His Contractual Mistress

METRO CITY PALACE HOTEL

Tonight is the DV Gem Asia Branch Store launching, which the Palace Hotel Hall was decorated glamorously with a gold and silver theme. 

Super busy this evening, Gigi, Leticia, and Dana made a last check to the venue. They have to make sure that everything is all ready. 

However, three hours ago… 

Hailey sat on a French chaise lounge, sipping tea inside a private room while her eyes fixed on the giant screen. From there, she will monitor all the happenings in the event hall. 

As she waits for the time that guests start to arrive, someone knocks on the door, whereas two people lead to assure her safety and are now guarding the door. 

Whoever attempts to enter that door they have to go through Pitt and Bruce's knuckles along with her other knights. 

"Princess, the DV Gem General Manager from the Main Branch Office, is here," Bruce announced. 

"Let her come in."

Walking inside the room, Mina strode closer and bowed to Hailey. She then placed the black suitcase on the table, opened it, and showed the purple velvet box kept inside. 

"Miss Davies, the jewelry set you designed." 

Hailey takes the box and carefully opens the top cover. Her eyes gleam upon seeing the jewelry. Kelly's touch is truly extraordinary. Her poor design miraculously has brightly shone now. 

It was beautiful. Suddenly, Hailey wished for her mom to be still alive. She would love to see her wearing the pieces she designed. 

But the thought that the one to wear these pieces is the woman who gives birth to the man she loved brings warmth to her heart. 

Hailey closed the cover and placed the box back in the suitcase. Later, she will hand it to Vince's mom. 

"After the party, I want you to escort Madam Hilda Shen in this room," Hailey instructed Mina. 

"Note, Miss Davies. I'll take my leave to prepare for the event. Guests will arrive soon." 

"Go ahead." 

Mina bowed and left the room. Hailey leaned back on the chaise lounge, her eyes landing on the box again. She opened it one more time and looked at the pieces inside. 

It was truly stunning. She could imagine Madam Hilda Shen wearing the necklace. Even though Vince's mom only gives her a frown every time she sees her, she has seen Hilda Shen's photos with a beautiful smile. 

A photo of Vince graduated from his second course, and Hilda smiled proudly during a family picture. Vince was the Summa Cum Laude, whose mom would not smile and feel proud?

Hailey came back to reality when her phone rang. The caller is Liza. She wondered why the girl was calling her. Liza didn't know she is the owner of DV Gem, and she's a part of the event tonight unless there is a problem since she chooses her mom's services to cater to the food tonight.

"Hello, Liza?" 

"Hail! Where are you? I need your help!" Liza cried from the other line. 

"What's the matter, Liz?" Creasing her forehead, she asked curiously. 

"Mom has a problem, Hail. The chef that was assigned to prepare the food tonight was stranded at Lemon Island. They prohibit planes or ships from traveling today when a typhoon is coming, and it will directly hit the island!" 

"Oh. Then, the food that is supposed to be served tonight is…." 

"The hotel will pay any amount. Hail! Please, help me!" She cut Hailey's sentence. She was in a hurry to convince her. Hailey did it during the Class Reunion, and then only Hailey could help her. "We need a chef who is an expert in European cuisine, Hail!"

"Okay. I'm on my way. Stop crying now," she comforted the girl.

"Mom is too worried. It is one of the biggest events she handled, and she doesn't want to damage the hotel's reputation. She already blamed herself even though it's not her fault." 

"She shouldn't be. There are things we don't expect to happen. I'd call you if I were closeby." 

"Okay, Hail. Thank you so much! It happens because a senator requested the chef to cook for her son's wedding, and mom can't say no to her. Mom sent the chef to the province!" 

"I understand. So stop worrying now, okay?" 

"Okay. Thank you so much again! I'll wait for you in the lobby!" 

"Bye." Hailey puts down her phone and calls out for Bruce. 

"Yes, Princess?" 

"Send someone to buy me casual clothes. There is a problem in the kitchen. It's been two hours left, and the event will start." 

"Right away, Princess." Bruce immediately got out and requested a female employee from DV Inc. to buy the boss casual clothes. 

After fifteen minutes, the clothes arrived, and Hailey changed immediately. She runs to the back door of the event hall, where a corridor will take her to the kitchen of this hotel. 

If the food delays, this will be a problem for the event, not to mention this launching is her very own store.

"Liza!" 

"Hail, thank God you came!" 

"Don't worry. We have enough time. Are the desserts ready?" she asked Liza. 

"Yes, Hail. Mom finished baking them. She prepared choco mousse cupcakes, caramel cake, macaroons, and some fruitcakes. They will prepare the salads soon, but the dishes..." 

"Great! Let's display the sweets during the program. Explained to the organizer that they will serve food last." 

She already notifies the ladies about the minor changes. It should serve dinner first, while a couple of bands and singers will sing a song. But as food hasn't been prepared yet, they have to push back at the last part of the event. 

That's the plan she came up with. Maybe it's not a bad idea. It will be a perfect time for the guests to mingle.

"Let's go, Hai…." Liza froze her feet on the floor. She could not open her mouth, staring at the woman behind Hailey. She didn't notice her passing through them, and the woman's gaze intimidated her. All she could do was lower her head.

Hailey wondered at Liza's actions; she glanced over her shoulder, and she saw the woman halted a couple of meters away from them. 

She turned around and bowed at Madam Hilda Shen. The woman did not reply to her gesture which she's used to already. Instead, Madam Shen only scans her from the head down to her slipper. 

"Liza, hurry! We need to prepare the food!" 

They heard Liza's mom calling at them. She missed noticing Hilda Shen as she immediately turned around and rushed back to the hallway, headed to the kitchen.

"Let's go, Liz," she whispered and pulled Liza away from the lobby. 

Hilda also resumed walking, headed toward the elevator. She reserved a room for her stay where she prepared to attend the event. And it surprised her to see her son's girlfriend just lounging around the mall. 

She wondered if they invited the girl to this event. Even if she is just a mistress, Hilda has witnessed from past occasions. That girl was often asked because of her son's influence. They want to impress Vincent and to earn favor in return.

Anyway, why would she care about her? However, after two hours and she's ready for the launching party, Hilda remained bothered by something. The more she ignores it, the more it upsets her. 

"Crissa! Find out what that girl is doing!" She instructed her assistant. 

Not long, Crissa phoned Hilda to give her a report. "She's asked to cook tonight's dishes, Madame Shen. And according to one server, she's done preparing the food." 

"Bring that girl here immediately!" 

Crissa was confused. She's uncertain if she heard it correctly, but she has to follow her madam's order. She wants to approach Hailey inside the kitchen, but Bruce stops her. 

"What do you want from her, Miss?" asked Bruce with vigilance in his tone. 

Crissa blinks. She was taken aback after this man suddenly appeared in front of her. But after she came back to her senses, she frowned and glared at him.

"Who are you?" She remembered that she's well trained in Martial Arts and shooting a gun to protect Madam Shen if she needs to fight one day. And she would love to give this guy a flying kick with how rude he is toward her. 

"Ahem. President Shen assigned me as his girlfriend's bodyguard." Bruce replied. He's still using his rough tone.

Crissa was stunned for a moment. After then, her expression softens and even lowers her voice. "Madam Shen wants to see Miss Hailey." 

"May I know why?" 

Crissa answered with annoyance. "I'm just following her orders." 

"Okay. I will inform Miss Hailey," said Bruce and left her outside the kitchen. 

"Humph! He's just a bodyguard!" Crissa mumbled after the door swallowed the guy. 

Inside the kitchen, Hailey helped to make salads when Bruce approached her. 

"Princess, Madam Hilda Shen has requested to see you." 

"Oh. What is it about?" She's a bit worried. She needs to go back to her room to monitor the event, but she can't refuse Madam Hilda's invitation. 

Soon after, Hailey and Bruce followed Crissa toward Hilda's hotel suite. Along the aisle, she noticed Bruce was smirking while checking out Crissa's legs. 

She glared at him but then winked after. She was teasing Bruce, and the guy scratched the back of his head. Being caught at what he did, he falls back a little and walks behind them. 

When Hailey came to Madam Hilda's suite, she noticed she was ready for the party. But she seems patiently waiting for her. 

Hailey began wondering why Vince's mom wants to see her. She's hoping that this is not about her breaking up with Vincent.