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Conrad scowled at his brother. "That's not going to happen. Maybe Nicolas will get the bedroom scene with Akira. He's the oldest, and Akira is the most experienced model."
"Maybe I'll talk to Mr. Tachibana about it," Tristan said.
"Not if I get there first, bro," Logan put in, and the brothers laughed.
*
CHAPTER 17
Close Encounter
Sakura got up early the next morning before Ned was off to the airport, heading for Los Angeles. She made him some coffee and toast, which they had together. At exactly six o'clock, Ned picked up his small backpack and headed out the door.
"Have a good trip," she shouted across the corridor.
Ned said over his shoulder, "Don't get into any more trouble while I'm gone."
Sakura laughed. "What trouble?" This was followed by a chuckle. A while later, she heard the door shut.
Alone, she looked down at Toby, who was snuggling comfortably on the chair in the corner of the kitchen. She slowly sipped the hot coffee as she pondered about her sudden change in residence. From what she'd seen yesterday, Lady Haruka's apartment was absolutely beautiful. There was no doubt about that. It was exactly to her taste. She thought if she were to have her own apartment in the future, if she had money, she'd design it exactly how Lady Haruka had designed hers.
She took another sip of the coffee just as she heard her phone ring. She placed the mug down on the table and raced out the kitchen door. She came into her bedroom, picked up the phone that was sitting on her bedside table, and said, "Hello?"
"Sakura?"
Sakura heard the voice and instantly smiled. "Mary!" Then she laughed. "My God, are you back from Europe?"
"Yes, my dear friend, a week ago."
"How come you didn't tell me?" Sakura threw herself onto the bed as she stared up at the chandelier. "How's the morning sickness?"
"The morning sickness is gone, and I swear, Sakura, I look and feel like a bloody balloon. Peter said I look beautiful. He lied. That bastard husband of mine."
Sakura laughed. "Of course you're beautiful to him, Mary. It doesn't matter that you are literally carrying another human life in your belly and you look and feel like a balloon."
Sakura smiled when she heard her friend laugh loudly on the other side of the line.
"Oh, Sakura. I do miss you. I just wish you'd tell me where you're staying so we can come visit you."
Sakura sighed, tears suddenly brewing in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Mary." She wiped the damn things away with the back of her hand and sniffed a little.
"Sakura, things happen. I just wish you'd trust me a little more. I already told you I won't tell the brothers if they ask. I mean, I have been keeping it a secret for like nine months now. You know, Uncle James and Aunt Brenda are just heartbroken about you leaving them."
Sakura felt her heart constrict at the mention of her adopted parents. She closed her eyes and took a shaky breath. The images of them back at the hotel on Saturday night really undid her. She felt weak as once again the sight of their shocked face appeared in her mind's eye.
She changed the subject. "How was Europe?"
"Awesome!" Mary replied. "You have to do it, Sakura. Go to Europe, I mean."
"Yes, I have plans for that," she said. "That is when I have enough savings. I'm a little more than broke at the moment."
"What do you mean?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I tell you."
Mary laughed and said, "Try me."
Sakura did. She told her best friend everything that had happened on Saturday night.
"Holy shit, Sakura!" Mary laughed. "What the heck is wrong with your life? It's like a soap opera or something."
"Yeah, well," Sakura said, getting off the bed and heading out the door. "Welcome to my life."
"Let me tell you something," Mary said.
"What?" Sakura asked. She was in the hallway now. She cocked her head and turned the corner into the living room. She frowned. Odd. She could still smell cologne. That unique musky smell she found oddly soothing and alluring.
She came to lay on the sofa and rest her long legs on top of the back.
"The brothers are going to find you sooner rather than later."
Sakura paused at this and asked, "What do you mean? Just because they saw me Saturday night doesn't mean they could easily find me in this beautiful city with more than three million people in it."
Mary laughed. "Well, did I tell you I have psychic power?"
Toby appeared at the door. Sakura waved her hand as invitation. The dog gladly came running to her and hopped onto her belly. Sakura stroked him as Toby make himself comfortable.
"No, you didn't, and I know you don't, Mary."
Sakura heard a big harrumph. "Well, that was a good try, though. Oh, when am I ever going to see you? I want to see you. Can't we just meet somewhere?"
Sakura blinked and it hit her. She sat up so fast it made her dizzy. "I know!"
"What?"
"I'm going to Hawaii for a fashion shoot end of this month. We can meet there."
"Sakura. Yes! It's perfect. I'll tell Katherine about our plan as well. She'd probably want to join us."
"Yes," Sakura said, laughing. "I haven't seen her or Michael for ages. You do that, and I'll send you an email about when exactly this photoshoot is so you can book flights."
"Sure thing," Mary said.
"Shit!" Sakura muttered once she'd seen the time on the clock. "I'm going to be late."
"Work?"
"Yes and no," Sakura said. "I'm expecting someone. He's helping me move."
"You're moving?"
Sakura laughed. "Only temporary. It's to do with my new job."
"Oh?"
"Don't oh me, my dear. I don't have time right now. But I will tell you later when I'm free. Okay?"
Mary sighed. "Oh, all right. Take care and don't you forget to send me that email regarding our catch-up in Hawaii."
"Yes, yes," Sakura said. "Kiss, kiss, and say hi to Peter for me. Oh, and Katherine, Jim, and Michael as well. God, I miss them."
"Will do."
"Bye now." With Mary saying good-bye, Sakura hung up. She put Toby down on the floor and headed to her bedroom. It was then she remembered she had to call Melissa to tell her not to come in, as she'd be closing the gallery for a week while Ned was away. Somehow, she wasn't looking forward to calling the woman.
She turned on her heel
and rushed downstairs to the office to make the call before she forgot. A few minutes later, the unpleasant chore done, she headed back up to take a shower. She was done and dressed twenty minutes later. While she waited for Sosuke to arrive, she checked her luggage again to make sure she had all the essentials. She was just finished organizing the office when she saw Sosuke parking his car along the street. She rushed over to open the door for him.
"Ohayo, Sakura-chan," Sosuke greeted with a warm smile the moment he came in. "I hope I'm not too early."
Sakura waved his apology aside. "No. I'm usually an early riser. Everything is sorted. Are we leaving now?"
"Traffic is only going to get worse," he said.
"Yes, that is true." Sakura rushed over to pick up Toby. "This is Toby, my dog. Are you sure it's okay for me to take him with me?"
Sosuke laughed. "Oba-chan loves dogs. I'm okay with it. This one isn't very active, is he?"
At this comment, Sakura glanced at Toby. Sure enough, the dog didn't look very excited about anything, which was unusual for him. A worried frown appeared on Sakura's face, and she told herself she'd have to take the dog to see the vet once everything was sorted.
She gave the dog an affectionate pet, then turned to Sosuke. "Shall we?"
At Sosuke's nod, they left the gallery, Sosuke carrying the heavier baggage.
They arrived at the apartment within thirty minutes, thanks to Sosuke's expert driving skills and the not so heavy traffic at such an early hour.
"Ohayo," Akira greeted Sakura the moment the girl stepped into the apartment. "Oh my God, what a beautiful dog!" She rushed over to Sakura and begged for the dog before Sakura could put her bag down. When she handed the sleepy Toby over to her, Akira giggled and stroked the pup. "Oh, you're so sweet and cute and white and fluffy."
"There she goes again," Sosuke commented.
Haruka appeared with a broad smile on her face. Without even a good morning, the woman surprised Sakura by giving her a tight hug.
"Did you sleep well?" Haruka asked.
Sakura nodded, feeling a little overwhelmed that these people were so nice to her. They reminded her of Daddy James and Mom Brenda, and her heart constricted at the thought of her adoptive parents.
Akira frowned and uttered, "What's the matter?"
Sakura quickly shook her head. "It's nothing." With Haruka's concerned look, she confirmed, "It's been a while since anyone has been so nice to me."
