Burning Passion

CHAPTER 300: A QUICK KISS 

* * * 

Annie headed to Nina's bedroom. She caught her drying her tears. She strode toward the bed, sat down, and threw her arms around her niece. 

"Aunt Annie…" Nina's eyes were swollen and red. She cried once again.

Annie patted her niece back, her other hand combing Nina's long hair. "Shush. Don't worry... Your parents won't agree with your grandpa no matter what. All you need to do now is calm down and relax." Annie's comfort words. She added, "Your father will do everything to end your relationship with Steven. So, it's better that you will avoid seeing him." 

"Yes, Auntie. But we will see each other at school." It worries her. Even though she avoids Steven to be intimate with her at school, she could still see him. 

After the study room incident, the more she hasn't seen Harry around. She regularly spent time with the girls, including Kristina but Harry is avoiding her. Maybe it's for the best. She thought.

The next day, Nina tours Jessica around the University. She introduced her to the girls and the Football team, which the boys were ecstatic to introduce themselves. 

"Hey! It was Sam's birthday tomorrow! He invited us to visit uncle Lee's restaurant. He will treat us all with dinner!" Ash announced cheerfully. 

Vanessa chimed in, "We are going to buy gifts! You guys wanted to come?" she asked Lee and the other boys.

"Sure!" 

That afternoon, they drove toward Newark City. Lee, Ash, Vanessa, Emily, Kristina, Nina, Jessica and three men from the Football team also went shopping with them. They visit several stores to search for the best gift for Sam. They make sure it won't be the same gift. 

One bought Sam running shoes, sport's attire, t-shirts, and other things that Sam could use daily. And as for Nina, she is checking out the wallet on the glass stand, Lee teases her. 

"Nina, are you going to buy Sam a leather wallet? You should buy one for Steven as well!" 

Creasing her brows, confused, she uttered, "It's not his birthday yet." Nina rose a brow after Lee laughed harder. 

"I'm sorry. I just pitied that guy. Well, you know he's too jealous of other men. So then, don't bother buying Sam a gift." 

Nina pursed an awkward smile. She told Lee, "Don't worry, Lee. It was a gift for my father."

Nina understood what point Lee's wish to warn her. Steven is a narrow-minded guy. It disappoints her how he will get jealous if she buys their friend a gift. Anyway, she wanted to check out a nice leather wallet for her father. So then, she's thinking about buying one for Sam too, since it's his birthday. But she better listen to Lee's thoughts. 

In the end, Nina just bought a leather wallet for her father and a nice purse for her mother. She was on her way to the cashier when her eyes caught a nice black leather backpack for Jessica. She requested the saleslady to wrap the three items in a separate gift box. 

Later, Steven arrived. It surprised her why the guy knew they were in that store. She heard the Shang building was in Newark. But she never visited the company yet. 

"Hi, honey!" 

Steven placed a kiss on her cheek. She did not show her displeasure, but she only pushed a thin smile. Everyone didn't notice Nina was indifferent toward Steven, but Jessica knew very well. And she felt pity for her Miss. She prayed that her suffering would end soon, and she became happy. 

Steven notice the shopping bag in her hand, he asked, "What did you buy? Have you bought a gift for Sam already?" 

Nina studied Steven's expression. The guy is trying to hide the sharpness in his glare. She thinks Steven was more interrogating her rather than throwing a casual question. Shaking her head in response, Steven widened his smile.

He exclaimed, "Great! Help me choose a gift for Sam from both of us!"

Nina heaves helpless sighed in silence. Lee was right. It is not a good idea if she bought Sam a gift without Steven's knowledge. He looked pleased after learning that she bought nothing for Sam. 

"Honey, what can you suggest a gift for Sam?" Placing his arm around Nina's waist, he rested his chin on her right shoulder. 

Nina instantly frowned that Steven clung to her. She pressed her mouth not to shrug him away and yell to stop touching her in front of a saleslady. Steven casually rubs his nose at the back of her ear. It sent a million creeps down her body when Steven inhaled her scent. 

"What are you doing?" she asked irritably. 

"You smell nice," Steven whispered to her ear. "I like your perfume."

He's a pervert! No. He is horny! How dare he act this way in public! It pissed her. 

Jessica, whose eyes never leave her Miss, witnessed everything. Anger crept toward her chest, it also annoyed her that Steven doesn't care if his action made her Miss unhappy. What he only considers is himself to take advantage of the situation they were in public. Her Miss is not used to creating a scandalous scene. Therefore, it's the reason she's here. She has to do something! Jessica mused.

She came close to the glass stands and talked to the saleslady. "Miss, can I see that color? That one too!" She's pointing different colors there and then. The saleslady carefully takes out the neckties inside the glass stand.

"Miss Nina, look at this! Sam is going to the office, so how about we buy him a necktie?" Jessica suggested to Nina. She doesn't care if it irritates Steven that she interrupts his moments. Importantly, she saves her Miss! 

And it made Nina happy that Jessica rescued her instantly! Jessica being here is a blessing in her life. She always knew what to do to protect her from Steven. Now she has an excuse to shove Steven on the side. 

She takes his hand around her waist, she told the guy, "I will help Jessica choose a color!" 

She strode closer to Jessica. They began choosing colors that would suit Sam's looks. They picked two different neckties for Sam, Steven paid for them. 

Before they separated to go home, they stopped by at the Diner. Harry showed up there to pick up Kristina. Steven instantly wears a long face. But they have common friends, so it's typical, they were in the same circle hanging out together. 

After Steven dropped them home, Nina handed him four small boxes. Steven looked confused. He asked, "What are these?" 

Nina beamed as she replied to Steven. "I put names on the boxes!" 

Steven read the name on the boxes, his face darkened upon seeing Harry's name. "Why did you include him?" 

She could sense the anger in Steven's tone. Nina hid a playful smile after Steven was provoked. She explained, "It's supposed to be just Papa Jerome and Great-grandpa Shang. But then, I'm thinking of getting one for you and Harry." 

Steven sharply peered at the box where was written Harry's name on it. If his gaze is a fire, the box is already burning right now. Even though it annoyed him, Steven hid his anger in front of Nina. 

"Okay. I will give it to them," he assured. 

"Would you?" 

Steven creased his forehead, meeting Nina's meaningful gaze. Why did Nina say that to him? Did she already know about what happened to her confession letter for Harry? Steven mused inwardly. His chest suddenly thumped loudly. 'No. Maybe just my imagination.' 

Steven shook his head lightly, ignoring the fear lingering in his chest. "Okay, honey. I'm leaving now." Hesitant to leave, he wanted to spend more time with her. He softened his gaze, he smiled sweetly. "Can I have a goodnight kiss, honey?"

Before Nina could reply, she heard her father's voice, calling her out. "Nina! Come inside! There is something I want to talk about with you." 

Instantly, Nina replied to her father, "Yes, Papa!" 

"I have to go in, Steven! Bye!" 

Steven left dumbfounded outside. Nina doesn't even invite him to get inside the house for tea, or her father asks him to stay for a while. Felt rejected, Steven left.

While driving home, his eyes were always looking at the boxes on the passenger seat.

If Nina weren't here, he would throw the gift for Harry. But he could not do that this time. He has no choice but to give the gifts to his father, great-grandfather, and Harry. 

He threw the box on Harry's bed before he entered the bathroom to take a quick shower. Harry, who was on his desk reviewing his lesson, was surprised when Steven just threw a box on his bed. Curious what it was, he sat up from his chair and picked up the box. He wondered, but seeing the handwritten, he figured out whom this gift was from.

The attitude Steven showed now that it only forced him to give the gift. Harry opens the gift. It was a striped blue necktie he found inside the box. Somehow, happiness explodes inside his chest. But it confused him if he could truly accept Nina's gift. Well, he will keep it. 

* * *

The next day, Nina was in the library after lunch while waiting for her next class. She was on the Literature shelves to look for an American Historical Romance novel. She found them on the corner bookcase; top shelves. But she needs a ladder. 

And the last memory she has is a nightmare, and she wants to forget what happened that night. Heaving a sigh of sadness, Nina turned to her right to leave that place. 

However, she bumped into someone's body. And the first thing she noticed is the necktie she chose for someone. 

'Harry!' She freaks out inwardly. Her heart beating crazily, being close to him like this. What is he doing? He knew she was there, but why did Harry not avoid her? 

And what's ironic, he is wearing the necktie she bought yesterday! 'What is he trying to prove now?' Nina mused, puzzled. 

She wanted to look up and meet his burning gaze. She could tell because her face was hot. And upon hearing his husky voice, her heart jumped.

"Which one do you like to read?" asked Harry. His eyes remain to stare at Nina. No response from her, Harry stretched his long arm to reach a book he already read from the upper shelf.

It's a little beyond his reach, he has to lean forward a little, and the scene is Harry almost hugging her. 

Nina held her breath but her nose caught that pleasant scent from Harry's body. It made her daze. 

"Here…" 

Her gaze remained on the floor. Nina was not by herself when she raised both of her hands to accept the book from Harry. And before the book landed on her palm, Harry covered her lips with his… 

Left in a trance, Nina reached for her lips that had just received a quick kiss from Harry.

Yes.

It was just quick, but it took her whole heart from her chest.