His Contractual Mistress

After the attendants change Hailey's clothes, Bryan is back in the room as he promised. 

"Now, it's time for you to sleep, Princess," Bryan said; he sat on the bed. He extends his arm and brushes her hair using his fingers. 

Hailey was drunk, but she doesn't want to sleep yet. She looked at Bryan and smiled. 

"Bryan, are you happy?" she asked out of the whim. 

Bryan blinks several times as he pondered how he would answer her question in careful words. Later then, he nodded and replied with cheer.

"I am! Thank you for making my birthday, as always, a special one." 

"I'm glad." She giggled and acted cutely. She pulled up her quilt above her head and hid underneath. Later, she peeped out and asked, "Would you stay until I fall asleep?" 

"Of course. I will sit here until you fall asleep," Bryan promised. He turned off the rest of the light in the bedroom except the table lamp. 

Bryan takes an accent chair and places it near the bed. Wandering his eyes, he noticed the magazine on the bedside table. 

When he flips the cover, he found out that it is a book bind, and the photos inside are about different designs of skyscrapers, hotels, resorts, etc. 

From the look of the magazine, it was personalized-made for her. Bryan lifted his gaze and met Hailey's eyes. She crawled closer, putting a pillow on the edge of her bed, and she lay on her stomach.

"What do you think, Bryan?" She asked sleepily, looking down at the pictures. 

Bryan continues flipping more pages. He asked, "Hm. Why are you collecting these?" 

"Because I will build my city!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"Oh. You need my help?" 

Hailey's dreamy eyes now open wide. "Really? But you aren't an architect." 

"Silly. I'm not an architect, but I am an engineering student. Besides, I have been completing my degree in my AB course." 

"Are you serious!?" 

"And when did I ever joke on you about something?" Bryan chuckled and messed up her hair. 

"So we will build my city? Then Grandpa would be happy!" she almost jumped in delight. 

Bryan raised his right hand. "Yes. I'll swear to his grave I will help you fulfill building your city." 

Hailey sat up and said with full of enthusiasm. "I will ask everyone if they wanted to take part as well!" 

She was about to get off her bed when Bryan stopped her. "You can ask them tomorrow. They were drunk already. Now, you should go back to bed."

"Okay." She obediently listens; she lay still on the bed this time. She didn't notice when Bryan frowned for a moment. 

He hated that every time, he had to compete with the other men. Although he is the closest one to her, she had everyone's back who was always willing to lend a hand. 

He is happy, of course. But most of the time, he has to compete with her attention. Bryan was contemplating when he heard Hailey giggled. 

He knocks on her head. "What's funny were you thinking right now, huh?" 

Hailey answered with honesty, "I'm just too excited, Bryan!" 

He chuckled. He stretched his arm and pulled her nose. "Then study very well, okay?" 

"Yes, I will! And I'll work harder and learn everything I need to know to run a company! Like, dad!" 

"Uncle Jacob would be so proud of you," he whispered and placed a kiss on Hailey's forehead. 

"I want him to be proud of me, yes," she mumbled. 

"Then, you need to sleep now." 

Hailey nodded and closed her eyes. But just a few minutes had passed; Bryan was confused when she suddenly sat up and looked like she forgot something. 

"I almost forget!" 

"What is it?" Bryan is anxiously waiting. 

"I thought you wouldn't be home today, and so I promise a friend to watch him race." 

Hearing Hailey refers to a guy, Bryan's brows twitching upward. "What do you mean promising him?" 

"I... He... He asked me if I can be his girlfriend." she bit her lip, nervous to tell Bryan about it. 

"What!?" 

"Don't be angry! I told him I would think about it. And I will give my answer today." 

"And?" His voice is entirely irritated. He knew that sooner or later, men are lining up to date this girl. But those men don't deserve her! He knew what they were after. "Where did the race take place?" 

"Are you going to come with me?" 

"Yes." Good thing Hailey hasn't noticed his firm tone. 

"Okay! I'm glad you are here! I know dad would not permit me, so I haven't told him yet, and I don't know how to ask him." 

Bryan grinned. As of this moment, an idea came to his mind. "Don't worry. I'll talk to your dad." 

"Ah! Thank you, Bryan!" 

Guilt struck his chest. This girl has no idea what evil he was plotting. 'Someone must watch her closely!' 

"Alright. What time will the race be?" Bryan asked in a casual tone, not for Hailey being suspicious. 

"It will be in this afternoon, and so I could still sleep more hours." She replied lazily as sleep pulled her off. 

Soon, her breathing is deep and steady. Now that Hailey was asleep, Bryan need not hide his anger. He clenched both of his fists while his face darkened. 

Who dares to ask Hailey for a date? He'll show that guy he is hoping for an impossible dream! 

*

The following day, Hailey woke up past ten in the morning. After she gets a shower and changes clothes, she runs toward the grand kitchen. 

"Bryan!" 

The guy was in front of the stove, preparing Hailey's breakfast, and it surprised him when she jumped on his back. 

If it's not for his reflex, either he could catch Hailey, or the slotted turner would hit on her. 

"You should be careful!" It shocked him, at the same time, fear for Hailey to get hurt, and so, he didn't control to raise his voice. 

Hailey was startled, a frightening flash in her eyes, and he suddenly felt sorry. He didn't mean to raise his voice. 'But she's very reckless!' 

"I'm sorry." He apologized. "I was only surprised and afraid you get to burn. Don't do that again, okay?"

Hailey shook her head, then lowered her gaze. "Not anymore. I'm sorry if I surprised you." 

"Alright. Sit now. Breakfast is ready." He combed her hair and placed a kiss on her forehead. 

"Okay!" She ran toward the dining table and behaved in her seat. 

Bryan chuckled and shook his head. He placed the platters on the table and began filling her plate. After that, he made her fresh orange juice. 

"Bryan, where is everyone? Did they haven't woken up yet?"

"Well, not yet. They have drunk until sunrise, so those men would only wake up in the afternoon." 

"Hmm... Okay," she mumbled, biting the buttered-toasted bread. 

"Do you want to discuss what we talked about last night?" 

Hailey creased her forehead. "About last night? What we talked about last night?" 

Bryan froze for a moment and pondered. 'Did she forget about our promise of building her dream city? It looks like this girl should not get drunk if she didn't know who she was with!' 

"Okay! I will tell you what we talked about last night. But you have to promise me one thing." 

"Wait, did I do something last night?" What happened last night!? Did she get drunk? Then? Hailey stared at Bryan with anticipation. 

"Nothing. Don't worry. But you have forgotten what happened last night, is it?" he asked. He continued after Hailey nodded at him. "Now, promised me you would never drink if your company were not the boys." 

"Oh. Is that all? Okay! No problem!" She sighed with relief. In this case, she swears to herself not to get drunk again! 

Bryan smiled. It amused him watching how her face wrenching with worry. She looks cute.

"Okay. Now eat. We are meeting your suitor, right?" 

Hailey lifted her head, and her eyes widened. All of a sudden, panic crept into your chest. Did she tell Bryan about Kian? That wasn't cool! Argh! 

She was drunk last night! Although she needs someone to go with so that her dad will give his permission to watch a race today. But not about her suitor! 

"Don't tell me you forget that too?" Bryan teased her. 

She nodded shyly. Now her cheeks are flushing pink. 

"Okay. Just promise me you will not drink outside without the boys or Kelly. Besides, you are still a minor." 

She nodded in agreement. "Then, what else I said last night?" 

Bryan recalled the magazine he saw in her bedroom and the promise they made to build her city together. 

"Is that true? Are you going to help me?" Excitement overwhelms her chest. 

"Uh-huh? Who else would help you? It's a great investment. I'll ask mom, to give me her assets in advance." 

Building a company with Hailey is now his dream. It would be great if he could stay by her side forever. 

"Okay! Then what will be your position in my company?" 

"Well, you will be the company's President so, I will be the Vice President. How about it?" 

"That would be great, Bryan!" 

"What is this all about?" Asked the guy who marched toward the table and picked up a toasted bread. 

"Good morning, Geoffrey! We have a meeting today!" 

 "I didn't make that for you!" Bryan complains; he slaps Geoffrey's hand. 

He frowned, then get himself a mug and poured a brewed coffee. 

"Hmm? About what?" asked Geoffrey. He takes the seat across Bryan. 

"I will build my own company!" It was Hailey who answered. She is putting food on Geoffrey's plate. "Here, I can't eat everything anyway." 

Geoffrey grins at Bryan, who is shooting a glare at him.