Burning Passion

CHAPTER 280: SHE MISSES THE OLD DAYS

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She cried all night, and today she woke up with a heavy chest. Nina wanted to stay in bed to cuddle herself under the quilt. But Jessica wasn't here to serve her breakfast, nor she had servants to get anything she needed. Although Steven offered her to do things for her, it is one reason they fought last night. 

She doesn't like to see Steven too soon or talk to him. If only she could stay inside the bedroom to avoid seeing him. But it was her first day in the US, and she should not starve herself just because of her bitterness for him.

How would she survive here if she acted childishly? Even if it annoys her to be in the same room with him, she should not sacrifice herself not to eat on time.

Nina lazily gets up from the bed, heads to the bathroom, and takes a quick shower. After she finished washing, she wore the denim jeans and cream knitted long sleeves that fit on her body. Still a wintry day since February. Gladly, the heating system in the mansion works so fine. She didn't feel cold all night.

She looked around while taking the staircase. The mansion was too quiet. She wondered whether Steven and Harry were at home or went out. But she suspected Steven would never leave her alone.

When she headed into the kitchen, she inhaled the sweet flavor of her favorite pancakes. Could it be? 

But to her dismay, she should not expect much. In the kitchen, Harry quietly eats on the long table while Steven wears an apron around his body and occupies himself making pancakes in front of the cooking range. 

Upon seeing her, Steven tore a huge smile and walked toward her as he greeted her. 

"Hi, good morning! Finally, you are awake. I make your favorite pancake! I'll prepare your hot chocolate now you are here! Come on, sit here." 

Steven gently pulls her toward the dining chair across from Harry. It confused her, but she didn't show her irritation and quietly sat down. Though it disappoints her, and it made her annoyed that Steven acted like nothing happened last night, she reminded herself not to act childishly.

'Is he trying to show to Harry that we are okay, and we are not fighting last night?' He is really something! Nina stressed out in silence. 

Steven, who ignored her mood, attended to her needs cheerfully. "Here, have a taste! What do you think? I haven't perfected yet, like Jessica's recipe. But I assure it tastes alright!" said Steven with enthusiasm. He even looked blushing. 

Nina heaves a silent sighed. It seemed like Steven's wrong last night, only thrown into the trash bin. Instead, he is trying his best to divert her mood and to appear they were good in front of other people.

But she could not bring herself into embarrassment in front of Harry if she ignored Steven or rejected his effort to please her and tried to coax her. 

Her choice now is to pretend everything is alright, and she silently eats the pancakes Steven prepared for her. It looks like he readied everything before her arrival. The hot chocolate he makes is from the Ivory Coast. It's not easy to order but appears that Steven managed to get some for her. 

He is really something. He will do everything to please her. But he also does things that upset her. It looks like a toxic relationship for her. It's not the relationship her parents had. 

Her father spoiled her mama a lot. But the latter is so in love with him. That is the marriage she dreamed for herself to have. 

Nina suddenly loses her appetite with this thought, but she forces herself to eat in front of Harry. 

On the table, she shared meals with Harry and Steven. It was like in the past. She used to go out with them, but it seems things change just in one blink of an eye. The silence surrounding them is deafening to her ears. 

Where are those moments that she shared a good meal with Harry and Steven, which filled with laughter? Where Steven, who is the nosy one, and is never out of funny stuff to talk about while Harry always snaps at him and scolds him if his jokes weren't appropriate anymore.

She misses the old days. Why do they have to be in this situation? Is this how complicated to love someone? 

Tears threatened her eyes to erupt. Nina tried her best to hold them. But her chest filled with sadness, and she almost choked. 

She only happens to fall in love with Harry, which Steven is the one who loves her back. 

Nina fell on her thoughts. She didn't notice that Steven was talking to her. "What is it?" she asked once she came back to her senses.

"I'm asking if you don't like pancakes? I will make you another breakfast if it doesn't taste good," asked Steven. He noticed that she barely stuffed her mouth with the pancake. He knows he isn't the best at cooking, but he knows how to cook some.

Nina shook her head. She answered, "It tastes fine. I just have a headache, so I have a little appetite this morning." She lied. But she has to find an excuse she could reason out, even if it saddened her to be doing such a thing as lying.

"I better get you some fruits!" Steven rose from his chair and walked toward the refrigerator. 

Nina casually glances in Harry's direction while Steven is busy making her a plate of fruits. She noticed that he had already finished eating and just had his coffee, but he hadn't left the kitchen yet. She is not complaining though as this house belongs to them. But she felt awkward toward Harry, and it tempted her to look at him. 

When she raises her head, her gaze meets Harry's questioning stares, and his gaze falls on her arms.