Burning Passion

CHAPTER 366: BUY A CONGRATULATORY GIFT

* * *

As the ball continued, Albert approached Emilia and whispered to her. Emilia frowned, but she has no chance to confront Albert or show her displeasure. The other day, she and Albert already fought. 

"Albert, they invite us to have an afternoon tea with the city Mayor's wife." 

"You can attend alone." 

"What? Where are you going?" 

"It's none of your business." 

"It is! I am your fiancée, Albert!" 

Albert, who was about to get out of the hotel suite provided to them, came back to face Emilia. "I want to remind you, Emilia. My visit to the United States is to see my friend. But you used it as a state visit. If whatever your affairs here, is none of my business, nor can you interfere with what I want to do or whom I will visit." 

"How dare you?" 

Albert turned around and didn't listen to other things she mumbled about. She knew Albert was against this arranged marriage, but soon; he had to obey his parents. And it didn't hide to her as well that Albert loved someone else. 

"She has a boyfriend already! Why are you keep pursuing her!?" she followed Albert and yelled at him. 

They were now in the hotel aisle. Albert grabs her arm and drags her back to the room. 

"Stop creating scenes, Emilia! If you don't stop now, then you can go back to Europe, alone! Otherwise, don't provoke my patience with you!" Albert sneered at Emilia.

Not only that, he pushed her to the sofa and left to visit Collins University, where Nina Li has become an exchange student. 

Albert is losing his head that even Nina Li already flew far away. He would still chase after her. It was ridiculous! 

Yes. She indeed made up an excuse so that she could accompany Albert on this trip. She wants to nag him and remind him that the woman he was crazy about was happy in someone else's arms. 

However, Albert would not stop in his craziness. 

"Come on. I will introduce you to Nina." 

Annoyed, she could not refuse but drag Albert toward Nina's table. Emilia only behaved herself, but the truth is, she wanted to slap Albert to wake him up. 

"Nina! I'm glad to see you." Albert bowed like a knight. He then took Nina's hand to plant a kiss on the back of her palm as a gesture of greetings. "Master Shang?" he extends his hand, he and Harry handshake.

On one hand, it irritated Harry at what Albert did. But he knew it was just a noble gesture of formalities with his highness Albert, Prince of Jeneva. Meanwhile, it also pissed Emilia.

"Now, I want you to meet Lady Emilia Bakker, granddaughter of Princess Mary Bakker." Albert made a long introduction, which Emilia wanted to cry of how hilarious it was. 

She doesn't know what Albert is proving now. He introduced her title, but he did not introduce her as his fiancée. Emilia braced herself to stay calm. 

"Hello, Nina. Nice to meet you! I remember attending a gala before, back in England, but they do not introduce us." 

Nina smiled at Emilia. She is not a fool not to understand Emilia's words that have sarcasm in them. She could also feel that Emilia doesn't like her, and she need not guess the reason. 

She and Albert were on the news a few times. She was even tagged as Albert's girlfriend. 

"Nice to meet you, too, Lady Emilia." Nina pursed a sweet smile but chose not to speak more words.

She is putting up a wall between them. She believes it was for the best, as Emilia already gave her an air that she won't be friendly toward her. 

"Prince Albert! Can we take a photo of you all together?" asked a photographer that was allowed inside this hall. 

Albert agreed, and Emilia had to bear it. Side by side, she and Nina stand close while Albert and Harry are at their sides. 

They smiled in front of the camera like they were a long-time friend. They stayed in that pose for a while as more photographers approached them to take a photo. 

Once it was over, Nina excuse to go to the powder room. She didn't know that Emilia followed, waiting for her to come out from using the cubicle. 

Nina only glanced at Emilia while she washed her hands. She picked up a hand towel and set it aside after using it. 

Nina took her time leisurely choosing perfume from the bottles that were displayed on the sink. She tried to smell between Chanel and D&G perfume. She chose the former and sprayed it unconsciously around her. 

"What are you doing?" Emilia asked annoyingly. 

"Oh. I thought I was alone here." Nina sarcastically uttered that anger to Emilia. 

This time, she didn't hold back anymore. She wanted to confront Nina Li, and this is her chance to warn the girl. 

"Tell me, Nina Li. Why are you seducing men who are already engaged?" 

"What?" Nina scoffs. As she guessed, Emilia has resentment toward her. "Who are you talking about?" 

"Don't pretend docile and innocent!" 

"What did I do to you?" she asked annoyingly. She was in disbelief that there is another girl that was like Rosie she would encounter in her life. 

The difference was, it's not the same man involved. Oh, she forgot about Lilian, Harry's cousin. She is the first girl who accused her of seducing men. 

Oh, wait. That day… Now she remembered. And recalling that time brought joy into her chest, and Emilia thought Nina provoked her.

She cast Nina sharp glares. "Why don't you stay away from Albert?" 

Looking downward at Emilia, Nina could not remain friendly to her anymore. "Why are you confronting me over a baseless fact? Staying away from Albert is what I am doing. Besides, I am getting married to my boyfriend." 

"Who? Steven Shang?" 

Hearing this name, Nina cannot stop from frowning. She said, "He is not my boyfriend. It was Harry whom I was engaged to and the man I love. So, please, Emilia." Nina steps closer to Emilia. "Would you stop spreading lies? Albert and I are just good friends. I am not interested in him. In fact, we can become good friends." 

Emilia knew it was full of sarcasm. But she witnessed how Nina and Harry were intimate with each other. And if it was true that they were getting married, then it was in her favor. In this way, Albert would stop chasing Nina Li. 

Emilia pursed her lips with a smile. She lifted her chin and said, "Congratulations, then? I might send a congratulatory gift one of these days." 

"Thank you. That was sweet of you." Nina knew that their treatment of each other is full of plasticity. "Well then! I will go ahead. I would like to go home soon and enjoy the rest of my nights with Harry." 

Nina already left, and she was left alone in the powder room. Emilia laughed, which made the women on the door baffled. They were looking at each other, whether a perfect time to enter the room. But they needed to use the cubicle. With curious eyes, they frequently glance at Emilia. 

They saw Nina Li come out of the room, and they once read an article about Nina Li being Prince Albert's rumored girlfriend. 

It made them wonder if the two women had fought? They wish to know! 

*

Not long after, the guests one by one leaving, including Harry and Nina. And since Albert had little time talking with her after he has to talk with other guests, he informed Emilia to get back to their hotel. 

On their way back, Emilia knew Albert had a bad evening. He was wearing a long face ever since they left the Theater. 

"Why don't you accept she loves someone else?" 

"Don't start, Emilia." After saying it, Albert gets out of the car without the care to guide her out of the vehicle. 

It annoys her but sensing Albert's indifferent tone; made her in the mood to provoke him tonight. She followed him silently. And after they entered their suite, it was her chance to strike him mercilessly. 

"Before I forget. I need to go shopping tomorrow. You should accompany me, Albert." 

Albert did not spare a moment to glance at her, but he walked straight toward his separate bedroom. 

"I came here for a vacation, not your chaperone." 

Emilia gritted her teeth with frustration, but she had to remain calm. "What kind of good friend are you? You should send your blessings and give a congratulatory gift." 

Albert is in no mood to deal with Emilia's caprice. Lazily, he leaned to his bedroom door, crossing his arms across his chest while asking her. 

"What are you talking about now, Emilia? Can you make it quick? I am tired. I want to rest." 

"That was great then! I want to visit Nina Li in the morning." 

"What?" 

Emilia pressed her lips. After she mentioned Nina's name, Albert's expression changed. And it made her jealous. Emilia swallowed the lump in her throat and fought back her tears. Instead, she plastered a cheerful smile to annoy Albert. 

"I promised Nina to buy a wedding gift for her and Harry. So, come with…" Emilia made a staggering step backward. Albert made big steps toward her, and the way he looked at her furiously made her knees weak. Albert grabbed her arm and snarled at her.

"Don't you ever dare to insult me, Emilia!" 

Albert walked back to his bedroom and slammed the door closed. Emilia fell on the floor and let her tears flood her eyes. 

She refused to accept that she could not win Albert's heart.