SAKURA'S DNA

"So, what do you have for me?"

Alex glanced at the girl who was sitting on the black chair.

The hot-looking girl was wearing a red shirt with the first three buttons unbuttoned, revealing her cleavage as well as the black lace of her bra.

Her fair skin was practically glowing. Her pair of blue eyes were sparkling with intelligence. Her wavy blonde hair was shining.

She perked her red lips and said, "Alex, you won't believe what I just found out."

"You sound excited," Alex commented while leaning against the table.

Julie spun her chair before grabbing the table to stop. Then, her fingers fluently tapped the colorful keyboard.

On the big screens, a few files showed up.

"Excited? Not even close," she uttered. "Look Alex, I'm not a biology student. I'm a computer expert. But years of experience gained me enough knowledge about the human body. And this is the first time I've experienced something like this."

Alex watched as the files popped out one by one. "What are these files about?"

Julie said, "You wanted me to get the DNA of the owner of that hair. I got you the owners."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Owners? That was the hair of only one person."

Julie kept her eyes on the screen while speaking, "Sakura, isn't it the name of the girl you took? I tell you, she is a mystery. She isn't what she seems."

Alex inquired, "Did you check properly?"

Julie said, "Honey, you are upsetting me. When I tried to check her DNA, these profiles came up. Guess what, her one strand of hair had the DNA of thirty-six girls. And all of them are either dead or missing.

"Trust me, I didn't believe it at first either. I reloaded three times. I thought my precious system was hacked. But then, I let Julia (the AI) take the test. Guess what, we got the same result.

"So, I've gone through the details and noticed one particular thing. All these girls are around twenty-three and twenty years ago, they either died or disappeared. All thirty-six of them.

"All were Japanese girls. I investigated their families to see if I can find anything different but most of their families died that year too.

"It's surprising how thirty families were wiped out in the same year. As for the six families, they moved to other countries. I'm running a scan to find out where they are residing."

"As for the dead families, I'm looking for their relatives. I found most of them."

She told him whatever she found and then paused.

She glanced at him and added, "Listen, I hate to break it to you but one hair isn't enough in this scenario. Give me some blood samples and broken nails. I wish I could send her to the hospital and have a full check-up."

Alex interrupted her, "Not happening. She hates hospitals. She hates syringes. Even doctors couldn't take her blood samples. As for her broken nails, I can arrange that."

"What if you let me meet her and I secretly take her blood?" Julie winked at him.

Alex chuckled. "Unless you want to lose your hearing system, you are welcome to try."

"Is she that much of a barbarian?" Julie covered her mouth.

"Have you found out how the thirty families were gone?" Alex inquired.

Julie answered, "I did some research. Fire, car accidents, road accidents, illnesses and so on. One thing is certain, even the normal cause of death is abnormal. It only means one thing."

"This is all set up. All those families were killed," Alex finished her line. "Interesting. I almost want to know who is behind all these."

"Shall I investigate?" Julie looked at him.

"No, for now, find out Sakura's identity. Is she supposed to be one of those thirty-six girls?"

Alex's eyes scanned all the data in front of him.

Julie tapped the keyboard and a profile came forward.

She said, "I've already run the test and there is one girl. She died in a fire accident along with her family twenty years ago. She was three at that time. 20% of her DNA matches with Sakura's. The percentage is more than the other DNA. So, that's my best guess."

"Great. Send me her information."

"I've already emailed you her information."

Any boss would love a compatible worker. Alex was no different.

He told her, "Since you have information for me, I owe you dinner."

"French cuisine," Julie reminded him.

That's what Alex promised. He asked, "Are you free tonight?"

"Oui*."

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"Oh my! Who is this?" Julie looked at the pink-haired girl.

In the French restaurant, Alex brought along an escort.

Julie thought they were having a private dinner. She didn't expect a pink-haired girl to come along with him.

She was surprised and at the same time, a bit upset. But she got over it soon.

"Julie, meet Sakura. Sakura, this is Julie Malcolm. I hope you become good friends," Alex introduced the girls.

"Hello," Sakura cautiously bowed. Her glass blue eyes stared at the beautiful woman curiously.

Julie was wearing a red cocktail dress. Her red lips perked up.

"Hi there. So, you are the most famous person I've been hearing so much. How are you? Is Alex taking good care of you?"

Knowing fully well who she was, Julie pretended not to know her.

Julie's friendly tone eased Sakura's worry. "I'm okay… Alex is good to me."

"'Just' good to you? Girl, if he ever makes you upset, just come to me, all right? I'll deal with him for you." Julie winked at her.

Sakura stared at her in wonder.

'Why did she blink with one eye?' she pondered.

At Julie's question, she replied, "Alex won't make me upset."

Upon hearing her words Alex smirked while choosing a meal for Sakura from the menu.

Julie raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you defending him way too much? Don't trust men so easily, girl. You will drown in sorrow. Mark my words."

Sakura responded, "Alex isn't a man. Alex is Alex."

"Pfft!" Julie almost choked drinking water.

Alex closed the menu and glanced at Sakura. "Sakura, I'm also a man."

"How can you be both?"

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*Oui – a French word. It means "yes".