His Contractual Mistress

She wanted to deny it to herself. But a pinch of pain crept toward her heart, listening to Vince talking about another girl. 

"I was meeting my youngest sister, Sheena, to attend her secret wedding somewhere outside Budapest City. And so, I was waiting for her." 

'Budapest City?' The beating of her heart quickens suddenly. 

"Sheena, challenge me to introduce myself to this girl across from us. But I am such a coward to take her challenge because this girl began splashing lemonade at the men who attempted to ask her out. Well, these men are not just poor or ordinary. They were all clothed in Armani suits and drove fast cars." 

Hailey dropped her mouth open. Now that Vince told the story, these scenes become so clear in her recollection. Was that girl her? 

"I was the biggest stupid, you know?" Vince went on. "I hid my face and didn't dare to introduce myself even though Sheena did a big favor on my behalf. The next day, after my sister's wedding, and I am going back to the city… finally, I gather my courage to approach her. Wearing a cheap white T-shirt and a ragged jacket and faded denim pants, and cheap shoes. Not only that, but I also drove an old Chevy to look believable that I am just an ordinary guy." 

"It was my moment to talk to her. However, mom suddenly phoned me, and her call brought bad news to my little sister. So, I missed my chance to ask this girl out, but I have to rush and solve a family matter." 

"Did you pay seven hundred US dollars for a large cup of lemonade and a box of lemon pies?" Hailey asked Vince. She didn't notice, but tears had already flooded her eyes. Her vision has become foggy because of the liquid gushing out from her eyes down her cheeks. 

And even after Vince drying them with his right palm, she could only keep sobbing. 

Vince pulled her into his chest and let her cry for the next moment. It messed up her mind. So, five years ago was not their first meeting. 

It was just a brief encounter, but who knows? It's not their first encounter. Besides, that time, she was all dressed up as Princess Hailey Davies. She instead prefers Vince's version of their first meeting. 

The Hailey Hillson he met four years ago and the same Hailey Hillson he met again four years later... She loves this story more. 

Hailey pulled her head over and looked up at Vince. Their eyes locked, and their lips met. It was a tender at first that became a fervor kiss. 

No one wanted to end this moment, but they needed to breathe. Hailey remains her eyes closed as she was chasing for air while her head tried to recall everything that happened four years ago. 

She was in Budapest to meet her cousins to visit their aunt in her Château, and as usual, she came to the place ahead of time to roam around, and one day, she passed this struggling older woman, gathering her lemons as authorities chased her out. 

They drove the old lady out because they prohibited it from putting up a stall around that area but on the other street, which had fewer people to pass by. 

And her heart squeezes with pity. For the first time, she uses her power as a long line relative of a European Royal Blood to get whatever she wanted and help that poor older woman. 

She requested the authorities to allow the lady to raise money for her grandson's surgery within one week. And that's the purpose of selling lemonade and lemon pies. 

And the splashing moments? Idiot men show up in the booth, start showing off their sports car and designer clothes, then offer her a lot of money for escorting them to a party or a trip somewhere in the Caribbean or Asia. 

Of course, that's not only about dating. It means to bed her. Those sorts of men she hated most in this life. 

It pisses her off to meet such proud men. 

"Do you know why I splash those men with lemonade?" 

Vince shakes his head. His eyes were hopeful for her to explain, as he was very intrigued. 

"Those men offered me to buy all the lemons and lemon pie in exchange for my company." 

Hearing this, Vince darkened his face. He gritted his teeth as his jaw tightened. 'Those bastards! I wished to chase them and beat them up!' 

Hailey could see Vince pursed his lips in anger. She raises her hand, gripping Vince's face, and smiles. 

She kissed him lovingly. 

Who would have thought? That her kindness to that old lady creates a beautiful love story. Until now, she could still not believe it! It feels like she was dreaming.

"I love you, Hailey Hillson." 

His confession choked her. This joy filling her heart overwhelms her; she cannot respond but staring back at Vince lovingly. And Vince did not need her answer but took all this opportunity to express his true feelings all this time.

"I have been in love with you for four long years," Vince added. 

Hailey wipes the tears from her eyes. She clears her throat to ask one question. "Then, the photos of the girl that they are all talking about is your first love?" 

She anticipated Vince's reply impatiently. It feels like every second pass has become a long minute until Vince pursed his lips into a smile. 

Vincent took his new phone. He saves all his important documents to save to drive storage online. 

He browses his Gallery and shows Hailey the pictures Sheena took four years ago. 

"It was Sheena who took them. But since then, I never deleted them." 

Hailey looked at Vince Gallery. There are different albums with the name Sheena, Deena and names that she knew Vince's nieces and nephews. 

Then another Album that has a lock under the name MY MOON. Hailey looks up, her eyes asking Vince for a password. 

"04-09-2022" 

Hailey widened her eyes. Today is April 09, 2026. It means it was the anniversary of their meeting in Budapest! 

Is it a coincidence? Or fate?