Burning Passion

CHAPTER 117: MAMA

* * *

Theo was waiting for the information when his phone rang. The caller is less likely to call him lately.

"Hello, Nina? Did something happen?" his question instantly. He wonders if it is about his father.

"Hi, Theo! Nah, I just wanted to ask if you and Jeremy are together. I cannot reach him."

"Ah, we just end talking over the phone. He is talking with Chairman Crow." his reply to Nina.

"Oh, I see. No wonder I cannot get through. I just wanted to check you guys. Everything is fine here, nothing to worry about us. Anyway, is everything okay with the Crow Corporation?"

"Our collaboration is fine. We have a few things to take care of with the chairman's cooperation outside the business."

"Okay. Is there anything I could help you out, guys?" asked Nina.

Hearing Nina's offer. Still, it surprised him. But this must be the typical Nina. Theo thanked her. "Thank you. Everything is fine. We worked on something about the incident ten years ago."

"Oh, you guys continue the investigation about it?" asked Nina.

"Yes. We will cooperate with the Chairman. There is a big case he is pursuing now, and it seems it connects Uncle Garry to someone."

"What do you mean by that, Theo?"

"I am still uncertain. But Uncle Garry set out to meet this person. Now we want to know if it involves these two in a crime."

"What are you guys planning?" There are uncertainties in Nina's tone.

"Jeremy hasn't told me the details, but I am having an idea of what is planning."

"Okay. You guys made me nervous. Be careful. I will tell your father about this news."

"All right. It's better than it."

"Well, you guys have something important to do. I won't take your time then. But don't you guys forget to share time to time about the progress, okay?"

"Sure. I'll mention it to Jeremy."

"Hm. Thanks, Theo."

"Wait… um, there is something I want to ask Nina. I mean, I plan to call you for this matter."

"Go ahead, Theo. What is it?"

"Did you recognize Nikki when I gave you the presentation and then the video samples of our last selection of the model?"

"Oh. Well, at first, I did not. But as time passed by, I asked Ruben to give me the data about the model, I recalled something, yes."

"She is the girl back then, is it?"

"I realized later, yes. It was her ten years ago."

"I heard you donated a huge amount to the Foundation run by the Lawrence family on behalf of Nikki?"

"Let us put, that was true. But the Lawrence's refuse the money. They told me they would take care after Nikki and treat her well. It's not because of my donation, but it was their Mission. Besides, Nikki is a close friend to their family. They told me they would look after her without the donation. Later years, your father received a word from Attorney Andrew Lawrence about Nikki putting on in a Scholarship Program under the Shang Holdings Incorporated. It was just a purely random selection. He has no idea it was her."

"Is this true?" It astounded him hearing this from Nina. All these years? Nikki has a connection to their family. He was searching for her like forever. But she was here all along, and his faults, not finding her immediately. He has been hard-headed. Keep saying he won't come back to this country, particularly in this city. "But why is she not working in our company? Is it our scholars' priority to get a job in our company after they graduated?" he asked afterward.

"Yes, Theo. But her course is not fit in our Shang Branch in mainland City."

"Oh. She took Hotel Management. I forgot that. I became excited about something."

Nina tried to suppress her laughs, not to reach Theo's ear. "I'm sorry. I meant nothing. It's just, you surely know this already, right?"

"Yeah," he chuckles, which made him smile. He didn't notice. Talking to Nina is actually this comfortable. Why is he putting air in the past? Or because his empty memory causes it all and gives him a foul mood? It must be. Now that his past is getting clear. He is also getting to know the better of the people surrounds him.

"Anyway, I heard they offered Nikki a job in China with our major restaurant branches. But she refused, as she can't leave her mother since her father died."

"The people who did are also the same people who almost killed me, and Jeremy."

"Oh, is that true? Poor girl. Does she know about it already?"

"Yes. We just learned it today. However, all Nikki knows is her father was murder, but still, she doesn't know we met before."

"Oh. Hmm, so are you planning to tell her the truth?"

"Yes. But I messed up with a few things, so I am having difficulties confessing to Nikki."

"I see…" Nina sounded teasing.

Theo blushes, even if Nina wasn't in front of him. He cannot explain this warmth inside his chest. It must be about a feeling when you were sharing with your mother that you finally have a crush. Does he always wonder what his life would be if his mother stayed alive?

But everything is in the past now. He is determined to face the future and left everything behind. However, some people need to pay first. Or else they will keep holding up the way of his happiness. He must clear out the path, so then, there is no more fear of living inside his heart.

"Theo, I better hang up now so you guys can work to your plans."

"Mama, wait!"

"Ma— mama?"

His ears caught Nina's voice when it cracked. "I— I think I have been in the limbo for so long. I don't know what life I had before I lost those memories. But maybe they were gone for good to start anew. So, I realized, I have been calling someone else mothers, but I have forgotten someone who deserves it as well."

"I— I'm speechless. I think Nina is fine all this time…" She's biting her lower lip not to stutter her words from the emotion flooding her chest. "But wait, are you saying now that you are calling someone's mother— is this mean, you and Nikki? Is it?"

Hm, it looks like her sons are keeping secrets. It intrigues her, but she understands above all people. Theo is still engaged with Min Xi. How about if—? Is this the reason he purchased a mansion? Something playing in her mind. But if Theo didn't want to share it yet, maybe it was better to avoid unnecessary events like what happened in the past.

'I am right. You are like your father, Theo. But the difference is? You are working hard to be with this person. Being selfish is not so bad if it means to protect the person so dear to you.' Nina thought with a smile on her lips. She blushed when she noticed that Harry was staring at her.

Yes. She was at his office to discuss the upcoming Shang 100th Year Celebration. Her phone was also on loudspeaker so that Harry could hear what she was discussing with Theo. But then she did not expect that Theo would suddenly change the topic, and Harry even heard when Theo called her mama. Stupid, Theo. She cursed him in secret. But he sounded in love… this must-have changed him greatly.

"Oh, I have to hang up now. The data I am waiting for is here. I need to discuss a few things with Jeremy."

"Sure. Let us know if there is something we can help you guys."

"Certainly. Thank you, um, Mama. Goodbye," said Theo. It seems it will take a while before he will completely use calling Nina this way.

"Goodbye, Theo."