His Contractual Mistress

Hilda lifted her gaze and looked at Hailey. Her eyes traveled from her face down to her shoes, then went back to her chest, where two beautiful rings are resting between her cleavage. She need not ask, but it looks like her son cannot wait for his divorce, and he already proposes to his girlfriend. 

"Ahem. Sit down," said Hilda. Her voice is not stern nor friendly, but it's not scary either. 

"Thank you, Madam Shen." After she thanked the woman, her eyes shifted to the other ladies seated at that table. She saw President Zaijan's mother and Director Tyler's mom were there too, and the other Lopez wives. 

Hailey smiled, particularly at Janise, who gestured at the empty seat next to her. "Thank you," Hailey whispered to Janise. 

The girl is staring at her rings. She looks like she wants to start a conversation, but she knows what is stopping her. They could not have a casual chat when Madam Shen was at the same table. 

Not long, Gigi ascends to the stage and makes a welcome speech. After she acknowledges everyone, a video plays on the large screen. 

"DV Gem was established about three years ago by two best friends. One loves designing, and these designs are fascinated by the other. So, at 22, our founder put up the office of DV Inc. and its first store in the heart of Dubai. 

She aims for unique accessories later; the company focused on creating personalized designs known worldwide in later years. 

Our CEO believes that every woman deserves to wear beautiful jewelry. And so on, she designed the slogan 'To make every woman feel special and beautiful' by wearing our jewelry!

Since it was established, many visited our first store from around the globe until we had our second store in New York City to celebrate our first anniversary. Then the third one is in Italy as the celebration of our second year.

Now we are soon to celebrate our third year, and we are opening our Asia branch, which is the lucky city are yours! I officially announce that our fourth store is to open here in Metro City!" 

A round of applause echoed throughout the entire hall. Then Gigi continued.

"Ladies, I officially opened our DV Gem Auction!" Gigi gestured her hand toward the right side of the hall.

Everyone heard a humming followed by the mirror wall opening; it showed a dazzling room with hundreds of pieces of jewelry of different sizes, gemstones, and colors inside mirror boxes. 

Everyone gasps in awe. They stood on their feet and walked toward the room. But the store managers from other branches stop them for a brief explanation, and Mina, the General Manager of DV Inc Main Branch, does the honor. 

"Hello, ladies. My name is Mina. Before, I will give a brief orientation for tonight's auction. I want to remind you that this auction has a purpose. Twenty percent of every purchased item tonight goes to our Foundation, where we will distribute it to our chosen scholars throughout the globe. 

As to celebrate our third year since this company was established, our DV Gem CEO officially opens the DV Gem Foundation for younger women who struggle to fund their college courses." 

Another applause echoed in the room. Then Mina continued.

"Now, as you all can see, we separate the jewelry. 

On your right are earrings, brooches, and bangles. Then on your left are the necklaces, bracelets, and pendants. While in the middle are rings and watches.

And as for our set of jewelry. They are in the back. Please, indulge yourself!" 

Mina steps away to allow these women to begin strolling the room. Everyone cannot wait to spot the most beautiful and expensive jewelry tonight. 

On the other hand, Hilda didn't join the crowd but remained seated, pampering herself with Rose wine. 

Back at the Auction Room, a group of women lingering at the jewelry set corner, soon, their eyes captivated by the mannequin on top middle displayed on a shelf, wearing beautiful emerald pieces. 

"Oh, my gosh! That was too beautiful! How much is that? Why is there no price on it?" 

"I'm sorry, ladies. That set is unavailable. It was a personalized design, and we asked our client to display it today," Vienna explained, store manager of the Italy branch.

"Can we order the same design?" asked one woman, which others concurred. 

"I'm sorry, ma'am. But we are told that this design will be only in the world." 

"Oh. Who's that rich woman capable of such demands?" 

"Yeah..." Then followed with further mumblings. 

"Well, this set of jewelry was made as a gift for a special woman, yes," Vienna explains further. 

"Oh! Can we know who this special woman is?" 

"I'm sorry, ladies. It is confidential. It is up to our client to reveal herself and to whom this present." 

"Ah…" Everyone was disappointed. But soon, they've forgotten about the emerald set of necklaces and move on to check out the other displays. 

Anyway, it has too many beautiful pieces to choose from, and they had some trouble deciding which one to purchase.

It's been over an hour, and everyone still can't get over purchasing all kinds of jewelry. A while back, Janise asked Hailey to look around, to which she agreed. 

Now that she is with Janise, no one dared to open their mouth to slander her but immersed themselves by picking out what to buy. 

Hailey saw Zenaida across the room. But the woman immediately averted her gaze. But before that, Hailey saw that smirk contorting in the corner of her mouth; that gives her a warning. 

'I know what you were thinking, sister.' She mused as her gaze sharpened, staring at Zenaida. 'What are Eva's plans, Zenaida? I know you knew something.'

Shrugging off the thought, Hailey looks around the room and decides to ignore the woman. The launching of her branch store is a success. It is something she must celebrate now.

She looked at the displays, and she was very proud of all of their designers and artisans. All the pieces they've displayed tonight are different from each other. They assure that it has various cuts, shapes in colors.

Hailey pointed to necklace chains and letter pendants of H, N, and L. She was looking at them closely, and Janise joined her side. 

"Are you giving that to your friends?" she asked.

"Yes. They are a team of cute three teenagers." 

Janise chuckled. She remembered the last time they were in her store to pick out a dress for Hailey. It is great to be young and not have big responsibilities yet. 

Well, school is stressful too, but the reality of keeping a promising career is more challenging. Many socialites want to marry a CEO because they don't want to work but waste their husband's money. 

But not for her. She wanted to stay single and become a known designer in the entire world. Just like the founder of DV Gem, she wants to achieve something at a young age. 

And so, she wishes to meet this amazing woman. Ah, she hoped she made her wear her designs! That would be the most outstanding achievement in her life! 

They said that she was beautiful. Maybe in the future, she will meet this incredible woman, and so, she must work harder to be worthy of that opportunity. 

*

While everyone is occupied purchasing at the Auction Room, the service crew, who happens to be Hailey's knights, sets up the buffet table. Later on, a band started playing some upbeat love songs. 

Dinner is served. And those who finished shopping went back to their table and fetched some food and began eating. 

On this occasion, several Lopez women gather tonight and socialize and chat with other wealthy women in their circle. 

Of course, it also divided the High Society among true wealthy women and those wannabe socialites. Or to say gold diggers. 

And they always pushed Hailey toward the level of gold diggers. The purpose of the gossip about her is to leave a wrong impression on the Lopez women, who are part of the wealthiest women in Asia. 

But Lopez's women can't offend Vincent. It's not because he is Hilda's son but because Vincent brought their companies into glory. All the projects he won are good news for Lopez Steel Corporation. 

LSC is one of the prime companies the Lopez family has. Vince's success reflects their success too. The more projects Vince won, the more productions of steel they can produce. 

That was a win-win for their entire family. Especially that Vincent got several numbers Billion Dollars projects that would last for several years. 

So, who would not become happy? 

All they have to do is be nice to his girlfriend and be careful that their mouths won't slip out ugly comments about her.