neck, and skimmed against her curves seductively.
Bulma grinned triumphantly. She turned to the side slightly, watching his eyes widen still before she pulled out her killer card and turned around completely, peering coyly over her shoulder and watching as Vegeta blushed at the sight of her bare back and wiggling bottom. "What do you think?"
Vegeta gaped. That dress…it's…he couldn't even manage coherent thought as his eyes trailed down her bare back, lingering desperately on where it finally covered her up again at the base of her spine. He took her in hungrily and when she let out a giggle and spun around again he glanced up and felt a wave of confusion, desire and embarrassment flood him as she leant up against him and planted a chaste but soft kiss on his cheek, squeezing his shoulder and brushing her chest deliberately up against his as she did so.
"You look great too Vegeta." Bulma, pride, elation and desire filling her, winked cheekily and swept away.
Vegeta gaped after her, completely flabbergasted. It took him a few minutes to regain his senses. That woman is such a minx, an enigma… he watched intently as she cheerfully chattered with some old men whom he presumed were colleagues or of the like, and couldn't help but growl with a sense of irritation as she completely ignored him. So she thinks she can play with a Saiyan Prince? Ha, you've got another thing coming woman…I will pick you to pieces soon, and you stand no chance.
Bulma laughed loudly as the young Professor spun her around the dance floor, watching him shimmy awkwardly to the beat of the relatively pop-like song. She sent him an encouraging grin and he beamed back at her proudly, and she laughed again, twirling one last time as the song ended. She clapped loudly and let out a few cheers, before thanking the man and sidling off the dance floor, her eyes seeking out the dark gaze she had been catching all night. She had hoped that how fabulous she looked alone would be enough to make him do something, but other than the brief moment earlier and his intense stare; he had yet to do anything.
Bulma sighed and tossed her head impatiently. Honestly, I have to do everything with this man. She took two glasses of champagne off a nearby waiter and strode over to him, where he was still hidden in the shadows; although more people had noticed him and some had even tried to approach him. Of course, his rude and abrupt behaviour had caused quite a stir, and there were whispers around the ball about who exactly the Brief's mysterious guest was.
Vegeta watched Bulma come towards him and rolled his eyes when she reached him with a wide smile and holding out a glass of champagne.
"Don't you want to dance?" Bulma asked, putting down the refused drink. She had to bite her lip to refrain from laughing outright at the look on his face.
"Don't be absurd." Vegeta scowled back at her.
Bulma kept her face impassive, but inside was laughing her head off. "Oh don't worry Vegeta, I won't tell anyone."
"Tell anyone what? What are you talking about?" he demanded, half-cross and half-confused. He hadn't been listening to her properly; his entire attention was fixed on her scintillating dress and her alluring scent.
"That you can't dance." Bulma said, mock-innocently, looking at him with such an expression of guiltlessness that he actually had to double-take before he realised she was teasing him again.
"Nice try, but you can't bait me into dancing with you, no matter how pathetic your other options are." He raised an eyebrow smugly and crossed his arms over his chest.
Bulma burst out laughing and Vegeta felt a confusing swell of pride at the sound of it, knowing it was because of him. She grinned at him and opened her mouth to speak, but her father's voice suddenly boomed over the quietening music.
"Hello everyone, and welcome to the annual Capsule Corporation Ball! I am very happy and proud to name each and every one of you as a colleague, friend or inspiration and I'm delighted you all made it here again!" He gave a little bow as everyone clapped. Bulma cheered loudly and Vegeta rolled his eyes beside her. She's always so loud and lively.
"Thank you, thank you. Now, I would like you all to give an equally warm welcome to my lovely daughter and the brilliant Vice President of Capsule Corporation- Bulma Briefs!" Her father waved his hand around to gesture her towards him on the stage and Bulma started, sending Vegeta a grin before sauntering through the crowd and taking her place next to her father.
"Thank you!" Bulma beamed, and sent Vegeta another wink, to which he rolled his eyes but felt a swell of amusement nonetheless. "Thank you again for making the effort to come here tonight, and to look so gorgeous too!" The crowd laughed and Bulma mock-curtseyed. "Also, I'd like to thank my father for that wonderful introduction." The crowd clapped again. "As you know, my father is the creator and President of Capsule Corporation and has – since its very opening- put his all into the company and it's every outlet. Tonight, I want everyone to recognise the fantastic work he has produced time and again, but also particularly to recognise his ability to always be one step ahead of the curve. Tonight- we are going to celebrate my father and his latest invention for Capsule Corporations- the rejuvenated Space Pod!"
The crowd cheered as Bulma gestured her father forward and place an affectionate kiss on his cheek. Mrs Briefs giggled and clapped cheerfully as Dr Briefs blushed and beamed.
"Thank you, thank you," Dr Briefs pushed his glasses up his nose and grinned wider, "First I must thank Bulma for the generous compliment she paid me in her speech, and secondly I must correct a few elements of it- The Space Pod is not my invention, but hers." He turned to Bulma proudly, "Ever since she was a little girl, Bulma has been brighter, more vibrant and dedicated than anyone I've ever known. She used to correct and adapt my inventions from the age of seven, when she first got hold of a telephone and rewired it so it no longer crackled with bad signal! I've always known that she would be a star- and I am unimaginably proud that it is within my own field of delight- in science." He grinned and Bulma smiled wobbly, her eyes welling with touched tears, "She is the greatest asset to Capsule Corporation, and she has just made the greatest invention of its entire existence- the Space Pod X. Please Bulma, introduce your work." He gestured her forward again and Bulma, with a proud and elated giggle, took centre stage.
Vegeta watched as she made a speech about the Space Pod and he felt a sense of affection and admiration swarm within him. She really was a genius. A beautiful, daft, kind Genius. He couldn't help but let his lips quirk into a half-smile as she caught his eyes and he kept his eyes locked on hers as he raised his hands slightly at the end of her speech and clapped soundly for a while.
Seeing him clap made Bulma feel more proud than she ever had in her life, and she grinned widely, completely missing the next thing her father said.
Bulma kicked herself for skipping that one moment of concentration and thus not being able to sidetrack her father's ridiculous idea. One man – who'd had his hand up for a while- finally got picked and his question made her want to either kill him on the spot or turn-back time and stun her father before he could be so silly as to suggest a question and answer session.
Vegeta froze as an elderly man turned and pointed at him, and he scowled as the man's words seemed to echo around his head, 'What kind of alien is he?'
Dr Briefs chuckled, the champagne having impaired his judgement and sensibility and said, "Vegeta is of an advanced race; a race who's genetics allows him to be much physically stronger, faster and more agile than any human on this planet." He chuckled again and said, "But this must go no further."
There was not many colleagues at the ball, only the most trusted and respected, and Bulma knew the information would not go any further- thank kami, she thought- but she also knew it would not be ignored, and as the crowd turned to stare at Vegeta, she wanted nothing more than to reach over and throttle her father. She started when she saw Vegeta had already disappeared and sent her father such a deathly glare that he immediately stuttered out, "Err. Well, I think that is enough for tonight. Please continue to enjoy the night, but let us forget about business for a while!"
Bulma bit her lip worriedly and rushed off the stage, smiling as politely as she could manage at all the scientists, her eyes darting all over for the no doubt fuming Prince.
Oh Daddy, what were you thinking? Vegeta's going to be furious- he hates people trying to faff around him and analyse him! Kami, he's probably going to blow up the Chamber in a grump! She glanced around again and saw the doorway leading to the balcony slightly ajar and she rushed over, pausing at the door before pushing through determinedly- I'm not scared of Vegeta- and shutting it behind her lightly. She saw him the moment she turned around. He was sat on the balcony ledge, his jacket and tie strewn across the floor, head turned up to the sky and his face set stonily. He noticed her right away, but he did not move or acknowledge her.
Bulma bit her lip and glanced up at the sky. I wonder if he's thinking about it- his lost planet. His lost kingdom. She moved towards him hesitantly and hovered nearby, gradually shuffling closer as he made no movement to push her away or leave. She eventually got a mere inch away from him, and she opened her mouth to say sorry, or anything, but the words wouldn't come, so she reached forward, heart thumping wildly, hands trembling, before taking his dangling right hand in hers.
Vegeta did not move still, so Bulma pressed closer, and slid her other hand to his shoulder and clutched at it slightly, in an act of desire, empathy and apology.
This time Vegeta turned his head to hers, his dark eyes showcasing a thunderstorm of emotions, and he tilted his whole body towards her, eyes locked on her face.
And still trembling, Bulma tiptoed up and kissed him softly on the mouth, leaning into his chest, her heartbeat seeming to skip, increase and stop all at once as he immediately returned her kiss, sliding off the railing to land on his feet in front of her and wrapping his arms around her in one swift movement.
Bulma melted against him, her mouth opening under his as his tongue sought entrance, and he kissed her fiercely, before suddenly pulling away and twirling her around, pressing her stomach against the railing and squashing her there with his own body. Breathless, confused and dizzy with emotion, she tilted her head up to his quizzically, and saw his gaze locked on something in the sky again. She followed his gaze curiously and after a moment of silence, he slipped his arms around her waist, held her tightly and said quietly and gruffly, "Behind that bright star just ahead…that's where Vegetasai's moon was, and just beyond that," he paused, "was Vegetasai."
Bulma's heart lurched and she turned into him, trying to contain the gasp of desire as she wedged herself between him and the railings, before leaning up to kiss him again.
I've updated both these chapters in one go to make up for you having to wait so long for them! :D next chapter will be up soon i promise!
Keep reviewing please! THANKS X