Burning Passion

CHAPTER 307: LOSING HIS MIND

* * *

Inside the study room, Nelson offered the couch across him. Harry thanked him, he sat down quietly, waiting for the middle-aged man to start his queries. 

After a maid brought them coffee and left the room, Nelson did not delay asking Harry. "Did you know about the bruise in Nina's pulses, Harry?" 

Nodding his head, Harried replied, "Yes, Uncle Nelson. I noticed them the next morning. But the night before, I overheard them argued because Steven got jealous I cooked for your daughter." Harry heaves a long sigh, he continued. "He is possessive toward Nina. He is afraid that Nina and I talked, nor be in the same room." 

"Have you figured out why?" Nelson never averted his eyes, peering at Harry with intent.

Harry bravely meet Nelson's gaze, even as truth was, his chest-thumping loudly. He replied, "Yes, Uncle Nelson." Steven was afraid that Nina would mention her confession letter. Harry did not voice it out. He chose not to bring up that he heard what they'd talked with his parents yesterday. 

"You know what, Harry. I would be honest that I rather choose you to be Nina's husband. But I think Nina should have her freedom of what she would like to achieve for now. I could see that she's emotionally drained. Her relationship with Steven looks exhausting. So, I want to pursue my daughter's marriage after she finishes college." 

Harry rendered speechlessly. It surprised him how Nelson stated it straightforwardly. He is searching for perfect words to respond, Nelson added. 

"Besides, you are in a relationship, Harry. So, I can't allow Nina to engage with you." 

Hearing Nina's father, the words he was forming in his tongue disappears. Now, how could he explain himself to Nina's father? 

He loves Nina. But because Steven is making his way to create misunderstandings between them, now things messed up and turned complicated. And it was Kristina who will get hurt the most in this situation.

He understood that Nelson made a point that he prohibited Nina to have another relationship this time around. Besides, she was still in college. And he should end his relationship with Kristina first, before anything else. 

"Don't worry, Uncle Nelson. I am already thinking of breaking up with my girlfriend. I have been unfair to her, even in the very beginning. So I want to be honest with her about my real feelings." Harry waited for Nelson to ask him further questions. When the middle-aged man remained to scrutinize him, waiting for his explanation, he took this opportunity to speak up further.

"I have loved Nina ever since. We have a mutual understanding back then. But when Steven entered the picture, I gave way and denied my feelings for your daughter and tried to shut her off in my life. And thought that Nina was happy with my brother. I made a foolish decision of forgetting her by courting another girl. So I will settle this soon." 

Upon explaining himself, Nelson rose a brow. 'Kids these days. They give up right away and make assumptions.' But he understood Harry's situation. His rival is not just his brother, but a twin brother. Since day one, they have been together inside their mother's womb until they were born and grew up. And Harry chooses their brotherhood over his daughter because blood relation is what Harry cared foremost above all. 

"That's good then." It satisfies Nelson with Harry's statement. He went on, "However, I don't want to see or hear that Nina was stealing someone's boyfriend. So, I would gamble to trust in your promise even if I don't want Nina to be in a relationship yet. If you want my daughter, then wait for the right time." 

Bowing on his seat, Harry politely made a promise to Nelson. "I will wait, Uncle Nelson. I promised to know my place, and I will respect your daughter." 

"That's good. I will hold on to your words. Until now, I have the desire to beat up your twin brother. Speaking of, what happens to your face? Are you and Steven punching up each other?" 

Harry nodded. And he shared what happened when he arrived at the mansion after his class in the afternoon. 

After Harry shares, Nelson yelled. "Bastard! You made a promise just now!" 

"I… I'm not sorry, Uncle Nelson. But I assure you! From now on, I promised to mind myself." Harry bowed at Nelson one more time.

Heaving a long sigh, Nelson asked a question about Jerome before he dismissed Harry. "Okay. It's getting late. Thank you for your time." 

"You're welcome, Uncle Nelson." 

"Let me walk you to the gate." 

"Thank you." 

Nina heard a car leaving the villa. It must be Harry. She rushes to the window; she watches the car disappear from her sight. 

She was too curious about what her father and Harry talked about. It intrigued her if it also involved Steven.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Driving back to the mansion, Harry contemplated. He now understood why Nelson didn't give him a chance to talk to Nina. Instead, his message is obvious. He should avoid getting near Nina or talk to her while he is in a relationship. Either way, he could not court her while she was still in college. But their circle of friends is the same, so, usually, they gather around altogether. He could not avoid getting near her.

Besides, now that Steven and Nina separated, he is free to talk to her without considering his twin brother's narrow-minded behavior. 

Harry parked his car. He looked at the lonely mansion. Once again, he was alone. 

The once merry big family now felt distant. Why does all this have to happen? Harry asked himself. 

Even though he was angry at Steven, still, he wished for the things that never end up this way. But Steven's behavior worsens and is getting outrageous. 

Maybe if Steven treated Nina right and gentle, he could keep giving way. But now he knew how Steven was taking advantage of Nina. And he witnessed how he wanted to manipulate their relationship to the point of forcing her; he could not just sit around. 

Harry heaves a long sigh, walking toward the door of the mansion. A maid opened the door for him. 

"Welcome back, young master." 

"Thank you. It's late already. You can take a rest now." 

The maid bowed and left. Harry sweeps his gaze to the entire living room. The broken jars are now clean, and the house is tidy once again. 

This afternoon, he was heading to the staircase when Steven met him halfway and threw a punch at him. Good thing that he instantly takes a step backward to avoid it, but Steven's fist is fast and strong. It still landed on his face. 

"What is your problem!" Harry yelled at his twin brother. Steven is looking at him fiercely. He wondered what's gotten to him.

One more time, Steven threw another punch at him. "How dare you! Traitor!" 

Harry is familiar with Steven's fighting style. They were always shadowboxing and trained together with martial arts. He effortlessly does a counter-attack. This time, it was Steven's face that received a punch. 

"And how do I become a traitor? It was you who stole Nina from me!" Harry could not suppress his anger anymore. All the things he wanted to confront Steven flooded his head. 

"Stole from you!? What are you talking about!? It was you who planned to steal her away from me!" yelled Steven. He held Harry in his suit. 

Being held like this, Harry grabbed Steven by his collar. "It started at the airport! That night, Nina is already my girlfriend!" 

Shocked written across Steven's face, there's no way he would believe it. "You are dreaming! You just wanted to wash your hands for the crime you did! Someone saw you in the library, kissing Nina!" 

Hearing this, Harry tore a smile. Of course, he's the one who sent a letter to Steven. How foolish of him to kiss Nina when anyone could see them. Before he did that, he made sure that no one was around. 

And his brother indeed, a fool. He understood that Steven is madly in love with Nina. But his brother becomes unreasonable each day. His mood puts Nina in an unhealthy relationship to the point he is forcing her with things she doesn't like. 

"So it was true!" Steven roared at Harry. He punched him one more time. Harry avoided it, but he stepped back to the console table. All the antique jars displayed now scattered in pieces on the floor.

Steven attempts to raise his foot and kick his brother. But Harry's question shocked him. 

Harry's face darkened, with a sharp glare, Harry asked Steven. "Where is Nina's confession letter for me, Steven?" 

Steven froze on the floor. He was racking his head about how Harry knew about it. His first presumption, Nina and Harry talked in the library, that is why they've kissed!

'No. This is not the end! I need to talk to Nina! Even if I will kneel and beg in front of her!' Steven suddenly lost his mind. He forgot that he was fighting with Harry. He rushed to the door to see and talk to Nina. But before he reached the door, their father entered the mansion. 

"Where are you going, Steven? What happened to your face?" Jerome immediately noticed the fresh cut on his son's lip and blood dripping on his nose. His eyes caught Harry, who was massaging his jaw, and the broken jars on the floor. 'The heck! Are his sons just punching each other?'

"I'm going to see Nina, Papa." 

Jerome rose a brow. He asked Steven, "Didn't you look at yourself in the mirror? Do you really plan to appear in front of Nina with a bruise in your mouth and your nose dripping with blood?" 

Is his son losing his mind!?