Burning Passion

CHAPTER 223: GIVING UP ON NINA

* * *

Harry couldn't reply to Kristina. Maybe let her believe as it was true he already kisses someone that was not his girlfriend. 

But he couldn't admit that that girl is the same person Steven telling everyone as his girlfriend and a future fiancée. 

Before Steven flies to England, he thought of writing Nina. But he could not decide when he knew how in love Steven was with Nina. It tempts him to ask her if she likes him too. Now, Steven is claiming that something is between him and Nina.

"She must be special." 

Harry blinks his eyes several times after hearing a soft voice beside him. He fell into his thoughts, forgetting that he was talking with Kristina. He glanced in her direction, curling up his forehead, and pondered what she meant about her phrase. 

Kristina noticed that it confused him. She guessed Harry thinking about someone the reason he ignored her like this. 

"You were ignoring me. So I'm saying. The person who occupies your mind is someone special," she added.

"Ah, that..." Harry clears his throat, emptying the bottle of beer in his hand before he continues. "I have my upcoming final test for summer lessons, so my mind was all over the place." 

"Hm... I see. You were too hardworking. Sam told me, your family owns a business firm here in the US. You must aim to manage it?" 

"Well, yeah. That's my plan. I want to expand our business here. It's also a good place for investments which one of my family's businesses is about." 

"I see. You will be a good husband." 

Surprised by Kristina's phrase, he asked her. "How could you say that?" 

Kristina chuckled. She put a size of cake into her mouth and mumbled, "To think of the future. Seeing you working hard to achieve your life plans. It makes you a responsible man." 

"Hm... The only thing I think of now is to start my internship. It doesn't prove I am a great man until I succeed in every aspect of my life, not only as a businessman." 

In which he is a big coward, not fighting his love for someone. 

"Well, thanks for being honest." Kristina pushes a warm smile as she goes on. "I see it now, the difference between you and Steven. You have a goal in life." 

"He has a goal too." Harry corrected Kristina's impression. "And I want to support him to aim for it." 

Steven aims to marry Nina. But their father wouldn't support Steven if he would not excel against him. So he wonders what lessons he should fail. 

When he tried to fail his Math, he got scolded by Dean Collins. And if he fails his English Language and Biology, that's unbelievable. He was a Champion during High School Quiz Bees. He is certain that Dean Collins would question him again. 

"Now you are a loving brother," Kristina commented.

Harry heaves a sigh. He watches Steven loudly talk with Ash and Lee. What would Steven feel if their father did not choose him to marry Nina? 

Sometimes, he wants to compete fairly to win Nina's heart, and not because she is arranged to marry one of them. It always made him wonder if Steven would get angry at him if they do not choose his twin brother to marry Nina.

"Hey, come on, guys! Let's swim!" Steven took off his t-shirt and ran to the water. The other boys followed, and it tempted the girls to join them. 

"Kristina, come on!" Finally, they follow the boys. 

"Okay, we're coming!" Kristina replied to her friends; she turned to Harry and asked him. "How about you? You should have fun and stop worrying about your exams!" 

Kristina pulled him on the hand. He could not refuse but follow her pace toward the water. 

"Woo-hoo!" 

Steven is splashing them with water. Harry wipes his face before he jumps at Steven to drown him. Ever since they were little, no… Maybe since they were born into this world. He and Steven are always together. 

And it's not ideal that their relationship tainted because they were fighting over a woman. 

Harry decided to give up Nina completely. 

~~~~~ 

"Hey, brother! Are you done reviewing our Calculus?" Steven asked Harry, who was typing his paperwork on a typewriter.

Their summer break is over, now it's time to go back to reality, and that is their test from their advanced classes. 

"Yeah. You want to see my notes?" Harry handed his notes. He always readied the pointers to study his lessons smoothly. 

Steven seems relieved and sees Harry as his guardian angel. "You are the best brother in the universe!" Steven smacks Harry in the back before he goes to his bed and studies Harry's notes. 

When Steven memorizes all he wrote, if he won't perfect the test, at least he could get the highest score. 

After a week, today will display the results of their exams.

And it surprised everyone that again Steven got a higher score over Harry. Although Harry is number two, Steven is always below Harry in test results.

And once again, Harry seated in front of Dean Collins's desk. Scrutinizing at him with intent.

"Let me guess, is it somehow your twin brother studying more than you?" 

"He is Dean Collins." 

The dean heaves a sigh; he went on. "Why are you doing this, Mr. Harry?" 

Harry remains silent. True that he intentionally made the wrong answers to the tests. But he has no plan to explain himself. 

"Do you hear me, Mr. Harry?" 

"I did, Dean Collins." 

"You are the Student Council President. You can't do this to yourself, and the school, Mr. Harry. It's the last year of your course. And before the regular classes begin, think it over. You are going to fix yourself, or I have to force you to do it? We had a high profile to show. Both the students and parents have expectations of how we show the image of our school to the entire student body. Not just to the older students. But most of all, our image to the freshmen. We, they, chose you because you are the top and best student in this school and I trust you. I am not buying whatever reasons you have why you are doing this." Dean Collins makes a firm statement. "You're dismissed. But do not forget what I tell you, Mr. Harry. Think of it over. You fix yourself, or I'm going to force you to do it?" 

Harry nodded and thanked the dean. Upon stepping outside the building, it surprised him to see Steven waiting outside and seemed worried. 

"Harry! I heard Dean Collins called for you. What did you talk about? Is something wrong? Is this about the scores? But I studied everything in your notes. I remember all the answers in our tests." 

"Oh, not that." Harry forced a smile across his face as he added, "Well, it concerns Dean Collins that soon a new school year began. We have more enrolled this year, and he wants to make sure things go well." 

"Hm, it must be after we won the International Match! We attract more students to enroll in our school." 

"Yeah. It will be a lot of work for the Student Council. So I'm thinking of nominating you as Vice President to watch over what I will miss managing." 

"Oh? Would the committee agree?" It excites him. Their parents must hear about it.

"They should be. You are the Sports Representative. You are already part of the Student Council." 

"Okay! I'm in!" Steven plastered a wide smile, he delightedly accepts the role.

"Let's call a meeting then." 

It was the best idea Harry came up with to please Dean Collins....