Burning Passion

CHAPTER 253: OFFICIAL BOYFRIEND?

* * *

"We found Sarah!" 

Nina pushed Steven after she heard Albert's voice. She is grateful for his arrival, and she has woken up from her craziness. Suddenly, she fell into Steven's trap. She always reminds herself that she won't let Steven have even a tiny hope from her, but set a restriction that they will remain good friends. 

However, for a moment, she gave in and let him kiss her. Now, how could she turn around? 

Frustration surged in her chest as she was upset with herself. She was to blame. She didn't control herself for missing Harry and thought it was him she's kissing at the moment. 

'So stupid, Nina!' she scolded herself. 'Besides, Harry has a girlfriend. What were you sulking about?' 

Shaking her head, Nina sat up from the settee and tried to get up. But she was still in a daze. Gladly, Steven was there to catch her frail body. 

"Don't force yourself to get up." Steven reminded her, carefully pushing her down, sitting back on the settee.

"But Sarah…" 

Meanwhile, Albert was forced to announce their appearance. He guessed Greg didn't see them kissing as the guy, only making a slow pace behind him.

Albert walked toward the sofa across from the settee Nina and Steven sat side by side. Suppressing his jealousy from the scene he saw, he carefully placed down his sister.

"Nina!" Showing up in the door, Greg made hasty steps toward his cousin. "I'm glad you're awake now! I'm so worried!" 

Pushing a timid smile, she told Greg, "Don't worry, brother Greg. Thank you for looking for me." 

"I'm sorry I did not pay more attention to you. I…" 

Nina raises her hand to stop Greg. "It's alright. It was my carelessness. I should have asked someone to accompany me before I followed Sarah." 

Even after her comforting words, Greg still feels bad for what happened this evening. But since they found Nina and Sarah, it was what needed their attention to ensuring they are both alright, which Sarah remains unconscious.

Not long, more footsteps rushing to the room. It was King Victor. He felt relieved they found his daughter as soon as possible. 

Wandering his gaze to the room, he shot a sharp glare at the two men lying on the floor. He ordered his bodyguards to take them away. But they have to make silent movements around, not let the guests and the media learn about the incident. 

He left to see James and came back with his wife, queen Rebecca. At this moment, Sarah has woken up. 

"Are you alright, honey?" Full of worries, Rebecca asked her only daughter. 

Nina was just silently watching them across the room. If her parents were here, surely, they would also worry about her that much. 

She heaved a sigh. Pressing her back and head to the settee; a surge of pain into her head. "Ouch!" 

Hearing Nina groans with pain, Steven seated next to Nina quickly turned to his side. "What's wrong?" 

"My head. I think it swells a little." 

Steven quickly reached for Nina's head and scanned the part she is pointing at. 

"Dammit! I want to kill those bastards!" he cussed. 

"It's okay. It happened when I flung to the console table and I fell on its foot." 

The more Steven in rage hearing her story. Instantly, he asked Greg to get an ice pack. 

Across the room, another man wants to explode in anger. Albert clenched his fists inside his suit's pockets. His jaw tightened in annoyance. Seeing how Steven is clingy to Nina, he wants to walk toward them and grab the guy away. It irritates him seeing how they were intimate with each other. And that kiss? 

Albert gritted his teeth. He could not accept that suddenly, Steven became Nina's boyfriend. He also worried as much as Steven and looked for her as well! 

He continued mumbling inside his head, twitching his face from displeasure. Albert didn't notice that her mother is secretly observing him. 

Rebecca is aware of Albert's rivalry against Steven Shang. Now witnessing the intimacy of the young couple across them brought gladness in her heart. 

She doesn't hate Nina. She likes her as Sarah's friend. She is a good girl, elegant, and has a class, but she is not enough for her son. Albert needs someone from a royal family like him, and this is what her son must understand. 

That is why Rebecca was happy seeing Nina and Steven seated too close to each other, and the guy is clingy to the girl. She was sorry for Albert. Love is unnecessary for him, but the future of their nation is most important being the heir of the throne.

Rebecca is used to this sick system for the reason she believes that Albert could accept it soon. 

Take a glance at her son, Albert's expression is displeased because of what he is witnessing. But then, Rebecca walked toward Nina.

Sat on Nina's right side, she asked with a smile purse on her lips. "How are you, dear?"

"I am fine, Queen Rebecca," Nina responded. Although she is close to Sarah, she could feel uncomfortable around the queen.

Rebecca softens her gaze and opens her arm to give Nina a warm embrace when she notices that the girl is shy around her. She said, "I'm glad both you and Sarah found it right away. I was worried sick after I heard my daughter's disappearance and you are wearing this gown." 

Rebecca parted from Nina; she went on, "But dear, you still need to present for the Auction. Are you feeling better?" 

Nodding, she pursed a smile. "I am, Queen Rebecca. When will it start?" 

"That's great then! Ah, don't worry. The Auction will start in an hour. So you can take enough rest." 

"Okay." Nina nods at Rebecca.

"You and Sarah stay here. I will send over some food. I'm sure you guys haven't eaten yet." 

"Thank you, your majesty." Steven thanked the queen. 

Rebecca nodded and sat up. She announced her leave along with King Victor to take care of the Charity Ball programs before the Auction hour. 

Rushing to the door, Jessica was teary-eyed. She didn't mind this time to throw her arms toward her Miss as she cried. 

"Miss Nina!" 

"Jessica… hey, don't cry." Nina patted her attendant's back while pursuing a smile. "I'm alright."

Embarrassed, Jessica gradually parted from Nina. She couldn't control her emotion over how worried she is. "I'm sorry, Miss." 

"It's okay." 

Jessica wiped her tears and regained her work attitude. She was about to fix Nina's gown when she noticed her hand intertwined with Steven. It shocked her. 'What is going on here!?' 

Steven is holding Nina's hand. He gently places their hand on his lap and throws a meaningful glare across the room. He knows that Albert never left his gaze at Nina. 

The two men clashing stares, and no one is withdrawing their gaze. Greg, who came back with an ice pack. A chill crept down his spine. The room filled with tension when only the six of them remained inside. Then his eyes landed on Steven's lap. 

He rose a brow and thought, 'No wonder this room became like the hell lit a fire. Someone is raging in anger while one is showing off.' 

Greg shook his head and stepped forward. He gave the ice bag to Steven, who lovingly placed it into Nina's head. 

"Maybe you should lie here," Steven said, reaching for a pillow and placing it on his legs, motioning to Nina to lie on his lap. 

Suddenly, Nina's cheek flushing red. Hesitant because of her shyness, she later accepts Steven's thoughtfulness. Anyway, it will be comfortable for both of them if she lies down on the pillow to place the ice bag on her head. 

Slowly placing her head on the pillow, Nina heaves a silent sighed.. She avoids looking in Albert's direction as she knows his eyes are filled with gloominess.