Chapter I
I AM SO DAMNED
If I could write you a song,
And make you fall in love,
I would already have you up under my arm
I used to pull all my tricks,
I hope that you like this
But you probably won't,
You think you're cooler than me
Just as he parked his blue glossy Lamborghini in the spacious garage, he cut off the engine and removed the keys from the ignition with one swift move. He stepped out of the vehicle in his white-black-blue Nike Air and pressed a button to lock the car before tossing the keys playfully up the air and caught them on his palms. A small basketball hung as a keychain on the metallic green keyholder along with his house keys.
The twenty three year old Takeru "Tk" Takaishi just got home from their 2nd game in the Japanese Basketball League playoffs with a proud grin from the victorious win and a sore muscle from the game. His team, the Hitachi SunRisers won two out of two games which was a good start to retain their title as champions. Being part of a national basketball team at a young age was a living dream for the athlete. He dreamed of this when he was five years old - when he first started watching basketball games on TV. And ever since then, he worked his way hard to reach the top. He's been in the varsity team since elementary and with all the good luck, a scout happens to notice him in one of his games during college. And now, it got him to this. A spot in a national team. Famous. Rich. And not to mention, very handsome which adds up to the very sexy athletic body - well built torso and nicely formed biceps and abs. All in all, he was indeed lucky.
He carried his sports bag and walked pass the neatly decorated garden to the doorstep of his beautifully huge mansion. It was that kind of house that sprung out home magazines with a modernized natural design from the veranda up to the interior of the whole place. One of his maids in housekeeping opened the front door for him.
"Good evening sir," she greeted.
Tk responded with a nod. And just upon entering his house, his phone rang from his pocket with the screen displaying MOM calling..
"Hello Mom," he answered as he dropped his sports bag to hand it to the maid.
Hello Tk, honey. I'm sorry to bother you after your game. I know you're tired and all but I need you to pick someone up at the airport right now.
"Right now? Okay, sure. It's no problem. I'll just drop him off at your place," he said.
He's actually a she Tk. And she'll be staying with you at your house for a while. Please make her comfortable and welcome okay?
"What? Mom, who is—" he tried to cut in but his mom spoke quickly, refusing to give him a chance to complain or disobey.
She's my friend's daughter and a very close family friend of ours. She's from Los Angeles and I think the company she works for assigned her here. So please, let her stay with you and spare her from spending so much on a place to stay. And by the way, her name is Kari. She's about ten inches shorter than you. She'll be arriving in an hour. Sorry to bring this up now, but it's a sudden plan. I'm counting on you honey, alright? Be safe and congrats on your game. I still have a meeting. Take care.
"Mom. Wait, I-" and then she hung up.
"Perfect," he murmured. He was going to let some stranger stay with him at his place for God knows how long. He wasn't used to having guests around his mansion, well, except for the usual visiting of his brother Matt and a few good friends who often comes around and stays the night. But this was a she..
.. and he'll just have to deal with it.
Well, it isn't as if we'd see each other everyday. She's got her job and I've got mine too. He thought.
Pushing the thought away, he went straight to his room. It was wide, with a queen-sized bed in the middle and a plasma screen across it. Everything inside looked so expensive – from the neat dark blue carpet to the furniture, and from appliances to every little detail of the area. It was the kind of room that MTV Cribs would feature.
His walk-in closet was amazingly crazy. All his black, white, and grey suits were lined up in one corner while his sportswears were on the other. There was a rack dedicated for all his shoes, which were mostly Nike, and for formal wear, Roberto Cavalli and Giorgio Armani. In the middle of the walk-in closet was a display of all his accessories- wallets, watches, sunglasses, sports wristbands, etc- locked in a glass. Obviously, he was the kind of man every woman talked about, who was at one point in the front page of the sports section of the newspaper.
With his insane blonde hair, heart-melting sapphire eyes, and an astounding handsome demeanor plus his one sided sexy grin, he got included in Forbes Top 20 Hottest Men of the Year.
And much to every female's luck, Tk Takaishi is a bachelor.
After that short conversation with his mom, he had no idea how the woman looks. Try to imagine searching for someone in the airport without even knowing what she looked like. All he knows is her name and that she's ten inches shorter. Such a very specific description, he might add.
But nonetheless, he entered the bathroom, grabbed a towel and cleansed himself before leaving for the airport.
Kari's plane just landed after a ten-hour flight from Los Angeles, California to Japan. And after that exhausting trip, she couldn't feel a lot less busy than she is right now. She was already talking on her iphone with her new editor of the Vogue Magazine after receiving six miscalls. Working as one of the top contributors of the magazine did involve a lot of calls, meetings, reports and assignments. And now, she's assigned to work in Vogue Japan – doing a little bit of every piece, taking snapshots of models here and there while writing articles for the fashion magazine.
And when fashion is the subject, Kari Kamiya was never at the back row. She was an expert, a veteran in style, glamour and appearance. Just because she isn't the model in most of the pages doesn't mean she looked half as bad. Walking along the airport with a pack of people in the arrival and still be the one looking all chicly different from the rest was a normal thing for her. She tends to overdress the people around even though it was the usual.
After passing the immigration and the inspection of passports, she caught the attention of a porter and gave him the number of her baggage.
"Yes, yes, I already settled that. I'm starting off tomorro-" she said through the phone while sitting down in a waiting area.
"Ok yeah, bye." After pressing the end call button, there was another incoming call.
"Hello? Oh hi, how are you? I just landed a while ago.." She trailed off again with another friend.
Being a busy person never hinders her to look young and fabulous. Who says style and comfort couldn't co-exist? Because during that long hour flight, no one can still understand how she managed to get through it wearing those four-inch Chanel heels which she matched with a pair of tight Armani skinny jeans and a bright green flared Donna Karen top. She layered it with a denim jacket and accented with a few accessories like necklace and earrings. It was as if she was some au courant Hollywood artist spotted on Sunset Boulevard.
Her straight, shoulder length chestnut hair framed her delicate face yet superior features. She had a good shape for a twenty three year old that makes an excellent job in her career.
She was still talking on her iphone when the porter came with all three large baggage. Consequentially, she stood up, carrying her black Prada handbag and walked out the exit.
She stayed on the side of the street, popping her head up trying to look someone that matched her mom's description of a tall blonde named Tk. She already bid good-bye to the caller and hastily put her phone in her bag.
"Ugh where is that Takaishi guy? He could've at least come earlier if he was going to pick up a guest. I can't believe he's making me wait at a time like this at night," she complained to herself, scanning around the street and the driveways. She checked her Hamilton wristwatch and returned to propping her head up for any sign of the unknown.
"Ehem," someone behind her cleared her throat loud enough to catch her attention. She whirled around and came face to face with a tall blonde that exactly matched the descriptions given to her.
"At least come earlier, eh? I've been waiting here for almost an hour and you complain without even waiting for five minutes?" he instantly retorted back, seemingly amused and surprised at the comment he just heard.
"Let me guess, you're Tk Takaishi," she sarcastically said.
"Oh and let me guess, you're Kari Kamiya," he replied in a mocking girly and cheerful way. "Of course I'm Tk! Haven't you seen me in the newspaper? Or magazine? Most girls would have fainted just to know they're living with me."
"Oh, you're famous?" she put on a fake shocked expression and tried to slightly insult him. "Well, I suppose not knowing you didn't hurt your precious ego. And I'm sorry if I'm not most girls," she gave him that mean girl look.
"You're unbelievable." He laughed and tossed his head up to look at the sky, and then back at her again.
"I'm unbelievable? Is that supposed to be an insult? Well I'm sorry, my complaint a while ago wasn't for you to hear," she shot back, raising a perfect eyebrow and crossing her arms on her chest.
"Oh so was it for all the people around here to hear? Are you suddenly talking shit about me behind my back?"
"Hey, I don't even know you so why should I start talking about you? Can you just give it a rest? I'm tired from my flight, just so you know." She spoke with a mean expression. She just met this man two minutes ago and she already hates him.
"Listen you crazy woman, I just came from an exhausting game and risked exposing myself in this crowded place just to pick you up. So if you start complaining again, I swear I'm gonna let you sleep in the doghouse."
"Oh, I'm so scared," she mocked. "I don't care anyway. If you don't want me at your place then fine. Why didn't you just say so? I'm gonna get my own place to stay."
"Good. Because I don't want some crazy woman living in my—"
He was cut off by the ringing of his phone which he immediately retrieved from his pocket.
"Hello?" he sounded a little bit angry as he answered and shot Kari a deathly glare.
Hello Tk. Have you picked her up?
"Yeah, she's right here Mom," he spoke, clenching his jaw as he watched her smile insultingly at him.
Well, make her comfortable and safe okay. I'll be visiting you maybe in a couple of days. Make her feel at home. I trust you on this.
"Yeah, yeah. Sure. Bye," he instantly closed his phone and didn't let his mom speak for he's already gotten the idea.
"You were saying?" she asked in a triumphant smile.
"Let's go," he rolled his eyes and unlocked the car in a pissed reaction. Kari chuckled at the blonde's expression.
The porter who was standing behind Kari all the while they were bickering put her baggage in the trunk and was given tip. The two stepped in the vehicle and drove off home, minding their own business and trying not to start a quarrel. It was quiet through the ride home as Kari looked out the windowpane, refusing to ever see the blonde's face. While he, on the other hand, focused himself on the road and from time to time, glanced over her direction.
Uncomfortable with the silence between them, he turned the stereo on playing punk rock music from his favorite band, Avenged Sevenfold. Although he did prefer the boy bands type of music like N Sync, Backstreet Boys, etc., punk rock was one of his favorites too.
"Ugh! What is that godaweful noise?" she asked in irritation, expecting another unpleasant response from him.
"Noise? That happens to be my favorite band. Do have problems with that?"
"Yeah I do. It's hurting my ears. If you're not gonna change the station, then at least, lower it down a bit if you're not deaf."
"Hey! Is that what you always do? Insult and harass men?"
"I didn't harass you, moron. I didn't even touch you," she shot back.
"Which you were obviously dying to do," he smirked in a proud expression.
"Excuse me. I wouldn't get in a 1-foot radius of you. Even if I had to, it'd be only for slapping and ripping your head off."
"Ouch, violent aren't you? No wonder men don't come near you. You're a lunatic. I'd pity the brave bastard who'll marry you someday," he laughed his ass off at the comment he threw at her, making her purse her lips in anger, holding off that temper before she spontaneously combusts.
"Dammit. Damn you, Takaishi. What is your problem with me?"
"What's my problem with you? My problem is you. You complain a lot Kamiya. I don't know why, but it's annoying, really," he stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Oh, I'm sorry Mr. I'm so famous and self-centered moron. It's just that I could have introduced myself properly a while ago if you didn't act like a conceited jerk," she explained.
"Jerk eh? Do you know how lucky you are right now? Seating in the passenger's seat of my Lamborghini? Having to live with me for god knows how long? For even talking to me?"
"See? See? There you go again. You and your humongous ugly ego! Are you really doing that on purpose or is it just in-borne? 'Cause if I'm annoying, you're a hell lot infuriating."
"Whatever. I'm dropping the subject," he said, watching the road and not paying attention to the brunette beside him.
"Good," she replied coldly.
"Fine," he retorted back.
"Fine," she said louder, wanting to have the last word and not letting her pride down against him.
And after that insignificant argument, silence enveloped between them. Neither of the two spoke, both preoccupied in their own thoughts of mentally bashing the other. Did it really have to be this way? Why can't both of them just call it quits? They had an exhausting day before meeting each other and now that they did meet, it was all tiresome. For Tk, he'd rather do a hundred push-ups and sit-ups than argue with her. It wore all of his energy down the drain, not to mention his dignity and ego. The woman damn knows how to fight back, and that… honestly, against his pride and standards, impressed him.
While she, on the other hand, thinks he's an overly conceited moron and would rather literally sleep in the doghouse any day than hear his distasteful voice insult her. And thus, experiencing the night's incident, she'd come to a tortured conclusion that the stay with him would be a classic wild ride to hell.
Kari was unpacking her things from her luggage the moment she stepped inside the guest room. It was the room beside Tk's, on the right in the second floor of his house. It, too, had a medium sized walk-in closet and a five star hotel-like bathroom. Much to her unwanted surprise, it wasn't the kind of place she was thinking of. It was far better. But of course, she'd keep that good judgment to herself, as she's already suffered enough narcissistic people for one night.
After putting all her clothes in the closet, shoes and all sorts of footwear on the rack, bags in the cabinet and magazines on the shelf, she picked out some fresh clothes to change. Just as she removed her top, she heard her name being called loudly by the last person she wanted to hear it from.
"Hey Kamiya! Dinner's downstairs. Hurry up if you don't wanna starve," Tk deliberately barged in her room impulsively and saw her bare flawless shaped back. He was surprised for a moment and realization hit him when he heard her scream.
"Get the fuck out you pervert!" She hurriedly covered her torso with her shirt and threw him a pair of her flip flops. Luckily, he was able to dodge it as he closed the door from the outside. "Have you even heard of knocking?"
She angrily changed into her comfy short shorts and purple and white striped tank top, and slipped on her Old Navy flip flops. Irately, she tied her hair in a ponytail and cursed to herself.
"Relax lady. As if I saw something I liked," he retorted back behind the door while smirking to himself. "I didn't even enjoy it for a least bit. Don't get so embarrassed with your unattractive body."
"How many times do you want me to curse you Takaishi?" she forcefully opened the door and came face to face him. "Do you even know what privacy is or you just butt in someone else's business whenever you like?"
"It's my house," he stated bluntly with a grin, making those things with his eyes and lips – which in a split of second made him look all so sexy. Although, on the contrary if you ask the brunette's opinion.
She narrowed her eyes at him accusingly. "And what's next? Break in when I'm taking a shower?"
"I clearly can't see why not," he laughed.
"God Takaishi! You're the most conceited perverted moron I've ever met! And I just hate you!" She stormed off with a pair of blue eyes following her back. Tk, who was entirely amused at her reactions, trailed behind her and was about to say something.
"Don't," she interjected. "Just shut up."
"If I'd shut up, you won't have someone to talk to," he reasoned out.
"I'd rather talk to a rabbit than hear your pathetic voice," she shot.
"C'mon Kamiya," he threw his hands up in the air. "Do you really think I'm pathetic?" He blocked her way as he moved to face her.
"And a jackass too," she smiled and stepped aside, making her way to the dining table.
"Stupid brunette," he murmured as he followed her to the table and sat.
"I heard what you said, dumbass," she said while putting food on her plate.
"Oh yeah? I thought you were deaf," Tk retorted.
"Maybe something's wrong with your brain for thinking otherwise. After all, you are a blonde," she laughed lightly to herself with the joke she just made.
"Yeah yeah yeah. I'm shutting you out."
"Fine. I'm ignoring you."
Dinner passed them in a surprisingly quiet manner. It went through successfully without anyone getting hurt… luckily. And thankfully, neither of them tried to stab the other with their forks. Kari was getting the hang of ignoring him, making it look like as if he didn't exist.
Both didn't utter a single word after they had eaten and Tk directly went upstairs to his room without saying anything. Kari on the other hand, stayed in the kitchen, browsing for some delights in the fridge while chatting cheerfully with one of the maids. She took a bowl of strawberries, grabbed the whip cream and started to devour the delicious taste.
"Is he always like that? So arrogant.. insulting.. aggravating?"
"Uhm, not really ma'am. He usually jokes and laughs when he has friends over. Though, I've never seen him bring a girl even once. We never saw him take one home," told Dorothy, the maid, while washing the dishes.
"Oh, please, call me Kari," she insisted. "It's not a surprise though. What kind of girl would even want to be taken to his house?"
"But you should see the mob of girls that crowd him when he comes home. There are times when he's seen in public and they just swarm over him. Even the girls here on the neighborhood stops by."
"I bet he likes that," she laughed while taking a bite of her strawberry. The guy just loves himself and the attention.
After a few moments of conversations and strawberry bites, Kari ascended the stairs and walked to her bedroom door. She was about to turn the knob when she noticed a figure standing by the opened terrace. She knew it was Tk but still, she checked just to be sure and find out what he was doing.
She passed by the sliding glass doors and faced Tk's bare shirtless back as he stood there on the balcony, watching the unmoving night and taking in some cold fresh air. His lone moment was suddenly interrupted when the brunette tripped on something which she considered to be her own feet and blurted "Oh shit."
Tk turned around to see Kari, holding the chair for support.
"What now? You tripped when you saw my naked back?" he asked.
"I was hoping I'd be there to witness you if you were dramatically committing suicide from the terrace of your 2nd floor," she snapped.
As he fully turned his body on her direction, she was caught off guard by the sight of his lean six packs. He was gorgeously tan and had a definitely sexy body. It captured her for a moment there, but blinked to regain herself and avoid looking so dumb, staring in surprise at the body she never thought he had.
Although this lasted for an instant, he noticed the way her expression showed when she saw this and it made him do that one-sided crooked smile in self-satisfaction.
"Like what you see?" he queried proudly like how he always does.
"Pity, such a disastrous view," she replied sourly and turned her back to him. It was useless anyway – trying to pick an argument with him. He was the least deserving person of her precious attention, and she wasn't at any case, interested with whatever verbal abuse he had in mind.
"Don't worry. I plan on keeping you entertained for the rest of your stay," he said out loud, in a vain attempt of hiding his amusement. He smiled to himself as he watched her nicely shaped figure disappear through her bedroom door.
She exhaled all the stress and irritation she took all in one night and sighed, telling herself beforehand the fact she knew and was surely to be proven for the rest of the coming days. "I am so damned."
See I got you,
All figured out,
You need everyone's eyes just to feel seen
Girl, your so vain,
You probably think that this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you?
Cancercute ©opyright
[AUTHOR's NOTE]
Date Posted: o6.o2.11
Hello again! This is my second Takari fic and if you noticed, it's a little different from the usual story and I've changed their personalities. If Tk is the sweet sensitive guy and Kari's the nice innocent girl, well, it's totally different here. As you see, they're always fighting and Tk has this huge arrogant demeanor while Kari's this sarcastic fashionista. But I really hope you like it. Send in some reviews so I'll know what you think.
Now Playing: Cooler than Me by Mike Posner
See you in the next installment. Ciao!
P.S. I'm really truly sorry for making you wait for INTIMACY to be updated. But i will finish it someday.. i just don't know when. You all can hate me with my procrastination and impulsiveness. But it's ON HAITUS for now.