Burning Passion

CHAPTER 74: STILL SEARCHING FOR YOU

The loud rings of his phone woken him. Now he was mad as he's dream interrupted. Annoyed at who is calling him around, he ignores the call, but it calls him once again.

He glares at the gadget and sees it was Nina. He reached out for his phone, draws close to his ear after swiping that green button.

"Hello, Nina? Did something happen?"

"I just want to find out something. How are you?" Nina asked.

Confused at her query, he feels frustrated why Nina is calling him when it was 1:30 in the morning.

"I am fine. Why the sudden call?" He was still sleepy and words won't enter his head as he was trying to recall every detail of his dream tonight.

"Someone notified me about the rumor online. Where is Min Xi?"

"I went to sleep. I don't know where is she."

Mentioning that woman's name, it gives him a headache.

"So? There's nothing happen?"

"What? Are you kidding me? Why would I sleep with her?"

That would never happen! Besides, he has no interest, and Min Xi will only take this as her advantage and make things complicated for him.

"I see. As I thought so… What are you planning now?"

"About what?" Theo grabs the knob of his room and pulls it open. He peeps outside and there is no Min Xi he found. He feels relieved she finally left.

"About the article. It helps me realize one thing."

"What about it?" He sounded impatient because he doesn't want to talk about this matter.

"I decided, I won't let my son, tied to a life that forever bears sadness and loneliness after you marry someone you don't love."

Nina added, "Why would I allow my sons to suffer as what our family has been through all this time? Everyone assumed things work fine for us."

He does not understand why Nina suddenly talking about this stuff in the middle of the night. But she sounded sincere. Or somewhat she's still drunk? What is her plan now? Theo asked himself.

"I am thinking to clean the rumor, but the photo of you and Min Xi kissed is too clear."

"Why are you trying to do that?"

"There is no need for you to follow your father's footsteps. I understand now."

"Why are you telling me this now?" How sudden change of thoughts. Nina must be still drunk. It was what he wanted to believe.

"Just let the rumors spread, assume that it was the status of your relationship with Min Xi. But—"

"Wait, what? Are you pushing me into a drama?"

"That is our choice now."

"I cannot follow this conversation. Please, tell me what exactly are you suggesting to me now?"

"The Hong family still a huge advancement for us. They are the first company to succeed in the business before your forefathers. If the Shang did not save them, they were long gone. But because of this partnership and beneficial relationship, Shang takes advantage of the privileges from the Hong family. They have enormous connections, and because of these connections, our business grows. That is why your grandfather cannot cut ties with them, and marriage is one thing that seals off an excellent relationship. Sadly, that's what the elders thought."

"Now? What do you want me to do? Sacrificing to continue these ties?"

"I'm not suggesting you do that, but be patient until things get better."

"With, what?"

"The clan would do everything to steal the position from your father. That is why he needs you to stand on his side."

Theo's mouth twitches. Now that his position was in threat, suddenly he needs his sons? Ridiculous!

"Really? It sounded a joke to me."

"Theo, listen. This is not the time to hold a grudge to your father. Do you know the reason I build my empire building next to your grandfather? Because I foresee this already, and I want to support your father when this battle begins."

"In conclusion, you work hard so that when the day comes, he has no choices but turns to you and needs your help?"

Nina did not respond. He feels that he hit the spot, but he regrets what he said.

"That matters are mine, your matter is to be his son. Let's assume that you are correct. I work hard and become this successful, so I could stand by his side, not as a wife, but someone he will rely on later. I won't mind him using me all this time, that was my aim in life, anyway. To become useful to him one day."

'Such a passion.' Theo murmured to his head. 'So, love can be this sacrificial?' He felt to laugh at this stupid idea since he can't relate to it. Surely as he has no experience in love.

"Until we haven't won this battle, we need Hong's influence, Theo. Do you understand?"

"Politically, is it? So you want me to pretend in this game?"

"Yes."

Theo closes his eyes. The fuck!

"What then?"

"I will talk to Min Xi. Also, visit Jeremy. I perceive he is planning on something. But he won't share it with me. Also, I want you to watch him. In his health, I know it will hard for him to run everything in Mainland City."

His father who was assigned to run their business in Mainland City, but since his grandfather became weak, he summoned Harry to China. That was then, the acting President of Shang Holdings in Mainland City was Jeremy.

"Your uncle hid a huge amount from the Shang Empire account the reason your grandfather does not trust any of your uncles. Now then, Jeremy is acting as the President of our business in Mainland City in which everyone wanted to steal this position to have control of our sister's office... It is really doing well, Theo. And your father won't just give it up to others' hands after he works his ass to grow it for decades. He can't take care of both branches. His hope is his children to oversee the other headquarters and won't fall for his relative's hands who do not have the full capacity to run the Shang Empire."

"I will give all my support to your father in China. But you help your brother," Nina added.

"And what is my gain if we succeed?"

"You can have your freedom."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Talk to your brother. He's the one who knew how you can."

He contemplates this… "If we take over the whole clan, you won't force me to marry Min Xi?"

"Sounds more like it. Although your father still supported this arranged marriage, your grandfather who strongly wants these ties. Now then, how can you achieve it when you are powerless?"

'What the heck?'

He hurls a sigh. "Okay. I will talk to Jeremy and hear out whatever his plan. But I will return to Switzerland first."

"Was this about 10 years ago?"

Theo did not reply.

"It was a long time ago, Theo. No one blames you."

"And if not of me, Jeremy won't lose his ability to walk."

"It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself. Don't listen to anyone. The first people you should believe in are us, your family."

He did not counter this but replied with a sighed.

"All right. You are better off getting more sleep. I will talk to some people to lower the rumors."

"Why are you doing this?"

Nina laughs. "What else? We are a family. Who else do you expect to help you? That is why there's no one I hope to help us, but our sons. This is our family."

Somehow, it was like an opening door in front of him. A notion of what family they could have if they won't act distant from each other. But it was he who wanted to distance himself from everyone... most especially from his father.

And for the first time as remembering nothing to have this feeling, but right now, he feels a pleasant emotion at the bottom of his heart.

* * *

That noon, Theo returned to Switzerland, earlier than plans. He let Nina quieting down the rumors.

He did not delay searching for a couple to play in the promotional ads. The problem is, he can't decide who he wants to play as the couple. His team notice that he was picky for the woman of the ads. They wonder what their boss looking for as a perfect mysterious girl in this commercial.

They have been accepting auditions and recommendations, but he still couldn't decide. Theo looking at the photos once again. Roland quietly observing his boss. He is hesitant to open his mouth, but he is antsy to ask. Scratching his head, he gathered all his courage to speak up.

"Ahem. Master Shang, what exactly are you looking for that suit in the commercial?"

Theo glanced at Roland then returned to the pictures displays in a long table.

"Someone, she is like a mystery at first look."

Roland scratching his temple. What kind of woman that would be? "How about looking around in fashion houses?" Roland suggested.

"They were already sending me the photos."

"Yet, you can't find someone?"

"Nope."

Roland scrutinized at his boss and Theo sense his suspicion.

"Don't dare to doubt my sexual orientation."

"I did not. But I wonder if you are still, um, you know…" Roland suppressing not to snigger.

"Do you want to go home to China first thing tomorrow?"

"No! I don't want to!"

His assistant turns pale from his threats. How dare he question even that? People misunderstood why he is having a hard time to choose a female model. He at least hopes that there is someone who would resemble her, but he cannot find someone else.

"Why don't you visit Mainland City instead, Master? They hold a lot of fashion shows like each month, big or small ones."

"How did you know that?"

"Ah, my cousin is a model. She always shared with me once they have a runway show. If you prefer Asian or mixed Asian models, maybe you can find one there!"

It seems Roland is right. The woman in his dream is a mixed Asian-American beauty. It sounds a perfect place to choose a model, but he doesn't want to go back to that place.

"Roland, book a flight to Mainland City."

"Oh, you are going?"

"No."

"Huh? Then who?"

"You."

"Hah? Do you want me to do the selection?" Roland has a lack of confidence to make a right to choose when his boss is picky.

"No. Just get all the best they have."

"Do you mean is all the pretty girls in Mainland City?" Why he has to go? He starts crying inside his head.

"All the best models they have."

"How if we ask Rubin to do that?"

Theo looked up. Roland is right. Why do they have to go if they could contact someone from that city?

"Okay. You explain to him, but don't mention the new product."

"Understood boss!" Yes! Honestly, he doesn't want to leave his girlfriend.. That was his reason.