Burning Passion

CHAPTER 260: ADOPT ME

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SHANG MANSION, USA

Harry slowly opens his eyes, his head throbbing as he tries to get up from his bed. 

The moment his plane landed at the airport two days ago. He went straight home; ever since then, he was drinking the liquor in his father's mini-bar in their mansion.

'Shit!' He cusses as he couldn't think straight yet. He needed to sober up now. Harry thought to himself. 

He reached the bedside table; he picked up the telephone and made a few attempts to call a certain person. Finally, he called the right place. 

"Hello, Lee?" 

"Harry? Is that you? What's up, dude? What happened to you? Are you drunk?" a series of questions Lee threw to the other line after he senses the difference in Harry's voice.

Concurring Lee's guess, Harry replied in a hoarse voice, "Yeah. I need to sober up. Can you deliver me some noodles soup, and any food from your uncle's restaurant? I'm too lazy to fix anything for me." 

"What? Where are your butler and maids?" asked Lee. He remembered that Shang has servants to serve the young masters. Those times they were visiting their house and stayed for an overnight pool party. They witnessed how luxurious life the twin is living, but they chose a low profile identity and restraint themselves from showing off to anyone.

Lazily, Harry answered, "They were on vacation." 

"Ah. Let me see. I was on my way to my date, so I could not deliver it myself. And do you know how far you live from my uncle's restaurant?" 

"I know. That is why I will pay it triple." Harry has to do it, so then Lee won't refuse him.

Hearing this, the voice from the other line becomes thrilled. "Is that true, dude?"

At that moment, he was thinking of a commission, additional cash for his date.

"Yes. It's not April fools yet for pranks, you know," Harry assured Lee. 

On the other line, Lee does not doubt that Harry would pay any amount. Shang Company is huge! And money doesn't matter to them. With this thought, Lee already made choices of what food he will arrange, then deliver at Harry's house. "All right! I will arrange it for you! But it will take two hours." 

He replied, "No problem. As long as I have a full meal." 

"Alright!" 

Harry put down the receiver phone after he finished talking to Lee. He forced himself to get up from his bed and head to the bathroom, thinking maybe the hot water could help him sober up a little. 

Under the rushing water, Harry heaved a long sigh. It came back to his mind, the scene he witnessed. He never thought it would hurt him this much. He thought that he already accepts that Nina and Steven are in a relationship. But he is wrong.

In the past months, he has been jealous every time Steven mentions his relationship with Nina, and it was more painful to witness it with his own eyes displaying intimacy like that. The pain was severe like he couldn't bear it. The reason he raided his father's liquor the moment he has the chance to drink. 

Now he regretted he did not confront Steven that day he kissed Nina in the airport. How if he fought his feelings for Nina at the very beginning?

Things must be different by then, but if Nina becomes his girlfriend, one thing he is sure of… 

His relationship with Steven would be hurt because they fought over a girl. 

'But she's not just that girl. She is Nina!' said his heart. 

Argh! He groans from frustration. After he was done having a shower and put on some clothes. Harry is now lying on the sofa having these thoughts while waiting for his food. The more he thought of Nina, the more his stomach in a riot in hunger. It's been two hours since he spoke with Lee. 

The moment someone rings the doorbell. Harry promptly gets up and rushes to the door. 

"Yo! Merry Christmas!" Greetings by an average size physique but tall teenager hugging a box.

"Who are you?" asked Harry. He furrowed his brows, creasing his forehead, recalling where he met the guy.

Seeing that Harry doesn't have an idea, the guy twitches the corner of his mouth, glaring at him and about to open his mouth. Before the guy could respond, a small hand tapped his shoulder. 

"Seth!" 

At that moment, Harry recognized that voice. He lifted his chin and peeped behind the guy. He was right.

"Kristina?" 

"Hi, Harry!" A timid but sweet smile, plastering on her lips. She then explained about Lee's requests, asks them to bring over the food. 

"Oh, thanks! And he is…" Harry remains scrutinizing the guy in front of him.

"Seth Lindsey! Have you forgotten? Lame!" Seth burst out. 

Once more, Kristina taps Seth's shoulder and sends a meaningful stare. Harry was raising a brow. Kristina began worrying about Seth's behavior, which loves to jest and throw jokes. Before a misunderstanding in Seth's silliness, Kristina clarified it to Harry. 

"I'm sorry. I forget who he is..." Harry apologizes while his eyes follow Seth Lindsey, who immediately rushes inside the house once he let them in. 

He began scanning all the antiques collections and paintings displayed in the living room. 

"Whoa! I didn't realize you were this rich!" Seth burst out while checking out a Ming Dynasty jar. 

Narrowing his brows, Harry asked Seth, "Can you tell how much is it?" 

"Nah. I could only determine it was authentic." 

"Really?" Harry crossed his arms.

Stood straight from squatting, he blurted out, "Hey! Why do I have a feeling you are looking down on me?"

"Not... I'm surprised you have eyes for ancient stuff." 

"Of course! My grandfather is an antique and art expert! He has been working with wealthy art collectors!" 

"Alright." Harry waves his hand, showing he is dropping the subject. 

"Hey, Seth! I told you to behave!" Kristina reminded the guy, pinching him on the back.

Scratching his head, he pouted, "Eh? Why are you scolding me, sister Kristina?" 

"I did not!" she whispered. "But Harry owns the house. You should be polite." 

Seth understood what Kristina would like to point out. Nodding, he continued scratching the back of his head. Then he asked Harry, "Well... we need to preheat your food." 

"It's okay. I can do it. How much anyway?" asked Harry, he was about to pick up his wallet on the sofa when Seth added.

"Nah! We are not in a hurry! Brother Lee said we should accompany you!" 

Hearing this, Harry scoff, "I'm not a kid who needs a nanny." 

"And who will clean those?" asked Seth.

Harry followed Seth's gaze down to the sofa where wine bottles scattered on the floor and coffee table. 

"How many days have you been drinking? You are alone?" Seth sounded astounded while asking these questions. 

Harry remained silent. A little embarrassed, he forgot to clean up. But he didn't expect that it would be Kristina and this annoying guy who would come to deliver his food. 

And he has been drinking for two nights. Now realizing it, no wonder his head was like hammered, and his stomach was twitching in hunger. He drowned himself with alcohol to get over his broken heart. But is he even moving on? Until now, he felt the pain was still there. 

Noticing that Harry wasn't answering but fell in thoughts, Kristina clears her throat. "Ahem! Don't mind what Seth asks you," said Kristina. She was glaring at Seth, shooting meaningful stares. But the guy doesn't understand a thing. 

She wants to tell Seth that it's not their business if Harry drinks this much. 

Harry came to his senses; he gathered his thoughts and coughs as he made an excuse. He said, "Well, I couldn't drink a lot when I have an Internship and class in my other degree. Since I was on break, I took the opportunity!" 

It was a lame excuse. He is certain Kristina thought it was, but Seth Lindsey would buy it. And he is right. The guy shrugged and nodded a few times. 

Leaving the messy living room, Seth whistled after he had a look at the kitchen. Harry led them to an extension building, and it impressed him that the area was occupied only by the kitchen. The kitchen appliances are all the latest models. 

Thrilled, Seth jumped to Harry. He senses this guy has something stupid to say to him the way he grins. 

"What?" Glaring at the guy, Harry shrugs Seth's hand on his shoulder.

"Do you have a sister, brother Harry?" Seth asked afterward.

Puzzled, he asked Seth, "And why do you ask?" 

"I want to court her to be my girlfriend." Seth tore a huge grin on his face. 

Kristina, who only listens, shakes her head at how silly Seth is.

Raising a brow, Harry curled his lips with mock. "If ever I have a sister, do you think I will let you near her? Especially to be her boyfriend? You were dreaming!" 

"Why not?" Like a puppy, it was what Seth was acting now. 

Harry is astounded at this guy's behavior. He is worse than Steven! Irritated, he blurted out, "What, why?"

Seth pursed his lips a grin, he explained his reason. "So then I could always hang out in your house!" 

"Then thank god I don't have a sister!" Harry exclaimed as he struck Seth on the neck. 

"Hey! That hurts!" Seth complains, rubbing his neck. "How about you adopt me as your brother?" 

"I already have three brothers!" Harry narrowed his brows, giving Seth a stunned stare. 

"Eh!" Seth twitching the corner of his mouth with disappointment. But his purpose, if only to joke on the guy. 

Kristina, who stood in front of the stove to preheat the food, couldn't help giggling from their interaction. She knows how silly Seth is. His jests would annoy Harry. 

She glanced at them. It was the time Harry looked in her direction. Too late to withdraw her gaze.. Flushing her cheeks, a timid smile formed on her lips before she looked away.