His Contractual Mistress

Vincent and Tim held the tray full of food in their hands. 

They looked around to find an empty table away from the rest, but the room is already packed. Gladly, James noticed them. He waved his hand and shouted at them, "Vincent, come to our table!" 

They strode through the middle of the dining hall, which most of the heads raised to watch them passed. Ignoring their surrounding, Tim and Vincent immediately placed their tray on the table and sat across James, Leo, and Bryan. 

Since they were new to this place, Vincent and Tim eat quietly, casually listening to everyone's conversations. Gratefully, James is chatty while at the long table next to them where the chairman seated with the rest of the executives mainly talks about the city's ongoing construction. So Vincent pricked his ears up to listen to some helpful information. 

Sometimes, Vincent glances at the chairman. He could not explain, but he had this feeling that he resembled someone he knew but could not figure out whom. He racked up his head where he saw this person, who looked a little like Jacob Davies. 

Meanwhile, Jacob was also looking at the next table, particularly at their new contractor. 

He hadn't much information about the CEO of Shen Group. But the samples they submitted are impressive. Besides, he trusts her daughter's judgments for designing. 

Jacob leaned over and asked Geoffrey. "Have you known if Mr. Shen married?" 

Geoffrey lifted his eyes from his food and traveled it toward the next table. He replied, "I have no information in his private life, Uncle Jacob." 

"I see." Jacob nodded while stuffing his mouth, then immediately dropped the subject.

However, James heard the chairman. With a broad smile across his face, he stared at Vincent with straight eyes. 

"Vincent, are you married?" James asked without blinking. 

All of a sudden, curious eyes are casting toward Vincent. For a few seconds, he felt awkward being scrutinized like this by other men because of this question. In the past, it was women who eagerly listened to his answer. 

Strange, why do these bunch of all-men executives curiously wait for his reply? Not to mention they all look handsome and manly. Vincent mused.

He glanced at Jacob Davies, who was also keenly waiting for his reply. He clears his throat, then smiles.

"I have a wife," Vincent answered with joy.

Although his answer is not confirming nor denying he is married. He always answered wholeheartedly to anyone who asks him this question because the person in his mind is no other woman but Hailey. 

He is serious when he asserts in front of his parents- and parents-in-law that in his heart, Hailey is his wife. So when Bryan asked him this question a while ago, he admitted he has a wife, and he will answer the same question over again. 

After Vincent answers James's question, he looks around to see their reaction, and he notices something odd. The men in front of him, including the rest of the executives at the other table, sigh with relief. For him, that was intriguing. 

What is it so crucial for them to know about his private life? Will this affect his work? Or is it because the CEO of this company is a woman?

Why were they curious about his private life more than his skills of being an architect and a contractor? 

Vincent has these questions troubling his mind, but he shrugged this thought and resumed eating. However, James is not done chatting with him yet.

"I salute your wife. She's smart." James remarked that made others look at Vincent again. 

On the other hand, it confused him why James made that comment. Next, he was placed in a hot seat that caused his ears to red from embarrassment. 

James looked at his neck and said, "She assures to placed a mark on her husband for women to stay away from him." 

Vincent's eyes flickered at James' teasing quote. Now he understood what James meant. As everyone tried to look at his neck, he could not avoid feeling embarrassed. Australia is hotter this time around, so wearing a scarf to hide the scratches on his neck would make him look funny.

"Our female employees are all pretty and have an eye on handsome men. Wives are getting jealous." James added. 

Vincent looked around, and his eyes landed at the table with all females seated at it. They were busy gossiping and whispering at each other. 

When he stared enough, he withdrew his gaze and returned his attention to James. He smiled. "My wife is prettier." 

James laughs out loud while Leo raises a thumb. After James settled down, he shifted his gaze to Tim and asked the guy. "Tim, what do you think?" 

Timothy held himself not to giggle upon witnessing how his boss put in a hot seat. He casually raised his head and replied to James with enthusiasm. He understood what James was asking him, and he was prepared to give a deadly answer. 

"She's a Queen," Tim answered proudly. He made a glance at his boss to convey what he was thinking at the moment. 'Don't forget to raise my salary, boss!' 

Meanwhile, Vincent ignored his assistant, pretending he overlooks his meaningful stares. Vincent glanced at James with a bright smile on his face. 

Now that they had heard enough, everyone resumed eating. But once James began, he was unstoppable. He would continue blabbing. 

Vincent is answering James politely. He was relieved that James' question is just about Shen Group. On his part, he used this as an opportunity to get close to his clients. After all, a good relationship at the workplace is essential since they put billions in his pocket. 

They give a shot to trust him. And so, he must not break that trust. He always works hard to impress his clients to create a forever partnership. So then, his work will share with others that his performance is satisfying. 

Lunch is almost over when James asks another personal question, Vincent. "Do you have a plan to bring your wife here?" 

"If it is allowed." Vince curled his lips into a thin smile.

"Of course! Several other contractors bring their wives here! Except for mistresses! We want to avoid as much family issues here," said James meaningfully, and simply glance at Bryan then quickly returned his gaze to Vincent. 

Meanwhile, Tim was choked with the food he swallowed. He glanced at his boss, who only wore a poker face. It made him curious what he was thinking at this moment. 

'So what now, boss? Poor you!'