HIS CONTRACTUAL MISTRESS

Jackson Villa

John was seated in the chair in the first row, in front of his father's coffin. On the other side is his twin brother, Jay. It's been three nights since he held the funeral of his family.

He looked around and saw his friends lounging on the corner with Mikael and Rob, talking with low voices.

It was ironic that after he made friends with great people who are willing to be his family even though they are not blood-related, his real family died.

John pursed his lips into a bitter smile after some thought that he does not need his father and brother in this life because of the new people around him. Shockingly, they actually disappear for real.

He may have hated his father and brother, but he never wishes to part ways with them this way.

"John…"

A sweet voice reached John's ears. He turned his head to look at the woman sitting next to him. Lowering his gaze to the tray she was holding, John smiled and asked,

"Did you make that for me?"

The woman, who is none other than Carmen, nodded her head. "You have eaten nothing this morning. Please, have some soup while it's still warm."

The night John receives the sad news, he is dropping her off at the airport. After she learned that something had happened to his father and brother, she postponed her flight and accompanied John to take care of the bodies and helped him organize the funeral.

John extended his arm and brushed Carmen's smooth cheek. He leaned over and kissed her lips.

"Thank you," John muttered tenderly, looking at Carmen with affection. He was grateful to have a very supportive girlfriend. Since the very first day, Carmen never leaves his side, and her presence truly gives him strength.

Later that evening, more important people visit the funeral.

"Mr. Jackson, you have guests."

His assistant approached John. After exchanging meaningful stares, John nodded his head, and his assistant left.

"John, accept our condolences." said the man. He gave John a comforting pat on his back.

"Uncle Jacob, thank you."

"John, we're sorry to hear the sad news." Full of sincerity, Vincent conveys his condolences. He and John hugged, then patted the latter's back.

"I'm sorry for your loss, John," Shun muttered after Vincent.

John nodded his head and accepted Shun's hand. "Thank you for coming, Shun."

In the ballroom's corner where the funeral took place, John was standing near the French Window with Shun and Vincent talking sincerely.

Everyone attending the funeral that night could not help feeling astonished that they see John actually had a good relationship with him after the controversies had been thrown at Vincent.

"Do you think the incident has nothing to do with John?"

"What are you saying?"

"Gideon's favorite son is Jay. After Gideon purchased a yacht, the only son he sailed with was him, and John was not even aware that his father bought it."

"Are you pointing at John orchestrating the death of his father and brother with Vincent's help?" chimed by another businessman.

The three of them had a dinner meeting, and the scene last night made them curious about Gideon's sudden death. Jackson Group is a leading company in Northern Australia—a particular interest is familiar to any conglomerate.

"So, you suspect John is after his family's fortune?"

"Gideon shows he cares more than his other son. Maybe John felt his father was aiming to give the company to his favorite son."

"Well, that is possible." The other men concurred with him.

"I heard Gideon sold his shares to someone and left nothing to John. Maybe he did that after his favorite son had no interest in managing the company. So Gideon thought to leave a huge amount to that son."

"And to get what is right for him, John committed the crime."

The three men were immersed in talking inside their private booth; they hadn't noticed the man eavesdropping since the door was ajar.

Samuel Miller left that restaurant with a triumphant smile on his lips. It made him thrilled to hear such gossip. If these words spread to the entire business world, his master would be pleased to see Vincent in such malicious controversy.

After some thought, Samuel grinned viciously. He pulled out his phone from his coat pocket and dialed a particular contact that belonged to a reporter.

"It's me… Again… I want you to publish an article."

*

On the fourth day of the funeral, a malicious article was released, which instantly became a hot topic among the tycoons.

The article accused both John and Vincent of conspiring the death of Gideon and Jay Jackson. It mentioned in the report that Vincent had invested a massive amount in J Group before Gideon sold all his shares to someone that hid the identity of this person. The reason Vincent helps John is to benefit from the partnership.

Photos were enclosed in the article about how Vincent and John had a great relationship in secret.

Since people are frighteningly genius when it comes to investigating someone's lives, they dug up Vincent's posts on social media, including John and everyone around them, such as Carmen and Sheena.

The other week, Carmen posted a photo of her and John with a caption, "Visiting wonderful friends," on her Instagram.

They connected that photo to Sheena's posts with the other girls, including Hailee, with the same clothes she has, which were posted on the same day. At the same time, Carmen posted it earlier than Sheena.

"God! People were absolute geniuses in investigating other lives to have something to gossip about." Mikael stressed out while reading several articles regarding John and Vincent's controversies.

Vincent only glanced at Mikael with a solemn expression on his face. He was chatting with Hailee, so he reacted nothing to Mikael's endless remarks on the malicious articles.

"Let them think whatever they want," said John, seated next to Vincent on the sofa.

John is having a coffee with them at the pool area after the sun finally showed up today when it constantly rained in the past few days.

"Before I forget, let me thank all of you for accompanying me during my grieving days. I'm happy that despite the malicious gossip, all of you stayed with me," he said afterward.

"Bro, don't start being such a drama idiot." Mikael snapped at John. He then added, "Bros must stick together. Do not forget that."

John smiled softly as his gaze looked at each man surrounding him. "You guys don't know how that made me feel better."

Later that evening, John seated once again in the front row. Beside him is Carmen, resting her head on his shoulder. Even though he persuades his girlfriend to get some rest, Carmen doesn't want to leave his side.

The night was solemn and tranquil. Carmen stared delightedly at her fingers intertwined with John. The two of them shared loving gazes with slight smiles on their lips, like they were the only people in that room and not grieving.

"Jay!"

Suddenly, a wail from the ballroom entrance, followed by a woman sitting in a wheelchair, rushed toward Jay's coffin.

"Jay! Why did you leave me!" the woman mourning. She attempted to stand on her feet, but there was no strength in her legs, and she fell on the floor.

Before she reaches the ground, two muscular arms catch her frail body.

Carmen left frozen in her seat after John suddenly got up and ran toward Ivy, Jay's wife, and the same girl John was in love with.

She could not bear to watch them hugging each other, so Carmen lowered her head, clasping her hands tightly above her lap. She bit her lower lip to suppress the emotion harboring in her chest.

'She's back… The one who owned his heart.'

*

La Fraire Courtyard, Dream City

Cassandra is nursing her youngest daughter Aravella while Angela Cassandra affectionately watches her little sister sucking their momma's nipple for milk.

"Mama, can I hold her after she is fed up?"

There were sparks in Angela's eyes when she made this request. Cassandra smiled at her daughter and nodded her head. After she nursed Ara, she slowly placed her inside Angela's small arms. The big sister rocked her body so gently, not to wake up the now asleep Ara.

Violet was staring at Angela, full of envy. She could no longer wait for her mama to give birth to the baby inside her womb, and she wanted to hold her as well.

"Would you like to hold her, Violet?"

With twinkle eyes, Violet nodded, but then she shook her head as fear suddenly surged her chest after she looked at the tiny baby.

"Can I touch her?" As jealousy got her good, Violet made such a request. She is afraid to hurt the baby if she carries her, so maybe she could hold her tiny hands.

Angela leaned a little for Violet to reach Arabella's hand. She happily held them, and the little girl felt like she was sent to heaven after Ara gripped her hand.

"She was too pretty!" Violet praises Ara.

"She is as pretty as you!"

Cassandra and Nikki shared a knowing glance, bemused at how their children interact with each other. Although Angela is older than Violet, it looks like they will become great friends, like sisters.

"I could not wait for Hailee to give birth to her girls!" Nikki said gleefully with the thought.

"But you were going to deliver first." Cassandra reminded her, which made Nikki giggle.

"Yeah. You are actually right." Nikki nodded her head with a smile.

"Mama?" Madison called out to Cassandra as she entered the room.

"Yes, Madison?" Cassandra quickly answered and looked in the door's direction.

"Hailee wants to speak with you."

"Oh, okay." Cassandra glanced at Nikki and said, "I'll check on Hailee."

Nikki nodded as she watched Madison and Cassandra disappear at the door. She joined the children on the bed and took Arabella from Angela to put the baby in the cradle.

At Hailee's suite, Cassandra and Madison joined Hailee on the sofa, both seated on her sides.

"Hail, you wanted to speak with us?"

"Actually, I want to talk to Lady Isabella."

Madison and Cassandra shared a glance. The former dialed Lady Isabella's contact number, which immediately answered.

"Madison? Does Hailee want to speak with me?"

Madison smiled after she learned that Lady Isabella had already seen about this day.

"Yes. I will hand the phone to Hailee."

Hailee immediately took the phone and did not beat around the bush.

"I heard you were in Italy."

"Yes, I am Hailee. What can I do for you?" asked Lady Isabella even though she already knew why Hailee wanted to talk to her.

"Can I speak with Liam?"