His Contractual Mistress

The first odor that greets his nostril is the strong scent from disinfectant that immediately made him uncomfortable. He tried to move his head to the left side, but he could feel a pain struck on his skull and his left shoulder. 

What happened to him? He remembered he arrived at the penthouse and even confessed to Hailey.

"Son? How do you feel?" 

Vincent moves his head, and he saw his parents at the bedside.

"Dad? What am I doing here?" He asked, and he could hear how weak his voice was. "Mom? Why are you crying?" 

"Vincent..." Hilda continued sobbing beside Fred. She tried to remain calm, but after seeing how bad Vincent was, she could not stop her tears from flooding her eyes. She was always complaining related to her son and nagged him endlessly. Even so, she was his mother, and she worries.

"Hilda, why don't you sit on the sofa or try to calm yourself down in the living room?" Fred told his wife, who obediently followed his advice. He is used to Hilda's strong-willed attitude; that is why it surprised him she didn't raise a fight but remain silent. 

It also confused Vincent, seeing his mom in a helpless state. She always stays composed whatever situation she is in, as that is how it determines her willpower. She rarely shows any emotion aside from her anger or facial expression when she is satisfied every time her family achieves something. 

"Dad, what is going on? Why am I here?" 

"Don't you remember anything? You got into an accident, son." Fred replied to Vincent's queries.

Vincent was shocked to hear this. "I don't remember but a loud bang from behind my car." 

"According to the initial investigation, you were already on halt when the red light turned on. But the car behind you says, it loses its brake, so you are pushed forward, and a truck in great speed got your vehicle." 

Vincent tried to recall what happened to him earlier. "I think I was flung away. How long have I lost consciousness, dad?" 

"You are lucky that you woke up after seven hours losing consciousness."

Seven hours... Then Hailey already knew what happened to him. His eyes swept to the entire room, but he could not find her. "Where is she, dad?" 

Fred does not need to ask. He already guesses who Vincent is looking for. However, because of the dispute between Hilda and their son, Fred has to make a careful decision. 

"She called Carl to ask about your situation. I sent your cousin to explain to her what happened to you and your current state." 

"I want to see her dad. I need to go home." Vincent attempts to get up, but Fred stops him. 

Fred glanced at Hilda, who understood what he tried to convey. Vincent didn't think anymore that their mansion is his home, but it's the place where his girlfriend is waiting for him. 

"Son, you still need a check-up. The doctor had requested a CT-Scan and x-ray before they decided to let you go home." Fred explained afterward.

However, Vincent insisted on leaving the hospital, even though he was just awake. "I want to see her, dad." 

"Vincent! Why don't you..." Hilda could not stay listening anymore. She attempted to scold Vincent, but she shut her mouth close when Fred glared at her. She protested inwardly, but the only thing she could do at this moment kept her silent. Fred has constantly interrupted her, which frustrates her that she could not raise her voice.

After he warned his wife, Fred returned his attention to Vincent. "I'll call Carl to bring her over. It would help if you had those tests to make sure you are fine, okay?" 

"Okay, dad. Thanks." He was relieved to think that Hailey was coming. It's been a long time since the last time they confined him to a hospital. And it feels strange for him to be there again. 

Fred walks toward the door. He gestured at Hilda to come with him outside. Hilda followed him in the private ward's living room. 

This room has a patient room and a guest room where family members can stay overnight if the patient's case didn't need isolation.

Their son designed this hospital. Vincent had just graduated from his Architecture course, and he invested his time building this modern hospital here in P Country. It was now known as one of the best hospitals in Asia, with its latest technology and advanced medical equipment. Although the hospital was expensive, it offered the best medication in the country.

"What are you doing, Fred?" Hilda instantly confronted her husband. She disagreed with letting that girl come to the hospital.

"Lower your voice, Hilda," Fred warned his wife, who didn't take a break from throwing a fret around. "Whether you won't agree, I'm going to let her come. Your son needs her!" 

"But we are here! We are his real family!" 

"It doesn't matter if it's his family he needs or the one who makes your son happy!" Fred snapped.

"What do you mean, Fred? Why am I sensing that your words meant something?" And she is not stupid not to understand a thing.

"Can't you see, Hilda? What happened before your son got into an accident?" 

"Are you blaming me? It was my fault why our son got into the accident?" She and Vincent had a minor argument, yes. But it upset her that Fred is blaming her.

"I am not blaming you, Hilda. But if you won't control yourself, maybe one day it will be too late for you to realize that you are losing your son as well!" After Fred stated this, he turned around, headed to the main door, and got out of the ward to phone Carl.

Hilda was left furious. Fred ignores her but threatens her instead! However, she must calm down and not show any grievances. Even if they were on the private wards' floor, reporters would try to get updates regarding her son's accident. 

Hilda pulled out her phone and made a call to a particular person. She requested several city police to guard the hospital to block any media who tried to enter and gathered some news.

* 

Meanwhile, Vincent grows impatiently. He could not wait to see Hailey. He wanted to talk to her about something. 

And while waiting, he could slowly remember what happened before he lost consciousness. He felt the impact of something crashing his bumper, then a more loud crash from his left side. 

And the entire time that he lost consciousness, he recalled what happened four years ago. And it's a wonder of the scene that popped out of nowhere.

He thought everything was real. But it was only a dream that he confessed to Hailey. It was bizarre, but maybe it was a sign that Romeo must pursue his Juliet. 

He has to be honest about his feelings for her before everything is too late, like what happens today. How if the accident is serious, and he died this time? 

Vincent hears the door open. He thought Hailey finally arrived, but it was his dad who entered his room. "Where's mom, dad?" 

Fred caught the flash of disappointment in Vincent's eyes. He understood that he was waiting for his girlfriend. "I told your mom to get some rest now that she insisted on staying." 

"I see." He understood his dad tried to do something on his behalf. His mom is uncomfortable being in the same room with Hailey, and he is sure that Hailey felt the same way. Thanks to his dad for looking for some solution to this matter.

"Your welcome, son. Carl told me they are close." 

"Okay, dad. Thanks." 

"If you need anything, I was in the living room having coffee." 

Vince nodded. He remains to stare at the door even after his dad disappears. And when it opens again, he sees the angel he desires to see when he opens his eyes. 

He tried to get up, but he has no strength yet. Hailey rushed to his side to help him sit up. Her beautiful eyes welled up with tears sooner. 

"Hey..." Using his right arm, he pulled Hailey to cry on his shoulder. 

"I was too worried after I heard what happened." 

"I'm feeling fine. You have nothing to worry about, okay?" Vincent was happy to see that Hailey was worried about him.

"Are you sure? How about your tests?" Her eyes exhibit how worried she was. She was waiting for Vince's arrival until she falls asleep on the sofa, had a weird dream, and then when she woke up, news about Vince what she learned.

Vince combs Hailey's hair. He whispered, "Dad says, I need a CT scan and x-ray to make sure no broken bones." 

"Don't say it like a joke." She pouted, which made Vincent chuckled. However, his mouth twitched when pain strikes from his left ribs, and it didn't hide from Hailey. "You're not okay. You have to lie down and get rest." 

"Okay. Tomorrow morning I was scheduled to get further tests. Stay with me, okay?" 

Hailey nodded. She dried her eyes and pursed her lips with a smile. She should remain calm and stop panicking. 

When she saw the news and saw how bad the car look was, she felt like a part of her died that very moment, and to think it over made her realize that there is no doubt about what she felt for Vincent. 

She loves him, and she doesn't want to lose him. 

Vince rubs her cheek before he slowly pulls her head for a kiss. They were in the middle of an intimate mood when someone knocked on the door and barge in.

"Hey, cousin! The doctor is here!" 

He wishes that he could already use his left hand to throw an orange at Carl. The guy was grinning as he caught them in such an intimate moment.

However, he could not display how frustrated he was when his dad and his private doctor entered the room.

'Carl, I'm going to beat you once I recover!'