A Secret Proposal

  She was in the living area when she heard hums of male voices from the dining area nearer to the kitchen. She frowned, wondering if Daddy James had guests. She tentatively glanced down at herself and knew she wasn't presentable enough to be seen. Even more so, she wasn't up to meeting anyone just yet.

  She was about to turn back when Brenda appeared at the doorway.

  "Sweetheart," Brenda greeted. "You're up? How are you feeling?"

  Sakura moved forward and hugged her mother tightly. She said, "Better. I'm so hungry and my head is about to explode."

  Brenda laughed. "Well then, how about lunch and some aspirin?"

  "Lunch?" Sakura queried. "Oh God! Did I sleep in that late?"

  Brenda nodded. Clearly, her daughter didn't remember what had happened four hours ago right here in the living area. Her reaction to the nightmare had scared all of them. If Darcy hadn't been able to soothe her and calm her down, then Brenda didn't know what they'd do next.

  "Come on," she said, leading Sakura by the wrist. "Let's make you some lunch."

  Sakura nodded. "Something hot would be nice," she said. "Soup."

  "Yes," Brenda agreed. "We have some pumpkin soup left over from last night."

  "Sounds good."

  The moment Sakura stepped into the dining area, the room suddenly became silent, and the seven Princeton brothers turned their attention to her. She came to a complete stop and blinked.

  "Sakura," Sebastian said, rushing over to her in a flash. "How are you feeling?"

  "Sakura," Darcy said. "You're up." He came over to her as well, standing just behind Sebastian.

  Toby, who was on Logan's lap, barked a greeting.

  Sakura opened her mouth to utter something but then closed it again. She turned to Brenda for answers as to why the brothers were here in the first place.

  Brenda said, "Why don't you take a seat, and I'll warm that pumpkin soup for you?"

  Sakura hesitated for a moment. Then she nodded and made her way, with Darcy and Sebastian beside her, toward the table. She took a seat on one of the empty chairs and pulled her robe closer around her front. Sebastian and Darcy took the seats on either side of her, and Conrad chose to swap seats so he could be closer to her.

  "What are you guys doing here?" she asked, confused. "How did you know I was here?"

  "We phoned Sosuke," Nicolas said from the other side of the table.

  "Sebastian said you weren't well yesterday," Conrad chimed in. "Are you all right? Sosuke said you disappeared in the middle of the night."

  Sakura blushed. "It was so stupid really. It was nothing."

  The brothers looked at one another. They knew she must have had the nightmare after bumping into that strange woman in the hotel, and it wasn't just nothing. As of this morning when they'd seen her screaming in terror, it scared the shit out of them. Of course, they now understood it was a regular occurrence, these nightmares of hers. No wonder she was always tired and her health was deteriorating.

  "Sakura, darling," Tristan said, "don't you trust us enough to come to us?"

  "We were only upstairs," Conrad said, looking a little wounded.

  Sakura cocked her head to one side. "Sorry. I... Daddy James and Mom Brenda just kind of jumped into my head when..."

  Hayden said, folding his arms across his chest, "So are you going to tell us what's going on or not?"

  Sakura glanced from one brother to another and then rested on Nicolas. "I..."

  "Sakura." James's voice reached them, and Sakura sighed in relief. She rushed off her chair and came to hug him tight, pleased she didn't have to answer the brothers straightaway.

  "Thanks," she said. "For letting me stay here."

  James patted her head, his eyes on his sons. When Sakura moved back, he said, "Have you had anything to eat yet?"

  Sakura shook her head.

  "Eat first and then shower. Then I'll tell you what I've found out."

  Sakura paled, her heart leaping within her chest. She dreaded what Daddy James had found out, yet she desperately wanted to know. She nodded reluctantly. She returned to her seat, her whole being shaking. The brothers noticed and sported worried looks on their faces.

  Sebastian placed his hand on top of hers and gave her a little supportive squeeze. Sakura glanced up at him and flashed him a grateful smile.

  Brenda finally returned from the kitchen with a bowl of hot pumpkin soup, two aspirin tablets, and a glass of water.

  "You're sick?" Conrad asked.

  "Headache," she said, picking up the tablets. She swallowed those quickly and then drank some water. Once she was done with that, she dug into her soup, savoring the smooth, rich taste of pumpkin and cream. Halfway, she glanced up and noted the brothers were watching her, their eyes intense, as if they'd ever seen anyone eating before.

  She wiped her mouth and said, "You guys aren't eating?"

  "We had ours," Logan said, stroking Toby's head. And Toby agreed with a loud bark.

  The noise drew her attention to her beloved pet, and she smiled. "Hey, Toby, did you sleep well last night?"

  Again, Toby barked.

  "I didn't squeeze you, did I?" She chuckled. "I slept like a dead log."

  At this comment, the brothers looked at one another. Clearly, Sakura didn't remember what had happened that morning when she came into the living room and started screaming in front of them.

  When Toby barked again, Sakura laughed. Some ten minutes later, she finished her meal and excused herself to freshen up. Alone in the bathroom, she stripped herself naked and took a long, hot bath, Toby sitting there waiting patiently for her to finish.

  She lay there, staring up at the ceiling, thinking about Mrs. Byrd and what she was going to do next. She also wondered what Daddy James had found out about the woman. She was about to doze off again when a knock came at the door, rousing her from her drowsiness.

  "Who is it?" she asked.

  "Sakura?" It was Sebastian's voice. "Are you all right in there?"

  He sounded worried, and Sakura frowned. Why wouldn't I be all right? she wondered. She said, "I'm fine. I'm just having a bath."

  "Just wanted to make sure," Conrad shouted from the other side.

  "Take your time," Tristan said.

  "Don't mind us." Logan's voice came next.

  "Hurry up, Sakura," Hayden muttered. "Dad wants to talk to you."

  Sakura perked up, splashing water everywhere. Toby barked and got to his feet as well.

  "Don't listen to him, Sakura," Darcy said. "Take your time."

  Sakura reached out for a towel and wondered if all seven of them were at the door. No, wait. Nicolas. She hadn't heard his voice so he couldn't be out there right now with his brothers.

  But she was wrong. Nicolas said, "Sakura. Lady Haruka phoned. She was asking how you are. She's on her way to see you now."

  "What?" Sakura shrieked. "Please don't tell her to come. It's so inconvenient. For her, I mean. I'm not that important for her to worry so much about me."

  "Well," he said, "she's coming regardless."

  Sakura sighed. "All right. All right. I'm getting ready. Be out in a moment."

  Sakura quickly showered to wash off the soapy bubbles from her body and then dried herself. She got dressed in her jeans and pullover from yesterday and then put some moisturizer on her face. A layer of lip-gloss went on her lips next, and, leaving her long hair wet, she rushed out of the bathroom.

  She was glad the brothers weren't there at the door when she came out. With Toby by her feet, the pair made their way along the corridor into the living area.

  Her adoptive parents and brothers were waiting for her patiently. She came to sit beside Brenda and James while Toby chose to jump on Darcy's lap and made himself comfortable there.

  Sakura said to her parents, "Why are the brothers here?"

  James glanced at his sons and then turned his attention to his daughter. "Sakura, your brothers need to know what happened that night eighteen years ago."

  "Why?"
she asked, a guarded look on her face.

  Sebastian said, "Sakura. Dad said you might be in danger."

  Sakura's whole demeanor stiffened at that statement, and her eyes flicked to him.

  "We want to help you," Sebastian said.

  "We want to protect you," Darcy said. "Please tell us so we can understand."

  All the brothers nodded at this, and Sakura found she had no other choice but to trust them and tell them her side of the story. She was tired of running and she was tired of being so afraid all the time. Most of all, she was tired of the nightmares. Perhaps, just perhaps, once she confronted her demon, Mrs. Byrd, then her nightmares would go away and she could live peacefully. Maybe.

  She cast her eyes down to her cold hands and said quietly, "Are you all sure you want to help me? I mean..." She trailed off, thinking about the relationship between her and the brothers during their childhood. Thinking about Tara, whom they used to love a lot, and Alaina, their beloved sister. What if what she was about to tell them affected how these men thought about and saw Tara and Alaina? What if...?

  No. She needed to stop thinking about other people and concentrate more on herself. She needed to get her life sorted out. She needed to get this mess sorted out. She wasn't going to be a frightened kitten, afraid of that big bad wolf Mrs. Byrd who abused not only her, but the other children in the orphanage and burned down their only home.

  She lifted her head and said, her voice stronger and calmer, "Are you sure it's okay with you guys? Things I'm about to tell you will affect how you see certain people. I mean, I don't know, but it might."

  Nicolas said, "Sakura, you're a Princeton, and we Princetons stick together. We're your brothers. We're here to help."

  Sakura turned her eyes to James for support. At his affirmative nod, she continued. "I suppose the story started the day I was born. I'm not sure how, but I was told I was found on the doorstep of the orphanage with just this." She pulled out her necklace with the cherry blossom pendant made out of pink diamonds."

  Sebastian remembered she'd always worn that necklace since she'd been little.

  "And a letter. I think it said, My daughter's name is Sakura. And that's it."

  "Sakura," Conrad said, "I didn't know any of this." He came to sit next to her, squeezing himself between Sakura and his father, and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry."

  Sakura chuckled brokenly. "I was always called the devil child, Conrad, with my very black hair and pale skin."

  The rest of the brothers remembered that. Tara had always called her the devil's child, and now more than ever, it really hurt that they just stood by and did nothing.

  "I was abused lot by Mrs. Byrd, Tara's mother. You know, whipping and slapping and all sorts of things. Not to mention not having meals now and again."

  "Is that why you got used to it?" Nicolas asked. "Missing the meals."

  Sakura nodded. "Yes. I got used to missing meals and it kind of stuck." She sighed deeply. "That night eighteen years ago, I had one of my nightmares." She skipped the part about her being so scared and alone and then her prayer to God to be adopted by the Princetons. They didn't need to know that part. Thinking back, she must have seemed so desperate and lonely.

  "I was thirsty and went down to the kitchen to have a glass of milk. I made sure no one saw me, especially Mrs. Byrd. Because if she had seen me... Well, anyway, I went in and there she was, pouring liquid on everything. I didn't realize until later that it was gasoline. She saw me there, and I think she was afraid I'd tell. She slapped me and demanded I not tell. I... I..." She took a deep breath as tears began to brew in her eyes. "She struck me on the head with a rolling pin."

  Sakura didn't know this, but the brothers looked angry and flabbergasted that a grown woman would strike an innocent child. Conrad looked like he wanted to cry. Nicolas scowled darkly and nudged his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Hayden fisted his hands into balls and wanted to commit murder. Logan gritted his teeth at the brutal treatment, and on their beloved sister no less. Tristan looked like he wanted to punch someone's face.

  Sebastian's face was hard and cold, his body tense as he stared at the woman he loved, the woman who had been abused and mistreated when she was a child. All he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and comfort her and protect her.

  Darcy, too, had his eyes on her. The mauve-gray color glinted a cold, frosty gaze, reflecting the anger for Mrs. Byrd and passion and love for the young woman before him. His face was a dark mask as he listened to Sakura's tormented past, her abused childhood that none of them knew about and could never imagine the depths of her pain.

  "I was bleeding and she just left me lying there in the kitchen," Sakura said. "The whole place was on fire."

  "Ugh!" Conrad said. "That is disgusting. She was leaving you for dead."

  "I could have died," Sakura said. "If the fire alarm didn't go off and one of the staff didn't come into the kitchen. She saw me and screamed. But she got ahold of herself and took me out before it was too late."

  Conrad tightened his arms around her again and said, "I'm so glad Dad decided to adopt you."

  Sakura chuckled. "Me, too." She rested her head against his shoulder, a smile on her lips, though there were tears in her eyes.

  Conrad was happy she accepted his embrace and beamed delightfully at his brothers. Tristan decided to be jealous of Conrad, to which Logan chuckled and said teasingly, "Do you want to hug Sakura, too?"

  Tristan was about to reply yes when Sosuke's panicky voice came loud and clear from the door. "Oba-chan!" he shouted.

  "Oba-chan!" Akira screamed, tears in her eyes.

  Sakura and the brothers turned to see Haruka collapsing there at the door in Sosuke's arms.

  Sakura shot up and headed straight to Haruka. The woman's skin was sheet white, and it worried her sick. Akira was beside her aunt, calling Haruka's name while the maid who had opened the door for them stood to one side, her face shocked with concern.

  Sosuke easily and gently picked up Haruka and brought her into the living area, laying her on the sofa. The maid hovered about until Brenda told her to go and resume her chores. She nodded hesitantly and rushed away.

  Akira, who looked almost as pale as her aunt, kneeled on the floor, her hands holding on to Haruka's tight.

  "Oba-chan. Please be all right. Please?" she said softly, her voice shaking.

  Nicolas was behind her, his hands gentle on her shoulders. Akira glanced up, her eyes teary. "She was okay on our way here and then..." She couldn't go any further and threw herself into his arms, snuggling her face against his chest as her body shook.

  Akira's reaction shook Nicolas to his core, and he felt his stomach churn with sickness. He'd never felt like this toward any woman before. Of course, he loved his mother and Sakura. They, however, didn't make him feel the way he did right there. Akira made him feel connected, and when things like this happened and she was scared and upset, he felt as though he were in the same boat as her. He felt her pain and wanted to help ease it.

  He tightened his arms around her and said, "She'll be fine."

  Akira raised her head to stare up at the handsome man and nodded, blushing a little for showing her weakness in front of him.

  Sosuke took a deep breath and turned his attention to Sakura. "Sakura-chan?"

  Sakura, who was staring at the pale woman before her with concern, turned her attention to Sosuke. "Yes?"

  "Please go and sit beside Oba-chan. She was so worried about you last night."

  Sakura, realizing she was the one responsible for the woman's worry, obediently came to sit on the floor beside the sofa.

  A few moments later, Haruka fluttered her eyes open. "Sakura," she called out weakly.

  "I'm here," Sakura said, moving in closer. "I'm okay. I'm sorry I worried you."

  Haruka stared long and hard at Sakura through teary eyes. She brought her hand up and touched Sakura's face, stroking her soft skin. The woman smiled sadly, which confused James, Brenda, and the br
others. They could tell by her action and the affection and adoration on her face that the woman really loved Sakura. But with such a deep devotion? How? Why?

  "I'm so sorry," Haruka mumbled, shaking her head. "I'm so sorry. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have. I shouldn't have. I..." Tears flowed down her cheeks and her body shook.

  Sakura grabbed for Haruka's hand and held on to the woman tight. She said soothingly, "It's all right. It was my fault. Not yours. I should have taken more care to tell you where I was going."

  "No. No. No," Haruka mumbled. "That's not it. It was my fault." She raised herself up and pulled Sakura into her arms, hugging the girl tight, never wanting to let her go. "It was all my fault. I left you there on the doorsteps of Queen Mary Orphanage, thinking you'd be safe, thinking you'd be all right. I'm so sorry."

  Those words, uttered in her broken voice, shocked Sakura to her very core. She stiffened in Haruka's arms as, unbeknownst to her, tears flowed down her cheeks.

  James and Brenda eyed each other while the brothers sported a confused and shocked look on their faces.

  "What do you mean?" Sakura asked, her voice trembling with emotion and bewilderment.

  Haruka moved back so she could look at Sakura properly. She cupped the girl's face and smiled through teary eyes. "I'm your biological mother, Sakura. My maiden name is Haruka Tanaka. Suzuki is my late husband's surname."

  Sakura sucked in her breath and her heart pumped loud and fast as she gazed at Haruka.

  Haruka touched the pendant of the necklace about Sakura's neck and said, "That was mine. My very first jewel I designed myself. I left it for you. It... and the note. My daughter's name is Sakura."

  She caressed the girl's cheek with her thumb. "You were born in spring, Sakura. I remember that day so clearly, and I've never, ever forgotten it. I couldn't. It was such a beautiful spring day. And you were so beautiful. So tiny and pale and so much beautiful black hair. That morning, I took the ferry to St. Joseph Island from New York. I sat there watching the cherry blossoms and thought how beautiful they were. I remembered the Sakura flower back home in Japan and thought it would be a beautiful name for my daughter. So I named you Sakura. I walked along the street, wondering what I'd do with you. Then I saw the orphanage. And..."

  She tightened her arms on Sakura again and whimpered, "I'm so sorry. I should have never left you there. I should have taken you back to Japan with me."