"Can you please just try ringing?" Sakura pleaded. "It might not be too late."
Jane nodded and quickly dialed her brother's number. The phone rang insistently, and finally, Luke's voice message came through. Jane canceled the call and redialed. Again, it rang continuously, and again, they got the voice message.
Sakura closed her eyes and took slow, deep breaths to calm herself. She needed to think. She needed a way out. She knew Luke was going to tell the Princetons about her gallery in Soho, and no doubt, the brothers would be there in no time at all.
"You're not thinking of running away again, are you?" Jane asked curiously.
With Sakura giving an apologetic look, Jane knew that was exactly what she was going to do.
"If I don't tell you or Luke, then the brothers couldn't do much about it, could they?"
"And Ned?" Jane asked curiously. "What about him?"
"I'm not sure. I don't want him involved anymore. It's just way too much already. Everything will eventually be completely out of hand, and once there, I have no idea how I'd handle it."
"I'm just hoping you're doing the right thing, Sakura," Jane said before they finally arrived at Lady Suzuki's grand apartment.
"Me, too," Sakura murmured as they got out of the taxi.
Out on the street, Sakura stared up at the three-story building in awe. Above her, cherry blossom petals floated down in the gentle breeze, and she gazed in wonder. She smiled as some landed on her.
Jane, after giving the taxi driver money, came around and chuckled. "You look just like one of those heroines in Asian movies," she said, a glint in her eyes.
"What heroine?" Sakura asked innocently, her heart constricted, her thoughts still on the brothers. She really did wonder if she were doing the right thing by running away from them. What was she trying to avoid? Was it her facing them or was it something else?
Returning to her current situation, she clamped her lips, nervous all of a sudden at the thought of meeting with Lady Suzuki. Once again, the thought of going to court and living in bare cell didn't stray far from her mind.
"Shall we?" she asked Jane nervously.
Jane nodded. "Yes."
The girls headed to the main entrance and came in through the large foyer. Jane flashed a wowed look as she gazed up and down and about her in awe.
"This place is super awesome," she said loudly.
"I know," Sakura replied. "Which makes this meeting even harder for me."
Jane couldn't do much more than just nod in agreement. They headed to the elevator, and moments later, the door dinged open. The girls stepped out and scanned around the elegant hallway of warm-toned carpet and damasked wallpaper. Even here, there were cool modern chandeliers along the length of the place. At the end of the foyer, there was a single large double door.
"Are we on the right floor?"
"I think so," Jane said hesitantly.
Together, the girls headed toward the door, and as soon as they opened that, they came into another corridor. This one, however, had a glass wall on the left side. Sakura tentatively followed Jane. As they went farther in, her attention was caught by the exotic garden outside. She stopped and turned to the glass widow, staring out with longing. Jane, meanwhile, turned the corner of the corridor and disappeared from sight.
Sakura, oblivious to her disappearing friend, placed her hand against the glass window as she gazed out. There were cherry blossom trees about the small garden, surrounding a small pond. There were also wooden outdoor benches and chairs to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere. As the gentle breeze danced outside, petals of cherry blossoms rained down across the garden, and Sakura wished she could be out there, breathing in the beautiful air and basking in the wonderful spring day.
Suddenly, she felt her heart skip, and once again, the images of Sebastian and Darcy came into her mind.
"Am I doing the right thing?" she queried herself. "Am I hurting you both by running away from you yet again?"
She felt tears sting her eyes as she stood there watching the cherry blossoms fall.
"Sakura!" Jane called urgently.
Sakura blinked her tears away and turned to her friend. "What is it?"
"We're on the wrong floor," Jane said.
"Oh, are we?"
With Sakura's questioning look, Jane said, "I just rang the bell." She pointed to the door around the corner. "And damn, but the wonderful smell of baked cake coming from that penthouse is to die for."
Sakura couldn't help but laugh loudly. "You and your cake. Did you happen to ask the owner if you can have some?" she teased.
Jane pulled a face. "Of course not. Not especially with that stern look on that housekeeper's face. I tell you, Sakura, she looks like a powerful matron. One you shouldn't disobey."
"So where is Lady Suzuki's apartment?" Sakura asked.
"Down below," Jane said.
"Right, then let's go before we are actually late." With that statement, she turned and headed to the door they'd just come through.
Once again, they took the lift down and found themselves facing another elegant foyer before coming to the number two apartment. Sakura rang the bell, and moments later, they were greeted by Sosuke, who stood tall and imposing at the doorway.
Sakura licked her lips and said nervously, "I'm here to see Lady Suzuki?"
Sosuke gave Sakura a handsome smile that made Jane blink in wonder and her head spin just a little.
"You're Sakura," he stated, still grinning from ear to ear. "I'm so glad we've finally found you."
Sakura blinked. "I'm sorry?"
Sosuke realized his slip and said quickly, "Come on in." He glanced at Jane briefly and gave her one raised brow. "Jane, isn't it?"
Jane blushed because he was suddenly paying attention to her and nodded her head. "Yes, Jane Hamilton."
Sosuke opened the door wider and stood to one side, allowing the girls to enter. It was a few minutes later that Sakura and Jane found themselves in a very cozy, Japanese style living room. They were all sitting on the floor with soft mattresses to support their knees. Opposite her was Haruka. The woman was wearing one of her yukata, and her dark hair was formed into a bun on her head. Beside her sat Akira, who was also wearing a yukata. She eyed Sakura with interest as the younger girl sat there nervously. Jane was behind Sakura, and Sosuke was farther to the left as he waited patiently for Sakura to start.
And she did, with a tremor in her voice. "I'm so sorry. It was an accident," she said. She took out the purple velvet box from within her handbag and then gave it to Haruka.
Haruka stared long and hard at the box before her and then lifted her eyes to Sakura. She tried very hard to hold back tears. In her heart, she wanted to take the younger girl into her arms and simply hug her long and tight and never let her go. But she couldn't do that. Not yet. Not until she had the guts to reveal to Sakura the truth of who she was.
It was then that Haruka eyed Sakura's necklace. The pink diamond, not unlike her own, the one which Sakura had worn at the show, shone against the light as it dangled about Sakura's chest. Haruka felt lightheaded, and the world around her suddenly spun. She found herself falling backward as her eyes shut.
Akira shouted, "Oba-chan!"
Sosuke leaped toward his aunty and cradled her in his arms while Akira hovered over her with a pale face.
"Oba-chan, are you all right?" Sosuke asked with concern.
Sakura panicked the moment the woman was about to faint. She looked so frail all of a sudden, and of course, Sakura blamed herself for that. The shock of her ruined necklace must have made her sick.
Sakura turned to look at Jane for support. Jane moved closer and said, "It's okay, Sakura. Just hang in there."
Sakura nodded and returned her attention to Haruka, who was slowly gaining her senses back. She asked, her voice quivering just a little, "Are you all right?"
Haruka managed to come around and said lowly, "Don't worry. I just feel a little lightheaded. That is all."
"Are you
sure, Oba-chan?" Akira asked. "Should we take you to see the doctor? You look awfully pale, even since yesterday."
Haruka sat up straight as Sosuke aided her. She cleared her throat and turned to Akira. "Darling, a glass water please?"
"Of course." Akira nodded and rushed off to do her bidding.
Haruka returned her attention to Sakura, her eyes on the necklace. She began. "I was wondering about your necklace, Sakura-chan."
Sakura glanced down at her own necklace, the one she'd worn and never taken off, the one that was with her since she was born. She tentatively touched the pendent; her eyes had a faraway look about them. "I've had it since birth. I was told it was with me when..."
Haruka fisted her hands tight and her body was tense as she waited for Sakura to continue. When Sakura hesitated too long, she urged, "When?"
"When I was found on the doorstep of Queen Mary Orphanage on St. Joseph Island."
Haruka sucked in her breath and closed her eyes. She willed herself not to faint when she heard Akira's voice.
"Oba-chan? Water."
Haruka flashed her eyes open and thanked her niece for the trouble. She took a slow sip of the cool liquid, and her heart reduced to its normal beat and her body calmed. Once she was done with the glass of water, she handed it back to Akira.
Finally, Haruka returned her attention to the box by Sakura's knees. Sakura noticed the woman's attention and quickly handed the thing to her.
Haruka opened the box, her expert eyes roaming the masterpiece of pink diamonds. There, she noted a single gem missing. She gently closed the box and handed it to Akira as if it were of no importance.
Sakura couldn't handle it any longer and asked, "Can it be fixed?"
Slowly, Haruka nodded. Sakura sighed in relief at this, but her relief was short lived when Haruka said, "I'm afraid it will be very expensive. The pink diamond is very rare. To find it and then cut it..."
Sakura felt her heart sink again. "In that case, I think I will have to get a loan from the bank."
Akira gasped. "Do you know how much it'll cost? It'll take you years to complete the repayment. Besides, what bank would loan you that type of money for a diamond?"
Sakura admitted she was green to this type of thing, but she was desperate, after all.
"I'm sure Oba-chan can work something out," Akira commented. "If you want, I can help you find modeling work. You're a bit short, but I'm sure it's no problem back in Japan. They're looking for girls like you. You're beautiful and--"
"Akira!" Sosuke cut in with a frown.
Akira returned her own scowl. "I'm only trying to help."
Haruka said, "Akira is perfectly correct about the bank loan. They wouldn't give you money for this sort of thing."
Akira couldn't help herself and had to nod. "Modeling. I'll help you out."
Sosuke sighed in exasperation. "Akira."
Akira gave her brother a look. "What?"
Jane laughed behind them; she couldn't help herself. Akira noticed Jane then and winked at her. Jane blushed, and Sosuke just shook his head.
Haruka said, "If the bank doesn't loan you money, what will you do?"
Sakura wasn't sure what she'd do. Sell the gallery business, she supposed. She hoped it'd be enough though.
Haruka saw the dilemma within her features and said lightly, "What if I make you a proposal?"
Sakura raised her gaze to the older woman with interest. Haruka smiled and said, "I'm looking for a personal assistant. No, more like a companion. It's an odd job, but if you are interested..."
Sakura couldn't let the chance escape her grasp. "I'm interested."
Akira secretly smiled and said, "Do you realize you have to come and live here with us? You'll be seeing my ugly brother every day and doing all his work for him."
"That's enough, Akira." Sosuke scolded. "Sakura, you will not be doing my work for me. But yes, you'll be seeing us every day. You'll be helping Oba-chan with her work, and you won't get paid."
Sakura nodded. "I understand. I'm good with that. I don't mind hard work and not getting paid."
To be honest, she thought this whole proposal was more like a blessing to her. If what Akira had said were true, then it would fit with her plan perfectly. If the Princeton brothers found out about her residence in Soho from Luke, they'd no doubt be there to convince her to return to the family. She wasn't ready for that yet. Especially seeing Sebastian and Darcy again.
Saturday night was bad enough. It had brought back too much heartache and memories and, at the same time, a longing of how badly she wanted to be with them again. She ached for their presence and their touch and their kiss. Besides, her one main goal still held true. She had to find her biological mother, come hell or high water. And that Ms. Ruka definitely wasn't her biological mother. Hence, Sakura would have to start from scratch, again.
"But, Sakura, what about your own business?" Jane asked.
"You have your own business?" Akira asked with interest. "But you're so young. You can't be much older than twenty-three."
"She's twenty-five," Jane supplied. "Just turned twenty-five a couple weeks ago."
Haruka breathed in a shaky breath at this reminder. Yes, it had been twenty-five years ago when she'd placed Sakura on the doorstep of Queen Mary Orphanage in St. Joseph Island.
Sakura turned to Jane and said, "Oh, don't worry about that. Ned and Melissa will help me look after it."
"Well, if that's all right with you," Jane said, unconvinced about the Melissa part.
Sakura knew Jane didn't trust Melissa to run her business, and to be honest, neither did she. But Ned would be there. Although, she'd hate it very much to have to ask him for help all the time.
She turned to Haruka, who looked a bit worried all of a sudden, and said, "Don't worry. I'll manage."
Akira chimed in, "What type of business do you have?"
"I own a gallery. I paint and do some photography."
"Oh, artsy stuff. I like arts. Sosuke doesn't. He doesn't understand arts," Akira said.
"Sakura's painting is amazing." Jane put in. "You should see her work. She mostly paints cherry blossoms."
"In that case," Akira said, grinning from ear to ear. "I'll come to visit sometime. Oh, and I can help with your gallery as well if you're desperate. I don't have much modeling work at the moment."
"We all know you're just making excuses, Akira," Sosuke said, shaking his head.
With that obvious statement, which Akira found rather embarrassing, she glared at her brother. "I'm not making excuses."
Again, Jane giggled from behind Sakura. They could all see the siblings really liked to tease each other. Underneath, however, everyone could see how much they cared about each other.
Sakura said, "Thanks, but I think I'll manage." She turned to Haruka. "I will do my best to work under you. And thank you so much for... er... being so considerate."
Haruka laughed. "You're a sweet darling, aren't you?"
Before Sakura could thank her again for not sending her to jail, Haruka grabbed her wrist, pulled her close, and hugged her tight.
Sakura blinked, confused. It was then she felt something odd. She felt warm and at ease, as if she had finally found home. She felt as if she belonged in this woman's arms. Without herself knowing it, she tightened her grip on the older woman as well and smiled.
Jane just blinked in confusion at the two women. Sosuke watched his aunt and Sakura embracing and felt quite pleased at the whole turnout. Of course, it had been quite a nice surprise for them when Jane had called yesterday evening, requesting a meeting. He hadn't hesitated to say yes the moment she mentioned the necklace, even without consulting his aunt.
And once he'd told his aunt? Well, she just melted into tears of joy, which confused the hell out of Akira. Sosuke had to explain to his sister that the girl who ran off with their Oba-chan's necklace was very likely their Oba-chan's long-lost daughter. Of course, they'd have to do DNA testing to confirm that, which they probably would once they'd co
nvinced Sakura. As for now, however, it'd be nice to have her around the house, and Sosuke was looking forward to that prospect.
Akira chuckled and said, "Onii-chan, stop grinning so much."
Sosuke stopped his smiling immediately and scowled at his sister. When he turned his eyes to her, he noted she, too, was smiling.
"I'm so glad I've found you," Haruka whispered before she let Sakura go.
Sakura moved back and gazed at Haruka long and hard, confused as to the meaning of the older woman's words.
"You will have to start right away, Sakura," Haruka said. "Will tomorrow be all right? Yes, tomorrow. Sosuke will help you bring your belongings over." She turned to her nephew then. "Will you escort Sakura back to her place, Sosuke?"
Akira thought their aunt didn't need to ask her brother. He'd gladly do it without her request.
Sosuke nodded enthusiastically.
*
CHAPTER 15
Elusive Chase
Luke felt like the most foolish person on the planet. "I'm sorry, Sebastian, but I really didn't have a clue Miss Tanaka is related to you. I mean, I didn't know she's your adoptive sister."
"Miss Tanaka?" Conrad said in outrage, his eyes round with disbelief. "She changed her last name?" His tone was that of accusation, as if it were Luke's fault Sakura had changed her name.
Logan nodded, a deep frown creasing his handsome face. "That won't do. She'll need to change it back to Princeton. It suits her better."
"She's a Princeton and will always be a Princeton," Tristan said with a dark scowl, which made him look even more handsome than his usual charming smile. "And you." He turned to Sebastian, "How the hell did you miss the fact that you've brought so many of Sakura's photos and paintings without knowing it? She's bloody surrounding us, for God's sake!" He pointed to the painting that was the main feature in the living area. "There! That one." He strode and read the initial. "See? It says here clear as day ST. It's clearly Sakura Tanaka."
"Shut up, Tristan," Sebastian snapped. He turned to Darcy, who was sitting on the sofa, looking as dark as a very gorgeous morbid demon. "You were there on Saturday morning, weren't you?"
Darcy nodded without looking at his brother, his gaze on the floor.
"You didn't see her?"
Darcy shook his head, his mind suddenly drawn to the painting he'd bought that day from Tanaka Gallery, now residing in his loft in Soho. He couldn't believe it. He'd been there in her gallery, yet... Anguish mounted in his chest. He stood and headed to the door. "What are we waiting for?"