by Alexia Praks
"Orphanage?" Haruka asked.
James nodded. "Queen Mary Orphanage on St. Joseph Island."
It was then that Haruka began to shake uncontrollably. Sosuke noticed and said at large, "I'm only too happy to help find your sister."
Nicolas turned to his friend. "Thanks."
It was a while later, once they got back to the apartment, that Haruka let herself loose and cried her heart out. Alone in her room, she sobbed, with happiness and with sadness. She couldn't believe it. Just couldn't believe that finally, after years of endless searching, she had found Sakura.
She was the girl on the catwalk, wearing Mr. Tachibana's gown and her priceless necklace. A necklace she herself had painstakingly designed for her own daughter. One would say it was fate, and Haruka truly believed in that. Fate had brought her here. Fate had finally allowed her to meet her beloved Sakura.
More tears welled in her eyes. "I've finally found you."
*
CHAPTER 11
Waiting for You
Exhausted, the Princeton brothers finally got back to their apartment at two o'clock in the morning. None, however, bothered to go into their own rooms to rest. They were too agitated and needed future discussion as to how to proceed with finding Sakura. Beth decided to make her appearance once she heard their voices, along with her bland coffee, which for once, the brothers actually appreciatively took.
"Thanks, Beth, you're the best," Conrad said. "Any cake left?"
Beth shook her head. "You boys been busy all day, huh? No time for dinner?"
With the brothers' solemn look, Beth blinked and quickly went about searching for her leftover teacake the boys loved so much.
Conrad released another depressing sigh, and Tristan slapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll find her."
A few moments later, Beth reappeared with the teacake. The brothers helped themselves to it as Beth watched. She wondered what was wrong with them. Yes, they should be tired after the long day at the hotel, what with the fashion show and all. But they shouldn't look as though they'd just seen a ghost or lost something very precious to them.
Nicolas raised his head and said to Beth, "We saw Sakura."
Beth gasped, and without warning, tears suddenly welled up in her eyes. "Are you sure, Master Nicolas?"
With Nicolas's nod, Beth drew in a shaky breath. "My God," she murmured under her breath. "Where is she staying? Is she doing well? Will she come to visit?"
Sebastian shook his head and said gruffly, "She ran off."
"What?"
"It's like she doesn't what to see us at all," Conrad said. "Maybe last year was just too much for her and seeing us again just reminded her of the incidents."
At those words, Darcy gritted his teeth and said, "I'm going to my loft. See you guys tomorrow." With that, he left the room in a hurry.
Sebastian watched him go, a constricted feeling in the pit of his stomach. He took another sip of his bland coffee and sighed. "I'm going to bed. We can discuss Sakura tomorrow."
He was just walking out the door when Beth said, "Ned lives in New York. Maybe he knows where Sakura is."
Sebastian halted in his spot and spun around so fast it made Beth dizzy. Nicolas, Tristan, Logan, Hayden, and Conrad looked up to the housekeeper in unison.
"What did you just say?" Sebastian demanded. "Ned lives in New York? Why didn't you mention that before?"
Beth blinked and said, "Well, he was always living in New York. He travels a lot, too. Though his homes are always in New York and St. Joseph Island. But since Sakura's disappearance, he hadn't contacted me until a few weeks ago. I caught up with him one Sunday, and I never thought to ask if he knows about Sakura."
"Aren't they very close?" Hayden asked suspiciously. "He taught her painting, didn't he?"
"Yes," Beth said. "They are very close."
"In that case, Beth," Nicolas said calmly, "we'll need you to invite Ned for afternoon tea. Preferably tomorrow."
"Well, that was lucky," Beth said. "Since I demanded he give me his cell phone number. I might add he was very reluctant about it."
Tristan laughed. "Good for you, Beth. I'm glad we have you."
Logan said, "Now I'm just hoping Ned can help us."
"Or better yet," Hayden put in, "knows where she is."
"Good," Sebastian said. "Good night, everyone."
"Night, Seb," the brothers said in unison.
Sebastian headed into his room and crashed on the bed. He closed his eyes and felt his heart constrict.
"Sakura," he whispered under his breath. "Come home, sweetheart. Please, just come home."
*
Darcy turned off the engine, got out, and slammed the door shut. He headed to the trunk and took out the painting he'd bought from Tanaka's gallery. With the securely wrapped art under his arm, he headed to the door and up the stairs where his loft was located.
A few moments later, he let himself in. After placing the art carefully against the wall, he went about showering. Once refreshed, his dark hair wet, and wearing only loose trousers and his toned torso bare, he returned with a bottle of water in his hand.
He took a big gulp as he stared at the wrapped painting long and hard. Then as if he couldn't help himself, he ripped the brown paper, revealing the exquisite painting beneath. Slowly, he caressed the paper canvas, tracing the lines and feeling the rough texture of the paint of the pink blossoms. It again reminded him of Sakura and the cherry blossom tree in the woods, and a lump formed in his throat.
"Sakura," he said softly under his breath. "Come back. Please come back, sweetheart."
*
CHAPTER 12
Bad Luck Comes in Threes
Bad luck came in threes, and Sakura knew it had hit her after she'd found her painting missing the next morning. As if the episode with the Princeton brothers the previous day wasn't bad enough, now her beloved painting was gone.
Body trembling and heart beating way too fast, she frantically searched about the gallery. When she couldn't find it anywhere there, she headed up to the attic and combed through every corner of the dark room.
"It was there yesterday," she said to Ned in the kitchen a few hours later. "I left it in the gallery Friday night before heading to bed."
"Are you sure you haven't put it somewhere else?" Ned asked curiously.
He wondered if her encounter with the brothers had led to stress and thus her short-term memory loss. She'd probably get worse, he thought, if she found out as well that Beth contacted me only this morning about a possible afternoon tea meeting with her and the Princeton brothers.
Oddly enough, Ned wanted to laugh at the whole situation. They were fast, these brothers, where Sakura was concerned. Oh, he'd have tea with them all right, but not until next Sunday, a week away. Plenty of time for him to think over whether to tell the brothers about Sakura's whereabouts or not. Although he had no power as to whether she'd want to see them. That was up to her, and Ned couldn't push that. The brothers would have to convince her themselves, of course.
Ned returned his attention to Sakura, who was shaking her head, adamant she wouldn't have misplaced such a beloved thing.
"Very sure," she said. "I left it right there in the gallery. I guess I totally forgot about it the next morning, and then things happened." She sighed and tried very hard not to make a scene out of nothing. Surely, it had to be in the gallery somewhere. "What about you? Did you see it yesterday morning when you came in?"
Ned put down his cup of coffee and thought for a moment. "Now that you mentioned it," he murmured. "It's the cherry blossom on St. Joseph Island? The one you started a year ago before..."
Sakura nodded.
"No, I don't remember. I thought you were just going to let it sit rotting in the attic."
"I changed my mind," Sakura said quietly. "I have to find it. It just doesn't sit well with me if I can't." She sighed deeply and was about to go off to search again when Jane came in through the back door. It was a Sunday, and t
he gallery wasn't open. It was Jane's habit to come to see Sakura on a Sunday morning to gossip about this and that, and she'd always let herself in via the back door. Today, however, was especially important for Jane because she was eager to learn what the heck went on yesterday.
"I'm so glad you're here," Sakura said, almost with relief. "Did you happen to see a painting in the gallery yesterday when you came in? It was sitting on the floor near the counter."
Jane cocked her head to one side, and then said, "Oh yeah. That one. I've seen it. It's of a cherry blossom in the woods, right?"
Sakura nodded furiously, hopeful.
"Yes. It's a masterpiece, Sakura. What happened? Why do you look so worried?"
Sakura clamped her lips. "It's gone."
"Gone? What do you mean gone?"
"I don't know. It just kind of disappeared today. I was going to put it into a frame, and--" She broke off.
Jane saw the distraught look on Sakura's face and knew that piece of art was very dear to her. She rushed to place her bag on the table and took Sakura into her arms.
"Don't worry. I'll help you look. If we can't find it, we'll ask Melissa when she comes in on Monday. I'm very sure it's in the gallery somewhere. Now, however, my dear friend, you have to tell me everything, and I mean everything that went on yesterday. Including your relationship to the Princeton brothers."
Ned saw Sakura pale at the prospect, cleared his throat, and said, "I'll take Toby out for a walk. A very long walk. You girls have a nice talk."
Sakura looked over at Ned and said, "Thanks."
Ned waved his hand and headed out of the kitchen, whistling.
Sakura took Jane up to her bedroom. The two girls made themselves comfortable on the sofa near the window as Sakura began her tale. As she talked, a cool breeze whistled into the room, stirring the long curtains and fluttering them about. Sakura felt tears stinging her eyes as she recited the last part of her story, of when she'd heartlessly left her beloved family behind, her beloved men Sebastian and Darcy Princeton.
It had all been for a good cause though, she reminded herself. She hadn't wanted to hurt any of them in any way, and she thought leaving them had been the best option. Now, however, she wondered if she'd been wrong in that regard. Perhaps leaving them hadn't been the best option after all. Perhaps she should have stayed and faced the consequences. But then again, she'd have to decide, wouldn't she, between Sebastian and Darcy? And she wasn't ready for that yet.
Jane was sobbing noisily and sniffing by the time Sakura finished.
"I'm so sorry." She chuckled, tears flowing down her red cheeks. "But, oh my God! Your story is just so sad." She grabbed another Kleenex and wiped her red eyes. "Come here." She laughed and grabbed Sakura in her arms. "I knew there was something about you that just didn't fit. You're so beautiful and elegant and kind. I know lots of girls are jealous of you because you're so pretty. But your story just..." She couldn't finish.
"Now you understand, Jane? Why I don't want to go back to them? I was hoping they'd forget about me and move on, but after yesterday..."
Jane laughed and wiped her eyes again. "Yeah, dear, after what I saw yesterday, I don't think they've moved on. They made a big fuss out of the whole thing. Have you any idea how hard it was for the staff last night?"
"I'm so sorry," Sakura said. "Now I don't even know what to do with them. I mean, do I go back and face them or do I just keep going on hiding from them? They've seen me. They know I live here in New York."
"What does your heart tell you?" Jane suddenly asked.
Sakura blinked and shook her head. "I don't know, Jane. I just don't know. A part of me want to go back. I've missed them so much. Daddy James and Mom Brenda. And the brothers. But then a part of me also didn't want to return because of what happened last year. Because of Alaina and Tara."
"To be honest, Sakura, I'd hate to be in your position. But you have just got to move on. I mean, who gives a shit about Alaina and Tara? Pardon my German."
Sakura laughed. "Thanks, Jane. But walking the talk is a bit harder than talking the talk. Anyways, now that you're here, I need a favor from you."
"What?"
Sakura licked her lips and said, "The necklace and the gown."
Jane shot her brows up in shock and then looked heavenward. "Shit! I totally forgot about that. Of course, the necklace and the gown."
"The thing is, Jane..." Sakura said hesitantly. "The thing is, I've ripped the gown. It's kind of ruined."
"What?" Jane shrieked. "The gown is damaged?"
Sakura nodded. "It happened when I ran... I don't know what to do, Jane. I have to return these items, but how much do you think it'll cost to fix the gown?"
"Let me look at it first," Jane said.
A few moments later, Jane was staring at the ripped piece and finally sighed in surrender. "I'm sorry, Sakura. It's a one-of-a-kind gown. Only Mr. Tachibana knows how to fix it. It's so delicate and intricate."
Sakura fell back onto her seat. Her heart sank at the thought. After all the drama she'd gone through in her life, she knew on this occasion it wasn't going to be as easy as finding someone who was good with thread and needle to fix the thing.
"Well, there's only one thing I can do. Return it as it is to Mr. Tachibana and face his wrath." She shivered at the thought and began to imagine all sorts of nasty things he'd say to her the moment he found out what she'd done to his beloved gown.
"I'm afraid so, Sakura."
Sakura sat up and reluctantly asked, "Then would you mind taking me to see him?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Thanks." She threw herself back on the sofa and eyed the crystal chandelier as the prism of light played about the room. "What about the necklace?"
"It belongs to Lady Suzuki. You'll need an appointment to see her. I heard she hardly sees anyone. She's very private, if you know what I mean."
"Do you think you could perhaps make me an appointment to see her?"
"Sure, I'll see what I can do," Jane said. "Don't worry, Sakura. Everything is going to be all right."
Sakura sat up and nodded. "I hope so. I'm in such a pickle, aren't I?"
"Yes, you are." Jane couldn't help herself and chuckled.
Sakura got up and headed to the door. "Now then, let's search for my missing painting."
"Of course," Jane said, following her friend.
*
CHAPTER 13
It Wasn't a Dream
"You're late," Hayden said to Darcy the moment his brother walked into the living area of the apartment.
Darcy eyed Hayden and noted he was dressed a bit more formal than his casual jeans and T-shirt. He looked as though he were about to go out.
"Heading out somewhere?" Darcy asked. "I thought we were going to talk about Sakura."
"Lady Suzuki invited us for lunch this morning, and you can't refuse. Our dear brother Nicolas already accepted."
"Then he can go by himself or with Sebastian," Darcy said, brushing past his brother into the living area.
Tristan greeted him by hooking his arm around Darcy's neck in affection. "And let you miss out on all the fun? By the way, you haven't yet met Akira, Sosuke's younger sister." He chuckled. "She's one hot chick."
Darcy scowled at his brother. "Not interested."
Nicolas, who was just entering the room at that moment, said, "Whether you're interested or not, you're coming to lunch with us. Lady Suzuki has already prepared us the meal. It's impolite to refuse her invitation."
Darcy shoved Tristan away from him and headed over to the sofa. He collapsed on the soft cushions and sighed. "Fine, I'm coming, but afterward, we have to discuss Sakura."
Sebastian, who was standing by the French door, staring out at the cherry blossom outside in their courtyard, said, "Beth told us last night Ned lives in New York."
At this, Darcy shot up and queried, "Does he know where she is?"
Sebastian turned and said, "We don't know. We're meeting him next Sunday. Hopefully, he can help
us."
Darcy nodded, and Conrad said, "I bet he knows where she is. She just can't run off by herself."
"Why couldn't he meet us today?" Logan asked from the other side of the room.
"He's busy," Nicolas said. "Beth said he's running a gallery or something with a co-owner."
"I'm not surprised since he's a painter," Hayden said, nodding.
"All right, we better go down," Nicolas said, heading to the door.
"What's the hurry, Nicolas?" Logan teased. "Or are you eager to see Akira? Hum, or should I call her Akira-chan?"
Nicolas frowned at him and said calmly, "Akira has nothing to do with me."
"Damn right," Tristan chimed in. "Or didn't you see how upset she was with Nicolas at the way he treated her? You are such a ruthless bastard, Nicolas. You'll never get the girl that way. She hates your guts. And she called you baka. Isn't that like a swear word in Japanese?"
Logan laughed. "It means fool or stupid and a whole lot of nasty things."
Nicolas's scowl darkened and snapped, "We're leaving now."
Sebastian just shook his head as he followed Nicolas out the door. Darcy reluctantly got up from the sofa, and he and Conrad followed suit.
Hayden said, "What are you guys waiting for? We better go."
"Coming," Logan and Tristan said in unison and all three left the apartment.
It was only a few moments later they were at the front door of Haruka's apartment. Sosuke, who was dressed in a dark yukata, greeted them with a warm smile and, one by one, allowed the brothers to enter after they'd taken off their shoes. In the living area, Haruka, who was also in a light-blue yukata, came over and bowed her head slightly at the brothers.
"Konnichiwa gozaimasu, everyone," she said.
The brothers bowed their heads and returned her greeting. "Konnichiwa gozaimasu."
Akira, who was standing to one side of the room, watched Nicolas as he lifted his head. She blushed when he turned his attention to her.
To Nicolas's surprise, he found he couldn't quite tear his gaze from her. She was rather enchanting wearing that floral yukata. "Akira," he said, his throat just that little bit dry all of a sudden. "Konnichiwa."
Akira held her head high and replied, "Nicolas."
