Burning Passion

CHAPTER 330: HARRY'S PROMISE

* * *

At lunchtime, Harry asks Dona's permission to bring Nina to a movie. 

"Aunt Dona, can I bring Nina to a movie tonight?" 

"Sure! That was romantic!" Thinking that they are going home in a few days, Dona instantly gives her consent to the young couple. She understood that once they go back to New Jersey. They can't act like lovers. 

She added with sadness in her eyes, "Nina, your papa didn't bring me to movies anymore." 

"Ah. Don't mention it, Dona." Mely chimed in. Same as Dona, sadness flashes across her beautiful face. She went on, "Jerome is the same. All he does is work in the company like there's no tomorrow." 

Dona sighed as she concurred with Mely's statement. "Yeah, same to Nelson. Ever since he expanded our business, he always traveled to other provinces." 

Dona paused talking, she glanced at the young couple fixing her gaze at Harry.

"Harry, never forget to bring Nina on dates and movies even after you both are married." 

Harry takes Nina's hand, he gazed at her lovingly as he promised, "Don't worry, Mama Dona! Nina and I will spend our life together every single day." 

"That's a promise, hm?" Dona stared at Harry with intent. As a mother, she wishes all the best for her daughter's happiness.

"Yes, Mama! Cross my heart! It's a promise!" said Harry with a solemn look in his eyes. He leaned over to plant a quick kiss on Nina's lips. 

It surprised Nina that Harry did that in front of their mothers. Now her face was like bitten red. She kicked Harry under the table, in which he only smiled handsomely at her. She sweetly glared at him.

"Don't you worry, we saw nothing," said Mely. The woman actually sounded teasing Nina. "Right, Dona?" 

"Yep!" 

Ah! She was flushing red the way the older ladies acted, which Harry grinned happily. 

That evening, wearing an off-shoulder Retro blue dress, Nina descended the stairs. 

Dona is a proud mother. She dried the corner of her eyes. Her daughter is absolutely a grown-up lady who is now going to dinner dates and movies. Time flies so fast. Surely, she'll cry on Nina's wedding day.

"Honey, you are so pretty." Do a complimented her daughter.

"Thank you, Mama!"

She was anxious if the dress suited for tonight's date. These passing years, Jessica and her aunt Annie help her dressing up for a certain occasion. 

However, remembering the two ladies are on the same page of packing her daring dresses instead, now she had a second thought of asking their help. 

"You are so lovely, Nina!" Mely complimented her future daughter-in-law, as well.

She actually doesn't mind whoever Nina married among her sons. However, Nina only loves Harry.

Still painful to her that the twin was in a huge conflict now. But love should not be one-sided. It is what Mely wanted Steven to realize. 

"Well then, you two enjoy the night!" Her wishes for the couple.

Harry whose eyes didn't take away staring at Nina, happily, he swears. "I will make sure of it, Mama."

After saying it, he offered his arm to Nina, who gleefully hooks her hand on his elbow. 

Nina thought that Harry would bring her to a Theater Hall. But it was actually a drive-in theater, which she loved! 

"Thank you for taking me here, instead." 

"We will watch a movie in a theater hall once we are both back in New Jersey." 

"But…" It worries her that their friends saw them dating.

"I don't care by then… We can go to New York. How about it? We can dine in and go shopping." 

"Hmm… Love the plan!"

Nina ponders. Harry looks determined to reveal their relationship to everyone. Then, she has to support Harry.

Now that the movie is about to start, Harry and Nina move in the backseat of the Cadillac to have a more comfortable position while watching.

Nina leaned on Harry's chest, his arms wrapped around her waist, occasionally, he will kiss her forehead.

The movie they were watching is the famous movie Staying Alive that starred John Travolta.

Nina loves music and theatrical acts. She just enjoyed half of the movie until Harry is being naughty at her. She could feel his hand rubbing her legs.

"Hey. We need to finish this movie. Mama might ask us about it." She reasons out, biting her lower lip.

"You can continue watching it," Harry whispered naughtily at her ear.

"What!?" 

Harry laughs at Nina's reaction. Honestly, Nina was so focused on the movie, so he does this to get her attention.

"Alright. Let me pour you more drinks." 

On their way to the theater, they stop by a store that sells wines. At first, she questioned Harry. But then he explains what kind of theater they will watch the movie. 

Nina gulped her glass in one go. Harry poured another liquor on the plastic cup.

Later, it surprised her when Harry left a tiny bite on her nape, which a wave of pleasure rushed throughout her body. 

"What were you doing?" she asks under her breaths. What Harry did only flared her body. "Harry…" 

He fondles her right breast while his other hand massages her thighs. 

"We need to finish the movie…" she didn't finish her words when Harry covered her lips with his. "Let's go somewhere after the movie," he told Nina. 

"But…" 

Harry once again covered her mouth, the words she wanted to spill out now disappear.

~ ~ ~

PRESENT TIME

Erika observes Jeremy while talking with Theo. When the brothers discussed the Shang's upcoming celebration, she went to the kitchen to get something Jeremy could eat. 

Carrying a tray of coffee and carrot cake she baked yesterday, she caught Jeremy in a trance once again. Her boyfriend is acting like he was in his teenage days: lost and confused.

"What's wrong?" Lovingly, she asked Jeremy, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Tilted his head to the side, Jeremy gathered his thoughts in one place. He reaches for Erika's hand and utters, "I'm just having a flashback. I grew up witnessing how my parents seemed to like strangers to each other. So, I was thinking that maybe my uncle is right." 

Erika looked at Jeremy with sympathy. Of course, she knew about that. It's not only once or twice she overheard the Chairman and Chairwoman fight. 

Well, she could not really tell they were fighting when the person who often raises a voice is the Chairwoman. 

It was still all clear to her memories. And because her aunt Jessica was a personal assistant of the chairwoman, she often stayed at Li Manor.

As several times her aunt takes her to the Li household, she becomes Theo's tutor years later, along with her brother Rubin, who becomes Theo's playmate. 

She was twelve years old that one time and Jeremy was fifteen. She was walking toward the attic when she accidentally overheard the fight from the library.

"You killed him!" 

The chairwoman yelled at her husband. Later, she rushed outside. Her eyes flooded with tears, running toward her bedroom. 

Yes, one thing is weird. The couple had different bedrooms. The entire time they're married until now, they didn't share a room, nor the Chairman living with his family.

But what was ironic was that incident, Jeremy also heard the fight. He looks pitiful. He was ill and had a weak body, the reason he just stayed indoors and avoided activities that will tire him. So different from Theo. 

Her aunt Jessica one time explains to her that Master Harry and Madam Nina's genes are not compatible. 

Growing up, she understood more of this family drama. But among everyone, it was Jeremy who affected the most. However, he remained silent the entire time. 

What he gets through is unimaginable. Now it worries her if Jeremy believes in his uncle and were now thinking to go against his father and brother. 

In any case, she would always stand by Jeremy's side. But also, it concerns her if Jeremy's belief is right.

Leaning forward, Erika hugged Jeremy from behind. "Whatever bothers you, know that I am here to listen." 

Pushing a loving smile, Jeremy uttered before he reached Erika's head to lower down, so he could kiss her. 

"I know you are.. Thank you for not giving up on me."