His Contractual Mistress

Months ago...

Hailey hugged herself when the night breeze kisses her skin. She is only wearing a halter dress, and she didn't bring a coat.

She was at M Resort as one of her classmates celebrated her nineteenth birthday today, and they got a VIP room just for themselves to have fun all night.

But Hailey only drank little since she volunteered to drive her friends home. So here she is, hiding from them. Otherwise, everyone would force her to drink.

At the moment, she was at the back exit door, sitting on the staircase while watching the night skyline.

She misses home: her dad and everyone. She also misses those times they spent on her yacht and watching the night sky like this.

But so many things change after Bryan proposes to her, and then without a second thought, she accepts it, but Bryan reunited with his girlfriend he met in New York when he took his second course years ago.

Even though she didn't love Bryan like how a woman should love her future husband, she already set her mind to spend her life with him.

She loves him, but it's not the love he needs. It's not enough for him, and she understood that. So now, she wanted to move on and forget everything that had happened.

But every time she would tell herself this, she chickens out. She could still not bring herself to go back to Australia.

Now then, she's stuck in this city, and it feels bored already. Each day only becomes lonelier for Hailey.

She enjoyed the times she was hanging out with her new friends. But she could not avoid feeling lonely every time she is alone.

Hailey was in deep thoughts when her ears caught a faint voice, and it's coming closer in her direction.

Later, the voice is getting louder, and she could sense the fury in it. Besides, she recognized this voice.

"What do you mean, she already moved out? I paid you to take care of everything! Then you have to look for her!"

Hailey doesn't want to eavesdrop, but she got intrigued. 'He didn't know where his wife was? What kind of husband is he? Why didn't he know the whereabouts of his wife? Don't tell me he does not know either she is cheating on him?'

"Find her, and if needed, force her to sign the divorce paper!"

The following statement makes Hailey freeze. 'He's divorcing Eva? Did he find out already that she cheated on him?'

Hailey glanced over her shoulder when the glass exit door opened.

The man, who none other than is Vincent Shen, halted when he realized that there is another person outside.

Hailey pushes a thin, friendly smile before she withdraws her gaze. 

'Oh, my God! I will pretend that I hear nothing.' Hailey is biting her lower lip, pretended that she browsed her phone, waiting for Vincent Shen to retreat and go back inside.

However, it startled her when he spoke behind her, and he was this close already!

"Would you mind if I sat here?" Vincent gestured to space next to her.

Hailey carefully gathered her thoughts in one place, not to look flustered in front of Vince.

She looked up and nodded at him. "Sure! Of course! I don't own these stairs."

She said jokingly, which she knew how lame it was. Gladly, Vincent laughs at her poor humor.

Somehow, it settles her heartbeats. Unexpectedly seeing him made her chest flutter wildly.

She never felt this way before when she was near other men. It's only Vincent Shen, and it confused her... 'Why is that?' Hailey mused to herself.

"What are you doing here, alone?" Vince queried after he sat down beside her. He added, "It's cold. Are you waiting for someone?"

Hailey tried to reply in a casual tone. "Yes."

"Ah, your boyfriend, then?"

"Hm? I don't have a boyfriend."

Vince is nodding. He seemed trying to guess. "I see. Then, your friends?"

"Um... No." Hailey shook her head. It looks like he is interested in playing punch line games with her

"Who, then?"

"My forever..."

A long silence passed between them. Later, they are both laughing. Hailey then apologizes afterward.

"I'm sorry! That was too lame for a joke! Honestly, I borrowed it from my crazy college friends throwing a joke at each other." Hailey tried to be sound cheerful to hide her embarrassment.

"I actually would like to retort on that, but it would be a more lame response," said Vince.

"Oh. Try me! I won't laugh." She urges Vince, and a huge smile tore across her face.

Vince stares at her beautiful face. He blinks, then scratches his temple as he chuckles. She appeared eager to hear his retort, and it looks like he has no choice but to share what's on his mind.

"Okay. Well, I'm about to say that... Maybe I'm the one you are waiting for?"

Hailey blinks several times. It took her a few moments to recover from the thrill. She pursed a sweet smile and said to Vince, "That was a perfect line!"

"Ah, you know..."

Seeing Vince blush, Hailey made a quick explanation for not having an embarrassing moment between them.

"I'm embarrassed with that lame humor of mine. Ever since I moved here, I heard a lot of great jokes from everyone! I mean, the humor here is hilarious!"

"I could see that, but... I mean, I am married, so you would only think it's a joke." Honestly, he is having a hard time clarifying himself because he doesn't want to be misunderstood, even if he meant what he said just now.

"No worries! I'm just making a joke out of myself. I'm a little bored waiting for my friends. I need not get drunk to drive them home."

"I see." Vince glanced at his wristwatch. The time is eleven o'clock. "Hm. Then it would be best if you stayed awake. How about coffee? I will treat you at the same time if you would not mind. I'll keep you company."

"Oh, I might bother you and bore you!"

"Not at all. I'm also kind of bored at the drinking party of my friends. Especially when I can't follow their topics."

"Oh..." Hailey contemplates whether it's a good idea if the people will see her hanging out with Vincent Shen.

"So?"

"Okay! I'm actually thinking of buying a cup of coffee when it's getting cold out here." Finally, she accepted Vince's invitation, setting aside her troubles.

Delight exhibit in Vince's eyes when he remembers.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I forget to introduce myself... Vincent Shen."

Hailey glanced at Vince's hand. He extended it for a handshake. She smiled and uttered, "No problem! I already know you, since I saw you in school and…"

"At the Café, right?"

"Yeah, and on TV... Oh, Hailey Hillson, by the way."

"It's a nice name." 

"Thank you." Hailey took Vince's hand. It was warm. Somewhat she likes to stay held by him. But she quickly takes back her hand when the warmth crept toward her heart. It was an electrifying sensation she never felt before.

"Shall we?" Soon, Vince sat up. Once again, he extended his hand to help her stand.

He was a gentleman! Why is Eva looking for another man if she has a perfect husband? Rich, handsome, talented architect and… 'Ah! Why am I thinking all of this stuff?' Hailey contemplated as she strides toward the door.

And before he reaches the door, a warm coat landed on her shoulder. Her eyes filled with awe, meeting Vince's eyes, peering down at her.

"It's cold. You can borrow it for a while," he said with a soothing voice. Vince pushed a warm smile on his lips. He walks to the door to open it. "Ladies first."

Hailey was in a trance. She could not control how much her heart reacted crazily to his handsome smile and gentle voice.

Why does it get her excited that she's with Vince now? What is he doing, by the way? Is he flirting with her?

She has seen this in movies! A coffee and talk, and what next?

'Chill out, Hailey! Remember, he is a married man! Stop having wild imagination!' She scolded herself after she could not stop feeling thrilled.

'It's just a coffee.' She keeps reminded herself. 'But why does it feel different being with him?' She keeps reasoning within herself.

"Is something wrong?" asked Vince when she did not move but remained frozen on the floor.

Hailey shook her head to wake up from her crazy thoughts. She smiled at Vince as she replied, "Everything is fine! Let's go!"