Burning Passion

CHAPTER 206: WHOEVER WIN, WOULD TAKE HER OUT TO DINNER

* * *

After touring around the Cambridge campus, Sarah took the team to a café across from the University. 

It was the place Sarah often hung out with Nina before they separated and went home. 

Sharing a table; Nina sits between Harry and Steven, while Sarah sits next to Steven and Albert next to Harry.

"Here you go!" 

"Thank you!"

The waiter served their latte, Sarah resumed talking to Steven, who was attentively listening and replying. Sarah is sharing about her class with Nina and the things they do on weekends. She also praises Nina for how smart she is, which Albert concurred and shared the times he studied with Nina in the library. 

He smirks when the twin shoots a glare at him. He was enjoying provoking them and making them jealous of him. 

Sarah knew that it wasn't true. She kicked her brother by foot under the table and glared at him.

Nina, on the other hand, gave Albert a warning gaze, which made him shut up. It's the first time Nina showed this expression to him. He only confirms that Nina truly likes one of the twins, and he wants to find out who that is.

Meanwhile, Harry remains silent in his seat; listening to the loud conversation between Sarah and Steven. It was typical for his twin brother to be this chatter and flirty to anyone they meet. And there's a guy that annoys him for talking like he knew about Nina a lot.

Harry glanced at Nina, who is silent next to him. He is curious if what she was thinking at the moment.

He mentions in his last letter that he wants to meet her, alone. Steven is supposed not to be here.

*

Nina remains silent in her seat and rarely spoke. But then, Albert suddenly shares a lie that they were doing a group study, which never happens. They typically cross in the library and share tables. It worries her what impression she gives to Harry. She prayed that he would not believe it.

But what she wishes at this moment is to be with Harry alone and talk to him casually, like how Steven and Sarah converse.

However, as Steven was here… she couldn't find the courage to talk to Harry when he also stays silent next to her. And it was too frustrating.

Nina heaves a sigh. She glanced at Harry, who seemed in deep thoughts as she is… And it intrigued her to know what he is thinking at the moment.

In the middle of her grief, Albert draws Nina's attention by bringing up a random topic that dropped her jaw. 

"What did you say?" Nina snaps.

"The dinner you promised me. I'm going to claim it soon." 

It made her speechless, think up to how she could counter Albert's word. She is hiding this matter from Sarah, but now Albert suddenly brings it up in front of Harry and Steven's presence.

Such bad timing! 

"Why would Nina go out with you?" Steven blurted out to Albert with a sharp glare and rough tone in his voice. 

Albert smirks when two pairs of eyes shoot dark glares in his direction. He loves to annoy the twins as they are obvious of their feelings toward Nina. Boastfully, he added…

"You heard it right! Nina would go out with me after the International Physic Quiz." 

Nina was sipping her latte when Albert mentioned their agreement. She abruptly swallowed the hot liquid and it caused to burn her throat. She waved her hand to cold down her throat but it's not helping.

Gladly, Harry is quick to hand her a glass of water. Blushes, she accepted the water and emptied the glass.

"Did Nina truly agree with you?" Sharply, Steven repeats his query. 

"Yes, she is!" Albert proudly replied to Steven, who narrowed his gape.

It isn't good. Nina feels the tension between these men. She was thinking about how she could correct Albert's phrase before it became a misunderstanding.

"Ahem! Actually, that would only happen if he wins the competition, and Cambridge won the Champion trophy." Nina explained, while slowly sipping the latte this time to hide her nervousness.

Sarah dropped her jaw, glaring at her brother. She suspected that her brother did something and pushed Nina to agree with him. Nina is such a lady, and very careful with her decision. So what is happening now?

Meanwhile, Steven and Harry gaped at Nina with surprise. They could not believe she made a deal like that. It was impossible. It made them think whether Nina changes after her move in England.

Nina sighed. It was true that she made a deal with Albert. It was the day when the class resumed. After that Library incident, she avoided seeing him.

So Albert attempted to pursue her again, which the usual, she rejected him. 

Recalling that talk…

~~~~~

"How about if I won the upcoming International Meet?" 

"What are you talking about?" 

"You will go out with me and have dinner if the team won the Championship. How about it?" 

She pondered whether she takes Albert's challenge. But since she learned that Harry would also compete, she unconsciously agreed.

And it was too late when she just realized she made a crazy mistake. Since then, every night she offered a prayer and lit a candle, ranting her petition that Harry would win the competition.

~~~~~

But then, Steven is also here! She put herself in such a situation.

Ugh! She really regretted she agreed!

"And do you think I would allow you?" Steven narrowed his gaped at the guy, who only returned an annoying grin at him.

"Then? Do you want to bet?" Albert challenges Steven. 

"You dare." 

Nina bathed with sweat cold. Does this mean Steven accepts the challenge?

But it was Harry she hoped to save her! Nina sighed hopelessly once again.

"Well... It's just a date, right?" Sarah stated, she winks at Nina. It amused her witnessing this scene, and she wants to see what will happen!

'Sarah!' she screams inside her head.

She already regretted making a deal with Albert, but then, Sarah even encourages the men. It was crazy to agree with Albert, and it was supposed to be a secret agreement.

Feeling too much pressure, Nina sighs with relief when she spotted the woman outside the café.

"Oh! It's Aunt Annie!" Nina quickly sat up on her chair and bid goodbye to Sarah; leaving everyone at the table. She rushed outside and approached her aunt. "What are you doing here, Auntie?" 

"I received a request from Mely that her twins would arrive in England. Where are they?" asked Annie.

It was the moment that Steven and Harry came out of the store, walking toward them. 

Annie immediately recognizes them. Of course, Nina keeps a photo of them in her bedroom, which intrigued her. Annie beams a meaningful smile across her face. It is her chance to observe her niece if who among the twins has her eyes.

~~~~~

That evening, Steven and Harry come over to have dinner with Nina and Annie. 

Jessica keenly observes her Miss in front of the mirror. It was the first time she was scanning her reflection over again.

Also, her Miss couldn't decide which dress she should wear tonight when it was just a simple dinner. Jessica did her best to help her Miss to wear something pleasant but not overdress for tonight's special dinner at home.

Until Nina settled into a knitted long-neck dress that fits her body. She pony-tailed her hair, and it emphasizes her heart-shaped face. 

"Do I look fine, Jessica?" 

Jessica froze for a moment. She ponders if her Miss ever asks her this question. It seemed it was the first one since she was serving her. 

"You look lovely, Miss!" 

"Then I need not change?" 

"It doesn't need Miss Nina." 

"Alright! Oh, the doorbell?" 

Finally, the bell on the door rings. Her Miss has been listening if someone would ring it already.

Nina runs down the staircase; she halts a moment to breathe before she opens the door. 

"Hi!" She greeted Harry and Steven.

Meanwhile, the moment the door opens. Steven and Harry froze on the doorsteps.

"Come in!" Nina invites them inside, which she has no idea what is going on with the twin.

Harry and Steven are fascinated to see how she is gleaming tonight.

Annie, who was watching silently, decided to come out and greeted the twins.

"Hello! Why do you stay in the doorway? Come inside! It's still cold." 

Harry and Steven followed toward the living room and politely thanked the woman.

"Thank you for inviting us, Aunt Annie," said Steven after he and Harry were seated on a French sofa.

"You are very welcome! I am delighted to meet you! Nina has been lonely, not seeing her friends. Although she has new friends here in England. She still misses her friends back in Zen City." 

Annie would like to add that Nina also misses her friends in the US. But she doesn't want to embarrass Nina when she is blushing already. 

"We missed Nina too! Korin told us that Nina wishes to go to college in the US, but Uncle Nelson wants Nina to get her degree in England." 

"Oh, is that so?" Annie glanced at Nina. The girl flushed her face. It seemed it bothered her about it. Annie smiled at Nina to assure her it was fine. 

"Well, Nelson is worried about her daughter. That is why he sent Nina here in England when I could supervise her school and needs." 

"How about this summer? Would you like to visit the US, Nina?" 

"Oh. I took advanced lessons, so I'm afraid. I would stay all year here in England." 

"I see…" 

Later, Jessica knocks on the door and announces that dinner is ready. Annie invited their guests to move into the dining hall and continue chatting. 

The entire supper, Annie observes the twin and her niece. And no doubt Steven, who is the talker among the twins. But her niece has this spark every time her attention shifts to Harry, who remains silent the entire time.

She smelt a love triangle, and it was intriguing who her niece would end up with.