HIS CONTRACTUAL MISTRESS

"I loved a woman once," John began. "When my parents got divorced, I stayed with my dad, but my twin brother chose our mom when she went back to Europe. After ten years, mom died, then my brother came back to live with us. I have a crush on this girl in our neighborhood, but she only treated me as her best friend. It was unfair that I was the one who was always with her, but she only fell in love with my twin brother."

"I felt extreme unfairness as between me and my twin brother, I was academically excellent, and playing any sport. I have been awarded much recognition during our college years, and my twin brother, who is only interested in art, was the fortunate guy to have the woman I dreamt of growing old with."

"I worked hard and became accomplished. However, the girl I loved all my life never sees how excellent a man I am. Instead, the only great man in her eyes is my timid twin brother, who has nothing he would like to do in his life is painting and photography."

"Where is this woman now?" asked Vincent when John took a long moment of silence.

"Hah. My twin brother and she travel the world."

Vincent could sense the bitterness in John's voice. He pursed his lips into a thin smile, as he didn't know what to comment that he would not add salt to John's wounds.

"So, how does it relate to mine and Hailee's love story?" Vincent was careful about querying John. He is careful what questions he should ask the guy as he has another goal for this meeting; that's knowing more about Liam and Hailee's childhood.

John raised his head and met Vincent's eyes. He could discern the sincerity in them, and so he answered honestly.

"Liam and Hailee had a wonderful friendship when we were little kids. I witnessed how Liam is clinging around Hailee."

"Isn't Bryan and Geoffrey she was too close to?" Vincent wondered.

"Liam's parents and the late King Lamandi of V Country have an incredible friendship with the Davies family. As Lord among the Lords of the Oceania Continent, Uncle Jacob often traveled, including V Country. I guess it is the time Hailee and Liam's friendship blossoms, especially after Liam loses his parents. Later, it was Hailee's mom who died. Uncle Jacob travels alone, and Hailee stays home as she isolates herself from everyone."

"Andre then lives with them to accompany and watch over her..." Vincent intercepts John's narration.

John nodded his head. "Yes. It was the time Andre's friends would travel far to hang out with him, and Hailee got close to them. In later years, the former King of V Country died. Attending the funeral, Uncle Jacob brought Hailee. She was fourteen years old, and Liam was a few years old."

"From that moment, it restored their friendship. However, Liam couldn't accept those other men were close to Hailee. But after King Lamandi became the new king, he proclaimed Liam as the crowned prince. Liam became occupied in fulfilling his royal duties as the next in line of the throne."

"Liam is determined to marry Hailee, the reason he works harder and becomes Master Shun's puppet."

"Puppet?" Vincent raises a brow. 'Is he talking the truth? There must be a real story to that.' Vincent thought to himself.

Shun is always there to help him and Hailee; whatever it is, simple things or dangerous ones, that man is always there for them. So Vincent believed it was something else.

John recounts further, "Liam did everything to prove himself to Shun and Uncle Jacob, even if it cost his life. Love blinded Liam. But something happened which I didn't know the entire story about. I just learned that Hailee and Liam had become enemies."

Vincent pondered that part of John's story. Pitt told him what had happened by then. Liam began harming her friends, and then Hailee helped Gigi free from Galvin.

'But what made Liam change?' Vincent couldn't forget that part of John's story. Something must have happened, and Liam chose the other path.

Vincent wondered if he had a right to ask Shun regarding that. Curiosity got him good, and now he was dying to know.

'But if I want to protect Hailee. I should know everything.' Vincent was contemplating whether to contact Shun sooner. It seemed like a huge secret Shun had been hiding, even from Hailee.

"John, you said that Liam did everything to win Hailee's heart. You were putting your shoes on Liam, is it?"

John snigger. "It was unfair how Hailee never sees Liam's love for her. Instead, she fell in love with a stranger person like you she barely knows you."

Vincent raised a brow and told John.

"Is it important that you know this person your whole life?"

John didn't retort, as Vincent was right.

In love, it is not a requirement that your significant other is someone you are familiar with your whole life. And on his part, it happens that his love was one-sided. It is the same with Liam.

"Do you know that is it most exciting part is to love a woman you never knew?" Vincent asked John. "Together, both of you can discover things. As long as you are open to your partner, you both can work things out in your relationship. Also, it is okay if both of you have differences. Love is exceptional. Remember that, John."

John was surprised. He never thought that Vincent had such an understanding of love.

"Vincent, how many girlfriends do you have? You sounded too experienced," asked John. He didn't conceal the admiration he felt for Vincent at this moment.

Vincent chuckled, shaking his head. "Would you believe Hailee is my first and only girlfriend?"

"Are you serious?" Shocked exhibit on John's face. His eyes grew wider as he stared at Vincent with amazement.

"Since I was young, nothing I did but impressed my parents. So having a girlfriend is the last thing on my mind. Besides, my mom is too strict about it. She would always remind me that women are only after fame and money. Do you know that my mom even sent me to the monk so that I will learn how to have control?" Vincent shook his head, reminiscing about the year he was sent to the mountain.

"You are hilarious, Vincent!" John mocked.

Vincent did not feel offended, as it was true. He laughed along with John.

"My mom is determined for me to fight some sort of temptation, such as women. However, when I met Hailee. I experienced all types of feelings, and I can't fight it."

"Hmm... Now I understand," said John, nodding his head. "Now I have a desire to meet someone I could love dearly, who would return my feelings."

"Of course, you will find someone that is fated to you. I am older than you, is it?"

"Yes."

"Then, you have more years to find love if you let yourself move on."

"You are right, Vincent."

"Well, how about let's cheer for good luck?" Vincent raised his glass for a toast, John quickly clinking his glass.

Vincent was happy that he succeeded in making John warm up with him. After he puts down his glass, Vincent straightens his back and wears a solemn expression on his face. He looked straight into John's eyes as he spoke.

"John, I know you already know why I am inviting you tonight."

John nodded. "What can I do for you?"

"I need your help. I know it is not Liam who wishes to harm Hailee. It was the last thing Liam would do."

"Are you talking about Samuel Miller?"

Vincent darkened his face upon hearing that man's name. "I know everything that is happening to me is all Samuel Miller's doing. I also know that he is pressing your family to take his side. If you worry that your company went bankrupt after Samuel withdrew Liam's investment. I can promise you that Davies has your back."

John contemplated what Vincent had said. Before coming here, he already had some ideas in his mind. But he didn't expect that Vincent would offer him a favor instead.

What John keeps in his mind is that Vincent will push him to the corner. So then J Group would kneel to Davies, particularly before him.

"I can help you free from Liam or Samuel Miller."

John heard Vincent carry on. He asked Vincent, "What is your plan, Vincent?"

"I want to deal with Samuel Miller, so I need to meet up with him real sooner."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Just set up the meeting place for us. The hotel owned by your family is the perfect place. I know Samuel is not in the country now. But if you mention to him that J Group will no longer need him, I am sure he will come to you and threaten your family. Let me handle the rest."

John pondered. He admitted that Vincent's plan was brilliant. He knew that there was no way for Liam to get out of prison, as the crime he committed was so great. Besides, he doesn't like Samuel Miller.

"Alright. But Vincent, you know that Samuel Miller had vast influences outside Australia. He would not let J Group go easily."

"I know. You have nothing to worry about. You know as well, whatever Samuel Miller holds into, Davies has dominion more than he did." Promised Vincent with pride. He could say that having so many influences can easily shake an enemy.

Vincent admitted to himself that he once despised people using their wealth and power to step on other people.

Who would have thought that he was that kind of person now?