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Chapter 10
Birthday Party & Champagne
“You know…,” Mary began, her eyes on the peaceful scenery of lush, green rolling hills in the distance. “You never talk about them much.”
Sakura stared at the long, straight road ahead as they made good speed along the motorway toward Mr. Mayor’s house in town. “What do you mean?”
“The brothers,” Mary said, adjusting herself on the seat. “You didn’t talk about them much back in high school. What was that all about?”
Sakura shrugged her shoulders. “Was there any need?”
“Was there any need?” Mary asked in disbelief. “You didn’t even tell me you were Uncle James’s adopted daughter until I actually found out myself. And that was because Uncle James himself came for the parents’ interview regarding you, and I thought he came to visit me. That was really embarrassing.”
Sakura laughed. “Well, yes, I suppose I should have told you, but at the time I thought it didn’t really matter.”
Mary shook her head. “If you were to announce to everyone that you were Uncle James’s adopted daughter, those bitches wouldn’t have bullied you.”
Sakura knew whom Mary was referring to. Those bitches were their ex-classmates from high school, Kate Anderson, the hot cheerleader, and her throng of worshipers.
“They’d still bully me anyway,” Sakura said, her mind flashing back to those times in high school. It had been tough and very unpleasant—especially if you got picked on your first day by the prettiest and most influential girl in the school.
And she had been right. They had continued to bully her even after they had found out she was adopted and had no blood relation whatsoever with the Princetons. Hence, they argued that she was not a real Princeton and therefore had only thought of her as a little parasite that clung to this powerful, wealthy family in order to have a good life.
“I suppose,” Mary said, frowning darkly. “Does it feel awkward?”
“You mean having the brothers around? Totally,” Sakura replied without hesitation. “I haven’t seen them for years and now—”
“Totally understandable.”
Sakura sighed, and Mary began another unwelcoming subject. It was Mark Chatsworth.
“Seriously, Mary.” Sakura chuckled. “If he really liked me, he would’ve asked me out by now.”
“Mark is a bit shy,” Mary said. “You’d have to make the first move.”
“Me? No way!” Sakura said. “You know me. I can’t do that stuff. And besides, why should I? It’ll be a total waste of time if he’s not interested in me. And I told you before. I have other plans. I’m not interested in a relationship right now.”
“Come on,” Mary said. “You’re twenty-three. If you don’t start now, you’ll miss the boat. In fact, I’m already thinking you’re missing out on a lot of things right now.”
“Such as?” Sakura prompted.
“Sex,” Mary said without hesitation.
Sakura chuckled. “Sex? And I’m missing out how?”
“You’re still a bloody virgin,” Mary said. “I mean, I’m not judging you or anything. You know me. You’re my best friend, and I totally respect you for that. But come on… Sex is like the best thing ever.”
Sakura cocked her head to one side. “I’m sure it’s very pleasant and all, especially when you do it with someone you love.”
Mary nodded. “Totally. Just so you know, I’ve only ever done it with Peter.”
“And I’m glad to hear that,” Sakura said.
“So what?” Mary asked curiously. “Are you waiting for your Prince Charming or something?”
Sakura chuckled. “I’ll know when I’m ready for it.”
“For what?”
“For both. The relationship and the sex,” she replied. “And now can we talk about something else?”
Mary chuckled. “Okay. Okay. Your real mom. It’s about her, right?”
Sakura nodded. “It’s what I want. You know how much I want to find her. How much I want to meet her.”
“I understand,” Mary said. “And I promise not to push things along with you and Mark. But I know for sure that he really likes you.”
Sakura laughed. Mary was Mary. She could never stay out of other people’s business, especially Sakura’s.
Once the girls arrived at the Simpson mansion in South Hampton some twenty minutes later, they got busy helping out setting the scene—Sakura with the food and drinks and Mary with the decorations. By twelve o’clock, most of the guests had arrived, and Sakura was quite pleased to see James and Brenda amongst them but not so pleased when she spotted the brothers—all seven of them—making such a grand entrance as to cause all the young girls to gasp in awe and break into fits of girlish giggles.
“I can’t believe they came,” she muttered under her breath, watching a flock of girls rush up to them and surround them, begging for their undivided attention.
“Sakura darling?” Mrs. Simpson called out.
Sakura turned to see Mr. Mayor’s perfect trophy wife. At only forty-five years of age, she looked way younger than she was with the fine features of a small nose, large brown eyes, and dark brown hair. She was also very nice, as expected of her for being the wife of the city mayor. Except most of the time she was very cheap, and that was why she and Mary were here helping out since only three waitresses were hired for the special occasion.
“Why don’t you be a dear and give those handsome young men some drinks?” She nodded toward the Princeton brothers near the entrance now almost engulfed by young females.
“Of course,” Sakura replied and silently added, Not that I’m one of your waitresses. She wondered why it had to be her who had to offer the brothers their drinks and not one of the waitresses.
“Since you’re so good with drinks and all, you know, considering the fact that you used to be a waitress and of course now own a café.” Mrs. Simpson chuckled. “And the waitresses are all busy with the food.”
“Of course, Mrs. Simpson,” Sakura managed to reply with a straight face. She wanted to tell the woman that if she were to spend a bit more money and hire more waitresses, then they wouldn’t be having this problem, and Sakura herself wouldn’t have to deal with the brothers.
“All right,” she said. “Why don’t you go and enjoy yourself with your daughter? I’ll deal with the drinks.”
“Oh, thank you, darling. You’re a godsend,” Mrs. Simpson said and then sailed off to greet James and Brenda.
Sakura poured champagne into seven glasses, placed them onto the silver tray, and expertly carried it with one hand as she headed to the brothers. Now she felt like a freaking waitress again, and of course the brothers didn’t seem to have noticed her presence at all with the massive flock of females swarming around them. It was only a moment later when she realized Lauren, the birthday girl, was one of them. Lauren, it seemed, didn’t have any luck at getting herself noticed by the brothers either.
“Sakura,” Lauren said excitedly, her eyes bright and shiny. “I can’t believe they’re here. I heard they’re coming to Mary’s wedding, but for them to come here, my birthday? I can’t believe this. Oh, they’re so handsome. Please, Sakura, introduce me to them. Please. I remember Conrad. He’s a couple of years older than me. We were in the same elementary school.”
Sakura sighed. This was getting even more complicated than she thought. She just wanted to run out of there. Only she couldn’t because she was wearing these blasted high heels she found rather difficult to walk in. Then there was also the fact that she still had to offer these glasses of champagne to the brothers, which she’d already promised Mrs. Simpson she’d do. That was when a sudden thought struck her. Of course, if Lauren wanted to get introduced to the brothers, then she should.
“Lauren?” She smiled prettily at the younger girl. “Why don’t you give these drinks to them and introduce yourself?”
“What? Really?” Lauren asked, doubt in her voice.
“Reall
y. You are, after all, the birthday girl, and it’s only natural you welcome your guests,” Sakura lectured, shoving the silver tray to Lauren. “Here.”
“Oh, but I can’t!” Lauren shrieked, pushing the tray back and shaking her head at the same time. “I don’t know how to hold this thing.” She pointed to the tray. “I might drop it, and it’d be embarrassing.”
“You won’t drop it,” Sakura said firmly. “Here, spread your palm.”
“No. No. No.” Lauren shook her head.
“Yes. Yes. Yes. Look! You’ll be all right. I promise,” Sakura urged, practically pushing the tray to Lauren now.
“Are you sure?” Lauren asked uncertainly.
“Very sure,” Sakura confirmed and handed Lauren the tray.
