Summary: Hikari Yagami's life is perfect: she has a great career, she found the perfect apartment and to top it all off, she's getting married! But when she meets a certain blue-eyed boy in the elevator, she begins to question (and have doubts about) not only herself but her lifestyle as well.
Elevator Rides With The Devil
Chapter One
"My life, as of this moment, is perfect," Hikari Yagami proclaimed, holding a glass of champagne and handed another one to the lavender-haired woman sitting across from her. "Absolutely, positively, without a single doubt, perfect." Her soft pink lips curved into a bright smile as her chocolate brown eyes shined with a brilliance that not many possessed.
Miyako Ichijoji let out a soft laugh as she took the glass from her friend. "That's not a phrase you hear often," she said, clinking their glasses together. "Congrats Kari! I'm so happy for you!" They downed the light alcoholic beverage in one gulp before putting their glasses in the sink and heading toward the spacious living room.
"God it was just so… romantic," Kari sighed softly as she remembered the events of last night when her boyfriend of three years, Daisuke Motomiya, proposed. "I wasn't even expecting it. One second we were talking about his plans to open another restaurant of his own and then the next thing I know, he's down on one knee, holding out this beautiful red rose, asking me to marry him." Grinning, Kari hugged the red pillow as she relayed the information. "I was a little confused at first, you know, why he was holding out the rose instead of a velvet box, but then he brings it up to my face and right in the middle is this beautiful diamond ring." She held out her hand where said diamond ring was residing on her fourth finger.
Miyako let out a long 'awwww!' as her crimson eyes examined the ring. The band was made from white gold which held the circular cut diamond right in the middle. "Do you know how many carats that is?"
"He told me it was four."
"It's stunning." The two women embraced in a tight hug. "So, planning the wedding yet?"
"Not yet," Kari admitted as she tied her light brown hair into a ponytail. "I want both of us to be involved in everything, you know?"
"Of course," Miyako replied. "I was the same way with Ken."
"And look how wonderful your wedding turned out to be." Miyako grinned. It was true; her wedding last year had been nothing short of wonderful. It was even better than she had hoped. She wished Kari to have a wedding just like it; one that was purely magical.
"So how did Tai take it?"
"Better than I expected. When I first called him this morning to tell him that his baby sister was finally getting married, he just got all silent of a sudden. Honestly, I thought he either fainted or went into shock. But then he just let out this long whoop and laughed. I'm meeting him for dinner tonight actually."
"With Daisuke?"
"No. He actually went to tell his parents first and then he promised he'd meet my brother. You know they're gonna bond right away. They're too alike."
"True."
Kari smiled yet again and the two women proceeded to chat on for a couple more hours about wedding plans and anything else that came to mind. Soon enough, Kari had stood up to leave. She promised Tai that she'd be at the restaurant at six and she still needed to get ready.
Upon arriving at her apartment, Kari proceeded to take a quick shower before putting on the dress she decided she was going to wear this morning. The dress was a pale pink color that reached down to her knees with thin spaghetti straps and a modest neckline. She decided to keep her hair down and curled the ends. She pulled one a pair of white sandals with small heels on her feet and looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Grabbing her purse, she walked out of her apartment and made her way to the restaurant in downtown Odaiba. She gave the hostess her name and followed her as she led to a table in the back of the restaurant, where her brother and his wife were already seated.
Taichi immediately jumped up as he saw his little sister approaching and enveloped her in a tight bear hug. Laughing, Kari returned the hug and grinned broadly as her brother congratulated her. Sora followed suit. Kari sat down opposite the couple and upon Sora's urging, told once again of how Daisuke proposed.
Sora grinned at the end of the story. Tucking a strand of fiery red hair behind her ear, she took Kari's hands into her own. "You have to let me make you the dress," she stated. Kari could see the twinkling in the mahogany eyes of her sister-in-law. Over the years Sora had uncovered her secret talent of designing clothes and, after some urging from Tai and Kari, had become a successful designer. She usually did private orders but every once in a while she sold some of her designs to some chic boutiques.
"Oh could you? That would be so amazing!" Kari exclaimed. She knew Sora had made beautiful dresses, especially those designed for weddings, and gushed at the thought of wearing one of those spectacular dresses as she walked down the aisle.
"But of course!" Sora replied, as though it wasn't even a question. "I already have an idea of what would look fabulous on you!" She grinned. Kari leaned back, watching her brother and Sora. Taichi was tall with short and spiky dark brown hair—he had cut the crazy mane of hair he kept throughout his childhood and teenage years, after Sora threatened to do it herself—and had the same chocolate brown eyes as her. He was dressed in a gray suit, clearly coming here straight from work. Though he looked tired and had dark circles under his eyes, he also looked very content.
Sora, on the other hand, looked very well rested. She wore a dark green dress that went nicely with her tan composure and athletically toned body. Her shoulder-length hair was let loose and it cascaded down in layers. They looked so happy together and Kari hoped that when she got married, she would like them now.
Their dinner had arrived and the trio dug in, Sora talking about the design she planned for Kari's dress and Tai mentioned some things about the latest case at work. Soon enough, they finished both their meal and dessert, and stood up to head their separate ways.
"This is perfect," Kari stated as she walked around the empty room. She leaned on the windowsill, looking outside. "Davis, this is exactly what I've been looking for!" Daisuke made his way over to his fiancé. He ran a tan hand through his dark brown locks. His deep amber eyes met hers and a smile spread across his face.
"Then let's get it," he stated simply.
"But Davis… are you sure?"
"Absolutely." She hugged him tightly before running off to examine the other rooms of the apartment. It wasn't huge but it was nice and spacious. The type that Kari had always promised herself she'd have. After she finished college, she wasn't able to afford this apartment, so she moved into the tiny one she currently resided in and decided to save up enough money. And now it wasn't only hers, she thought with a smile, it was theirs.
The apartment had two bedrooms, a decently sized bathroom, sleek kitchen, spacey living room and another room that would've made a good home office. As she flitted through the rooms, her smile widening more and more as her eyes lay on each room. Davis, on the other hand, went to talk to the property owner about payment arrangements and making sure that everything was functional.
Kari joined him a while later, with a soft kiss on his cheek. "I love it. I love you."
He grinned. "I love you too. The owner says we could start moving in by the end of the week. Wanna go furniture shopping?"
"Definitely."
"Let's go then." After exchanging handshakes with the owner, he wrapped one arm around his fiancé's waist and led her out. They went to several stores, managing to find some really nice sets and other furniture pieces that they ordered to be shipped at the beginning of next week. After they were too exhausted to do anymore shopping ("Finally!" Davis exclaimed as they walked out of the stuffy store), they decided to head back to his place for some dinner.
Afterwards, they decided to watch a movie (Pride and Prejudice, much to his dismay). "Do you want a hire a wedding planner?" He asked, not being able to pay attention to the movie after the first five minutes.
She lay back on the couch, putting her head on his lap. "Wedding planners are nice and efficient… but I think it'd be even more special if it was just us…"
He twirled her hair around his fingers and smiled. "Sounds good." He put his head on the back of the couch, closing his eyes halfway. "I was going to ask Ken to be my best man."
"That's fine with me. Even better, in fact, you know I want Miyako as my maid of honor." He nodded slightly. "Can you imagine it?"
"Imagine what?"
"Us getting married."
"To be honest… no. Hell, I didn't think we'd ever date, let alone get married. You wouldn't even give me the time of day in college." A slow smile crept across his face as the memories flashed through his mind.
She giggled. "You were just so loud and such a show-off, I just expected you to be like the rest of the cocky, arrogant, jock boys." He pouted and she giggled again before leaning up and kissing him softly. "I'm so glad you proved me wrong."
"You mean it?"
"Without any doubts," she said, earning him another kiss.
He flashed a slow, wicked grin. "Well soon-to-be Mrs. Motomiya, why don't you tell me how much you appreciate that decision," he replied as he leaned over her. She wrapped her arms around his neck loosely.
"Sounds like a plan."
She took the rest of the week to pack her things with the help of Sora and Miyako. She was surprised that it had only taken one day to pack all her things. Sure, she knew that she didn't own all that much, but she didn't think she owned so little either. I guess when you live in an apartment the size of a walk-in closet, everything is so cluttered that you think there's so much stuff.
By the time the weekend came, Kari had managed to transport all her boxes to the new apartment, much thanks to Miyako owning a minivan. She was looking forward to spending some time alone in the new place. Davis would be gone all weekend on a small vacation with his sister and her family. The furniture would be arriving on Monday and she had already set up her old apartment to be sold. It'd be nice to spend the weekend getting used to living in her new home.
"Okay, that's the last of it," Kari stated as she took the final box out of the car.
Miyako smiled from the driver's side. "Alright, call me if you need help unpacking or anything. You know I'd be glad to help."
"I won't need the help but I'll certainly call you," Kari promised, heading into the complex. Miyako waved before driving off. Kari watched as the car disappeared down the street before walking inside. She pushed the up button for the elevator and looked up at the numbers as the car came down. Behind her, someone else had walked into the small lobby, checked their mail and stood behind her, also waiting for the elevator.
The car finally came down, letting off its passengers, and she stepped inside. As she turned around, she nearly gasped. Following her into the elevator was a handsome—no scratch that—gorgeous man. He had golden blonde hair that seemed to glow under the weak fluorescent lights of the elevator. His eyes were shaded behind a pair of dark sunglasses and a cell phone was wedged between his ear and his right shoulder, listening to whoever was on the other side of the call and flipping through his mail. He had a nice tan, as though he spent a lot of time in the sun, which was accented by his plain stark white t-shirt and light blue basketball shorts.
She noticed that his body was very toned. His shirt was drenched in sweat and clung to his body, where she saw the outline of his six-pack on his abdomen. Must work out a lot, she decided. She also noticed that his legs were hairless as though he waxed, a rarity for men. He looked like a model that just stepped off the cover of some magazine.
"Look, I have no idea what he wants for his birthday but I'm going in the elevator right now so I'll have to call you back later," he said into the phone, his voice low and melodic. His soft lips curved into a careless smile as he said goodbye and hung up the phone. He took off the glasses then and looked up at her. She felt her knees weaken. He had the most beautiful shade of blue eyes she had ever seen. They were like the crystal clear beaches of tropical islands on the brightest, clearest day. The ones that were only pictured in brochures. "Sister-in-law," he offered, pointing to the black device in his hand. He was still grinning. "I don't think I've ever seen you around here before."
"I…just moved in," she replied, her voice dry and barely above a whisper. His eyes were mesmerizing and she found it hard to look away. She smiled weakly. Get a grip, Hikari, she mentally scolded herself. She cleared her throat and extended a hand, balancing the box in the other hand. "Hikari Yagami."
"Takeru Takaishi," he replied as he took her hand. It was warm and his handshake was strong and firm, but at the same time gentle. "Do you need help with that?" He pointed to the box in her arms.
"Oh I'm alright."
"Oh please, I insist." He took the box from her in one swift movement, his grin changing into a slow and seductive (or was that her imagination?) smile, flashing his pearly white teeth. "Well then, Ms. Yagami, welcome to the building. I live on the fifteenth floor, apartment B if you ever need anything." She nodded.
They stepped off on the twelfth floor and walked up to her door. She fumbled around her purse for a half a minute while she searched for her keys. Finding them, she quickly unlocked the door and walked inside, holding the door open for him. "You can just leave that on the table," she said. He put the box down.
"Really, if you ever need anything, don't be afraid to ask," he offered, heading toward the door.
"I'll keep that in mind," she replied as she escorted him to the door, twirling a strand of hair around her index finger. Smiling, he walked out, shutting the door behind him. She paused, her gaze dropping down to her hand. Did she really twirl her hair just now? It was such a juvenile act… and flirty. What the hell was she thinking?
A/N: hey guys! It's been a few years since I've written anything (or been here for that matter). School's been occupying the majority of the time. Especially now that I'm in college and all. Anyways, I've always loved Takari (they belong together, damnit!) so I decided to write something new focusing on the pair. Anyway, I hope you like it. (You'll also know that I abuse the word anyway XD) Please review. I'd love to know how I'm doing and I accept all critiques and suggestions. They always help me become a better writer.
Disclaimer: almost forgot about this, but yeah, I don't own any of the characters.