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 relaxed. Her body was tense all over, and she knew it was because of the stress from the past months. Of course, it had all started that day she had once again met the Princeton brothers in the hotel during Mr. Tachibana’s Spring-Summer Collection fashion show. Needless to say, her life since then had been nothing but drama.
She turned over onto her back and lay there staring up at the ceiling. Toby chose that moment to climb onto her tummy and make himself comfortable. Sakura began stroking him as she said, “I see we have a spy?”
Ned laughed. “As if,” he said sourly. “If there’s a spy, she’s a very unreliable one. Reporting back to headquarters is disgustingly sporadic.”
Sakura had to laugh.
“So anyway, many things have happened, Ned.”
“You and the brothers?”
Sakura nodded as she said, “Yes, me and the brothers. And you could never believe this, Ned.”
“Try me.”
“It’s about my biological mother,” Sakura began excitedly.
“From that voice of yours, it’s good news?”
Sakura laughed. “You know me too well, Ned dear.”
“I didn’t spend that much time with you for nothing, darling Sakura.”
Sakura laughed. Gosh, every time she was with Ned, he always made her feel happy and warm. He made her feel she was a part of his family, even though she wasn’t. That was Ned all right, and she loved him to bits.
“You see, Ned dear,” she began. “I think my prayer has finally come true.”
“Jesus, woman,” Ned muttered. Then he laughed. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? Just tell me already.”
Sakura laughed. “I kind of am. But anyway, Lady Haruka is my biological mother.”
A long pause followed that statement, which worried Sakura. She frowned and sat up, sliding Toby off her tummy and down to her lap.
She queried, “Ned? Is everything all right?”
A chuckle. The kind that was hesitant, which Sakura knew was very unlike Ned. It was as if something had struck him by surprise.
A moment later, he said calmly, “Nothing. Lady Haruka, huh?”
“Yes, Haruka Suzuki,” Sakura said.
“Haruka is a very common Japanese name?” he asked.
Sakura cocked her head to one side. It was very odd indeed for Ned to suddenly ask her that type of question. It was even odder his tone had changed to one that was sad when he had said the name Haruka. It was as though this particular name caused him pain in a certain way.
“Yes, I suppose it is.” Then more certain, she said, “Yes, it is. Actually, Ms. Ruka, the Japanese stylist who works for Mr. Tachibana, is also named Haruka. She just likes everyone to call her Ms. Ruka.”
“Hmm,” came the reply. Sakura still noted the sadness radiating from Ned’s voice. It was so unlike him.
“I just can’t believe I’ve finally found my biological mother, Ned. It’s just unbelievable.”
He chuckled. “I’m glad, Sakura.”
“Me, too,” Sakura replied. “So, when are you coming over to meet her?” she teased.
A long pause. Again, very unlike Ned.
“Don’t be silly, you darling,” he said. “I have too much work to do here in LA.”
“I see.” She was a little disappointed.
“And didn’t you forget to tell me something else, too?”
Sakura cocked her head to one side. “What’s that?”
She heard him sigh with frustration, to which she laughed.
“Hawaii!”
“Ah!” She chuckled. “That. Sorry. Yes, I’m off to Hawaii with everyone tomorrow. The flight will leave at six in the morning. It’s an eleven-hour flight. Gosh, I don’t even know how I’m going to handle it.”
“You’re always horrible with flights. But that can’t be helped in this case. Although, I’m sure you’ll be all right, since James and Brenda will be there with you. And don’t you dare neglect to look after yourself, like you usually do,” he demanded firmly.
Sakura wasn’t offended. In fact, she liked that he fussed over her.
“I don’t think I have ever neglected to look after myself.” She laughed.
“Beth told me the family is heading over to St. Thomas Island for a little vacation after this so-called photo shoot is done.”
Sakura nodded. “It was Daddy James’s idea. I heard it’s near Hawaii. I’ve never been there before. Is it very similar to St. Joseph Island?”
“Yes,” Ned said. “The Princetons own islands all over the place. Nobody can ever keep count. St. Thomas is pretty secluded. It’s only for private guests. It’s a nice place. Have fun, won’t you? It’s about time you get a holiday from work.”
Sakura nodded in agreement. “Yes.”
“Is the gallery business going okay?” he asked suddenly.
“Yes, Melissa quit and Megan is back,” she said cheerfully.
“Good,” Ned said. “Megan is a good worker. I trust her.”
Sakura nodded. She knew Ned, too, didn’t trust Melissa. Thank God the woman resigned.
She asked, “So, when will you be back? To New York, I mean.”
“In a couple of weeks,” he said. “Or months. Depending on how things go here.”
“All right,” Sakura replied. “Can’t wait for you to meet my mother, though.”
Once again a long pause. Finally, he said sarcastically, “Can hardly wait.” At that, Sakura laughed because his tone made it sound like a chore. He continued. “If the mother is anything like her daughter, it’ll be a headache.”
Again, Sakura laughed. “Ned, how rude. My mother is a very elegant lady.”
“Elegant lady, my ass,” he said. “Now, you darling, I have work to do. Stop bothering me with nuisance phone calls.”
Once again, Sakura laughed. “Don’t blame me if you fall head over heels in love with her when you see her.”
A sour voice came through. “Very unlikely.”
Sakura smiled. “All right. I got it,” she said. “Talk later.”
“I expect regular updates and details,” he demanded.
“Bye, Ned dear,” she said and then hung up.
She sighed and turned her attention to Toby as she stroked him. Suddenly, a thought struck her. “Shit! I didn’t tell him about Mrs. Byrd…or rather, Mrs. Clark now.”
But then again, she didn’t want to worry him. He was already too busy with his business over in Los Angeles to be bothered about her welfare. In fact, she had troubled him enough, ever since she had been a little girl.
The thought of Mrs. Clark once again made her feel sick. How she wished with all her heart the woman wouldn’t do anything stupid, such as come out and hurt her once again. Even so, this time, Sakura wasn’t just going to let her have her way. On top of that, now she had Daddy James, Sebastian, Darcy, and everyone else behind her. So there was nothing to worry about.
She smiled. The thought of them worrying about her and working hard to protect her made Sakura’s heart glow with happiness. She felt blessed to have them come into her life.
The thought of the Princeton brothers, however, made her remember Darcy. She really must have a talk with him, at least to clarify her own suspicions that something was up between them.
She was just thinking about how to approach Darcy when her door opened and Akira stood there.
“Have you packed yet, Sakura-chan?” the beauty asked. “I’m here to help.”
Sakura cocked her head to one side and chuckled. “I have. How about you?”
“All sorted,” Akira replied. She came in and lay on Sakura’s bed. The hard work of packing must have really exhausted her.
“I’m spent,” she muttered. Then she spread her arms out and smiled. “I can’t wait to get this photo shoot over and done with. I just want to go to St. Thomas Island and really have a holiday.”
“When did you last have one?” Sakura couldn’t help asking. “A holiday.”
Akira turned over and rested her head on her arms.
“Hmm… Holiday, eh? Despite what Sosuke said, that I always think about holiday, it’s not really like that. I only mention it so Oba-chan and Sosuke can ease their workload a little and enjoy themselves.”
“What do you mean?” Sakura was interested.
Akira sat up and pulled her legs against her chest. She wrapped her arms about herself and smiled sadly.
“Ever since the accident…when our father and uncle passed away, all Sosuke and Oba-chan ever do is work. They have never allowed themselves to let go, you know. The company became their responsibility, and they worked really hard to make it stay prosperous so the competition couldn’t beat them. I think, at times, the only thing that kept Oba-chan happy was the thought of finding you.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know about that,” Sakura said.
“That’s why this vacation would be really good for them,” Akira said. “And I can’t wait.”
Sakura laughed. “Me, too.”