Burning Passion

CHAPTER 208: WHO WILL GOING TO DATE NINA?

* * *

Monday, Day of the INTERNATIONAL PHYSIC MEET

It was an opening ceremony. It divides the teams into two sets: A and B groups. 

The Cambridge University representing England listed under SET A, while the US team: the Collins University listed in SET B.

Each group will determine two teams to qualify for the last battle.

Day 1 

It was a qualifier day to move in the semi-finals. They gave the team an equation to move to the next stage.

Day 2 

Is to determine who the four teams are to move in live Quiz. 

Both the Collins University (US Team) and the Cambridge University team are among the Finalist teams for the Championship. 

Nina and Sarah watch each telecast at a café where they are shown live on TV.

Day 3 

They open the Trivia Battle to more audiences. Nina and Sarah both support Cambridge University and Collins University: along with Jessica and their classmates Ellen, Veronica, Natalie, and Rose. 

Both teams answered the first five questions. 

"Among the physicists who attempt to study physics. Who is the Father of Modern Physics?" 

Every team presses the buzzer but Collins University, who made it first. 

"Albert Einstein!" 

It was Steven who answered the question. And it gave another question. 

"The Manhattan Project during WWII. What year did the first —" 

The US team already presses the buzzer before the questioner finishes the question. 

Every awed at the same time laughs. They think it was stupid. 

"Collins University already pressed the buzzer without me finishing the question!"

"All right! What is your answer, US Team?" 

It was Harry who pressed the button. He leans over to the microphone and gives his answer.

"July 16, 1945." 

"Hm… Is Mr. Harry correct? Let me finish the question!" 

"The Manhattan Project during WWII. What year did the first detonation of the so-called nuclear weapon across the desert of Jornada del Muerto? The answer is July 16, 1945!" 

Everyone in that room sighed. What luck! Is what they said. 

Steven lightly punches Harry on the shoulder. Truth is, it was one of what Harry wrote on his notes. Harry already predicted these questions in case it will come out. He had guessed it would be one of the possible questions. 

The host continued giving questions. This time, Cambridge University was able to press the buzzer first and answered correctly. Until it declared the two teams to move to the Final Battle.

By afternoon, it will be the last meet. Nina and Sarah are having lunch with their gals. They were nervous about who would win?

Not about they want to win their school. What excites them is the winner to have a date with Nina. 

"Girls, hear this!" 

"What is it, Ellen!" 

"A said Gala! The Queen invited every team to attend tomorrow night!" 

"Oh, my gosh! I want to attend that Gala!" 

"Me too! Can we hook up with the other teams to take us to the Gala?" 

"Same! I will ask the other team to date me that night!" 

"Oh, my God! We should look for a dress now! And we need a makeover! I mean, manis and pedis!" 

"What was that?" 

"Girl day! Manicure and pedicure! We should go to the salon!" 

"And I have another idea!" Sarah made an abrupt stand on her seat. "I will look for my brother! I have something to tell him! And Nina, come with me!" 

Sarah dragged Nina back to the hall where the quiz was held. The two teams are preparing for the final moment. 

"Hi! I'm Sarah Hamilton! Princess Sarah Hamilton. Can I see my brother? It's Prince Albert Hamilton! He is with the Cambridge team!" Sarah explained to the security guard of the room.

"Okay. But only you can enter at the moment."

Nina left in the lobby. Sarah headed inside. She halted in front of the room where the team was staying for lunch. Nina, watch Sarah talking to the guard. It went inside, Sarah was waiting outside the door.

Later, Nina is keenly observing Sarah, who is now talking to Albert. She is curious about what Sarah told her brother. Albert brightens his face, looking in her direction. The guy waves at her before it goes back inside the room.

But then, it surprised her when it was Steven who came out next and talked to Sarah. The same as Albert. Steven seems delighted with whatever Sarah talks to them. Steven wears an enormous smile on his face when it goes back to the room.

"What did you tell them?" Nina instantly asked Sarah when she came to her. 

Sarah replied with a playful smile across her face. "Nothing!" 

"You're lying!" 

Sarah laughs. She whispered to Nina, "I told them. Whoever won will date you to the Gala." 

"What!?" Shocked flash across her face, Nina burst out. "Why did you say that!" 

"It was exciting!" 

"You are a crazy princess!" 

"I know, right!" 

"I can't believe you!" Nina pouted. But she ponders. The person she wanted to date is Harry. But her only choice is Albert or Steven.

Maybe she will root for Steven. She feels more uncomfortable around him than Albert. Also, it's not good if the rumors came alive when the media saw her as Albert's date to the Gala.

The paparazzi are so good to make up a story, with whom people love it. 

~~~~~ 

The next day, the girls meet up in the shopping area to buy an evening gown for the Gala. They were coming in and going out from different stores.

"Oh, my gosh! This is cute!" Veronica burst out after she found a black tube dress.

"I want this!" Ellen chose a green evening dress. It was a mermaid style cut. 

"I think I would go with blue sequences!" Holding the evening gown, Rose looked at her reflection in the mirror. 

"How about you, Nina?" Ellen asked her. 

Nina was checking out the skirts section. She loves floral ones. She wasn't here to purchase a gown but to do her nails. 

"I already have one back at home. I mean, I already prepared one." 

"Wait, have you gone shopping last night?" That was Veronica yelling inside the dressing room.

"No. My mother brought it with her last Christmas. She already filled my wardrobe with all the dresses I need." 

"Really? How lucky you are!" 

"Nina is a princess back in China!" 

"Is that so?" 

"Not. It was Harry, and Steven's family is wealthier than mine." 

"Oh, but still. You can buy whatever you want! Since day one. All of your clothes, bags, shoes. Either Louis Vuitton, Chanel, or Gucci! You had the latest trend!" 

"Ah, it's just my Aunt Annie who shopped for me, sometimes." 

"Still, they were expensive!" 

"Oh, I… didn't check out, actually." 

"Seriously? You were wearing them without realizing?" 

"Well, it was Jessica, who is helping me all the time. I know their brand but not the price." 

"That is what I am talking about! You have your Nanny, who went to Cambridge! Your family could afford everything!" 

"Yeah."

Nina smiles awkwardly. It was never comfortable for her to talk about the wealth of her family. 

Back in Zen City. People always have hype about these powers and positions. She doesn't understand it. What she sees is how her father worked hard to expand their business, and everyone praises their family because of the success her father reached so far. 

Is that power? 

People kneeled and bowed their heads wherever they went. She dreams of taking her college in another country so that people would only treat her as an ordinary person. It's not faking their smile and hospitality because she was the daughter of a wealthy man. 

It seems she is still not used to this system, and she is in the process to understand it. 

How great to have an amount of influence in society? 

Nina was in deep thoughts when Sarah shook her shoulder. 

"Nina, what do you think?"

"Oh, you look lovely!" 

"Do you think so?"

"Yes!" 

"I love it too! Then I will go with this one!" 

Sarah went back to the dressing room to put back on her casual clothes, and she gave the dress to the cashier to wrap it. 

Nina only buys new shoes he will wear tonight paired with the dress she prepared. After everyone purchased all they need for tonight. Their last stop is the salon. 

~~~~~

Evening… 

Nina couldn't settle down in front of the mirror. She has been turning around to see if the dress fits perfectly on her. 

"Miss, let us do your hair." 

"Okay." 

Nina sits on the stool in front of her dresser, watching her reflection. Jessica will also attend the Gala as one of Harry and Steven's Senior asks her attendant to be his date tonight. 

"You are lovely with your dress, Jessica." She praises her attendant.

"Thank you, Miss. And thank you for buying it for me. I'm still overwhelmed and owed to you." 

"It's alright! You take good care of me. It was my thank you." 

Jessica was touched by what her Miss told her. 

"Besides, I'm happy you could join me! Honestly, I was nervous," Nina added.

Jessica pursed a smile. It is a special night for her Miss. She must look lovely and stand out among everyone, the reason she chooses a cocktail dress not to match her Miss. 

Nina chose the Cheongsam dress her mother brought last December, and they visited her to spend Christmas together. It was a beautiful long dress that showed her curves. 

Tonight, she will present herself as who she is. She need not be someone else when she could be a lot more comfortable with her clothing.

"Miss, your earrings. How about your necklace?" 

"There's no need for that. I won't be comfortable. I will just wear this one." 

Nina opened the drawer on her dresser. She takes out a red heart-shaped jewelry box where stored inside is the bracelet Harry gave her on her 18th birthday. 

Seeing the bracelet, Jessica asks nothing anymore. 

"There… oh, your shoes, Miss!" Jessica takes the red stiletto in its box and leans over to put the shoes on Nina's feet. 

"Thank you, Jessica." 

"I'll be waiting downstairs, Miss." 

"Okay." 

Nina inhaled and breathed out. 'He is here!'

The doorbell rings. Her date tonight is picking her up. Nina sat up from her chair. And before she leaves her room, she scans her reflection. 

She wished she looked okay tonight. She doesn't want to disappoint her date. 

Nina slowly takes her steps down the staircase. She could hear Annie's laugh while entertaining their guests. 

"You look so handsome, Harry! Take good care of my niece!"

Nina could hear her aunt praising Harry.

This is it! 

A Night To Remember.