His Contractual Mistress

Hailey takes a deep breath. She bit her lower lip to control her nerves from the tension she's feeling at the moment. 

"Hey..." She tried to sound cheerful, but cold water poured on her spine. 

"How do you feel?" Vince asked; his voice was cold. 

Hailey closes her eyes. Vince is upset, and she caused it, and so she understood because she disappoints him. 

"I am fine. I'm sorry if I am hard-headed again." She apologizes, and she hears Vince hurls a deep sigh again. 

It was a part of her that was at fault. Even more, she gives Vince something to worry about while he's away in P Country. She doesn't want him to be distracted like this, but she provokes him, and now she's in trouble. 

"Alright. You need to stay in the penthouse and don't go out until things aren't resolved." 

"How about my classes?" she asked worriedly. 

Vince fell silent for a brief moment, thinking of a solution to that matter. Then he declared, "I'll talk to Carl to give you classes online." 

"Okay." This time, she could not assert what she wanted. She doesn't want to make things difficult for Vince. And so, she swears not to do something out of capriciousness ever again. 

She's impulsive; she admits that. And she needs to take extreme action regarding her behavior. 

She's not the spoiled brat anymore, fearless to try anything because she knew that everyone would not say no to her. 

But now, it's different. 

"Hubby... I'm sorry." She apologizes once again. She knew that Vince only suppresses his anger. 

"Okay. I'm just hoping that you won't be street racing again." 

Hailey opens her mouth to answer, but she could not spill out the words forming in her tongue. 

She loved to race. It is one thing she and the boys shared as a hobby. And to stop to race was like a part of her cutting out of her system, but if it makes Vince feel at ease, then she's willing to give it up and promise to drive extra careful from then on. 

Hailey realizes that she didn't respond yet, and Vince now believes that she can't give it up. 

"Hail, do you understand why I prohibited you from doing a street race?" There is bitterness in his voice. 

  "I'm sorry..." She apologizes again. If Vince were in front of her, she knew that he would lecture her for good, and she would accept it. 

"Hail, I want you to understand how I feel. When I got into an accident the second time, I was so scared because I don't want to die and leave you." 

He added with sincerity in his voice, "But Hail... It will be different if you are the one who gets into an accident and didn't survive. I might go crazy!"

"Vince..." She cried. For the first time, she felt afraid to die. She doesn't want to part from Vince. 

* 

The following day, news came out about the accident. Although it releases the dashboard camera records, it still has many critics who exhilarate the information. 

HEADLINE NEWS: "IT LOOKS LIKE PRESIDENT VINCENT SHEN'S GIRLFRIEND HAD FUN PLAYING WITH DIRECTOR RODNEY LOPEZ IN HIS ABSENCE" 

"DIRECTOR RODNEY LOPEZ AND PRESIDENT VINCENT SHE'S GIRLFRIEND SEEMS GETTING ALONG CLOSER" 

THEY WERE SEEN RACING THAT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT...

Rodney didn't finish reading the whole article. He dropped his phone on the couch furiously. 

"I'm going to kill everyone who is behind this article!" Or else, Vincent, kill me first! He stressed out. "I'm going to burn this entertainment news company!" 

Zaijan glanced at him; he smirked and said, "Instead of fretting, why don't you start cutting the onions?" 

"Huh? Why am I always the one assigned to slice the onions!?" 

"Then go home to your unit and make your breakfast!" 

Fraine has just woken up, and this is the scene that greeted her. She rolled her eyes and mumbled, "Jeez. First thing in the morning, and they are already barking at each other." 

Fraine sat down on the sofa; Zaijan brought her a glass of warm milk. 

"Thank you." She said in a low voice, which Zaijan only nodded as a response. 

"Good morning, Fraine!" Rodney greeted with extra enthusiasm. 

Fraine gape at the guy with curiosity. He seemed acting weird this morning, and she could not describe what odds surrounded him. 

"Did something happen last night?" She asked curiously, shifting her gaze from Zaijan and Rodney. 

The cousins shared a glance and decided to tell Fraine the truth. 

"What the heck, Rodney?" She burst out after. 

"Yeah. I know. I hope Vincent won't kill me!" Rodney sobs. He wiped the tears in his eyes, but he continued crying. 

Fraine wanted to offer a face towel for Rodney to dry his tears, but then she noticed the onions he chopped. 

"Seriously?" Fraine raises a brow and would like to smack him in the head. She scowled and turned around, leaving the men to take in-charge of the kitchen. 

Fraine stepped out on the veranda and sat in one of the chairs. She pulled out her phone from her pocket and began texting Hailey. 

"Hey. How are you? I just heard the news." 

"I'm OK—nothing to worry about," Hailey replied to Fraine. 

"I know it will resolve soon. Zayn will help to solve the matter with the media." 

"Vincent must be asking President Lopez's influence to investigate the incident. It sucks because the patient was the son of Vincent's foreign investor. It's a huge one." 

"Oh, my gosh!" Fraine freaks out. The situation is more complicated than she thought. 

Fraine and Hailey chatted further until Zaijan announced that it's time to eat. She said goodbye to Hailey with a prayer that things will settle soon. 

"Why don't you reveal your true identity instead?" One of Fraine's suggestions which Hailey could not concur with. 

"No, Fraine. Vince is trying to handle this matter, so I will let him take care then. But of course, I am also paying attention to the other party and will take a step in if necessary."

Hailey heaves a long sigh. She could resolve this matter on her own. She could set a meeting with Vince's investor, not pull out their shares. 

But she believes that Vince has a plan. When he said that he'd take care of it, it means she must let him stand as her reliable lover. 

For now, she will step backward and allow him to be her man protecting her against the world. 

*

Hailey's entire day passed boringly, but she tried to distract her attention by preparing the launch of DV Gem Asia Branch Store. She had FaceTime with Gigi Chan, Leticia Javier, Dana Hanes, and Fraine Michael all afternoon. 

They've discussed where to take office, and they voted which building they're going to rent a two-floors for DV Inc. Asia Branch Office. It will be at Shen Tower. 

Hailey agreed because it would be only temporary until they could negotiate with one of the old building owners and buy it a great deal. 

~ ~ ~

Hailey blow-dried her hair and prepared for bed. Tonight, she chose to sleep in Vince's room to feel his presence. 

She hugs his pillow as it smells like him. Since Vince advises her not to check out the news, she turns off her phone. 

The night is getting older, but she was half asleep. Hailey buries her face and hugs the pillow even tighter when the scent lingering on her nostrils is more intense this time. 

She could inhale the fragrant of Vince's shampoo. 

At first, she ignored the quiet movement around the bedroom. But later, she could feel warm tiny kisses planting on her forehead and left cheek since she lay down on her right side, so it was what side that exposes, to touch freely.

'Vince? He's home!'