Burning Passion

CHAPTER 372: I WISHED YOU ALL THE BEST

* * * 

"Nina!" 

It surprised her to see the man coming out from the black car that parked behind their car. "Albert? What are you doing here?" Nina walks toward him.

"I noticed you entering the Bridal Shop. So, I waited for you to finish shopping." 

"Oh. Did you wait for almost an hour here?" 

"Sort of?" 

Looking at him unbelievably, Nina is shaking her head. "Seriously?"

Pursed a sweet smile, Albert replied as he is proud to have such patience. "Yeah."

"Why didn't you come inside instead?"

Albert scratches his right temple. He chuckled upon responding to Nina's query. "I guess it's not a good idea."

"Oh, right! That… um…" Nina laughed awkwardly. She'd realized it was not a good idea. And Albert is pretty intelligent to prevent such gossip. Paparazzi are everywhere now, following Albert around. No wonder Albert was wearing a not so his line of clothing and riding an old car.

"Well, I am waiting because I wanted to invite you for a coffee with your father's permission."

"Hmm, well…" Nina glanced at her parents. 

Albert followed Nina's gaze to the couple coming out from the shop. Politely, he greeted them. "Hello, Aunt Dona, Uncle Nelson." 

"Albert! Good to see you!" Dona made a cheerful reply, while Nelson only hummed and nodded at him.

"Can I invite Nina for a coffee, Uncle Nelson?" 

Nelson glanced at Nina and turned his gaze at Dona. After exchanging meaningful stares with her, he agreed with a condition. 

"Okay. But Jessica will accompany Nina." 

"No problem, sir!" 

*

In a quiet café on the fifth floor, Albert and Nina sat on the sofa opposite each other while Jessica was at the following table. 

"So… Where's Emilia?" Nina asked Albert while they were waiting for their coffee. 

Albert, who is not interested in talking about the girl, a timid smile pursed in his lips as he replied, "She's at the hotel. She said she's not feeling well." 

"Oh. Is she alright?" 

"Yeah. You need not worry about her. Besides, I'm not inviting you out to talk about Emily," Albert said nonchalantly. 

And so Nina rendered speechlessly. Apart from Albert's frowned after she mentioned his fiancée, she sensed the irritation in his voice. 

Albert told her before how he was against the marriage his family arranged. Not only that, but Albert also proposes to her a few times in the past. 

A long silence passed between them until it had served their coffee. Sipping on the cup, Nina is thinking about how she could lighten up the mood. Pondering what topic she must bring up, she thought none. 

Instead, she felt conflicted. If she isn't wrong, Albert is still pursuing her. 

Nina put down her cup. She lifted her head to look at Albert. It was also the moment that Albert glanced at her. She could see the sadness in his eye. But in all the people, she is the first one who knows that between them, things are impossible. 

"We are leaving tomorrow," said Albert. 

"Oh. Then, I wished you a happy, safe trip!" Nina pushed a warm smile. It gladdens her to know this. At least Emilia would stop being jealous of her. Nina mused. 

"So, I didn't see Harry is around with you. Is he occupied with his internship?" 

Nina shook her head, sipped on her coffee before she replied to Albert. "Harry paid a quick visit to his family in China." 

"At this time around?" 

Nina met Albert's gaze. His query is pointing straight away that it's not just a regular family visit. Oh, well, she forgot. Albert is a graduate Lawyer and took a particular course to equip himself to hold the title of the next King of Jeneva. 

It isn't surprising if Albert senses it was a family matter. First, Steven wasn't here, and now Harry became her boyfriend after Steven was out in the picture. 

"Mama Mely was in the hospital. Harry was too worried about her." 

"I see…" Albert was nodding. He carefully thought about what he wanted to ask Nina after he learned that she and Steven broke up. 

But ironically, she and Harry are getting married soon like they were hurrying the wedding. And today, he saw Nina and her parents choosing a wedding gown for her. Not only that, but he also notices the joy in Nina's face when she is with Harry. 

Heaving a long sigh, Albert asked Nina afterward. "Are you happy with Harry?" 

He need not ask Nina about this. The smile on her lips is evident that she is. However, he wanted to hear it from her mouth. 

"I do," Nina replied without a second thought. 

Albert saw how her eyes twinkle. And that is the sign for him not to ask further. 

He uttered, "I'm glad to know. But if the day comes, and he breaks your heart. You know who you should run to." 

Nina could see that Albert is serious. But she believes it was wrong. 

She and Harry will get married soon. And Albert must be joking, saying that. 

"Albert, you're not serious when you say that. Right?" 

"When did I ever joke on you, Nina?" 

It made her rendered silent. Albert still hadn't changed. He is still persistent in pursuing her. 

"Albert, you are making me uncomfortable," Nina told Albert with honesty. She added, "I don't want to end our friendship, Albert. But if you don't stop. Maybe it's better if we will only treat each other like an old acquaintance rather than friends." 

"Are you getting rid of me?" 

"You are pushing me to." 

Albert hurls a deep breath. He chuckled after a moment of silence. 

"Okay. Let's not talk about that anymore. But I want to know how did you manage to break up with Steven that easily?" He could remember the tension between them clashing glares, who can get Nina's attention and impress her. He believes Steven would not give up without a fight. So he is curious.

"Steven said so many lies to me. And those lies are more than enough to end our relationship." 

"What lies?" 

"It's complicated, Albert." 

"Try me! I am your Legal Advisor, remember?" 

That's right! Albert is a lawyer. He knew about all the laws. However, at this time around, anywhere in the world only gave little attention to these physical abuses. Women are still struggling to get justice after being physically harassed.

To think over the violence and sexual assault are the most ignored cases at this time around. The lawmakers are mostly ignoring it. 

Now she could imagine those poor women that get through more than she did. Maybe she has to do something. 

Today, they pass by a group of women on the street, wishing the government and lawmakers to hear their voices. 

"Nina? Are you okay?" 

"Oh, yes, I am! I remember something," her excuse.

"Okay. But I'm still waiting for your answer." 

Nina heaves a long sigh. She could see that Albert won't stop until she gave a valid answer for him to believe. 

"Albert, listen… I don't love Steven but Harry. However, Steven meddles in between us, which becomes our misunderstanding. Coming here to New Jersey is a great help for me to know the truth. And now that I know the truth. I have no reason to stay in a relationship that is full of lies." 

"And that is why now you and Harry are getting married? But why so sudden? Are you pregnant?" 

The coffee she drank choked her. She thinks it was ridiculously-embarrassing to comment on a woman like this. But she has to act calmly. Nina pursed a warm smile across her face.

"How can you say that?" she returned a question. Later, the smile on her face, replaced with frowned as she goes on. "It's not something to joke about Albert."

However, if it weren't true, he is sure of one thing. Nina's relationship with Harry is more profound than he thought. 

At the party, while dancing, he could see how their bodies were pressing into each other. Nina has that satisfying look on her face when Harry casually rubbed her back the entire time. 

"Alright. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you. I'm just curious." 

"I'm moving here to be with Harry, Albert. I'm staying here in New Jersey for good." 

Nina stating this, he has nothing to ask further but accept that she won't change her mind. 

"All I want is your happiness, Nina. If you were pleased with Harry, then I wished you all the best." 

There's sadness in Albert's eyes. If only she could change Albert's heart and love someone else. 

"I know it was unfair to you. But you do my male best friend, Albert." 

"I know. I will always be your Legal Advisor. Remember that, okay?" 

"Alright!" Nina smiled at Albert.

However, Nina knew that from here on, things wouldn't be the same between her and Albert any longer... Because love should not force. 

But it should be the greatest gift to oneself and the so-called Better Half.