His Contractual Mistress

Hailee was happy to see that Kelly gave Alex a chance to court her, and the two of them became familiar with each other. 

Alex is serious about courting Kelly. He already liked Kelly even before, but he had no courage to flirt with her because of how snobbish she is to men. He recently found a great opportunity, and he didn't waste his chances to persuade Kelly. 

When she suddenly disappeared in Australia, he followed her to Metro City after Pitt's help—who knew where she went. 

Pitt also learned from Hansen. He noticed Kelly in the background one time he had a video call with Janise.

He immediately asked Vincent for help. 

*

Alexander's POV

Metro City International Airport

"Prince Alex! Rodney Lopez," he extended his arm, which Alex quickly accepted for a handshake and said… 

"Thank you for picking me up," he thanked Rodney and apologized after. "I'm sorry for troubling you." 

Rodney replied, "Nah. Don't mention it. We are actually honored with your visitation. Come on. I'll drive you to the Shen Mansion. Whatever you need, just contact me or ask the Shen butler. Vincent had already given instruction." 

"I'm grateful to my cousin-in-law," Alex muttered while he was climbing into Rodney's black Range Rover's passenger seat. 

"Of course. Vincent is always helping his family," Rodney replied. He started the car and followed the traffic flow out of the airport premises. 

His mind was drawn to the past situations when the Lopez businesses faced a problem several times, and the first man to act was Vincent. When he becomes Shen Group's CEO, he will use his position and influence to control the damages and issues. 

In their clan, they value the importance of family, and so, all cousins were always helping each other. 

After Alex heard Rodney's statement, he pursed a smile and retorted, "Yeah. We are family now, and I am happy Hailee found such a man..." 

Alex would like to say something, but he chooses not to voice out what is in his mind but to keep it to himself because it is about Bryan. 

Although Bryan extremely pampered Hailee and spoiled her by always giving in to her capriciousness, he opposed marrying Bryan. 

When Hailee and Bryan broke off their engagement, he was happy because he believed someone deserved to marry Hailee. Even he loves Hailee very much. But Hailee does not love him. 

Then, Vincent Shen came into the picture. Instantly, he could tell that Hailee was in love with the guy, and Vincent genuinely loved his cousin. For him, that is most important, and they love each other. 

In the following seconds, Alex set aside his thoughts but paid attention to the city. He listens to Rodney's boast, and the guy is pointing to the skyscrapers they'd passed Vincent's projects these passing years. 

Alex understands Rodney wants him to impress Vincent, which is unnecessary because he already likes the guy. 

When they arrive at the mansion, it's already late at night. 

"Good evening, Prince Alexander. My name is Roberto, the butler of the Shen family, and I'll be serving his highness." 

Alex smiled at Roberto and said, "You need not be too polite to me. Prince Alex is fine, and you need not address me as his highness." 

Roberto opens his mouth to say something, but he is a little hesitant if it is appropriate to say it. But this matter is killing him. So when he gathered enough courage, the old butler explained, 

"My apologies, his highness, if I become excited. My family has been serving the Shen even before they escaped China and sailed toward the south seas. But since the Shu family and Xing princess's family and the last Xing crowned prince arrived in P Country, my ancestor has to stop calling the family his highness and majesty. To look back, I was sad as I envied my ancestor. Living in a new identity, my forefathers had to stop addressing the royal family as his highness and his majesty." 

Alex could see Roberto's point. "Alright. You can address me whatever you wish." 

Butler Roberto was thrilled. In the past, he can address the two misses as princesses, but Vincent is different. As he is growing more mature than his age, he doesn't want to be called 'prince,' especially when they are outside. 

It was the time when he was in sixth grade. His classmates heard Butler Roberto calling him Prince Vincent. Since then, he would tease in the classroom as his highness. And so on, Vincent warns him not to address him as a prince. 

"Thank you, your highness. Please, follow me; the miss you are looking for has now retired to their rooms on the second floor." 

When they arrived on the third floor, Butler Roberto saw that the two maids that stand outside the Girl's Room were pressing their ears on the door. 

"Ahem!" 

The two maids shiver when they hear someone cough behind them. The two maids' faces immediately turned pale as they were caught eavesdropping. Well, they were listening because they were intrigued by what the girls inside had been gossiping about. 

"Knocked on the door and informed Miss Kelly that…." Midway, Butler Roberto was intercepted by Alex. 

"No need. Let me knock myself. If you announce my presence, that girl would only hide and lock the door." In these passing days, he was bugging Kelly, and he learned more cute behavior than Kelly had. 

"Then, I will take our leave." Butler Roberto bowed, then called the two maids to come with him. Being dismissed from their post, the maids knew the butler was going to lecture them. 

Now that the butler and the two maids left, Rodney bid good night at Alex. "I'm staying in the mansion. If you need anything, Carl and I are here to accompany you." 

Alex understood. Rodney is inviting him for a drink, but he needs to talk to Kelly first. The woman is hiding from him, and he plans to punish this girl. 

Meanwhile, inside the huge bedroom, Kelly was chatting with Hazel, Liza, and Nadia. The former asked many questions regarding Hailee's stay in Metro City, then how she and Vincent were in the relationship. 

The three girls were very enthusiastic about telling the love story they've witnessed in these passing months. As their voices are loud, even the maids could hear them outside. 

Later on, they heard a knock on the door. They thought it was the maid, so they paid little attention but waited for them to enter the room. 

However, the moment they saw the man step into the room, Kelly screamed and then hid under her blanket. 

On the other hand, the three girls were shocked to recognize him. They wish to scream because of excitement. Their eyes twinkled with delight to meet this handsome prince in person. 

In the past, they were daydreaming while looking at Prince Alexander's photo on social media. But as they remembered that, the three girls blushed. They had just realized that those times they were praising and dreaming of meeting this prince in front of Hailee is actually embarrassing. 

They wonder what Hailee thinks of that time. Now they had no face to show to her after they openly drool over her cousin many times!

"Hi!" Alex initiates to greet the three girls when they remain in a trance while staring at him. He used to be stared this way. But being gazed at dreamily by these three girls, he found it cute. 

Vincent told him that Hailee's classmates stayed in the mansion to help Janise work on the wedding dress. Then, the three teenagers Hailee got in close to are these girls. 

"My name is Alexander Martini, Hailee's cousin." He didn't include the 'prince' to introduce himself, and he wanted these girls to not feel shy around him. But the girls' response made him chuckle. 

"We know who you are!" the three girls said at once, eyes twinkling with delight. 

Alex said, "Nice to meet you, Hazel, Liza, and Nadia?" 

Alex was actually looking at the girl when he mentioned their names. They could not believe that their dream boy knew their names. 

"Well, can I talk to Kelly?" Alex was itchy to be alone with the girl. However, he doesn't want to sound rude to these teenagers, so he hopes they can read the atmosphere. 

"Of course! We will stay at sister Janise's bedroom tonight!" 

Janise was staying in the room where she made the dress because most of the time, she just stopped embroidering on the upper dress with real gems when it was past midnight. The room was too spacious and had two beds, and there would be no problem if the girls stayed there, too. 

"Good night, Prince Alex!" 

Alex had a big smile when he nodded at the three girls, who ran fast to the door and then disappeared. But before they could get farther, he heard them squeal and giggled. 

He shook his head and chuckled. He was satisfied that Hailee had cute friends here in P Country, and he was happy she found good friends. No wonder she didn't feel bored but enjoying her stay in the country. 

'Now it's confrontation time...' thought Alex.