Kakarrot left the balcony and entered his bedroom where his wife worriedly paced. “Will you calm down? It’ll be all right.”

 They knew about this for two days. They had two days to prepare. Chichi put on a brave face in front of everyone that all was well but in the privacy of their bedroom, she broke down.

 “I can’t calm down. Ten years we’ve been safe. Ten years we had no visitors. We made the huge sacrifice and started our life together here. And now, it can all be over.” She burst into tears. “It’s not just us anymore. Think of our children.”

 Kakarrot pulled Chichi in his arms. Chichi buried her face in his chest and heavily sobbed. This was the crack in his tough exterior. This was his weakness. He thought Chichi was a beautiful woman the moment he laid eyes on her. He wasn’t looking for anything permanent. A fling would’ve been nice but ever since their first date, everything fell apart and Kakarrot didn’t know if he was the seducer or the one being seduced. 

Ten Years Ago

 “Here he comes. Right on schedule,” Lazuli remarked as she noticed the familiar tall man with wild spiky hair approaching. Lazuli continued her work as finished placing the signs of today’s menu outside the food truck.

 Inside the truck, Chichi looked herself over in the small mirror hanging in a corner. Face wasn’t wet with kitchen sweat yet, her makeup looked perfect. She checked her shirt. No food stains yet except her shorts. Good. Lazuli stepped in the truck. She looked Chichi over. “Aren’t you thirsty for your favorite customer?”

 Chichi rolled her eyes. “I am not thirsty. I’m happy to see my favorite customer. It’s because of him Mt. Frypan Food Truck has really got off the ground. He recommended this and other locations around the city. I’m so much closer to opening a restaurant. I owe him a lot.”

 Business started off slowly. Chichi and Lazuli made some money but Mt Frypan was always in the red. Chichi started to wonder if this was a good idea until Kakarrot appeared one day. He purchased a sandwich, complimented Chichi, paid and left. Lazuli and Chichi thought that was the end of it but Kakarrot returned the next day ordering another item on the menu. Kakarrot eventually ate every item on the menu. Noticing the slow business, Kakarrot recommended locations to Chichi. Desperate for a boost in business, Chichi listened to Kakarrot’s recommendations. Business boomed.

 Every day, Kakarrot arrived at Mr. Frypan Food Truck at 11am right when Lazuli and Chichi began setting up for the day. Chichi always had Kakarrot’s lunch ready for him. She even cooked extra for him. It was very obvious Chichi was smitten with Kakarrot but Chichi never took the chance to make a move.

 Until she did, Lazuli vowed to keep pushing Chichi to do it. “When are you gonna ask him out?”

 “Why would I ask him out?” Chichi looked out the food truck. She noticed Kakarrot had stop approaching to talk on his phone. She chewed her lower lip. Oh, he looked so handsome. “He’s a nice man who’s helped my business.”

 “You’re always checking yourself when he comes by. You always give him extra food for lunch.”

 “He helped me with my business. It’s only fair I give him extra.” Lazuli raised her eyebrow at him. Chichi sighed. “I’m not his type. You see him in those expensive suits. I’m just an ordinary woman trying to make it in this world. I know I’m attractive but I know my limits.”

Lazuli scoffed. “You’re being stupid. It’s very obvious Kakarrot is into you. I don’t know what problems you both have in not making a move.”

 Chichi shushed her as Kakarrot pocket his phone and made his way to the food truck. Kakarrot smiled at the two women. Kakarrot read the menu outside the truck. “Barbecue today. You should do well.”

 “We hope so. We got a lot of meat cooked and ready to go.” Chichi handed Kakarrot his lunch through the window. “Here.” Chichi prepared it last night as she did all of Kakarrot’s meals. She wanted everything to be fresh for him. Her heart raced as his hand touched hers when he passed her cash.

 “Thanks for this. I appreciate that.” Instead of walking away as he always did, Kakarrot lingered. “I know you have to finish setting up before you open but do you have a minute?” He looked over at Lazuli for a moment before he put his eyes on Chichi again. “I’d like to talk to you alone.”

 “Uh….” Why did her mouth suddenly go dry and her brain freeze?

 “She has time,” Lazuli spoke for her. “I got this.”

 Chichi looked at Lazuli flushed. She couldn’t do this now! Lazuli brushed past Chichi and opened the door. Now Chichi had no choice but to step out. She wouldn’t mind talking to Kakarrot alone but she was embarrassed. She looked good from the waist up, with her nice shirt, hair and makeup but her shorts and legs were covered in grease and food stains.

 Kakarrot came to stand at the door waiting for her. Pushing down the butterflies in her stomach, Chichi stepped out of the truck. She noticed Kakarrot’s eyes sweeping over her. “What is it?”

 “This is the first time I’ve seen you from the waist down. I always see you from the waist up. It’s nice,” his eyes fell on her legs again. “But so is this.” Being a runner and a black belt in martial arts, Chichi kept herself in excellent shape and it showed. “It’s unfortunate I’m only seeing it now. Maybe I would’ve made my move sooner.”

 “Move?” Chichi inquired innocently.

 “Are you seeing anyone?”

 “No,” she answered breathless. “Are you?”

 Kakarrot grinned. “I wouldn’t ask if I were.” He stepped closer to Chichi. Chichi stepped back until she was pressed against the truck. “We’ve been doing this little dance for way too long. I’ve found you attractive since I laid eyes on you.”

 “All of me from the waist up?” Chichi quipped.

 Kakarrot chuckled. “Yeah.” His eyes swept over hers again. “I wasn’t sure you felt the same way but I thought, ‘Fuck it. I’m gonna do this.’ So, I am. I would love to take you out.”

 Chichi’s heart raced. He admit he wanted her. She definitely wanted him. Don’t be shy, Chichi told herself. Go for it. “I want you to take me out.”

 Kakarrot grinned. “You’re very certain of yourself. Not shy like I thought you’d be. I thought I will have to assure you I want you.”

 “Why act shy when we both want the same thing?”

 Kakarrot caressed her face with the back of his hand. “Do we both want the same thing?”

 “I…..” his eyes were intense. “What do you want?”

 “You. In my car. In my bed. In my shower. The breakfast bar in my kitchen.” He leaned over her. He was so close he was almost touching her. Chichi was certain Kakarrot could hear her pounding heart. “You’ve been on my mind a lot lately. I had an intense dream of us last night. So much I had to beat myself off three times before I could leave my place.” Chichi’s eyes grew to saucer size.

 Kakarrot pulled back allowing Chichi a moment to breath. “Oh,” his eyes dropped. “I guess we do want the same thing.”

 Chichi’s eyes followed Goku’s. She looked down at her chest. Damn thin bra. Damn her light colored shirt.

 “How about Friday night?” Kakarrot suggested.

 Friday night would give her today, tomorrow and Friday afternoon to shop for a dress. Maybe she’ll go to the salon if there’s time. She was attracted to Kakarrot for a long time. She never told Lazuli but many lonely nights Kakarrot filled her mind. If he was impressed with her in short and shirts, he’ll really be impressed when she’s dressed up.

 “Where are we going?” Chichi asked.

“Bansho’s for dinner and Kame House afterwards.”

 Bansho’s was expensive and Kame House was an exclusive club where many celebrities, the rich and athletes appeared in. Food truck owners like her didn’t qualify. She will definitely be in a new crowd. “Sounds nice.”

 Chichi arranged to meet Kakarrot in the lobby of her apartment building. She trusted him enough to invite him to her apartment but having an overprotective father, drilled in Chichi to always be cautious. Chichi wore a black, lace back sheath dress that fell to her mid thighs and gave Kakarrot a nice view of her legs since he couldn’t keep his eyes off the other day.

 Kakarrot stood in the lobby wearing a navy suit and a black shirt. He was handsome. Chichi felt the envious eyes of many women when she walked out on Kakarrot’s arm holding the single rose he brought her. Chichi thought Kakarrot as a gentlemen as he walked her to his jet black escalade with tinted windows. He opened the door for her when she climbed in the passage seat. Not that there was anything wrong with Kakarrot’s vehicle. She imagined with his expensive clothes Kakarrot drove a mustang or a Ferrari.

 When they pulled up to Bansho’s, Chichi noticed Kakarrot avoided the valet and parked his ride himself. “No valet?” Chichi remarked. “It would’ve been easier.” She spoke in reference to the crowded parking lot.

 “No one touch my ride but me.”

 Chichi thought that was strange but figured Kakarrot was protective of his vehicle.

 When they entered Bansho’s she and Kakarrot were quickly ushered to their seats. It was strange. There were others waiting ahead of them but as soon as Kakarrot was spotted, they were ushered to a table. Chichi’s been in a few restaurants but none as nice as this. The lists of food on the menu were scrumptious but expensive.

 “Don’t worry about price,” Kakarrot told her as he read her mind. “You deserve it. Treat yourself.”

 Chichi raised the menu higher. She had to hide her blush. Oh, this man! When the waiter returned, orders were placed. While they waited for their food, they chatted.

 “So, where did idea of a Mount Frypan Food Truck come from?”

 “I always love to cook. Even as a little girl, I had dreams of opening my own restaurant with my original recipes.”

 “You have the talent,” Kakarrot remarked. “I can’t get enough eating your food.”

 The way Kakarrot looked at her, Chichi wondered if Kakarrot really meant the food she cook or…… She sipped some water. She didn’t want to drink too much wine. She wanted to keep a level head. “After high school, I wanted to enroll in culinary school but my Dad thought I should have a realistic plan. He didn’t think me owning my restaurant was possible. So I majored in accounting and forgot my dreams until I was laid off.” Chichi sipped more of wine. “I had six months of savings and thought, ‘I’m gonna do things my way.’ I started my food truck business and never look back.”

 Her confidence, her take charge attitude was impressive. “What did you Dad think?”

 “Not happy especially when I put my savings and got a loan for my business. He wants me to play it safe but we only get one life. We have to take chances. We should do what we want and not be oppressed by society or crazy bosses, you know.” She noticed Kakarrot staring at her. There was a mesmerizing look on his face. “What is it?”

 Kakarrot shook his head. “Nothing. You make a lot of sense. Some people are oppressed their entire lives. Everything is decided for them. I…” This woman was more than he thought. “What you’re doing is great.”

 “Tell that to my Dad,” Chichi snorted. “My Dad hasn’t been entirely supportive. He wants me to be a success but he’s also practical and he worries about my safety in a food truck.”

 “Safety?”

 Chichi shrugged. “Robberies and such, especially when I’m running the food truck at night events.”

 “The places I recommend are safe.” He was offended. As if he would risk her harm. “But I guess Dads are protective of their daughters.”

 “I suppose,” Chichi ran a finger over wineglass. “It doesn’t help my Dad’s a cop.”

 Kakarrot almost spat up his wine. Her Dad’s a cop?! Ah, fuck!

 Chichi didn’t notice Kakarrot’s reaction. “He’s not in the field anymore. After a shooting involving the Freeza clan, he was assigned a desk job.”

 Kakarrot’s interest peaked. “Freeza clan? Like Yakuza?”

 Chichi nodded. “Yeah. It’s been over twenty years but a few years ago he told me what happened. My Dad and his partner, Son Gohan, were gonna help a Yakuza and his family escape the Freeza Clan. Somehow Freeza found them out and ambushed them. Dad was shot and left for dead. He was the only to make it out but he always wondered what happened to that kid since his body wasn’t found.” Chichi shrugged. “Guess he’s a Yakuza now.”

 Kakarrot was floored. He was that kid. Chichi’s father was one of the cops trying to help his Dad? He couldn’t believe it. He thought everyone died but that big burly man survived. If he knew he’s dating his daughter…..? What would Chichi think if she knew he’s a Yakuza?

 “Kakarrot,” Chichi called him. “Are you okay?”

 “I’m fine,” Kakarrot recovered. “So, did your Dad know the kid’s name?”

 Chichi shook her head. “Not. Just the Yakuza. Bardock.”

 The waiter returned with their dinner. Once the waiter left, Chichi decided to change the subject.

“Enough about me.” She felt she just rattled on and on about herself and not asked about Kakarrot. “What about you? I always see you in those expensive suit but you never said what you did.”

 “I’m a personal trainer.” Chichi nearly choked on her food as she snorted. It was a lie but it was a cover he used to hide his Yakuza life. “Surprising?”

 Chichi felt her face flame. How embarrassing. She snorted in front of her date. She laughed when he told her his profession. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I wasn’t expecting that. I wasn’t being rude. When I see you, I don’t think personal trainer.”

 Kakarrot raised a teasing eyebrow at her. “You don’t think I have the body for it?”

 Oh, he had the body for it. Once, she had her food truck at the end of a 5K. Kakarrot came to her truck glistening in sweat and wearing only running shorts. She broke her vibrator that night. “You do,” she was quick to say. “You wear expensive clothes. I didn’t know personal trainer paid so well.”

 “My clients are celebrities: actors, musicians and even a few rich businessmen and politicians.” That wasn’t a complete lie. In his line of work, Kakarrot did occasionally interact with the rich and famous.

 For Chichi, it explained the expensive suits and Kakarrot’s expensive tastes in food and entertainment but it also explain Kakarrot’s connections in knowing which spots were best for her to host her food truck; how she got access to events where normally she had to reserve her spot weeks in advance but Kakarrot got her a spot in days.

 “Why are you doing this?”

 Kakarrot pushed aside his first plate. He reached for the second. “Eating? Because it’s good food.”

 “No. Me,” she emphasized. “Why are you interested in me? You’re around celebrities, rich and famous people. That’s not me. I’m attractive but I’m an ordinary woman trying to make my business a success. I have bills. I have debts. I wouldn’t be able to keep up with your lifestyle.”

 That’s what attracted him to her. She was the complete opposite of his lifestyle. Now that he knew her father tried to help his family escape Freeza, he was filled with conflicting emotions. Part of him told him to end the date now and never see her again but another part of him wanted her even more. “You’re the opposite of everything in my life and I want that more than anything.”

 The sounds of Chika and Chuya’s squeals were always music to Kakarrot’s ears. Of all the things he did with his daughters, bath time was his favorite thing with them. The eight month olds were full of energy. They love playing with their rubber ducks, babble in secret baby talk and splashing Daddy with bathwater.

 With twins, Kakarrot had to work fast and diligently. While Chika entertained herself with a bath toy, Kakarrot quickly bathe Chuya. When it was Chika’s turn, Chuya was distracted with a bath toy. The twins took after Chichi in looks but they inherited his spikey hairstyle. In personality, it seems split. It was very early but Kakarrot felt Chuya took after Chichi while Chika took after him. They had his heart the moment they were born and he would kill to keep them safe. Chichi had his heart, too. It wasn’t at first sight like his daughters but it started to happen sooner than he wanted to admit.

 Ten Years Ago

 Kakarrot awakened to find himself alone in bed. Alone? After their night of intense sex in his car, shower and bed Kakarrot expected to find Chichi still in bed with him. Kakarrot nearly ripped the sheets off him. Where did she go? Did she get up early to snoop around his place? Does she really know who he is and is looking for evidence to send him to jail?

 “Fuck,” he cursed as he jumped out of bed. What if she wasn’t as innocent as he thought? Dammit! He grabbed his robe and stormed out of the room. If she knows what’s good for her, her sexy ass better not be snooping. He was halfway down the hall when he heard noises coming from his kitchen. Why would she be in his kitchen? There’s nothing there.

 When he entered the kitchen’s doorway, Kakarrot paused completely befuddled at what his eyes saw. Chichi’s back was to him but she stood in front of the stove cooking. There were empty bowls and pans on the counter and food on the kitchen table. Cooking. She was cooking for him. No one’s ever done that before. As a Yakuza, it was every man for themselves. No one cooked for them and if they did, you couldn’t trust their cooking. It was poison. With Chichi, he knew that wasn’t the case. He never worried if she was poisoning him but he didn’t know what to think of her cooking for him in his kitchen. He never slept with a woman who did that. His eyes swept over her again. She wore his shirt from last night. His eyes followed up her legs, up her back to her long, slightly disheveled hair. She was beautiful and it made him hard.

 Suddenly, Chichi turned. Her face lit up at the sight of him. “Kakarrot. You’re just in time. Breakfast is ready.”

 Kakarrot stepped in the room confused. “You cooked breakfast?”

 “Yes.” Chichi went to the table where it was already set and laden with food. She dumped the deliciously smelling food from the skillet on two different plates. “Come sit. Everything is ready.”

 Kakarrot stared at all the food stunned. He thought Chichi was sneaking around his place. He thought she would find out who he is and call her Dad. She got up to make them breakfast. “I can’t believe you did this.” No one’s ever cooked breakfast for him. No one showed genuine kindness to him. “This is a lot.” He knew he ate a lot which aggravated people, especially Freeza, but Chichi made this without complaint, without him asking. He didn’t know how to respond to this kindness.

 “Well, I’ve made lunches and dinners for you. I always wanted to make breakfast.” Chichi placed the empty skillet in the hot dishwater. “I hope it’s enough. I had to make do with what you had and—“ she yelped as Kakarrot suddenly picked her up and laid her on the breakfast bar.

 “Kakarrot,” she felt the wind knocked out of her as Kakarrot straddled her and unbuttoned her shirt. “Breakfast.”

 “I want you for breakfast first.”

 After that weekend, Kakarrot told himself to not see Chichi again. If she learns he’s Yakuza, it will get complicated for both of them. However, after a couple of days, he couldn’t stay away from her. A month later he told her the truth. Chichi was shocked but mostly upset Kakarrot didn’t tell her sooner. Knowing it was over, Kakarrot avoided Chichi’s food truck. He didn’t expect to see her again but she showed up at his penthouse two weeks later.

 They spent the entire night talking. Chichi told him she wanted a relationship with him but he had to leave the Yakuza if he wanted a relationship with her. Death was the only way out of Freeza’s Yakuza. Kakarrot tried to convince Chichi to have a secret relationship. That’s when Chichi dropped her secret on him. She’s pregnant and she’s leaving West City. He can come with her but for the safety of their unborn child, she was leaving and wouldn’t come back.

 Many nights Kakarrot was haunted by what happened to his parents. He feared history was repeating itself. He understood why his father tried to escape with him and his mother. He understood and knew he had to do it, too.

 Working with Gyumao, Kakarrot and Chichi calculated a plan for their escape. Chichi sold her food truck business to Lazuli who picked up a partner and cook in split personality woman named Lunch. Two weeks later Chichi Mao left West City for an unknown destination.

 Kakarrot kept his routine for the next six months. Every day, he picked up lunch at Mt. Frypan Food Truck. He would eat at the same restaurants. He would make his usual appearance at Kame House. He would have his weekly spar with Vegeta. He carried on business as usual with the Yakuza. One day Kakarrot didn’t show up at the food truck. One day Kakarrot didn’t show up at the same restaurants, or made an appearance at Kame House. He didn’t show up for his weekly spar with Vegeta. Business for the Yakuza weren’t conducted.

 When Freeza investigated Kakarrot’s disappearance, he assigned Vegeta and Zarbon to the task. Both showed up at Kakarrot’s penthouse to find it furnished but empty of any clues of Kakarrot’s whereabouts. They visited his usual spots. The owner of Mount Frypan Food Truck date of Kakarrot’s last sighting matches everyone else who last saw him. It was as if Kakarrot disappeared off the planet.

 Vegeta entered Paouz Island most popular restaurant. The place was loud, lively and packed of locals and tourists. After one stop and twenty-three hours on a plane, Vegeta was dirty, tired and pissed. This wasn’t the first time Kakarrot’s been sighted somewhere around the world and it wasn’t the first time he or Zarbon had to investigate.

 This was definitely one of the longest flights. All day Vegeta was on his feet traveling to different places on this island asking if anyone has heard of the name Kakarrot. He even showed a picture. No one heard of the name Kakarrot. His picture looked familiar but no one could be identified to match.

 Vegeta was seated, given a menu and left alone. It was a long shot to begin with. Freeza was sent a tip Kakarrot was here because of a child. The child was five years old and was a spitting image of Kakarrot. Vegeta flashed a picture of the child and was told he could be found at his mother’s restaurant.

 For an hour, Vegeta sat in the restaurant, observed the people in and outside the restaurant from his window and ate a good meal. He didn’t see Kakarrot or any child that looks like him. When Vegeta signaled the waitress he was ready to pay, he was told the meal was paid for. Vegeta left the restaurant as quietly as he came. Instead of taking an Uber back to his hotel, Vegeta decided to walk on the beach.

 He pulled his cell phone out his pocket and dialed Freeza’s direct line. He took a seat on a park bench next to blonde hair, blue eyed father with his twin girls. One twin girl sat in her stroller while the other was on a blanket on the park bench getting her diaper changed.

 Vegeta observed the father with his daughter as he waited for Freeza to pick up the phone. Freeza answered on the second ring. “No, he’s not here. It’s a dead end like the others. The child?” Vegeta snorted. “I saw his father. Unless Kakarrot shrunk five inches and gained fifty pounds, it’s not him.” Vegeta listened to Freeza on the other end. “I’ll be on the first flight out.” Vegeta ended the call and put the phone back in his pocket.

 The father successfully changed the diaper and placed the baby girl back in her stroller. The blonde father zipped up his baby bag and leaned back on the bench. “Nice day, isn’t it?”

 Vegeta rolled his eyes at the comment, “Goten needs a haircut.”

 Kakarrot snorted. “Tell that to a five year old.”

 “It almost blew you cover! It was dumb luck I was chosen to come here. Imagine if it was Zarbon.”

 Then Kakarrot and his family would’ve been on the move. Kakarrot sighed. “At least the trail to find me has grown cold for a while. Chichi will be happy.”

 Vegeta rose from his seat. It was time for him to head back. “Where is she now?”

 “Home. With the boys and three loaded guns.”

 Vegeta laughed. He never met her but from what he knew she sounded like a firecracker. “By the way, the Turf War is coming.”

 “Turf War.” Kakarrot knew what that meant. “The other clans are gonna join you against Freeza?”

 “With Beerus Clan finally on board, we have a shot to overthrow Freeza.” Vegeta shoved his hands in his pocket. “If it gets dicey, I’m gonna need you to come back. You owe me for covering your ass all these years.”