His Contractual Mistress

"Have a safe drive, brother." Sheena reminded Vincent. They were standing on the front porch to send him off. She kissed his cheek and gave him a tight hug. 

"I will." Vincent patted Sheena's back. "Take care of yourself and Lena. I'm going to miss you both."

"You can call us anytime! But I bet you are just going to do are work and work like your usual routine. You need a girlfriend, bro!" For the last time, Sheena cheers his brother. 

Vince chuckled, then replied. "The reason I have none is that because I don't have time with her."

"Jeez. That is why persuade the woman who had your eyes on her." Sheena winked, then brought up about Hailey. "Don't forget to ask her out!"

"You are at it, again." Vincent raises his arm to mess up his sister's hair. But he forgets Sheena styled her hair into a bun and decorated it with beautiful flowers for her wedding. "Okay. I'm going now."

"Thank you for coming all the way here, brother-in-law," Stephen said to Vincent. He wants to give him a big hug as well. However, Lena was sleeping on his shoulder. "And many thanks for your wedding gift to us!"

"You are welcome, Stephen." Vince smiled. He glanced at his niece, who is comfortably sleeping in Stephen's arms. She is now very close to her stepdad, and this scene is what he wanted to see for him to stop worrying about Sheena. Besides, his sister deserves to be happy, and he sees how the newlyweds are in love with each other.

Sheena and Stephen wave at the leaving vehicle. Like what Stephen suggested last night, Vincent drove the old Chevy, and tomorrow, the new Keller family will bring back the Ferrari that Vincent rented in Budapest.

"Baby, I could not believe that I'm going to drive a red Ferrari for the first time in my life."

Sheena smiled. She chooses not to share with her husband that she owns a sports car she got for her 18th birthday.

But that sort of life is not what she dreams from here on.

The life that lies in front of her is the one she looks forward to walk along with the man she loves, and she finally married him!

"Sports cars are best. But it's not what we need once our family is growing," she told Stephen.

Stephen peered at his wife lovingly. He agreed to her judgment. "You are right, baby. That is not what I need, soon when we open our restaurant."

"Yup!" What they needed is a vehicle to carry all the spices and ingredients they were going to shop in the market once they started their restaurant. "I'm thinking, baby. That's what we need to save up next."

Stephen concurred. Again, his wife is right. "You are correct. Ah! I know we are a great team. With you by my side, I have nothing to worry about! I'll make the best dish in Paris, and you'll be one to handle our earnings."

Sheena fell into her thoughts. By then, she will be in charge of the cashier's desk and watch the restaurant's profit.

"Do you trust me with this?" She asked her husband.

"I do! Who is best in numbers? You do."

That touched her. In the past, she didn't worry or care how much money she spent every day because she isn't who works hard to earn it, and she never concerns about this matter.

But now, every cent that will go to their family will be valuable to pay all their expenses every day. And it will be a challenging journey for her from here on. But as long as Stephen keeps his promises, she is happy to walk the road along with him.

Sheena tiptoed to kiss the guy that now is her husband.

*

Meanwhile, Vincent was on a stop to gas up. He looks around at this small town Stephen's family is living in since his ancestors.

Vincent's eyes caught a shop across from the gas station. He drove the car near it and parked outside.

Vincent scans his reflection from the window glass. His clothes are not suitable for the old car. He is only driving an old Chevy, but he was wearing Armani leather shoes and a branded coat.

Vincent entered the store and searched for some clothes in the Men's Section. He was looking for his sizes. Once he found all he needed, he paid for it and changed in the Fitting Room.

He is ready. Vincent is now wearing a plain white t-shirt, denim jeans, and he bought cheaper shoes.

Vincent drove for a few hours, and he reached the city by the afternoon.

Since it was a long drive, he was starving and needed something to eat, and lemonade is the perfect thirst quencher.

Vincent brought the car to the hotel where he was checking in. It surprised the waiting boy to see the old car. They did not recognize him at first until he got out of the car and introduced himself.

It happens because he drove a red Ferrari but came back with an old Chevy. It probably raises a suspicious presumption toward him. What did he do in the countryside? That's funny.

He asked the waiting boy to bring his stuff back to his suite and give him some bills as a tip. After that, Vincent left and trailing the street toward the next avenue where he usually has his breakfast, which across it is the booth where Hailey is selling lemonade.

Vincent stops when a traffic light turns red. He breathed in and let it out of his chest. After the traffic light turns green, he crosses the road and turns left.

He is near to the booth, but then he suddenly feels chicken. He halted to check his appearance at the shop window glass, and then an idea came to his mind.

Vincent purchased black sunglasses to cover his eyes.

*

Hailey was squeezing some lemons. She lifted her head when someone halted in front of the booth.

She smiled and greeted her customer. "Szia!"

"Hello. Can I have a cup of lemonade?" Thank god, and Stephen taught him last night a few common words like Hi in Hungary.

But honestly, it takes for him to maintain his casual voice, not to stutter. Sheena is right. He is a chicken to approach a girl. Oh, not really. He has just no interest before, but not this time.

Honestly, it will be the first time he approaches a girl to make friends with her or to know her better.

"So? What size?"

"Huh?" Vincent froze on his feet. The question dumbfounded him.

For a moment, he tried to process what Hailey was asking him about. He is sure that this has nothing to do with his manhood.

Actually, it made him blink several times. He was in a trance about what to answer when it seems the question is vague.

"I..."

"Do you prefer a small cup or a large one?" Hailey asked one more time, waving the cup in her hand.

"Oh, the cup size! Gimme the large one," Vincent replied with a relief flash on his face. He chuckled awkwardly as his cheek slightly blushed.

'That was embarrassing, Vincent Shen!' His head was suddenly running wild! And if ever that Hailey has the power to read what he is thinking? He was now drenched with lemonade which he wanted to avoid happening.

Shaking his head slightly, Vincent observed Hailey, who is now making him a fresh lemonade. His eyes then caught the poster on the corner of the table.

Vincent read the information, which was written in four different languages.

Like what it says, every cup of lemonade and box of lemon pie, half of it goes to the person's treatment whose name is mentioned in the poster.

"Is he your relative?" Vince was curious not to ask.

Hailey glanced over her shoulder, and then her eyes fell on the poster. She replied, "Ah, that... No. It's the old lady's grandson."

The older woman, seated outside selling the fruit per pound, is also the owner of that booth. She heard their conversation.

The old woman sat up from her seat and strode toward Vincent. She whispered, "I didn't know her. But it surprised me when one day, she showed up and helped me sell more lemonade for my grandson's treatment. She's helping me sell lemonade and lemon pies for a week now."

"Oh. Is she only volunteering?" Vincent asked. Hearing that only made him even impressed by Hailey. She didn't know this lady, but she was working for free.

She is truly unique and beautiful, not only on the outside, but she had a heart of gold.

Now his heart is beating crazily. He doesn't understand, but it was like it assumes he is proud of her even though they didn't know each other.

She is a stranger, but she seems to take a huge place in the deepest part of his heart.

And he will be honest; he doesn't understand what he is feeling right now.

It feels like she stole his heart.

What is this? He could not settle the beating of his chest.

Vincent was lost at the moment. All he did was standing in front of the booth like an idiot while his eyes never left, staring at Hailey's angelic face.

She seems sweet and innocent. But her heart is pure.

"Can I treat you..." Vincent found his moment to open his mouth to ask Hailey out. However, his phone inside his pocket didn't stop ringing.

Helplessly, he pulled out his phone and checked the Caller ID. His shoulders dropped on his side to see the caller. 

It was his mom.