Burning Passion

CHAPTER 211: UNREQUITED LOVE

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PRESENT TIME

Nina wipes the tears that are flooding her face. She shook her head to set aside those memories, suddenly pouring out like a storm inside her head.

She gaped with love at the maple leaf that Harry framed nicely in a look like a book. But it was a fiberglass box inside.

It was the first gift she gave to Harry. It surprises her how Harry kept it after everything that happened to them. 

Nina closes the cover and puts it back on the shelves. It startled her when her phone vibrated inside her pocket. She reaches for the gadget and reads the caller's name before she swipes the green button.

"Hello, Albert?" 

"Hey, Nina! How are you?" 

"I'm fine. Thank you for asking, your majesty." 

The guy on the other line chuckled. "I saw in the news. The storm would hit Zen City. Are you safe?" 

"I am. Don't worry, Albert." 

"I'm glad. Anyway, we have to postpone our flight. Sarah insisted on meeting you, so we are still here in China. We will visit you once the typhoon passes. How about it?" 

"Sure! But I'm afraid it's not pleasant to the sight. There will be several establishments that were damaged by then, and it needs a massive cleaning after the storm cuts trees everywhere. There is nothing much to see out here." 

"We are not visiting Zen City to see how beautiful it was. I want to see you." 

Nina takes a moment of silence. After several seconds, she told the guy in the other line, "I will tell Korin to reserve the top floor of her restaurant. You will love the Gardenia Palace!"

"Nina, don't change the topic. How long would you stay in your marriage if you are not happy?" 

Nina wrinkled her forehead; she replied to Albert. "Do you think I would stay this long if I am not happy?" 

"You know that is not what I am talking about, Nina." 

"Albert, it's been too long. How can you not give up? We both married to different people for a long time now."

"It was a just marriage for convenience to have my heir. You know that, Nina." 

"Is it no difference with Harry?"

"But, I will treat you right."

Nina takes a moment of silence. This King always makes things hard to understand. He still hasn't changed, does he? 

How long is it now? Almost four decades? 

Well, why is she asking herself this matter? She knows the feeling of how to love someone with your entire life.

"Then you must understand, Albert."

"Why don't you divorce him? You should have done that a long time ago." 

"Albert? You know in all people how to love someone who doesn't love you back." 

"That is why! At least I love you!" 

Still, it astounded her by how Albert says it so easily. How many times should she keep dumping this guy? 

"Albert, that's my point. I love him. And I can't imagine myself being with someone else. You know that feeling, right?" 

"I don't care." 

Nina heaves another sigh. She has to massage her forehead to calm down. This king is still persistent. 

"How could you say that? You are the king of a nation. Do you plan to destroy your image of marrying a divorced woman?" 

"We both are." 

"You are a widow. I am not. And you better know that I have no plan on divorcing Harry."

There is silence from the other line. Nina wonders what Albert is thinking now. She prayed this old man gives up already as she doesn't want to repeat herself over again.

"Then, I should wait until you are a widow?" 

A flash of anger across Nina's face. She frowned, "It's not a funny joke, Albert." 

"I'm not joking." 

"Why are you not giving up already?" 

"I would if I know he loves you and treated you as a wife." 

"Have you treated your Queen as a wife?" 

"I gave everything to her, except for my heart. There's only one woman I would ever love in my entire life." 

Nina closed her eyes before she replied to Albert. "And you know there's only one person I have loved my entire life, Albert." 

"Nina— "

"Please, Albert. Let's not make things complicated between us. We have a great friendship. Of all the people, it was you who could understand me better. You know how it feels having an unrequited love." 

Nina heard a long sigh from Albert. She continued, "I— "

Nina widened her eyes. Her face suddenly flushed when she noticed Harry standing at the door, staring keenly at her. Albert was speaking on the other line, but it didn't register in her head. 

How long did Harry stand in the door? How much did he overhear from her conversation with Albert? 

Nina freaks out with this thought. It panicked her like she wanted to hide under the table. 'Oh, I'm not a teenager anymore. Damn it.' 

She heaves sighed. "I will talk with Sarah some other time. Please, enjoy your stay. Bye, Albert." 

Nina put down her phone after she ended the call. Lowering her head, she looks up and pushes an awkward smile toward Harry. 

"Do you need anything, Harry?" she asked him. 

Harry entered his bedroom. He heard most of the conversation Nina and Albert had. After he opens the door, Harry hears Nina mentioning Albert's name. And he knew that this annoying prince, who now is a king and keeps pursuing Nina. 

But in his dream! Let that king rot inside his castle. He won't give Nina her freedom. 

"Ahem. I called my doctor and inquired if you need anti-bacterial for your cut." 

"Oh…" she did not anticipate this from Harry.

Nina looked at the tray Harry placed above his bed. He need not do this as she only had a cut on her finger, and it's not a broken ankle. She can walk and could still use her hands. 

"You can take this pill." 

"Okay. Thank you." 

Nina blushed. Why did Harry act this way? Is this what he means to 'start a new beginning'? 

Suddenly, her heart fluttered. Can she and Harry act like lovers and not just a fake couple in this forced marriage? 

"I will make lunch. Anything you wanted?" 

"Oh. No. Anything is fine." She replied.

Harry remains standing in front of her like he has something to tell her or maybe wants to ask her. But hesitant to share anything, aside from business topics. 

Now to think of it. She and Harry took the same major in AB… the reason they could work together conveniently, rather than working for their marriage. 

Later, Harry went back to the kitchen and left her alone. Nina sighed.

When could they have better communication with non-business-related matters?