A/N: Can't believe we're in May already.. Everyone well? Considering?

Many thanks as always for the love on this, (and lil shout out to Claire for the pointers on therapist lingo) though.. I've a feeling you're going to dislike her even more this chapter. xD

Hope y'all enjoy regardless, and everyone is keeping safe and sane.

K~

Chapter 19 - Sweet and Sour

"Fuck! Don't stop!... Oh god.. K-Kai!"

It was moments like these Ray was thankful that they lived in a detached home as shameless moans had torn through his throat all night and the majority of the morning.

Was that his ninth orgasm now? He'd honestly lost count...

All he knew was that Kai had had him facing in every direction of this room and they were going to have to restart that movie as they'd only seen the first ten minutes before things started to get steamy on the couch.

He was going to be late for work if they continued this, and didn't Kai also have his therapy session today?

"Mm, that's my name.."

A smug purr came from under the sheets, shortly followed by delicate kisses being placed all up a toned and tanned stomach before finishing in the crook of Ray's neck.

"Time for another round?"

The seductive whisper in his ear sent a pleasurable chill down his spine causing half open amber eyes to drop shut again.

God he loved it when he was like this but he wasn't stupid.

"I know what you're doing Kai.." Ray spoke low with a smirk on his face, no intentions of stopping the kisses on his neck just yet but they both had to start making a move soon.

".. Don't know.. what.. you mean.." Kai replied between kisses that had now trailed up to Ray's jawline.

"Yes you do, you and I both know that you have your session today with Doct-"

Ray's words were muffled as Kai pressed his lips against his and took it upon himself to try and turn it into a full blown make out session, his tongue taking complete advantage of Ray's open mouth and circling within it.

"-mmf! Kai.. Stop!" He laughed out trying to catch his breath and pressing on the others bare chest to create some distance between them. "Don't be trying to use me to get out of your appointment!"

"Would I ever..?" He attempted to sound innocent as he went back to placing kisses down Ray's jaw and neck again, trailing down onto his collar bone, his chest, and really pushing his luck with slipping back under the covers and edging himself down lower, and lower...

"Kai!" Ray chuckled out and squirmed like he'd just been tickled, taking a loose handful of slate coloured hair in one hand and lifting up the sheets with the other as the kisses had gotten dangerously close to his crotch.

"That's enough now, we need to get up." He scolded through his laughter.

Kai looked up to him from under the covers and sent him a smirk.

"I mean, that's sorta what I was gonna work on down here.."

Ray snorted. "No! Up, up! Out of bed, shower, up!"

Kai raised a brow, the devilish grin still fixed on his lips as he crawled his way back up to be face to face with him.

"Mm, good idea.. We can gladly take this to the shower if you really want kitten?"

Cupping his hands over his face, Ray laughed into them before playfully pushing Kai off of him, throwing his legs off the side of the bed and easing himself up.

As much as he'd love to stay in the sack with him all day he had work and Kai had an appointment with Dr Lange.

"You're too much.." He teased, leaning down to place a quick kiss on Kai's lips and retreating before he got any more ideas to stall for time.

"I won't be long." Ray added coyly over his shoulder before slipping into the bathroom and jumping in the shower to wash away the night's events.

Kai watched him go with a loved up smile, eyes fixed on the bare ass that had swayed over to the door before exhaling an audible sigh and gazed up at the ceiling.

Was worth a try he guessed..

Not that he was seriously using Ray just now but they were clearly more than fine again so he didn't even understand why he was insisting he still went to the damn appointment.

Things had been better hadn't they?

Hell he seemed to have enjoyed last night - as had he.

Couldn't they just stay in bed, have pancakes for breakfast and cuddle?

Last night had been the closest he'd felt to him for the longest time, he didn't want it to end.. Neither redhead or.. pink-head had so much as crossed his mind.

It had been awesome..

So why did he have to go and chat with some random stranger who was just going to bring up the past again and have him dwell on it.

He reached over to his bedside table and pressed the button on his phone to check the clock.

There was still time..

Pulling the covers off him he crept over to the en-suite bathroom like he was about to rob the place, quietly turned the handle and pushed open the door. The steam that filled the tiled room hiding him whilst he stalked over, taking in the wet tanned body currently occupying the cubicle completely oblivious of his presence.

He snuck in to the shower, a gasp of fright followed by a laugh emitted from the other before simply giving in and allowing fair hands to roam his body once more.

One more round wouldn't hurt...

[A/N: If you'd like to read the continuation of this cheeky scene head over to my page on Ao3 and find 'Dedication' ;) ]

x-x-x

Pulling up outside the stone building once again, Kai was already wanting to go home and he hadn't even switched off the engine.

Like the first time he came here with Ray, the same swirl of anxiety churned in his stomach only unlike before he had no one to assure him it was going to all be okay.

It's not like Ray would even know if he went in or not, and with client confidentiality Lange wouldn't be able to say as to whether he attended if he were to call and check..

There was a nice little café over the road; he could just sit in there for an hour.. have a coffee, go through some e-mails..

With a groan he flicked off the engine and stepped out the car.

Was only an hour. What could really happen in an hour?

Hn..Best not answer that..

Pfft, if anyone needed therapy surely it was that guy not him..

Wait, why was he even thinking about him right now?!

Guess he just associated the redhead with anxiety and bitterness. Whenever something bad was happening the devil was bound to come to mind..

It'd been almost two weeks since that disastrous double date. Two whole weeks since he'd got a grip of himself and stopped letting the wolf lick his wounds clean.

Deleting that number was the best thing he'd ever done. Never should have let him have it in the first place! Should've kept all communication to a minimum at the house and anything more so should've gone via Tiffany.

The second he typed in the final digit in to his phone he knew.. knew it was a mistake but what an understatement that turned out to be.

Walking through the automatic glass doors the same blonde receptionist greeted him, told him to take a seat and help himself to the refreshments table.

He'd grabbed himself a water but as he sat back down he heard a handle click and Dr Lange appeared at her office door.

"Good morning Kai." She said with a slight nod of her head. "Would you like to come through?"

Not really, he thought, though carried himself into the room anyway, sitting down in the same chair he'd sat in at their first session and waiting to be spoken to like he always did.

Without Ray here to dilute any of this he was starting to feel the same uneasiness he'd felt during the times he'd had a one on one session when he was younger.

It wasn't like he didn't know the drill though and how these things usually played out.

They'd start by asking how he was, then make some idle chit chat about the weather to get him comfortable; 'Build trust.'

All these clowns were the same.

He was fine. Had nothing to worry about.

Still wasn't overly impressed being here though.. He'd made the effort for couple's therapy for Ray, but he'd never agreed to a solo session.. That wasn't part of the deal.

"So I trust you're well? Bit cooler today isn't it? Winter must be coming.." Dr Lange chuckled out, settling herself down into her chair opposite him and with the blank expression on his face becoming clearer after she'd popped her glasses on, it became apparent the reference she'd made just now had been completely lost on him.

"Not a fan? Never mind.." She cleared her throat, looked down at her notes and flicked through a few pages.

"Right let's see here.."

Kai just sat back and watched her.

This was a familiar sight.

The only difference between this whole scene and the last was the change of clothes between them.

Dr Lange's position was as it was before with her pen already in hand waiting to hover over her notepad and write down her analysis of him.

All her thoughts, opinions.

Ugh. He didn't care what she thought or anyone did for that matter. Never had done.

The only opinion that mattered was his and Ray's and they could both tell her that they were fine! Didn't need any of this!

Once she'd refreshed herself with all that had occurred previously her gaze snapped up to him through her rimless glasses.

"So our first session with Ray was quite eventful wasn't it! How were things between you both after you left here that day?"

Eventful was one word for it...

"Fine... We went out for lunch at a place nearby here.. was nice."

Though he was recalling an event that sparked joy within him, (their date really had been nice), and it had been the start of them coming back from this mess, his face and tone suggested it had been anything but.

He spoke very briefly, blunt in fact.

Clear bitterness sitting on his words that he was reluctant to even send the woman's way now.

She nodded to him whilst jotting something down.

"Good, good. I'm glad to hear."

"Mhm."

Steel grey eyes took a glimpse up over her glasses at him who in turn took his own glance away from her.

He was like a wild animal, hostile and sceptical she noted.

She knew she'd be able to hazard a good guess as to why she was receiving such a cold reception right now but she couldn't put words in his mouth.

She'd play along though.

"You seem a little tense today Kai, is there something you'd like to talk about?"

He looked down to his shirt and picked off a bit of fluff before shaking his head.

"Nope.. I'm good."

She held on to the sigh that was threatening to escape her and pressed her thin lips together.

If her aging memory served her correctly she was pretty sure they'd discussed meeting people half way last session but never mind. She was determined to crack him so took another step forward and reiterated.

She'd get it out of him one way or another. She'd spoon feed many a client; Kai Hiwatari wasn't anything special.

"Are you sure?" Her tone could have been described as patronising, taunting almost.

"Is there perhaps something from our previous session, the one with Ray that you'd like to revisit? To discuss?"

She watched him shift in his seat, and it was slight but she could tell that his jaw had clenched. Irritatingly for her though he remained silent.

'Come on Kai.. you know you want to get it off your chest..' She mentally urged as she watched the internal torment before her.

His lips then parted, and she felt herself leaning forward.

"Yeah actually there was something I wouldn't mind addressing.."

Fabulous..

Regardless of the tone of warning that came from him, her position relaxed back into her leather chair and her expression remained unfazed.

This hour was going to be interesting it would seem.

"Oh? Please, do share."

Kai cleared his throat.

Now that he'd said it out loud he was wishing he'd just stayed quiet but after her little stunt during the last session he'd been wanting to have it out with her since.

"I uh.. couldn't help but feel like I was a little, blamed for everything when we all last spoke together.." He started with clear unease in his tone before reeling off more.

"...And not to state the obvious, but I didn't really appreciate you asking how Ray felt about, her, whilst I was still in the room.. I'd like to know what were you actually expecting to come from that?"

There was no denying that that had stung.

The whole act itself was one thing but to know that there'd been actual feelings behind it just made it so much worse in Kai's opinion.

Yes he knew what he'd done with Tala was wrong, despicable, unforgiveable even.

But it had just been sex. Raw, animalistic sex.

Sure, sex to a lot of people is this deep, meaningful emotional bond. An intimate act that you don't just do with anyone. They have to care about the other with every fibre of their being and feel physically and spiritually connected before crossing that line and delving into a bubble of passion.

But for Kai he'd never had to feel such things to want to explore another. Until he met Ray emotions had never even come into it.

Sex was just what it was - Sex.

He didn't give a shit about Tala's life or his feelings, nor did the redhead give a rats about his.

What they did was solely for the climax and it was the thrill that kept it going. There was a physical attraction between them of course, but he felt nothing else.

And that's why what Ray did was so much worse...

He'd actually loved Mariah. Probably had all these plans to get married, and have children, both of which he had zero interest in and he'd revisited that; Because he missed it. Clearly.

He didn't need doc over here to tell him he wasn't providing enough for him... he knew that.

But then the same question could be flipped on him.

Why had he kept revisiting Tala?

What did he feel was missing from his own relationship that he had to seek something else from another?

One time was easily considered a mistake. But multiple?

That had been a choice.

Whilst Dr Lange was pleased Kai had finally opened up, (and that her suspicions had been correct after all), an apologetic smile appeared on her lips as she set down her pen on her notepad and rested it on her lap.

"Well first let me start by sincerely apologising to you Kai if I made you feel that I was blaming anything on you during our first session. That wasn't my intention, however I had an inkling you'd leave here with a negative feeling and this is exactly why I solely wanted to speak with you separately, and have a chance to shed some light on my process."

A slate brow rose.

Mhm.. he was listening.

"I of course had no idea how Ray felt, or does feel rather, towards his previous partner, but the main point of that exercise was to see how you responded to him talking about her.." She began to explain.

"The fact that it caused you to show an immense amount of upset to the point you vacated the room shows that you're quite passionate and do genuinely love him. This is of course, a very good sign."

Kai didn't say anything but by his expression he was mulling over her words.

Well of course he loved him. Didn't need a psychology degree to work that one out, but it made sense why she did what she did he figured.

Still hurt though..

"Would you say that you often remove yourself from conversations, or situations that make you feel uncomfortable?"

Kai thought for a moment before sending her a one shouldered shrug.

"Yeah I guess?"

Didn't everyone?

"So you wouldn't describe yourself as even slightly confrontational? If you could feel an argument was about to occur for instance, you'd rather just walk away than fight it out? Even if you believed you were in the right?"

Kai shook his head to her.

"Arguing isn't really my thing. I've better things to be doing with my time to be honest."

Sure he could snap on the odd occasion but generally he couldn't be bothered with the noise of it all. People can believe what they want. He knew what was right and what wasn't.

Why waste his breath and energy on petty spats?

A sigh then escaped the older woman's nose.

"Sometimes Kai, conflict needs to happen for issues to be resolved. If only one party is airing out their thoughts and problems and the other is just dismissing them like they don't exist I'm sure you could agree it wouldn't be unnatural for the troubled party to then seek out another ear to listen.."

A look was then immediately sent her away from the other side of her desk.

"So there you go, you're blaming me again!"

Ugh! This woman!

Dr Lange raised her hand and shook her head.

"I'm not blaming you Kai. Whilst I agree that Ray's choice of ear, wasn't the best one as I'm sure she perhaps had ulterior motives-"

"-Too right she fucking did." Kai spat, cutting her off with a scoff, words dripping in salt before folding his arms and turning slightly sheepish at the silently scolding look he was receiving for his language.

".. Sorry."

She accepted the apology with a nod of her head before continuing.

"As I was saying, his ex wasn't the best choice of ear I agree, but I also agree that even whilst you're in a partnership both parties are allowed to have some kind of emotional support from outside of the relationship."

Kai frowned at her. That didn't sound right..

"I should be the first choice though? Surely?"

Lange loosely clasped her hands together resting them on her lap and sent him a nod.

His tone just now made him sound vulnerable almost. It seemed like he was really opening up and was needing some form of reassurance from her.

He cared for her opinion after all..

"You probably were his first choice Kai, but if your natural response is to avoid and walk away from a situation that you can sense is going in a direction you don't like, or could potentially become heated then you can't really blame Ray for then confiding in, let's remember, his second choice.. Like I said, I'm not blaming you here, however your avoidant nature I can't deny has somewhat backfired on you in this instance."

Leaving him to process what she'd said she took a moment to peer down to her notes and flick back through a few of the pages, quickly scanning her scribbles.

"So after you'd left to take a moment during our first session, naturally, me and Ray kept on talking, and we spoke about the moment that he'd confessed to you. It was once you'd both arrived back home, the same day he'd returned from China is that correct?"

Kai sent her a brief nod, exhaling a sigh through his nose as he propped his head up on the palm of his hand, that wave of nausea that had started to settle down building back up again.

Did they really have to revisit this?

"He said that you didn't lash out in any way, neither angrily or by shedding a tear. Is this true?"

Kai shrugged to her.

"Crying isn't really my thing either.." He admitted. "Never has been."

If he had to go down the whole childhood trauma rabbit hole again, by god!

"Hm.. Well I can understand why hearing such news would be emotionally numbing, and from what I've gathered from you thus far is that you're quite stoic and reserved, that's fine.. But what I want to know Kai is why was your first response, after Ray's confession, was to ask Ray what you both did moving forward?"

Slate brows knitted together before shrugging.

Whilst some parts of that scene were clear as day to him, others were blurred.

He'd tried desperately since that day to forget about the whole thing. He couldn't remember completely what he'd said or what Ray said, or what either of them did.

The main thing he remembered was how he felt the moment that confession reached his ears.

His heart feeling like it had shattered into a million pieces but he was also just seeing red.

In more ways than one..

Where was she going with this though?

Seeing the confusion she continued to dissect.

"Forgive me, but that kind of response contradicts the one you displayed before, and would generally point to someone who doesn't care all that much.. There is also another reason as to why one might shift the ruling but I don't believe that needs mentioning as I don't think that's the case here.."

Kai seemed to lean into her words, giving her his full attention.

"Well I do care sooo, what's the other reason?"

Dr Lange took off her glasses and placed them down on the desk in front of her.

"Someone carrying an immense amount of guilt and for some reason feeling they deserved the treatment that had occurred so felt no right to lash out." She answered matter of fact.

"Be honest with me here Kai.."

He instantly tensed up at that, forcing himself to drink his water in an attempt to relieve his dried throat as he locked with the seemingly knowing aging eyes.

"Does Ray harm you in anyway? Physically or, verbally? Mentally even?"

The breath he'd been holding for a moment exhaled through his parted lips in relief.

Really? He would have chuckled at the question if it wasn't for the grave tone she'd just used.

"No, of course he doesn't. I wouldn't stay with anyone like that." He informed, feeling like he was stating the obvious though was sure she'd encountered many a toxic relationship in her line of work so it was a topic she couldn't take lightly.

"I'm glad to hear."

She believed him so continued, his confirmation of that, unbeknownst to him, allowing her to come to her final conclusion though she needed to hear him say it.. admit to it.

"Can you tell me then Kai, why you would possibly feel you had no right to feel angry after finding out?"

"Uhm.. I don't know.."

Though he did know. Exactly.

How could he have possibly lost his shit with Ray when the very night he'd dropped him off at the airport he got balls deep with another man?!

He could feel her eyes all on him now so avoided them with his own completely. Feeling his palms starting to get clammy he brought down the hand that had been propping his head up and shifted in his seat.

Dr Lange noticed.

"In that moment Kai you had just found out that your partner of, a fair few years now, had just committed adultery and the first thing you did was throw the ball, you very rightly deserved to hold, back into Ray's court...Why?"

She set her note pad down on the desk beside her glasses and sat herself upright. Leaning forward with her elbows on the desk and her fingers pressed together in a steeple, her eyes focused on nothing but him.

She wouldn't need to write any of this down.

The expression he was displaying was one she'd seen many a time and wouldn't forget.

Kai Hiwatari may not be one for words, might not be a huge speaker but it was fine. Even with his mouth closed the answer right now was written all over his face.

"Hm?" She pressed after receiving nothing. "Why would you let Ray have the control after all he'd done?"

"I- I don't know." He blurted out in his fluster.

"I think you do Kai.."

"I don't!"

He felt sick, his breathing became erratic and he felt incredibly warm now.

Looking back on it now, no, he hadn't gotten angry with him at all.

He just sat there in shock. Hadn't felt such internal conflict since he was a teenager.

"So you mean to tell me you've absolutely no reason?" Her tone reeked of scepticism as she patronisingly tilted her head to him.

"I- Well- Because-"

He had nothing. No answer at all.

Couldn't even string together a sentence never mind a believable excuse.

Hell, an obvious lie would suffice right now but his throat had closed on him completely and felt like he was going to puke.

He knew that she knew.

And he had to get out of here.

"S-Sorry, excuse me for a moment." He stammered out standing up from his seat though Dr Lange held up her hand causing him to instantly pause and look to her like a deer in headlights.

"Be honest with me Kai.." She said to him again.

"Are you having an affair?"

x-x-x

Golden eyes stood staring up towards the house at the bottom of the paved driveway. It was the biggest one on the street, of course, so it hadn't been hard to find.

She wouldn't have expected anything less of a residence owned by a Hiwatari.

Had more money than sense that family..

Ray had truly fallen on his feet with him that's for sure.

Coming from a small remote village in China to now living in a big four bedroomed house just outside Beycity was more than a small step up.

Was more than she could ever hope to provide him with.. She'd clearly been no competition against Kai so why she'd even tried so hard to get him back in the first place she wasn't sure now.

Gingerly heading up the brick drive she held up her clenched and clammy hand ready to knock on the door but lowered it again as her nerves had kicked in.

She couldn't do it...

Why she was still trying for this conversation after the reception she got from him yesterday she didn't know.. but then again she did..

She took in a deep inhale through her nose and audibly exhaled through her mouth trying to steady herself.

She didn't sleep a great deal last night. Not just because she was in a random hotel room, but more so she was unable to believe that he had just cut her off before she'd had a chance to tell him anything.

Did he not have the slightest bit of curiosity of what she had to say?

Did he really not care to know why she'd flown all the way from China just to speak to him?

The guy really needed to get over himself if he seriously thought for one minute she did all of that just because she wanted to be with him.

He was a good lay but not that great..

After the way he'd treated her, continues to treat her, she knew now that if given the chance she wouldn't want to be with him anyway.

He'd changed, and in her opinion not for the better.

But regardless of how either of them felt about each other she was here to make an announcement and Ray was going to just stay quiet, stand there and listen.

She took in another breath. Like ripping off a band aid it was now or never.

She knocked on the front door before instantly taking a step backwards.

Oh god she'd done it..

Standing there with her arms wrapped around herself, she chewed on her bottom lip as she waited.

Whilst she wasn't exactly looking forward to anyone answering the door, now that she'd done it, she was hoping.. no, praying that she would lock with familiar golden eyes.

She wouldn't know what she'd do if she was met with ruby. The mere thought of that encounter shot her anxiety through the roof.

Though it would seem she wouldn't have to worry about either of them as after a minute or two and even after a second knock, the door remained closed and it became apparent that no one was home.

Instantly she felt deflated.

Guess today wasn't going to be the day to reveal either..

Her eyes began to water, her lower lip wobbling a little before a single tear overflowed down her tanned cheek.

Maybe she should just keep this to herself. Clearly Ray wasn't meant to know and this was the universe trying to tell her of that fact, protect her perhaps.

She turned from the door and stepped down off the porch step, feeling almost mournful as she started to head back down the drive when a car slowly pulled in and parked up several feet from her.

She wiped at her glistening eyes to clear her vision.

It was black in its entirety, the windows tinted too so she couldn't make out the driver.

She had no idea what car Ray had, or if he even drove for that matter.

But she was pretty sure a Mercedes was way above his pay grade..

Which could only mean..

As soon as he'd turned the corner he'd locked on the radiant pink hair.

Stomach sinking as crimson refused to leave the petite frame that had dared to walk onto his property and he could only presume had knocked on his front door.

This was not happening right now.

After his hour with Dr Lange that involved his own teary confession followed by complete transparency and psychoanalysis of why he possibly did what he did, he was now being greeted with one of the possible factors that had pushed him in the first place?

His entire car ride home had been a silent and vacant blur as he processed everything. It settling in that, regardless of what Lange had tried to reassure him with, he was the biggest piece of shit to walk this Earth and his punishment now was having more salt rubbed into his open and bleeding wounds having to face her!

This was not happening right now!

The engine's purr died down, and after a moment the car door popped open.

Mariah stood there frozen. Knowing she should run as fast as her legs would carry her but her feet wouldn't move. She was just fixed, planted to the floor out of fear and perhaps desperation.

She needed to speak to Ray.. So if he was her only chance of getting to do that then she just had to grab it with both hands.

Two toned slate hair shortly appeared from the door before his full height then came into view.

He'd grown a fair few inches since she saw him last in person. At a guess she'd put him around six foot now.

Still good looking, perhaps even more so in his age. Annoyingly, regardless of her feelings towards him there was no denying he'd always been handsome.

Had his eyes always burned that bright though?

His expression to Mariah was dangerously unreadable. It always had been since their teens. Always looked like death warmed up so she could never get her head around it when Ray had told her they were an item.

'In a relationship with Kai Hiwatari'

Really?

What was there to even like about him?! Honestly?!

Sure he was a notorious bad boy. She could understand the physical appeal but besides his looks, bad ass reputation, money and status - What else did he actually offer?

Love and affection?

Pah! Was he even capable of such?

Even with the internal rants and hatred for him her heart was racing all the same. The other familiarity with him was he was still intimidating as hell..

The two of them stared at each other for what felt like an eternity before Kai broke the silence.

"What the fuck do you want?"

His tone dripped with venom, his eyes remaining on her as he flicked his car door to a close.

Mariah stood her ground.

"I came to speak with Ra-"

"-Why?" He spoke through gritted teeth as he cut her off.

"I-It's none of your business Kai!" She managed to snap beside herself, feeling her heart pound violently within her chest. "This is between me and Ray. It's nothing to do with you!"

Kai let out a dark laugh.

"Considering everything Mariah, I think it's got everything to fucking do with me. Whatever you have to say to him, you can say to me first."

Mariah sneered at him before turning on her heel and started to head back down the bricked drive.

"Just tell him that I need to talk to him okay?" She demanded though her voice didn't hold much threat with it cracking.

She hated him. Had hated him since he took Galux from her and even more so when he took Ray.

She couldn't stay here. That disgustingly smug look on his face was boiling her blood.

Pompous prick!

Kai's demeanour had remained the same, not giving a shit for the girl's feelings and even let out another laugh for good measure.

"Yeah sure, course I will." His tone sagged with sarcasm as he sauntered up the drive and to the front door.

Was this bitch for real?

She had some balls though he'd give her that.

"Well thanks for stopping by. Anything else you'd like me to pass on since apparently I'm just your fucking messenger?"

Mariah's fists clenched at her side. Pressing her lips together she turned to look over her shoulder only to see his arrogant face looking down at her.

"Didn't think so.." He bit. "Now run along like the mangy tramp you are."

Burning rage was more than bubbling away within her and she knew she shouldn't add anymore fuel to this fire, should just keep on walking, but the temptation to wipe that smug look off his face was too much.

"Two words Kai. Two words is all I have to say to you that would absolutely destroy you." She threatened, voice low and gaining bite as she turned to face him again. "Keep pushing me and I swear!"

She was sure he would have found out afterwards anyway but she had wanted to tell Ray first. Kai disagreed, but this had nothing to do with him.

The way this was going though she could see herself completely losing her cool and speak without thinking.

Kai let out another laugh.

She was quite entertaining.

"Destroy me? Bless. You really are deluded aren't you?"

Turning the key in the front door he pulled down the handle before turning to face her again.

"You might have thought you were slick with your little stunt but it didn't destroy me, him, or us. We're fine. Still as strong as ever, and nothing is going to change that. So go on. Run along. Do everyone a favour and fuck off back to that shit hole you call a home."

His words kept digging into her, but she was the one with the knife here. Knowing that she had the upper hand it was her turn to adopt a cocky tone.

"Oh I'll leave for now Kai but unfortunately for you, in the long run, I'm not going anywhere.. I'm always going to be a part of Ray's life."

"Like hell you are!" Kai argued. "He doesn't want shit to do with you Mariah!"

He'd said it but he wasn't sure.

"Do you still have feelings for this ex of yours?"

"I think I always will..."

He thought he'd buried it. Buried the upset of what Ray's words had brought him.

Last night being a huge leap forward in them being back on track, but seeing Mariah in the flesh was digging it all back up.

Taking note of his rising temper, Mariah took a glance down to her polished fingernails.

"I actually spoke a little with him yesterday, did he tell you? We kissed outside of his work, y'know just outside that white door at the back?"

Kai's jaw clenched.

How would she..

"You're a fucking liar!" He roared.

No. He wasn't going to believe that. She was just trying to get under his skin. Desperation is what this was. Pathetic desperation!

Though it would explain why he was a little off with him at first over dinner.. But he was just tired! He said he was tired!

"Oh yeah?" She continued to chime out. "Go and take a look at his work shirt from yesterday. You'll see someone had spilt soy sauce on his right sleeve. If I wasn't there Kai how would I know that?"

His heart began to race.

He had noticed the odd placement of the dark liquid when he spoke to him from outside the dining room door last night before dinner...

A lucky guess! That's all!

"He gets covered in shit all the time, like that proves anything!" He spat to her.

Oh how the roles had reversed.

It was Mariah's turn to let out a dark chuckle.

"Stay in denial Kai.. However, you know what can't be denied? Photographic evidence."

Rummaging in her hoodie pocket she fished out a small polaroid looking photo and held it out to him.

She'd always imagined her pregnancy announcement to be one filled with delight, filled with joy. Both her and the father sat on the bathroom floor clutching the test waiting in excited anticipation.

Though, whilst she was sat, she was alone, hysterically sobbing as she saw the plus sign appear on the test's screen.

"And what the fuck is that?" His voice cracked as he blurted out the question though knew the answer.

No.. no no no...it can't be... please don't let it be..

"That is Ray's child. I'm pregnant Kai."

Like someone had taken a sledge hammer to a mirror, Kai's whole world shattered before his own eyes as her words rang in his ears.

The very floor beneath him feeling like it was moving so much so he had to hold on to the door handle to keep him upright.

"No... You're lying!"

"You'll more than likely see him before me. So if you wouldn't mind, pass on the message for me? Many thanks." She sneered, flicking her hair over her shoulder and heading down the driveway.

Kai stood for a moment as he watched her go. His lips parted slightly in shock.

It was a surprise the door didn't break off its hinges with the sheer force he had slammed it shut.

He was speechless.

Ruby eyes glaring at the door, his chest rapidly heaving in and out like he'd just sprinted a mile, trying to suppress the seething rage that was coursing through his veins at an alarming rate.

He'd never been this angry before. Never felt so stupid.

He felt sick. Violently sick.

His stomach churning on him, his heart pounding against his ribcage.

He steadied himself, resting a hand on the wall in the hall, his eyes still on the door before him when it started to lose focus, his vision blurring.

Was... was he crying?

He roughly rubbed his eyes as they began to fill and trickle down his cheeks. His throat now burning as he tried to swallow away the painful lump though was unable to suppress the sobs that had now started to pour out of it.

This was it.

There was no coming back from this now.

He could've stayed in denial before. Just never spoke of it again, move on and pretend like none of it ever happened.

But there was a life involved now.

A child that would forever be a reminder of what had happened.

What he'd done.

If Kai was thinking straight he could have realised that that baby scan photo could have actually belonged to anyone. Though what twisted human being would lie about such a thing?

And even if she was pregnant, there was no proof to say that Ray was even the father.

For all he knew Ray could have been simply one of many. The little tramp may very well have already been pregnant before he'd even gone to China, and had he taken a moment to stop, breathe and think about that, he could have contacted the relevant people and had some kind of paternity test performed to be sure.

But he wasn't thinking straight.

He was seething.

So much so he'd already smashed up the living room, downed three shots of whiskey and now had his phone to his ear.

After a few rings the bright cheery voice came through.

"Afternoon sir! What can I do for you toda-"

"- I need you to send me the landscaper's number again."

Tiffany could tell by his tone and the way he'd just cut her off that he was in zero mood for a conversation. Something had clearly happened.

She was also pretty sure she'd heard him sniffle.

She really hoped for Tala's sake that nothing had gone wrong in the yard...

"Oh, okay, no problem sir...Everything alright?"

"Mhm. You got it?"

"Uh yes.. I'll text you it okay?"

Tiffany blinked for a moment waiting for confirmation, though after looking at her screen she saw that Kai had hung up the call.

She really hoped nothing had gone wrong in the yard.

Of all the times for utmost efficiency this was one of them, and to Kai's satisfaction the text came through within seconds and the devil's digits were sat on his screen once more.

To hell with feeling like this anymore.

The two of them were welcome to each other!

Ray wanted a cute little family well he can go fucking have one!

Dr Lange's words of advice were long gone as his fingers pounded on his phone screen, a firm press on send a moment later.

[I'd like to arrange that meeting.]