Falling For Sakura: A Secret Proposal (Part 1) (17 page)

“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 convinced 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.
 

* * * * *

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. Just couldn’t believe it! He’d been there in her gallery, yet… Yet… Anguish mounted in his chest. He stood and headed to the door. “What are we waiting for?”
 

Sebastian saw the dark look in Darcy’s features and nodded. “Let me get my wallet first.” He walked out of the living area, his mind on Sakura. He just couldn’t believe it. Finally, they found out where Sakura was living, and oddly enough, he felt relieved. Soon, very soon, he’d see her again and then…
And then what?
 

He turned the knob, opened the door slightly, and slid in. He headed straight to the sleek desk facing the large window that overlooked the exotic garden outside. If he were to look up, he would have seen the beautiful cherry blossoms dancing in the breeze. If he were to look up, he would have seen the woman he was desperately searching for across the garden, gazing at the cherry blossoms falling. But he didn’t. He was too consumed with his own hurt, confusion, and relief that they had finally found the whereabouts of Sakura, the woman he desperately loved and cherished.
 

Sebastian released a deep sigh, a hint of a smile on his face. “Sakura,” he whispered between his lips. “Sweetheart.”
 

He grabbed the keys and his wallet and then lifted his head. It was then he saw a glimpse of Jane and another female on the other side, leaving. He didn’t quite see who the other woman was and quickly dismissed them from his mind.
 

Three sleek Mercedes-benz arrived in front of Tanaka Gallery some twenty minutes later. Of course, this drew a lot of attention from the streets as the seven hot residents got out of the cars.
 

Tristan raised his head to look at the sign above as he drew away his sunglasses. He whistled and said, “My darling sister is doing pretty well for herself.”
 

Conrad shoved him to the side and headed straight to the door.
 

“What a hotheaded young buck,” Tristan said, shaking his head.
 

One by one, the brothers came in through the double doors into the gallery. Melissa, who was at the counter, busy inspecting her painted nails, looked up and nearly fainted with joy. The delight in her eyes was immeasurable, and she shot up, grinning from ear to ear. From her spot, she watched as the men entered. The one leading was blond and wearing glasses. He was tall and very good-looking. But the one to his left was even hotter, with pale-blond hair and a body to die for. She shivered at the thought of seeing his naked body. The one to the right was Darcy Princeton, the dreamy one she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about. Then there were the other four behind them, and they all were simply eye-candy to her.
 

They came up to the counter, and Melissa prepared herself to greet them properly. She tucked down her pencil skirt and pulled her blouse about her person so it sat just right on her to show her curves.
 

“Sakura Tanaka,” Nicolas asked, his voice firm and hard. “Is she in?”
 

At the commanding voice, Melissa suddenly lost her mojo and shrank back with a little bit of fright.
Holy Shit!
These guys looked like they were here for serious business. So she straightened herself and said, “I’m afraid not, sir. She’s out.”
 

Darcy frowned at her. “Where did she go?”
 

At Melissa’s hesitance, Tristan made his way to her and leaned on the counter with ease. He gave her a devilish grin and said, “Listen, sweetheart.”
 

Melissa was indeed listening. She licked her lips and returned the smile with eagerness.
 

“We’re here on a mission. So I’d be very grateful if you’d tell us”—he paused—“or find out for us where Sakura went.”
 

“Well, I don’t know, sir,” Melissa said. “I just saw her leaving this morning with a friend.”
 

Logan decided to help out and came to lean on the other side. “Well then, how about you take us up? We have all day to wait for Sakura to return.” He winked at her.
 

Melissa blushed. “Of course. I’m sure she won’t be too long.” She licked her lips again and then made her way from the counter to stand before them. “This way, please,” she said. “I’ll take you to the back and then I’ll give Miss Tanaka a call. May I have your names?”
 

“No names,” Sebastian said abruptly as they turned the corner. “Just tell her she has guests waiting.”
 

Nicolas said, “And do it quickly.”
 

“Of course,” Melissa replied timidly. A few moments later, she showed them to the private waiting room where Sakura frequently received her guests,
mainly her clients, and of course, Jane and Luke when they came to visit for a cup of coffee.
 

The brothers made themselves comfortable on the few sofas and chairs. Hayden couldn’t help being drawn to the smell of coffee that was still brewing in the pot on the counter.