Burning Passion

CHAPTER 291: HIS LOVE SCARE THE HELL OUT OF HER

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Harry choked with his mother's question. He even almost steps on the brake of his car. It takes a long moment for him to reply. Heaving a tired smile, Harry answered, "Mama, Steven loved Nina." 

Mely couldn't decide whether to chuckle or cry. It was clear that Harry is avoiding answering her question. 

"But I'm asking about your feelings, Harry, not Steven's. Everyone could see how he is head over heels to Nina. I am your mother. You can talk to me." 

After a moment passes, Harry heaves another sigh. He said, "It doesn't matter, Ma... Their marriage was already arranged by the elders." 

Mely closes her eyes. Harry's voice filled with sadness. Her son is just lying to his feelings. "Harry, it matters to me to know your feelings. I don't like what I am seeing. Both you and Steven seem cold to each other. It makes me worried. What's going on to the both of you now?" asked Mely. She won't have peaceful nights watching her sons being like this toward each other.

Harry glanced at his mother, pushing a faint smile before he returned his attention to the road. "Regarding that, Mama… Steven gets angry if I approach Nina. I was only trying to help her around on her first day. But his jealousy is overbearing, and I think it's out of the place. And as I see, Nina is suffocating by his clinginess. Steven seems unable to see that Nina is uncomfortable already." 

Mely rendered speechlessly. She notices that, as well. Mely is looking outside the car window; a long moment of silence passed. Some things are playing on her mind. She doesn't want to do this. But maybe it was for the best. 

"Do you think you can avoid not talking with Nina?" She's asking her son a favor, which breaks her heart. As well, she doesn't want Harry to think that she favored Steven. "Harry, it's not that I was taking sides or giving favor. But…" 

"I know, Ma. Don't worry. I understand what you are trying to tell me." Harry tears a pretentious, cheerful smile. "I already planned to do that… I don't want to have a fight with Steven or him hating me if I help Nina in any way." 

Mely heaves a sigh of relief. Steven certainly acts childishly, and it won't help him grow his relationship with Nina. Ever since she already knows that Harry is the mature one among the twins. Harry is sensitive to his surroundings. He understood his brother, and he is the one who always makes adjustments. But Steven, even though they are supposed to act adult now, won't try to weigh things. And whatever good purposes Harry has, Steven only misinterprets everything. 

"Thank you, Harry. I know you are the one who always gave way for Steven to avoid conflicts. I know I should not ask you to stay away from Nina, not for your brother to get jealous." 

"I know that, Ma. I'm trying not to meddle from now on. However, if I see things that are not right, I could not promise just remain blind and not to do something, Mama..." Harry pressed his mouth not to slip another word. In his perception, Steven is not treating Nina right. She only has a bruise on her pulse by now. But what next? Could it be in other parts of her body? 

Harry tightened his grip on the steering wheel. Honestly, what he wanted to do is to be near Nina to watch her closer. But Steven's jealousy is overboard. It's not healthy at all. 

Mely is watching Harry in silence. She could sense something but there's one thing she wants to ask as well. "Harry, do you like Kristina?" 

"She's a wonderful person, Ma..." Harry replied after a short thought.

'That's not even an answer to my question, Harry.' Mely thought. Clearly, her son is avoiding this kind of topic. She could sense Harry loving Nina. And she pitied for her son to use Kristina. 

"Has anything happened to the both of you?"

Harry stepped on the brake. He looked at his mother with disbelief, groaning. "Ma?" 

"Why are you blushing?" Mely teases her son. She knew it! Harry is the conservative one among her sons. 

Harry resumed driving. He shook his head. "Could you just ask me another question?" 

This time, Mely let out a laugh. Since then, their conversation goes smoothly. Mely just asked random stuff that does not involve any woman or that creates tension to this beautiful day that she had a heart-to-heart talk with her son. 

Soon, it was Steven with whom she wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They've arrived at the site. Nelson likes the houses they visited in the new Real Estate that is closer to Leroy Collins University. And the next day, with the help of Jerome, Nelson finalizes to buy a house for his family. However, they couldn't move in yet as there were still many things to furnish the house. And Nelson wants to do a lot of renovation. He doesn't care if he will pay more, as long as his queen and princess are living comfortably. So then, in the next few weeks, they have to stay in Shang mansion.

Nina also started her classes. Vanessa, Emily, and Kristina warmly welcomed her and accompanied her all day. She was happy that Harry and Steven's friends are nice people. With Lee and Ashton, they were in the café, having coffee when Steven arrived. Later, Harry also came. 

"Hey! It's rare for us to be all together at school," said Lee. 

Ash chimed in, "And what's great? Nina is also here! Our brother here won't be lonely anymore!" Ash throws a punch at Steven, who instantly tears a big smile. The girls also cheered and started sharing with Nina those times Steven talking nonstop about her.

Nina glanced at Steven, who held her hand and planted a kiss on the back of her palm. She already sees that Steven is truly in love with her. But his love scared the hell out of her. She doesn't want to imagine a life with him. Or maybe she felt disgusted toward Steven because she doesn't love him. It might be, if she is in love with him, probably, she won't feel uncomfortable. But when she recalled those things that happened to them just in a short time… All she wanted was to get away from him.

Not making embarrassing remarks, Nina pursed a shy smile. She bears Steven's clingy, although she was uncomfortable again. Or maybe because Harry was sitting next to Kristina while the girl was sitting next to her? 

On the sofa, the twin both sit on the edge of the seat; whereas she and Kristina are in the middle between them. It felt awkward, but she fought the unnecessary feelings she has at the moment. She won't deny how much she loves Harry. But maybe this life does not belong to them...

Chinese New Year, the Shang mansion was all lit and had a merry dinner. Since Nina's parents are around, Steven has no chance to do anything toward her. And in these passing days, Nina rarely sees Harry in the mansion or the university. She knew that Harry has a class in the afternoon, but probably the university is just huge, and she hasn't bumped into him. She also heard from Emily and Vanessa. Harry always spends time with Kristina in the lake of this university. She was jealous. But what right she has to feel this way? Her boyfriend is Steven and Kristina is Harry's girlfriend. There's no wrong if Harry went on a date or spent time with Kristina every day. She has nothing to do with it. Nina mused. 

And as they are celebrating the Chinese New Year, Harry invited their friends for a small banquet their family prepared. And the happiest guy is Seth. Mely and Nina give him a gift. Well, they also gave presents to Kristina, Lucy, and the others, but Seth assumes it was his birthday, again.

Soon after their guests go home and have classes the next day, they requested Nina to make tea.

Grateful, the bruises in her pulses are now gone; she need not hide her hands. Sipping the tea leisurely, it delighted the elders to have this wonderful tea. 

"Nina, you're becoming a master at preparing tea." Complimented by Mely, and concurred by Madam Mei and Nina's grandmother Nera. 

"Thank you, Aunt Mely." Nina blushed. She's still not used to being complimented; her cheeks easily flushed.

Seated next to Nina, Steven uttered, "Honey, stop calling Mama Mely as Auntie. You can call her Mama since you will be part of the family soon."

Nina glanced at Mely, who nodded in agreement. "I think Steven is right, Nina," she concurred. Anyway, whoever Nina marries among her sons, either Steven or Harry: she will address them this way. Mely mused. 

"I… I will not get used to it at first, but I will practice from now on, um… Mama Mely." 

Everyone laughed joyously, hearing Nina said it kiddingly, but it was pleasant to the ear. And Steven is the most delighted one, while Harry remains silent in the corner. 

"Ahem." Elder Shang gets the attention of everyone. They all anticipate what announcement he will make... "While we gather here. Why don't we discuss the perfect date for Steven and Nina's wedding? Why don't we hold it next month?" 

"I agree. I could spend another month here since Nelson bought a house for Li's residences here in the US," Sonny Li concurred, Nina's grandfather.

Nina instantly glanced at her father; her eyes were pleading. The elders are making their own decision!

Tears were on the verge to burst out from her eyes.. 'They shouldn't do this! Papa, help me…' she is helplessly begging her father to voice out.