Burning Passion

CHAPTER 110: OPENING THE PAST

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Chapter Proofer/Edited by DJM

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Nikki waited for the Chairman's reaction. Although she said those words to prevent them from asking more questions.

She has to rely on herself, and she must avoid getting close to any man, especially with Theo… even if he acts extra thoughtful lately and shows he cares about her, the real reason is the child she bore for him. Theo is engaged to a beautiful woman who is not only a supermodel but also has the same status as he does in High Society.

And compared to her? She is just a nobody who struggled to live her life. If it weren't for the GENETIC thing that Theo was looking for incompatibility; he would not be interested in her. She was very grateful for how her mother had lived by Theo's help. She could see how happy her mother was now from those lonely years since her father died.

If Theo chooses to be the mysterious man until she gives birth, and then she raises her child alone, maybe he should tell her the truth. In that way, she has nothing to expect, and she knows it's better to expect nothing, that will only break her heart.

She doesn't want to be a mistress. But being the mother of his child brings happiness to her, and she will raise his child with all of her love. Though she doesn't know how to tell her mother she is pregnant. She can not come up with another lie about who the father is and how it happened. Her mother is still in the stage of recovery. What if it will only cause problems? Her mama still has treatments and Theo has to donate his blood.

Once more...

She wishes to be held by him once again.

'Ah, what are you thinking, Nikki Lindsey? This is not the proper time to think about it.' she scolded herself, blushing a little from her crazy thoughts. But she's thinking about Theo all the time. She cannot help herself as it has become a habit she cannot get out of her system.

She loves him. But someone else owns him already and her role in his life is only to become a surrogate mother. Min Xi is a successful model. Her ongoing career doesn't allow pregnancy… and Theo loves her so much, that's the reason he would rather than have a child from another rather than putting Min Xi's career to an end.

Thinking about it tugged her heart. Ah, am I becoming sensitive? Is this related to her pregnancy?

It must be. It isn't good for the baby if she always thinks of negative things or worries a lot. The child inside her should only feel love and happiness. The right thing for her to do is to not dwell on her heartaches.

"Nikki? Are you all right?" Attorney Kier asked her.

She didn't notice, and a few tears dropped from her eyes. Nikki smiled, wiping the tears on her cheeks, and said, "I am fine, brother Kier. I'm just grateful that my father has wonderful friends that are willing to help his family even after he's gone."

"We will always help you, just tell us what's going on and what you need, Nikki. I heard that the Shang's are also helping..." said Shun, but paused a moment.

Matt Lawrence who was listening pretends to cough. "Ahem! Why has Theo not arrived yet?" Matt talks to himself, looking at his wristwatch. "Should I phone him, brother Shun?"

"Isn't he having a meeting with his staff from Switzerland?" Kier retorted. He heard it from Anna during a family dinner last night at the Lawrence Mansion. Anna made the clothes for the models to shoot a short film commercial that will be released soon.

"But Theo said he rescheduled his meeting," said Matt.

Shun glanced at his phone and replied immediately to the text with a smile on his face. "Hmm. I don't have a meeting for the rest of the morning. Rudolf took care of it... but I might drop by the school later," he murmurs while tapping on his phone. "All right. Maybe you can ask him, Matt, if he wants to reschedule our meeting instead?"

"Okay, let me call Theo." Matt dialed his phone, but Theo wasn't answering.

Nikki quietly listens and observes these three men. She wonders what Theo and the Chairman will discuss. Although Shang and the Williams-Crow have a big partnership in researching advanced medication; it intrigues her. How long can she and Theo hide their agreement from the people around them? What if they were to find out? What if the media found out about this? It would be a huge issue for Min Xi to deal with. The media were always very curious about every celebrity's private life. The more gossip, the more they are hype to make up stories.

"All right, Nikki!"

The chairman's attention returned to her. She waited to see if the chairman had more questions. It played in her mind that maybe Miss Blaire had already told him and that he will ask her about the pregnancy. She promised Miss Riley and Miss Blaire that she would talk to Madam Kaye Lawrence. She totally forgot about that.

"Nikki, the next subject I would like to discuss with you is very sensitive. So, I want you to stay calm and stay strong. No matter what, we are here and want to help you." Shun began. His gaze and voice are tender.

It made her chest-thump loudly. What now? This, is it? Is the chairman going to fire her?

Nikki feels like she's about to cry even before she hears anything. She clasps her palms in her lap. The chairman was speaking as if he had needed to comfort her before dropping the bomb in front of her…

If she lost her job now, she could picture a scenario ending up with her playing as Theo's mistress. He once offered and then opposed for her to accept the job offered to her at this hotel. He would provide everything, giving her an allowance twice of what she received from working in this hotel, but she rejected his offer. She doesn't want to become a mistress even if she loves him and even if she desires to be with him. It wasn't right. She doesn't want to ruin their relationship.

"Nikki?"

"I'm all right, brother Shun. Go ahead." Nikki tried to speak casually and forced a smile.

"Okay. In these passing years, I have continued to run an investigation into the situation three years ago involving Kier's wife. You heard about it back in The Voice Foundation sessions, am I right? About Jean's case?" Shun added. He waited for Nikki to nod and he went on. "The International Trafficking cases are only half complete because we lack evidence against the actual Head Boss of the illegal activities in that Island Resort. Now after a long three years, there are minor cases that involve that organization."

Nikki curled her forehead. She wonders why the Chairman brought up something unrelated to her job. "What about it, brother Shun?"

"Um, maybe we should wait, Theo. What do you think, brother Shun?" Matt suggested.

"What does Theo have to do about it?" Nikki asked curiously.

"Ah, it turns out. The organization we are investigating involves him and you," Matt replied.

"What do you mean by that brother Matt?" Her heart is having mixed emotions about these issues. It made her uncomfortable.

"Nikki, some evidence points to the death of your father, Uncle Seth." Shun resumed explaining.

"What are you talking about, brother Shun?" It confused her as she cannot connect the puzzles.

"Uncle Seth's death relates to what happened to you ten years ago." Matt continued.

"I— I don't understand. What are you guys talking about now?" Her gaze shifted to each of them. Nikki stared at the documents Attorney Kier places in front of her. She realizes the documents he is reading are evidence.

"Nikki, your father wanted to bring your case back to the Court. That's the reason he traveled to Hanford that day," Kier told Nikki.

"Why did he have to do that? It was a long time ago. He should have just dropped it!" Tears stream down her face. She could understand what happened next.. Someone killed her father.