His Contractual Mistress

SHEN MANSION 

Fred is on his way toward the dining hall when his phone rang. It was his son, calling him at the moment. 

He was happy that Vincent phoned him. His son only does when it involves the company. And so Fred wondered what kind of news Vincent would report to him. 

Fred swipes the green button and speaks, "Son, it's rare for you to call me with personal matters. Then, it is about the company?" 

"Dad, yes, it was. I phoned you to inform you that my proposal was approved." 

"Oh, that's good news! I heard that you are working to win an International project. Which one did you propose to?" 

"Dad, it's the Dream City," Vince replied.

"Dream City? Where..." The name rings a bell inside his head. Fred widened his eyes now that he remembers. "That project! You got it!" 

"Yes, dad. I will fly to Australia next week to meet our biggest client." 

"Congratulations, son! Davies Group is the biggest client we ever had!" 

"Absolutely, dad!" On the other line, Vince tears a huge smile. 

"Son, I'm so proud of you. Finally, your hard work paid off," said Fred to Vince.

"Not yet, dad. It's just a beginning," he humbly asserted.

"Of course! It is one of your greatest achievements, son. I remember several years ago when you said, you would bring Shen into its glorious days. And you keep your promise." 

Vince answered with honesty, "I have my inspiration, Dad." 

"Oh... I see." Fred could not share his thoughts with his son. He was thinking that Vincent is talking about his girlfriend. 

Of course, he had seen how his son focuses on learning how to run their company at such a young age, and it made him so proud that Vincent is a responsible son. He is not a happy-go-lucky heir who only does fool around with different women, visiting bars and every night going out to attend any parties. In fact, his son is quite the opposite. 

And when he turned over the management of their company, Vince even worked harder than before, which the more he limits himself to enjoy the nightlife but occasionally sailed into the ocean with his friends. Mostly only male friends! 

He started to worry though. But then news broke out that Vincent has seen dating a woman. He was happy. Well, it's only partly because he could not agree about his son cheating on his marriage.

But then, as a father who only had one son, it worries him about Vincent's sexual orientation. His son living with a woman is extremely a relief to him. 

He wished for his son to live a normal life; building a family of his own and giving him grandchildren. However, what turned out in his son's life has become controversial. 

Vincent never lives with his wife but with a mistress. As a parent, it didn't make him happy on that part. But it confused him why Eva didn't insist on living with his son. 

Sometimes, he's thinking that Eva might believe that Vincent has questionable preferences when it comes to His Romance. But he witnesses how intimate his son toward his girlfriend. And the way he looks at her, as a man he is certain, his son cared for that girl. 

No. Vincent is in love with that girl. That is why his son is willing to give up being Shen. 

But there is another thing that suddenly flashes on top of his head. What happened to the girl he was searching for a few years ago? 

He is curious, but Fred believes this is not the perfect moment to query an unrelated matter. 

His son was already happy. Although it was a forbidden love after he fell for another girl, he remains married to Eva. 

And as a man, he doesn't want to tolerate his son for having an affair outside marriage. However, his son's situation seems weird. 

Impossible that Eva didn't hear about Vincent's affair. The Lan family surely has told her already, but why does Eva seem didn't care? 

Fred wanted to talk about it with his son. But Vincent is even busier now. Maybe one day, they could catch up and have a seat and a great talk man to a man.

While Fred was having deep thoughts, Vince spoke up. "Dad, I'll be spending more time in Australia in the coming weeks. So, I'm thinking that... Um, about mom..." 

Fred could sense that Vincent is referring to how Hilda threw a fret about their son's affair. And so he understood what his son feared. 

"Don't worry about your mom. I know she won't do more than things that harm anyone. Also, I am keeping an eye on her." 

"Thank you, dad. But I am more worried that mom harms herself because of her displeasure toward me and my girlfriend. I don't want her to put herself in an unlikely situation for making an effort to get rid of my girlfriend." 

"Don't worry, son. Your mother is always careful with the words she shared with the public, especially to the media seeking gossip about our family. Son, your mother is angry because she doesn't support your affair. I know you understand what I'm talking about."

"Of course. I do understand mom, dad. It's my choice. And you... You're still mad at me, right?" 

"We're not happy you had a mistress. But I will be even disappointed if you neglect our company. We don't support your affair, but I count on you for doing a great job for the company." 

"I assure you, dad. I would never let you down. And mom, and you... one day, you guys will understand me." 

Once you know the truth. Vincent only said it to himself. 

"Dad, I will hang up now. I have another meeting after lunch. I need to sort out the teams to handle all the projects I will leave behind." 

"Sure! Take care of yourself, son. Don't miss your meal, and as advice from a workaholic like me who is abusive to my own body, you should eat healthy foods." 

"Don't worry, dad. Hailey makes sure I eat on time, and I stuff my mouth with healthy foods." 

"Oh. I see... That was great!" He does hear from their business partners that Vince always skipping lunch and dinner meetings with them. And they heard interesting facts... Vincent is bringing lunch boxes lately. That girl is taking care of his son. Somehow, he wanted to thank her. 

"Dad, I will catch up with you some other time. I have to go now." 

"Okay, son. Let us talk before you leave for Australia." 

"Then, that's a plan, dad."

Vincent already ended the call. But Fred remains standing beside the corridor window, gazing out to the mansion's garden. A lot of things are playing inside his head. He is pondering what the best advice to give to his son regarding his love life. But the question is, can he even put a good word?

"Fred? What are you doing here in the corridor? The butler fetches you like half an hour ago. But no shadow of you shows up in the dining hall. What's the matter?" 

Fred came to his senses after hearing his wife's voice. He turns his head to look in Hilda's direction. His wife walked toward him and eyed him with curious stares.

Hilda, on the other hand, is waiting for Fred to respond. Soon, she saw him tearing a big smile, followed by good news. 

"Your son just hung up the call. I was talking to him just now, why didn't I join you right away." 

"Oh, is the call about the good news?" Hilda grew excited. She imagines what kind of good news it is. There are two things she wishes to happen. First, her son dumped that girl. Second, that girl leaves her son. But honestly, the first one is more possible. "Did our son already break up with his girlfriend?" 

The smile across Fred's smiles disappear. Frowning, he retorted, "Don't start now, Hilda. Don't ruin the mood." 

"What? Why is it me to blame again?" Hilda furrowed her brows, feeling ridiculous that Fred only sees her as the villain here. Normally, she would care about their family reputation! She is from a long line of politicians who had a great prominence, even from ancient times! Having a mistress is an ugly image of their name! 

Fred shook his head. Heaving a helpless sigh, he left his wife and headed to the dining hall. 

Hilda was stunned. It upset her that Fred now only ignored her. She followed him and began nagging him. 

"Fred! Ever since that girl came, our family has always been in an argument!" 

"But you are the only one who argued here!" Fred reminded his wife. He rolled his eyes as Hilda kept repeating the issue. 

"Okay, fine! Blame me all you wanted! Now I want to know what Vincent says to you?" 

They now reached the dining hall. Fred sat on his chair and began filling his plate with food. Later on, he replied to his wife's query. 

"Vincent was offered a project in Dream City. His initial proposal was approved. It will be a big project, and so, our son will always be out of the country." 

Hilda's eyes lit up with delight. Another big project her son won, and so, they must celebrate!

"Fred, we should invite our son for a wonderful dinner! We need to celebrate another success of our son. I will hire the best chef in the country, or maybe I should book a private room on the top floor in Belle Tower, instead. What do you think?" 

"That's a great idea, Hilda. But the sound of it? You would only invite your son, alone." 

"What's wrong about that? It was a family dinner! Who else I should invite?" 

Fred is shaking his head. He grew irritated with the whole conversation that was only repeating every single day. He chooses to shut his mouth and eat in silence, ignoring Hilda's fretting face.