Springtime - [Published ON AMAZON]

Episode One: The Package

CHAPTER 1

The wealthiest trillionaire in Asia, Daniel Sakamoto, founder and CEO of the luxury car brand and musical instruments called Sutāraito exported worldwide from Osaka, Japan, has left the world speechless and fascinated by their delicate craftsmanship.

His past lover, Tracy Bridges sent a letter regarding her only daughter, Rose, who's his biological daughter. She was raised and adopted by her best friend Matsu's grandfather, Naoto, who's a yakuza boss. Since she couldn't manage nor support her child because she was ill. Now, Rose was attending high school, a prestigious academy called Nobel Arts High. She worked in random jobs to help her cope with her mother's untimely death.

Tracy desired that he should take care of their daughter and restored the youthful teenage love or happiness and the father figure she never had in her life.

Daniel cried when he read the letter. He never knew she was diagnosed with leukemia and was pregnant with his child. He had married another woman for business terms to expand Sakamoto Group in the global tourism industry and food-chain supermarket franchise. His heart ached with regret for his beloved Tracy. Daniel granted her final request. He sent his head bodyguard, Ryu to deliver a special package to Rose's house.

Rose got home from school and took the small package (box) out of the mailbox. She realized it was addressed to her.

"It's for me?" She questioned. Observing the box, and shook it. 'It's not breakable or heavy much,' she thought.

Walking inside, she spotted her old man sitting in his usual chair drinking tea.

"I'm back, Grandpa!" she greeted Grandpa Naoto, who smiled.

"How was school, Rose-san?" He asked.

"Good! What about you?" She replied, grabbing a packet of chips from the pantry.

Grandpa Naoto answered, "My day was pleasant. What's that in your hand?"

He observed the box she held.

"It's a package for me from Daniel Sakamoto," she explained.

"Eh? Daniel?" Grandpa Naoto said surprisingly.

"Do you know him, Grandpa?" Rose asked.

Grandpa Naoto gulped and sighed, "He's your father, Rose."

Her eyes widened in shock.

"Father? He's my father?" She repeated shockingly.

Grandpa Naoto nodded, "Yes, your mother never mentioned him again after he married a rich widowed heiress with two sons. But she loved him dearly. Maybe, she contacted him before she died for your sake."

Rose frowned, "For my sake? Mom told me he died in a car accident."

Grandpa Naoto said, "She lied to you because she didn't want you to be hurt by his world."

Rose had heard of Daniel Sakamoto being the wealthiest man in Asia on Forbe's List. He always threw huge glamorous events to launch new products, birthdays, and anniversaries celebrations. She knew he had four sons. Two half-brothers, Tendo, nicknamed, Ten and Shinzo, who goes by Shin, attended a top prestigious academy called Clover Academy. While their adopted brothers, Haruto, known as Haru and Jinji, nicknamed, Jin by his recent wife, who was a widow before she married him, they also attended the top delinquent high school called Genji High in the nation. Rose was about to speak, but Grandpa Naoto spoke.

"Give him a chance, Rose. He's your father, after all."

She sighed, "I don't know, Grandpa."

"Try for your mother's sake and mine too," Grandpa Naoto said sadly. "Please, Rose," he pleaded.

Rose's frozen heart was warmed deeply, and she nodded, "I'll give it a shot, Grandpa."

Grandpa Naoto smiled, "I'm sure your mother is smiling from heaven right now."

"I miss her," Rose cried.

Grandpa Naoto hugged her, "Me too, kiddo, me too."

He patted her back gently as she wiped away her tears.

"I'm going to do my homework, Grandpa," Rose said and pulled away.

Grandpa Naoto answered, "Don't stay up too late."

Rose smiled, "I won't."

She left him and head into her bedroom. She unboxed the package and found a photo album and a letter from Daniel Sakamoto. Flipping through the photo book, she saw photos of her mother and Daniel in their youth to prime ages. They were so in love and goofy. She couldn't help herself but laugh at their hilarious faces.

"They looked so happy back then. If he didn't marry that woman we would have been a family. Still, you can't change history but accept it and look forward to the future," Rose told herself before she read his letter.

Dear Rose, my beloved daughter,

I've lived with regret every time I think of your mother, Tracy Bridges. She was the joy and light of my life in my darkest times. She was strong, courageous, and outspoken; also witty, whenever she got too drunk or addicted to sweets especially cakes.

When I met Tracy, she was in a band singing at a nightclub; it was one of her part-time jobs. Everyone loved her, her smile and her eyes were hypnotizing. It's sad to know she left us too soon. I did everything to find her. I wanted to apologize for hurting her. I never wanted to marry Megumi, but my father used me to strengthen our business ties to expand Sakamoto Group. In the end, feelings developed, and we had a son, your half-brother, Shinzo 'Shin.' Her two sons from her late husband, Haruto 'Haru' and Jinji 'Jin' are my adopted sons, your step-brothers.

Our relationship started to have problems; when I had an affair with my co-worker, who bared your second half-brother, Tendo 'Ten.' After realizing the pain, I've caused my wife and the loss of trust in my sons. I decided to change for the better, to be a great father, husband, and role model. I want to be a good father for you too, Rose. For all the years of your childhood, birthdays, and teenage crushes I've missed, I want to make up for it by granting your mother's last wish to take care of you as a father.

Please give me a chance to do so, Rose, my only daughter.

Yours sincerely,

Father, Daniel Sakamoto.

Rose cried from beginning to end of the letter, "How do I trust someone like this, Lord? He has never been there from the start, and now he wants to." She lay on her bed and muttered, "I don't know what to believe anymore. But for Mom's and Grandpa's sake, I'll try to cope with him to some extent. But I won't allow him to take control of my life."