Burning Passion

CHAPTER 198: NINA'S 18TH BIRTHDAY (Part One)

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It's Saturday morning... 

Jerome Shang's family was already waiting for Li in the harbor where Nelson's boat docked.

It was Steven who was the most enthusiastic to greet the Li family, especially to Nina. 

"Good morning, Nina!" 

"Good morning, Steven." Nina greeted back.

She also greeted the couple, Jerome and Mely. However, Harry remains reading a book and ignores the newly arrived family.

"Harry!" Jerome called out his son, gesturing to come closer. "Why didn't you greet your aunt Dona and uncle Nelson?" He whispers to his son before he turns to Nelson and apologizes. 

"I'm sorry about that. Harry does love reading. Once he started one, he cannot put down the book wherever we go." 

"It's alright! It's a good sign of how Harry wanted to learn more things. Reading is pleasant!" Nelson praises Harry instead. 

Harry bowed and greeted the couple. "Good morning, Uncle Nelson, Aunt Donna." 

"Good morning, Harry! Don't mind us! You can continue reading!" Nelson said to him. 

Harry bowed once again and returned to where he sat before. Nina is hurt because Harry only ignored her and forgot to greet her. 

While sailing, Nina kept thinking if she did anything wrong with Harry. It made her wonder if he didn't like the tea she served the other day as the only people who praised her are Steven and Korin. And he remained silent. 

"Nina? Are you alright?" Dona asked her daughter when she noticed her silence.

"I'm okay, mama. Probably, I'm still sleepy," Nina reasoned out; she acted yawning.

Anyway, it was half true. Last night, Korin stayed overnight to help them prepare for the food they would bring the next day. And the half-truth; she still bothered that Harry was ignoring her. 

"Why don't you take a nap in the cabin? We will wake you up when it's about lunchtime." 

"Okay, mama!" She instantly rose from her chair and left the two women.

Nina excuses herself and heads to the left corner where the ladder is located toward the upper deck. She was about to climb when she saw Harry seated on the ladder. She is hesitant to climb up, but she doesn't want to go back and make a reason she changes her mind. She is being transparent, and she wants to hide it from the adult's strong perceptions.

Nervously, she climbs up the ladder and passes Harry, who ignores her. Nina glanced over her shoulder. It hurt her that Harry acted like they were strangers. What did she do wrong to him, and he treated her this way? Did she offend him? Is the Old Shang scolded them about the ancient jar and received punishment when she was not around? Is it the reason Harry upsets? 

She needs to ask Korin if she heard anything that Harry and Steven received punishments from their great-grandfather.

Nina rushes to the cabin and locks the door. She was on the verge of crying, but she held her tears. 

She need not act this way. Harry didn't know she likes him. And she has no plan to show her feelings. Nina fell asleep thinking about Harry. 

Later, someone is knocking on the door. Nina gets down from the bed and opens the door.

"Korin?"

"Sister Nina! We are going to have lunch soon! And we are now in the middle of the ocean!" 

"Oh, we are?" she asked lazily. Nina strode back to the bed and sat on it.

Korin noticed that she is not in the mood. "What's wrong? Are you not feeling well, sister Nina?" 

"I'm just sleepy, Korin. Also, I felt seasick." She reasons out even if it's not true.

"Oh, do you need medicine?" 

"No, I'm fine. Just don't tell anyone. I will be okay once I'm used to the waves."

"Hm. You should enjoy it today before brother Harry flies back to the US." 

"Hah? Is he? Why?" 

Korin hid her naughty smile. She is right! It was Harry who Nina liked between the twins. But Harry is distant and doesn't talk to her like Steven. It seems it was the reason she doesn't feel well. And what she feels is not seasick. 

It was lovesick! 

"What's wrong with you?" Nina asked Korin when she noticed the girl giggling but said nothing to her.

"Ah, it's nothing, sister Nina! Let's go down now!"

"Wait, Korin! I want to ask you something."

"Hm? About what? Is this about brother Harry leaving for America?" Oh, shit! Korin slipped out. She should not sound like she knows anything about Nina's feelings toward Harry. Just playing dumb Korin!

"Oh, well. It's not about that, but you can tell me too. What would I like to ask you if you heard that Steven and Harry received punishment lately?"

"Hm, I think none. Why?" 

"Oh, it's nothing!"

"Well, what I only know, brother Harry mentioned he would go back to America next week." 

"Hah? I thought they were staying on my birthday?"

"What I know, brother Steven will stay. It was only brother Harry who will go back first." 

"Oh, any reason?" 

"Said it was about his advanced lessons."

"I see… thanks, Korin." How sad. Now she doesn't look forward to her coming birthday.

~~~~~ 

The night of Nina's birthday...

She has no interest in celebrating her day. Harry flew to the US, and she didn't get to talk with him. She wished to talk with Harry, like how she converses with Steven. She was contemplating if she ever had a proper talk with Harry. It seems none. When they work on the preparation for her birthday, Steven, who has only accompanied them all the time, and Harry left to study.

Her aunt Mely helped them out with preparing her birthday. Mely has no daughter, so she never tries to throw a Western theme birthday party before, but she has too many ideas in mind. 

Helping Dona how to organize a Western-style party is like a dream come true for her. She helps Nina choose the right dress and even the one to put the makeup on her and styled her hair into a bun. She completely looked like a princess.

She is wearing a beautiful pink princess ball gown that is ordered by a famous European designer.

Gladly, Nelson is a modern man. He is open to embracing Western tradition to collaborate with their own beliefs. Since he took his degree at the University of Oxford, he has learned how to live in Western culture.

Now his daughter is coming of age. He wants to give everything to his princess. Ever since he has planned that Nina's 18th birthday will be held at the back of his manor. He made a huge renovation in the garden. He built a stone staircase from the second floor of his manor down to the pool garden.. He wants her daughter to walk from there and to be welcomed by the guests.