38 Enslave Him?

"Hi! Good evening!" Hailey cheerfully greeted the fish vendors. 

They are gleefully attending to her, and soon, their attention shifts to the man halted next to her. Hailey tried to ignore his presence, but everyone started a conversation with him.

Of course, they all know about him. His family is famous in the entire country because of SHEN GROUP and his mother's family. 

But in later years, Vincent's name gained popularity after he built plenty of infrastructure projects in the entire Metro City and its closest provinces.

"Good evening, Mr. Shen!"

"Good evening." Vince politely greeted everyone.

"Mr. Shen, is it true that you will run for Senatorial candidacy?" one fish hauler came closer when he recognized the man gracing his presence in the market. 

Hailey glanced at Vince. It's not the first time he was asked this question. He was often asked if he had a plan to enter politics like the rest of his relatives.

"No. That's not true. I don't have interest in it." 

And the usual, Vince would decline following the expression of regret from these people.

The upper class, especially the lower-class families, convinced him to run for a higher position in government in the upcoming election about two years from now.

"It would make us happy if you ran for Senatorial position, Mr. Shen! You can hope for our votes!" said one man.

"That's right, Mr. Shen! I can assure you. My entire family will cast our vote for you!" And the others would also express their feelings.

"Even running for Presidency, you can have our support, Mr. Shen! My relatives in the province will also vote for you!"

"Only your relatives?" Cracked by the other vendors. "My entire town will give their support for Mr. Shen!"

Then everyone concurred and cheered, showing support for him.

Hailey knew Vince was uncomfortable discussing this issue. He is the type of person who would rather hide from the spotlight than be in the center of attention.

Having the thought of joining politics is the last thing on his mind, and often, he is urged to run for a national position.

While the vendors and workers continue discussing, they resume strolling around the market and avoid further questions.

Later, Mr. Bill arrived to warn the market vendors and workers not to disturb their shopping.

Hailey beamed, thinking how Vince suddenly put in a hot seat. She could see he was having trouble explaining and put a few words into why he was not interested in entering politics.

In the months that they were in contract, she witnessed how Vince worked seriously in his projects for the benefit of many. 

Not only to profit but to create tremendous changes throughout the country. Vince had a big dream to do many changes in Metro City and turn it into a better place to live by.

Vince was following quietly behind her. They are now approaching the area where giant fish are displayed. Salmon, mackerel, named it all!

"Can I have only half of the salmon, ma'am?" asked Hailey.

"Sure! Should I already slice thin sizes?"

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

The woman cleans the whole salmon before cutting it in half then thin slices. Within like five minutes, the woman finished immediately. 

She was really impressed how these fish vendors could finish cleaning and cutting in a short time.

She queried them before and their answer; they got used to it, but it takes practice, yes. So then, by now, they could clean a fish in a short time, which in the beginning, took them over ten minutes to cut everything.

Hailey pays for the fish, and the woman hands her the plastic bag. And before she could hold on to it, Vince already took them.

They stroll through a few more stalls to check out the displays. She saw giant squids, and she bought a kilo of them. She glanced at Vince and said, "I'll make you a Calamari for lunch!"

Vince nodded, who was quietly following her. She wandered her eyes to other stalls when she glimpsed newly displayed seaweeds.

"Whoa! They have various seaweeds now!" Hailey rushed to the stall, leaving Vince behind. She asked a series of questions to the vendor while she bought half a kilo of red algae named Eucheuma that naturally grows, mostly in tropical places.

"I'll make a salad when we get home," she turned her head and asked Vince, "You want some as well?"

Vince only nodded at her and said nothing. Hailey thought, 'Is he mad because I didn't respond to him earlier?'

However, the truth was Vince in deep thoughts. He thought he should hire an errand assistant for Hailey to do all sorts of shopping, especially here in Market City.

He ponders that it should be someone who knows about fishes, seaweeds, and seafood such as clams, crabs, shrimps.

Vince was about to open his mouth, but he was approached by other market workers who conversed with him.

Hailey didn't notice that Vince tried to talk with her, but these market vendors and market workers always stole his attention.

While Vince talked to them, she gestured at him to go toward the stalls selling eggs.

She is looking for quail eggs.

Waiting for the vendor to pack the eggs she bought, Hailey glances at Vince.

It was also the moment Vince turned his head in her direction, and their eyes locked. She blushed.

Hailey withdraws her gaze and pretends to converse with the shopkeeper.

Well, she honestly avoided talking with him about what he said earlier.

Why would Vince suddenly say he's jealous? Why would he feel that way?

Isn't it in their agreement no one should fall in love? Is he breaking their contract?

Wait… This is not cool. She should review their agreement. Something is wrong here.

Because until now, it dazed her, thinking about what Vince meant when he said he was jealous. 

She could still not comprehend if he was serious when they were in a public market.

Is that a perfect time, a perfect place to discuss it? She believes it's not.

Ah! What she wanted to do was pretend she didn't hear him.

Because she had a bigger problem to deal with, she had to explain to her dad and friends why she was blocking their calls and didn't reply to the messages right away.

Right now, she was sure that it troubled them why she was avoiding talking to them. It's been almost a year since she left after calling the wedding off.

Hailey was now done buying what she needed. She went to one store and bought a styrofoam bucket with a handle.

"What are you going to do with that?"

Vince spoke behind Hailey, which surprised her because she fell into deep thoughts.

"Ah. We will put the fish inside. We won't leave your car to have a foul smell," she explained to Vince.

"That's okay. Someone can clean the car tomorrow."

"But it was..."

Vince's phone rang. He could not take it from his pocket when his hands were full of shopping plastic bags.

"Um…"

Hailey could see that Vince was having trouble answering the call. He needs to free his hand.

"I can have those plastic bags." She offered help, but Vince declined.

"No. Can you reach for my phone and check who's calling?"

"Oh…" Suddenly, Hailee's heart is thumping loud. Vince's phone was in his right front pocket.

Her chest is beating wildly. She was too nervous, praying Vince won't hear her heartbeats.

But before Hailey could reach for Vince's pants, the call died.

Their eyes met for a moment; she was about to sigh with relief when his phone rang again. It looks like an important call.

This time, she didn't think twice; Hailey reached Vince's phone and showed it to him. It was Tim. She swipes the green button and extends her arm to put the phone on Vince's ear.

Hailey held her breath. Their bodies are too close. Biting her lower lip, she looks away to avoid Vince's gaze into her face while he talks to Tim.

It looks like a serious problem, as Vince mentioned for a meeting tomorrow, and he gives several instructions to Tim.

"Miss, what color do you want to choose?"

The shopkeeper asked her, who had no idea what was happening as Vince faced his back to the store and covered her. She could not answer, she peeps over Vince's shoulder, and her finger pointed to a blue color styrofoam bucket with a handle. Soon the woman handed it to her.

The shopkeeper, who looked younger than her, had just realized what was happening. Her lips curled into a teasing smile, her eyes teasing them.

Hailey blushed; she pursed her lips into a shy smile. She took the box and gestured at Vince to put the plastic bags inside. 

Now that his hand was free, he took the phone from Hailey to let her pay for the bucket. He takes a few steps away and resumes talking to his assistant.

Meanwhile, Hailey handed the vendor some cash, and the vendor returned some change. Hailey smiled and said, "Thank you!" 

"You're welcome." 

Hailey grabbed the handle of the bucket to carry it. But she realized it was heavier, so she had to balance her stand to walk.

Soon, someone took the bucket from her hand. She looked up. Vince is now standing in front of her. 

"You should have waited for me. It was heavy. Next time, I want you to let me carry things for you."

Hailey opens her mouth, but no words come out. 'Is he coming with me again here next week?'

She tried to process it in her head. 

To recall what happened today. First, Vince was in a rage and took revenge on her behalf. He then announced that no one must touch his woman. Vince is telling everyone that she is his woman.

Although it was just an act, everyone would now think twice before offending her.

After that, Vince prepared a special dinner for them. And when they had a shopping trip at the wet city market, Vince admits he is jealous if she smiles too much in front of other men. 

She would like to think he is being possessive now. But she concluded, it's just an act.

But now, Vince is saying that she could enslave him? 

Could it be the correct interpretation?