Burning Passion

CHAPTER 312: VISITING MELY

* * *

Nina picked up Kristina to drop her at Newark International Airport. When Lucy hears that Kristina is leaving home for Switzerland, she asks them to go too, sending her off. 

"Sister Kristina, take always care..." said Lucy, bidding farewell. Eyes flooded with tears, they hug each other. During the time she was in danger, Kristina was there to help her out.

"Thank you for everything, sister Kristina."

"You're very welcome, Lucy. Thank you for sending me off." 

After saying goodbyes to Lucy, Kristina turned around to face Nina. She reached for her hand to hold them. Pushing a warm smile, she uttered, "Thank you, Nina." 

Shaking her head, Nina smiled back. "Small thing, don't mention it." 

Kristina kept staring at her, she looked hesitant to spill out the words forming in her mouth. "Have a safe flight…" Nina wishes for Kristina. Maybe if thighs are not complicated between them for loving the same man, surely they will become best friends.

Kristina thinks the same too. She was happy to meet Nina although she is a rival in Harry's heart. But Harry and Nina knew each other before her. It was Nina who held the special place inside Harry's heart. 

Before Kristina went inside the airport, she hugged Nina.

"You are lovely and wonderful. It's no surprise he loves you." 

It is what Kristina whispered to Nina, and she was left in trance. Not only that, but it confused her with what Kristina meant about her words. Nina wondered if she meant about Steven, which everyone didn't know what was happening to them lately. 

Watching Kristina entering the Entrance Door of the airport, Nina caught the sadness in her eyes. But Nina has no idea that Kristina was sad because she already knew that nothing is waiting for her anymore if ever she will come back. 

~ ~ ~ 

A week had passed, Nina often hung out with Vanessa, Emily, and the other girls from the Cheerleader team with the Football team. Sometimes, she and Jessica meet the others at the restaurant to hang out. 

"Hello, pretty sister Nina!" 

"Hi, Seth!" She greeted him back. 

Later, Sam arrived with Mary and Lucy. Seeing that Nina was there, Sam approached Nina

"Hey, Nina! I'm glad you are here! Can I talk to you for a minute?" asked Sam. Nina nodded, she followed him toward a vacant table in the corner. Instantly, he began asking Nina a question.

"Harry and Steven have been long for a long time. The last time I saw one of them, Harry had bruises. What happened to the twin?" 

"Sam… I'm not in a position to speak on behalf of them. Also, I haven't heard anything about them anymore." 

"I see… I just thought you knew something." Sam heaves a long sigh. 

Nina noticed that Sam seemed bothered with something. 

"What's the matter, Sam?"

"Nothing…" Sam pushes a smile, he thanked Nina. Well, thank you for your time, Nina. If you heard anything, please tell Harry my regards." 

"Sure!"

~~~

Nina felt peaceful days without Steven... However, she is missing Harry. She hasn't heard anything again from her uncle Jerome until one evening… 

Nina was on her way to the kitchen when she passed through in the study room, and she heard her mother Dona talking on the phone. 

"I'm so happy you are feeling better, sister Mely. Don't worry about us. Yes, Nina is fine." 

This is the conversation Nina heard. The next morning over breakfast, it surprised her, at the same time thrilled when her mother announced the good news. 

"Annie, can you accompany my parents-in-law? I'm afraid to leave them alone here. I would love to ask your company with us, but I'm worried about them. Jessica will stay to give a hand." 

"Don't worry, Dona. Uncle Sonny and I don't get along but Aunt Nera is nice to me. I will accompany her to the salon and shopping." 

"I love the idea." Nera concurred. She pulled a chair then sat down. 

"Good morning, mother." Dona quickly greeted her mother-in-law. She places food on her plate and soup in a small bowl. 

"Good morning, Grandma!" Nina also helps her mother. She fetches a glass of water and gives it to Nera.

"Good morning, Dona. Nina, thank you. And yes, let's go shopping, Annie. I'm already bored looking at your uncle's long face." That was a whisper for not Sonny Li to hear. 

The table began having a lively conversation. Nera asked halfway to finish her food. 

"By the way, where are you going, Dona?" 

Dona who already finished her breakfast, she's now enjoying the tea Jessica made for her. Before she replies to her mother-in-law, she glances at Nina. Her daughter focuses on her food. 

She was trained that whenever the adults were talking, she must remain silent and listen to them until her name was mentioned. So, Nina chose to listen and didn't cut into their conversation. 

Although Annie's training for her children is different, Nina also learned their ways. 

The table is always lively and for her, it was fun. But it doesn't mean she forgets her table manners and table etiquette around other people. 

Living in England is a whole new level in her life. She got to socializing constantly that she did less back in Zen City. 

And now living in the US, she also learns a lot of things. She experiences a normal life being a teenager and feeling free. 

Shopping with friends, dine in a restaurant where she needs not minding a table manner but eating merrily with friends while laughing and talking endlessly. 

Despite what she gets through during her relationship with Steven, she had good times with their friends. 

Having deep thoughts, Nina heard her mother mention her name. She looked up with a questioning stare because she was lost in her thoughts, she missed what her mother telling her. 

"Mama? Did you say something?" 

"I said, you can pack your things after you ask permission from your Dean to be absent for a week." 

"Hm? Why?" 

The four women at the table shared a glance at each other. 

'What they were discussing?' Nina glanced at Jessica with bewilderment. Her eyes asked her attendant if what they were talking about. 

It was Annie who answered her confusion. With a smile, she told her niece the good news. 

"You and your Mama will fly to Hawaii this weekend." 

Nina widened her eyes dramatically, happiness showed all over her face. 

'I'm going to see, Harry!' 

~~~~~ 

Honolulu, Hawaii

Nina pushes the cart where their luggage is placed altogether. She and her mother Dona are now headed to the EXIT DOOR. 

Her heart skips a beat the moment she saw the man standing next to a brown Cadillac. 

"Harry!" Dona waved her hand at Harry the moment they exited the airport and spotted the guy. 

"Welcome Aunt Dona!" Harry greeted the woman, he took big steps to take the cart from Nina. 

Their eyes locked, no one wanted to withdraw their gazes. However, this is an awkward situation with Dona's presence. 

"Let me help you," said Harry to Nina. 

She nodded and gave the pushcart to Harry. Nina's heart flutters, while her cheek flushing pink. 

Witnessing this scene, Dona pushes a silly smile. Her daughter acted shy in front of Harry. She just shows how she likes him. No. Her daughter already admitted she loves Harry.

Harry also confessed to Nelson and her husband shared what they had agreed.

And she has no doubts, Harry would respect her daughter and treat her well. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At the hospital, Mely cried with happiness upon seeing Nina and Dona entering the door. 

"Nina!" Mely opens her arms, waiting for an embrace. 

Nina quickens her steps to hug the woman. 

"Mama Mely! I'm glad you are fine." 

"I am. And I'm so happy to see you again! How are you?" 

"I'm fine. You have nothing to worry about me." Nina replied.

Mely looks at Nina apologetically. She held her hand and said, "I'm so sorry for what happened. I felt bad that I didn't raise Steven properly." 

Nina shook her head, she smiled at the woman who she thinks as her second mother before Steven became her boyfriend. 

"Don't say that Mama Mely. You are a wonderful person. I think Steven just has different behavior." 

Nina could not mention that the guy has a different behavior from Harry. The twin brothers are opposite to each other. 

"Don't worry now. We will make sure that Steven won't get to bear you or harm you." 

"Thank you, Mama Mely. I'm sorry if your family had a conflict because of me and Steven's issues." 

"Of course! Steven made a mistake. He behaves indecently. He deserves to be punished." said Mely with bitterness in her voice. She was extremely embarrassed by Dona and Nona. And she is ready to make up with them. 

Nina and Mely converse further along with Dona. The day before their flight, Dona and Annie with Jessica's help made buns and dumplings as Mely missed eating them. 

Earlier this morning, before the sun rises in the East, Jessica prepares a stir-fry noodle. Mely was delighted to eat her favorite food. And after having late lunch, Nina made tea for them. 

She and Harry sitting next to each other, no one attempts to speak up. Nina silently sipped her tea, while Harry did the same. 

Mely and Dona shared a glance seeing them not talking to each other. Later in the evening, Mely whispered to Dona and both the mother came up with an idea. 

"Harry, your Aunt Dona will accompany me tonight. So you can take a rest tonight." 

"Um..." Before he could continue speaking, Dona cut in. 

"Can you escort Nina to the hotel? My daughter looks exhausted from our flight." 

Harry glanced at Nina who fell asleep on the couch. He noticed her yawning after they had tea. She really looked tired. He heard that they slept late and woke up early to catch the morning flight. 

"Let me wake up Nina for her to have proper rest in the hotel." 

"Okay, Auntie." Harry politely replied to the woman.

The truth is, the mothers have a strong sense that the two can not talk in front of them.. So they decided to kick out these two to have a moment to talk alone.