Burning Passion

CHAPTER 210: A GOODBYE AND A KISS

* * *

Nina froze on top of Harry. She is peering at him with shock.

Do they kiss? 

'Oh, my gosh!'

Nina freaks out. She attempts to get up, but Harry holds her face. This time, the kiss is not an accident. 

Harry is kissing her! 

Nina couldn't stop screaming inside her head. However, the dog that jumped on her awhile ago is licking their faces while she and Harry kissed. 

"Bruno stopped!" Nina covered her face. 

"Do you know this dog?" Harry asked Nina. He got up and helped Nina stand on her feet. 

"Yes. It was Albert's pet." 

"What?" Jealousy flashed Harry's face. He doesn't like the idea that Nina is close to the dog owned by that annoying prince. 

"Bruno, stay! Sit!" 

The dog obediently listens to Nina. It was now sitting on the pavement while the tail was wagging.

Nina squatted and petted the dog. "Hey, good boy!" She hugged the dog and whispered. "Thank you!" 

If it weren't for this dog, she and Harry would not be able to kiss! Nina bites her lower lip to suppress her giggle. She was blushing and just making an excuse she petted Bruno to hide how red her face is. Until now, she couldn't believe it! 

"You're an angel!" Nina added, talking to the dog.

Watching Nina petting the dog, Harry frowned, seeing her showing fondness to the dog. He doesn't hate dogs. He hates this dog's owner... that annoying boastful-overconfident prince. 

"Ahem! So, you and Hamilton are this close?" 

"Hm? Oh, Sarah and I are very close, yes. And Albert, he just always joins us strolling around England during weekends, and he always brings Bruno along." Nina explained to Harry. 

She didn't catch that Harry is using a jealous tone. The garden also has dimmed lights. Nina cannot see his face is frowning. 

Harry expressed, "It surprised me he could bring his pet to the Gala." 

"Ah. The Queen and Sarah's grandmother are close cousins. So, yeah. They were staying in a palace here in England." 

His jealousy worsens. That overconfident prince surely has something to boast. 

"Bruno!" 

Bruno turned his head to the direction where the voice came from and barked like saying, 'I was over here!' 

"Hey, buddy! What are you doing here?" asked Albert. He realized Nina and Harry were with his dog. "Oh, Nina! No wonder he escaped from his guard. He probably catches your scent," said Albert.

"Oh? I see." Nina petted Bruno's head one more time.

"Hey, brother! Did you— Oh, Nina and Harry! Glad you guys are here!"

"Sarah! Oh, —" Nina sees that others help to look for Bruno as well.

She heaved a silent sad sigh. Now her night with Harry has spoiled as everyone is gathering in the garden. 

"Hm. I have an idea!" Sarah suddenly burst out. "The Gala is becoming boring to me. Who wants to come with me?" 

"Where to?" Natalie, who just arrived with her date from the US team, she asked excitedly, hearing Sarah have a plan to escape at the party.

"Let's go to the Carnival!" 

"Sounds fun!" 

~~~~~ 

ENCHANTED CARNIVAL

Nina and the others ride the carousel. The girls on their gowns and high heels while the boys on their tuxedos and coats. 

They found a photographer who took a photo non-stop on them. Next is, they ride the Ferris Wheel. 

Nina seated next to Harry. Across from them is Bruno, taking the other seat. Meanwhile, Sarah dragged Steven and Albert to the next box.

"Why is Nina alone with Harry? We should join them!" Albert complains.

"Have you forgotten my dear brother? It was Harry, who is Nina's date tonight." 

Hearing it, Albert frowned. But he grins, gaping at Steven, seated across them. 

"Well, it looks like I'm not the only one who is sulking tonight." Albert taunted Steven. 

Instantly, Steven throws a hateful gaze toward Albert. It frustrates him that Harry becomes Nina's date. But he rather agreed than this annoying prince to date Nina. If ever that happens, he would become infuriated and make a scene of trouble for their date. 

Steven pushed a smirk on his face, he returned. "Harry and I would not allow you to date, Nina. That is why we worked to defeat you." 

"Huh. But without your twin brother, you won't be able to defeat me." 

Steven wants to counter that, but Sarah stops them both. 

"Enough, okay? Do you think Nina would be happy seeing you fighting? She thought everyone was her precious friend! Enough of the childish fight!" 

Albert and Steven remain silent. They agreed with Sarah and choose to ignore each other; look away and watch the scenery below ground.

Meanwhile, Nina remains nervous. She and Harry were alone in this box, but she could not stare straight at him. After the kiss, Harry mentioned nothing about it. 

Can she consider Harry as her boyfriend, or what? 

Ah! Could she assume? Or it's just a kiss with no meaning?

Nina sighs hopelessly. She doesn't want to assume anything, but her heart hopes about it. 

"Oh!" Nina was mesmerized when the Palace lit fireworks. "Do you like it too, Bruno?" 

The dog is barking at the lights in the sky. It seems he enjoyed this ride with a romantic atmosphere, and the fireworks made everything perfect. 

"Harry—" Nina turned her head toward Harry to ask him about the fireworks. But what meets her is Harry's kiss. 

Nina holds tight in her purse. Harry's kiss made her dazed. And this time, it was long.

After the kiss, they both gasped with air. Staring at each other's eyes, no words come out from their mouths, but the loud thud of their chest deafening their ears and overwhelms their hearts. 

"Aww!" Bruno is barking at them. This time, the dog did not join in kissing them. But silently, seated on the bench while wagging his tail. 

Harry pushes a smile and reaches Bruno's head. 

"I think I'm going to like you if you will be a good boy like this." he petted the dog's head, Harry whispered. "Unlike your annoying owner." 

"What did you say to Bruno?"

"Ah, nothing." 

"Hey, guys!" 

Sarah is waving at them from another box. They were now reaching the ground. 

"That was fun! How was your ride, Harry?" 

"Oh…" Harry glanced at Nina; she is blushing. "The fireworks are great. Do you know when it will light?" 

"Yes! I know about it!" Sarah said proudly, winking at Nina. 

Nina wants to believe that Sarah is doing it on purpose. She thought Sarah would push Albert toward her. But it's not what she is seeing and she was grateful for that. 

"So, where do you like to go next?" 

"How about we grab some food?" 

"It was a wonderful idea! Suddenly, I feel hungry." 

"Let's go, then!" 

"Yeah!" 

Before they separated to go home; they had a stop in a restaurant to have a merry dinner. 

"Let me pay for everything!" Albert announced in the middle of their meal. 

"Oh…" everyone cheered except Harry and Steven. 

Albert reached into the back pocket of his pants and pulled his wallet. He opened it to take his credit card, but he couldn't find it. 

"What's the matter?" Sarah asked her brother when Albert looked troubled. 

"I think I brought the other wallet. I'm sorry. I didn't expect we would escape from the gala." Shamed, but he has to admit that he couldn't afford to pay for everyone's meal tonight. 

"Oh. I didn't bring enough money with me too." said the other boys. 

"Me too! I didn't bring any but the one we spent at the Carnival." said the girls. 

"I'm going to talk to the manager if they could send me the bill later…" Albert is about to get up from his chair when Harry and Steven handed their credit card to the waitress. 

"Oh. Which one should I take?" asked the waitress. She is uncertain about what arrangements she should put. 

Harry and Steven looked at each other. Annie handed the credit card to them that night, and they had dinner. Said their mother sent them ahead and used it when necessary. 

"Just split the bill into half. I believe we can do that?" 

"Oh, sure! I will make a separate receipt after the confirmation." The waitress took the credit cards. 

"Whoa! Cheers for the twin!" 

"Cheers!" 

They raised their glass, but Albert was not happy at all. He put himself in shame. What worse is? The person he wants to provoke is the twin. But for them who save the night. 

"Good night!" 

"Goodbye, Nina!" 

"Bye!" Nina waving at others leaving in a car. 

Harry and Steven with their team are taking two taxis to go back to the hotel. 

"Good night, Nina!"

"Bye, guys!" 

"Goodbye, Jessica!" It was from Sam. 

"Bye!" 

They waved at the boys when Mr. Smith started to drive out of the car. Nina rested her back on the seat. She has this sweet smile plastered on her lips.

Jessica had guessed that her Miss had a wonderful time with Harry. She would not be this happy if nothing good happens. 

When Nina asked for a glass of water. Jessica looked for Harry and asked him to do the favor. She made an excuse that the Chinese Ambassador is asking for her help. But her purpose is to give Nina and Harry alone, together. 

~~~~~ 

LONDON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 

The next day, Nina send off the US Team to the airport.

"Bye, guys! I will send the pictures once I get the copies!" Nina told them. 

"Alright! So, it's time for us to head to our plane!" 

"Have a safe trip, everyone!" 

Nina and Jessica bid goodbye to the team. But Steven and Harry haven't finished bidding goodbye to her. 

Nina glanced at Harry. They weren't able to talk after the Ferris Wheel ride. So, there is no certainty if she and Harry are in a relationship now. 

"Goodbye, Nina," said Steven to her. 

"Bye, Steven! You guys, don't forget to write." 

"Yes! Definitely, I will write to you." 

"Okay." Nina beam. She glanced at Harry, who remained silent behind Steven. "Goodbye, Harry." 

Harry nodded at her but said nothing. Somehow, she understood him. Harry is not a man of words, but action. 

Remembering the kiss, she blushed. 

"Let's go, Steven!" Harry picks up his backpack and put it on his back, pushing small luggage.

Steven is hesitant to leave yet. It seems he has something in mind. "Bye, Nina."

Harry and Steven head to the escalator when Steven turns around and walks toward Nina.

It shocked her when Steven suddenly hold her face and kissed her.