Chapter 166 - You And I Against The WORLD
Today, Hailey passed through the lobby. As usual, the residents crowded it. It is lunchtime soon, but they still hang out there, having a coffee while gossiping about other people's lives.
Well, yes. Who doesn't like gossip?
That's right, they love to gossip about their Landlord's mistress, and that was her.
"Sigh. That's what you will look like being a Mistress of Vincent Shen." a woman in a red dress commented.
"She's stunning!" echoed a pregnant woman in a floral halter dress.
"She's also pretty without makeup and just wearing casual clothes," said a woman in a skirt. She is a size plus, but she's pretty.
"Or maybe she just looks elegant after spending Mr. Shen's money." chimed in another resident. The woman's voice is full of envy.
"Jeez. It's President Shen, and he had a lot of money to shower his mistress." countered by another woman who always praises Hailey whenever she sees her.
"Indeed. It will damage President Shen's image if we see his mistress only wearing cheap brands of clothes."
And the gossip continued. Standing near the main door, Hailey shook her head, listening to these ladies. It is true, anyway.
In these passing months, she used Vince's money to buy the clothes she needed to wear to look elegant and pleasing every time Vince brought her to his business engagements.
Lately, she always has meetings with the DV Gem business partners. However, the dresses she is wearing are personalized designs and made from Paris and Italy. And none of it paid by Vince money. It was all from her account.
That's why these women gossiping about her spending Vince's money is false. The bag she carried and the clothes, shoes, and jewelry she put on today were all from her revenue. She could afford to clothe herself, even if it cost a hundred thousand US dollars overall.
She owned a big company that could support her luxurious life. Whatever she wants, she could buy it with her own money.
"Bruce, I'm here at the main entrance door." She phoned him. While waiting, the lobby was in a fuss.
Everyone gasps and squeals when a dazzling man appears in the lobby. He was the new tenant in this building, and just one day, he already made the women fall in love with him.
The guy turned his head; he winked at the first girl that caught his eyes. The poor girl almost passed out with what he did. And everyone wishes he will also look in their direction.
But the handsome guy marched straight to the exit door without looking back anymore—left the single ladies and married women daydreaming about him.
Hailey rolled her eyes. No wonder Kelly hated him so much. He lives up to his looks.
Pitterson Cha, a Chinese-Korean descendant but grew up in Australia. He and Kelly are neighbors, the same community as Bryan and Andre.
Indeed, he has a handsome face and smooth, fair skin. All the time, he mistook for an idol. But just his look because he is bad-mouthed and bad-tempered.
Pitt joined the military and even the Navy but retired at 30 to become my full-time Knight and bodyguard traveling the world. Surfing and sailing are his favorite things to do. Now, Pitt is 35 years old and a gorgeous bachelor.
And yeah, he purchased a unit in Vince penthouse, so they are now neighbors to watch her closely. But as for how the residents respond to his charm, it will be a pain to her ass.
*
"Princess, Captain Pitt is on standby for a convoy," Bruce reported. They are now leaving the Crescent Penthouse vicinity and joining the traffic.
"Okay, Bruce. Thank you. Anyway, stop calling Pitt as Captain, or else he'll dig a PIT for you. He lives up to his name, by the way." Hailey warns Bruce with a smirk.
The poor guy suddenly swallowed as he imagined a scenario. 'Maybe it's not a good idea.' He murmured to himself.
"Um, then what can you advise me, Princess? How should I address him?" he asked afterward. Suddenly, he became restless.
Hailey smiled. "Brother Pitt, he'll be okay with that."
"Okay, Princess." Pitt glances at the rearview mirror, and he could see that silly smile playing on her lips. "Um, Princess... You aren't digging a pit for me, right?"
"Don't worry. Just reason out to him that I ordered you to call him that."
'Ah! She's making fun of me!' Bruce scratches the back of his head. It looks like it's a prank; the princess is joking! Bruce cried inside. So he decides to ask Pitt later.
Pitt is his senior. He wants to address him correctly, to show his respect. He doesn't want to give a wrong impression when he is just the newest Knight.
Soon Hailey saw her convoy. Two cars are now tailing her, and one is upfront with Pitt in it, leading the convoy.
Pitt phoned Hailey to inform her he spotted Liam's men and attempted to follow them behind.
She's annoyed. Now the picture is getting clearer; Liam is truly after her. She told Pitt, "I need to get rid of him as soon as possible before he could harm my relationship with Vincent."
"Sigh. I can't believe you, Princess," Pitt grumbled in the other line. "Anyway, Keith has the lead of the recent investigation. It looks like it's not just the Gu family he tried to persuade to back him up here in P Country."
"I foresee this already. He will gather as much family to strengthen his ally here in P Country. Congressman Vasquez is eyeing them, but we need Leticia Javier's father on our side to use his influence."
"See? You are this cunning as well, Princess. Just one step and you can be a real Lord."
"Shut up, Pitt!" The Mafia Association is the last thing on her mind. But she needs to do something about Liam.
"Don't worry, Princess. I know General Videl Garcia. I will help to convince him." Bruce speaks up after she finishes the conversation with Pitt.
"Thank you, Bruce." She smiled, looking at the rearview mirror. She looks outside the window, sighing. Later, Hailey made an overseas call to someone...
"Kristian? How is it going with Dad?" she asked immediately, not waiting for the person from the other line to speak up.
"Hello, Princess. Everything is fine out here." Kristian answered, scratching at his temple.
"How about the reports? Nothing reaching, Dad yet?"
"Don't worry, Princess. All the reports go through me, and I'll make sure nothing reaches him," he assured.
"Great! Thank you for being loyal to me but hiding things from dad." It is not simple; Hailey knew that. But she doesn't want her dad to get to worry about her and now the issues about Vince.
"Thank you, Princess. But I could only half-heartedly accept your compliment. As you can see, I don't want to lie to your dad, but I can't say no to you."
She indeed begged Kristian to become her eyes and ears, as he is her dad's private assistant. Kristian knew everything about her dad's business engagements, especially the Mafia movement in Australia.
"Kristian, the boys also didn't know yet. If whatever happens, I want you to protect Vince from everyone if the Australian Mafia Association hears rumors."
It took a moment before Kristian replied to her, and she understood that she's asking Kristian's loyalty again over her dad.
"Okay, Princess. But from my perspective, your dad likes your boyfriend. I think it's easy for you to make him understand about Mr. Shen."
"He's married. I will disappoint dad. I was in this scandalous relationship," she explained.
Kristian comforted Hailey, and it moved her. "Like what you said, it is only an arranged marriage. I'm sure he'll understand."
She was happy, and she had this talk with Kristian today. He's the closest person who knows her dad's mood. "Thank you, Kris. You don't know, but you encourage me somehow."
"Your dad always worries about you. And so, he deserves to know the truth."
"Yes. I am already guilty of all the lies I have lately. Thank you once again. You are always a big brother to me."
"It's my honor, Princess. I'm always here if you need me."
Hailey felt a lot better after the talk she had with Kristian. It helps her to ponder what better steps she must take from now on.
She's grateful for the men who surrounded her. They were all committed and loyal to the Davies family. But of course, it didn't take just a day to get their loyalty. It was through generations, brotherhood, and family.
"Sometimes, I'm thinking of stepping in and replacing dad," she muttered while looking at the scenery from that hilltop route.
Bruce glanced at her in the rearview mirror and queried, "Is it about protecting, Mr. Shen?"
"Vince is part of the decision, yes. But overall, I love working with everyone. I guess we don't need to put up tension between territories. In this way, we avoid a dispute between Lords."
"You were talking about the Mafia Association, Princess?"
"Yeah. But I pray the day won't come, that I have to make a decision, because if someone asks me now what I want to do with my life?"
'I feel the thrill to become Vince's wife and a mother of his children.'
"I want an ordinary life, Bruce. However, it's impossible to achieve that kind of life."
"Even if you are not a daughter of Mafia Lord, Mr. Shen's life is already a controversy." Bruce shared his opinion.
"Yeah. You're right, Bruce." Hailey concurred. She hurls a long breath and releases them. Her mood changes; suddenly, she feels gloomy.
"You know what, Princess? I know what the title of your love story is. YOU and I Against the World."
She laughed. It gladdens her that Bruce is a sensible person. He senses her sadness now; he is trying to cheer her up.
Bruce hit that right. She once thought the same. She also came up with this theme… US—AGAINST THE WORLD, but YOU AND I sound better.
It applies to her and Vince's love story. It is what she is facing to keep him by her side.
And first, Liam must disappear from her life forever.
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