"Where are you?" Kohen asked, exiting the building and stepping into the parking lot. There was a shuffle before the silence on the receiver end. "Rachel?" He probed.
"What is it?" She finally answered.
Kohen drew out a breath, "I know this is a selfish ask, but.. could you come with me?" He paused
"Come with you?" Rachel's brows furrowed and Liam's hand paused on the gears
"You need to be somewhere?" He inquired, his voice low but audible enough for Kohen to hear it.
"Where exactly are you?" Kohen asked again.
"In the parking lot, I was just about leaving" she answered and Kohen's eyes scanned the lot to find her in the passenger seat of Liam's car. His fingers gripped his phone tighter, "Seen you" he muttered before ending the call.
Rachel's eyes met his across the distance and she rolled down her window as Kohen approached. "What's wrong?" She asked, noting his troubled expression blended with subtle annoyance.
"I need to see my parents" Kohen said and Rachel's eyes widened as stepped out of the car, taking him a couple steps away.
"You want me to come along to see your parents?" She asked incredulously, "Kohen, you know-"
"I know" he said quickly, "It's the last thing you wanna do, but-"
Rachel watched him struggle to find the words, it reminded her of the first time Kohen joined her in school, how unsure he had been back then and despite everything, a tiny part of her wanted to assure him, everything would be fine. Just like she'd done all those years ago.
Her shoulders slacked, "Okay".
His eyes locked on hers, appreciation gleaming through, "Thank you" he sighed
Rachel returned to Liam's car, poking her head through the window and grabbing her bag, "So much for that early leave" she smiled.
"It's fine" Liam nodded, though his tone didn't hold the sentiment.
"I'll explain later, I promise and-"
"Rach, it's really okay. I understand" he returned the smile before rolling up his window and pulling out of the driveway.
…
Kohen's car was enveloped in thick silence as he pulled into the next turn. He felt Rachel fidget beside him the closer they got to the Anderson mansion.
Once upon a time, His parents had loved her as they did him. They had her mother occupy the guest house and they had covered her tuition in a private school. But then came the comparison. It was subtle at first, from his mother asking him to emulate Rachel and have better grades, to the woman being visibly upset each time Rachel's report card was better than his.
'Why are you always second to Rachel?'
'That girl's not better than you, Kohen. Do better.'
'Rachel was selected to represent the school at the teen genius tournament. Why not you?'
And overtime, it only got worse.
He started hanging out with other people. Rachel got pushed to the side. And he kept thinking he'd make it up to her.
'Raye, you know I promised Davis I'd be there. Let's move it to next weekend okay?'
'Enola's hosting her birthday party and the whole school would be there. We can visit the gallery another time' and Rachel would let it slide.
'I swear, I didn't forget our anniversary, something important came up and I just lost track of time'
And when his mom found out about them? That was the end of it.
'I'm just being honest, Rachel' she'd said, voice cold. 'I don't see a future to this, so save yourself the heartache'
And he didn't stand up for her.
His father also never said much. Never interfered. Which somehow made it worse.
"How have they been?" Rachel asked softly, pulling him back from the memories of the past.
His back straightened at her question, "I'm not sure" he muttered.
Rachel's head whipped in his direction, "What do you mean you're not sure?"
"I moved out five years ago. Haven't seen them since. Our only conversations are over the phone. But now father is sick," he let out a sigh "-and I'd be a shitty son to not show up".
Rachel found herself suddenly inquisitive about Kohen's life.
Maybe he's had his fair share of problems. How had he managed becoming CEO at such a young age?
"No wonder you need a back up" she replied, leaning into her seat
"I don't need a backup" he corrected, "I need you".
And Rachel felt a tug in her chest, something that shouldn't be possible considering she shoved all her feelings for Kohen into a box and tossed it into the ocean.
Within minutes, Kohen was pulling through the massive gates of the Anderson Estate and into the long driveway. The mansion came into view and the car came to a stop. Neither of them hurried to get down. They simply stared at the building and let out simultaneous sighs which resulted in mild laughter.
Eventually they alighted the car and walked up the door step. The big doors drew open without Kohen having to push the doorbell and the butlers eyes went wide on seeing them.
"Welcome home, Master Kohen. Miss Sawyer" the butler dipped his head
Home? Rachel thought. For a few blissful years, this was her home. Not anymore.
"It's good to see you too, Matthew" Rachel teased to have the man offer up a small smile. Kohen simply nodded in acknowledgement.
"Your parents are in the drawing room" Matthew said to Kohen and the two disappeared into the house.
Kohen's hand hovered over the doorknob where he could hear his mother's voice as she spoke to his father. Rachel gave an encouraging nod and Kohen knocked.
"Come in" Mrs Anderson called. The woman stood in surprise, seeing her son standing before her. She had asked him to come but she had also expected him to avoid it like he's been doing the last five years. "Kohen" she breathed, her face softening.
Then her eyes landed on the person beside him and all warmth vanished.