Burning Passion

CHAPTER 257: TRY THIS OUT

* * *

Harry stretches his body after hours of sleeping in the corner of the airport. He rubbed his eyes and looked around. He then remembered the reason he was in England.

In Korin's letter, that girl mentioned that Nina actually rejected Steven. So, it puzzles him why Steven is claiming Nina as his girlfriend? His curiosity and hopeful heart lead him to come here. 

He came here to ask Nina himself. Yes, he is supposed to clarify things with Nina. But it seemed too late for him now. What he saw last night is evident that truly they are in a relationship. 

So what will be the use if he shows up to Nina and Steven? He doesn't want to cause a problem to their relationship, moreover to witness their intimacy. 

Maybe Korin is wrong after all… Or Nina finally accepted Steven after pursuing her over again as she got tired of waiting for him. 

Harry heaved a sigh. Glancing at his wristwatch, it was now noon. He has to wait for another six hours before his flight back. He stood up and pats the back of his winter coat. He better finds something to eat for lunch. 

Harry was searching for a stall when the corner of his eyes caught the headlines of the newspaper in the rack. He halted and picked one and read it. 

The article was talking about last night's Charity Ball. And the inclusion photo in the article is Nina and Steven, hand entwined in between them while looking at the camera with a huge smile on their faces that was like they were in love as how their eyes flicker with joy. 

No wonder the service crew in that coffee stall mistaken him as Steven. 

Pain hurling in Harry's chest, he put back the newspaper and dragged his foot somewhere. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Meanwhile, inside Nina's bedroom. She remains to stare at the ceiling. She has been lying down on her bed for three hours after she has eaten her breakfast. 

Nina woke up around eight in the morning. Since then, she was thinking about how to explain to Steven that what happened last night is a mistake. She can't continue being his girlfriend. 

How crazy it was that they became a couple last night. And today, she was thinking of breaking up with him. But everything just happens suddenly. Now she is having a headache thinking about how she could resolve this. 

She was in deep thoughts when a knock on her door followed Jessica's voice informing her about Steven's visit. 

Nina hurls a gloom sigh before she thanked Jessica. She sat up and got down from her bed. 

In the closed living room is Steven putting gifts under the Christmas tree. It disappointed Nina to see that her cousin was already there. Then she could not talk to Steven privately. 

Feeling the eyes staring at his back, Steven turned his head. Instantly, his handsome face tore into a big sweet smile. He stood on his foot and strode toward her. 

"Hi…" Steven reaches for Nina's hand and places a kiss on her cheek. 

Nina just remains unmoved, not from surprise, but she has mixed emotions at the moment, and she could not decide which one she put more care not to show in front of Steven. 

Sadness looms inside her chest. Greg is watching them closely. Although her cousin pursed a smile, his eyes implied that it bothered him about the relationship she and Steven had out of the blue. 

At this moment, Nina has no choice but to choose between being lively in front of Greg and Steven. Playing an enthusiastic smile, she greeted Steven and Greg. "Hi, guys! What's up? What are you doing?" 

She thinks asking a series of questions would divert her emotion, and she could calm her troubled heart. 

Steven pulled Nina and guided toward a couch near the Christmas tree and carefully pushed her down to sit. He sat next to her and said, "I bought a present for everyone. Let's open it tomorrow after a Christmas dinner." 

"Oh. But Aunt Annie…" 

Before Nina could finish her sentence, Greg interrupted her. Raising his right palm to stop her from talking, Greg said to her, "We will come over tomorrow for Christmas dinner. Mama thinks it's best to hold in your house since Steven was here." 

"Okay. That's great then!" Nina pushed her voice to sound cheerful, despite frustration growing inside her chest. She badly wanted to talk to Steven alone to clarify things before her Aunt Annie sees an unnecessary scene. 

Like at this moment, Steven casually slid his fingers to her palm. Since then, he has never let go of her hand but displayed it in front of Greg. Helplessly, only she could do is a sigh in the silence between her conversation with Greg and Steven. She guessed it would turn out awkward if she took back her hand from Steven's grasp. 

Nina heaves a sigh of relief when Jessica enters the room and serves tea. In this way, Steven has to let go of her hand. So the entire time they were chatting, Nina never put down her teacup. It's her way to avoid Steven's hand holding hers. However, Steven placed his arm around her shoulder.

'This guy is so clingy!' Nina thought, helplessly glanced at the arm on her shoulder.

But upon thinking about Harry and telling herself that he already has a girlfriend. Sometimes, she is tempted to continue her whirlwind relationship with Steven. She was struggling to decide.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

LONDON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Harry halted for a moment, staring at the gate where he had to take toward his plane. They were now calling to board the plane. But suddenly an urge arises in his chest to stay and go back to Nina. 

But what for? 

Filled with gloominess inside his chest, Harry hurled a sorrowful sigh before he took a step forward. He rather celebrates Christmas alone than witnessing Nina and Steven displaying sweetness to each other. 

~~~~~ 

CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND 

"Nina… you were just joking, right?" Shocked at what he heard, Steven stammered his words. His handsome face twitches with pain and rejection. Tears were actually forming on the corner of his eyes and any moment, they'll stream down his cheeks. 

What Nina told him was like a sword struck to his heart. Steven pressed the eyelids of his eyes; he blinks several times to clear out the fog blocking his vision. He rushed in front of Nina and knelt, gripping both of her hands. 

"Nina, give me a chance to show you how much I love you!" Steven begged. His voice was full of pain.

Remaining looking down on the floor, Nina couldn't meet Steven's gaze. She finally had an opportunity to talk with Steven in private when her Aunt Annie called and asked Greg to come over to the market where she had to buy all they needed for tomorrow's Christmas dinner.

Nina presses her mouth tightly and sometimes biting her lower lip to suppress the emotion lingering inside her. 

She has to be very careful not to burst out in front of Steven that whom she loves was Harry, and she needs time to mend her broken heart before she wants a relationship with someone else. 

However, Steven is now kneeling in front of her, begging and confessing his love. But what can she do? Her feelings for Steven are of a brother. She was careful not to end their friendship because she is already important to her. Although she could not return his love, she cherished him as a good friend. 

"Steven, like what I said. I'm not ready to be in a relationship yet." It was her reason. She knew it sounded lame, but it was also the truth. 

"Nina, tell me... What should I do? Just don't break up with me!" Steven continued begging at her. He went on, "Please, let us try this out! If after a year and you still don't feel love for me. By then, I will set you free." 

Nina pursed her lips. 'What Steven meant by that?' She couldn't avoid asking herself. To her understanding, it was more like a pretense relationship. 

"Nina…" 

Hearing Steven sobs helplessly, she felt a pinch of pity. In her mind, debating if she should give Steven a chance....