Bad luck came in threes, and Sakura knew it had hit her after she’d found her painting missing the next morning. As if the episode with the Princeton brothers the previous day wasn’t bad enough, now her beloved painting was gone.

Body trembling and heart beating way too fast, she frantically searched about the gallery. When she couldn’t find it anywhere there, she headed up to the attic and combed through every corner of the dark room.

“It was there yesterday,” she said to Ned in the kitchen a few hours later. “I left it in the gallery Friday night before heading to bed.”

“Are you sure you haven’t put it somewhere else?” Ned asked curiously.

He wondered if her encounter with the brothers had led to stress and thus her short-term memory loss. She’d probably get worse, he thought, if she found out as well that Beth contacted me only this morning about a possible afternoon tea meeting with her and the Princeton brothers.

Oddly enough, Ned wanted to laugh at the whole situation. They were fast, these brothers, where Sakura was concerned. Oh, he’d have tea with them all right, but not until next Sunday, a week away. Plenty of time for him to think over whether to tell the brothers about Sakura’s whereabouts or not. Although he had no power as to whether she’d want to see them. That was up to her, and Ned couldn’t push that. The brothers would have to convince her themselves, of course. 

Ned returned his attention to Sakura, who was shaking her head, adamant she wouldn’t have misplaced such a beloved thing.

“Very sure,” she said. “I left it right there in the gallery. I guess I totally forgot about it the next morning, and then things happened.” She sighed and tried very hard not to make a scene out of nothing. Surely, it had to be in the gallery somewhere. “What about you? Did you see it yesterday morning when you came in?”

Ned put down his cup of coffee and thought for a moment. “Now that you mentioned it,” he murmured. “It’s the cherry blossom on St. Joseph Island? The one you started a year ago before…”

Sakura nodded.

“No, I don’t remember. I thought you were just going to let it sit rotting in the attic.”

“I changed my mind,” Sakura said quietly. “I have to find it. It just doesn’t sit well with me if I can’t.” She sighed deeply and was about to go off to search again when Jane came in through the back door. It was a Sunday, and the gallery wasn’t open. It was Jane’s habit to come to see Sakura on a Sunday morning to gossip about this and that, and she’d always let herself in via the back door. Today, however, was especially important for Jane because she was eager to learn what the heck went on yesterday.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Sakura said, almost with relief. “Did you happen to see a painting in the gallery yesterday when you came in? It was sitting on the floor near the counter.”

Jane cocked her head to one side, and then said, “Oh yeah. That one. I’ve seen it. It’s of a cherry blossom in the woods, right?”

Sakura nodded furiously, hopeful.

“Yes. It’s a masterpiece, Sakura. What happened? Why do you look so worried?”

Sakura clamped her lips. “It’s gone.”

“Gone? What do you mean gone?”

“I don’t know. It just kind of disappeared today. I was going to put it into a frame, and—” She broke off.

Jane saw the distraught look on Sakura’s face and knew that piece of art was very dear to her. She rushed to place her bag on the table and took Sakura into her arms.

“Don’t worry. I’ll help you look. If we can’t find it, we’ll ask Melissa when she comes in on Monday. I’m very sure it’s in the gallery somewhere. Now, however, my dear friend, you have to tell me everything, and I mean everything that went on yesterday. Including your relationship to the Princeton brothers.”

Ned saw Sakura pale at the prospect, cleared his throat, and said, “I’ll take Toby out for a walk. A very long walk. You girls have a nice talk.”

Sakura looked over at Ned and said, “Thanks.”

Ned waved his hand and headed out of the kitchen, whistling.

Sakura took Jane up to her bedroom. The two girls made themselves comfortable on the sofa near the window as Sakura began her tale. As she talked, a cool breeze whistled into the room, stirring the long curtains and fluttering them about. Sakura felt tears stinging her eyes as she recited the last part of her story, of when she’d heartlessly left her beloved family behind, her beloved men Sebastian and Darcy Princeton.

It had all been for a good cause though, she reminded herself. She hadn’t wanted to hurt any of them in any way, and she thought leaving them had been the best option. Now, however, she wondered if she’d been wrong in that regard. Perhaps leaving them hadn’t been the best option after all. Perhaps she should have stayed and faced the consequences. But then again, she’d have to decide, wouldn’t she, between Sebastian and Darcy? And she wasn’t ready for that yet.

Jane was sobbing noisily and sniffing by the time Sakura finished.

“I’m so sorry.” She chuckled, tears flowing down her red cheeks. “But, oh my God! Your story is just so sad.” She grabbed another Kleenex and wiped her red eyes. “Come here.” She laughed and grabbed Sakura in her arms. “I knew there was something about you that just didn’t fit. You’re so beautiful and elegant and kind. I know lots of girls are jealous of you because you’re so pretty. But your story just…” She couldn’t finish.

“Now you understand, Jane? Why I don’t want to go back to them? I was hoping they’d forget about me and move on, but after yesterday…”

Jane laughed and wiped her eyes again. “Yeah, dear, after what I saw yesterday, I don’t think they’ve moved on. They made a big fuss out of the whole thing. Have you any idea how hard it was for the staff last night?”

“I’m so sorry,” Sakura said. “Now I don’t even know what to do with them. I mean, do I go back and face them or do I just keep going on hiding from them? They’ve seen me. They know I live here in New York.”

“What does your heart tell you?” Jane suddenly asked.

Sakura blinked and shook her head. “I don’t know, Jane. I just don’t know. A part of me want to go back. I’ve missed them so much. Daddy James and Mom Brenda. And the brothers. But then a part of me also didn’t want to return because of what happened last year. Because of Alaina and Tara.”

“To be honest, Sakura, I’d hate to be in your position. But you have just got to move on. I mean, who gives a shit about Alaina and Tara? Pardon my German.”

Sakura laughed. “Thanks, Jane. But walking the talk is a bit harder than talking the talk. Anyways, now that you’re here, I need a favor from you.”

“What?”

Sakura licked her lips and said, “The necklace and the gown.”

Jane shot her brows up in shock and then looked heavenward. “Shit! I totally forgot about that. Of course, the necklace and the gown.”

“The thing is, Jane…” Sakura said hesitantly. “The thing is, I’ve ripped the gown. It’s kind of ruined.”

“What?” Jane shrieked. “The gown is damaged?”

Sakura nodded. “It happened when I ran… I don’t know what to do, Jane. I have to return these items, but how much do you think it’ll cost to fix the gown?”

“Let me look at it first,” Jane said.

A few moments later, Jane was staring at the ripped piece and finally sighed in surrender. “I’m sorry, Sakura. It’s a one-of-a-kind gown. Only Mr. Tachibana knows how to fix it. It’s so delicate and intricate.”

Sakura fell back onto her seat. Her heart sank at the thought. After all the drama she’d gone through in her life, she knew on this occasion it wasn’t going to be as easy as finding someone who was good with thread and needle to fix the thing.

“Well, there’s only one thing I can do. Return it as it is to Mr. Tachibana and face his wrath.” She shivered at the thought and began to imagine all sorts of nasty things he’d say to her the moment he found out what she’d done to his beloved gown.

“I’m afraid so, Sakura.”

Sakura sat up and reluctantly asked, “Then would you mind taking me to see him?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Thanks.” She threw herself back on the sofa and eyed the crystal chandelier as the prism of light played about the room. “What about the necklace?”

“It belongs to Lady Suzuki. You’ll need an appointment to see her. I heard she hardly sees anyone. She’s very private, if you know what I mean.”

“Do you think you could perhaps make me an appointment to see her?”

“Sure, I’ll see what I can do,” Jane said. “Don’t worry, Sakura. Everything is going to be all right.”

Sakura sat up and nodded. “I hope so. I’m in such a pickle, aren’t I?”

“Yes, you are.” Jane couldn’t help herself and chuckled.

Sakura got up and headed to the door. “Now then, let’s search for my missing painting.”

“Of course,” Jane said, following her friend.

* * * * *