Burning Passion

CHAPTER 263: DATING KRISTINA?

* * *

NEW YORK

"Whoa!" Seth couldn't contain himself holding the new skateboard Harry bought for him. "Are you sure to pay this for me, brother Harry?" 

"Of course. You want me to change my mind?" Harry threatens the guy jokingly. 

Seth, on the other hand, shaking his head vigorously, hugging his new skateboard. 

Kristina, who quietly watched them, couldn't help to giggle. It seems the two are now getting along well. 

"Sister Kristina, how about you?" asked Seth. He notices Kristina has chosen nothing she likes yet. 

Harry suddenly brought them into this store and asked them if they like something, and he will pay for it as his Christmas present for them. Seth instantly jumps with delight, rush inside and stroll to every corner of the store, looking for something he would love to own. 

Seth owns a skateboard back in Japan, but he had to leave it behind. And with the allowance he has, he couldn't afford to buy a nice skateboard here at a dollar price.

And for Kristina, she can't decide what she will get for herself. But she didn't know that Harry already picked something for her. He already knows what gift to give her. After the cashier wrapped the gift, she handed it to Harry. He looks around to search for Kristina, and he was right where she is. She is now looking at the paintbrush and sketch pads. 

"Kristina..." he approached her.

Making a careful look at the three different brushes on her hand, she put them back and turned around to face Harry. 

"Harry, what's up?" she asked curiously.

"Can't choose yet?" Pushing a nervous smile, he sounded teasing her.

Kristina nodded with a smile on. She swept her eyes to the display on that rack. "I haven't received my allowance yet, so I couldn't afford to buy new paints and brush," she said; sadness exhibited in her eyes. 

Harry pursues a slight smile. He hands the box to Kristina. "Here... Hope you would like it." 

"Oh. But..." Shy to accept Harry's gift, however, it was rude of her to refuse it. "You didn't need to do this." 

"It's okay. We're friends, right?" said Harry, curling a smile. 

Biting her lower lip, Kristina beamed. "Then, I would gladly accept it!" 

"Great!" 

Looking at the red box, she muttered, "I wonder what was inside. Should I guess?" Kristina sounded tease. 

"Nah. Just open it later," said Harry, praying she would like it.

"Okay."

While they chat, Seth, who was behind Harry is snickering, like he was teasing them. Harry turned around, glaring at the guy. 

"It looks like someone volunteered to starve today," Harry threatened, kiddingly. 

"Ehhhh!" 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

La Grenouille Restaurant

Inside a fancy restaurant, Seth behaves on his chair, and this surprises Harry and Kristina. Sometimes, he will glance at his surroundings and then lower his head again. 

Kristina, who is used to his bubbliness and craziness, was amused he could actually control his curiosity this time. She couldn't help to smirk that this guy could behave in one place. 

"You don't need to be nervous," Harry's comforting words. He also notices his reluctance to step inside this fancy restaurant a while back.

Harry knew the manager of this restaurant, he made a last-minute reservation for them at the last minute after he asked them out. Now it amused him watching the guy stay silent on his seat. It seems the place intimidates him. 

Couldn't keep his thoughts anymore, Seth leaned over and whispered at Harry. 

"Brother Harry, are you sure it's okay that I ordered a lot?" 

Even though he was too shy to dine in this restaurant, he ended up ordering a lot of dishes. 

Hearing Seth asking him this question, now he knew why the guy seemed nervous. He must worry about the price of the food here. 

Beaming, Harry replied, "Don't worry. I'm using my father's VIP membership card." 

"Then it's okay that I ordered a lot?" asked Seth, his eyes glowed.

"Of course." Harry nodded.

Now that his doubts were clear, Seth finally smiles and straightens his back on his chair, and starts talking. Although he avoids silly action, his mouth wouldn't stop bringing out topics to talk about. 

"Brother Harry, can I stay overnight at your house?" 

"Hm... Sure!" 

"Really?" 

"I think you just wanted to watch the movies," Kristina teases the guy.

Flushed appears on his cheeks. Later Seth curled a grin on his face when Kristina guessed correctly. 

"Would you like to join me, sister Kristina?" Seth's looking at her, hopeful that she would come too.

Suddenly, her heart flutters with the thought, but Kristina doesn't see it fit. Her sleeping over at Harry's house?

She lowered her head after she felt her cheeks blushing, and she doesn't want Harry and Seth to take notice of her red face. Gladly, their food arrived, it drew their attention to the dish arranged on the table. 

Without delay, Seth digs his food. But he tries to make a careful movement, slicing his steak like how those older men eat their food. Before he put it in his mouth, he was anxious and gradually drew the food into his mouth, chewing slowly.

Observing him in the corner of his eyes, Harry amused by him. "Hey, enjoy your food. Don't be intimidated by the place," he encourages Seth to eat the way he is. No need for table etiquette.

By Harry's words, Seth twinkled his eyes, and this time, he doesn't care if he put a spoonful of food in his mouth.

Kristina quietly eats her food, she glances at Seth, and it amuses her watching him acting strange. No, he was acting like an adult. So she commented, "I'm not used to seeing him this quiet."

"I have the same impression," Harry concurred, nodding.

"Eh, I just wanted to enjoy the food!" he stated. He then whispered, "They are expensive. It's a waste if I left even just one grain of rice."

Harry and Kristina shared a glance. They shook their heads and giggled.

Enjoying the food, Seth rubs his tummy when they get out of the restaurant and take a walk toward Central Park. 

"I'm so full!" The guy sighed with satisfaction. "You are the best, brother Harry." 

"I'm glad you guys enjoyed the food. How about you, Kristina?" Harry has been noticing her silence. He was curious and wondered if she enjoyed this trip. 

Kristina smiled. "The food is great! I enjoyed it," she replied, turning her head to Harry.

After strolling in the park for an hour, they were now heading home. Seth, who was sleeping in the backseat, Harry took a glance and chuckled upon seeing the guy hugging his skateboard. 

Kristina also takes a glance at Seth. She shook her head from amusement. "He loves your present." 

Focusing on the road when it's snowing, Harry took a glance at Kristina to give her a warm smile. Her heart fluttered upon seeing that smile on his face. Blushes, she took this opportunity to thank him.

"Thanks for treating us today." 

"You're welcome." 

A moment of silence had passed, Kristina said to Harry. "I'm hoping we are not a bother." 

Harry let out a chuckle, which Kristina thought was sexy. Harry then muttered, "Actually, I'm the one who should say that. I invited you guys out of the blue. I'm glad you didn't refuse me." 

"You're kidding? Who doesn't love treats in a fancy restaurant?" 

Responding with a smile, Kristina couldn't take away her eyes at Harry's handsome face. She was happy that Harry smiles a lot today. 

Yesterday, she could see the sadness in his eyes. And when they were watching a movie, Harry seemed in deep thoughts. His sullen expression yesterday seems never to occur as what he is showing today. 

As what decided that Seth will stay overnight at his house, all he needs to drop home is Kristina. Sam was home. He invited Harry to stay for a little while and offered a bottle of beer while they chatted. 

"What's up, bro!? You start your Internship, right?" 

"Yeah," he responded after a gulp of his beer.

"Great! Hey, are you dating my cousin now?" Sam's question all of a sudden. In fact, Sam is itchy to ask Harry this.

Harry chuckled. Lowering his gaze to his beer, he lifted his chin and met Sam's curious stare.