A Secret Proposal

by Alexia Praks

  The door dinged and slid open. She stepped out and instantly felt as though something wasn't right. She paused, wondering what it could be.

  Ignoring the odd feeling, she headed to the apartment. The moment she clicked the door open, she called out, "Tadaima," which meant 'I'm home'.

  Silence greeted her. She blinked, feeling a little uneasy.

  "Akira? It's me, Sakura. Are you here?" She put her bag and keys on the table by the door and headed toward the living area. "Toby?"

  Finally, she heard an excited bark greeting her and sighed in relief. "Akira, you've found Toby. Thank goodness."

  She walked faster now, a smile on her face. She rounded the corner and then came to the door. The moment she stepped over the threshold, she came to a sudden halt and her smile disappeared.

  Standing before her with his hand in the pocket of his trousers was Sebastian. She sucked in her breath, and suddenly, the dizziness blasted at her in full force.

  Dreaming. I am dreaming. Sebastian can't be here. He can't be.

  She shut her eyes and commanded herself to breathe slowly and deeply. When she opened her eyes again, he was still there. He had a haunted look about his face that hurt her heart. Suddenly, she simply wanted to throw herself into his arms and collapse against him. She wanted to feel his warmth against her so bad it hurt.

  "Sakura," the voice that haunted her day and night called out to her.

  She drifted her gaze to her right and found Darcy there. He, too, looked haunted, and his brooding features were darker than ever. A gasp escaped her lips and her body trembled.

  "It can't be," she whispered.

  A face appeared in front of her, which was followed by, "You're too pale, Sakura darling, and it's freaking me out."

  It was Tristan who said those words, and Sakura blinked.

  "Are you going to be sick?" Logan asked, sporting a worried look on his face.

  Hayden rolled his eyes and said, "If you two bother to move back and let her enter the room--Shit!"

  He didn't even finished the sentence before Sakura closed her eyes and started falling.

  Sebastian got to her in a second flat, cradling her in his arms. He gently touched her face and swore under his breath. "She's cold," he said, a tremor in his voice that worried his brothers.

  Darcy felt his gut churning acid and came to kneel beside Sebastian. He touched her forehead and then stroked his fingers against her soft hair.

  "Sakura," he said.

  Sebastian glanced up at his brother. "We should get her comfortable."

  At Darcy's nod, Sebastian lifted her and carried her to the sofa. There, he laid her down and sat beside her, his hand stroking her face.

  "Is she unwell?" Conrad asked, hugging Toby tightly against his chest as he hovered behind Sebastian.

  "Move back," Nicolas ordered. "Give her some room." He turned to Akira, who looked as pale as a ghost. A very beautiful one at that. "Do you have smelling salts or anything?"

  Akira nodded and rushed off to find them.

  Darcy, who was kneeling on the floor beside Sakura, grabbed her hand. "She's too cold."

  Akira returned just then and handed Sebastian the smelling salts. "I thought she didn't look very well this morning," she said. "Maybe she's working too hard. I mean, here with Oba-chan and at the gallery as well."

  Nicolas turned his eyes to her. "If you thought she wasn't well and she was working too hard, why didn't you help her out?"

  Akira's face reddened. "I did. I was helping out at the gallery during the day while she works here for Oba-chan."

  Tristan wasn't happy that their eldest scolded the pretty model. He gave Nicolas a dark frown before turning his attention to Akira. "You're a good friend, Akira-chan," he said, smiling at her. Akira grinned back at the brother, which annoyed Nicolas.

  It was a few moments later when Sakura opened her eyes. She stirred, and her gaze focused on Sebastian once again. He gave out a little chuckle. "Is that how you greet us, Sakura?"

  Sakura blinked, very aware that Sebastian was so close to her and he was stroking her forehead and the tendrils of her hair. She tried to move but realized someone was holding her hand, tight. She turned her gaze and saw Darcy.

  "Rest, Sakura. You're unwell," he said softly.

  A lump formed in her throat and tears welled in her eyes. Darcy. My dear Darcy. The words echoed within her head. She closed her eyes and the salty drops rolled down her cheeks.

  Tristan said, "Happy tears." In which case, Logan gave him a good jab in the stomach with his elbow.

  Toby chose that moment to bark out at his master. Conrad put him down on the floor, and the dog eagerly went to Sakura. Sebastian grabbed the dog and rested the pup on his lap so Sakura could stroke him.

  "You're safe," she said softly. "I was so worried."

  "I think he was looking for us," Conrad said. "I swear I heard him barking for the past two weeks."

  "Sorry, Conrad, for not believing you," Tristan said.

  Sakura blinked and, once again, tried to sit up. Sebastian wouldn't let her, however. She obeyed him, since she felt dizzy the moment she lifted her head.

  "You brothers live here in this building?" she asked curiously.

  "Yep," Hayden answered. "The penthouse."

  The news didn't sit well with Sakura. So the dragon and his brothers Akira usually referred to were Nicolas and his brothers, the Princetons, her adoptive siblings. No wonder Toby kept wanting to go up there.

  "Anybody want some tea?" Akira asked the brothers. "Sakura-chan, I'll tell the housekeeper to make you some chicken soup. I think it's a good idea you go and see a doctor. I mean, you've got the photoshoot this coming week and we don't want you to tire yourself out."

  "Thanks, Akira" Sakura said. "I'll make an appointment tomorrow."

  The brothers agreed it was a good idea, and Sebastian promised to take her for the appointment himself. With that settled, Akira went off into the kitchen to help the housekeeper prepare the tea. Oddly enough, Nicolas volunteered to help her, which annoyed Akira.

  Ten minutes later, the brothers sat around the low table, enjoying their tea and cake. Sakura was there as well, sipping her chicken soup. Sebastian was beside her and Darcy was on her other side, Toby on his lap, quiet and content.

  "So, Sakura darling," Tristan began. "What have you been doing for the past year?"

  Sakura swallowed the soup in her mouth and said, "Running my small business."

  "Tanaka Gallery?" Hayden queried.

  "Why did you change your last name?" Conrad asked, more than a little upset over the idea.

  With the color coming back to her face, Sakura managed to blush, which of course pleased the brothers. They knew she was feeling better.

  "I didn't want you guys to find me," she stated obviously. "And my biological mother's name is Tanaka."

  Conrad nodded, deciding to accept her explanation--for now. She was still too sick, after all. He and his brothers would make sure she changed her last name back to Princeton once everything was settled, of course.

  "Even so," Logan said, "you need to change it back to Princeton. That's your name. It just suits you better."

  Nicolas stared at his brother. "That's up to Sakura, Logan. Just be glad we've found her." He turned his attention to their sister then. "Sakura, Mom and Dad miss you. They want to see you."

  Sakura nodded. She had no choice now. It was too late to run. Too late to escape. Fate wanted her to meet the brothers once again, and she couldn't fight it anymore.

  "Sakura-chan," Akira said from the other side of the table. "I've called Oba-chan and told her you're unwell. She will inform Tachibana-sensei. Of course, you'll have to go and do more fittings before we leave for Hawaii."

  Tristan thought it was a perfect opportunity to intervene. "Ah, Hawaii and the photoshoot." He turned to Akira and said, "You're one of the models, so I've heard."

  Akira nodded, blinking. "Yes." Then she took a sip of her hot tea.

  "We'll b
e there as well," Logan said from the other side. "We've signed a contract to be Mr. Tachibana's male models for the summer collection."

  At this news, Sakura tightened her hands on the warm bowl and glanced at Darcy. She noted he was looking at her. He gave her a handsome grin and nodded.

  Akira, on the other hand, nearly choked on her tea and had to swallow hard. "You guys are Tachibana-sensei's male models?" She eyed Nicolas, and the image of him naked rushed to her mind. She blushed and her heart began to race just a little.

  "We'll be horrible at it," Nicolas said, nudging the glasses up the bridge of his nose, just like Sosuke liked to do. "But yes, we've already signed the contract." He turned to smile at Sakura.

  Sakura had a feeling this was all premediated by the brothers themselves, to be close to her, of course. But she didn't bother to dwell on that too much because she suddenly felt like she wanted to shut her eyes and sleep forever.

  Sebastian noted the tired expression on her face. He knew he was partially to blame. He'd kept her up until three in the morning most nights, chatting with her online for the past week. She'd told him she had work to do today, which he now found out was the fitting for the photoshoot.

  He decided a proper family reunion would have to wait until later and stood, drawing everyone's attention. "I think Sakura needs to sleep. She looks ready to drop any minute now," he said to his brothers.

  Nicolas agreed with a nod of his head.

  Darcy said, "Mom and Dad are coming this evening to see you. We'll have a family dinner up at our apartment."

  Sakura smiled and nodded. "I've missed them."

  "That's enough talking," Sebastian said, bending to gather her up in his arms.

  Darcy frowned because he was going to do that.

  Akira just stared at the three people in shocked surprise. She couldn't help herself. It was obviously a love triangle. And then she thought, rather sadly, that her brother Sosuke wouldn't have any chance now. Akira wouldn't mind having Sakura as her sister-in-law though.

  Sakura blushed and took a peek at Sebastian. He didn't have to carry her, for God's sake. She was a fully grown woman.

  Sebastian grinned at her, noting the pretty red spreading across her cheeks. He carried her out the door, with Darcy and Conrad close behind. Conrad signaled he wanted Toby in his arms. Darcy obliged and handed the pup over.

  Sakura wasn't pleased that these brothers were in her room, not for the first time, of course. Sebastian laid her on her bed, and she murmured to him, "Thanks."

  "I like your old bedroom better, Sakura," Conrad said, sitting on her bed by her feet, Toby on his lap as he stroked the dog. "You can come live with us, you know. We have a spare room. It's beside mine." He smiled at her cheekily.

  "Do you?" she asked, moving herself to get underneath the duvet. Darcy helped her and then tugged the thing over her so she was comfortable.

  She smiled at him, which pleased Darcy.

  "Come on. Let Sakura sleep," Sebastian said, moving to the door.

  The brothers nodded and walked out of the room.

  "Have a nice dream," Conrad said. "Oh, and I'm taking Toby up to the apartment, just so you know."

  Sakura nodded and then turned on her side, closing her eyes as Conrad shut the door with a click.

  Alone, Sakura felt tears in her eyes as her heart raced. Please, calm down, Sakura, the voice in her head urged. When it did, she smiled. She'd been waiting for this all along, hadn't she? In her gut, she'd known she wanted to accept them back into her life. She'd just been lying to herself, of course, that she didn't want them. But deep down, she knew she did. It was just easier to lie to herself, to prolong the inevitable, the decision as to which brother she would choose, between the two men she loved dearly--Sebastian and Darcy.

  Finally, she took a deep breath and shut her mind completely, letting the darkness take her, at least for a couple hours.

  *

  CHAPTER 21

  A Family Reunion

  When Sakura woke up three hours later, she heard Toby barking excitedly, along with human voices. Feeling better and very curious as to the unusual noises, she got out of bed and headed to the door. With her long hair in a wild tangle, her dress haphazardly on her slim form, and her skin flushed with renewed energy, she came along the corridor and toward the living area.

  Her steps faltered at the threshold, and she came to a sudden halt. The sight she beheld before her overwhelmed her with emotion. Her heart gave a little tug, bursting with an unrecognized sense of warmth and belonging that threatened to make her cry. Her throat tightened as she willed her tears not to show.

  She'd thought the brothers had returned to their apartment, but apparently, she'd been wrong about that.

  Nicolas and Sosuke were sitting in the corner, playing chess of all things. So far, it looked like Nicolas was winning. Tristan and Logan were with Akira. She was showing them her portfolio. The two men looked very interested and kept nodding their heads and doing their oohs and aahs and I like this pose and I like that, etc. Darcy and Sebastian were in deep conversation about something, and Sakura was rather curious to know what the topic was. She hoped it wasn't her. Conrad was lying on the floor, flat on his stomach, playing with Toby, tickling and stroking the pup who kept barking and jumping around him. And Hayden was playing a video game of some sort on his smartphone.

  Her family. They were her family, and despite her will to keep the tears at bay, they still managed to brew in her eyes.

  Darcy glanced up and saw her there at the door. He said softly, "Sakura, you're up?"

  Sebastian flicked his gaze to her. "Feeling better?" he asked. He also wanted to add, Sorry it was partially my fault for keeping you up late most nights, but refrained himself from saying so out loud.

  Sakura nodded, confirming she was feeling much better. Of course, she didn't notice that every one of the men was gazing at her, with rather too much interest, forgetting what they'd been doing a moment ago. Nicolas had a bishop in his hand and hadn't a clue why. Sosuke forgot he was actually playing chess and nudged his glasses up the bridge of his fine nose, his eyes glued on Sakura. Tristan and Logan were more interested in their sister, who was posing quite naturally in her dress that didn't sit right on her person. Both Sebastian and Darcy just stared at her, quite enchanted by the presence of the young woman they loved. Conrad sat up, grinning from ear to ear, Toby in his arms. And Hayden forgot he was supposed to try and beat the crap out of the Prince of Flirt in the video game to win over Snow White.

  Akira cleared her throat to get the men's attention, but it didn't work. She sighed in indignation and then rushed up to Sakura. There she stood in such a way as to block Sakura from the men's view and whispered, "Your dress isn't done up properly."

  Sakura glanced down and found the two front buttons had come off. She blushed and said, "Thanks."

  Akira giggled. "You look awful, Sakura-chan. Let me help you get ready for your family reunion."

  "Oh?" She raised her brows, wondering if the brothers had already told Akira and her family of her relationship to them.

  "Don't worry," Akira said, pulling her by the hand and leading her away from the living area--away from the men. "We won't intrude. Oba-chan is currently with your parents at the moment, up at the penthouse."

  "Daddy James and Mom Brenda are here already?" Sakura voiced, incredulous.

  Conrad heard them from the living area and shouted, "They were here ages ago. You were sleeping."

  Sakura clamped her lips shut and thought what a terrible daughter she was.

  "I better hurry," she said, rushing back to her room.

  Akira followed her. "Don't worry. They won't be going anywhere."

  Some ten minutes later, Sakura came out of the bathroom, and Akira cocked her head to one side. Dressed in a short floral day dress, Akira admitted Sakura was a beauty all right. She further thought either Sebastian or Darcy would be a perfect partner for her. If she were in Sakura's shoes, she wouldn't know who to cho
ose though. Both men were wonderful, totally hot, and loved Sakura to bits. Akira was sure of that the moment she'd seen the three together.

  Sakura gathered her long tresses and started patting the strands dry with a towel.

  "You do know it's Sosuke's birthday tomorrow, right?" Akira asked, leaning back on the bed.

  Sakura nodded. "I promised to help prepare dinner for the celebration."

  Akira laughed as she rested her head on her arm, her eyes on Sakura. "Are you sure you still want to do that?"

  At Akira's smirk, Sakura was suspicious and turned her gaze to her friend. "What is that supposed to mean?"

  "It's just that," Akira began, shrugging her shoulders, "there will be nine more people now."

  Sakura widened her eyes in shocked surprise. "Come again?"

  Akira laughed. "Sosuke has invited your adoptive family as well. The Princeton brothers."

  "Oh."

  "It's traditional in our family, Sakura-chan," Akira said. "It has to be a formal dinner. Of course, the housekeeper and I will be helping you out."

  "How about if I ask Jane to come and help as well?" Sakura suggested. She actually wanted Jane to attend Sosuke's birthday party, seeing how smitten the woman was with him.

  "Oh, Jane." Akira nodded, remembering the blond woman who Sakura had brought along that day a couple weeks ago. "Yes, she's nice. Ask her."

  "I'll do that," Sakura said. She was just finishing patting her hair when a knock came at the door.

  "Come in," Sakura called.

  And the intruders did come in--all seven of them. Their tall, handsome forms blocking the door and crowding the bedroom.

  "Come on, Sakura. Mom and Dad are waiting for you," Hayden said.

  "Gosh!" Akira chuckled, her eyes scanning from one to the other. "You guys couldn't leave her alone, could you?"

  It was meant to be a jest, but Nicolas scolded her. "And let her run off again?"

  Akira blushed and wanted to poke out her tongue at him. She was tempted to do that, but knowing she was a grown woman, she resigned to simply glare at him instead. She promised herself she'd make the man kneel before her somehow, someway.

  Sebastian took Sakura by the wrist and led her out the door, Darcy close behind them. The others followed suit, leaving Nicolas behind.