"Master Satoshi, why aren't you out there joining Ms. Aveyard and her family in cricket?"

Satoshi hummed softly before placing his newspaper flat on the coffee table. He averted his eyes at his fiancé, Serena Aveyard, and her family, who were all cheerfully playing that pathetic and boring game of cricket.

He was sitting, alone in the backyard lounge area. Serena and her family were out, having fun playing cricket with all of the land space Satoshi's estate had. His backyard lounge area was connected to the sliding doors of his grand victorian style estate. It was quite the impression for a brilliant and young Master, like Satoshi, to be the owner of such estate.

"You very much know Alexander just how much I despise that game," Satoshi replied by casting a look at his butler. "I do sir but you have to understand they are your future family. You are expected to wed Ms. Aveyard in two months." Alexander retorted.

Satoshi looked down at his newspaper and sighed sadly. He felt his butler pat him softly as he added, "I know it's hard for you sir to warm up to others. Especially after that tragic incident but at least put in your part into getting to know your fiancé." Satoshi nodded softly before he smiled at Alexander, "Thank you, Alex." "My pleasure Master."

Just as Alex was walking away Serena came running towards Satoshi. She shot him a sweet smile before serving herself a cold glass of water from the glass pitcher on the coffee table. "Darling how come you didn't play with us?" Serena asked, taking a seat beside her fiancé. Satoshi cast her a small smile, "I'm sorry dear." Serena pouted before saying, "That's quite alright dear. Perhaps another time." "Yes, perhaps another time," Satoshi said.

Mr. Aveyard, who was covered in sweat, walked towards them with a big grin. Mrs. Aveyard at his side with her bun all messed up. "Son, why didn't you play with us?" Mr. Aveyard asked, taking a seat in front of Satoshi and Serena. "Another time," Satoshi answered, trying to change the topic.

"Oh, what were you reading dear?" Mrs. Aveyard asked, eyeing the newspaper Satoshi had set on the coffee table. "Oh just rubbish politic stuff. No big deal." "Oi why check this out, mate!" Mr. Aveyard announced as he grabbed the newspaper. "What Papa?" Serena asked with her big curious eyes.

"The World's Fair is in New York this year!" Mr. Aveyard exclaimed happily. "Oh!" Mrs. Aveyard and Serena exclaimed happily. "Tickets are on sale now! Oh, we should all go. It would do us wonder to just spend a holiday in New York!" Mr. Aveyard cheerfully suggested. "Oh, that's brilliant Papa!" Serena squealed as she clapped softly. "You're so aced dear!" Mrs. Aveyard added kissing her husband's cheek.

"Blimey, all the way to New York?" Satoshi blurted out before casting Serena a worried look. "Scared of flying Satoshi?" Mr. Aveyard joked before Serena cast him a mean look. Satoshi shook his head before he dismissed himself softly, "I am so sorry Mr. and Mrs. Aveyard but I think I'm going to head to bed early today." "Oh, dear don't take it personally. Henry just teases too much." Satoshi gave Mrs. Aveyard a small smile before saying, "It's not that Mrs. Aveyard. I just don't feel well. Good day."

With that Satoshi kisses Serena by her hand and walks inside his home. As Satoshi silently walked inside the doors he heard Serena hissing at her father, "Why would you say that?!" "I'm sorry! It's just that I thought-" "Well, you thought wrong! Don't you know what happened to him?" "But that was years ago his fear should have-"

Satoshi shut the door. He did not want to remember what had occurred years ago.

____________________________________

New York, New York 1964

Satoshi tiredly walked around the fair, observing the booths and the crowd in front of him. He couldn't recall if the plane trip from London to New York was seven or eight hours. What he did know was that he could not get a minute of sleep. He could not understand how Serena slept like a rock during the entire trip. Maybe it had to do with the fact that flying was not something Satoshi enjoyed personally.

Satoshi yawned before getting roughly yanked by the arm by Serena. "Darling look! Isn't that just fascinating?!" Satoshi could nod tiredly. He and Serena separated from her parents upon arriving at the fair. Satoshi  just wanted to go back to their hotel room and sleep. His loyal friend, Alexander, stayed in London, refusing to come as he wanted Satoshi to spend quality time with his future family in-law. Satoshi hated him for that. Serena walked with Satoshi into a booth with art portraits.

"What is this booth about?" Serena asked, as she admired the paintings. "The development of art in all of Europe and how photography changed art." Satoshi replied, reading the sign in front of the exhibition.

"Oh who's that?" Serena exclaimed, letting go of her grip on Satoshi's shoulder and running up to a painting of a young man. Satoshi, deciding to give the exhibition a try, started walking around observing the paintings displayed in the booth. After examining a section of paintings Satoshi made his way towards the oil on canvas part of the exhibition. His eyes then fixed themselves on an oil painting of a young woman in a tutu dancing. The woman was facing backyards, so only her back and her red hair were painted. To his surprise, Satoshi realized there were other paintings of the same woman on the wall. "By Joves, just how many paintings does this lady have?" Satoshi whispered, slightly annoyed.

Satoshi then came across a brief bibliography section of her in front of the paintings.

Lady Kasumi Grayson Waterflower of France/ France's Lost Unroyal Princess

The last of the Grayson daughters. Lady Kasumi was the daughter of William Grayson and Odine Grayson. She learned french at primary school and began piano lessons at age four. At the age of ten, Lady Kasumi's grandfather paid for her education at a strict convent boarding school in Biarritz, run by nuns, where Lady Grayson developed a taste for classical music, art, Latin, and watercolour painting.

"I had to do school work and then travel across the city for piano lessons, and then more school work. I remember my sisters playing outside or enjoying tea parties while I would be inside playing and learning the piano." - Lady Kasumi

Upon returning back to her homeland at the age of sixteen years old Lady Kasumi began helping out at the local orphanages and raising charity events. Her family's business was expanding rapidly across the globe. In September 13, 1989, during the opening night of the theathritical theater of the Opera House, at the age of twenty-five, Lady Kasumi had revealed herself as the secret ballerina of the school and was awarded Prima Ballerina. However that same night Lady Kasumi faced a horrible tragedy. She disappeared from the face of the Earth and what was left of her was just a bloody scarf. To this day her body hasn't been found. Her sad fate is still regarded as one of France's famous unsolved cases and saddest tragedies. Her legacy will always live on.

Satoshi could only widen his eyes. That's it? That's all the information they had about this young woman who had dozens of paintings hanging around?

"I know that look young man."

Satoshi flickered his eyes at the voice. There, stood a man with a huge smile on his face.

"Uh..." Satoshi could only reply. "The name's Howard. I'm the owner of this exhibition."

"Satoshi." Satoshi replied quietly. The man didn't seem to be paying any attention to him as he continued, now staring at the portrait, "Ah yes, Lady Kasumi was a fine jewel. Everytime a man comes in here, they can't help but be in awe of her. She was like a goddess, both inside and out. Shame she had to disappear like that. It just didn't seem like something she would do."

"Tt" Satoshu replied. Howard widened his eyes, "Don't tell me you don't know who Lady Grayson is!"

"What? Satoshi!" Serena exclaimed, suddenly appearing by his side. "What? I'm British for goodness sake. I don't recall ever hearing her name." Satoshi defended himself.

"It's a shame she isn't known internationally. However she is still remembered in France." Howard replied, shaking his head in despond.

"She was very beautiful..." Serena added, staring at the portrait of the woman. The woman had her hair up in a ponytail and had her eyes looking up at the corner. Like if she was gazing up at something or if she was off in daydream land.

"Not a lot is known of Lady Kasumi. Her family had a private life." Howard continued, staring at the portrait.

"She was a ballerina! One of France's loved ones!" Serena said sadly. "Shame on what happened to her."

"Yes. She helped the majority of France's orphanages and low income communities. She was loved by all." Howard said dejectedly.

"What really happened to her?" Satoshi asked, turning to see the lady's portrait.

"No one knows Satoshi. She just vanished." Serena answered, placing her hands on his shoulder.

"But no one ever disappears like that." Satoshi said, not accepting the fact.

"Even if she were alive, she would be long gone by now. This was over seventy years ago dear!" Serena said giggling.

"Aw mate. It's alright if you developed a slight liking to her. Every man who sees her portrait takes an immediate liking to her." Howard laughed.

"Do you have any photographs of her? Didn't the rise of photography start during this time?" asked Serena.

"Yes and no ma'am. She disappeared just before the rise of photography so no one ever caught a picture of her. Just paintings."

Satoshi only squinted his eyes at the portrait, how odd.

"Come along now dear." said Serena, as she pulled Satoshi and waved farewell to Howard.

"Yes, goodbye..." Satoshi muttered as his gaze was still on the portrait.

Something just did not feel right. Something did not make sense. There were so many blank holes and nothing added up. She had a good life, a good career, why would she disappear?

Satoshi only teared his eyes away from the portrait when the exhibition door closed. 

Separating him and the lady in the portrait.

____________________________________

Author's Note:

This is my first major complex plot story so updating will be for the most part a mystery. I intent on giving more story options due to the crisis everyone is in thus why I am posting the first for this story already. Do not worry for those who are reading My Best Friend's Wedding, another chapter will be posted soon. Take care!

WARNING: This story does have some gruesome and mature theme and elements. PLEASE read at your own risk. (meaning you kiddos)
P.S. no sex/sexual scenes whatsoever just very dark and mature elements