His Contractual Mistress

Vincent pushed the mansion's giant door to open. Carl Johnson is lounging in front of the mansion's entrance, and the guy immediately stood on his feet to greet him.

"Hey, cousin! Your mom has been waiting for you since this morning." Carl reported as he throws a knuckle on Vince.

He frowned. "I told mom I would come over in the afternoon." Vince raised his knuckle to meet Carl's and sat down on the single couch on Carl's right side.

Carl shrugs his shoulder and sits back on the sofa, crossing his legs. "Well, you know your mom better than me. Aunt Hilda is very persistent. She's hoping your mind would change and join us in having lunch out."

In the past, Vince would obey anything his mother would tell him, like a command. Hilda Shen is a very demanding person to her family. But lately, Hilda is always throwing a fuss because Vincent is not listening to her anymore.

He witnesses what kind of family this is.

In the eyes of people outside would think of how wonderful it is to be in this family.

However, like in a typical family, it is not perfect.

And Vince probably realizes that wealth and recognition are not what could make a person truly happy. Carl thought further that even to himself, he also ponders, leading him to this perception...

He hasn't found the woman he could say; SHE IS HIS WORLD.

So, Carl assumed that Vincent must feel this way, as he doesn't care anymore and is willing to go against his beloved mother.

And as for Hilda Shen, she must think that her dictatorship in her son's life is in threat to end. And it seemed it was what appears.

"Why are you looking at me like that, huh, Carl?" asked Vince. Carl is only staring at him without blinking, even after he responded to his cousin.

Lost in his thoughts, Carl came back to his senses. He coughed. "Ahem! It's nothing. I remember something, but now I forget what it is. Anyway, let me pour you a drink! I heard from your dad. You got a new project, and this time it's a huge one!" said Carl.

Sitting in the living room is not coincident. Carl is waiting for Vince. While waiting for him, he already prepared a Brandy, three clean crystal glasses, and ice cubes.

Carl poured Vince a drink; he gave it to him, and they clinked their glasses for cheers.

"I will only have this glass," Vince said after he swallows the liquor.

"Whoa! Aren't you staying a little longer after you talk to your parents?"

"I can't. I have to pack up, and I have more work to do." That was true, but he just wanted to go home sooner to his own house, where Hailey is waiting.

Indeed, this mansion is his home for half of his life. But a day would come, and he wanted to build his own home with the woman he loves and starts a family with her.

Carl was about to ask one more thing, but it interrupted him when Fred hurried to descend the grand staircase and join his son and nephew.

"I'm glad to see you, son!" Fred hugs Vincent and pats him on the back. The feeling he has at the moment is being a proud father. Not only for that reason, but it's also because he could see how bright his son's face was lately.

It has only proven how his life is a lot better now. Or the right words to it, Vince is leading a happy life recently. But as a father, of course, he knew what was wrong in Vince's current situation.

"Hello, dad. It gladdens me to see you well," said Vince.

"Yeah. But I felt a lot bored lately." Fred cannot tell the truth. He is tired of listening to his wife's grievances every single day. However, he would not blame Vincent for it.

Vince studied his father's face. He has the idea, but he could not bring it up. "Hmm. Aren't your friends and business partners often playing golf in M Resort?"

"Yes. But you know your mom is also throwing a fret if I go out without a valid reason." Fred indeed avoided having another fight with Hilda. Lately, he only meets his friends occasionally, and in the past, he only did it for the sake of business deals and partnership.

Hilda is actually right in some cases. Half of his friends and business partners have affairs with younger women either from the Entertainment Industry or simply any women they like for a specific time. When they're tired of old ones, they will look for a new one.

His wife knew this very well; that is why she is watching him closely. When he was still the CEO, Hilda allowed him to spend time with those men, but... Hilda would tail him everywhere. And if she could not be around, she always encourages their son to accompany him because she feared that they would influence him to do such a thing in their married life. 

Now, Hilda sometimes brought up about his friends that become a bad influencer to Vince, which made Fred buried his jaw on the ground. His wife is really something!

"Dad, why don't you and mom have a vacation instead? You can visit my sisters in Europe or mom's sisters in the US?" Vince cast a glance at Carl, who raises a brow, not understanding his secret message.

Fred sighs with frustration. "The truth, son, I also wanted to go on vacation, but your mom... She doesn't want to go anywhere."

"It was because mom is watching me," Vince chuckled with disappointment. But he already accepts the fact that his mother would not let him go yet. And he has no plan to turn back on his family. Instead, his mom must acknowledge who he wanted to spend his entire life with. "Where's mom, by the way, dad?"

"She was having a video chat with your sister, Sheena," Fred answered.

"I see. My nieces and nephew must grow up a lot bigger now."

"Yes, they are! I missed them, and I want to visit them. And you too... When is the last time you visit your sister in Paris? Is it four years ago?"

"Not uncle! Vince flew to Hungary three years ago. Right, cousin?" Carl chimed in. He's itchy not to join these father and son conversations. However, Vincent is throwing a warning glare at him. 'What?' He gestured at Vince. 

Fred curled up his forehead. He shifted his gaze between Vincent and Carl. He asked, "Hungary? What did you do there? Isn't Paris you went to before your marriage to Eva?" asked Fred. Confusion was written all over his face.

Vince pursed his mouth. He could not shoot a knife-like-look at Carl when his father is fixing his gaze on him.

'Carl, it seems like you need a beating!' Vince is screaming inwardly.