A Secret Proposal (Falling for Sakura 2)

Tristan threw his hands up in frustration. He turned to the eldest for support. "Nicolas, talk sense into your baby brother."

"I phoned and texted Sakura, but she wouldn't pick up or reply," Sebastian said. "That's why I'm even more worried."

Darcy turned his attention to the eldest brother. "Nicolas, why don't you give Sosuke a buzz and ask him how she is?"

"Good idea," Sebastian said.

"I'm on it." Nicolas picked up his cell and dialed Sosuke's number.

A few seconds later, Sosuke said, "Nicolas-kun? Ohayo."

"Ohayo, Sosuke," Nicolas replied. As usual, he got down to business. "Look, Sebastian noticed Sakura was acting a little strange yesterday. We were just wondering how she's doing."

"And let her talk on the phone," Conrad said loudly so Sosuke could hear.

Logan chuckled and Tristan shook his head at their

brother's eagerness.

"I'm sorry, Nicolas-kun, but Sakura isn't here right now."

Nicolas frowned and looked at Sebastian. "What do you mean she's not there?"

Darcy scowled and fisted his hands as his body tensed at Nicolas's words. Sebastian felt his heart pumping loud and fast, knowing something was totally wrong.

"She left a note saying she's going out for a personal errand. We also had a call from your father, Nicolas-kun."

"Dad?" Nicolas said. "What does he have to do with Sakura?"

"Dad?" Conrad whispered to Tristan, querying if the brother knew what was going on. Tristan shrugged in response.

"He told Oba-chan Sakura will be staying with him for a couple days."

"Really?" Nicolas said, cocking his head to one side.

The brothers could tell their eldest was thinking. Then he nudged his glasses up the bridge of his nose and they knew it was serious business.

"Tell us what Sosuke said, Nicolas," Conrad demanded.

"Shut up, Conrad," Tristan muttered. "He's still talking to Sosuke."

Conrad glared at his brother.

Finally, Nicolas put his cell phone down on the table and turned his attention to his brothers, who were waiting impatiently.

He said, "Sosuke said Sakura didn't come out for dinner yesterday. Then she disappeared last night and left them a note, telling them she was going to run some personal errand. This morning, Lady Haruka got a call from Dad. Sakura's with him."

Sebastian frowned. "Why is she with Dad?"

Nicolas shrugged. "I'm going to see Dad before work," he announced, getting up from his chair.

"Me, too," Logan said. "I want to make sure Sakura's all right."

One by one, the brothers left the table and headed out the door. Some twenty minutes later, they greeted their rather tired-looking father up at the penthouse above the hotel.

James chuckled the moment he saw his sons, all seven of them, at the door.

"Brenda," he called out. "We have visitors. It's our boys." He turned on his heel and headed back into the living area with his sons following close behind him.

A moment later, Brenda appeared. She happily went about kissing her children, one by one, tiptoeing so she could reach their massive height.

"Have you boys had breakfast?" she asked. "We're about to have ours."

"We had ours," Hayden said. "Mom, where's Sakura?"

Brenda turned and raised her brows at her husband. "Did you tell them?" At James's denial, she returned her attention to her sons. "I'm sorry, boys, you can't disturb her. She's still sleeping."

"Why didn't you tell us Sakura came to you?" Darcy asked James.

"I didn't see the point until I got my facts right," he said.

"What does that mean?" Sebastian asked. "Come on, Dad."

The phone rang just then, and James saw Erick's name flashing on the small screen. He picked up and said to his sons, "The facts," indicating the phone. "I need to get this." Then he walked off in deep, hushed conversation with whomever was on the other end of the line.

Brenda muttered, "Sit down." She pulled both Hayden's and Logan's hands and made them sit. The brothers obeyed their mother and made themselves comfortable on the sofas and chairs.

"Mom?" Conrad called out, drawing his mother's attention. "You have another spare room, right?"

Brenda nodded. "Yes?"

"Can I come stay for a few days?" He gave his mother a handsome smile, which was sure to please her.

Brenda laughed. "Of course, Conrad. I do miss having you around."

"Thanks, Mom." He jumped up and hugged her tight.

Tristan and Logan knew what the little brat was up to. He was claiming that spare room so he could stay here with Sakura. The selfish bastard.

"You wouldn't mind sharing a room with me, would you, Conrad?" Tristan asked, his brow raised at his younger brother.

Conrad said, "I would mind very much."

The room turned quiet for a moment as the brothers tried to make out what their Dad was saying into the phone. Of course, they couldn't understand anything because James was coming in and going out and about. There were only a few of the yeses and hums and ahhs, etc. audible. Nothing made sense, and to be sure, they were getting a little frustrated.

"You boys don't have work today?" Brenda asked after sipping her coffee. Of course, she knew they did, but she just wanted to tease.