Hailey lifted her gaze to watch Vince retreating. He hadn’t texted earlier to let her know whether he likes the lunch she sent over, so then, she didn’t waste her time making dinner in the evening.

But honestly, she’s only sulking, not being appreciated. Or maybe she just acted childishly because all her life, she was pampered by everyone, so she isn’t used to being ignored. 

Anyway, why does she want Vince’s attention? He is only a stranger to her. She didn’t demand anything from someone that’s not close to her, or she hasn’t known this person for a long time.

‘Ahhhhhhhh! A contract only binds us!’ Why is she acting like this, by the way?

Did she only act stupid in front of him? Gosh! So, she just embarrassed herself to Vince? Ugh!

Meanwhile, Vince sat on his leather armchair, rested his back, and closed his eyes.

He didn’t attend his dinner meeting with the investors because he has important things to do tonight and plans to work on them after dinner. Besides, he looks forward to having a wonderful dinner at home since Hailey brought him a peace offering lunch earlier today.

But to his disappointment, she prepared nothing this evening. And he is starving.

Vince was in deep thoughts when his phone rang. He wants to ignore it, but maybe it’s important. He hasn’t visited his parent’s home over in a month now.

“Hey…” He answered his phone.

“Cousinnnnnnn! Huhuhuh…..”

Vince rolled his eyes. He massaged his forehead while listening to the man on the other line. “So? What’s up?”

“Please, save me!” Weeping by a man none other than is Carl.

Lazily, Vince asked his cousin, “What happened?”

“Cousin, please give me one of your flats! I’m about to move out from here!”

Listening to Carl’s ugly howls, Vince shook his head. He asked, “Why do you want to move out and live in a penthouse? You are living in a mansion.”

“Ah! Just don’t ask!”

Vince burst out laughing. He knew the reason his cousin wanted to leave home.

“Stop laughing! I’m doing this for your dad too!”

“Huh? What’s going on?” he asked innocently, even though he already guessed the root of this drama.

“We need a hiding place! Or else, we’re going crazy one day!” Carl whined.

“Heh. Just ignored mom. Like you weren’t used to her nagging yet.” Ah. His mom surely could shake the ground. Vince mused. He pulled his ear away from the phone when Carl kept growling like a slaughtered cow.

“Ah! You could say that because you weren’t here!”

“Well, now dad realizes why I leave home.” Vince pushes a smirk on the corner of his mouth. But later, he gives in. “Okay. I’ll get someone to clean and furnish the penthouse I have in the East Bay.”

Delighted, Carl jumped. “Can I borrow your yacht, cousin?”

Vince raised a brow. Now he understood. “Don’t you dare to bring your girlfriends into my house and yacht!”

Stammering, Carl scratching his head. Damn! His cousin quickly caught him! “I… I plan to bring your dad to fish. Why would you accuse me of going on a date using your yacht?”

Vince rolled his eyes. He knew his cousin. It’s better to warn him ahead. “I’ll let you live there and use it for dad to unwind and have a break from mom’s nagging. But it should be just overnight once in a while. You both should go home the next day to watch mom.”

“Ehhh?”

“I want you to keep an eye on, mom. I will always be out of the country soon. So I want to make sure she does nothing weird.”

“Are you afraid Auntie will do something with your girlfriend?”

“Kinda… But I was more concerned about her. I hope she wouldn’t do stupid things that put herself in an unlikely situation. So I want you to keep an eye on mom.”

“Okay…” Carl concurred. “But I need a break once in a while, you know.”

“I understood. That’s why I’ll allow you to use my yacht. But…”

“But no girls! I get it….”

Carl said something more, but he didn’t give attention when his nose caught something.

“Wait…”

“Huh? Oh, did I interrupt you in the middle of?” Carl tore a wide grin across his face, and Vince imagines it.

“Shut up! I have a lot of work to do!” He rolled his eyes. Well, anyone would think this way since he opens his private life of having a mistress. “If you have nothing important to say, I’ll hang up now. I need to continue my work.”

“Hmm…”

Carl sounded teasing; Vince just ignored and did not wait for his cousin to say another word. He pressed the end call button and placed his phone on the table. He breathes the enticing aroma from the kitchen that made his stomach growled in hunger.

He sat up from his chair and walked toward the door. Vince peeps out from the study. He saw Hailey cooking something in the kitchen. Instantly, a smile tore across his face. ‘Hmm…’

So, after all, she could not stand not cooking for him. He wonders what it was. It smells like noodle soup, and he’s drooling already.

Vince slowly shut the door close; he sits back in his chair and pretends to be busy. Well, he’s swamped. But for now, he will act like he didn’t notice she prepared dinner for him.

After twenty minutes, in which he endured his hunger, finally he heard the knock he is waiting for that feels like it takes forever… Vince quickly put down his phone. The truth is, he’s just playing on his mobile phone while waiting for Hailey to knock on the door. If he works in his state at the moment, he might pass out from hunger.

“Come in.” He said in a serious tone. He glanced at his wristwatch, and it’s 9:15.

When the door opens, he pretends to be busy browsing his computer without sparing a glance at the girl standing between the doorjamb.

“Ahem. I make a quick noodle soup. It’s the fastest I could cook, so there’s nothing much I prepared for dinner.” Hailey informed Vince in a low voice.

“Hum… I’ll come down in a bit,” he replied flatly. But the truth is, he wanted to run outside. Of course, he would not make himself look like a fool in front of this moody girl, so he pretends he is less interested in checking out what she cooks.

Seeing he’s busy with work, Hailey left without another word. Vince listened to the door shutting close gently; he waited for two minutes before coming down and to the dining table. He sat across from the woman eating a slice of caramel cake while reading on her PC Tab. Beside her plate is a cup of coffee.

‘Is she reviewing her lessons?’ Having thought about it, he suddenly felt guilty. Maybe he acted childish earlier? He was the mature one, but it looks like he acted stupidly. However, at this moment, he’s starving. Nothing, all he could think about is food.

He was staring at the bowl in front of him. The noodle seems to wave at him. He swallowed. He wanted to dig in the food in one mouthful. But Vince takes it slow. At first, he gradually twirls his chopsticks and slowly draws the noodle in his mouth. It tastes heavenly. But he had to take his time, even though he was tempted to pick up the bowl and drink the soup in one gulp.

There are also small fried chicken cuts; he picks up one and dips in the gravy. He stuffed his mouth with three cuts. He notices that Hailey’s mouth is open, and the fork with a piece of caramel cake remains hanging in the air while watching him eat. He coughed, lowering his gaze and focusing on his food.

He almost forgets that he pretended not to be so hungry. So he must unhurriedly put food in his mouth.

Suppressing not to tear a playful smile, Hailey picked up her mug and drank coffee. She could see he’s hungry. But he pretends he just casually ate the food she prepared, not to waste them.

Well, she won’t feel guilty that it was her intention not to cook tonight, which in the end, she had to, or he’ll skip dinner again.

Ah! She is supposed not to care!

Hailey is pondering when Vince spoke… She raised her head and looked at him.

“You don’t need to bring me food tomorrow. It will be difficult for you to drive around, going toward the University.”

She rendered speechlessly. Hailey mused, ‘Is he declaring that we are okay now?’