(Kaoru's POV)
It had been three days since we left the hospital and I sat on Sophia's couch. Kozue was making food in the kitchen with Baki and Takeda sat by the window, watching the cars go by. For the past three days Kozue and I had done nothing but fight. The same fight we had after Sophia disappeared.
"Kozue!" I state, staring the woman down. But just like that day at the river, the small woman stood her ground.
"Kaoru, you need to trust me."
"Trust you? My girlfriend is missing! And I think you know where she is!"
Her mouth folds into a straight line and she turns, staring out the window in silent anger "You need to trust me. She will be back."
"When!"
"WHEN SHE'S READY!" Her fist lifts, curling in anger just like Sophia does "I understand you are worried, I am too but you need to trust that everything is happening for a reason and when she is better Sophia will come home. For now, you need to trust me, and her. Please." When my eyes narrow she tosses up her hands "Or we can spend all day screaming at each other but I am not going to tell you where she is."
"Kozue," Baki tires but she sits on the couch, crossing her arms
"Baki, I love you but I swear to god, I will punch you in the face if you don't stay out of this." she turns to me "Kaoru you can't help her. Baki can't help her. I can't help her. If we COULD she would have asked us, she would have told us. She loves and cares about all of us but you need to understand you are not the single driving force in her life that can magically solve all her problems!" her hands ball on her chest "She was drowning and we missed it... Now we have to let her heal, we owe her that much..."
I sighed, running a hand down my face. Three days, that's what she said yet each day that past felt like years. I had no idea where Sophia was and I swore when I found her again I was never letting her out my sight, her anger be damned.
(Kozue's POV)
Four pairs of eyes turn to the door when it opens. Sophia comes in, slowly taking off her shoes and stops when she notices all of us. I feel my eyes line with tears as I bolt off the couch "Sophia!" Her body goes back three steps when I collide with her, my arms wrapping tightly around her "Oh my god your okay!"
The others come, moving towards her like a light in the dark but my smile falters when I notice the tears spill down her face. Sophia wasn't looking at anyone but Kaoru.
"Please don't tell me it's true."
Baki, Takeda and I step back, Kaoru was clearly lost.
"Please tell me its not true." I felt myself tear up, her words were shaking, her voice laced with pain as more tears rolled down her face "Please tell me Doyle's just messing with me head so I go back to him."
"Doyle?" Baki states and I elbow him harshly.
Despite the flash of anger Kaoru simply stands there "Is what true."
Sophia moves, tossing the large folder that was under her arm onto the floor, pieces of paper sliding out around us. Kaoru stops, the look of shock clear on his face, causing Sophia to shed more tears.
"Please tell me you didn't pay my father to fix our relationship." her fingers curl, her shoulders shaking with tears "Please tell me he's lying. Please tell me you didn't go behind my back and side w-with him."
Kaoru's silence was defining.
"Oh my god..." she turns away, a hand over her mouth.
"I didn't pay him, I gave him a choice." Kaoru finally speaks "You or Alcohol, he chose you."
"You bought my house!" she snaps back "You made him leave! What part of that is his choice?!"
"Sophia-"
She tossed up her hands, moving to go up the stairs "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! ALL OF YOU!"
I turn, watching Baki stare at Kaoru in shock. The older male was silent, simply staring at the papers. I shake my head, seeing Takeda pushing both of them towards the door and move heading up the stairs after her.
"Sophia," I knock on her bedroom door "Sophia please... open up." I'm greeted with silence "Come on, it's just me... please Sophia..."
I jolt back in shock when the door's suddenly ripped open. Sophia stood there, angry tears running down her face "Did you know?!"
"Know what?"
"About the deal with my father?"
"No, I swear I had no idea." Sophia turns, walking back into her room and I follow her, sitting on her bed quietly. She was pacing the floor, mumbling words to herself with more tears.
"It was all a lie. The whole thing was a lie." she sobs softly "This whole thing was just for the money..."
I feel the tears rim my eyes and I move, carefully taking her hand. Sophia stops, staring at me like she'd forgotten I was here and I watch that her break, falling down on the floor by my feet. I move, cradling her body in mine, rocking both of us softly "I'm here okay... I'm right here..."