3. Cramped Elevators

-That Morning-

"So, you're saying I'm just supposed to walk into work and sit at my desk, with him across from me," Sora said, blinking at the stuffed bear from her childhood. The bear stared back, Sora sighing, "You're right. I'm an adult."

She pushed herself and swung her legs over the edge of her bed before slipping her feet into a pair of fuzzy, blue slippers. Stretching her arms above her head, Sora glanced at the clock. "5am… Two hours ahead of schedule." She shuffled to the kitchen to boil water and make herself a cup of tea.

*ding ding*

Her phone chimed from her small kitchen table. "It's 5am who in their right mind…" Her eyes rolled in annoyance as the message flashed across her screen, "Of course."

Taichi Kamiya:

Morning! I'm sure you're still sleeping. I'm headed to the gym but wanted to see if you had any team building ideas for the office yet. I have a few

"Of course, I'm up…" Sora muttered, knowing she usually got up at 7am and rushed herself out the door, "And the gym? Why does he always have to mention that? I get it, you're so in shape and your life is soooo together." She let out an annoyed chuckle before locking her phone screen.

She poured the hot water into a mug, her green tea giving her a warm good morning. She sat on her couch, sighing as she took a sip.

*ding ding*

Taichi Kamiya:

You have your read receipts on by the way. Ideas?

Sora tilted her head to the ceiling, letting out a frustrated mix of a scream and a groan. It wasn't that Taichi was an unlikeable person, he was far from it. The office loved him and so did the CEOs. Sora, on the other hand, just never understood the hype. He never seemed genuine to her and was way too put together to be anywhere near realistic. She already knew he would throw her under the bus the second the CEOs offered one of them a promotion.

Sora:

Haven't had much time. I was thinking rock climbing or something like that.

*ding ding*

Taichi Kamiya:

Great idea! What about more of a team exercise, like a soccer scrimmage?

"Team building… That's right. Of course, he has the perfect idea…" Sora didn't reply, it was likely the CEOs would go with his idea anyway. She sat on her couch, letting herself sink back into the cool fabric. Her eyelids began to feel heavy, her hand resting against the couch cushion to steady the mug of tea.

Her eyes shot open, a smirk pulling at the corners of her mouth, "I played soccer in high school. I could finally beat him." She punched the air and grabbed her phone to reply.

Sora:

Soccer sounds good

-The Office-

Sora sat at her desk, her fingers hovering above her keyboard as her eyes locked with the brown ones that had been peaking at her all morning.

"What," she said, holding his gaze.

Taichi raised an eyebrow, shrugging as he leaned back in his chair. "There's something off about you this morning…" He narrowed his eyes, "And I'm not sure what it is."

Sora smirked, "I mean I have a date tonight…" She folded a tissue, blotting the red lipstick from her lips, "Maybe that's it?"

"You," he said, chuckling, "have a date? That explains the dress… And here I was thinking you dressed up for me."

Sora blinked, was it really that unbelievable that she had a date? A soft blush spread across her cheeks as she remembered the real reason, she picked the small, black dress. Her dream awoken some feelings she wasn't ready to address, but oh would she have fun messing with him.

"And why would I ever dress up for you," she tore her eyes from his gaze, clearing her throat as she sorted through the stack of papers Mimi had left on her desk.

Taichi kept silent, Sora still feeling the burn of his gaze on her. She felt the beginning of a migraine creeping along the edges of her forehead. Why did she let him get to her?

"You know, I had a dream last night," she said, resting her chin on the palm of her hand as she glanced back at him. I can play this game, too.

"Did you?" He mirrored her, his elbow leaning on the top of his tidy desk, "It didn't happen to involve me, did it?"

Sora felt a tug at the corners of her lips, "No no… Just a tall man… Soft sheets… Whispers," she paused, "I'm sure you're imaginative enough to figure out the rest."

A playful smile danced across his lips. He opened his mouth to reply, interrupted by the office's glass door swinging open.

"Sora!" John said, "W-Wow you look great. Just making sure we're still on for tonight." He shuffled nervously, picking at his nails.

"So, you're the lucky man," Tai said, Sora could hear the smirk through his words.

John jumped slightly - he always made a note to avoid Taichi. Though most of the office seemed to adore him, John was one of the few who found him to be intimidating. "I-I mean I just… Yes, I'm the lucky one," he finished the sentence with a nervous giggle, "Anyway…" John hurried out of the office, not waiting for Sora to confirm.

Sora pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to ignore Tai's chuckle, "John from printing, huh? I didn't know you two talked."

"Everyday," Sora said, regaining her composure, "Every single day."

"Uh huh," Tai said, "Not like I sit across from you every single day for all hours of the day or anything like that. Not at all." He gave her a grin, "Have fun, I'm sure you have a lot in common."

Why does he always have to make situations terrible for me, she ignored him as rain began to pound against the windows.

Sora managed to avoid Taichi's attempts at small talk for the remainder of the day. "Sora," he said from his desk. She stapled the corner of a few papers together, ignoring him again.

"We have to talk about the team building exercise," his words were laced with a small annoyance. She smirked, noting the sigh that slipped past his lips as his pen added a mark to the corner of his planner.

"I told you soccer was fine," she said, "it'll give be a great opportunity for me to embarrass you in front of everyone." She shrugged, pausing as she finally glanced up. He's smirking…?

"Now why would you embarrass me? Last time I checked we are in need of some team building," he stretched his arms above his head, "and since you won't have meetings with me, meet me for a drink, grab coffee…" he shook his head, "I just thought it would be best for us to be on the same team. Don't you think?"

She swore if she clenched her fist any harder it would break in half, "Oh goody. How could I be so… So lucky." She cleared her throat, "Anyway, I have a date to get to. I'll be seeing you." She was already running 30 minutes behind, the office below silent and dark.

Tai eyed the window, lightening cracking across the sky, "Your car out of the shop or is John from printing giving you a ride?"

Sora forgot about her car, she needed to stop doing that. "I can walk. It's just… A drizzle?" She grabbed her jacket, hurrying to the elevator as she heard Tai's chair push back from his desk and the jingle of his keys.

"I'll take you," he waved his hand, stopping any retort that threatened to slip past her lips.

"Fine…" she walked to the left of the elevator, pressing her back to the bar. Tai stood across from her, his gaze pinning her in place.

"What do you like about John from printing," he asked, breaking the peaceful silence Sora thought had settled between them. His brown eyes focused on her crimson, curiously genuine. Was there a bit of… Jealousy? But he… We don't get along.

"Excuse me?" She tried her best to not stutter, already feeling the heat on her cheeks betray her from the intensity of his gaze. Her eyes focused on the laces of his shoes Sora suddenly aware of the loud beating of her heart in her ears.

She had never thought of her coworker like… The dream. I guess a small part of me finds him attractive. But it would never work. The elevator suddenly felt smaller.

"John. Your date," Tai took in a deep breath, "What is it about him that got you." He wasn't asking questions anymore. His feet lifted, the distance between them slowly closing. "Does he know how you take your coffee?" Sora felt his hands moving by her waist, gripping the bar behind her. "Or how about knowing you are always two minutes late and to hold the elevator for you?"

Sora finally pulled her gaze from the floor as confusion clouded her thoughts. "Those are just coincidences… We… We don't…" Her breath caught in her throat.

He reached over, pressing the emergency stop button. The elevator jerked to a stop, Sora gasping in surprise.

"H-Hey! What are you doing?" She said, her body reacting to the closeness of his.

"We don't what, Sora?" He said, "Like each other? Weird assumption." Tai smirked.

Sora boiled over with annoyance, "It's not a weird assumption. You literally do everything in your power to get under my skin. If anything, we hate each other." She pressed her hands to his chest, his heartbeat mirroring the speed of her own.

"Ah," he chuckled, "We hate each other. That's it."

Sora hated how he watched her, his eyes not moving from her face. Having him this close felt dangerous, her dream urging her to pull him close and to feel him pressed against her. It wasn't that she didn't find him attractive… It's just, he was Taichi. Her nemesis. Who memorized how I take my coffee and notices when I'm having bad days…

Sora didn't know what came over her as her fingers gripped his shirt and pulled his lips down to hers. He let out a pleased grown, his hands moving from the bar to the back of her bare thighs. With a quick lift, Sora was sitting on the bar, Tai's weight pressing her back against the wall of the elevator.

She wrapped her legs around his body, pulling him closer. His tongue pressed to her lips, Sora moaning as the kiss deepened. Sora ignored her thoughts, This could be fun, right? The tips of his fingers lightly traced the soft skin of her thighs, making her back arch in response.

"Is the elevator broken?" A voice came through the intercom, Sora jolting from Tai.

Tai cleared his throat, pressing the button to speak back, "Sorry, we thought we heard something, but it seems good to go. Just a little scare." The elevator shifted beneath them.

Sora pulled the hem of her skirt down and fixed her hair. Tai stepped from the elevator and walked to his car, Sora following him.

*Author's Note*

HI HAPPY SUNDAY. I apologize, but life got too crazy to update any fics over the past year. This chapter was a little short, but I got a smidge of inspo!

Enjoy and happy readings.

- Moon