Chapter 73   - I Am Home

That evening, Vince ordered Hailey's favorite stir-fry noodle and lamb steak, including other dishes, to have more choices. And when their food arrived, they had dinner in the pool area.

As the night came to be colder, Vince set a bonfire and wrapped Hailey inside his arms, cuddling to warm each other.

Tonight, they only had sparkling red wine not to get drunk again. Hailey wanted to avoid that from happening ever again.

"Do you want another glass?" Vince asked Hailey. When she nodded, he grabbed the bottle and poured her glass.

"It will be my last glass for tonight. I need to review my lessons starting tomorrow for the exams next week."

"Hm... You have an upcoming exam. Great! I mean..." Vince takes a deep breath.

He is looking for a perfect moment to share with Hailey about the new project he will work on starting next week.

"So, by next week, I'll be going to Australia for a new contract. The Shen Group will work with a new client. This time, it was a giant client!" Excitement could sense in his voice.

"Wow! That's great! Congratulations!" Hailey tried her best to react with cheer. Of course, it is not a surprise anymore because she is the one who offered Vince the contract!

'Oh, gosh! I hope I sound sincere!' Hailey mumbled to her head.

Vince smiled. He expressed, "Thank you. I can't believe I would get a project from Davies Group. It feels incredible! I mean, the Shen Group has been competing against countless giant firms in the world. And so, I would not waste this opportunity given to me to work one of my dreams."

"Oh. You dream of working in constructing the Dream City?"

"Honestly? Yes, I am! It is one thing that inspires me to work hard. I need to get their attention. And my weapon is creativity, patience, and working hard to rise from the level ground to climb the stairs of success in this career I choose. No. I love it."

"Great! I'm happy to hear that!"

"Hm?" Vince lowered his gaze at Hailey. He was staring at her with a bit of confusion. He wondered which one she was praising.

Hailey realized that her response made her obvious. "Oh. I mean, I'm happy for you! There is nothing best in the world but to do what you are passionate about!"

"You are right. And I love building things." Vince concurred. And can see how proud he is.

Phew! Hailey sighs with relief. She is bathing with a cold sweat right now. From here on, she has to be careful. Otherwise, Vince will get confused with the things that come out of her mouth.

"So, when is your flight?" she asked Vince casually. "I would love to help you pack up."

Wow, girl. Like you didn't know his schedules! Hailey patted herself and gave a thumbs up.

Vince, who does not know what is playing in Hailey's mind, responded, "I'll be leaving Metro City by Thursday midnight to arrive in Australia in the morning to meet the executives and have a meeting with them to hand over my projects."

"Okay!" Hailey didn't attempt to say more words; it might be her tongue would slip out with unnecessary information.

"Hmm… Are you going to be okay here?" He will often be out of the country, and so he began worrying about Hailey's safety.

She retorted, "I am! You have nothing to worry about."

"The media attacks are getting unpleasant. And now that I have a huge project abroad, I would not be here often."

"Don't worry. I'll be fine," she assured Vince. And if those media would try to bug them once again, then she'll be forced to do something one more time.

Vince fell silent for a moment as he pondered. "Okay. Tim will come with me, so then, no one can look out for you. Can I call you every day?"

Hailey put down her glass. She turned around to face Vince and look at him in the eyes. She could see the sincerity in them.

She smiled. Vince sounds cute while he asks if he could call her.

In the past, Vince would only text her every time he is out of the city or country. But from here on, it seems things had changed.

She and Vince are casually kissing and snuggling, even in private. And it actually leads her to think over many things.

She had a lot of questions popping out in her head. However, she is afraid to ask Vince and hear his answers.

"Sure. I would love that." Now it would be more like they are an actual couple. "What time are you going home tomorrow?"

"Hm? From my parent's house?"

"No. Going home to the mansion to meet your parents." She shook her head and then clarified it.

Vince studied Hailey's face. Her question made him remember he only contracted her to be his mistress. In her mind, everything they were doing was still part of the agreement.

'Fuck it!' It was his foolishness, though. Now, Hailey still believes that she had to act in front of him.

Vince extends his arms. He pushes back the strands of hair that are dancing around her face. With his other hand, he traces the bridge of Hailey's nose.

"I am home," Vince whispered.

Hailey didn't leave her eyes on Vince. His phrasing warms her heart.

Vince lowered his head and placed his mouth on top of Hailey's sweet lips.

The kiss lasted long, but droplets of water tickled their faces. Suddenly, it rains.

They look up and watch the dark sky above their head.

"Oh, my gosh!" Hailey laughed. She closed her eyes and allowed the rain to drench her.

Vince is also laughing. But later, he invited Hailey to go inside their house.

"Let's go inside. It was the first rain of the month. It won't be good if you catch a cold."

"Oh. But the table is still a mess." She pointed at the dishes.

"Let's clean them tomorrow morning," Vince said.

"But you will see your parents tomorrow," Hailey reminded Vince.

"I will visit mom and dad in the afternoon, so I have more free time."

"Hmm… Okay!"

Hailey and Vince took a shower separately. Hailey was drying her hair when Vince entered her bedroom.

She glanced at the door and asked him, "Do you need something?"

Vince smiled. He shook his head and replied, "No. I'm going to bed."

"You, what?" From the reflection of the mirror, Hailey watches Vince walk toward her bed. 'What is he doing?'

It shocked her when Vince slid inside her quilt and comfortably tucked in on the bed.

'Are we going to sleep in the same bed again?' It freaks her out, of course.

Last night, she was drunk and knew nothing of what's going on in her surroundings. But now? She was wide awake and sober!

'Is this really happening? Are we really going to sleep in the same room from now on?' The questions that she didn't know what answer to give herself. 'How if...?'

Hailey had a scenario inside her mind that caused her cheeks to burn and dried her throat. 'We are not doing that, right?'

Inside her head, she is pacing back and forth; and talking to herself. 'How if Vince does that?'

Ahhh! She's still in shock. Of course! Being around handsome men with totally hot bodies is not new to her.

However, to her, Vince is sexually attracted. That is why she had the red lights flaring on top of her head.

Hailey inhaled and released the air from her lungs. She had no other choice but to sleep next to Vince.

She sat up from the stool in the dresser and walked toward the light switch. Once it is turned off, the light that is left is from the lamp above the bed.

Hailey made a careful movement on the floor. And since her bedroom is too quiet, she could hear her light footsteps and the loud thumping in her chest. She is praying that Vince would not hear her heartbeats.

Hailey pulled the hem of her quilt and slipped inside. She tried to be comfortable on her very own bed, next to a man.

In the following seconds, she listens to Vince's breathing. She wondered if he was still awake. It's not that long yet since he invaded her bedroom.

Hailey is lying down on her right side, giving her back to Vince. She remains awake to anticipate what he will do.

But there's no other movement she could feel but her heartbeat.

Hailey wanted to stay awake. But the wine relaxes her nerves. Slowly, it dragged her into a sweet slumber.

She wondered how long she'd been sleeping.

The arms around her waist and back give solace as she lay down in a hard pillow.

No. It's not a pillow. It was Vince's broad chest.

So how does she end up inside Vince's arms?

Did she move around? That's impossible! She is the person who remains on the same spot, whichever side of the bed she was lying down.

But since it comes into this, then let it be. Hailey buried her face into Vince's chest.

Later, she felt fingers brushing her hair and a kiss on her forehead.

Vince is awake!

Not only that, someone is excited and is poking in her leg!

What should she do? Can she pretend she felt nothing?