"Miss Sato, may we take a quick break?"

I could have kissed the woman but I retained my calm, professional persona as I nodded.

"Of course. Shall we all take a fifteen minute break?" I suggested calmly.

The board members all nodded in agreement and I gathered up my folders calmly and walked out of the room with a smile. Once I turned the corner though, I dashed to a quiet corner and fumbled through my folders. Eagerly I pulled out my phone and turned it on but frowned when there were no new messages.

Last night I called Opal to tell her I made it and was disappointed when she hadn't answered, but it had been after one in the morning in her time zone so I assumed she fell asleep. I left a message for her to call me first thing this morning, but when I woke up there was still no call.

Tapping my phone against my chin lightly, I wondered why Opal hadn't called me. It was nearly three o'clock and she hadn't responded to any of my texts yet. 

Did she have some plans she didn't tell me about? But she always asks me for permission for everything she does, even when I told her she didn't have to. I thought as worry gnawed at me.

My phone dinged lightly as a notification from my mobile banking app flashed on my screen. Frowning heavily, I clicked on it to see that a wire transfer had just come in. Aaron had been sending me roughly $400 a month since Opal came to live with me, and honestly with him pulling his disappearing act on me I had expected not to receive it this month. Not that I actually used it anyways. I always just put it into a savings account for Opal to use in the future. My eyes went as wide as saucers though when I saw the amount that had just been deposited into my account.

$50,000?!?! Aaron, what on earth?!

Suddenly an incoming phone call from a blocked number came in. Normally I would have ignored a number I didn't recognize, but with what I had just seen I immediately swiped the button to accept the call.

"Who is this?" I snapped, in absolutely no mood to mess around right now.

"Your onii-san," Aaron's deep voice responded with obvious sarcasm. 

An unexplainable rage rushed through me and felt like it was causing my blood to actually boil.

"You better have an EXCELLENT reason for why you suddenly cut off communication with me," I said, my voice low and crackling with my barely suppressed rage. "And what the heck is the meaning of this ridiculous amount of money?"

"That's what my lawyer said should be an acceptable amount to pay for the girl's college tuition. But you can do whatever you want with it. If it never gets to her then all the better."

My mouth dropped open in shock as my brother's words filled with bitterness floated through my cellphone's speaker.

"Excuse me?" I gasped, not even able to process what had just happened.

"Look, Yuki. I called because I wanted to tell you to quit it. I have no interest in the girl and what she does with her pathetic excuse of a life." 

Aaron's words sliced like knives into my heart and I physically stumbled back, bumping into the wall and pressing my hand against it to anchor myself.

"What are you..." I started to gasp but Aaron cut me off.

"What you choose to do with her until she graduates is up to you, but if you insist on keeping in contact with her after that then this is where we'll have to say goodbye."

My world seemed to rock after Aaron's callous declaration. What brought this on? Is he saying that he wants me to abandon Opal? 

Fury rushed through me and the file folders dropped from under my arm as I stepped forward and imagined that my brother's proud frame was right in front of me.

"How DARE you say something like that! What kind of a father are you?" I yelled, not even caring if someone else heard me.

Ever since I had been reunited with my brother Akihito, who had changed his name to Aaron when he ran away, he never once apologized for leaving our family. But he had always been welcoming. He even mentioned that he was pleased with how well I turned out. I'd been proud of how he built such a wonderful life for himself with his stunning wife and their incredibly darling little girl. I thought I finally found the family that I had lost in the terrible car accident. But now...

"I never wanted to be a father to that mistake," Aaron said in a tone so dark I could hardly believe it was my brother. I nearly choked on the ball of raw emotion developing in my throat and I clenched my fist.

"What did you just call her?" I spat out, my voice coming out deep and quiet.

"Tch, you seriously haven't figured it out yet? That girl is a menace who isn't worth the air she breathes." 

Pure, unfiltered hatred surrounded the horrible words that I was hearing. I had never in my life wanted to bring physical harm to a human being more than at this moment.

"How DARE you say such things about your own daughter! Opal is the sweetest, most selfless young woman I have ever met in my life! Where do you get the gall to say such horrible things about her!" I yelled, feeling my entire body shivering from the rage building inside of me.

"You'll see," Aaron's dark voice said in almost a threatening tone. "Give it a bit more time and you'll see that she'll bring everything in your life crumbling down around you."

"You cowardly..." I was getting ready to let loose a curse I had not used since my youth but Aaron's voice cut me off.

"Yuki, I just called to tell you I'm done. I want nothing more to do with that mistake. Don't expect any more assistance from me. If you ever rid yourself of her feel free to stop by my school."

"I'm not finished...!" 

A loud *Click* sounded. I pulled my phone away from my ear and stared in shock and disgust at the "Call Ended" message showing that I had been speaking with the blocked number for less than five minutes.

"You irresponsible, manipulative, toxic lump of a brother! You're dead to me!" I yelled irrationally at the disconnected call and very nearly threw my phone on the ground. A tiny shred of reason held me back though since I still needed to contact Opal.

Opal! Has Aaron acted like this to her before? He called her a mistake and worthless and... he couldn't have said that to HER could he?!? My thoughts were spinning a million miles a minute when I was suddenly jerked out of them as a shaky voice sounded from behind me.

"M-m-m-miss Sato? Is everything alright?"

I looked up, surprised that my vision was slightly blurred, but I blinked a few times and the familiar form of my assistant, Jessica, came into focus. Her eyes were wide with both concern and embarrassment and I looked past her to see that several people were looking at me from around the corner of the next hall.

"No," I responded firmly as I focused on Jessica. 

Her eyes widened even further and she looked around, obviously flustered. I had NEVER lost my cool like this at work and I was sure she thought something must have possessed me to act so unprofessionally. Right now though, work was just about the least important thing in the world to me.

Coming to a split-second decision, I bent down and gathered my folders that held all of my notes for the presentation I was supposed to give today and then thrust them into Jessica's arms. She grabbed onto them with a look of utter bewilderment and I gripped my phone so hard in my palm that it actually hurt.

"A family emergency has come up and I will no longer be able to lead the meeting. Please continue it for me, Jessica. I'm counting on you," I said firmly before striding past her and towards the audience of businessmen that had gathered to peep on my heated conversation with that jerk who I used to call a brother.

"Wait! Miss Sato I don't think..." Jessica exclaimed with obvious fear in her voice. I turned and placed a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to meet my gaze.

"You have helped me every step of the way in preparing this presentation, Jessica. I wouldn't trust this with anyone else." 

Jessica's cheeks flushed slightly at my praise. I patted her shoulder once before again marching towards the gawkers who had expressions varying from awkward to outraged.

"Please forgive the interruption," I apologized formally. "I have just received some disturbing news and there is a family matter that requires my immediate attention. My assistant Jessica will continue the meeting in my place. If you have any questions that she is unable to answer I will respond as quickly as I can."

"This is highly irregular!" One of the board members said in a huff and I glared at him. With my high heels on I dwarfed the man and I watched as he physically flinched from the intensity of my glare.

"Regardless, that is the situation. I do apologize for the abruptness, but I will be taking my leave now." With that, I swept past them, returning only for my purse before walking as swiftly and safely as I could down to the parking lot.

Just as I was turning into the hotel parking lot my cell phone rang again. The rage I had felt since my conversation with Aaron boiled through me as I yanked the rental car into the valet section and turned the car off. Grabbing my phone, my rage instantly diffused as I saw the name on the Caller ID.

"Shin Woo?" I asked as I opened my car door and tossed my keys to a waiting valet. The young man caught the keys with a surprised expression and I fumbled in my wallet before pulling out a twenty and slapping it into his hand without a backwards glance.

"Hey, Yuki-chan. You sound stressed. Is everything okay?" he asked and I barely kept myself from grinding my teeth together.

"No, I am most definitely NOT okay," I growled fiercely as I raced through the lobby and towards an elevator that was blessedly empty.

"What happened?" The almost protective tone in Shin Woo's voice was so reassuring that I actually felt momentarily relieved. I quickly shook my head and focused on the most pressing issues at the moment.

"I'll tell you later. Were you calling to tell me about your lesson with Opal? I haven't heard from her since I left last night. Is she doing alright?" 

A strange pause followed my questions and I frowned, pulling the phone away from my ear for a moment to make sure I hadn't lost signal. The call was still going though so I pressed it back to my ear and tapped my foot as I waited for the elevator to take me to the fifth floor.

"Actually... I was calling because Opal-chan didn't show up to our lesson and I was wondering if you knew why..."

My entire body froze at this news. Instead of billowing rage, an icy terror began to fill me and several seconds went by before I could even remember to breathe.

"Yuki-chan? You still there?" Shin Woo asked with obvious concern in his voice. I took a shuddering breath and tried to focus my mind.

This can't be a coincidence... Opal was acting odd when she saw me off at the airport, but I thought she was just sad that I was leaving. Did Aaron say something to her? Why wouldn't she show up to her dance lesson?

"Yuki!" 

I jerked at Shin Woo's sudden yell, more surprised that he hadn't added the usual "chan" to the end of my name than I was that he yelled at me. I shook my head quickly and cleared my throat.

"I'm here," I said shakily. "She didn't call or message you or anything to tell you she wasn't coming?"

I could almost hear Shin Woo grimace before he let out a sigh. "No, I waited for almost an hour but she never showed up. I've called her three times but they went straight to voicemail. But I'm sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for why she didn't show up." Shin Woo's soothing tone did nothing to assuage my growing fear though.

The elevator finally opened onto my floor and I dashed out and made a beeline for my room. My fingers seemed to have gone numb from the state of shock that I was in, but I eventually got my keycard out of my purse and I shoved the door open violently.

"I know I'm probably overreacting and that you're busy Shin Woo, but would you please drive to our apartment and check on her?" 

I hated the warble of fear in my voice, but nothing about this series of events was in any way reassuring.

"I have a lesson I can't blow off in ten minutes, but I'll end it early and head over. I'm sure it's nothing, she probably just forgot," Shin Woo said lightly and I frowned heavily.

"Call me when you get there, okay?" I asked and he agreed immediately.

"It's going to be okay, Yuki-chan. You'll see," Shin Woo's ever-present optimism had me cracking a small smile but I didn't bother to reply as I hung up.

I packed my bags in a flurry of panic as Aaron's words replayed over and over in my head. Once my suitcase was packed, I zipped it up firmly and turned, leaving the room without a second glance. This time as I walked to the elevator I typed in the speed dial for Opal's phone. It rang and rang for what seemed like a millennia before it went to her voicemail.

"You've reached the voicemail of Opal Sato. I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the phone, but please leave me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. I hope you have a wonderful day!"

To my surprise, tears sprang to my eyes as I listened to Opal's happy voice. I could hardly even fathom how anyone could find anything negative to say about my darling niece and to suddenly have her own father call her life worthless?? It was inconceivable.

I checked out of the hotel as quickly as humanly possible before going to the valet parking and demanding my car. I didn't bother with leaving another tip, which normally would have made me feel guilty, but I was completely focused on making the 45 minute drive to the airport. I screeched into the return lane for my rental and barely kept myself from ripping the attendant's head off as he forced me to wait for his inspection of the vehicle before allowing me to go into the airport.

Just as I was walking toward the receptionist's desk my phone vibrated. I whipped it out, answering it immediately.

"Is she there?" I asked, not bothering with a greeting and there was silence for a second. "Shin Woo?"

"The door's locked and I've been knocking for almost ten minutes but she hasn't answered," Shin Woo admitted reluctantly and I felt like someone had just stabbed me. "Yuki-chan, calm down. I'm sure there's an explanation for this," he said soothingly.

"Calm down? I'm completely calm. Why wouldn't I be calm?" With effort I stopped my chattering and took a long breath, letting it out slowly,

"That's right, just breathe, Yuki-chan. Now, where would she have gone on a Saturday night?" Shin Woo asked and I searched my brain.

"She doesn't really go places... Umm, every once in a while she'll go to the school greenhouse and water the plants. Or go on a shopping trip with Alexy."

"That's a good start. I'll check those places and let you know as soon as I find her."

"I'm coming back," I said decisively, and Shin Woo sighed.

"Yuki-chan, you know how important this meeting is. If you flake out your boss could..."

"Let him fire me!" I yelled loudly and then closed my eyes tightly, getting my emotions under control. "I'm already at the airport, Shin Woo. If anything happens to her, I..." 

The fear that had been slowly building was turning into a torrential storm inside of me. I'd never felt so helpless in my life.

"Hey, don't worry so much. You know Opal-chan. One of her friends probably asked her for help and she forgot her phone," Shin Woo encouraged me but the terrible feeling in my stomach did not go away. "I'm going to check Alexy's house first. I'll call you if she isn't there or at the greenhouse."

"Shin-kun." I bit my lip as the nickname I hadn't used since I had graduated slipped out, but right now I didn't care about seeming mature.

"Yes, Yuki-chan?" he asked softly and I felt my eyes stinging like I was about to cry.

"Tell me she's okay," I breathed out shakily.

"Oh, please. Opal-chan is the toughest and smartest kid I know. No matter what, I know she's okay," Shin Woo said confidently and a small smile tugged at my lips.

"Thanks. I'm still going to come home; I have a really bad feeling."

"Do what you have to, Yuki-chan. I'm here for you." Shin Woo's supportive tone helped me relax and I let out a slightly self-deprecating chuckle.

"You're a great friend, Shin Woo. Thank you," I said sincerely, taking a deep breath and pushing my mess of emotions down deep to where I could keep them under control.

We said our goodbyes and I went over and spoke with someone to purchase tickets. I was not pleased to find out the first plane leaving for Sweet Amoris wasn't until nearly 8:00 pm, but I took the ticket, not even paying attention to the cost, and made my way to the check-in line.

When my phone began buzzing next I was trying to peruse the many different restaurants that were available within the airport, but nothing sounded appetizing. I gratefully accepted Shin Woo's call and turned away from the map I had been half-heartedly studying.

"Did you find her?" I asked immediately as I walked to the side of the hallway so I could have a semblance of privacy.

"Now don't panic..." Shin Woo started and I moaned. 

Where on earth could she have gone? And why is this all happening at the same time?

"Will you check the apartment again? I'm not going to be home until almost midnight," I said with a frustrated sigh.

"Of course I will. Don't you have a spare key to the apartment?" Shin Woo asked with a hopeful tone and I groaned.

"I gave it to Opal and forgot to make another one. Shin-kun, this is driving me crazy! I should never have left her," I said desperately, once again remembering the horrific conversation I had with Aaron.

His bitterness and resentment still made absolutely no sense to me and all I wanted was to have Opal by my side, wrap her in a huge hug, and assure her that I would never ever leave her... But not only was I away from home, but Opal had also apparently disappeared as well.

"Hey, don't beat yourself up, Yuki-chan. You can't blame yourself for this, especially since we still don't know the full story. Don't worry too much, okay?"

"How could I not be worried?" I muttered as I leaned against the wall and rubbed my pounding head.

"When we find her there is going to be a very good explanation, I'm sure," Shin Woo's soothing voice floated through the phone and my beating heart slowed slightly.

"Right. Of course, you're right," I said, more to myself than to Shin Woo.

"Hey, Yuki-chan."

"What?" I asked distractedly, my mind still trying to make sense of this situation I was in.

"You should keep calling me Shin-kun. I miss that nickname." 

I tried to chuckle but it came out more like a whimper. "I'll think about it," I said as I tried to make my voice light and worry-free. It didn't work though and I could hear Shin Woo sigh slightly on his end of the phone.

"I'll call you when I get back to your apartment," he said firmly and I glanced around at the large airport filled with people bustling off in one direction or the other.

"I'll be here," I responded dejectedly.

I continued to call Opal with no luck. After calling her ten times in a row I forced myself to go to a smoothie place and grab a green smoothie at random. My first sip made me grimace and I rolled my eyes at myself.

"Figures I'd pick something with beets in it," I muttered darkly to myself. I forced myself to finish the noxious concoction though as I waited for my flight.

Finally, my plane was announced and I spent the three and a half hour flight through a time zone staring out the window, trying to come up with a plausible reason for Opal to have vanished like this. I had to remind myself to remain calm as people shuffled at a snail's pace through the aisle towards the plane's exit once we touched down.

When I finally got off the plane and walked out of the gate my eyes immediately fell onto Shin Woo. His usually spiky hair was slightly flattened as if he had been running his fingers through it often, and he was still wearing the same workout clothes he did when he was at his studio. It hadn't really sunk in before then, but I realized now that he must have abandoned his studio to look for Opal. Emotion overtook me and I ran to him, burying my head into his neck. He held me gently, stroking my hair which had long since fallen out of the knot I tied it in that morning.

"Still no word?" I asked and he shook his head. "Did you have to cancel your lessons because of me?" I asked guiltily and he gave me a scandalized look.

"Since when have I ever done something I didn't want to do in the first place?" he asked teasingly and I cracked a smile.

We picked up my luggage and as we drove to my apartment I didn't comment on how fast he was driving. When we pulled into the parking lot Shin Woo glanced over at me.

"We can get your bags later," he commented as he popped his car door open. 

I shivered at the shockingly cold air that swirled into the car, but I was quick to follow his example. To my surprise, Shin Woo's large hand clasped mine as we walked. I looked down at his hand, only realizing now that I was trembling since his steady hand was holding onto me.

"She's fine," Shin Woo said firmly without looking down at me. He let my hand go when we got to the stairs so I could get up easier, and I was grateful that the stairs hadn't gotten icy so I could go up them without worrying about being in heels.

It was achingly cold, which served to hurry me even more, but as I stepped onto the second-floor balcony I paused in confusion. Someone bundled up in winter clothes was sitting outside of my apartment door with their back leaning against it. Anger sliced through me, making my spine straighten automatically and I began stalking straight towards the stranger, but then they lifted their eyes at my approach and I once again came to a confused halt.

"Nathaniel?" I asked, feeling my wariness immediately disappear and I let out a small sigh of relief as I felt Shin Woo's hand rest on my shoulder.

"Miss Sato!" Nathaniel said in a cry of relief before scrambling up. I saw him wincing as he pounded his legs, which I assumed must have fallen asleep.

"What are you doing here? Do you know where Opal is?" I asked, moving forward swiftly. 

I glanced at the windows, which were oddly covered by the curtains that I always left open. I felt a shuddering sigh of relief leave me when I saw light spilling out from the edges of the curtains though.

"I'm pretty sure she's inside, but she hasn't responded to me at all. Can you open the door?" Nathaniel asked and I frowned at the almost panicked concern in Nathaniel's voice.

"Of course, but why are you here?" I asked as I rummaged through my purse for my key.

I could see Nathaniel glancing over my shoulder at Shin Woo who had remained silent throughout our exchange and then hesitantly let out a breath. I blinked in surprise when he took a hesitant step closer and glanced around nervously before meeting my gaze.

"Miss Sato... I'm sorry for the question, but I have to know. Did Opal come to live with you because her father was abusive?"

Time seemed to stand still as my senses slowly began to dull until the only thing I could hear were my own inner thoughts. Scenes flashed through my mind of when I had gone to visit Opal over so many summers. The first time I ever met her I had gone to hug her and I remembered how stiff she had been as if she didn't know how to react. And then the bruises that I had noticed when we did fashion shows... I missed you so much, Auntie! Thank you for loving me, Auntie. I just fell down the stairs, Auntie. The words of a little girl; an innocent little girl. My mind flashed to when I took her to the hospital after she had fallen off the boulder and the list of injuries the doctor read off... injuries from karate. But Opal was never in any karate competitions...

That girl is a menace who isn't worth the air she breathes. Aaron's poisonous words from his call earlier in the day rang through my mind and I felt my heart breaking into a thousand pieces.

It can't be... he wouldn't have... He COULDN'T have...

"Opal," I breathed out, my vision suddenly returning to me in a rush as I looked past Nathaniel's expression of trepidation as he glanced between me and Shin Woo. I ignored them both though and dashed to the door, unlocking it and swinging it open forcefully.

Opal jumped in her spot on the couch where she had my laptop on her lap. Papers were strewn all around the living room floor and Opal looked up in obvious shock to meet my gaze. The earphones I had bought her as a gift a while back were firmly placed in her ears and even from my spot in the door I could hear the loud music thrumming from them, which must have been why she hadn't heard Shin Woo knocking when he came by earlier.

Confusion, guilt, and panic raced through Opal's expression and I could feel tears threatening to spill from my eyes. It's not true... It can't be true... I thought to myself as I stepped out of my shoes and ran towards my precious niece. 

She awkwardly set my laptop off to the side and stood up. I yelped when her knees buckled and she dropped to the ground, holding a hand to her head and letting out a hiss of pain.

"Opal! What's wrong?" I asked, dropping to my knees as well and lifting her head so I could look at her. 

Her face was even more pale than usual and I nearly flinched at the look of deep guilt in her expression. But she shook her head slowly and forced a smile.

"Just dizzy," she mumbled and I was surprised at how hoarse her voice sounded. Glancing once again around the living room at all of the papers scattered around, I frowned heavily when I saw lists of what looked like occupations and even apartments lying around.

What on earth... has she been working on a school project non-stop since I left or something? I wondered, but a sound from behind me pulled me from my thoughts.

Opal looked beyond my shoulder and her eyes widened before she quickly turned away, looking down at the ground and clenching her hands into fists. I looked over my shoulder to see Nathaniel, who was oddly still standing outside of the door even though Shin Woo had stepped in to observe quietly. Nathaniel's expression was filled with heartbreak as he gazed at Opal as if she were the only thing in the world he could see. I glanced back down at Opal, whose face was hidden, but I was shocked when I thought I saw a tear drip down her cheek and onto one of her discarded papers.

Did Opal come to live with you because her father was abusive? Nathaniel's sincere question echoed in my head and I desperately wanted to know what had happened between them for him to even ask such a thing. But right now Opal was my main concern and I glanced back at Shin Woo.

"I think Opal and I need some time alone," I said quietly while glancing between Shin Woo and Nathaniel, who still had not tried to step into the apartment.

"I'll wait in the car, okay?" Shin Woo said quietly.

Opal stiffened at Shin Woo's voice and she blinked up, looking behind me and meeting Shin Woo's gaze for the first time. Her eyes darted from Shin Woo to the clock on the stove and then over to the couch where I could see her phone lying face down. She let out something between a groan and whimper and she bowed her head.

"I'm sorry, Shin Woo. I forgot our lesson," she mumbled dejectedly and I frowned heavily.

She sounds just like after she injured her ankle on that hike. She had so many nightmares after that... could they have been...

I didn't have time to finish my train of thought before I felt Shin Woo kneel down next to me, placing a comforting hand on the small of my back and reaching forward to pat Opal's head. My concern deepened even more when Opal didn't even look up at Shin Woo's touch. We shared a small frown before he pulled back.

"Have a good talk with your aunt, okay, Opal-chan?" 

Her head gave an almost imperceptible nod and I could feel Shin Woo's muscles tense as his frown deepened. But he didn't say anything more, he just patted my shoulder encouragingly and walked out the door. I thought I heard him whisper something to Nathaniel as he closed the door, but once it was closed I turned my entire attention onto Opal.

Fear gripped me as I tried to sort through my muddled thoughts, but no matter what, I was going to get to the bottom of all of this.

A/N Seriously though, Auntie is probably my favorite character. I love how she reacted to her brother. Sorry, just a random thought :P