A/N: Okay, I decided to give you the first two chapters as teaser - Many thanks to those who were kind enough to leave a review already!

To explain a little more: I did try to write in third-person as I normally prefer that as well, but magically with this story here I repeatadly went back to first person. I wanted to change it, but I couldn't do it. Sadly. So if I continue, it will be first person style.


[CHICHI] Sometimes it's better to stay at home. Maybe. (1)

I pushed my thick black glasses – which I only wore while working – upwards as I tried to concentrate on foaming milk as I was recently taught. Trying to not springle it all over my attire and face. And the whole room as I did on my first try.

Nobody's perfect! Who would have thought the mug would fly out of my hands?

Luckily, I was a fast learner and almost effortlessly did I finish the coffee orders as requested, feeling rather proud of myself after getting a huge tip. I wasn't specifically in need of earning money, but I needed the distraction. And I loved working in gastronomy and serving others. Seeing them smile by something I did, made me ridiculously happy. So happy that Bulma made fun of me whenever she saw me grinning like an idiot because of it. Not that I cared. I knew she loved my food and craved my creations every now and then.

The jingle of the door told me another round of customers and I turned to great them with a smile. I soon felt my smile falter at the sight of the person standing there, as nonchalantly as ever. Since the incident two weeks ago he was constantly wherever I was. He felt like a stalker but then again, he never tried anything funny like the first time. He did not touch me, he gave me proper space and he left by himself after some time. Which made him no less feel like a crazy stalker…

Fucking bastard…

"Hey there, sweetheart!" he greeted me as he leaned over the counter, trying to bring his face in line with mine. As soon as he did that I was once again hit with an alluring scent coming from him, which made my head spin. I had no idea what kind of cologne he was wearing, but it was getting on my nerves. I wished he would smell of anything else – like shit – but he didn't. Unfortunately.

Surprisingly, as I had asked Bulma how she could stand his smell whenever she met him, she just had blinked at me confusedly, not knowing what I was talking about. She simply had answered "Smell? You – you can smell him? Well, that is…I don't know what to…maybe it's just his…sweat?"

"His sweat…" I had repeated disbelievingly. "Aha…and you tell me I am the only one smelling it that strongly? For sure… I still believe it's his cologne. Unbelievable you can't smell it."

Bulma would not say anything afterwards.

Well, whatever it was, I obviously was the only one sensitive to his odor…And now, that he was trespassing into this café, my personal safe haven, I felt my foul mood coming to its surface as he was polluting the atmosphere with his presence. And this deliciously alluring…

Stop!

"What can I get you, sir?" I tried to stay as professional as I could, ignoring his scent and his strange habit of giving me nicknames.

"I am craving something sweet. Any recommendation?" he winked at me flirty which I disregarded.

"How about our creamy Caramel Frappuccino?" I lazily said while pointing to the billboard behind me, showing our menu. "It's sweet and tasty for hot days like today. If you want, I can get you some chocolate sprinkles on top."

"Hmm….I'd rather you on top of me." He whispered seductively for only my ears to hear before adding a little louder "But I'll get …whatever you suggested."

I gritted my teeth as I tried to smile. "Sexual harassment is strictly forbidden, sir. I suggest you stop doing that to me or our staff or I see myself forced to sue you. Please step aside while you wait for your order. You're blocking the way for other costumers."

"Hard to get is not going to work with me, Chi. It's fated and you'll realize it soon enough." He tapped with his index finger on the counter as if to make his point clear, but I just huffed at him.

"Fated my ass." I mumbled as I watched him from the side while finishing his order. My colleague was kind enough to take my place, listening to other costumers while I was trying to successfully get that Frappuccino done.

Fate does not come from force, you idiot. Fates introduce themselves normally, and don't shove their faces into each other's necks when they first meet… Just remembering his assault made me so furious, all I did was see red. That was and always will be such a big no-no! How could he?! And had he done this to others as well?

Wait! Is that even important? Ahhh! That guy makes me so mad!

Once done, I harshly slammed his beverage down on the counter, making the carefully added cream wobble and slide down lightly. "That's 8,50 Zeni."

"Make it 10 and add a date."

I closed my eyes while I breathed in deeply before showering him with a death glare. "8. 50. Zeni."

"You don't even want a tip?"

"I don't want anything that comes from you. Now. 8,50 or I'm taking your order back and throw it in the trash. You decide."

It was the first time I see his ever-teasing smile leave his features as he frowned and actually pouted.

No, I do not think this is cute! Absolutely not!

"You're really stubborn…" he concluded as he finally gave me the money and took the cup. Hurray, I got something through this hard skull of his! Hopefully he was going to leave me alo –

"Guess I'll just have to be even more stubborn then!" he laughed lightly.

Kami, give me strength! I pleaded to the heavens while turning around, going back to work. How happy I was seeing him leave one hour later after he probably got an urgent call. Not that I cared or noticed how displeased he looked…Not. At. All.

And I still didn't care when I finished my shift hours later and left the café, looking at my mobile which showed me a new text message.

[BULMA: Tell me when ur free. Gotta call u.]

I sighed as I read Bulma's notice. She had sent it to me three hours ago. I was waiting for my bus to come while fumbling with my phone. Should I call her now and get it over with or wait till I get home to the quiet safety of my two-room apartment? I was awfully tired today, dealing with customers was way more exhausting than ever.

Urgh…whatever.

Dialing her number, I waited for her to pick up while resting my head in one palm. My forehead felt feverish, and I had a massive headache approaching. Hopefully I was not getting sick. I couldn't afford to. Medicin in the city was expensive and I was so used taking natural homemade med since birth. Synthetically produced ones make me sick. Literally.

And I had no more at home. Father was late sending me some.

"Chichi?" Bulma's voice brought me back to reality.

"Hey Buls, whats up? You wanted to talk?"

"Yeah, ehm…." She hesitated. "Are you free this weekend?"

I sighed, rubbing my temple as I quickly went through my schedule in my mind. "I think I am free; I am not working this weekend. I just need to shop for the upcoming week, my fridge is almost empty. Why do you ask?"

"It's my mom's birthday and she wanted you to come. You know she adores you, so…" A light hesitant chuckle.

"Your mom adores everyone. I have never seen someone treat others as equally as she does. But I would be delighted to attend, if she wants me to." I warmly said as I recollected all memories of Bulma's mother I was able to catch ever since me coming here two years ago. She sure was as kind-hearted as nobody else. And as I had no mother to remember, it made me adore Bulma's mother all the more. And the motherly love she showed me.

"Oh, my mom is...quite eager for you to come, so to say. You would make her really happy."

"Give me the details then as soon as you know them. I've got to go now; my bus is coming. See ya."

"Right. Bye."

I sighed once I sat inside the bus and leaned my head against the surface of the glass. The movement of the bus and the constant rumble of the engine soothing my nerves and calming me down. An older lady sat across of me, smiling lightly at me as I regarded her with my eyes. I nodded once as to appreciate the kindness she showed me and switched my gaze to the moving world outside again. I just wanted to get home as soon as possible and lie down. I really wasn't feeling well.

As soon as I heard my door fall into place behind me, I leaned my back against the cold surface and groaned in exhaustion. Yeah, a quick warm shower, something hot to eat and my bed. I needed to gain back my strength if I wanted to attend Mrs. Briefs birthday party. I knew they were rich, and any party was probably going to be way over the top and filled with lots and lots of people. But I wanted to overcome my displeasure of too many people gathering and therefore, I needed to be healthy.