Chapter 259 - Story Of Nina Li

CHAPTER 259: STEVEN'S GIFT

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Jessica glanced at the wall clock. It is past twelve-thirty in the afternoon. She could no longer hear voices that talk inside the living room. As curious as she is, she knocks on the door. Just a mere second, she heard Nina's voice. 

"Come in." 

Pushing the door open, Jessica remained standing on the door arch. Partly lowered her head, she asked, "Miss, it's past noon. Do you wish to have your meal? The table is ready." 

Stomping her feet on the floor, Nina sat up while answering, "Yes! We will have our lunch!" 

As she announced, she didn't spare a glance at Steven but made sure he understood her words. 

Unhappy that Nina didn't wait for him, Steven quietly followed her to the dining room. Although he felt rejected by her, the way she treats him; this doesn't mean he will give up coaxing her and stop to act romantically. He took big steps, he rushed to the room to pull the chair for Nina. 

Touched by his thoughtfulness, Nina didn't budge. But before she sat on it, she invited Jessica to have lunch with them. "Come, Jessica. Sit beside me." 

"Thank you, Miss!" Jessica didn't think twice. She quickly stepped forward and took the seat next to her Miss. She understood Nina doesn't want to get near Steven, and she will play along; she heard none and knew nothing of what they agreed on.

Observing what is going on, a flash of irritation comes across his face. But before any of the girls saw it, Steven hid his indifference and wore a cheerful smile while he walked around the table and took the chair across from Nina. 

"Hm! The food looks delicious!" Steven compliments, he spoons a garlic spicy chicken and places it on Nina's plate. 

"Steven, you don't need to do that…" She refused, but Steven continues doing the same thing with the other food. 

A flash of a faint smile, he replied with bitterness. "Don't worry, we are the only ones here. I promise to behave in front of your aunt, so let me do this for now." 

A small chunk of guilt pinching her chest as she senses the bitterness in Steven's tone. But she believes they do not have to be loving toward each other when she plans to break up with him after she finds a perfect moment to do it. 

Heaving a frustrated sigh, she encourages herself to bear it until then… 

"Thank you," Nina said. She is not that heartless not to show her gratitude. She knew Steven was doing these things to show his affection. But the thing is, she doesn't love Steven; that is why she is uncomfortable. If it were Harry, she wouldn't mind him doing such things as touching her skin and kissing her… 

Wait… why is she imagining these things in the middle of a meal and in front of Steven? However, thinking about Harry made her face flush. She lowered her head to hide her embarrassment and quietly chewed the food. 

Take a glance at Nina; Steven caught when her face reddened from the embarrassment of her thoughts. Steven assumes Nina was pleased with what he did. He ponders that as long as he won't anger Nina, she won't refuse him. 

Having this conclusion, Steven was now in a good mood. Nina noticed his long face was now bright. However, she just shrugged and let him be. She doesn't want to waste her time anymore; she immersed herself in the food. 

And from that moment, their hearts took a separate direction. As Steven thought he slowly softened Nina's heart for him, however, he didn't know that Nina had even felt nothing for him. What she could only give to him is a cold heart. But of course, she won't show it in front of Steven until she could end their unwanted relationship. 

~ ~ ~

CHRISTMAS DAY

Nina helped her aunt Annie baking a moist chocolate cupcake and carrot cake. As for Jessica, she makes dumplings, Nina's favorite, while the men roast a turkey. For a while, Nina just set aside the matter about Steven. She wanted to enjoy Christmas dinner, even though her parents weren't here. It was her first Christmas to celebrate without them.

"Did you miss your parents?" asked Annie. She noticed the sadness in Nina's eyes, and it was the only reason she could think of. 

Nodding, Nina pursed a faint smile as she replied, "Yes, Aunt Annie. But you were here, so I'm fine." 

Annie Li and Gregory Grant have three sons. The couple doesn't have a daughter, the reason Annie gives her time and energy as Nina's guardian. The moment she heard about it from her cousin Nelson, it thrilled her to look after her beautiful niece.

Having Nina, she spoiled her a lot and made her like a doll she dressed up with famous brand clothing in the world. Nina wasn't picky, so she has no problem shopping for her. But of course, she only chose those elegant dresses. 

Setting the table, Annie finds an opportunity to ask her niece about something. She has been noticing since yesterday, and she wants confirmation. Clearing her throat, she began. "Nina, are you and Steven…"

Annie knew she didn't need to complete her sentence. Nina already understands what answer she wants to hear. But instead of opening her mouth, Nina nodded as a response. But she avoided meeting her gaze, so Annie thought Nina wasn't happy about it. She wants to ask further, but this is not the right moment for sad stories. 

Annie reached for her niece's hand and said, "If you are ready to talk to me. I'm all ears." 

This time, Nina lifted her chin and met her aunt's eyes. Pushing a sad smile, she nodded and replied, "I will, Aunt Annie." 

Annie opened her arms and wrapped Nina inside. Patting her back, she uttered, "You can talk to me about everything. Don't worry, I know what things your parents should know and not." 

"Thank you." Nina was choking, but she held her tears. There's nothing to cry about. She was only sad because the one she loves doesn't love her back. But she couldn't voice this out yet.

Shrugging her sadness, Nina forces herself to smile in front of everyone. That night, they shared a merry dinner. After then, they open the gifts under the Christmas tree of her house.

It surprised Nina for the gift she received from Steven. "What is this?" She asked.

Steven took the bracelet from the box and placed it on her wrist. But she didn't expect that Steven would take off the bracelet Harry gave her.

"Wait! Why are you taking that off from me?" Nina holds Steven's hand and stops him from taking the bracelet that a key to her diary.

Tearing a wide smile, Steven said to Nina, "You need not wear someone's bracelet, but the one I give you." 

"But I have been wearing this bracelet for almost two years," firmly, she reasons out.

She doesn't like what Steven said to her. It was then an irritation crept into her chest. But she has to suppress her annoyance toward this guy's possessiveness.

'Is he knew this bracelet was from Harry?' Nina clenches her fist on top of her lap. She and Steven were seated on the carpeted floor in the corner while opening all the gifts they received from each other and from the Grant family. She was grateful that the family was immersed in looking at the presents they received from her and Steven.

But not for Jessica. She was keenly observing her Miss and Steven. It upset her seeing her Miss having a long face. It means the way Steven acted in front of her annoyed her Miss. She wondered what the guy did this time.

Ever since they began having a relationship, he only makes her Miss unhappier than before she was shedding tears because of Harry. However, even if she sulks watching at how pity her Miss. She was just an attendant.

Jessica heaves a furious sigh while murmuring in her head.

'And where is that ass Harry? Does he really not care about her Miss feelings?'

But of course, they didn't know that Harry had been there to clear out things with Nina. But his heart only broke upon witnessing how intimate Steven and Nina were to each other.

~~~~~ 

Next Chapter: 

Meanwhile, at Shang Manor, Harry slowly opens his eyes. His head throbbing as he tried to get up. 

The moment his plane landed at the airport. He went straight home, and since then, he was drinking the liquor in his father's mini-bar salon in their mansion.

'Shit!' He cusses as he could not think straight. He needs to sober up. Harry reached for the telephone and made a few times attempt to call a certain person. Finally, he called the right place.

The moment someone rings the doorbell. Harry promptly gets up and rushes to the door.

"Yo! Merry Christmas!" greetings by the guy on the doorsteps.

"Who are you?" asked Harry.

The guy twitches the corner of his mouth. Before the guy could respond, a small hand tapped his shoulder.

"Seth!"

Harry recognized this voice. He peeped behind the guy, and he found Kristina was there as well.

"Kristina?"

"Hi, Harry!" A timid but sweet smile, plastering on Kristina's lips. But then...

"I'm Seth Lindsey.. Have you forgotten?" said the guy to Harry.