Burning Passion

CHAPTER 73: HIS GATE AWAY

That same day, Theo drowned himself in polishing the promotional script. He also shouldered even working on the details of the wine bottle they will go to use and even does the overall design on the labeling.

Theo paused from sketching on his pad. Putting down the pen and gadget, he massages his forehead. He presses his back to the couple settee, while ponders what he better do soon.

Should he visit Mainland City?

He was in the middle of contemplating a few things: whether he should fly to Mainland, or book a flight straight to Switzerland when Nina Shang calling his phone.

"Hello? How was it?"

The other line chuckles before it speaks up. Yes, he is keen to hear if what was Harry Shang thought about his proposal.

"Well, your father approved it."

"You sure of that?"

"Hey, have the confidence in yourself."

"I do. But I don't trust Harry Shang would approve that fast." He is shocked than surprised. Theo heard Nina giggled.

"You are his son, he would always give his support to you."

He could not understand what she means, so he ignores it. "Are you drunk?" he senses in Nina's voice which the woman laughs.

"Nah. I drank more champagne after I got home."

The other line now got quiet, so he's thinking to end the call when Nina speaks up again.

"He still doesn't want to look straight at me," she mumbles. "I felt like I was the ugliest woman in this world."

Theo heard sobs, so he let Nina cried if this will help her feels better.

"You know? Still, your father is the most handsome man in the world. Until now, I am wishing for his embrace one more time."

The things that Nina mumbling right now, he doesn't know how to counter, or at least give a few words to comfort her.

"Do you have any idea why I love his sons? Because all of you resemble him."

'What?'

Honestly, this surprised him. Nina has become open when she was this drunk. He does wonder if she could still remember all of these all tomorrow. It seems the spirit of alcohol influenced her to chatter like this.<span> What stands of their relationship before? Are they somewhat close? </span><span>Now he was intrigued by how she treated him before his memories disappear.</span>

"You were rude and cold to me, like your father."

"I don't want to be like him." He can't take it as a compliment.

Nina laughs. "Don't say that. Who knows if you will also like him who loves only one woman his entire life. That even she was long dead, he never forgets to visit her grave."

Wait, what? Is his father always coming to Switzerland? It seems he didn't learn this or even has the idea.

"How was that possible?"

"Huh? He always made sure to reason he has meetings abroad, but then he will fly in Switzerland after his business meetings. I was envious. He rather forgets the day we got married than forgetting— ah, that was your birthday also," Nina laughs, then cried once again.

"Lady Chairman, you better go to bed. You have work tomorrow."

"Yeah. Such boring listen to an old hag ranting nonsense, is it?"

"No. But you don't want everyone to see this side of you."

Nina chuckles. "I guess you knew me more than anyone, even my very own-blood son. Haha! You need not pity me. I am used to this life already."

He could imagine a bitter smile tore on Nina's lips. She pitied herself. He could relate because he was like that as well. He wants to say something to ease whatever she is feeling right now.

But how to comfort a woman?

"I will take a night flight tomorrow." It is what he said to change the mood.

"Are you going to visit Jeremy?" Nina asked she seems got excited.

"No. I will go straight to Switzerland," he said and listens to the other line who heaves a long sighed.

"Okay. I can't force you. I will go to sleep now."

"Nina—"

"Do you need anything?"

"Thank you."

He waited for what will be the other line's reaction. All he received were faint sobs and snorts before he got a reply.

"Nah. I should be the one to thank you for listening to my useless rants. All right, I must interrupt your work. Good night."

The line has cut. He sighed and put down his phone. It seems Nina has been keeping these emotions all these years to herself. He could imagine her crying alone inside her darkroom, hiding secrets from how vulnerable she was deep inside.

They say husbands should be the wife's first best friend; a shoulder they need to cry on during their hard days.

Somehow, Nina giving him an idea of how to become a husband.

Unlike his father?

* * *

He was preparing to bed when someone knocks on his suite's front door. He just came out from the shower and his body only wrapped by a bathrobe when he opens the door.

Theo shocked when a woman jumped on him and places a kiss on his lips. Froze, it takes several seconds before he realizes what is happening.

"Min Xi! What the fuck are you doing!" Theo pushes the model on the side.

"Let me hide here for a while. A few paparazzi are following me."

He glares. "Really? And you know my suite number?"

Min Xi did not respond but stride toward the long sectional sofa. Dropping her body to the cushion, she crosses her legs.

"You can't drive me out," she grins.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to give my followers a present."

"I said, what did you do!"

"I just let them know my romance is in heat."

"Min Xi!"

"You need not shout at me. Even if you kick me out of your hotel room. My fans already knew who I was with. There are no different now."

"Then enjoy!" he shouts and leave Min Xi in the living room.

Theo marching toward his room and shut the door. He can't stop cussing. "Damn it!"

Coming back to China, he was very careful not to cross any of his relatives. But he should have foreseen that Min Xi would show up and cause him troubles plus rumors.

He picks up his phone and types Min Xi's name. Search results show up on his phone screen and the latest one was just uploaded a minute ago, and already been a trend.

"Shit!"

It was an article about Min Xi's childhood love and her engagement with the youngest Shang of the Shang Empire. A photo posted of him and Min Xi kissed at the door of this very room.

She's planning these since in the beginning? It has been just 24 hours since he stays in China, but a rumor quickly spread. Theo steps out of his bedroom and confronted Min Xi.

"Clear this out, Min Xi!"

"Why bother? You like it or not, we are getting married soon."

"And who says I will marry you?" he opposed.

"Our marriage decided and announce a long time ago," she said proudly, lifted her chin and grimace torn her lips.

"No one can decide who I want to marry!"

Min Xi did only scowled at him. "We're living in the world we cannot decide for ourselves, Theo. Just accept it. Don't worry, I will be an exemplary wife for you."

Min Xi stood from the settee and strode closer to him. She's wearing a black lace top pair to denim shorts and cream four inches stiletto. She's almost level to Theo's height.

"I will follow everything you say and I will do anything like obediently—"

She attempts to reach Theo's robe, but he slaps her hand.

"No thanks. I'm not interested."

Min Xi is seducing him. Theo turned around to return to his bedroom. Before he closes the door, he said to Min Xi, "Suits yourself. You can jump and roll in the entire room. But just shut up and I don't want to hear you mention marriage ever again."

After stating this, Theo closed the door and dropped his body to the bed. His entire body was tense, suppressing his anger.

Unfortunately, his nightmare is when he was wide awake to reality.. And only his gate away is the world where he could see her… and so he prayed to dream of her tonight.