His Contractual Mistress

At the table, everyone turned their heads when Hailey showed up in the pool area, and Bryan was walking just behind her. 

A few of the men shared a glance, but Geoffrey darkened his face, gritted his teeth, and shot a glare at Bryan. 

'Did something happen?' It was what was playing on his head.

Hailey was unaware of the tension between the men; she rushed to the table with delight, then seated between Andre and Geoffrey. 

"Ah, my favorite lobster!" she exclaimed. 

"Here, I know you were like in heaven to eat a lobster." Andre placed the platter of lobster with fried potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and spices around it. 

"Thanks, Andre!" She was ecstatic that she dined with everyone again. Although few of the knights weren't here, she is happy tonight. 

While Hailey heartily ate her food, Geoffrey, who was silent on her other side, poured her a glass of champagne. 

Hailey raised her head and smiled at him. He opens his mouth to ask her about something, but it's not the perfect time yet. 

Frowning, he draws his glass close to his mouth and gulps half of the champagne. Geoffrey glared at Bryan, who was eating quietly across the table but could notice how bright his face was. 

Geoffrey wondered if Bryan and Hailey had talked. But he knew that they didn't. It's just that he is worried that Bryan might try to coax Hailey, and she would give in. 

He witnesses how Hailey relies on Bryan, and he also sees how Bryan would do everything for her. Could there be a second chance in their relationship? 

Ah. He is torturing his own heart. Geoffrey shook his head and emptied his glass. 

The meal is lovely and lasts for hours. Wine, champagne, brandy, flavored vodka are all scattered on the table as the men continue drinking. 

Later on, Hailey received a text from Vince. Tonight, Geoffrey and Bryan are not the only men that are paying attention to Hailey. It includes James, Trevor, and Kelvin, who is constantly checking on her. 

Tonight, she was sweetly laughing as she joined the conversation. And so, they notice when her attention focuses on her phone, and there is a glint in her eyes while replying to the text she receives constantly. 

Vince has been texting her, and she casually replied to his messages. She notices the states that are eyeing in her direction. So then, she would place her phone on the table and pretend to pay attention to their conversation. 

Bryan was drinking alone on the corner. He chooses to separate from everyone so that he could watch Hailey from there. Leaning on the yacht railings, Bryan emptied the flavored vodka in his hand.

When Hailey called him by his name for the first time after a long time, he couldn't hold his heart to cry from joy. He has been missing to hear her voice saying his name. And the only chances he has are his dreams, which he has woken up empty. 

In this passing year that he attempts to talk to her, she only ignores his call until she changes her contact number, which only a few people know. 

It hurts him. But he has no right to feel it so. 

Bryan hurls a long breath. He looked up and gazed out at the night sky. What a beautiful night. How he wishes it would always be this way, but he knew more than anyone that his Calvary was just worsened. 

He wants to run from it, but if an innocent life involves, how could he? At least, he should be a man. 

Bryan dropped his shoulders upon thinking about it. His head has been throbbing since this morning, and the way it pounded, he's going crazy. 

"Alright, everyone! You all have work tomorrow! Don't drink too much tonight, okay?" Andre's reminders.

It's getting late; Andrea and Hailey will go home to Davies mansion here in Derby City while the men will stay overnight in the yacht. 

"Andre, why don't you stay? I'll go home alone." 

"Hail? But..." 

"I'm not that drunk yet. Besides, I will only drive slowly. I promise. James can monitor my speed. How was that?" 

She knew that this night should be only an all-men bonding night. Honestly, it made her happy that the men didn't raise a protest to include Bryan in tonight's welcome dinner for her. Since it came to this, then it is a perfect time that everyone gets along again. 

"But I won't be in peace if..." Andre wanted to insist, but Hailey interrupted him. 

"I'll call you if I arrive home. Dad is waiting for me." 

"Okay." Andre didn't argue anymore. "Call me when you arrived home or anything, okay?" 

"Yes, I will!" she assured him. Hailey hugged Andre once more before she slid on her car. "Have a good night with the boys, okay?" 

"Yeah. Be careful driving!" 

"Yup!" 

Andre keeps an eye on the leaving car with a worried look on his face. But he should not have forgotten that she is an adult now. He knew that Hailey wanted to stand on her own. 

But sometimes, it misses him that little girl who would tail them around all the time. Since she chooses to travel alone and study abroad, it gives him anxiety. And he still is. 

He thought that if Hailey marries Bryan, he could finally breathe. But what happens instead, Hailey had brokenhearted. 

Bryan is the first person he trusted. He could not believe he is the one who would taint that trust. 

But until now, he doesn't understand. Bryan loves Hailey. Why did he cheat on her? 

Andre lifted his gaze and looked at Bryan, who watched Hailey depart from the upper deck. He seemed to have feelings for Hailey until now. 

How if Bryan persuades Hailey? Would he support it? 

Andre shook his head. He climbs the boarding ladder and goes to his room on this yacht. When he was about to join the men in the pool, he noticed that Bryan was leaving. 

"Hey, Bryan! Where are you going!" Gladly, he catches him up before he could trot his car from the parking lot. 

Bryan rolled down the window; there was a bitter smile across his face. "I just wanted to make sure she is home safely." 

"This is not going to work, Bryan." 

"I can't sleep if I don't make sure she's home." Bryan reasons out. His eyes are pleading at Andre. 

Andre exhales furiously. "Damn it, Bryan!" 

Andre held himself not to throw a fuss. Among everyone, he knew how Bryan cares for Hailey. And it irritates him that Bryan keeps showing how he cares for her until now, but he didn't carefully think before he breaks her heart! 

"Why don't you just get over her as to how she already gets over you!" 

"Am I that transparent?" he asked Andre. Bryan's gaze is getting somber as his eyes are wearing his heart. "I know I screwed up, Andre. I fucked up my life, and it's getting even messier than before." 

"I'm glad you know how a fool you are." Andre snaps him. 

"I am." Bryan smiled bitterly. "I promised I'll only follow her in silence. The usual..." 

Andre didn't reply nor give his permission, but he stepped backward. It was the sign that he let Bryan follow Hailey. 

"Andre! Where is Bryan going?" Geoffrey queried as he was approaching him. He noticed that Bryan disappeared, and so he looked for him and this what he saw. 

"He has something to do. He'll come back." Andre replied, patting Geoffrey's back, hinting him to go back in the yacht. 

"No. He will follow Hailey!" 

"Geoffrey..." 

"Why did you let him?" 

Andre stared at him. He knew that Geoffrey likes Hailey. But he also knew that Bryan and Hailey have no final closure. 

"Maybe this is the perfect time they will talk to have a closure." Andre voices out his thoughts. 

Geoffrey tightens his jaw, clenching both of his fists on his sides. He declared afterward, "I will follow Hailey as well." 

"Geoffrey, just let them talk." 

"Andre, have you forgotten what Bryan did to Hailey?" 

"I didn't, but I know they need a talk. Come on. I'm shirtless. It's cold out here." 

Geoffrey was too frustrated. But he couldn't go against Andre's decision. 

Who is he to meddle Hailey's love life? He is just somebody to her, who is secretly in love with her. 

Meanwhile, Hailey is approaching the mansion's gate when a car takes over and blocks her way. 

She rolled down her window and asked the guy with a rough tone. 

"What are you doing here?" 

"Hail, can we talk?" Bryan's eyes were begging at her. 

"If you have something to say, then do it tomorrow. I have a few things to ask you regarding the accident and the wounded workers," she told Bryan flatly. 

Bryan's shoulders dropped on his sides when her voice was too cold this time. It was too different earlier. 

"It cannot wait tomorrow." He is persistent, and he will be. Bryan has decided. 

"I am tired, Bryan. I want to go to bed soon." Hailey's eyes shifted to her phone. Vince is calling her! But what Bryan said next stunned her. 

"I want you back."