Chapter 14:
Sunday was girls' day with Katara entirely needed after yesterday's testosterone filled debacle. She, Toph, and Suki were poolside getting massages with Mojitos included. It was nice to have drinks, relax, and be with the girls for a change. At this very moment the masseuse was hitting all the sore spots on her back from the constant cleaning and manual labor she had to do. It felt so nice.
"How was the move Katara? Sokka said you were getting a little cozy with Aang when he came." Suki asked.
"It was nice. Everything went well." Katara answered
Toph let out an obviously planned cough. Katara rolled her eyes. Toph was beginning to get annoying.
"Oh yea and Toph got me in trouble with my boyfriend."
"I did not! Zuko just decided to do a nice gesture out of the goodness of his heart." Toph said sarcastically
"What happened?" Suki asked curiously
"Zuko bought Katara a bed and Aang had a bitch fit about it."
Aang was being extremely possessive with her lately. When they went out he always had his arm around her or held her hand. He felt the need to make public displays of affection at almost every moment people could see and when they got alone together he constantly tried to jump her bones. She was not ready for that with Aang. Not that he wasn't sexy, but for some reason she couldn't see herself taking that next step with him. Call it intuition or what have you. Something was going on with Aang that he was hiding from her but she couldn't put her finger on what exactly it was.
"TOPH! He did not have a fit."
"I mean if a woman bought Sokka a bed I'd be beyond pissed." Suki stated
"He was being nice." Katara insisted. Zuko couldn't possibly like her. He was beyond her league.
"Zuko Agni? Nice? Sure Katara. He's pissing Aang off on purpose." Toph stated
"Why would he ever do that?" Suki questioned
"Because he's Zuko and likes to fuck with people. The original Mr. StealYourGirlFriend." Toph joked
"Ha. Zuko steal ME from Aang not possible."
"We'll see." Toph muttered under her breath
"Hey isn't that Azula and Jet in the pool!" Suki pointed out.
Jet and Azula were currently in the pool in front of them making out like no tomorrow.
"Uh I'm going to be sick." Toph sneered. Everyone definitely shared that same sentiment. What were the odds?
~/~
Zuko put Maya in her bed, tucked her in, and kissed her softly on the forehead. Last time he was here things didn't go so well. Regardless of how it went last time his talk with Mai had to go better today for Maya's sake and his conscious at least. She was still as stunning as the day he had met her. Despite her physical beauty remaining the same, he had to explain everything to her including him growing apart from her emotionally. Mai was busy in her bedroom folding clothes. Zuko knocked lightly on the door and leaned against the doorframe nonchalantly.
"Want help?" Zuko asked in a calm voice.
"Sure." Mai threw a shirt at him and he stood next to her by the bed. The two were completely silent folding laundry. Her silence was driving him absolutely crazy. Did she hate him? Did she love him? Was she just not wanting to talk?
"Mai, we need to talk." Zuko said in a serious tone.
"We just talked Zuko. You asked to fold laundry and I said yes, remember?"
"No Mai not about laundry. I mean YES about laundry, dirty laundry but not literal laundry like fig-"
"Zuko shut up." Mai ordered. "I get it."
"I know I haven't been treating you well in any capacity. I can't say I'm sorry enough. I need you to understand that what happened on that day, when you told me you were pregnant wasn't what I wanted for us. I knew it wasn't right but my father insisted that we pay you off or you get rid of the baby. I regret that honestly. It wasn't that I didn't love you I was scared Mai. That; however; does not excuse me cheating on you and embarrassing you. I'm so sorry. I want to start things on a good foot so we can co-parent properly. No more fighting. Please find it in your heart to forgive me as the man trying to change in front of you."
"It's going to take a while to forgive you Zuko."
"What is that I can do to make this easier for you? I'll do anything to mend things."
"You want me to be honest?"
"Of course."
"I want you to make love to me one last time."
Zuko's face got hot. As many times as he had been offered sexual favors this had to be one of the more memorable times. Mai pushed her body up against Zuko and kissed him. It was a kiss of longing and despair and intense passion. The type of kiss that could spark new life into two old flames. His body certainly was able to do the task she asked but emotionally he wasn't capable of giving her the tenderness she wanted and deserved. Zuko promptly pushed Mai away, cursing himself internally.
"Mai, we, I can't do that with you." He could barely manage to catch his breath. He couldn't believe he had just turned her down. Maybe he really was different.
"Why? You don't find me attractive anymore? All those other women were good enough to have you. What's so wrong with me Zuko? I'm tired of hurting. I want to feel good for once."
He understood how she felt. She felt rejected, damaged, and undesirable. He had singlehandedly ruined her confidence and her self-esteem after 7 years of playing with her heart. He didn't mean for any of this to happen. He didn't mean to hurt her so much. This was hurting Zuko too to do it, but he had to for the best.
"You're beautiful. Don't think that I'm not attracted to you, I am. But I can't do that. That would be selfish of me. Old Zuko would have you moaning right now, but I'm not good for you. We established this a long time ago. You deserve someone way better than me that can make you happy. I can't be that for you, not anymore."
"You don't love me anymore?" A single tear streamed down her face.
"I will always love you Mai. You were my first love and we have a child together now. I don't get to not love you, but I'm not in love with you anymore and haven't been for a long time. I know it hurts to hear but I've moved on and you need to hear that so you can too."
"So, so there's someone else?" Her words were shrilled and somewhat broken. Zuko wished he could go back to kissing her again, at least then he wouldn't have to hear her pain.
"Yes."
"Do you love her? Do you love her more than you loved me?"
"I don't love her. At least not yet anyway. I know I have feelings for her that I have never felt before with any other woman. It's um complicated, but with her I'm willing to take a chance at being a better man for once in my life. Please don't be upset. No other woman can ever take your place in my life. You blessed me with a beautiful daughter, a gift that no one else on this earth can give me. You taught me lessons about respect and intimacy that I could not get from anyone else. You are beautiful, strong, passionate, and devoted as hell. Any man will be happy to have you."
"I love you Zuko." Mai uttered. Zuko pulled Mai to his chest and let her cry it out for as long as she needed to.
"I love you too Mai. I wish you the very best in every aspect of your life."
~/~
Zuko and Mai must have made up or gotten back together recently. Maya had been around the Agni Estate during the week a lot more. Maya was currently sitting next to Katara having lunch. Zuko had left a while ago to go work. Although he said he'd be back soon.
"So Maya what do you want to do today?" Katara asked
"I want to play Princess!" Maya said enthusiastically.
"Princess? You mean dress up?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Maya yelled in joy.
"Well where are we going to get the dress up clothes?"
"Daddy can take us to the dress store! Oh please please. We can dress up together."
"Fine. I'll ask your Dad if he can take us. Okay?"
"Hooray Princess Katara!" Maya smiled baring her teeth. She was too adorable to turn down.
~/~
Meanwhile at Agni Incorporated Zuko was on the phone will a potential investor. He couldn't wait to finish this phone call so he could go home to Maya… and Katara. Mr. Fuji had been on his line for over a half an hour discussing his potential involvement in the company. Negotiation was usually Zuko's strong point so the fact that it was taking this long to close a deal was discouraging. Zuko sighed in his head. This was taking entirely too much time away from his day.
"Well Mr. Fuji I can ensure that your stocks will be treated with the utmost care." Zuko said in his salesman voice. There was a noise coming from outside of the door. He could make out Ty Lee's voice and another one. It seemed like there was something out of the ordinary going on out there. Ty Lee sounded flustered. Well, thank God something was getting him off the phone with this ancient Japanese man that's for sure. Before Zuko could apologize for having to cut the call short the door to his office was thrown open.
"Mr. Zephyr! You can't go in there!" Ty Lee protested trailing behind the angry young man. Zuko smirked and hung the phone up. This day had just gotten interesting.
"I'm so sorry Mr. Agni! He wouldn't listen to me! He just barged in here I tried to stop him." Ty Lee explained.
"It's fine Ty Lee. Let us be." Zuko said in a calm tone. He folded his hands together and placed them on his desk. "Shut the door behind you."
Ty Lee did as instructed and left the two men alone in the office.
"What can I do for you, Mr. Zephyr?" Zuko questioned in a serene voice. Obviously his unphased attitude was getting to Aang because he then proceeded to push all of the paperwork from off his desk.
"What is your problem? How would you like it if I bought your girlfriend a bed?" Aang yelled
"Well I would simply be grateful for the man that kept my girlfriend from lying on her back all night. Of course I'm sure we'd both agree Ms. Sapphire does need a good lay down. She's just been working so hard."
"You wipe that smirk off your face. How dare you make a suggestive comment like that! You can only dream of doing that with Katara!"
Zuko laughed loudly. His arrogance was starting to show. "I don't think you understand how close I am to taking her all the time. I could have her at any moment of the day but because I consider myself a respectful man I won't touch her unless she wants me to."
"She doesn't want you! If you ever touch her I will break your arm! You don't respect anything! You are a sorry excuse for a man."
"I'd love to see you try Mr. Zephyr. And if she doesn't want me that is her choice to make not yours." Zuko straightened his tie and cleared his throat. "Since you're just such a great guy, have you told her the truth about the car?"
Aang was dead silent. Zuko 4 points. Aang 0.
"I knew you wouldn't. You'd rather live in fantasy land. When she finds out she will leave you and I'll have no choice but to step up and be a real man for her."
"If you ever so much as make a move on her I will seriously hurt you. Katara will stay even if she finds out because she loves me, so what if you can buy her nice things. I have her heart."
"You're delusional. If she loves you so much why is she taking care of my daughter right now? Face it you are a self-absorbed liar living in a fantasy. At least I told her all of my mistakes. You are obsessed with who you want her to be. She isn't a prize. You just want her so I won't have her. If I was in your position I would be focused on making her the happiest woman possible."
"She IS happy."
"If you say so Mr. Zephyr. I do hope to see you both at the annual Agni Incorporated Masquerade. Considering you both are my employees I expect to see you there. I'm sure you'll both make a cute couple that night. Though I won't hesitate to take a glance at how stunning she will be."
"YOU ASS-"
"Please leave Mr. Zephyr. I'm a busy man." Zuko hit the button under his desk to signal security. By the time Aang even thought of placing his hands on Zuko 6 security guards came swooping in pulling him out of the room. As Aang was dragged out his office absolutely furious he relished in his win. Zuko didn't think it would be that easy to shake someone up by just talking in a calm tone but apparently he had to try this more often. Zuko 5. Aang 0.
~/~
"Daddy! She looks like a princess!" Maya squealed seeing Katara in the first dress she tried on. It was a red lace gown that was sheer on the top so there was a view of her torso. The bottom had a high slit and showed almost all of Katara's leg.. Katara had to admit she felt sexy in the dress. Although she couldn't get the side zipper up like it was supposed to. Zuko came over and zipped it up for her, taking in her body as he did.
He leaned close and whispered into her ear, "Red is DEFINITELY your color."
Zuko was looking at her like he wanted to devour her. The next moment he went back to his normal, emotionless demeanor. One moment Zuko seemed like he totally wanted to pin her down and kiss her then the next he was cold. This was all so confusing.
"How do like the dress Maya? You think Ms. Katara should get it?" Zuko asked
"Yes! Yes forever and evers!" Maya exclaimed
"Don't be crazy I can't afford this and where am I possibly going to wear this?"
"Ms. Katara can wear it to the special party Daddy!"
Um, what party?
Author's Note: Sorry about the delay. I had a busy Saturday but here is the latest chapter! I hope you guys like it. Any scenes you guys would like to see?