His Contractual Mistress

SHEN GROUP HEADQUARTER 

Vince is currently resting on his swivel chair. His third meeting today just ended, and later is another discussion with his engineers and architects. 

With a knock on the door, Tim entered the office and handed him his TAB. "Boss, it was sent to me just now. Which one do you prefer?" 

Vince swipes the screen. He keenly scanned the photos and tried to pick one, however, he found it hard to make a choice when all are nice. "Hm... I think each one of them is beautiful. I mean, anything looks great on her." 

"Then I will instruct to purchase the best one?" 

"Two or three, to have other choices," Vince suggested. His eyes remain glued to the photos he already checks countless times. 

"Ahem! Boss, can I have back my TAB? I need to make a reply." 

Vince straightens his back and clears his throat. He handed back Tim's gadget and said, "Forward it to me and make sure..." 

"I'll delete them after! Understood, boss!" Tim finished the phrase, hiding the smirk on his mouth. He quickly emailed the photos and replied to the sender to keep him updated, so then, he could report them to the boss. 

Honestly, it does surprise him that for the first time, his boss gives attention to this kind of stuff. "I didn't expect he'd become sensible."

"What did you say?" asked Vince to his assistant. He could hear him murmuring to himself. 

"Nothing boss! I'm just saying that my TAB is now sensitive. It looks like I need to buy a new one. Would you give me one boss?" 

"If you did great work, then I'll double your bonus." 

"I'm always doing an incredible job, boss!" Tim boasted, and say it proudly.

"Then, I'll assign you to form a team to create an easy and friendly App." 

"What kind of App is this, boss?" Tim would take this opportunity to show off his multiple talents. He's not only a reliable assistant. He can go beyond if his boss wanted to test him this much. 'It's for the double bonus!'

"I want to offer a greater service to my tenants. Exclusive to all SHEN condos and penthouses in Metro City." 

"What kind of service is this, boss?" 

"A partnership with the Metro City Public Wet Market and a Metro City Supermarket. I realize several of my tenants are elderly. Many of them live alone as their family works abroad. Not mentioned housewives, and busy moms, couples that are always on the run." 

"Hm. Is this about shopping online?" 

"Yes!" 

"But you will offer goods such as groceries and vegetables to deliver at their units?" 

"And fish! Crabs, shrimps, any kinds of seafood." 

Tim is trying to process what kind of site offering service his boss is trying to start up. He has already had multiple businesses. Why does his boss want to start being a goods distributor? And exclusively for his condos? 

'Could it be that it has something to do with Miss Hailey? Hm... It's a fishy idea.' Tim thought so. 'Why is it sudden he came up with it?' 

Tim is certain. His boss did this for his fake that possibly real girlfriend. Well, his boss acts that way, though. 

"You have until Monday afternoon to present the layout." 

"Then that means work on the weekend for me, boss!" 

He had this huge grin on his face when he came out from the boss's office. His colleagues think the boss is in a good mood. Well, honestly, the boss has been in a good mood for a while now. 

*

Evening, Hailey arrived in the penthouse exactly as the sun was about to settle in. She dropped her body on the single-arm chaise, stretching her legs, and rested her back while watching the sunset. 

Hazel spent three hours putting on those dresses and picking out high heels, which include her. She has no idea why she has to try on when she already told her friends she's not attending but works as a service free that night. 

For her, it will be more fun watching everyone on the sideline and observing their faces seeing her wearing a waitress uniform. Besides, she loves the usherettes uniform for tomorrow's class reunion. They did a fitting this morning, and she loves it! 

Recalling the outfit she has to wear tomorrow, Hailey forgets her exhaustion. She vigorously stood from the chair and headed to the laundry room to hand washes the uniform provided by the school.

And since Vince will be home late tonight. She has the opportunity to call her dad, Andre, and queried the boys about the problems in the company. 

It should avoid having more dilemmas among her executives that resulted in not only company issues but also personal matters.

That night, Hailey fixed a light dinner for herself before she phoned her dad and Andre. Later, she chatted with the boys before she headed to bed. 

When Vince arrived, he saw a platter of light snacks and fruit salad on the table. He had dinner and coffee at the company. But nothing compares to food waiting at home.

Vince looked up upstairs. Hailey must be sleeping by now. He thought. He glanced at the wall clock, and the time was exactly ten-thirty of the night. 

Vince placed his bag on the sofa. He took off his coat and rolled his sleeves as he sat down on the dining chair. 

Vince poured the creamer and condensed milk into the bowl of mixed fruit and began stuffing his mouth. He could tell that the strawberry was very fresh. The raspberry is also naturally sweet. He guesses Hailey stopped by at the supermarket before she heads home. 

"Hm..." Vince took a bite of toasted garlic bread after he emptied the bowl. "This is best paired with coffee." 

Vince sat up and brewed some coffee beans. While waiting, he munches the buttered toasted bread and sometimes putting small cubes of cheese on his mouth, Vince fills his stomach with delight. 

"She's really serious about feeding me healthy foods, hmm..."

*

The next day, Vince went to his company on time to finish more work. 

"See you later!" Vince bid Hailey goodbye in a hurry after breakfast. He picks up the lunch box she prepared and planted a kiss on her cheek before he walks out of the penthouse.

Hailey was left in a trance after Vince kissed her. 'Why did he do that!?' Of course, it confused her because they were not on the act! 

Meanwhile, in the parking lot, Vince is tapping his palms onto the steering wheel. It was too late when he realized... Out of impulse, he kissed Hailey goodbye on her cheek! 

He was in a hurry, he didn't think of anything but his body to move on his habit. And kissing Hailey has become natural to do things, it seems. 

Vince pursed his mouth with a sweet smile. He started his car and drove smoothly out of the parking lot. 

And later in the afternoon, Hailey was already in the resort with the other students that picked out to serve tonight's Class 2015 get-together. 

Mrs. Gomez led them toward the venue. Everyone dropped their mouths seeing the decorations. 

"Holy shot! Are we really in the right place?" One student blurted out in shock. 

"Is this a wedding? Or someone is having a one-of-a-kind proposal of the century tonight?" Echoed by another student. 

"Where do these thousands of flowers come from? They are all fresh, right?" 

Everyone is looking up at the ceiling that is made of pink and white roses. 

"How do they manage to build a flowering roof in just one day?" 

And it is not just about the floral roofing but everywhere was covered with pink, red, purple tulips and peonies mixed up with other plants. 

"Obviously, SHEN GROUP can do the trick." 

"Shen Group?" 

"President Shen is the major sponsor of this Class Reunion. Who else can work out this enchanted reception?" 

Awkwardly, Hailey chuckled when everyone was looking in her direction. The whole place indeed like a magical wedding reception. But could it be possible it was Vince? "Honestly, I didn't know anything?" 

"And why are you here, by the way? You are supposed to be his date." 

"To pass this semester and earn my second year!?" She reasons out with a big smile to sound convincing. "So... What we should do now?" 

Hailey successfully shifts the topic, and Mrs. Gomez quickly took the opportunity to assign them different tasks. 

But before that, they must set the table first, putting the tablecloth followed by flower arrangements and candles, then plates, wine glasses, and utensils. 

When the time is approaching. A problem occurs in the kitchen. 

"Mrs. Gomez, we have a huge problem!" Kirk informed the teacher. Both began in panic. 

"We have to do something!" Mrs. Gomez retorted, her face exhibits the trouble they are dealing with at the moment. "I have to talk to the chefs. Miss Hillson, can you drive me toward the main kitchen?" 

"Yes, ma'am!" 

Hailey followed the old lady. She promptly sat on the driver's seat and drove the golf cart after Mrs. Gomez settled in. She could see how restless the teacher was. 

Could not keep her curiosity, Hailey asked the teacher. "I've been noticing that you seem troubled, Mrs. Gomez. Is everything, okay?" 

"No. We have a huge problem, Miss Hillson. The French chef that we hired to prepare two French cuisines tonight had an emergency. She could not come anymore, so we have to find another way. Either invite an international chef working in one of those ten stars restaurants or make another cuisine. I can't fully decide." 

"I see. But local cuisines in P country are outstanding, ma'am. I believe that would do." 

"You are correct, Miss Hillson. But we have important guests later, and the French Ambassador is one of them. His daughter is married to one of our alumni." 

"Oh." Then the Class 2015 wished to accommodate the French Ambassador. It was what Hailey mused. 

"Are you familiar with Tessa DeRose?" Mrs. Gomez queried Hailey.

She glanced at the teacher and returned the question, "Chef Tessa? Is she in the country?" 

"Yes. She was paid to fill the menu tonight. However, her youngest was brought to the hospital and heard it was in critical condition." 

"Oh, no! Nichole must have eaten something that triggered her allergy! She is a very delicate girl."

"Oh, you know them?" 

Hailey nodded. "Chef Tessa was my culinary instructor four years ago in Paris, ma'am." 

"Oh! Then you are once enrolled in her Academy and earned your certificate?" 

"Yes, ma'am." 

"You're an angel, Miss Hillson! Can you help us?" Mrs. Gomez is thrilled after she figures out a solution to their problem.

"Ma'am?"