"Hello, Hail!" Carmen walks toward Hailee and plants a loud kiss on each other's cheeks. "So good to see you!"
"I'm glad you came too."
"Of course, I would not miss any opportunity. We're glad Mr. Shen invited us." Carmen glanced at John.
Last night, John shared about an embarrassing encounter he had with Hailee, and so Carmen knew John felt nervous today.
"Hello, John." Hailee initiated the greetings. After some thought, she agreed to Vincent in trusting John he could help them locate Samuel Miller to end everything related to Liam. Until Samuel was in power to use all Liam's men and resources, their battle would never end.
John smiled and greeted Hailee politely. "Thank you for having us, Mrs. Shen."
Hailee nodded and pursed her lips into a small smile. Vincent walked toward them and welcomed John and Carmen.
"Come on! I'm sure the girls have many things to catch up on." Upon saying that, Vincent dragged John toward the long table where the other men had already had fun.
"Hey, John!"
John was offered a cold beer by Shun.
"Thank you, Master Shun," John politely thanked Shun. He knew that Shun would be here. Still, it gave him a scare deep down in his bones.
"We are not inside an office or talking business. You don't need to be too formal. Today, we are family!" Shun patted John on the back. The latter chuckled and offered a toast.
"I want to give a toast to our new CEO… Long live, Vincent!" John raised his bottle, and so did the others. Then, bottles clink in the air.
The wives and girlfriends watch their partners laughing and jesting around.
"We have to schedule a gathering more often," Cassandra suggested. She pitied her husband, who was the most stressed among these men, as Shun is not only watching over this world; but also the worlds that do not exist anymore, and that is because of her.
So Cassandra was grateful that lately, Shun get involved in many parties, which he rarely attended because of the trouble the association caused him.
"That would be great! I hope you guys will come to visit T Country one day," wished Carmen.
"Surely, we will! And that is your wedding day! So?" Hailee teased Carmen after she saw them together last night and today.
Carmen bit her lower lip and secretly glanced at John. It always came to her mind that she would only marry the man she was in love with more than her life. However, she isn't certain if John feels the same way. She always has the feeling that John still likes his twin brother's wife.
"What's wrong, Carmen?"
Carmen snapped herself when Hailee spoke. She smiled at the girls and reasoned. "John and I were on the stage of getting to know each other. Maybe if we are compatible and ready to walk the journey of a married couple. You girls will be the first people to know."
"That's right. It is better to know your partner very well before you completely gamble your heart and risk everything." Hailee extended her arm and reached for Carmen's hand.
On the other hand, Carmen could not share what she really felt in her relationship with John. She is sure to herself that she loves him, but Carmen doesn't know if she has a place in John's heart.
"Oh, well! I can't imagine how you endure the pain of having four babies inside?" Carmen changes the subject to conceal the pain in her heart.
Hailee caught that sadness flash in Carmen's eyes and she had the urge to ask her, however, Hailee chose to respect Carmen's privacy.
She replied, "Yeah. I can't believe it either. I only dream of being pregnant, but I never imagined having multiple babies on the first try."
Everyone always expresses their concerns for her. Indeed, she's in a lot of pain, such as backaches, and is uncomfortable. But every time the babies made fetal movements, Hailee could not describe the feeling.
"Oh. It looks like there's a story you can share with us!" Carmen said with glee.
Hailee smiled sweetly as she shared with the girls when she started getting envious after she heard the other girls expecting another child again.
Before it came to her mind to marry Vincent, she already had the dream of conceiving his child.
As hours passed by, more of Hailee's friends and executive knights had arrived. The pool area was now crowded, including kids playing in the pool.
"Did anyone know where Vera is?" Hailee asked around after she realized her cousin hadn't arrived yet. 'Even Geoffrey isn't here as well.'
Hailee wanted to inquire with Vera if she was dating Trevor and if Geoffrey was courting Tiffany. However, none of them have arrived yet.
"Hail, I will call Miss Vera and ask!" Hazel volunteered. She left and entered the mansion to look for a quiet room. However, Vera isn't answering the call. After attempting three times, Hazel gave up but she sent Vera a couple of messages.
"Hey, Miss Vera! Hailee is looking for you. When would you come over?"
Hazel patiently waited, but a half-hour had already passed, but no response or call back from Vera.
"What are you doing here?"
Hazel made an abrupt turn when she heard her boyfriend's voice. She smiled and replied to James, "I am trying to call Miss Vera, but she isn't answering or replying to my texts."
"Hmm…" James pondered for a moment. He pulled out his phone from the back pocket of his pants then browsed through his contact lists. "Let me call someone."
After the third ring, James's call connected.
"Hey, man? What's up?"
"Hey, Trev… Have you seen Vera?"
Before Trevor could answer James, someone spoke in the background, and James recognized this voice.
"Are we going to the Davies Mansion? I'm starving! Hazel posted the cakes she baked, and James made sushi! Wait… I should message Hazel to save some for us!"
After that, the woman's voice disappeared, and James heard a door close. On the other line, Trevor scratches his forehead.
"Well, man. I have to take a shower now. See you later."
"Okay, man." James hung up the call. He looked at Hazel, who was waiting for news. "Trevor is coming over. Anyway, I will try to call my men to check on Vera."
"Huh? Isn't Mr. Trevor with Miss Vera?"
James shook his head. "No. But don't worry. I will not stop until we confirm where Vera is."
James immediately contacted his people. After half an hour, he finally received the good news.
"Boss, Miss Vera never left Solaris Hotel. The staff confirmed that Miss Vera ordered breakfast two hours ago."
"I see. Thank you. Tell the boys on standby. Watch Vera when she gets out of the hotel. Keep her safe."
"Copy, boss!"
"Alright." James hung up the call.
"Did they find Miss Vera?"
"Yes." James nodded his head. "She's still at Solaris Hotel, so we have nothing to worry about. My men will follow her around to ensure her safety."
"Thank God. I thought someone abducted her."
James saw the tears forming in the corner of Hazel's eyes. "Come here."
Hazel made a gradual strode toward James and hooked her arms around his waist. James rubbed her back to comfort her.
"You can stop worrying now, hm?" James pulled Hazel into his embrace. He kissed her forehead while coaxing her.
James let Hazel stay in his arms until she withdrew from the embrace. He knew Hazel recalled the time Jake attempted to abduct her. That's why she had the suspicion.
"Thank you." Hazel buried her face into James' shoulder. She thought that someone might kidnap Vera.
She recounts the night Jake tried to abduct her because she rejected him many times to talk at the party. Gratefully, James followed her, and he saved her from Jake. Since that night, every time she feels down or mad at someone, she misses being wrapped inside James' arms because it calms her down and makes her feel secure.
"You are very welcome, my love."
Hazel's cheeks turn scarlet red after James mutters those sweet words. She danced inside her chest after James used an endearment for her.
James slightly parted from Hazel to look at her face. Hazel also looked up at him to search for something on his face, and she saw the sincerity in James' eyes. When James lowered his head and kissed her, Hazel responded and put her arms around his neck to deepen the kiss.
In the corridor, a middle-aged woman halted in her tracks, covering her mouth not to yell out of happiness. She slowly left that hall and trotted toward the garden, where the older people were lounging cozily while watching the little kids playing on the grass.
"Sweetheart! Finally! Our son had the courage to court the girl he likes!"
"Huh? I thought they're dating already?"
"Humph! Obviously, your son didn't confess to that girl. The reason I keep calling Hazel my daughter-in-law is to urge James."
John shook his head, listening to his wife. He knew Manni was brewing something. That is why she never left Hazel alone. Now her dreams finally come true.
Meanwhile, after the long kiss, Hazel pulled her head to gasp for air, but she remained to lock eyes with James.
"Is something in your mind?" James asked Hazel when he saw she was hesitant about something.
Hazel nodded after she contemplated how to ask James with the question form in her head.
"What is it?" Using his thumb, James caresses Hazel's chin, encouraging her to feel comfortable around him. He knew Hazel was a curious cat by nature, and she could not hide that from her eyes.
"Umm…" Hazel inhaled, then let out her breath slowly. "It's actually nothing. I'm just curious. Earlier, when you mentioned your men to look for Miss Vera. You sounded like a boss!"
James chuckled and petted Hazel's head. Hazel's eyes are twinkling like he was the most impressive man in her eyes, and James felt delighted to think of that.
'Of course. I am a Mafia boss.'
*
Extra Scene:
"Is Vera with you?" James did a quick type on his phone, sending someone a message.
Not long, a reply arrived.
"Yes."
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢