Burning Passion

CHAPTER 155: NO HUG FOR HIM? 

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Now securing the fishing vessel and apprehended Brandon and his men, the forces of the International Law, along with the United Nations, advancing to take charge in the said vessel. They interrogate all the workers who just threatened to remain silent, or else they will throw in the ocean as a corpse.

Nikki stands on the upper deck of the ship to breathe fresh air. She looked up at the night skyline and appreciated the beautiful moon shining brightly on her 25th birthday.

She must be delighted and thankful. But her heart was heavy, and her mind was all over in the place.

Gladly, the motion in her stomach cleared out. And she's not dizzying a lot anymore. Though her headache caused her pregnancy; added to the tension she gets through just a while back. Recalling about it, she's dazed again. So she needs to calm down and think of the life growing inside her body. 

How happy she was that nothing happens to her pregnancy. It worries her that Brandon would learn about it. How if no one rescued her? What will happen to her? Ah, she should stop thinking and bury everything that happens tonight.

Nikki's eyes stayed close; gripping on the railings, her position made her imagines Rose and Jack doing that famous pose on a ship. In which she could feel Theo's presence a few meters away. He remains silent, but she could feel the same burning stares and fiery presence he's putting on every time they were meeting to make love.

'What now? Does Theo remain his secret identity to me?' Biting her lower lip, Nikki sighed hopelessly.

She ponders whether Theo would tell her the truth, or he will keep it forever? Pretend how nice he is to her. In this way, he could watch his child in secret.

Ah! She's now losing her head. But she can't help it. She doesn't want to assume the things were not apparent to her at all. What was Theo's other reason, and why does he help to rescue her? Which is he could just wait for the news after the International Law or whoever is coming to apprehend Brandon Hale.

Truly, it made her glad to see him appear at the door. She feels great to see how he cares about the child she bore for coming this far to save her... Yes, that was the reason entirely. It is not because he likes her… it is only because of their child. She wishes hopelessly.

Nikki keeps playing these reasons inside her head. It seems she was being defensive to her feelings not to get hurt. It is her entire reason.

Well, she's happy that he cared enough for the child. That is all that matters to her.

Nikki was contemplating when Matt approached her.

"How are you, Nikki?" he asked.

She turned around, and her eyes caught Theo's gape at her. It was tender. And so it confused her if what is Theo's true feelings.

'Why does he display this kind of emotion?'

It wondered her, at the same, it only bewildered her already confused heart.

She averted her gaze and focused on what Matt asked her. But facing Matt, her tears wanted to rush down her cheeks. She perfectly remembers what Theo told him. She did not hear everything they talked about, but the part of what she listens, it breaks her heart.

Nikki struggled not to act indifferently toward the guy, which also came to rescue her. She tore a smile and replied, "I'm fine, brother Matt. Nothing to worry about me. Thank you." 

Matt smiled. He opens his arms to give Nikki a brotherly embrace. "I'm glad to hear, Nikki. We all worried sick!" he muttered and patted Nikki's back.

Surprised, Nikki becomes speechless. She did not expect that Matt would hug her suddenly. Her gaze meets Theo's eyes. The lighting of this fishing vessel is bright enough for her to understand that jealousy in Theo's glare.

'What was that about?' Nikki asked herself. 'Why would he be jealous of Matt hugged her?'

Later, she recalled. She hugged Daichi and then David after they successfully capture Brandon Hale. But she did not even thank Theo as she quickly ran outside to breathe fresh air.

Is he jealous that among the men, she didn't give him a thank-you hug? Is that his issue?

Nikki was still in the middle of her thoughts when Matt parted from her and petted her head.

"We're preparing to head back," Matt informed Nikki. "We checked the entire fishing vessel. We choose the nicest room you rest in. We ask a worker to clean it first. You need to be comfortable as you are—"

'Oh, shit!' He must not mention Nikki's pregnancy. They should pretend they didn't know yet until Theo confesses the truth to her, and that guy is still silent in the corner. 'What was he thinking?' Matt shook his head and muttered, 'How slow. Is he a noob?'

Damn. Looks like he needs to kick Theo in the butt. 

"Brother Matt? What are you saying?" Nikki was waiting for him to continue, but the guy smirked while glaring at Theo.

"Ah! What I am saying, you take a rest now. I'll talk to Major Miles on the radio. So, Theo will escort you." 

Nikki nodded, but she responded nothing. Matt notices her silence but does not ask. He presumes that Nikki was still in a panic.

He left Nikki, but Matt stopped to talk with Theo before he would leave them alone to have a private talk. 

He throws his knuckle at Theo's right shoulder and says, "Hey! It's the perfect time to talk to Nikki." 

Theo heaves a long sigh and mutters, "I know." To be honest, he was jealous when Matt suddenly hugged Nikki, which he wasn't able to do.

Of course, he should not suddenly grab Nikki and lock her inside his arms. He might not let go of her, once that happens.

Meanwhile, Matt is grinning at Theo. He feels to tease the guy. "Are you nervous?"

"Cut it out! Stop bullying me!"

Matt laughs and smacks his back. "Escort Nikki to her room. Take it as an opportunity for you to reveal yourself," he advised Theo.

The guy nodded and said to Matt. "Thanks. Can I ask a favor?"

Matt listens closely to Theo's requests. He tore a big smile on his mouth afterward. "I'm on it!"

Theo and Matt threw knuckles at each other before the guy leaves. Witnessing the scene, Nikki frowned. 

How come that Matt tolerates Theo's lies? She cannot believe it.

Brother Matt already knows that Theo is only using her for his gain. But to what she could see, Matt doesn't mind about it. She thought he cares for her like a sister. It saddened and disappointed her.

Men truly are men. 

For them, women are just a toy. At the very least, they know nothing to care about a woman's sentiments but ignore them.

Nikki wipes the few tears rolling down to her cheeks. She now wants to take a rest and clear out her mind. Although, she wants to hear of Theo, who truly saves her in the past. As for what happens tonight, she's exhausted to even care further about her heartbreak.

Somehow still a mystery to her… Does she know Theo in the past? Why does Brandon Hale mention a few times that Theo is her boyfriend? Why does her mother didn't know about it?

Is it a secret relationship?

Ugh. She's too curious. But she can't ask Theo either, because he has the worst case than her. Theo loses all of his memories, which she only has collective memories she cannot remember. 

'Ah!' Now her mind was all over the place. No one could really tell her about the past?

Or maybe she should be happy she forgot it? Maybe she will just bury them and focus on the present. Theo forgets about it too… maybe for the best. Right now, he is using her to be free from his arranged marriage. It means there's nothing to be excited about learning that they already met in the past. Now she's feeling depressed.

"Nik?" 

"Gosh!" Her body shudders as her soul jumps on the ocean. It startled her when Theo spoke behind suddenly.

"Oh. I'm sorry. I called you three times already, but you didn't hear me." 

Ah. Theo's voice is gentle and apologetic. Now what? Her heart swayed with his gentleman approach. No. He scared her just now. Ahh… he is too close now!

'Oh, dear. Remain your sane Nikki Lindsey. Don't lose your mind.' Nikki cheered herself. Her senses could smell Theo's body scent. 'Damn it.'

She forgets it has a big effect on her. What should she do now? Ah, she at least thanked him for saving her. But she can't hug him! That was very dangerous as her body reacted differently because of her pregnancy.

Nikki heaves a sigh, gathering her strength… no, she's trying not to breathe Theo's scent. Biting her lower lip, she asked Theo. "Did you asked something?"

"I said, I will escort you to your room." 

"Oh, okay. Yes, I'm tired." 

Nikki did not wait for Theo to lead her but walk ahead not to get caught by his scent. 'What is she? Wold? A vampire? No! It's not a fantasy! It's a straight romance.' She's losing her head.

"This way, Nik…"

Theo holds her arm to lead her the right way. She quickly snatches her arm as she sensed that electrifying sensation crawling toward her heart.

Theo heaves a sad sigh.

'Is Nikki angry at me?'