K~~~~~~~~~~

I allowed my mind to wander to Tuesday evening:

Hotta had just hung up the phone. I placed mine in my pocket, shrugged off my lab coat, and put on my blazer. Twenty minutes later, I was in the basement of my police compound.

Sato was sitting behind the two-way glass, looking very livid but weirdly satisfied.

"Did he put up a struggle?" I looked at Hotta.

"Oddly no, sir. He allowed us to blindfold him and got into the car willingly. I think this may be a ploy to talk to you." Hotta rubbed the back of his neck. "Though, what he gains by breaking the contract is beyond me."

Indeed. He probably wants to prove that he can't be controlled and is vying for better terms. Nope.

"Do you want me to go in and talk with him, sir?"

"No, Hotta. I'll do the talking myself."

"Respectfully, sir, I don't think it's wise to go in there," this was from Tachibana.

I looked at my faithful guard. "Thank you, Tachibana. But, I'm not going in."

I flipped the microphone switch. "You violated our agreement, Sato. I hope you know that this doesn't help you."

"I'm afraid you're wrong, faceless coward."

"You're not one for making friends. Are you?"

"I doubt you are either, trash."

Well, Sato has me there. If it weren't for Tamaki, I really wouldn't have friends. "Sato, let me inform you that you are on dangerous ground. The contract states that you will not approach Miss Morehouse in any form under any conditions. Today you were seen and identified on her hallway waiting for her appearance."

"You can't prove that," Sato spat.

"Oh, but I can. The man accompanying Miss Morehouse can positively I.D. you. If you need more proof, then the security footage has already been pulled and shows you watching the hall." Silence. "You should be aware that you are quickly losing any footing you had with me." After hearing my words, Sato seemed to lose what control he had.

"WHO ARE YOU?!"

"A concerned party."

"A concerned party who isn't the police!"

"I am not a police officer, but don't think for a second that you aren't here legally. You are." I kept my voice cold but soft, like a slow freeze.

"You have no right to hold me against my will."

"But I'm not. You came of your own volition and allowed my men to bring you to this room, so be careful what you accuse me of next time you open your mouth."

"I want you to know I'm free to do as I please." Poor little Yoshio doesn't know who he's dealing with.

"Within the terms of our contract, yes, you are."

"I can see who I want. And, walking in a building is hardly illegal or against our contract." He's getting on my nerves.

"If you look on the third page of our agreement, third paragraph, you'll find a clause specifying how far you must maintain your distance from Miss Mooreson and her work space. Did you read the contract fully?"

"Of course."

"I suggest you read it again. The next time you infringe upon it, nothing will keep me from following through with my promise." I clicked the microphone off.

"Hotta, take care of him."

"Yes, sir." The interrogation room door opened as Hotta walked inside.

"Sir, why aren't you getting him now," Tachibana asked. He was hardly stupid. Usually, he never inquired, though, so I answered.

"Because, I need something more material. Otherwise, she'll feel it wasn't a justified act." I turned to the stairs.

"We need to get you out before the perpetrator is brought through here," Tachibana was saying. Too late.

"I see you!" I kept my back to Sato. "I will come after you, coward!"

"Beware who you call 'coward', abuser. Let's go." I gestured to Tachibana, and we walked up the stairs.

"I'm sorry sir, I should have anticipated that."

"I was in no danger, Tachibana. If anything, his outburst just gave me more reason to lock him up when his time comes, and it will come. His type of man won't stop until he strangles everything insight."

"I don't think it will come to that, sir."

"I hope you're right."

My memory lifted when I heard my name.

"Kyoya…"

"Huh?"

"We're at the restaurant." I don't even remember choosing one. I turned the engine off, unbuckled my seatbelt, and just sat there.

"Kyoya, are you okay?" The concern in her voice pierced my heart, and I felt terrible for making her worry.

"I'm fine. Let's eat."