CHAPTER IV
ASK ME ANYTHING
Sunday morning rain is falling
Steal some covers, share some skin
Clouds shrouding us in moments unforgettable
You twist to fit the mold that I am in
Two weeks has passed since Kari's experience of a drunken night. The thing between her and Luke was never clarified but it was obvious that she didn't want to have a headstart on having a relationship with someone bisexual. Plus, being her superior, it would be weird if both of them dated. So as much as possible, she stayed out of his way and kept things between them professional. He was her boss and she was his associate. And she should respect that. Too bad though, if he wasn't also interested in the same sex, he could have been hot as hell. Well, things have their way of working out.
"I can't believe you Kamiya. One night. One night and you made my life a piece of shit," complained Tk as he searched through the channel of the plasma screen in the living room.
It was an early Sunday morning, meaning both of them were free from work yet would soon feel very stressed for being with each other inside the house for the whole 24 hours.
"What did I do now, huh?" Kari snapped back as she organized some article she was typing on her MacBook.
"You had to put me hot on the media list because of that Friday night. Do you know how many times that video of me in the car and you puking your guts out has to be played on Entertainment Tonight?"
"Ooohhh that one," she laughed. "At least you're the media's target. You'd love the attention." She rolled her eyes.
"On the contrary Kamiya, I don't. I had four games in two weeks and those stupid reporters, media, whatever crap they're called keep pestering me asking for an interview. Do you know how tiring that is?"
"Well good for you. You deserve it anyway. For being an asshole," she stated in a matter of fact tone. "Oh and those aren't the only interviews you'll get. You have one from me. I need to interview you for Vogue."
"What? Another piece of shit again?" he complained.
"Hey you bastard! Vogue isn't cheap and so is my writing. So if you think what a hell of a journalist I am, you better think a thousand times before you answer my questions, okay!"
"Pfft. Whatever."
"It covers a three page of the damn magazine you idiot! And people are gonna read it."
"I know. Cause it's all about me." He smirked.
"No. Because I wrote it."
He snorted. "Whatever Kamiya. Like anybody would be interested of the author."
It was really irritating how someone like him could be so arrogant and annoying. Even though he has a reason to really be arrogant doesn't mean he has to be and shove it to her face. She damn well knows how rich, famous and talented he is even though she doesn't like considering it. It's just so obnoxious of him to be so full of himself.
"Oh, you still owe me for that scratch on my Lamborghini," he reminded.
"What do you want me to do? Buy you a new one?" she asked sarcastically.
"I don't think even a year's earnings of your salary can afford it. I'll think about your punishment," he pondered.
"Are you saying I'm poor?"
"I didn't say anything. Shouldn't you feel lucky that I'm sparing you from paying?"
"Well yeah, thank you so much," she rolled her eyes.
A moment of silence crept between them as they focused on their own doings. He was on the couch, paying attention to the basketball game he was watching on TV while she was on the dining table, focusing on her laptop. On one occasion, he peeked at what she was doing out of curiosity and so did she. Although, their gaze never met while doing so.
"Alright. I need to interview you. I want to finish this as soon as possible," Kari stated.
"Now? Can't it be later?"
"I told you I want this thing done. It's not like I want to interview you anyway. I had enough time knowing you already."
"Fine, come here," he patted the seat beside him on the couch, pulled out a teasing smile and winked at here.
She gave him a look of sarcasm matched with a perfect arch of an eyebrow. "Thanks but I'll pull a chair."
She took a seat across him and prepared her paper with the listed questions and a voice recorder.
"You better take this seriously. And try to be mature here. I'm not playing games, I'm doing my work."
"Sure. Whatever you say."
"So, let's get started. What's your biggest accomplishment so far in your career?"
"Hmm. Let's see. So far, in my three years of being a national basketball player, my team won two championships. If it helps, this year, my preseason statistics are 13.2, 7.9, 5.6 and 10.1. That means my PPG or points per game is 13.2, RPG or rebounds per game is 7.9, assists per game is 5.6 and EFF or efficiency rating is 10.1. And in all my games, the highest points I made is 32. I made 17 rebounds, 12 assists, 9 blocks and 8 steals. So basically, where I am now is my biggest accomplishment."
"What are the things you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?"
"I just practice, shoot some hoops in the morning and I work out on my free time. I don't really do anything special. You just gotta work hard to take you to the place you want and somehow, I find it that in the end, things work out."
"What is your diet like?"
"What? That's stupid. Do I really have to answer that?"
"It's on the fuckin list!"
"Fine. I eat normal foods, like what any other person eats. Fruits, vegetables, bread, and the usual. And in case you're wondering, I eat a maximum of three cups of rice a meal. And you can't call me a pig cause I don't steal someone else's bowl of strawberries in the fridge."
She shot him a glare. "Oh, and we're gonna go there now?"
"Pfft. Next question," he grinned.
"Where do you draw your inspiration from?"
"Hmmm. Let's see.. When I was five years old, I got attracted to the game. Since then, I started to watch basketball on TV and never missed a game of the NBA playoffs. And just so you know, I'm a fan of the Boston Celtics. I became a part of my school's varsity team during elementary and high school until college. Being a basketball player was my dream since I was young. and my inspiration? I just think of the amazing feeling I get when I shoot the ball through the hoop and win. There's this feeling of victory that runs through my veins and that it just feels so good after sweating a lot and tiring every part of my body. I liked the sensation and that motivated me to work hard."
"Okay. So I think everyone know that you're listed on Forbes as one of the top 20 hottest bachelor," she rolled her eyes while saying this. "But do you have an eye on anyone right now? Perhaps a special someone?"
"Do I have to answer that crap Kamiya?"
"Yes bastard. And I told you to be mature because I'm not fooling around."
He snorted. "No, I don't have a special someone."
"That's it? No explanation?"
"You want a whole love story?"
"I'm asking you to explain why not," she elaborated.
"Well I dated a couple of girls in high school and college but nothing serious. And after college, at the start of my career, I was too busy to go dating. Happy now?"
"So you're implying you never got laid?" Kari tried to prevent bursting into hysterics.
"Is that even on the list Kamiya?" he shot and she shook her head as a no.
"Then why are you asking? Are you prying on my private life? Or my sex life rather?" he questioned in a pissed voice.
"It just came up to me," she now laughed at his reactions. "Why are you being such a pussy about it? Defensive much?"
"Shut up if you want me to continue this stupid interview."
"Don't tell me you haven't had time for sex?" she couldn't stop from laughing and from the questions she's throwing at him, it seems that he'd had enough of being the victim for too many times.
"You're implying that I'm sexually frustrated?" he was seriously angry and it didn't occur to him that Kari was only making fun of him.
"Why are you answering me with questions? I think you're guilty about it. Just admit it anyway." She was already holding her stomach for the pain it caused her while laughing so hard.
"If those crap get published, I swear I'm gonna sue you!"
"So you're saying it's true?"
"I didn't say that."
"Well then I don't think there's a reason for you to be so uptight. Well, unless you are…"
"Dammit Kamiya. I'm not kidding," he rose up and tried to get the recorder from her. "I'm gonna throw this if you won't stop."
"Alright, alright. Geez. You're such a child," she ebbed her laughter and showed a more serious face before muttering "Can't even be mature enough to handle a conversation about sex."
"What did you say?" he shot. "So we're talking about sex now? How about right here, right now. Can you handle that?"
"Eew Takaishi. Why would I even bother? I wouldn't do it with someone like you. I might even get STD's."
"Or maybe you're scared," he smirked.
"I'm not scared. I just know what I'd be getting myself into, loser," she stuck her tongue out.
And their bickering started all over again. A day wouldn't be called so if the two never got in a fight. It was the same everyday and god knows how they can even keep up with that. She completely forgot about her interview and he, well, he couldn't stand losing to the woman. There was even a point that he wondered if he was losing himself because of her. She had this thing in her that just stressed him into the farthest of his limits that made him more tired that working out. And he just hated it.
"Well then, one million dollars please. That's a lotta information I gave you."
"Whatever, gold digger."
"Ahem," someone cleared her throat to interrupt the two's squabble. Unfortunately, it didn't work.
"Excuse me?" a loud woman's voice came between them and caught their attentions. As the two turned their heads in angry expressions of interjecting their quarrel, their faces paled and their eyes bulged as they saw who they were.
"Mom? What are you doing here?" they said in unison with shock and disbelief.
"Well hello Kari," her mom greeted sarcastically. "Very polite greeting huh?"
"Why are you here, mom?" Tk asked in a calm tone.
"Can't I visit you today? And it's a Sunday so we figured you didn't have work. And why were you fighting with Kari?" his mom asked. Mrs. Takaishi was a blonde like her son and didn't look very old, just in the early 50's.
Mrs. Kamiya was a brunette like her daughter although her hair was quite longer. They almost looked alike except for the more mature features of the former.
"Uhm, we weren't fighting," Tk excused.
"Yeah Mrs. Takaishi. We were just in the middle of a disagreement," added Kari.
"Oh please, just call me Nancy, " the woman smiled.
"It didn't look like a disagreement to me," Kari's mom added.
"No, no Mrs. Kamiya. We're perfectly fine," Tk covered up in a fake, yet can totally pass as a genuine smile. He pulled Kari beside him as he took her shoulders and rested his arm around her as if to show that they're on good terms.
"Yeah Mom," Kari also played along and put her other arm at Tk's waist. "We're totally okay!"
Both mothers had a peculiar look but then let it go.
"Well, that's good then," Mrs. Takaishi voiced out. "I hope you're making her feel at home Tk."
"Oh yes he is Mrs. Takaishi. Totally," Kari smiled a helpless smile.
"Excellent," the older woman smiled. "So the reason we visited you guys here is that we wanted to take Kari sightseeing here in Japan. Lilia here told me you haven't shown her around yet," Tk's mom was specifically talking to him. "Why didn't you anyway? That's not the way a host has to behave."
Kari shot an accusing glare at her mother. "No Mrs. Takaishi, I mean Nancy. It's okay. I understand. He's busy and I'm busy too so there's really no need."
"Well, you aren't busy now."
"I have an intervie—"
"Nonsense dear," Mrs. Takaishi said.
"Mom, she's right. And besides, if I took her out sightseeing, then what would the public say to us now? Especially if it's just the two of us. I'd be the target of the press," Tk came up with another alibi.
"That's why we're here," his mom laughed.
And no one protested after that.
They were in Tk's Lamborghini on their way to Tokyo Tower and the only ones that did the talking were their mothers while the two couldn't just put smiles on their faces. It was as if their mothers were the ones excited for the trip dedicated to the young brunette.
It was a breezy day and everyone was out and about the city. Some ladies crossed the street with paperbags on their hands, just finished shopping. Teens and children are spotted hanging out and playing in the park. The place was evidently full of people once they arrived in their destination.
Their moms excitedly brought them up the tower to let them see the magnificent view of the whole Tokyo. With a hint of surprise, Kari smiled and let out a breath in amazement. It was actually a very pleasant view and somehow, made her feel at ease. They took a couple of pictures in the tower.
They went to more tourists spots namely the Sony Building, the Imperial Palace, the Yasukuni Shrine and other museums and buildings where most of the time, Tk was yawning and Kari trying to keep with her mom dragging her to every corner of the place.
"I can't believe so much has changed in Tokyo after you left dear," Kari's mom said while they were in the car heading out to some restaurant for dinner.
"Yeah, a lot did change," the tired brunette answered back.
"You were five years old when you went with your dad in L.A. and you never came back since then. Now you're all grown up and working.. I still can remember that time when you used to wet the bed when you sleep."
"MOM!" Kari's face turned redder than a tomato and buried her face with her palms. "I can't believe you have to say that! It's embarrassing!"
She looked up the rearview mirror and saw Tk looking at her with an insanely huge smirk on his face. She threw him deathly glares even if it was the most humiliating thing her mom did to her.
"It's okay dear," Tk's mom said after her chuckles subsided. "Tk used to play with his ting ting everytime I took him a bath when he was four."
"What the fuck!" Tk bolted out. "MOM!"
Everybody laughed with the revelation, except of course for Tk. And Kari didn't hold her laugh just so she can get back at the blonde. They exchanged looks through the rearview mirror and the brunette was wearing a triumphant grin.
He mouthed fuck you and Kari just stuck her tongue out like a little girl.
"Can we not have this conversation?" Tk interrupted their hysterics. "I'm losing my appetite."
But things just get so crazy living life gets hard to do
And I would gladly hit the road, get up and go if I knew
That someday it would bring me back to you
That someday it would bring me back to you
"God, I'm glad that's over," Kari placed her hand bag on the living room table and went directly to the counter and pour herself a glass of water. After a long day and a really embarrassing dinner, she couldn't help but let all that weight off.
"I'm so tired of hearing our moms yabbering."
The blonde ran his hand through his hair and replied "Tell me about it."
He took a bowl of grapes from the fridge.
"So… you play with your dick?" she smirked. He banged the fridge door and answered back. "Fuck that."
She laughed. "I think it's sexy."
He snorted and didn't say anything but took a piece of grape and ate it, watching her look at him from the counter.
"Well, unless of course you're still doing it now.. coz it would really be a huge turn off," she teased and drank her water.
He smiled his trademark sexy smile. "So, what can I do to turn you on?"
Surprised by his answer, she choked while drinking the water and coughed before she was able to regain herself.
"I still hate you, you know," Kari pulled herself up the counter stool and took her recorder on the table where she left it.
"On the contrary, it's me who hates you."
"Whatever. Can we go back to your interview? I wanna get it over with," she tried to change the subject, leaning away from that uncomfortably sexy vibe she was feeling.
"I'm beat! Let's do it tomorrow," the blonde complained.
"I'm suppose to be the bitch who makes your life miserable so I can't agree with you on that," she laughed. "So, how's life for you right now?" she turned the recorder to his direction.
"Right now, it's kinda tight with the play-offs coming soon. Plus, there's a crazy woman living under my roof who's a pain in the ass and what makes it more annoying is that she's too hard-headed and keeps on fighting back."
"Blah blah blah Takaishi. Tell us something more interesting."
"Why should I? You ask me."
"I'm running out of questions. Maybe your life is so boring that nothing's there to interest the public," she laughed.
"I'll tell you something interesting," he retorted. "My parents were divorced when I was six and got separated from my dad and brother and I lived with my mom. Then during late elementary, I had to win every basketball contest there was to give the portion of cash prize to my mom because she was having a hard time paying for school. And every after class until high school, I had to work in a diner across the town gym to help my mom earn that's why I usually miss basketball training. Happy now?" he sharply turned his gaze to her direction and raised an eyebrow.
She didn't say anything because of the surprise she felt upon hearing his story. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I.. I didn't know."
"Of course you didn't."
"Look, I really can't tell you how sorry I am to be so insensitive to y—"
"Pfft," he laughed. "You're so dramatic. I didn't know a lunatic like you is ever capable of feeling sympathy." Tk laughed at the act he did and how he was able to get Kari to shut like that. It was hysterical!
"What the fuck! You stupid asshole! You're such a liar!"
"Hey! You're the one who said make it interesting. So why not make a fake story? Isn't that what you media people do?" he started laughing so hard. "I loved that look on your face! It was fuckin priceless!"
"Whatever. You're lucky I was being compassionate to an arrogant moron."
"I don't need your charity Kamiya," he replied in a loop-sided grin.
She walked out and mumbled sarcastically, "I don't need your charity Kamiya. Bastard."
"It's okay! I know you hate me!" he called out again with a laugh.
How can someone like him ever exist on the face of the Earth? I can't believe I'm stuck with him! Can't things get any worse? She thought before calling it a night.
That may be all I need
In darkness she is all I see
Come and rest your bones with me
Driving slow on Sunday morning
And I never want to leave
Cancercute ©opyright
[AUTHOR's NOTE]
Date Posted: o9.23.11
It's quite a short chapter but I hope you appreciate it. Send in that review! And to those who reviewed last chapter, muchos gracias! I love you guys. You're a huge part why I keep on updating.
Now Playing: Sunday Morning by Maroon 5