His Contractual Mistress

It was both Fred and Carl who waited for Vincent's answer. And as of this moment, Vincent would love to drown his nosy cousin. 

"Son?" Fred is anxious to hear about his mysterious trip three years ago that Carl brought up. He has a feeling that it was something important for Vincent. 

Fred has just seen it clear. A lot of facts he didn't know about his son. He was confident not to check on him before, as Vincent was always on his side since he is a teenager to understand how to manage their company. And he didn't see that Vincent acted strangely. All he showed was his enthusiasm to learn and his creativity in designing since young. 

Also, Vincent is a good son; he worries less, as he shows how responsible a person he is. But he was wrong. All of Vincent's life, he didn't ask what he feels about everything that happens in their family. 

It was something he failed as a father. He thought that teaching Vincent all knowledge he knew about running their company is enough legacy he could pass on. 

But he is wrong again. There is one thing he should teach Vince. And that to marry the woman he loves who will love him back. 

Fred looks at his son. Maybe it's not too late, and he could talk to Vincent about his true feelings in the marriage they force him to be in. 

Vincent lifted his gaze and glanced at Carl before he fixed his eyes toward his father. He shook his head and chuckled. He knew he must clarify it to stop their assumption.

"Dad, four years ago is the time Sheena gave birth to her son. She needs her family, but mom could still not accept Sheena's husband. And regarding my visit to Hungary, yes, I have to do something before I fly to New York." 

After explaining, Vince grabbed the bottle of brandy and poured his glass. He adds more ice before he gulps the liquor. 

Carl is looking at Vincent with a perplexed expression on his face. Vince already refuses to drink another round, but there he is! Poured his glass for the third round! 

"So? What did you do in Hungary?" Carl curiously asked Vincent. His mouth is contorting a smirk in the corner of his mouth, while his eyes are gleaming with foolery. "Have you broken up with your secret girlfriend, or did you give your virginity away to someone first?" 

It choked Vincent with the liquor he swallowed. He was coughing to clear his throat. Vincent glanced at Carl with sharp glares and thought inwardly, 'Carl! I'm going to beat you up now!' 

However, Carl only grins at Vincent. He didn't feel threatened at all. The way his cousin is throwing a scary look at him confirms he is hiding a fascinating secret. 

Meanwhile, Fred, who listens to Carl's jokes, could not decide whether to laugh or cry. What he is sure of at the moment is the guilt struck in his chest. 

Instead of taking care of their youngest daughter, they were in New York to force Vincent to marry Eva Lan. 

He and Hilda are waiting for Vincent to show up at his wedding. He admitted that in the past, they made several mistakes regarding how to treat their children. 

He only focuses on their company, letting Hilda take care of how to discipline their children. He only contributed a little as often as what he would say is YES and give everything that his children wanted—yes, spoiling them with their wealth. 

But then, he didn't notice, but only recently. Among his children, the one that suffers and has been lonely all those years is his only son. 

Fred came back to his senses after he heard Vince yell at Carl.

"Shut up, Carl!" He picks up a pillow and throws it at the guy. 

"Why are you defensive?" 

"Because it's the truth! There is nothing special happening in Hungary." That's half-truth and half lie. But he doesn't come to the mansion to be teased by Carl, and he doesn't feel obliged to explain himself further. He ignored Carl and looked at his father. "Dad, can I talk to you in private?" 

"Sure! Let's go to study." Fred sat up and led the way toward the office on the first floor. There is another study upstairs, but it belongs to him and Hilda.

"Hey, what about me? Why could I not listen to your conversation?" 

Vince is twitching his mouth. His cousin would only bother and be noisy. "And what will it do with you? You hate running a company. But if you are really that interested? Well, it's not too late, my dear cousin. You can join us discussing some business matters!" Vince said with a scornful tone.

"Ahhhh, in that case… I will wait for Aunt Hilda here. I will be your Messenger! I will let her know that you guys had an important discussion first," said Carl. It was true he had no interest in running their company. Thank God, and he is not the oldest son. He is free from everything. He could do all he wanted to do, like slacking off on Sundays. 

Moreover, he doesn't need to study and review his lecture. He already memorized his books and the formulation and different graphs of his lessons, etc.

And so he has no interest in listening about business furthermore in his free time. Well, he's this lazy.

Vince followed his father. The study was on the right-wing of the mansion. Fred opened the door, and he headed straight to the inclusion kitchen to brew a pot of coffee. 

"You want some water, son?" Fred asked Vincent. 

"Yes, dad. Let me join you there." Vince answered upon walking to the kitchen. 

The study is not only for private meetings and important conversations behind closed doors. It is more likely the place where Vincent and Fred locked themselves from Hilda. Work has become their valid excuse not to hear any of Hilda's complaints on weekends or any chance they are all in the mansion for a day. 

Well, each of them is busy with their agendas individually every single day. And so it was rare for them all to be in one place unless an important gathering and celebration. 

This office had become Vincent's private place when he started attending college. Fred renovated the two rooms and turned them into a single room to build an extension room as a kitchen. 

And it was the greatest thing Fred did to his son. He didn't seem aware of the fact, but Vincent admires his dad for doing it for him. 

He isn't the best dad he knew in this world, but he looked up to him. Fred is a hard-working man, and that is what makes Vincent proud of his dad. 

Since then, Vincent used the room to do his school projects until he took Architecture and started designing until he left the mansion to live with Hailey. 

Vincent misses those times he could spend more time with his dad. He did his best to be well soon. He did everything to understand everything his dad taught him because he wanted to get close to him. 

And learning to manage their company at a young age can be his excuse to stay by his father's side. For him, it is more likely their bonding time. It is unusual, indeed. It is supposed to be a bonding time, like doing sports activities. But he didn't want to be demanding. 

Besides, what he learns from such a young age has become his advantage to compete and succeed. 

All along, it is a lonely journey as he hides his true feelings. But he looks at the bright side instead. And now, he became a CEO at twenty-nine years old. 

He did everything to make his parents proud of him. But now it is time to please himself with the Reward he ever dreamed of...