J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We were relatively quiet the entire ride to the hospital and walk to Kyoya's office. I suppose we both had important things to consider. He's so highhanded. It's as if he thinks that I will appreciate him completely dominating my life. Sorry, that's not how friendship works. That's not how I work. Okay, pfft! I do do what I want!

"Judy."

Unfortunately, Kyoya has an amazing capacity to unseat some of my choices. Darn, that rich jerk's ability to use money and status to get his way!

"Judy." I raised my eyes to look at the source of my name. Kyoya was standing in front of me, a hand reaching toward me, an amused look on his face.

"Sorry," I said quickly and sat in one of his office chairs.

"Do you always zone out like that? I had to call you three times and was about to shake you out of wherever you went."

"No, I don't always zone out. I'm not sure why I did this time." Liar!

"After your attacks do you often feel disconnected?"

"Not usually."

"Then only with severe attacks?"

"Ummmm." Kyoya continued his cross-examining like a machine. It's obvious that whoever steps in this office is immediately either sick patient or business partner.

"Judy, I've been considering your suggestions in the studio."

"Yes?" So, he's going to apologize and back off?

"Would you like to plan the music for my company dinner party?"

Aaaaand, not what I wanted to hear. "You do realize what a large request that is. Don't you?" I really didn't want to plan his program in less than a week and rehearse the other musicians and arrive three hours early and carry around three bags of replacement chamber music. Wait, I do all that anyway.

"I do, and I am willing to pay you three times the original amount." That was an oddly fast response.

"Very well. You want it according to the theme discussed earlier as well?" I mentally pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Yes."

"Alright. I'll head up to the office and get a program ready. How do I contact the musicians?"

"Here's my event coordinator's card. Call her for any information you need."

"Is that all, Kyoya?"

"Yes. Stop by the pharmacy on the way out the door and they'll give you the pills."

"Okay. Have a good day, then." I felt awkward leaving like that. After all, he was the one who had insisted I come. I guess that's how he works: coercion until he gets what he wants, and then the subject must fend for themselves. Jerk.

I picked up the idiotic asthma pills and walked out the ultra sleek lobby to find Kyoya's car waiting for me. I looked at the driver with an unspoken question in my eyes.

"Ohtori-sama is inclined to stay and see to his hospital, but he insists that I see you safely back to the university." Wait. His hospital. So, he owns it? Geez.

"Thank you. What is your name?"

"Hotta."

I was getting a strange, almost fatherly vibe from Hotta, like he knew about my problems. "Thank you, Hotta." He held the door for me and quietly closed it after I had settled in the backseat.

I wonder if all of Kyoya's guards are mad privy to their target's information. I mean, do the men who watch me regularly know why Sato isn't allowed near me, or are they only instructed to attack 'with extreme prejudice'? It would makes sense for them to know and to not know. Chain of command logic says they wouldn't need to know anymore than is necessary to stop the suspect. Intuitive logic says that in order to make a good decision, one must know the full situation. I prefer chain of command in this instance.

We pulled into the music building's parking lot, and I stepped out of the car before Hotta could come around the back.

"Miss, it is best to allow the driver time to open your door," he said quietly, almost apologetically.

"Hmm." I pondered the "suggestion" for a moment before it clicked. "I understand. It gives you time to scan the area and decide if it's safe. Right?"

Hotta gave me an affirmative nod. "Yes."

"Then when I am driven, which won't be too often, I will make sure to sit still." I gave him my most winning smile. For some reason, I felt the need to gain Hotta's approval. I thought I saw a ghost of a smile flash across his face as I turned to walk inside the building.

We were just rounding the corner of my hall when I saw a shadow dart by my field of vision. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who noticed as Hotta shoved me behind his back. "Miss," he whispered quickly, "don't move." Hotta took two steps forward and broke the erie silence of the hall with a commanding, "You should remember the rules, man. Don't let me catch you breaking them." Hotta turned back to me and motioned me forward. He cleared every office as we walked to mine at the end. Needless to say, some of the faculty were less than thrilled to have lessons interrupted. I bowed to each from my hallway position.

When we reached our destination, Hotta pointed to the blindside of the door frame in silent command for me to stand there. I watched him turn the knob and disappear inside. I heard no struggle, only stealthy steps as Hotta examined every crevice of my office for Sato.

"Clear, Miss." I walked in, not sure if I really felt more secure knowing I had to have my office cleared. It may keep Sato from popping out of the woodwork on me, but it does nothing for my nerves. "Miss, I will wait here until my replacement shows up for his shift."

K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Sir."

Hotta's voice ground over my cell.

"Yes, Hotta." He only reports if there's been an incident. Idiot Sato!

"The target was too close to the subject."

I rubbed my forehead. "How close?"

"He was on her hall. I only saw his figure run passed as we turned the corner, but it was definitely Sato."

I knew Hotta didn't make mistakes when identifying his perpetrators. So, Sato has decided to push his luck and live dangerously. "Very well, Hotta. You know what to do."

"Yes, sir."

I tossed my phone aside and clapped my hands shut. Time to show the man who's boss.