Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ WALK LIKE A MAN ❯ Chapter 2

Mai sat in a corner in the cafe. The almost noonday sun was warming, defrosting her body slowly from the air-conditioned covering she had built up inside the offices. She had to admit 3 weeks of working for the elusive Mr. Briefs was quite the chore not to mention the facade of dressing up like a man and fooling everyone around her about her true identity, Mai savored the though of how quickly and efficiently she came in, befriended him and did her job with her boss none the wiser to her little “charade”.

There wasn’t malice in her thoughts about what she was doing, only the gratification of a job she was beginning to love and a boss who was, if nothing else turned out to be not as complicated as she had thought.

Sipping on iced tea she leaned back in her chair and watched the traffic, and for a brief moment, all the misplaced files, unsigned documents and the constant yelling from her boss took a back seat. .

“Seat taken?” A female voice caught her off guard.

“No” she said with a voice full of bass and sticking with her gentlemanly persona she raised from her chair and offered the seat.

“Brittany right?”

Brittany, young intern from the local collage. She was a hard worker from what Mai could tell.

“Yea....you’re Mike, the new guy. So how’s it working out?”

“Pretty good. Debbie did leave everything in a bit of a mess. I’m still trying to find files”

“Yea she shot out of here like a bat out of hell...oops....sorry” the bubbly woman giggled twisting on one of her loose curls.

“Well it’s going to get easier, even though I'm just the temp. I hope to make it easier for the next poor soul who has to face him”

“How gallant. So are you ready the Convention?”

“Convention?”

“Yea...as his assistant you’ll have to go. But I hear it’s a lot of fun, well after the work is over.”

Mai guessed he failed to mention it because, after all, she was a temp. Brittany explained it was a weekend in Ginger Town all the executives for the remaining corporations would be there. Usually Bulma would go, but this time it was Trunks turn at bat to get that experience.

“Better clear your schedule” Brittany added “at this rate no one is going to replace you at the helm. He’d be utterly lost if you didn’t stay”

“Thanks” Mai accepted the lovely complement. Word was spreading around their floor that Mai’s work was improving the flow of the paper trail in the offices and everyone was talking about her. He did seem needy at times. His confidence about his abilities to maintain the helm of the ship called Capsule Corp. at times seemed insecure.

“But you know how people are. They have no lives outside this. And besides you’re the new guy so everyone’s going talk”

“I guess I should keep to myself then”

“But you don’t have to be alone. I do lunch here everyday. So wanna meet here tomorrow?”

“Sure.... same time same table”

It was the first friendly connection Mai had made with any of the employees. Usually she would enter a room and the talking would stop. She wasn’t worried about making friends, but I was nice to have someone to eat lunch with.

Before she finished her snack her cell rang.

“Hello?”

“Mai? It’s Jamie. Can you swing by tonight? Momma is coming over and I need you here”

“Sure .....you going to be ok?’

“Yea.......Ty’s here with me. You know how he is . Won’t let me out of his sight”

“He loves you a lot. You really should tell him about.....” Mai was cut off before she could finish.

“I just can't. He won’t understand. And ......just let sleeping dogs lie”

There was a long pause between them.

“Think mom will let me have Cassy this weekend?”

“Yea......she’ll be in need of a break.”

“I’ll let you know where we’ll be if you want to see.......”

“Again ....let it go”

Mai knew it was hopeless convincing her brother to open up to his lover and face his mother alone. But until he got up the nerve, she would have his back.

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It seemed everyone hadn’t expected Mike to be around, but it was one month later and Mai had totally redesigned her bosses office and his attitude. The outbreaks were frequent, but he hadn't overturned a desk since her first day. Heading into the lobby she stopped in the gift shop and did her usual pick up of on of his favorite snacks.

“Let me have three of the large this time”

“Mr. Briefs really like these doesn't he?”

“Yea I think they calm him down a bit”

Up the elevator and back into the office she did her usual back form lunch sweep. She turned on her computer and went into his office. The curtains were drawn and only the light form the hallway filtered in. She flipped on one of the light switches and a soft light gave the room a romantic glow.

“The man has mood lighting in his office?” Mai crooked a brow as she headed for the desk and checked his out box. There he was sound asleep in his chair and for once, before he went to lunch he had emptied it out, but he had left the papers sprawled out on his desk. Mai was pleased anyway, he probably got tired of her nagging about leaving things undone when it only take a second. She placed some of the decadent chocolates on his desk with a little note saying “ENJOY” hand written then quietly filled up the empty ice water pitcher and replaced the glass that sat on his desk.

Everything was in proper order to finish out the day. She watched him for a second hoping she had not disturbed his little nap. It was the most content she had ever seen him. His jacket covering him like a blanket as he softly snored. She worried about him getting a crook in his neck form the odd position his head was in, so with a gentle touch she rolled up a towel from this private bathroom and slipped it between his head and shoulder giving his a cushion to rest on. She could have swore he opened his eyes to see what was going on but he only shifted his weight onto the towel for more comfort. Slipping back to her desk she began going over his schedule. there were a few conflicting meetings, which could be rearranged. The top floor began to fill with everyone coming back form lunch and the once quiet floor was now buzzing with noise.

“Mike”

Mai head tilted up form her work.

“Hey how’s it hanging?”

“Great”

It was Sid Holder. Total jerk.

“Say......... saw you downstairs in the cafe.... Brittany... what a babe. So young and innocent. She’s got to be only 19.

“Yea she a nice girl”

“Nice and tender.... give me three minutes with her, four tops. I’d have her calling me “daddy”.

Mai just gave his a half grin. This guy couldn't be serious? Loves talking about how many women he’s conquered this week. We all know its bullshit. No woman in her right mind would date such an ass.

“Three whole minutes? So Sid did you get the Cytec reports Mr. Briefs asked about?”

“Shit .......totally forgot. Could you stall him for a few while I fish them out of the archive? I’ll owe you big time pal”

Sid hurried off to the underground archives. It was one pace Mai hated to go. So many file to go through. Most of the time Trunks wanted her to fish around for files that were predated to before the androids. The once hectic job of reorganizing his office was quickly becoming a breeze. All of the files were in proper order and her computer was back on line. As far as his schedule, there was still work to be done. Most of his time went to meetings, hardly any personal time in the near future. Which was fine with Mai. Most bosses have a bevy of beauties to work with. Most of the time Mai found herself ordering flowers, candies and lingerie with a list of particulars for each potential candidate. They figured a woman buying for a woman was much simpler, it took the stress of trying to guess what the woman might want. Typical man move. Instead of asking simply what her interest are; take the easy route and get cookie cutter gifts.

Her light tap almost went unnoticed to Trunks as he fidgeted with his tie to get it back in place and eat one of the chocolates at the same time.

“grrr...... stupid tie”

Mai popped her head between the opened doors “Sir.....are you alright? I could come back?”

“No.....come in. sorry of the mess”

Mai’s glare showed her disapproval of the mess.

“I'll straighten this up......please don’t kill me” his tone mockingly funny.

“I’ll spare your life sir”

“Stop calling me that. I’m not that old!”

“Sorry”

“Now, did Sid come through?”

“No, he’s still on it”

“Loafer. Ok what's gong on in my life”

Mai sat in her usual spot and updated him on the ins and outs of his next month’s schedule. As usual he tried his best to squirm out of meeting and traveling plans. Even trying to bribe her. But Mai kept to her guns, not giving him an inch to be able to take off for frivolous adventures.

“Let me see the Image report”

In an instant Mai was by his side, handing him the blue folder with the bright yellow sun on it. She stood next to him as he scanned the pages, his fingers rubbing the soft patch of hair on his chin. His eyes going back and forth quickly as he barely made a sound reading.

“Hummm” his voice finally broke the silence “is this correct...line 4. They really can produce that many units in that time?”

Mai leaned into him. She could smell the cologne he was wearing. It had finally wore down into a soft sent that was better suited for him. His lips were moving and for a moment but she couldn’t hear him. From the closeness of his body, her mind drifted. She studied his profile secretively again, like before in the bathroom and as they went over his schedule every morning and evening. She memorized every angle of his face. She watched the progression of his beard which was now in need of a good lining and the amazing way he smirked that made her tingle inside. His long thick lashes barley covering his blue eyes hidden behind those glasses. The silky hair on his head that still smelled shower fresh even after having been at work all day. She was in awe of him.

“I think they are correct” her spell momentarily broken as her bound breast barely grazed his shoulder. She jumped back clutching her jacket closed.

“I’m sorry ..........I...I... bumped you”

“No problem....” Trunks swatted her on the back. Mai nearly fell over onto the desk.

It was beginning to become uncomfortable in the room, well at least for Mai. She could only imagine the problem she would have had if she were in her regular clothing. She remembered all to well the looks he gave her on the day she interviewed. Her tight fitting skirt, although she was covered, He seemed to find the sexual content of her form. She was curvy, as she should be. She was soft; any man would love to be held against her breast. Trunks made her blush internally with his roaming eye the day she interviewed. The way he cleared his throat and adjusted his tie with nervousness in his body language made her realize he would have problems working late hours and in sometimes confined space. Trunks continued to scan thought the documents as Mai stood a good distance form him.

“This should work” he muttered as he closed the folder and tossed it on his desk giving her a killer smile of approval “My mother will be pleased”

“Shall I have it sent to her”

“ASAP”

Mai turned on her heels and excused herself making sure the folder was on Bulma’s desk immediately.

“Hey wait up” Trunks had caught her as she entered the hallway “I’ll follow”

The two made their was to the elevator leading down two floors to Bulma's office. Trunks was accustomed to the stares he received from the female staff. Batting eyes and flirtatious faces being made as he walked past was not unusual or uncomfortable sight for him. He seemed to take it all in stride. He himself never quite understood what all the fuss was about. He was, as far as he was concerned average in looks. His physique, in his eyes was standard considering his training and heritage. Hell his father whom only that high with his spiky mane (3 inches of hair mind you), pound for pound had more muscle than he did. Mai on the other hand was taken totally by surprise. Gawking eyes and whispers as she and her boss passed totally took her by surprise. She slipped her glasses back up on her face and ran her fingers through her hair out of nervousness, however the female staff took it as a flirtatious maneuver towards them. It was strange to see females this way, from a male’s perspective.

“I think you have some admirers” Trunks leaned into her whispering.

Mai swallowed hard with the heat for her blushing cheeks now showing through.

“It’s a complement. They think you’re hot”

“Hot?”

“Yea. I hear them. You’re the new flavor of the month. Congrats. You’ve bumped me out of my position. Yea.......they seem to go for the shy quiet type. I’m glad all eyes are off me” Trunks added with a sound of relief in his voice

“It must be hard to maintain a professional image when everyone around you perceives you as just a pretty face”

“It has its hazards and benefits, but you know how it is.” Again Trunks gave him a nudge. Mai stopped in her tracks

“A complement?” She stood still in her thought as Trunks whom was clearly ahead of her continued to converse unaware of his companions absence. Mai began to realize that her charade was better than she had thought. If her boss whom she clearly spent most of her time around thought she was an attractive man, then clearly she had accomplished what she set out to do. Fool everyone.

Finally reaching his mother office she was busy delegating assignments.

“Come on in the more the merrier” she shouted with one hand on her hip and a genuine smile.

“Mom.....how’s it going down here in the trenches?” Trunks closed the distance between he and his mother, planting a well-received kiss on her cheek.

“Fine..........oh hello Mr. Daveson” Bulma spotted her standing in the doorway “Come on in. So what brings two very handsome men here to see me?”

“I’ve gone over the Image report. It looks promising. We brought it down so you could see it”

“Great. Oh by the way Mr. Craggen wants to meet with you over dinner tonight. You know the good old boys meeting”

Trunks cringed. Suddenly his happy smile disappeared.

“Mom, you know I can't stand those functions. Everyone there is twice my age and ...and it’s boring”

“Well son it helps when you network besides, everyone there loves it when you come. You add a little fresh air to the rather dull environment”

“I’d rather face Frezia or even my father on a bad day”

Clearly he was up against a wall. He had no choice but to endure an evening or small talk and boring banter.

“I’ll go with you........that's if it’s acceptable” Mai said realizing her mouth had said what her mind was thinking, but didn’t have permission too.

“Would you?” A spark of excitement came to Trunks.

“Umm.....yea. I’ll go with you”

Trunks gave Mai a hearty handshake that rattled her whole body.

“Tonight at about 7:00 I'll give you the address. Just show up, oh yea black tie”

Black tie? Mai really needed Jamie’s wardrobe closet now. She did suits but a tux was a whole different thing. They excused themselves and headed back upstairs. Trunks had a little more pep in his step as Mai almost lagged behind in disbelief.

“What have I gotten myself into”?