Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Pseudo Ferocity ❯ Hide It Forever ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z or any of the character appearing in the manga or television show. Nor am I making any profit off of this story.

Author's Notes: Oi, I meant to have this chapter out several days ago…but here's the deal-e-o. I've been really busy for the past week, and have had like, seriously zero time to write! In the 7 days I've spent a total of about an hour on the computer…which isn't a lot when you consider that a lot of that was school-related…lol. I've been pretty stressed and that means serious writer's block…blah. So anyway, this chapter is sort of a development chapter, tying up some loose ends and speeding things through a wee bit. I'll try to stick in some more content next time, but I can't guarantee anything, 'cause my week's shaping up to be quite busy again…*sigh* Anyway, enough of my whining! *giggle* On with the chapter!

*Special Thanks to Kat8125, ssjblackguy, SilverSun, and Bulma Peacecraft for beta-ing!!!*

Pseudo Ferocity

7: Hide It Forever

Vegeta awoke with a groan, the light from the early morning sun filtering in through the thin lace curtains. Those, he thought with disgust, looking at the frilly fabric, have got to go. Sitting up, he grabbed his watch from its place on the floor beside his pillow, and sighed, seeing the time. 5:30 am.

"Damn it, overslept by half an hour." He grumbled to himself, pushing off the blanket and standing to stretch his muscles. The floor really was not comfortable, but he had to admit that it had been better than Southside Motel's lumpy beds. It had been nearly a week anyway, since he moved in, and he was quickly getting used to the hardwood floor.

By the time he had showered and changed, it was 6:00, and Vegeta was itching to begin his workout. The sun had come up already, and he felt lazy for having slept in. After all, since he had to make his own living now, he wouldn't be able to train as much as he had before, so it was imperative to grasp every free moment and make it count for something.

His week had been a busy one, what with getting settled in to his new apartment and lifestyle. Trying to cash his paycheck from Bruce's show had been an ordeal in itself, as the twit teller had insisted he open a bank account before she could give him his money. And shopping for the necessities of living had been a nightmare, with the ever excitable Bruce running from shop to shop, squealing and making up words when he couldn't think of a good one to describe what he was feeling.

And the snooty, sullen Caleb had tagged along as well, hating to leave the model and designer alone together. It hadn't really bothered Vegeta at the time, because Caleb's presence seemed to calm the exuberant Bruce, which saved the Saiyan the trouble of having to disembowel his boss.

The apartment had yet to be furnished though, as his budget for the moment allowed only the necessities, like pots for cooking and plates to eat off of. A cell phone had been purchased as well, at the insistence of his new agent.

Vegeta sat on the floor, tying his sneakers, as he thought about the effervescent woman who would be finding him work. Shelly Garris-Hoderpesenburgh, a bleached blonde in her mid forties, who had a fondness for garish costume jewelry and blue eye shadow. All eccentricities aside though, she was intelligent and good at her job. He had signed with her only two days ago, and already he was scheduled for three magazine ads and a calendar job. But best of all, she was a mother of three, and very happily married to Mr. Hoderpesenburgh, which meant that she didn't hit on him, a fact that he was extremely grateful for.

Grabbing his cell phone and keys, Vegeta stepped out the door, almost running smack dab into Caleb, who was just coming out for his morning walk. The businessman was not the outdoorsy type, being a bad allergy sufferer, and preferred a good walk around his apartment to one outside in the pollen-filled air.

"Where are you off to so early?" He questioned, never having been awake to see Vegeta leave before, as the Saiyan was normally out and about around 5:30.

"Park. Working out."

"Ahh, out in the shade of the trees, I take it?" Caleb shuddered, thinking off all the things that would make him sneeze out there.

"Hn." Vegeta nodded, his back turned as he double-checked the lock on his door.

"Well, have a good time. And watch out for those old ladies." The businessman snickered, having heard from Bruce about Vegeta's problem with butt-pinching old bitties.

"Shut up, VanDios. At least I'm not afraid of some measly dust balls." Vegeta grumbled, stalking away. Caleb let out a tiny chuckle, against his better judgement. Vegeta, he supposed, wasn't a bad guy, just a little gruff. Hell, if it hadn't been for the situation with Bruce, he figured they could easily have been friends…or as close to that as Vegeta would get.

"Maybe even more than that," he muttered quietly to himself, watching the confident sway of the Saiyan's hips as he swaggered down the hall toward the elevator.

But no, he had Bruce to think about. Bruce Hoffman, whom he had longed to have for so long, ever since they had met. And now, when he was so close to finally capturing the eccentric designer's heart, he wasn't about to let some gruff, new-age model get in his way.

Scowling, he looked down at his watch, realizing that he didn't have time to contemplate his love life…or lack thereof. He had a very important meeting to prepare for.

Vegeta took a deep breath, kicking out with his right foot as he began a kata to warm up his muscles before getting into the heavy-duty training. He would have to hurry himself more than usual, as he didn't have the full day to train. After signing on with Shelly, she had taken it upon herself to make arrangements with Ray for an audition time, which happened to be in about 6 hours. He had 5 hours to train, and an hour to get ready and get to the studio where he would be auditioning.

***

"Ms. Briefs, your 11:30 appointment has arrived to discuss the lease of lot #56. Shall I send him in?"

"Oh, uh, yeah, give me about five minutes." Bulma said, quickly jumping out of her chair to fix her hair and makeup. She had fallen asleep at her desk again, for the third time that week. Sleep wasn't coming easily to her, and she had spent most of her nights lying awake, thinking about Vegeta. She was worried about him, silly as she knew it was to worry about a Saiyan. But the fact that he had been gone for so long without any trace worried her.

It was really too bad though, that Bulma was not an avid follower of the fashion world, or she would have seen his picture plastered all over the place.

Her five minutes up, Bulma scooted back to her desk, sitting in her chair and shuffling some papers as her appointment was shown in, to make it look like she was busy, instead of sleeping. "Good morning," she greeted the handsome blonde man. "How are things, Mr. VanDios?"

"Call me Caleb, Bulma." He smiled good-naturedly at her, "And things are going good."

"Alright, Caleb." She smiled back, "And how's Bruce? How'd his show go?"

"He's…good." Caleb forced a smile; "Rave reviews from all the important critics."

"You don't sound too happy for him." Bulma prodded, her curiosity piqued by the sullen note in his voice and the insincerity of his smile.

"Oh, I am…it's just…well…" Caleb sighed, looking around the room. He had known Bulma a long time, as their parents had been close friends when the two were growing up. He was only a few years older than she was, and they had spent a lot of time playing together as children. When they became old enough to work in their parents' respective companies, their close friendship had become a basis for a strong business relationship. In short, Caleb trusted her implicitly, and had never felt uncomfortable talking with her. In fact, she was the only one who knew he was gay. He hadn't ever told his parents or any other friends. Even Bruce was unaware that his best friend was in love with him.

"Well what? Has something happened?" Bulma leaned across her desk, fearing the worst.

"There's…there's this new model…and…"

"Oh, Caleb…"

"I'm worried that Bruce might be falling for him."

"Oh, Caleb, don't be silly! What could this guy possibly have that you don't?"

"Mystique, wild hair, and the body of a Greek God." Caleb pouted, slumping in his chair. "He's all Bruce talks about! Vegeta this, Vegeta that! I could just-" He stopped his tirade, seeing Bulma's wide-eyed stare.

"Did…did you just say Vegeta?"

"Why, you know the guy?"

"Is he doing okay? Please tell me he's alright!"

"He's just fine…living in one of my apartments. Lives just down the hall from me."

"Your place? How the hell's he affording such a nice place? Oh god, don't tell me he threatened you…" she moaned, covering her face with her hands.

"Didn't you hear me? I said he's modeling for Bruce's show. He's also signed on with that batty agent, Shelly Garris-Hoozerdoozerpopolis, or whatever the hell her name is. She's got him a few jobs already, an ad or two, a calendar shoot too, I think. Bruce told me this morning that some casting director claiming to be from Agrolica studios approached the guy about an acting job or something after the show last week."

"Are you serious? Vegeta? Modeling?" Bulma looked at him, barely able to believe what she was hearing. Vegeta, modeling clothing in a fashion show. Who'd 'a thunk it?

"Yeah, I'm serious. And he's got Bruce wrapped around his pinky."

"Wait a minute Caleb…You're worried about Vegeta…stealing Bruce?" Caleb nodded, and Bulma looked at him as if he had grown another head. "But…Vegeta's…He's not gay…at least…not as far as I know."

"He's…not? But I thought…I…I guess I just assumed…"

"I've seen him show a little interest in women, not much, but much more than I've seen him show in men." She blushed a little, remembering what Gohan had told her about Vegeta calling her 'gorgeous' on Namek. Not to mention the few times she had felt his dark gaze following her since he had moved into Capsule Corporation with her family. And the way he had become almost flirty in the few weeks before she had kicked him out…Damn, I'm a total idiot. She thought, her brow creasing in irritation.

"You have some sort of…history with him?" Caleb prodded, noticing the faint coloring of her cheeks.

"Well…not exactly. He lived with me for about a year…but we fought a lot…and I don't know…I was in a bad mood one day, and I just went berserk on him. I kicked him out and haven't heard from him since. That was a few weeks ago."

"About the same time he turned up in Bruce's office."

"Geez…I wonder how that ended up happening." She laughed lightly. "I mean, I can't see Vegeta modeling…"

"Oh, if you saw him on that runway, you'd have been swooning, just like everyone else." Caleb blushed a little, remembering his initial reaction upon seeing Vegeta. Just like the rest of the crowd, the strange, dangerous looking man had captivated him.

"That good huh? I can imagine he'd look pretty good," she giggled, her cheeks growing pinker as she thought about Vegeta as a model, "but it's just hard to imagine him actually willingly doing it."

"Yeah, I wouldn't have figured him the type either, seeing him…that's why I jumped to the conclusion that he was…well, you know."

"Caleb, you're too funny. You're the gay one, and you can't even say it!"

"My mother would kill me if she found out Bulma."

"Oh and what do you plan to do? Hide it forever?"

"No…I just…I'm just not ready to tell anyone."

"Not even Bruce?" Bulma asked softly, well aware of the feelings Caleb had for the eccentric designer.

"Especially not Bruce. I couldn't handle the rejection."

"And what makes you think he's going to reject you? Caleb, you're one of the best guys I know. If you were into girls, I'd be all over you." She giggled, drawing another blush from him.

"What a brash woman you are, Bulma Briefs. It's going to take one helluva man to keep you happy. But know what? You're definitely worth it. Why, if I was into girls, I'd have thrown you over my shoulder and taken you off, caveman style, a long time ago." He teased, knowing she liked her men strong, brave, and just a little bit rough. Blushing profusely, she stuck her tongue out at him, wishing she had never chosen to divulge that little secret of hers.

"Anyway," she coughed, clearing her throat and changing the subject. "About lot #59…"

So there you have it! Caleb is gay! Bet you all saw that one coming! *giggle*

And Vegeta's agent has quite the name, ne? Shelly Garris-Hoderpesenburgh. It's harder to type than it is to pronounce…*Giggle* But just incase you're wondering, it's pronounced: "Hoe-der-pee-zen-burg."

Lemme see…Mp3 of the day today is… "Missing You" by Glay.