Burning Passion

CHAPTER 182: HAVING DINNER TOGETHER

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Nina was just able to breathe after she was alone. Her eyes wandered around the kitchen. It was complete with cooking pots and stuffed with everything Harry needed to make himself a meal. Everyone surely doesn't know that the Chairman of an empire is making his meals and alone in his proud building.

She bet Harry missed Kristina all the time, the reason he keeps himself alone in this penthouse.

Nina expects that she could find Kristina's picture everywhere in his penthouse. But there's almost none. Except for his sons' photos.

At least, even Harry didn't show much of how he cared for his children. She saw Harry did many things for his sons.

Harry stepped out of the elevator, he walked toward his chair and took a seat. He clasped both of his palms on the table and rested his head on them.

He has no documents to review at the moment. He already finished signing all the papers that needed immediate attention. But his assistant called him and reported that Nina remains in her office, alone, and her driver is stuck in the traffic.

Instantly, he visits Nina's office to see if she was alright. Then, out of the blue, he invited her to his office. Not only that but also to his penthouse.

Well, he made an excuse that he has important documents to attend, and he left her alone. It was because he knew Nina would be uncomfortable with him.

He and Nina, we're a couple, but it's not a marriage where two people are in love.

It was more of a friendly marriage with benefits for both of them. It becomes a convenient marriage where both showed respect for each other.

Harry sat up in his chair. He strides toward the console table in the left corner of his office and pours a rum on the glass.

After almost an hour, he receives a text from Nina, notifying him she will send the food after it is done.

Meanwhile, Nina was almost done cooking. She already sent a message to Harry that she will bring him food. But after ten minutes she sent that message. Harry appeared in the door.

"Are you done with your work?" Nina asked Harry.

"Ah. I haven't, yet." Harry lied. He went on, "I came so that you need not come down to bring food. I can have dinner here."

"Oh! I'm sorry. Of course! What am I thinking? It was your house." Nina laughed awkwardly. Well, she said that to think Harry was busy with his work, but he cared enough to leave his office just to fetch her and offered his penthouse to take shelter in this stormy night.

The food is at least her gratitude for Harry showing kindness toward her.

"Nina…" Harry has something to say, but he forgets what it is. "Never mind."

"Um, then I will set the table since the soup is done," said Nina. 

Harry nodded and took a dining chair to sit on it. Nina set the utensils and placed the food she cooked. She made soup and a garlic fried chicken. It surprised him that Nina also makes garlic fried rice and an egg on it. It was his favorite.

And he knew that Nina was good at preparing meals. But because he stayed in the company most of the time. Only a few times he sits on the same table with his family. Excepts during a gathering with the clan that happens every Saturday.

He and Nina sometimes have to attend dinners with the invitations of their business partners. But as sharing a meal with family regularly? He couldn't recall how often he sits on the table with Nina and his sons.

Harry heaves sighed. Nina observes him with what he will comment about the food. She was nervous when Harry was sighing like that.

Nibbling her mouth, she gathers the courage to ask Harry. "Is the soup salty? Or the rice didn't cook enough?"

"Hm? Oh, no. It was all good," Harry replied.

"Oh. I'm glad. It worries me if it does not turn out good. I haven't cooked anymore for a long time now."

"It was good. Don't worry too much."

"Okay." Nina smiled timidly.

Somehow, she felt comfortable conversing with Harry, which he is calm at the moment and giving her a friendly treatment.

They finished having dinner, and it went smoothly. They've discussed a few matters and ideas regarding organizing the Shang grand celebration over dinner.

Nina is washing the dishes. She glances at Harry, who was seated on a single couch in the living room. It looks like he has no plan to go back to his office.

Since Harry stayed, Nina makes tea for them. She joined him in the living room and served tea.

"Thank you," said Harry. Gradually, he drew the cup to his mouth.

Later, he told Nina that the storm will severely damage many establishments and trees possible to fall over. So it was advised to stay indoors and avoid traveling until it passes Zen City.

"It seems like you should tell your driver to go home," Harry suggested, which made Nina dumbfounded.

"How am I going to go home?" Hysterical, she grew troubled. There's no way she will stay in the penthouse, alone with Harry.

Harry explained to Nina. "Even if your driver reaches the office. It will be hard to drive back to the mansion. I asked my assistant how the situation was on the road. He said it was bad. So he advises not to force going home tonight, even tomorrow."

"Oh. Then I will find the closest hotel to stay until the storm disappears."

Harry gaped at Nina with amusement. She's excusing herself not to stay with him in the same room. "Are you afraid of me, Nina?" Harry asked her out of the blue.

Nina blushed. She was out of reasons she could give Harry. What he said is true, and too late to defend herself.

"Um. Not really. I just don't want to be a bother to you," she reasons out to cover her timidity.

Harry chuckles, he replied to Nina. "Why have you become a bother? You are my wife, after all."

It seems like her heart is going to pass out.. Tears began forming in her eyes. She lowered her head to hide them and not for Harry to notice while she's fighting not to cry…