Burning Passion

CHAPTER 173: PROTECTING HIS FAMILY 

"It's my work hard that I deserve that seat, father." 

* * *

"Mama!" Nikki runs toward her mother, she hugged her tight.

"Nikki! You are finally here! I mean, welcome home. It's your house, of course!" Lucy chuckled as she sounded like saying it in a humorous tone, but Nikki cried instead. "Your house has been waiting for you to arrive," she added.

"Mama..." Nikki outburst on her mother's shoulder.

"Hm? What's the matter? Shouldn't you smile when you are home now?" asked Lucy who she pats her daughter's back.

"Ma, my house is your house. And yes, this is our home."

"Oh, Nikki. I am so happy for you," Lucy parted from her daughter. She held Nikki in the face. "I'm so happy God listens to my prayers that you will find a man who will love you so much," said Lucy.

Nikki replied she is looking at Theo. "And God hears my prayer to find a man who will love my family."

Theo strode closer. He opened his two arms to embrace them.

"I'm blessed to find your daughter, Mama," Theo said to Lucy.

The other people in the kitchen couldn't help to get emotional from this scene. Maria and Jasmine wipe the tears in their eyes.

It was Lucy who announced. "All right. It's time to celebrate! Come on to the pool area!"

Nikki walked with her mother hand in hand toward the pool area, and it surprised her to see more guests tonight.

"Hello, Nikki!"

"Brother Daichi!" She runs toward Daichi as he brought his three years old son and one-year-old daughter. Nikki hugs them. They were so cute, and beautiful she couldn't help to pinch their cheeks. Chelsea was also there playing with them. 

"You are babysitter today, huh?" she teases Daichi who only laughs. 

"It will make us two, soon after you give birth. I will always hang out with Theo to babysit." 

"I'll look forward to that day!" Theo concurred. 

Nikki could see the excitement of Theo's eyes, gleaming from the idea.

She left them to greet Matt and Mark whom he is with his girlfriend, Lena. Of course, Chris and Mae, who grilled pork meat that made her mouth water from hunger. Erika, who organized the table setting with the help of Margaret and Jeremy, who is talking with Rubin and Roland with some business matters as they were seriously nodding at their master.

Theo told her that the others would come over after their business meetings. She expects it was brother Kier, David, and their wives. Probably brother Rudolf will come over too. Ah, she was very excited! Now she can invite everyone. Because most of the time, they hold most of the occasions at the diner as their apartment is a small space for many people.

"Thank you for inviting everyone." She told Theo.

"We haven't celebrated your birthday with everyone, so this is a perfect time."

"Hm? So did you plan this already, huh?"

"When we are on the island, Mama Lucy has been helping with preparing the house. And tonight is the perfect time for a warm house welcome with our friends," replied Theo.

"Hm... I love that everyone was here, so then I could thank them. Thank you, my dear hubby."

"No. Thank you. I'm happy that I can do something like this, Nik. I have been alone for so long. Celebrating life with everyone is such a blessing for a second life."

"Our second life."

"Yes, Nik... This is our life."

Later, everyone arrives already, including the couple Karl and Michelle, who bring sweets for dessert, which Nikki quickly has a taste of.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

SHANG EMPIRE, Zen City

Nina is in a meeting with Harry in his office. They were discussing the upcoming event when Harry's assistant slams the door open without knocking. He didn't explain but bowed at the person who entered the office in haste.

Nina quickly sat up and bowed at her parents-in-law. However, her father-in-law quickly yelled the moment he sat in the chair behind the Chairman's office table.

"What a joke is this, Harry!"

"What are you talking about, father?"

"It's your son!"

"I have two sons." Harry calmly replied to his father, who sat on his chair behind his office table.

"You bastard son!" the old Shang yelled once more.

"He is simply, is my son. The blood running in his veins is also yours," Harry firmly corrected and reminded his father.

The old Shang scoffs. He went on. "He is truly the rebellious one among your sons! You did not discipline him!"

"What are you trying to imply, father?"

His father gestures at his assistant to come closer to hand him the phone. He took the gadget and threw it on the table.

"What is this?" he pointed at the picture on the screen as he went on. "Your son will marry the granddaughter of the Hong family! Not someone like her!"

"Someone won't help to boost our name?" Harry taunted her father.

"Enough! Do you still hate me when I force you to marry Nina instead of your girlfriend?"

"That was ages ago, father. Why bring it up now?"

"I want your son to come back here and marry his fiancée!"

"Father, everything you think that might work out will not always happen."

"Why are you quoting me that? Are you going to spoil your son and allow him to marry that woman?"

"Why are you stressing your frustration in my family, father?" Harry raises a question as he cannot take his domineering father.

"What?"

"Why haven't you turned your attention to your other children?"

"Harry Shang!"

"Why don't you fix your other son's problem in Las Vegas? His casino is going to bankruptcy soon. Garry is in prison because he attempts to kill my sons. Are all my sacrifices still not enough for you!?"

"How dare you raise your voice on me!"

"Can't you see? My sons are doing everything to settle the problem caused by Garry in our Mainland branch office! Because of the scandal, our business partners would like to back out in our projects. Without my son's work hard, we already lose them! But most of all, they have great ties with the new Chairman of the Crow Corporation. Our business is doing well without an arranged marriage to a family whose honor has already rotten a long time ago!"

"I promised Hong to unite our family!"

"It was your promise, not my sons."

"Harry!"

"Leave my family alone. The Shang Empire is better without you ordering me around what to do and not."

"How dare you talk to me like that!? I'm the one who put you in this seat!"

"And I was the one who put Shang to the peak of its success that you never reach. Without me, you wouldn't enjoy so much recognition and influence in the business world today. Yes, you put me in that seat. But don't forget that I boosted your name for decades. It's my work hard that I deserve that seat, father." 

The old Shang narrowed his gape toward his son.. He clenches his fists, astounded as to how Harry disobeyed him.