Burning Passion

CHAPTER 363: NINA LEARNED THE TRUTH

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Everyone was curious, staring at the handsome man walking toward a particular table. 

They had seen him in magazines and tabloids. They have become familiar with him after his name is always linked to Steven Shang and Nina Li. 

Nina, who was extremely surprised, stood on her feet and greeted the newly arrived person. 

"Albert! What are you doing here!?" she asked after the guy halted in front of the table he shared with Harry and Lee.

"Visiting you, of course! Can't I do that?" Showing his beautiful teeth, philosophically, Albert replied. And Nina thought it was truly Albert, who she had known. Her face flushed after Albert took a bold gesture toward her. Now it worries her of what Harry would feel, and she doesn't want him to get jealous and misunderstand Albert's actions.

She smiles at Albert, then glances at Harry, whose face frowns from what he witnesses. It annoyed him, of course, when Albert hugged Nina so suddenly. 

After it happened, Harry promptly stood on his feet and stole Albert's attention. 

With sarcasm in his tone, he faked his enthusiasm for greeting the guy. After all, he was the Student Council President, and everyone expected him to be friends go to their Royal guest. But it made him wonder why Dean Collins didn't inform him.

"What a surprise to see you here, Prince Albert. Welcome to Leeroy Collins University." 

Looking down at Harry's palm, Albert lifted his glare at his face and studied him. Later, he pushes an enormous smile. The two men are now shaking hands, and however, no one noticed they were doing hand wrestling instead. 

"You are not Steven," Albert commented with a smirk. 

Harry sneered, "Glad to know you could tell our differences." 

"Of course! I have been punching his face many times, so I got more familiarity in Steven's face than yours." 

Harry laughed. Everyone in that room is a little confused. The two of them aren't letting go of their hand yet, but measuring gaze at each other. They could see mock glare and scorn stares.

Nina, who senses that the atmosphere is getting heavier, takes quick action to part the two men. 

She said, "Why don't we take a seat? Come on!" 

Nina made a cheerful invitation. Albert saw when Nina held on to Harry's shoulder. He knew Nina was not the type of girl who would touch anybody, even a friend, especially a man. 

In the past, she rarely started such a notion even toward Steven after they had a relationship, except occasionally such parties where Nina has to hold on to his elbow. 

It was apparent what he saw right now, but he didn't comment on it. He sat down quietly on the couch opposite Nina and Harry. 

After they all settled in, he asked, "So, where's Steven?" 

No one from Nina and Harry who able to answer right away. Later, it was Harry who returned a question with a sharp glare and a rough tone.

"Why do you look for him?"

And Albert is not stupid. He senses Harry has resentment toward him. No, he's jealous of him. And it amuses him of knowing these facts. He thought the twin was not only identical with their features but also their feelings for Nina. Both were seeing him as a threat to their interest. And he would like to mess with them. He would love to compete with either of the twins. 

"Well, I'm just surprised he didn't tail Nina around." Albert reasoned out, and he knew Steven's behavior. So, he added, "What I know, he won't let any other men get near Nina." 

'Damn, I love this!' Albert thought to himself. Before, he enjoyed provoking Steven, and now it was his twin brother he would love to taunt. 

And seeing that Albert is making an obvious statement, Harry won't back down to counter Albert in any means. Pursed a mock, Harry uttered, "Unfortunately for you, I was here to prevent you from getting near her." 

"Unfortunately for you, I am Nina's Legal Advisor. We're best friends." 

"You're kidding me, right?" Harry laughs sarcastically, which gets everyone's attention. 

Not only that, but it also stupefied those who were seated nearby at their table and watching this scene. Their friends, who were sitting surrounding them, couldn't follow what they were bickering about. 

And it was the first time they saw Harry work up to talk with someone in a rough manner. They would like to think it was Steven who wrestled stares against the Prince.

Harry always speaks politely, even in an upsetting situation. But this time, his cool is run.

Suddenly, the room was on fire. They were in disbelief that Harry would be this protective of Nina, and they understood Harry was probably doing this on behalf of Steven. But damn, and Harry could be this fierce and overprotective.

"So? Where's Steven?" Albert asked Nina once again, and the usual, Harry immediately cut in.

"He won't come back anymore."  He replied nonchalantly, which made Albert raise a brow. But then, he was stormed with questions from his friends.

"What? Is that true, Harry?" asked Lee.

Then Ashton echoed, "Why didn't Steven tell us?" 

The other boys also queried and expressed their shock. Harry explained, but he didn't say more.

"It is also a sudden decision by everyone." 

"Wow. Really? I could not believe that Steven would leave like that!" Albert commented. But for him, it was impossible. He sees Steven as obsessed with Nina.

"You're all wrong. Steven will come back during the final test, and he has to attend the Graduation Day." 

Everyone turns their head at the girl who appeared somewhere. 

Albert raised his head and asked the girl. "Who are you?" 

"I'm Rosie! A pleasure to meet you, Prince Albert!" Rosie extended her arm. 

Albert gets up from the couch, takes Rosie's hand, and introduces himself. "Prince Albert Hamilton. The pleasure is mine, beautiful lady." 

He bowed like a knight that thrilled Rosie. Excitement can see in her face, meeting Albert and the enthusiasm in her voice. Everyone knows she would love to steal a scene, and today, she didn't spare it at all but made her way to wear a thick face to introduce herself to Albert. 

While Rosie steals Albert's attention, Nina is looking at Harry with a questioning stare. How did Rosie know Steven was coming back? How come Harry didn't tell her about this? These are the questions in her head. And she confirmed it was true when Harry looked at her apologetically. 

Harry saw the hurt in Nina's eyes for hiding this from her. But he only cares for her. He doesn't want her to be anxious, thinking that Steven is coming back soon. 

"How did you know that, Rosie?" Lee asked Rosie. 

She answered with a sweet smile on her face while looking down at Nina. "It was Dean Collins." 

Rosie didn't include that she only heard it accidentally. She wanted to get in touch with Steven, so she followed the twin's father, Jerome Shang. That's where she eavesdropped while the Dean and Mr. Shang talked.

Hearing this, Nina felt betrayed. Why didn't Harry tell her the truth? 

While she was contemplating, Rosie continued talking to Albert. 

"Anyway… If you need a tour guide, I can keep you company, Prince Albert. I have my car to tour you around the campus. We don't need to walk!"

Albert smiles at Rosie, and he refuses politely. "Ah. That's wonderful of you. But the Dean already arranged someone to tour me around." 

"How about dinner?" Rosie laughs nervously. She knew she looked like an idiot at the moment after Albert turned down her invitation, but she won't give up.

"No, thank you. I will have dinner with Nina." 

Learning this, both Rosie and Harry glance at Nina with a perplexed stare. This time, it was Harry who gave her a questioning look while Rosie cast a glare in her direction. 

But Nina was surprised as well. She doesn't know where this idea came from, so she corrected Albert. "We didn't talk about it." 

"Yes, we didn't! But I called your house to inform your mother that I will visit her tonight." 

"You told Mama what?" She was in disbelief that Albert would first approach her mother instead of asking her permission. Her father was home. Besides, Harry surely would not like it. Albert's guts always amazed her for real!

'Damn. This guy!' 

Albert chatted for a while before he left to take care of other things in his State Visit. Nina finished her class for the day, and Harry picked her up and drove home. Harry could tell that Nina was upset with him. And he understands. 

"I'm sorry if I didn't tell you about it." While driving, he apologizes to Nina.

"But I must know, Harry." 

"We don't plan to hide this from you." He reasons. 

"We? What do you mean by that?" 

"I talk to your father, and it is what we discussed the other day in the library." 

Nina rendered her silence. She understood they were thinking about her, and however, she still wanted to know. So then, she could prepare herself for the day she saw Steven again. 

She knew she could not hide from him forever. A day would come that they'd meet again. After all, she is going to be part of his family after she marries Harry. 

"I appreciate that you guys are worrying about me. But at least, I know what I have to face in the near future." 

Harry held her hand and apologized. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again in the future, and I would never hide anything from you again." 

"You better be." 

Harry tore a thin smile. Nina looks so cute, who is now throwing a tantrum at him. 

He pulled over his car on the sidewalk. He then leaned over to kiss Nina on the lips. 

However, they didn't notice whose car was passing them.