Burning Passion

CHAPTER 106: SOMETHING THEY HOLD FROM EACH OTHER

* * *

Carefully, Theo covers Nikki's body with the quilt and a smile plant on his face. His heart filled with these unexplainable feelings, and it overwhelms him to imagine. Nikki is holding something and turning it into a part of her life. His very own heart.

All of his sketches is like his heart. He expresses his feelings through it.

One of Nikki's written in the sketch pad, she honestly shares how she always had a rough day after what happened to her in the past. But every time she sees those sketches, it was like a lifesaver, it brightens her day.

For Nikki, his sketches become a light. But nothing she knew. Dreaming of her was his very own lifesaver, giving him a reason to continue living in this world. He thought she was just an illusion created by his empty and lonely mind. But then fate leads him to her and discovers she is real. Now, meeting and getting to know her also leads to his past, in which he has been a coward to love someone.

Having Nikki in his life are things getting back into place, the pieces little by little put together, in which not only his life, his heart but also his soul.

Roland is right to his advice. How if Nikki could complete him?

And Nikki also teaches him to love and believe in it. He becomes braver to overcome his fear, and most of all, he discovers more things about himself that he actually has these capacities in the name of love.

However, first, he has to be honest with her, in which only to Lucy he did confess before, and Nikki deserves to know everything soon.

Regarding that, he cannot believe that he dares to face her mother that day…

* * *

Sunday morning, after he brought Nikki to the hospital when she lost consciousness during Michelle Lawrence's birthday party. After then, they have a misunderstanding as he forgets that he pretended to be a Mystery Guy Nikki has been meeting and sleeping with.

He loses control and kisses Nikki. Not only that, but he also touches her and begins undressing her, that's why Nikki got angry at him, and he understands that. She has every right to get mad at him.

Driving home, he headed to the penthouse instead of going home to the mansion. He doesn't want to look obvious that he's depressed. Roland will only tease him and nag him. He passed at the Emerald Apartment Building when an idea came to his mind.

Theo parked his car, and he found himself in front of Nikki's house, pressing the doorbell it was Jasmin opens the door. It surprised her, which she knew Nikki was in the hospital. Erika texted her about the situation, so this confused her why his boss was here.

"Master Shang, what brought you here?" Jasmin whispered while opening the door wide for him to enter the house.

"I want to speak with Aunt Lucy, is she awake now?"

"Yes, Master."

Theo strides to the living room where Lucy having hot milk. It surprised her to see him this early but did not ask a question.

"Good morning, Aunt Lucy."

"Good morning, Theo. What brings you here? Nikki wasn't home yet. Do you want to speak with her?"

"No. I am here to speak with you, ma'am." his expression comes to be serious, Theo kneels on the floor. "Please forgive me, Aunt Lucy!" he lowered his head while apologizing. He decided to confess and courted Nikki's mother before he will be honest to Nikki that he is the mystery man.

"What happened, Theo?"

"Before I confess everything, Aunt Lucy. I want you to know I love your daughter, and I want to marry her."

She may dream this day that someone would ask her daughter's hand for marriage. But it looks like there are more things that happen.

"All right, Theo. I'm all ears to listen to what you will confess. But can you stand up? You need not kneel on the floor."

"Let me remain to kneel, ma'am."

"Aunt Lucy!" Jasmin joined them, and she bowed too low in front of Lucy and Theo. "Please, forgive Master Shang. I believe he just did it because he truly loves your daughter!"

"Ahem!" Theo coughed and glanced at Jasmin.

She scratches her head and apologizes for intervening in the conversation. "I'm sorry, Master Shang."

"Okay. I guess we really have to talk, Theo," said Lucy. Then she turned to Jasmin. "Can you make our guest his breakfast, Jasmine?"

"All right, aunt Lucy," she bowed and gave them privacy. But Jasmine's ears were listening intently to the conversation while making some breakfast.

Now that they were alone, Lucy continued to convince Theo to get up and sits next to her.

"All right, Theo, I'm all ears."

Theo breathed deep and released them. He prepared himself for Lucy's anger later.

"Aunt Lucy, I came back to this country to meet your daughter for my project. But I cannot approach her to explain about the work I want to offer to her. And then, I fall in love with her. I have dreamed of her before, and it amazes me she is real. Until I learned about you and your condition, and I am willing to give my blood to help Nikki as I heard she is looking everywhere to find a donor."

"But then, my brother asked me for a favor. It's a crazy one. He cannot produce a child because of his condition. I am not unable to say no, even if I did not agree about his plans. To make the story short, he chose Nikki to become the surrogate mother." He paused and waited for Lucy's reaction.

"And the meaning of that is?"

"I tried to tell Nikki, but I was such a coward until my brother did on my behalf. Nikki is struggling to pay your bills and for your surgery. My brother offers her an agreement... in exchange for the help is for her to bear my child."

"Oh… my poor daughter." She felt pity for her daughter that she cannot make a remark to what she heard, but let her tears fall on her cheeks. She felt sorry for her daughter for shouldering such hardships because of her. Theo has not told everything yet, but she has this feeling. She listens further to weigh things after.

"I'm sorry, ma'am if it forces your daughter to sleep with me in accordance to get her pregnant. But I have no plan to abandon her nor give the child to my brother. Nikki and I will raise our child. I want to build a family with your daughter." Theo heaves a sigh of relief. Finally, he said it. It does surprise him he has the courage to say it.

Lucy was preparing to lecture this man, but his last sentence touches her heart. She could see that Theo is sincere to his words, and truly he loves her daughter. Then, how can she scold this man? Maybe give a chance to prove himself as worthy of her daughter.

"Those nights that Nikki was going out. Does that mean she is meeting with you?"

Theo nodded and kneeled once again. "My intention is true, and I know it is wrong, but I want you to know that Nikki is finally pregnant."

"Oh!" Hearing this, Lucy feels a warm emotion fill her chest. Does she become a granny?

"Nikki lost consciousness last night. Chris and Mae helped me bring her to the hospital and her lab test, saying she's pregnant. But, ma'am. Nikki doesn't know it's me."

Theo explains further, and he accepts when Lucy slaps him. He has been honest about how he put Nikki in a blindfold. But he did not share, of course, that making love with her in a secret identity thrills him and excites him. He doesn't want her to have a heart attack. Further conversation, Lucy is giving him a chance. It was Lucy who encouraged him to talk to Nikki when she visited the Lee Company the next day. But Min Xi ruins his plans by showing up in the parking lot, and he also learns that Nikki changes jobs, and she rejects his offer to work with him.

Now he needs to have the courage to confess his lies and pretends. He wants to propose to Nikki, but how if she will only get angry? Ah, he needs to take it carefully. The Shang celebration is just less than two months away.

Theo sat up from the cocktail table and headed to the kitchen to check the fridge. It was dinner soon. He wants to prepare something for Nikki. He knocks Lucy in her bedroom.

"Mama, I'm going out to buy some ingredients, I will come back quick."

Meanwhile, after Theo left to run to the Supermarket, Nikki opens her eyes and sits up. She feels when Theo covers her with the quilt. But she does not understand why he was showing he cares for her, although probably because she is now pregnant. But he only made her heart to assume this special treatment he is playing. When he planned to tell her the truth?

That night, she was sharing the table with Theo once again after he made them a delicious dinner. He prepared a European cuisine that she truly enjoyed. Pasta and pork steak with fruit and veggies salad on a big platter, Theo sets for her... he spoils her a lot.

With this, it will only make her confused and have doubts.

'What is your plan about us, Theo?' her silent sentiment.