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No, actually, he knew why. It was because of that blond woman Sosuke had bumped into when they arrived. Why had he found her so fascinating? Why couldn't he stop himself from thinking about her? Even though she'd been at such a great distance from him. Even though he hadn't at all seen her face. But her figure really did remind him of somebody. The long hair, though a pale golden-blond color, was also oddly familiar. Then there was the way in which she'd walked briskly away. It was her gait that attracted his attention. It was as if he'd seen that gait somewhere before, on someone he'd known very well.
God! Why couldn't he get her out of his mind? The only woman who had ever done that to him was Sakura.
Suddenly, his heart ached.
Sakura! Sweetheart. Where are you?
"Sir?" Jane squeaked again.
Sebastian snapped his eyes to her. "Yes."
"Should we go?" she asked meekly.
Sebastian nodded and strode ahead, leaving Jane to quietly follow him.
They came to the first floor and then into the great open space of the great hall where the show was going to take place. Staff were everywhere, setting up the scene, placing chairs along the rows, setting various equipment, and testing the lighting and sound.
"As you can see, sir, everything is going according to plan so far," Jane said. "That's our runway there." She pointed to the long T-shaped raised platform in the middle of the great hall. There were bright white lights on all sides that would shine on the models as they did their catwalk, showing off the beautiful gowns and jewelry they wore.
"And the sound?" Sebastian asked.
"It's good. It's going to be classical Japanese music mixed with pop. I think it's called Sakura Sakura."
"What?" Sebastian snapped, turning his azure-blue eyes to Jane, his face tense.
Jane was taken by surprise by his abrupt query. She swallowed nervously and said, "It's called Sakura Sakura." Then she had to explain further, thinking he didn't know or understand. "The song depicts springtime, when cherry blossoms bloom, sir."
"Yes, of course. I know that," Sebastian said. He took a deep breath then. Shit! Why was he in such a bad mood? Why was he so agitated?
Sakura. Her name kept ringing in his head. Sakura. Sakura. Sweetheart. Where are you?
"Please continue, Ms. Hamilton," he said.
Jane blinked. Holy shit! He knew her name?
She cleared her throat. "Yes, of course, sir."
She turned and led him to center stage. They were at the end of the raised runway when Jane's phone insistently rang.
"Sorry, sir," she said apologetically. She hastily turned on the phone. "Hello?"
"Jane, it's me, Sakura."
Jane bit her lip and peeked up at Sebastian. "Where are you? Are you lost or something? Did you get that list from the wardrobe assistant?"
"I did. Where are you? I'm bringing it over."
"I'm in the great hall on the first floor where the show is going to take place. Come quick. I have to get that list to Chris before he kills me."
Jane heard her friend laugh. "It's your fault, Jane. Now who said she's very organized?"
"Don't tease me. Not now. Please hurry."
"All right. On my way."
Jane sighed and hung up. "Sorry about that, sir. It was work." She gave him another apologetic smile.
Sebastian simply nodded.
Jane phone rang again. She grunted under her breath. "Sorry, sir," she said again to Sebastian.
"Take your time." Sebastian turned and started walking away to inspect the stage.
Jane sighed in relief and turned her attention to her phone. "Yes?"
"Jane? Where the heck are you?"
Jane grunted under her breath. It was Adam Somerville, the backstage manager. After taking a frustrated sigh, she said nicely into the phone, "I'm with Mr. Princeton, Adam. What do you want?"
"Showing him around, are you? Why didn't they ask me to do that instead?"
Jane thought he sounded pissed. He just loved to rub shoulders with the rich and famous. She took a bit of delight at the thought that he'd missed out.
"Did you want me for something?"
"Come backstage for a minute, will you? I need you here."
"Okay. Be there in a few seconds." She hung up and rushed to Sebastian, who was busy staring up at the lights.
"Sir?"
Sebastian turned to her. "Hmm?"
"I have to go backstage for a second. I'll be right back."
"Take your time," he replied, dismissing her.
Jane nodded and rushed away, her feet light.
Alone, Sebastian continued to look around him, though his mind was elsewhere.
Sakura! he thought.
Clung! And then blackness.
Sebastian blinked. What just happened? Why was the whole place suddenly flooded with darkness?
"Oi! What the hell is going on there?" he heard a man shout.
"Yeah, where's the light?" another yelled.
"Sorry!" A voice echoed through a speaker. "We're just testing the lights. Please be patient. It'll only take a moment."
The mumbling and grumbling continued from the staff. Sebastian shook his head. He had enough inspecting the stage and headed toward the door. Only he couldn't quite see properly in the darkness and smashed into a small, soft body.
"Huh!" the female made a sound, falling into his arms, her face hitting his hard, muscular chest. At the same time, his feet tripped on cords lying on the floor and he fell backward, taking the woman with him.
He hit his back on the floor, the woman sprawling on top of him.
God! She
felt so soft, warm, and just right in his arms. Her hair! Oh God, her hair smelled beautiful. It reminded him of spring, of Sakura.
"Shit!" he muttered under his breath.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered softly, her warm breath fanning his skin, causing his whole body to soar in pleasure. His heart suddenly thundered within his chest.
Sakura! Sakura! It has to be Sakura!
"I couldn't see." She chuckled apologetically.
Sakura! He wanted to scream out her name.
The woman began to move away, out of his arms.
No! No! No! He wouldn't let her go. He couldn't let her go.
He held on to her tight, his mind screaming her name over and over again. Sakura! Sakura! Sakura!
"My files!" She moved hastily away from him and out of his clutches. He sat up, his hands reaching out for her, searching for her. He heard shuffling and ruffling and the light came back on.
The room was flooded with bright light and it momentarily blinded Sebastian.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Sakura! Where are you? Please don't leave!
He blinked again and then adjusted his eyes to the brightness. He scanned around him, his heart still pounding heavily within his chest. Then he saw her rushing away toward the exit, her long blond hair flying behind her.
He frowned. She wasn't Sakura. She was the woman he'd seen earlier with Sosuke at the lift. What was wrong with him? He definitely needed to clear his head.
"Sir?" Jane called out.
Sebastian waved at her to leave him be. "We're done, Ms. Hamilton." Then he was out the door.
He took the lift and came to the top floor of the hotel where his parents' penthouse was located. In the spacious living area, he found Lady Haruka and his parents, James and Brenda Princeton, having morning tea together. They are getting along well, he thought with a smile, and he was pleased.
"Mom, Dad," he said the moment they looked up.
"Sebastian, darling," Brenda said. "Join us."
He came to sit on the sofa next to his parents and poured himself a cup of coffee. He took a sip and found it was flavorless. Instantly, for perhaps the millionth time, he missed Sakura's aromatic, flavorful coffee. His face darkened at the thought.
Brenda noticed and said, "So how's the stage inspection going?"
