Sakura woke with a start, her mind reeling with confusion. Where am I? she wondered as she stared long and hard up at the unfamiliar ceiling. She turned her head, searching about her surroundings, and then everything came back to her.There had been the appointment with Dr. Mason yesterday. Sebastian had been there with her. Then he’d taken her to the drugstore to get her prescribed medication. After that, they’d been at the hotel, intending to have lunch, and then… Mrs. Byrd.A lump formed in her throat as she recalled the cold shiver that had passed through her the moment she’d seen the woman’s face.Sakura shut her eyes for a moment as she took slow, deep breaths. She wasn’t going to let that woman scare her witless. Not anymore.She sat up, rubbing her fingers and thumb against her temples. Her headache was getting worse, and waiting patiently for it to ease wasn’t going to happen. Plus, she was very hungry. She wondered if Mom Brenda had any breakfast left.She flipped the duvet
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
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 and concerned.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.A
The whole day flew by after the reunion between Sakura and her biological mother, Haruka. The Princeton brothers and their father, James, went about devising plans to protect Sakura. After all, it was better to be safe than sorry. In the end, it was decided it was better for Sakura to live with the brothers and one of them had to be with her at all times, regardless of where she went. More importantly, especially when they were in Hawaii next week for the photo shoot where Tara would be around.It was decided also that the relationship between Haruka and Sakura was to be kept secret until the DNA results were received. The brothers knew if this Mrs. Clark were to find out about the two being reunited, her urge to completely annihilate Sakura would be stronger because proof of her guilt would be more damning.Now all they needed to do was tell Sakura of the plan, and James left it to his sons to take care of it. After all, they wanted more responsibility where Sakura was concerned, and
Sebastian had watched Sakura all throughout dinner, thinking of how he’d approach the topic of them being her bodyguards. He knew she wouldn’t like the sound of that, but heck, it was for her own safety. Of course, it was only until they were really sure Mrs. Clark wasn’t going to take any action against Sakura. But they doubted that.Dinner was over, and he was just finishing helping clearing the table when he noticed Sakura missing. Everyone was in the living room, chatting away. Nicolas was pretty cozy with Akira, while Darcy was talking to Sosuke. His mom and dad were speaking with Haruka, while Tristan, Logan, Hayden, and Conrad were in the kitchen, doing the dishes, freaking out the maid so much that she complained to Brenda.Sebastian was just walking across the corridor when he saw Sakura in the courtyard. Knowing this was a good time to bring up the subject of her moving in with them, he headed out toward her. Once he was outside, cool night air greeted him and he inhaled wit
Japan, Twenty-Seven Years AgoHaruka Tanaka had always wanted to know what it felt like to do as she pleased. She wanted to know what it felt like to contravene rules and orders, to simply relax and not be on guard, to shield herself from the hurt of criticisms and expectations. She wanted to know what it felt like to not have to tolerate and accept those suffocations as something normal, as something a part of her life, as she worked hard to meet those goals that had already been set for her even before she had been born. She wanted to know what it was like to live on the other side of the line, where one could simply be oneself, where one could simply enjoy one’s life. Most of all, she wanted to be free.At least for a little while before she was put into a cage again—a beautiful birdcage filled with luxury and fine things. A birdcage with high decorum and expectations that were suffocating her and tearing at her heart.As of last week, Haruka had just turned nineteen, and she thoug
Every time Sakura saw Sebastian, she felt a sort of radiance within her being, glowing with an intense burst of flame.Indeed, the man was handsome today, wearing a loose shirt and jeans that fit his masculine physique perfectly. As per usual, his pale-blond hair glittered like white gold under the setting sun. And that smile on his face, it tugged something wonderful deep within her heart.Sebastian made his way toward them and came to a stop before Sakura. “Dinner is served,” he said.Haruka nodded and then stood up. “In saying that, Sakura-chan, one must choose the one who is always there for her.”Sakura got the meaning behind her mother’s words and blushed, noting Sebastian was gazing at her with a questioning look in his eyes. She knew he wondered what her mother meant. Of course, she wasn’t going to enlighten him. It was too embarrassing. After all, the subject involved him and his brother Darcy.Haruka smiled at Sebastian and then walked back into the house where the loud nois
It was much later after dinner when Sakura managed to escape the Princeton brothers. Alone in her own room, she picked up her cell phone and dialed Ned’s number. As the phone rang, she heard Akira chatting to the Japanese maid next door. She could catch a few words here and there, mainly about which clothes to take and whether they’d be suitable for the very hot temperature in Hawaii. The maid must have been helping Akira pack, she thought with a smile. She had heard from Sosuke that Akira couldn’t pack to save her own life, and had always had the maid help out.She was giggling to herself in reaction to Akira’s muttering when the line was picked up and a familiar voice came through.“About time. I thought you’d never call.”Sakura chuckled. “Sorry about that, Ned dear. I was a little busy, you know.”A sigh and then, “I know. Beth told me.”Sakura tuned out the light conversation going on next door and collapsed onto her bed. The softness below made her sigh with pleasure, and she re
Six Months LaterWhen Sakura woke up, it was to the sound of birds chirping and morning light shining in through the windows. She blinked a couple times to get used to the brightness as she lay there feeling exhausted, as if she had just finished running a race. Once she’d gotten used to the light, she searched about her surroundings, wondering where she was. Because this certainly wasn’t her room.Her eyes lingered on the beautiful chandelier dangling in the center, the crystals exuding an array of rainbow colors about the space. A moment later, her gaze shifted to the king-size bed that she was currently in.She sat up, her mind still reeling over what had happened last night. When she moved, she realized she was naked under the sheet. She frowned for a moment, and then everything came flooding back.Instantly, she blushed and clutched the sheet against her.“Oh God,” she whispered softly. “I’ve done it again, haven’t I? With Sebastian and Darcy?”She licked her lips as she pulled t
The moment her hands were removed, the two men stared, marveling at the sight. Sure, they had seen many women’s breasts before, and in fact, to them, they were just part of the female anatomy. Nothing more. But with Sakura, her pair of exquisite beauties, the perfect-size mounds of pale, smooth flesh topped with cute pink nipples perking at just the right angle—they were something marvelous.Sebastian tittered with excitement, which drew Sakura’s attention to him. She gazed at him, wondering why he had such a passionate look in his eyes as he stared at her breasts. When he flicked his gaze to hers and their eyes met, Sakura swallowed hard at the raw passion she noted radiating from him.“Wow,” Darcy said, his voice deep and hoarse, which sent a delicious shiver down her spine. “Just wow.”Sebastian nodded. He couldn’t find words to describe how happy he was.Suddenly, Darcy cupped her breasts, one in each hand. Sakura gasped at the intimate contact as her body squirmed in his embrace.
Sakura grabbed Sebastian’s hands that were about to cup her breasts, stopping him. She looked from one man to the other, her mind reeling at what was going on. She licked her lips nervously and then finally managed to ask, “What are you two doing? Aren’t you going to order room service?”Sebastian’s eyes glinted with that mischievousness that Sakura found both vexing and endearing at the same time.He said, with a hint of a laughter in his deep timbre, “Oh, but you are our room service.”Sakura wasn’t accepting it. She knew they both were toying around with her. She demanded, “The dessert?”Darcy said, his voice sensual and deep, “You are our dessert. That’s why it’s the best kind, one we’ll remember for the longest time.”It was only then that she understood what they meant. She. Was. Their. Dessert. As in they were going to make love to her?That pushed her into a panic attack, and she struggled in Sebastian’s arms, desperately wanting to break free. The damn handsome man, however,
Darcy said, “Sakura, remember the night you confessed to us?”Slowly, Sakura nodded.“You told us you’d either have both of us or none at all,” Sebastian said.Sakura jumped at the sound of his voice. She didn’t realize he was standing behind her, so close to her in fact that she could feel the heat of his body warming her against the coolness of the night.She nodded again. “Yes, I did say that, and I meant it. I can’t…” She sighed, her heart now racing furiously. “I can’t live with the knowledge that I picked one of you and not the other. That I’d be living with one and not the other. That I’d be showering my love on one and not the other when I love you both. It just isn’t fair.” Her body and hands were shaking now, even her voice, quivering softly under the two men’s scrutiny.“I won’t be able to handle the guilt, the pain of not having both of you in my life. I know I’m greedy. I know… It’s weird to love two men and want both in my life…living like a family like it’s nothing.” Sh
Sakura relaxed back in her seat and then put on the safety belt. A moment later, Sebastian started the engine and then they were off.It was dark, and the city lights glittered beautifully against the backdrop of the night sky, competing with the stars. It was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, and Sakura was mesmerized.“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” Sebastian said.Sakura nodded. “After what happened…” she said, her throat feeling a little dry. “After what happened, I appreciate what’s around me more.”Sebastian reached out his free hand and cupped her face. “Nothing like that is ever going to happen to you again. I’m here with you, and Darcy, too.” He chuckled. “In fact, all of us Princetons. We’re family.”She smiled, appreciating his comforting words. “Thanks.”It was a few more minutes when Sakura realized they were heading toward the hotel. Of course, she was a little confused as to why they were going there and was about to ask Sebastian as he parked the car when he intercepte
Darcy was discharged from the hospital five days later, and, in Princeton style, a big Welcome Home party was launched at the holiday house.The moment Darcy stepped foot out of the car, he was treated and pampered like a king by everyone, especially his brothers Tristan and Logan, who acted as his butlers. Of course, being the down-to-earth person he was, Darcy didn’t want that kind of attention and found it rather tiring. Deep down, all he wanted was for Sakura to be by his side.Damn, but he wanted to kiss her and, most of all, confess his love for her properly, along with Sebastian of course. But that was not to be as the house was almost always full of people coming and going, and not one moment had he had the chance to be with her. At least not until a day later when he and Sebastian had a good talk and made arrangements for things to start moving forward to make it official.Now sitting on the couch, drinking coffee, both Sebastian and Darcy watched Sakura as she animatedly cha
Sakura and Sebastian stayed with Darcy throughout the morning, with Sakura entertaining Darcy by telling him about her family reunion and that Ned was actually her biological father and Beth her aunt. Of course, Darcy wasn’t surprised with this outcome, as he had known how much Ned loved Sakura. The same went for Beth.It was some time later when Darcy asked the question he had wanted answered since he’d seen the news on the television early that morning. It was about Mrs. Clark, Tara, and Ray Woods, who had been taken into custody.Sebastian said, “Tara might get a lighter sentencing than Mrs. Clark and Ray Woods. She’s only an accomplice.”“And Mrs. Clark?” Sakura asked, her body tense.“Probably life in prison for first-degree murder or something along those lines,” Sebastian said.“For murdering Mrs. Taylor?” Sakura asked.At this, both Sebastian and Darcy turned to look at her, surprised. Sebastian asked, “How did you know she was one of the victims?”Sakura cast her eyes downwar
Sakura woke with a start, gasping and whimpering and her skin soaking with sweat. With her heart beating loudly in her chest, she stared up at the ceiling, her mind racing as tears welled in her eyes.Dream. It was only a dream. It wasn’t real. She hadn’t lost Darcy. She hadn’t lost Sebastian. Both men were still here with her.“Sebastian. Darcy,” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.Just moments ago, she had dreamed of them—she and the Princeton brothers—once again on that yacht in the middle of the ocean, the storm raging above them. Mrs. Clark, Tara, and Ray Woods had been there, too, torturing her.Sakura shut her eyes as she remembered the nightmare vividly.Mrs. Clark had shot her, only to hit Darcy instead. As Darcy lay there in her arms, dying from the gunshot wounds, Tara slayed Sebastian with her knife and then pushed him off the boat into the rampant sea.The thought of losing her beloved men made her feel sick to her stomach, and she whimpered softly. She shook he
Across the distance of the sitting room, Sakura silently watched her biological mother being embraced in Ned’s arms as the woman recited her story to her first love. And Sakura had no doubt that she, too, must have played a part of that tale when she had been a baby.Once again, she still couldn’t believe the fact that she, Sakura, had been by her biological father’s side all along, since she had been seven years old in fact. Could this explain why she had always felt connected to the man deep down? Was that why she’d always felt safe and comforted when he was around? And the fact that he had always been there for her and helping her when she had needed someone like a parent the most reminded her again of how important Ned was in her life.When Haruka finally finished telling Ned her tale some fifteen minutes later, Sakura saw Ned comforting her, telling her that he didn’t blame her for what had happened and what she’d done. He told her that he understood what she’d gone through and c