Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ WALK LIKE A MAN ❯ Chapter 6

Don’t Own It......................

It couldn’t have been a prettier night and the stars seemed to have all had perfect places in the sky. Trunks sat in his chair facing the huge opened window, folder in his hand, headset attached to his ear and barely listening to the other person on the line. This was not how he intoned to spend his Saturday night.

He had dressed for the occasion, something simple and comfortable. If he knew Mai as well as he thought he did, wouldn’t want him in some stiff suit or in some upper-class restaurant where half the menu was in another language, and the vegetables covered in some dam sauce. He wanted to take her dancing or to the bar he and Mike hung out at one night when they had one of the best times he could remember. Everything seemed so unfair right now. He understood the responsibilities he had with the company, and at a moment’s notice he knew he could be called to the four corners of the earth to take care of business.

But dam it, it was the first time in a long time he had every gotten excited about something. His mother felt sorry for him, but the project was his. Life's little lessons could be so cruel.

“Mr. Briefs....... are you there?”

“Oh, yea.......hum....... over budgeting is killing us” He tired catch up with the conversation, but was hopelessly lost. His mind was certainly not on his work “could I call you back with tomorrow with the outlines and the figures?”

“Yes sir....have a good evening” the phone went dead.

“Yea what’s left of it”

He slipped off the headphones and tossed them aside.

He cold have called Mai back and told her they could still go out, but with the stacks of files on his desk, it still wasn’t going to happen.

“Better dig in if I want to ever get out of here” he said letting out a deep sigh.

“I could help you ...if you want”

So engulfed in the task, he never heard the elevator coming up the shaft or any footsteps leading to his suite. Mai stood in the doorway blushing before he could even register who she was.

“Mai?”

“Yea. I didn’t think you’d mind the company. I hate putting of something that should be done today”

Before she could get halfway into this office he met her, nearly knocking her off her feet.

“Sorry. Just didn’t expect...just glad you.... I’m just happy” his voice sounding like a kid having way too much excitement in him.

“I knew you’d be bored to death without company. I mean if I'm not disturbing you? I could go?”

“No...No. I just have to find a few files and get some things in order”

He began to lead her to the small sofa, when she removed her coat.

“By the way I wanted you to see my outfit. I hope this isn’t too much of distraction” She turned to model her dress.

The dress was definitely distracting. Swallowing hard, the only thing he could muster up was a quick nod as Mai sat down and tried her best not to show her excitement.

“You look like you’ve got a lot of work. Reminds me of the first time I came here”

“Yea.....” He said sitting next to her trying not to look guilty for not hiring her.

“You don’t have to feel bad. Remember, I forgave you” She said smiling at him.

“Well after seeing you in that dress, I feel relieved” He removed his jacket and tossed it aside “there would have definitely been sex......um.... tension here. Trust me, the look on my face isn‘t from guilt.....boy if you only knew what I was thinking!” He nervously laughed.

With that confession she laughed making the tension that she was feeling disappear, replaced by confidence. The thoughts about her putting herself out there and showing up to his job and the competing with Simone were out the door for now. Tonight she was the only girl on his mind.

“I wanted to see you”

“I believe you”

“You look so good. I hate to waste that dress on an evening spent here.....doing paper work”

Mai figured she could help out, considering she had organized the whole itinerary for the project.

“Look” she said in a sultry voice “I have the skills you need” her hands cupped his face “you want me........to help?”

Again all he could do was nod as she held his attention.

“Ok show me how you want me to do it”

Mai’s opened invitation could have been taken more than one way, but he knew she meant downsizing the stack of files that were sitting on the edge of his desk. Trunks filled her in on the details and let her loose in his office. It was hard for Mai not to completely take over the task considering she had first hand knowledge about it. But she knew if she showed off her skills around his office too much it would have left her opened to too many questions.

Trunks delegated as Mai played the efficient assistant. He trusted her, he knew she was qualified to handle the financial sections on the computer. And she didn’t hesitate when he asked her to input the latest figures.

“I guess we do work well together” Mai said passing by him as he sat at his desk.

“Hum? Sorry?”

She sat down the stack of “to be signed stack” in front of him.

“We work well together don’t you think?” She leaded on the edge of his desk making her dress fall open at it split exposing her leg way up to the thigh.

“Yea..... we are pretty terrific together” he tried to keep his head in his work but the fact of the matter since she walked into the office he couldn’t think about anything else but her. If her wardrobe were anything like the tight fitting dress she had on tonight, it would have been only a matter of time before it became unbearable to resist the temptation.

The seemly endless task was reduced to only 3 hours worth of work. The night was still young.

“Well that went pretty well” Mai hit the print button sending the recalculated figures to the main printer.

“Strength in numbers” Trunks said stretching out the knots in his back and legs “besides the person who left this project before it was finished did keep all the important facts together”

Trunks made his way to the small sofa and slid in next to Mai “Mike was great when it came to organization”

“Your assistant kept a smooth running ship?” She asked as if she didn’t know.

“Very. He was exceptional. Not that you couldn’t have done a great job either. You really pulled me out of a bind. I owe you”

“Not necessary. I like helping out”

Suddenly the sofa became quite small for two people. Mai rode the edge of the cushion as Trunks reclined and outstretched his arms resting them around the back of the sofa.

“I’m glad you decided to come and hang out with me” His voice soft “we could still go out I know this great spot, it’s perfect” he looked at his watch. Mai slipped out of her heels and stood on her feet.

“I think we’ve got the perfect spot here” She was facing the large window, and with the blinds drawn the whole city in full view.

“Aren’t you hungry? I thought we’d go dancing later”

Mai watched the light of the city twinkle like the stars in the sky. Both were breathtaking.

Trunks had begun to slip on his jacket when Mai caught him by the hands leading him off the sofa and to the window.

“Bet you spend a lot of time just watching the view here” She said still admiring it although she had seen it before “It's nice.... quiet and private” she held his hand gently as they both admired the scenery.

“I think we should order in” she said turning to face him “We can finish our evening here”

It wasn’t exactly the perfect evening he hand planned for her, but he realized Mai didn't need to be in the trendy places to have fun.

“I like Chinese or Thai.... something spicy”

“I like it too” Trunks hands now holding on to hers tightly.

Mai was right, it was the perfect spot. Quiet and private. No staring faces ore lines to wit in. They could be together alone. Trunks flipped through the directory as Mai pressed her hand against the cool window glass. Her eyes scanning the streets, watching the cars and pedestrians wondering why everyone was out going to crowed clubs when the outside was so beautiful.

“Orders will be here in 15.........oh”

He couldn't finish his sentence. Watching Mai as she stood at the window, the light for the flood lights on the floors below them filtered up softly. The fabric of her dress now seemed only like a silhouette. Every curve of her frame was softly outlined in a dim halo of light making her image in a sense angelic....and downright erotic.

“You were saying?”

“Food, here ..............15” His thought process had completely shut down.

Mai sat on the edge of his desk “Cassy sends her love”

“Good. I want to buy her something....... that’s if you don’t mind”

“She’ll love anything from you. She thinks you are the greatest thing. She may have a crush on you. You’d better watch out”

Trunks laughed and sat in his chair swiveling it towards her.

“What about you....... do you have feelings for me?”

“I barely know you” she could feel her body tingle.

“Don’t believe in love at first sight?”

“I guess it’s possible”

“So then there is a possibility that you might like me more than you think”

“Hey!” Mai put one finger to his lips “slow down mister. Let’s get through this first date then see if I want to see you again”

With her stern command obeyed her and dropped the questioning. He would carry on as if this were a normal date and have to wait it out a see. The food arrived none too soon; both had worked quite an appetite. The plain white containers of food were unpacked and arranged on the table. It lacked the luster of a well-dressed table for two but Mai worked with what she had.

“This ok for you?” She asked as he sat down behind his desk. But he was more than an arm length away from her.

“Could be closer”

Mai began serving up the plates when his imaginative mind began working.

“Wait” He stood up and come from behind the desk “let me move the desk”

The solid piece of moved like kindling under his strength. Moving it made opened a nice seating area in front of the window. Next he moved the sofa in from of the window facing the view she so admired.

“We'll rough it out on the floor with a great view.”

Mai began moving the boxes to the floor “You sure you can handle it city boy. I know your sensitive little hands might get dirty”

“Oh you think I'm a little pampered prince? You’d be amazed how wrong you are”

Trunks sat cross legged in front of Mai with a more acceptable distance between them. Mai tried to sit lady like on the floor but the dress would cooperate. She finally found a comfortable way to sit and then could enjoy her meal.

“So tell me about you Mr. Briefs?”

“My grandfather is Mr. Briefs; you may call me Trunks. I’m single and a hopeless romantic. I have a job if that’s bonus points for me”

“And you’re a comedian. What do you like to do when you’re not out buying up the world?”

“I wish I could just work a regular job, go home to someone eager to meet me with opened arms and a kiss. Sit down to a great meal, read to my kids whenever I have some and cuddle with my wife until I fall asleep in her arms”

“That’s so sweet” Was all she could say. Mai couldn’t think of a smart remark or sarcastic thing to say back, she was more stunned and impressed with his down hominess. They had talked when she was Mike and she knew he had a more relaxed side, but she never expected him to let his guard down.

“And you, my very beautiful guest, who is Mai?”

She cleared her throat and fumbled with the sash on her dress “ I love kids, old movies and my family”

He could tell she was stalling.

“Mai” his voice cooed at her “you can tell me anything”

Mai let out a long sigh, she tried to press all her nervousness down.

“This is great food” She said sitting her plat on her lap.

“It is but that’s not the question” He looked up from his plate and caught a glimpse of her smiling back at him “you’re great company you know? You must have lots of guys hanging all over you”

If only. Mai had not dated in so long she gave up any hope of ever being asked out again. When she and Cassy went out to window shop this morning, she never expected being picked up by her ex-boss of all people.

“I’m not a guy magnet. I'm usually the guys best friend who hooks the guy up with the girl, becoming the third wheel. I lead a sad life”

“Come on, there must have been one guy who you really fell for”

“Once but, it ended not to well”

She loosened her sash and partly opened her dress at the shoulder. On her left side there was a was a scar. It was old but noticeable.

“He though I was his personal punching bag”

Trunks went to touch it but retracted his hand “I’ m sorry for making you bring it up”

“It's ok. I learned to just be a spectator in the game of life. Playing is too dangerous. You get your heart stomped on a lot”

An eerie quietness filled the room. The generator below the street level all of a sudden became louder than normal.

“The food was great” Mai blurted out hoping to lift the tension.

“Thanks” he mumbled

“No really. Look I rarely get to talk to someone about it. Talking helps” Mai reached for his plate “you want to finish up here”

“Yea. I’m not so hungry now”

The mood had taken a nosedive. Not purposely Trunks pushed back the desk and Mai clean up the boxes of empty food. With the office back to normal Trunks grabbed his jacket.

“Walk you to your car?” He asked slicking back his hair with his hands.

“You going some where?”

“Though you might want to end the night now”

“No silly” she leaned into him “you sill haven’t showed me the rest of the complex. I’m dying to see it all”

The building wasn’t nearly finished. There were parts of it still under construction. It was more of a storage center at times than a business. But in all, Mai was having a good time although she hated to admit it and with Trunks being himself was easy to like. Good conversationalist, handsome, rich he definitely had the chips stacked in his corner.

“We’ve got a lot to be thankful for” Mai said walking along side of him “our generation barely made it”

“I know I do. We struggled like everyone else at once. And people look at me and think I'm just one sided. That I had all this during the bad times” His eyes looked to the heavens “I lost so many friends...a father.......a brother”

“Food rations! ” Mai yell out trying not to make him relive something clearly painful.

“Waiting in line for hours for a bag. Running out of food too soon” Trunks chuckled.

“Scrounging through garbage for a meal. Hiding underground just to escape the explosions when the androids hit town”

“Praying that no one else died” Trunks said sadly

“But people did died”

“Too many” Trunks steps had halted as he realized he was at the steps leading up to the roof.

“Wanna see something great?”

“Are you going to scare me?”

“No, I think you’ll love it”

The sound of their shoes was all than could be heard. They echoed as they rose higher and higher finally stopping to a door.

“I use to come here just to think” He pushed it opened ands stepped out “I haven’t been up here in a few years” He offered Mai his hand and she followed.

Out side, there were no windows or barriers between them and the night. It was even better form their vantage point. The open skies glittered in perfect light. Mai looked around her, and in 360 degrees of pure perfect.

“Ohmygosh it’s wonderful” she followed him to one of the rails thatch was by the edge ‘It’s so beautiful. I see why you would come here” Mai was in awe, in his office the view was spectacular, but out here, up her it was breathtaking.

“I use to sit up her for hours just thinking, or relaxing. Its peaceful” Trunks took off his jacket to catch the slight breeze. Mai took a deep breath of the cool fresh air as she leaned on the rail over looking the view. She could smell the trees form the forest just north of here, and the Ocean Sea had drifted in. It was a perfect spot.

“You should sell tickets to this”

“Naw, want to keep it to myself. And for someone special”

Mai glanced over at him as he stared back at her. They had connected form the very start. At his office when she come to apply, at the outdoor market as they stood in the food court and she was mad as hell, they connected.

Tonight as she helped him in his office and not once complained about not going out. They were connecting.

“I’m glad you came”

“You told me several times”

“I just wanted you to have a good time”

“I am” she smiled blissfully

Trunks tapped on the rail nervously. He didn’t know what to do next.

“Should I hold her hand? Do I take her in my arms? Dam I should be good at this” he though to himself privately as his eyes tried to avoid hers all together.

He hadn’t felt this nervous around a woman in a long time. Even as a boy he didn’t struggle this much with the opposite sex, but something about Mai made him nervous. She was beautiful even if she didn’t think so. She was smart and kind, she gave her time when she didn't even have to. She was a package of perfect. Then why was it so hard to approach her the way he wanted to?

“We’ve got to do this again properly” he managed to blurt out “I think we should go....”

Her hand touched his before he could say another word.

“I haven felt this good in a long time. You really are a great guy”

The brown in her eyes seemed brighter, like a vibrant gold shining in the mist of the night.

“You’re a great , putting up with all this. I should have taken you out”

“But you did. This was better than any restaurant or dance hall. I got to get to know you without all the distractions” she moved in closer and rested against him “I wouldn’t change a thing about tonight.

They stood at the rail overlooking their world and all was good, until the sprinkles came and turned into a downpour.

“Want to go in now” the droplets began to soak through his shirt quickly.

“I love the rain” Mai held onto the rail and let the downpour drench her face “it feels sooooo good”

By now her black dress was clinging to her body, only making it harder for him to resist her.

“You’ll catch cold and I won’t forgive myself” he said louder trying to talk past the ever-increasing downpour.

It was as if the rain washed away all her inhabitations. The steady downpour of water pounding them seemed to make the distance between them much narrower. Mai was now being held tightly in his arms. His hand wiping away the water that rolled off her body making her skin slick and supple.

He slicked back his hair, which now clung to his head with water running off of it like the soft down feathers of a swan. Mai pushed away the few stray strands off his face , she wanted to see him as she had never seen him before.

He was magnificent in her eyes. His hint of a goatee and his wide-open eyes called out to her. She had watched him as his assistant, confidant, wise and sure of himself. Tonight she saw his as she saw herself, vulnerable but willing to open up for the right person.

“We should go in” his mind snapped back to the realization that they would probably be hit by lighting. “It's much safer inside”

He led Mai to the entrance of the stairwell when a juvenile sprit came over her and she tagged his chest.

“You’re it”