Burning Passion

CHAPTER 277: STEVEN IN PANIC

* * *

Watching from the corner, Harry was a little surprised how Nina and Steven interact with each other. There's something odd about them. Or maybe he just paid so much attention to Nina to notice it?

While Harry was in deep thoughts, Kristina often glances at him. And she always sees him staring at Nina with a tender gaze. Something like only a person is deeply in love would look that way. And Harry never looked at her passionately. 

Now she realized that there's a huge difference in the way Harry looked at her and Nina. Harry only seeing her as a good friend, but the way he looked at Nina was full of love. 

Kristina heaves a silent sigh, swallowing the lump in her throat as she fights the tears that threatened to escape from her eyes. 

All along, the relationship she and Harry shared is just a friend with benefits. They were even barely called lovers. 

What a sad truth... 

As the night gets old, everyone needs to go home, including Seth and Lucy. 

Tonight, the only people left in the mansion are Steven, Harry, and her… Only the three of them.

Nina was in the shower having a warm bath. This morning when her plane landed, she didn't expect that it was Steven who would pick her up.

~~~~~ 

Newark International Airport, USA

"Honey!" Steven is waving both of his hands to get Nina's attention. 

It surprised her to see this guy, but Nina could not protest when Steven was already in front of her. 

"Steven? You are my pickup?" 

"Yes! Dean Collins asked me to take care of your stay here!" said Steven. He threw his arms around his girlfriend, giving a warm hug. 

"Thank you so much for a wonderful surprise!" 

Nina twitches her lips. She already applied to the program before they became a couple. Besides, she applied to the Exchange Student Program to see Harry, not for him. But Nina kept it to herself. She's already disappointed. Hiding her frowning expression, she pushes a thin smile and thanked Steven. 

"Then thank you for picking me up," she said poorly. And because it overwhelmed Steven with joy, he didn't notice her poor reaction toward Steven's warm embrace.

"Let's go!" He said excitedly, took the pushcart from Nina, he led her outside toward his Porsche car. 

Nina drops a jaw after realizing how much the car Steven is driving to pick her up. It's not new to her to see sports cars around as Albert drove one and other rich kids students back to Cambridge. But it was so eye-catchy. She wanted a low-key profile in the US. After she poses for Val's magazine, she receives many offers from other companies which she is not interested in. All she wanted is to stay away from the spotlight.

On their way, Steven is full of enthusiasm to show her a few places in New Jersey. Steven takes a quick tour in Newark before they head to Princeton. While they were alone, Nina takes this opportunity to clarify a few things with Steven. 

"Steven, I hope you still remember what you promise to me." 

Displeased that Nina mentioned it, Steven chose to nod, he said, "Of course, honey. You're my queen!" He reached for Nina's hand to plant a kiss on it. 

"You're driving." She slowly takes back her hand and reminds him to focus on driving. Although it was just her excuse that Steven would stop being touchy with her. 

~ ~ ~

Nina heaves a tiring sigh, she quickens her bath to finish soon. She chooses to wear pajamas tonight. It's the best thing she should put on, and she must avoid wearing a sexy nightgown or short pants and spaghetti strap nightwear. 

After she blew dry her hair, she suddenly felt a thirst. She slowly makes her way to the kitchen. The Shang mansion is huge. Thanks to the little light in the hallway, she had enough light to see her way to the stairs and corridors toward the kitchen. 

Nina is checking out the huge refrigerator. It fills with fruits and bottled juice. She was about to pick up an apple when someone spoke behind her. 

"Nina?" 

"Oh, my gosh!" she gasps. 

"Ah, I'm sorry to startle you. Why didn't you turn on the light?" asked the guy. His voice is getting farther, so it means he walked toward the light switch.

Nina didn't need to guess who it was. Her heart knows. Besides, if it was Steven, he would call her honey. Placing her hand on top of her chest, it remained to beat crazily not only from shock but from the thought that she was with Harry. And so she tried to settle down her breathing.

Not long, the kitchen filled with light. Nina finally has a better look at Harry's handsome face. The entire time since she arrived in the mansion, she avoids meeting his gaze or stealing glances in his direction. 

"Are you hungry?" asked Harry.

His sexy voice makes her come back to her senses. And staring at Harry's thin smile playing across his face, Nina lowered her gaze to avoid staring at Harry's lips.

Those times she and Harry shared kisses playing inside her head, and it dazes her. 

She was still in a trance when she answered Harry. "Yes, a little, so I'm trying to check out what I can eat tonight." Nina avoided meeting his gaze. She felt warm all over.

"You want me to make you a noodle soup? We have an instant one here." 

Her eyes flickered from the thought that Harry would cook for her. Before she could refuse, her head already nodded. 

'Ah, wait! What did I do?'

She was still in a trance, standing in front of Harry. When she looked up, it was Harry's beautiful smile that met her. 

"It will be quick. You want some spinach to add on?" asked Harry. He already grabbed a small casserole and put water, she places it on the cooking range. 

Nina tried to make a quick decision, but before her mouth opened for an answer, she was already picking up spinach and bringing it to Harry. 

Glancing at her lovingly, Harry takes the spinach in her hand to wash it.

Meanwhile, Steven just finished taking his shower. He noticed Harry wasn't in the bedroom. He hurried to put on his clothes and rush toward Nina's room. But Nina wasn't there, or even in the bathroom. 

His chest is pounding so loudly.

Where is she!? 

Harry?

He needed to check if the two were together!