Evening…

An enticing aroma filled the house, a Calamari soothing on Vince’s nostril. The scent was only faint but still caught by his nose.

Ever since he brought her to the penthouse, he became sensitive to the food she was preparing for him. Lately, he realized he has been looking forward to having a meal with her world-class dishes, prepared exclusively for him.

He thinks of what he has instead as a private chef rather than a mistress.

Reaching his chin, Vince mused. ‘What other things she is good at aside from cooking?’

Unable to find an answer, Vince got up from his chair and walked out of his study. He placed his one hand on the railings and one hand shoving on his pocket. His eyes swept at the table, and then his attention lingered on the woman gradually stirring a soup in front of the cooking stove.

He was watching both the food and the chef. His mouth drools from his desire to have a taste of them.

Having this thought surprised him for what appeared in his mind. Is he developing a feeling for his mistress?

He cannot be. It was in the clause that they should not fall in love. A contract only binds their relationship. He emphasizes this clause because he doesn’t want to waste time driving out the woman once she falls in love with him and then demanding his time, worse begging for his love.

So then, the day their act is over, he doesn’t want a drama.

To hit the point, he hates to pursue a woman to leave him. It is what happens after he marries Eva.

He regretted he didn’t prepare an agreement that after two years of marriage, they would immediately divorce.

Now, his wife, on paper, won’t sign the divorce he wanted. It’s been three years already, and he hates to fly to the US to beg for a divorce. It’s not his type to pursue a woman.

Besides, he paid threefold for his lawyers to take care of this matter. Yet nothing happens. It looks like he needs to think of another plan for Eva to sign the divorce paper.

Meanwhile, Hailey could feel a pair of eyes staring at her. She need not guess when the only person with her is Vince.

She turned her head to the railings. She was right. Vince is watching her from upstairs. Upon their eyes met, she pushed a gentle smile and uttered, “Are you hungry? I’m almost done.”

“I can wait. I’m just stretching my back.” While saying this, Vince descended the stairs and walked toward the kitchen. “You will grill pork steak?” he asked when he noticed the marinated meat in a bowl.

Nodding, Hailey replied, “Yes.”

Looking at the raw meat, it watered his mouth, craving for it already. “Well, let me help you grill the meat.”

Upon saying it, Vince took out the electric grilling pan, placed it in the middle of the table, and take out an extension cord and plugs in the power cord. He walked toward the counter and took the bowl with him. Vince seemed to enjoy himself placing the meat on the grill plate.

Hailey, who observes him silently, amused her, watching him like this. Vince’s face remains expressionless, but a glint of excites exhibits in his eyes. She was grateful that Vince is not picky. In the beginning, she was shy to ask him what food he preferred. So, she decided to try preparing him with all the dishes she knew. If he complains, then she will take that dish out on the menu.

However, surprisingly, Vince never complains but stuff his mouth with everything she prepared on the table. Still, she wasn’t sure what food he likes; it came up with an idea to make a menu every week. The times Vince comes over, she knows what to cook that he hasn’t eaten that week.

Now that she’s done with the soup. She started setting the table, placing the three dishes she prepared. Before she took her seat, she made a sauce for the grilled meat. In a smaller bowl, Hailey mixed up the fish sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, unripe tomatoes, onions, chilies, and last, lots of limes.

On an oval platter where she finely arranged the Calamari, she placed the bowl of cheddar in the middle.

Seated facing each other, Vince quietly flips the meat. It surprised her when he placed the meat on her plate. Shyly, she thanked Vince. She lowered her head to eat quietly. However, Vince put another meat on her plate. With this gesture, she lifts her head to thank him.

“Thank you. But I’m fine already. You should eat now. Let me cook my share.” Hailey was careful not to stammer her words. She has to stop him before she melts with the attention he is giving her. She prefers him to be distant. In that way, it will be easy for her to ignore his mood.

But him being thoughtful and acting gentlemanly and romantic overwhelms her chest, fluttered it like crazy.

She couldn’t afford to blush like a teenager in front of him. She wants to keep their relationship as boss and employee. But on second thought, he hired her as his Mistress. A time would come they need to pretend to be sweet to each other. So, maybe it’s not wrong to be comfortable in each other’s presence.

Vince realized he did things he never did before. Even to his mother and two sisters, he never showed such gestures. Nodding, he tore a thin smile. Yet, he was perplexed why he did that. It seems like around her, and these things come naturally. Unconsciously, he shows her a side of him that even he didn’t know that he is.

‘Indeed. She is interesting.’ Vince thought.

In the next couple of minutes, he tried to focus his attention on his plate. But he could not ignore Hailey’s presence. Pondering what topic he could open up, Vince carefully chose a few things he thinks safe to discuss with her.

“So, how was school? Is everything fine?”

Hearing him ask a question before she replied to him, Hailey picked up the glass of water, gulped half of it then put it down.

“Everything’s just fine. Nothing to worry about.”

Hailey understood why Vince asked her this question. Since she signed the contract, the students in the university notice the changes in her lifestyle. She started hearing rumors about her, accused of being someone’s mistress. And they assumed it was true, after seeing her driving a yellow Ferrari that cost 3.5M euros. She receives more harsh words and insults. Even make fun of her on social media posts. She ignores them. But he deleted all those posts sooner. It looks like Vince did something with that matter.

At first, it irritates her, but soon she got used to the lashing behind her back. Now she just enjoys the drama of how these people are willing to waste their time on her. All they could do is be envied of her.

Of course, she is not proud of being called someone’s Mistress. But she has her own reason. All she has to do is prepare herself for what is coming. After Vince gives her the car, she realizes Vince has no plan of playing hide-and-seek. He wants his affair to be apparent.

And that became obvious to Vince’s family that his mother tried to give her money. But she didn’t need money. If only she could tell every soul. But surely she would only laugh at.

Eating quietly for some time, Vince spoke up again. “Tell me right away if someone is bothering you again.”

“Okay.” To make this end, she nodded and continued eating quietly. But to her surprise, Vince was still busy serving her.

“Let me pour more wine on your glass.”

Stunned, Hailey just let him do whatever he likes. Maybe she should use it with his thoughtfulness. Later, Vince was done eating, and he finished even the last piece of Calamari.

“Thanks for the food. I’ve eaten more than I could fill my stomach.”

Vince sounded like joking. And it’s new to her. Chuckling, she pursed a timid smile and said, “I’m glad you like the food.”

“I do. Everything cooked perfectly.” Vince is trying to praise her, but he could not put the perfect word to compliment her. “All right. I need to finish my work,” he declared.

“Okay. I will bring tea later.”

Vince, who was already on the first step of the staircase, paused and glanced at her. “That sounds amazing,” he said, then resumed his steps.

Left alone at the dining table, Hailey finishes the wine in her glass. Staring at the empty bottle, she murmured to herself.

“He is becoming closer to me…”

Sadness flashed in her eyes. She could not decide whether to feel bad or happy.