Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ WALK LIKE A MAN ❯ Chapter 9

It was a beautiful Saturday, and as usual the shopping center was full of shoppers. Mai sat quietly tying enjoy her weekend The workweek had been hectic all week and if she saw one more file she would blow a gasket.

Getting ready for the conference was by far one of the biggest challenges of her life. Her boss showed signs of fatigue also; he still didn’t like handling things as they came down to the wire. As usual she did her job and smoothed over the rough edges for him. No foreseen disasters to avoid and a happy staff, kept the gentle giant just that.

But he seemed distant, grumbling to himself and taking out his frustrations on the staff over the slightest things. Something was missing form his life. It was Mai. When they worked late into the evenings or caught a late dinner together, he’d tell Mike all about Mai, and how it she seemed she had captured his heart without even trying.

“Cassy’s bills aren't piling up are they?”

“No honey, the money you sent covered it all. Thanks”

“How is she doing?”

“The doctors want to do another surgery, and remove some of the tiny tumors around her optic nerves. It will make her headaches go away”

“She’s having headaches now? Mai why didn't you tell me”

“You know how she is, just like you and your father, strong willed”

She feared her sister health was slowly failing. Surgery was expensive; thank goodness she was back employed.

“So honey Cassy tells me you have an admirer?”

“He’s just a friend ma.... and Cassy talks too much” Mai downed another batch of fries without even chewing

“ Slow down honey” her mother instructed “No man likes a fat woman”

“But they love curves” Mai added patting herself on her hips. Trunks said he loved her hips. It gave him something to hold on to tight in bed.

She was torn about their relationship, or their lack of. She had not seen him since their first date, contemplating whether or not to see him again. She was living a double life, as his assistant and perhaps his love interest. Both ways she was not being fair to him.

“So is this the one, or will I ever be a grandmother?”

“It’s complicated ma. We just went out once”

Spending a Saturday afternoon shopping with her mother was the last thing Mai wanted to do. Her mother and she never quite saw eye to eye after she had grown up and moved out. She thought her daughter should be married and raising a family, like she did. It was hard to try to get her to understand that her independence was more important to her than any ring on her finger and a white picket fence .She didn’t want a man to define her, yet she did want a man to complete her.

“Aren’t you even trying to see the young man again?”

Ma...please can we change the subject” Mai cut her off quickly.

Her mother was a bit disappointed. She could remember a time when she was the first person she called when she came from a date or thought she might be in love.

“We use to have such a good relationship......I miss talking to you” her mother said stirring her tea “we use to be so close when you were younger”

“Things change”

“I did what I thought was right Mai. It was Mallory’s wish”

“But he has rights too ma. You know how hard it is for him? Wondering, wishing, hoping you give in a little”

“I’m doing my best Mai. It’s not easy especially at my age”

“Then give him his chance”

Every time this particular subject arose the bridge between them was lengthened. Two strong wills always have a way of canceling each other out. She loved her mother dearly and wished they had the same relationship they had all those years ago, but the grudge Mai held against her for all these years only made Mai despised her mothers actions even more.

“I’m starting to like your hair that short” her mother said trying to break up the tension.

“It’s easy to care for”

“Any job leads lately?

“No. I’m just concentrating on finishing my car right now”

“Just like your father. You two loved those old classics”

“I miss daddy”

“Me too”

The quiet noise of the Saturday shoppers filled the food court. Mai’s attention was elsewhere as she looked over at the table she sat at when she first met Trunks. It was empty. But she could still imagine him sitting there, broad shouldered and very handsome. Every detail of his tailored shirt came to mind. The light lavender strands of hair that fell in his cerulean eyes when he tilted his head ever so slightly downward. She could still smell his cologne and see his smile. Each day she tried to deny her feelings for him but they grew stronger. Work was becoming almost unbearable. To be so close to him, and not have him.

“I knew you’d come back to the scene of the accident” a familiar voice whispered in her ear startling her out of her daze.

“Trunks.... hi” it was as if someone had smacked her with a happy stick, then taken another whack at her making her realize her mother would ask too many questions.

“I thought you’d be here” he took her hand and kissed it “how are you?”

“I’m good” Mai blushed ant his gentlemanly gesture while her mother looked totally surprised.

“Going to introduce me to your friend honey?”

“”Ma ..this is Trunks Briefs”

“Pleased to me you “ Trunks repeated his gesture with her mother.

“I like him” she said blushing “Cassy’s right, he is a cutie”

He looked good enough to eat. His hair now brushing his shoulders , it added a certain edge to him. Almost a bad boy, definitely a pretty boy, always the gentleman.

He moved a seat right next to Mai’s and adoringly placed his arm around her. Her mother’s smiled widened.

“Missed you”.

“Missed you too” she blushed at the notion of his missing her.

He wanted to steal a kiss, but not in front of her mother. He wasn’t sure what she had told her mother about him. Mai sat comfortably against him, and seem to find comfort in his embrace.

“Well Trunks what are your intentions with my daughter”

“MA!?”

“I’m just asking. Are you dating her, or are you two just fooling around?”

Red faced and embarrassed. Trunks nervously shifted in his seat. They weren’t really dating, so he couldn’t say that. And they did fool around on the first date.

“I’d like to see your daughter again. But she hasn’t said rather she wants to see me anymore”

She was being put on the spot. Both Mai’s mother and Trunks waited for an answer.

“No pressure here “ she said sarcastically tapping the table tops with the tips of her fingers.

Mai’s mother could see her daughter's nervousness and it was getting late. Cassy would be home from visiting friends and dinner needed to be cooked. She did enjoy the time she spent with Mai, but now Mai’s attention was focused somewhere else.

“Look at the time” she looked at her watch “Got to go. You two have fun”.

Both Trunks and Mai stood up “ Call me later Ma, ok?”

“I will” she said waving goodbye and disappearing into the crowds.

“You mother is sweet. I see where you get it”

Mai sat back against him and let out a sigh. This was how it was suppose to be, them together. Her hands tracing the muscles of his chest. His body couldn't feel any better.

“So how are you dong?” He said with his lips against her temple.

“I'm fine. I would have called but I know you’re a busy man”

“Not so busy you can’t pick up a phone. My assistant will always put you through”

How ironic.

“I know. I’ve just been trying to sort out some things” she clutched this arm tightly.

“You ok Mai?” He asked

“No.” she felt her body tremble against his. He felt so good against her. She wanted to hold him tight a not let go. She wanted to kiss him, feel him, and have him “Let’s go ok. We can go somewhere quiet, private and talk”

Now he was worried. They sat side by side in the limo, headed towards no particular destination. Mai kept a gap between them.

“What do we have Mai?” He asked blankly “who am I to you?”

Mai crossed her arms and stared out the window. She didn't give a quick response.

“Who do you want us to be?” She asked back “I know how I feel about you.” She said softly looking over at him lovingly.

“ I want to see you and only you” He added reaching out to her “I do believe in love at first sight”

“But we don‘t know each other really”.

“It doesn't’ matter to me, I know all I need to know about you Mai”

“I don’t want to hurt you”

“I’m willing to take a chance. good or bad.......you got me”

Had it been another time or under different situations this would have been a fairy tail romance headed for a happy ending. Continuing anything romantically between them could be disastrous, she could lose him forever.

“Then we should get to know each other” He extended his hand “Hello I'm Trunks, pleased t meet you”

He made it seem so easy, just smile and be adorable. With just a smile she knew. She couldn’t stop now, even with the lie she was living, she was ready to risk it all.

“I’m Mai, pleased to meet you too”