Chapter 4:
Katara was frozen and utterly embarrassed, sitting in her new boss' lap. She didn't know if running away or crying would make the situation any worse. The way Zuko's hands were on her waist and thigh made her feel even more self-conscious than the stupid flashing cameras. She probably looked like a deer in the headlights.
Toph and Suki ran over to the VIP booth, blocking the cameras from taking anymore pictures.
"Get your gross, perfectly well-manicured hands off my friend!" Suki yelled. She abruptly yanked Katara up from his lap then proceeded to slap Zuko so hard there was a red mark left on his cheek. Maybe Suki had too much liquid courage but one thing was certain she always had Katara's back.
"Suki! Slapping was not in the plan!" Toph shouted.
"Mmmmm his face feels so sexy." Suki giggled, admiring her hand.
Meanwhile Katara saw Zuko rubbing his face with a bitter expression on his face. She didn't want to see his angry side.
"Um you guys let's go. Now!" Katara protested pulling the two women away from the booth.
"Bye Azula. Nice seeing you again Zuko. I don't know these people!" Toph quickly stated trying to save face.
"Byeeeeeeeeeeee Handsome!" Suki said in a flirty tone.
Once they got in the car Suki and Toph erupted in laughter, but Katara was still silent. As Toph pulled out of the parking lot all Katara could think about was her face plastered all over the tabloids, on the internet, and God knows where else.
"What the hell Suki? You slapped my boss, are you serious? I could be fired."
"Listen, this was the only time I would ever be able to say I TOUCHED Zuko freaking Agni. That slapped was definitely worth how red my palm is right now." Suki proclaimed in a ditzy tone.
Katara dipped down in her seat, hoping to disappear forever.
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Thursday Katara was lucky, Zuko was off on a business trip all day and she didn't even see him.
Saturday morning came and Katara didn't even want to face her boss right now. She walked into the Agni Estate to a Zuko who was wearing sweatpants and plain white shirt. She couldn't believe he owned something remotely casual in his closet. Zuko didn't even look up at her when she walked into the kitchen. So he wasn't upset about the 100s of photos that people took from their phones last night?
"Good Morning Mr. Agni." Katara said in sweetest tone she could muster.
"Good Morning. My daughter Maya will be here soon. You are expected to care for her." Zuko gestured
So he was going to ignore everything that happened last night? Two could play at that game. Katara was busy making breakfast when a knock came at the door. Zuko opened it and stood in the doorway. It seemed there was an issue going on. He could hear a female voice and him going back and forth.
"Where's Maya, Mai?" Zuko asked in an authoritative tone.
"Maya is in the car. I'll allow her to get out when you let me in." Mai's voice sounded bitchier than Azula. She sounded naturally abrasive.
"You know you aren't welcomed in my house. Bring me our daughter." Zuko demanded coldly
"Oh you mean MY daughter. What kind of father wakes her daughter up at 5am to visit?" Mai yelled belligerently
"The kind that wants to cherish every minute he can get with his daughter." Zuko actually sounded compassionate saying that.
From what it sounded like Mai was trying to shove passed Zuko and get in the house but Zuko was not going to allow that.
"Stop trying to get into my house. You keep trying and I'll have you removed."
"What are you hiding in there Zuko? Do you have a woman in there? I don't want another women around my child. Really, I saw the images of you and some slut at some party last night. Do you really have to drown yourself in every thing that has a pair of breasts to get over me? You're pathetic.
"Don't flatter yourself Mai. I haven't wanted you in a long time. The thought of being with you physically repulses me. Now delete that picture too or you'll get a call from my lawyer. You should have already gotten a call from my lawyer anyway."
"Ha. If you think you're taking Maya from me you're delusional. You need to continue to pay my child support check every month."
"That money isn't yours, it's for Maya. You keep provoking me and I swear I will make your life hell. Now get out of my face and bring me our daughter. Being near you for too long makes me physically sick, so move."
Katara couldn't believe Zuko had ever been in a loving relationship with this woman. They sounded like they hated each other. How could they have managed to create a child together without killing each other Katara would never know?
Katara had just put the toast in the toaster when Zuko walked in with a tiny person in hand. Zuko's daughter was beautiful. She had long, straight ebony hair that went to her waist, his passionate ember eyes, and milky skin. She was wearing a cute little pink dress and rolling a Barbie suit case behind her. Zuko looked down at his daughter with such love in his expression. Maybe he did have a soft spot.
Zuko and Maya walked into the kitchen. Maya twirled around twice before stopping in front of Katara and smiling at her. She was missing two teeth, but her smile was the most heartwarming thing Katara has ever seen. Katara leaned down to her level and smiled back.
"Daddy, who's this lady?" Maya asked curiously
"This is Ms. Sap- I mean Ms. Katara. She will be taking care of you while you stay here today." Zuko had sounded the most pleasant he sounded the entire three days Katara had known him. All it took was an adorable seven year old to get the stick out of his butt.
"She's pretty. I like your hair Katara." Maya stroked some of Katara's chestnut hair in her small hands and twirled the end around her finger.
"Really? I like yours too Maya." Katara said placing her hand on Maya's shoulder.
"Thank you." Maya smiled so big her teeth were showing.
"Maya go upstairs and take a nap. Daddy will wake you up when it's time to go swimming. Okay?" Zuko smiled at the young girl.
"Yaaaaaaay," Maya jumped up and down eagerly, "Does Ms. Katara get to swim too?"
Zuko looked at Katara then looked back at Maya who was waiting for an answer. He was obviously uncomfortable but said, "Ummmm I don't see why not. Now go upstairs."
Maya went running upstairs with her little bag while Zuko took his seat in front of the island. Katara placed the plate in front of him and began wiping off the counters.
"Ms. Sapphire, I told you no cleaning on the weekends."
"Well, what am I supposed to do?"
"While Maya is asleep? Relax." Zuko stated as he put a piece of egg in his mouth.
Relax? At work? In the Agni Estate? What kind of stupid concept was that?
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Katara spent most of the time Maya was sleeping making sure everything was well dusted, vacuumed, and cleaned. She was in the middle of dusting book shelves in the library when Zuko walked in.
"Today, she wants to go swimming. I took the liberty of buying you several bathing suits. Pick the one you like best. I trust that the pool has properly been cleaned and that you are prepared to swim at noon." Zuko handed her a white bag purposely avoiding her gaze.
How did he even guess her size anyway? She hoped he didn't buy her bikinis. That would be highly inappropriate, plus she'd be worrying about how her body looked. Katara still felt weird about him buying her things. No one ever bought her anything. Unless she counted guys at the bar who bought her drinks.
"Um, thank you."
"You're welcome. Uh, please try them on and let me know if they fit." Zuko swiftly walked out of the room right after he finished his statement, leaving Katara confused.
Why was that possibly the most awkward exchange Katara had experienced in her life? He basically broke his neck to get away from her. He's so odd.
Katara headed to the bathroom with the bag in hand. Once she got there she took the bathing suits out and looked at them. Low and behold he bought her two bikinis and one one piece bathing suit. One bikini was black with rhinestones in the cleavage area. It was a string bikini and therefore extremely skimpy. What was Zuko thinking she was going to be doing in that? Having a photoshoot?
The next bikini was blue and halter styled, definitely more material then the first one. Although it was her favorite color she couldn't think of having her midriff exposed to her boss, especially with her belly button piercing. The last suit was a simple, blue one piece. Katara opted for the later and put the other two back in the bag. It fit perfectly. The problem was it fit like the old skin tight red Baywatch suit fit on busty Pamela Anderson. It didn't hide any of Katara's assets though at least they were covered.
A knock came on the door.
"I'm in here!" Katara replied
"Daddy wants you at the pool! Come on Ms. Katara!" she heard Maya's soft voice threw the door.
Well it was now or never? Katara was about to step out in this bathing suit whether she had a choice or not. Maya walked upbeat in front of her and lead her to the pool. Zuko was already in the pool, in nothing but his swim trunks. Katara had never seen a V that defined before. Focus, Katara, focus. You're here for Maya.
Maya jumped feet first into the pool and swam to Zuko who immediately splashed her with some water. The two of them laughed, Katara jumped in too wanting to enjoy the beautiful day with the blissful pair. It was actually fun. Her, Zuko, and Maya played a game of Marco Polo, took turns splashing each other, and Katara even cannon balled in the pool.
Two hours later Maya was still swimming in the pool playing with the beach ball and other pool toys. Zuko and Katara sat on the side of the pool watching her in silence. Finally Katara couldn't take the awkward tension anymore!
"We need to talk about last night!" Katara blurted that out and wished she hadn't. She quickly covered her mouth with her hands. Zuko turned to her with the same blank expression.
"My PR team and lawyers have made sure the photo won't resurface. No need to worry Ms. Sapphire." Zuko said coldly.
"Well, I'm, I'm sorry about Suki slapping you. She's just over protective and also crazy."
"It isn't the first nor the last time I've ever been slapped before. It's fine."
The silence set in again. The only sound was of Maya laughing and splashing in the pool.
"Your daughter", Katara began to say, "She's beautiful."
"Thanks. She's the only reason I don't regret being with Mai. I would never have such a wonderful girl if I never met her and for that, I will always thank her."
She was beginning to see a whole other side of Zuko Agni. Zuko Agni, the playboy was anything to be desired but Zuko the father should be commended. He was so gentle with Maya and calm he didn't even seem like the same person. It was like day and night.
"Thank you." Zuko said suddenly.
"For what?"
"For everything. You're a good worker Ms. Sapphire."
Whoa! A compliment from Zuko! This definitely wasn't the same person. Katara was amazed he was even talking to her.
"Thank you Mr. Agni. That means a lot."
Zuko actually smirked at her! He actually had a facial expression! Was the world ending?
"I'm glad you liked the bathing suit. I had my assistant, Ty Lee, get them for you. It fits um… nicely."
Katara's face was as red as an apple right now. Suddenly Katara was aware that Zuko was shirtless and wet and…. Was he saying she looked…? GOOD? Ugh this was getting awkward again.
"T-thank you for buying them."
"Daaaaaaaaaaaddy. I'm hungry!" Maya yelled from the pool. She swam over to the edge of the pool where Zuko and Katara sat.
"Ms. Sapphire, go make lunch. Sandwiches with peanut butter and jelly, cut diagonally, with the crust cut off. No chips and please make sure there are clean towels in the second floor bathroom." Zuko barked out the order so fast Katara couldn't even adjust to the mood change.
So we were back to old Zuko. Great?!
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Katara fell into her bed that night with thoughts of the day in her mind. Maya was absolutely the best quality about Zuko. She brought out so much love and joy with him. At least these photos from yesterday would never resurface. Katara still couldn't figure out exactly who Zuko Agni was. Was he the playboy jerk who didn't care about anyone or anything, or was he the compassionate father who was trying to make it out in a difficult situation? Whoever Zuko really was, Katara was actually happy to go into work to see that smile on his face when Maya was there. That smile, made it all worth it.
Author's Note: Another chapter done. Do you guys like Maya? What do you think about Zuko's random mood swings? Could they be just from him being stressed or could they be Mai related? I'm looking forward to getting the next chapter edited for you guys. Thanks for reading :)!