Burning Passion

CHAPTER 243: STEVEN'S LIE

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Cambridge, ENGLAND

"Merry Christmas!" greeted by the man on the doorsteps.

"Steven?" 

"Yup! Special Delivery!" Steven is holding a colored pink human-size Teddy bear.

Nina pushed a smile; she can't help her eyes to flicker. She likes the gift. But her heart yearns for someone else to give her this kind of present. She glances at Steven's back, might the person she wished to see appeared and came to visit her as well. But seemingly, Steven comes alone, and it disappoints her so much. 

"Come in!" Nina tried to sound cheerful. She tore a sweet smile across her beautiful face and led Steven toward the living room. 

Steven placed the Teddy Bear on a single couch and took the sofa across from Nina. After they take a seat, Nina tries her best to entertain Steven.

"What brought you all the way here on snowy days?" she asked Steven. 

Happiness plastered all over Steven's face ever since he saw Nina. He felt relieved that Nina welcomed him warmly. It was clear to him that Nina already rejected him. But he doesn't want to give without trying once again, the reason he was here one more time without Nina's knowledge. 

After a moment of thought, Steven tore a handsome smile as he answered. "I want to spend the holidays with you. My family is not coming to New Jersey but everyone went home to China and somewhat lonely." 

The last sentence hit Nina hard. Her parents are not coming either. And that is why she knows the feeling of being alone. But she wants to ask about Harry. However, she held her curiosity not to ask Steven. Pursed a sympathetic smile, she showed she was feeling the same way. 

"Papa has been busy, and Mama can't travel alone either. Last year, they rejected all their social gatherings to be with me. But I should not be insensitive not to understand them. Our family business is doing well because of the investors and business partners that trusted Papa. He must not neglect his work and social engagements." 

Steven is a little surprised at her speech. It seemed Nina had matured. No. She is more likely a businesswoman herself. Korin sent him and Harry a letter about her visit to England, and she came up about putting up a Western-style restaurant. Korin also mentions that Nina will invest in it. 

Steven thinks it's an excellent investment. He wants to join the partnership, too. But of course, if he won Nina's hand for marriage, it will be his matrimonial gift. He had a lot of plans for a family he wants to build with Nina. And only it matters is Nina to say yes to him at the right time he won her affection. 

And now that he was here and Nina shows sympathy toward him. It was his chance to do his best to earn more of her trust for him. 

"Well, since I am here… How about lunch together outside?" 

Outside the door is Jessica hesitant to knock and enter the living room. She already changed clothes, so she was wondering what would happen now Steven was here. 

Her Miss doesn't sound indifferent. In fact, she cheerfully chatted with Steven. It looks like her Miss is learning how to conceal her true emotions. In these passing weeks, her liveliness has returned a little. Although sadness remains there, she often fell into deep thoughts and then pursed a smile after. 

It worried her... Nina's behavior lately made her even more bothered than hearing her crying inside her bedroom. Jessica is certain. Her Miss is planning something. 

Jessica looked up when she heard that Steven invited Nina for lunch, and her Miss accepted it. She remained standing still near the staircase when she heard the footsteps, patiently waiting for Nina's words to her. She has a feeling that she wasn't included in this lunch out. 

"Jessica? Steven and I will go out for lunch. Let's postpone the shopping tonight when all the Christmas Lights lit up!" 

Bowing, Jessica politely replied, "I understood, Miss. Please stay warm when you are outside. I will get your coat!" 

Jessica came back quick, handed the fur coat to her Miss. Nina showed a genuine smile as she thanked her attendant. 

"Thank you, Jessica." 

She bowed and watched the two leaving the house. Jessica heaves a sad sigh. She walks toward the window and observes the two people walking away. 

Steven and Harry have almost no difference. They are both the same height and body built. Their features are also the same: the shape of their faces, nose, and jawbone; except their lips, there has a little different from their shape.

But overall, it was totally a thousand percent they are an identical twin. 

And to those who knew them like their family and close friends could tell a small detail of what differs them from each other.

While Harry is emotionless most of the time, Steven is the person who is always tearing a smile across his face. 

Harry is calm all the time, but Steven is short-tempered. Also, Harry is the quiet one while Steven is noisy and the chatter. But what would shock you — is when they speak. 

Harry and Steven have the same voice.

It is what intrigues and amazed Jessica. How could her Miss know who is Harry, and who is Steven? 

Possibly, Nina's heart knows whom she loves. But it must be so sad that the person speaking next to her sounded the one she yearns to be with at this moment. 

'How does she even bear the pain?' It was Jessica's thoughts. She felt pity for her Miss, but nothing she could do when it was a one-sided love. 

The one who is here is not the one she loves… 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Steven opened the door and let Nina enter inside before him. She was a little surprised but thanked Steven gleefully. Nina stands near the doorway while Steven talks to the receptionist about his reservation. 

Before he headed to Nina's apartment. He already made a reservation at one of the nicest restaurants in Cambridge. 

Just a matter of a minute and the receptionist called a waiter to escort them toward their table. Steven attentively pulled a chair for her, which Nina was touched by his thoughtfulness. No. It was a romantic gesture. 

She thanked Steven, who deserves to be rewarded with her sweet smile. Nina thought to herself. The last time she saw Steven was late summer, a few days before her birthday. 

It was the time she wanted to stop talking to him. But Steven apologize and begged to talk with her. They went for a walk, talking about their feelings for each other. She turned him down but she let Steven stay as her good friends as in the past.

But why does she have this feeling that they were back to square one? 

She has a hunch that Steven is pursuing her again. Right at this moment, Nina wants to see Steven's motives. He was even more gentle, thoughtful, and treated her romantically like she was his girlfriend.

Nina heaves a silent sigh. It seems like she has to drive him out again, like Albert. She just finished dealing with Albert's persistence; now it's Steven she has to deal with. 

Nina gathered her thoughts altogether when a waiter came to their table. Since she often has chicken soup or noodle soup lately. Nina ordered lamb steak, beef lasagna, and vegetable salad. 

Steven, who is sick of pizza and fast food meals, ordered a lot of meat dishes and dessert. "Only the two of us are going to eat all of this food," she reminded him. 

"I love the food here! So, I'm saving this day for a feast!"

Nina has this amusement on her face, watching Steven act like a child stating that way. She has been contemplating what changes in Steven than the last time she saw him. It seems like he is more handsome and manly...

Manly? Where that word came from? 

Nina shook her head. She imagines things she should not. But the person inside her head is not Steven. But someone who is a thousand percent resembles him. The name is her heart sighing every minute of her life. 

She focused on her food, but frequently Nina glanced at Steven. He seems a different person this time. More to say… Steven looked maturer than the last time. 

Nina keeps asking herself because she tried to imagine if Harry also has changed in his physique. Steven and Harry are now twenty-two-year-old and working on their master's degrees. It's not surprising if they were not those boyish looks anymore, as she remembered. 

Steven, on the other hand, noticed that Nina kept peeking at him. He curled a smile and asked, "Are you doubting I couldn't finish these?" 

Gesturing at the food in front of them, there is a tease in his voice. It surprised Nina that it sounded sexy.

'What is happening to me?' 

She scolded herself. But she felt weird. Although she was imagining Harry, she started having a physical attraction through Steven. She knew it was wrong and stupid. But she could not help to think if Harry was as sexy as Steven now… 

Dammit. Why does she think of these things in the middle of a meal? It was weird. 

Waiting for Nina's reply. Steven's eyes glowed upon seeing Nina blush and remain lowering her head. Later, Nina clears her throat and speaks up after a long moment of silence. 

"Not really. In fact, no wonder you are like a giant now. Your appetite is for two people." Shyly, Nina reasoned out from Steven's tease. 

After she made this statement, Steven chuckled. And she was right! Steven sounds sexy. Now she wants to see and hear Harry speak and laugh. 

Thinking about Harry, Nina gathered her courage to ask Steven casually about his twin brother. 

"So, how was Harry?" 

Nina placed a salad in her mouth and slowly chews it while waiting for Steven's answer. She meets Steven's warm gaze. With a huge smile on his mouth, his answer was like a bomb explosion in front of her...

"Harry will spend Christmas with his girlfriend, the reason I came here alone."