44 Post Valentine's Day (Spoiler 01)

Months ago...

Hailey hugged herself when the night breeze kissed her skin. She only wore a halter dress and didn't bring a coat.

She was at M Resort as one of her classmates celebrated her nineteenth birthday today, and they got a VIP room just for themselves to have fun all night.

But Hailey only drank a little since she volunteered to drive her friends home. So here she is, hiding from them. Otherwise, everyone would force her to drink.

At the moment, she was at the back exit door, sitting on the staircase while watching the night skyline.

She misses home: her dad and everyone. She also misses those times they spent on her yacht and watching the night sky like this.

But so many things change after Bryan proposes to her, and then without a second thought, she accepts it, but Bryan reunites with his girlfriend he met in New York when he took his second course years ago.

Even though she didn't love Bryan like how a woman should love her future husband, she had already set her mind on spending her life with him.

She loves him, but it's not the love he needs. It's not enough for him, and she understood that. So now, she wanted to move on and forget everything that had happened.

But every time she would tell herself this, she chickens out. She could still not bring herself to go back to Australia.

Now then, she's stuck in this city, and she feels bored already. Each day only becomes lonelier for Hailey.

She enjoyed the times she hung out with her new friends. But she could not avoid feeling lonely every time she was alone.

Hailey was in deep thought when her ears caught a faint voice, and it was coming closer in her direction.

Later, the voice got louder, and she could sense the fury in it. Besides, she recognized this voice.

"What do you mean she already moved out? I paid you to take care of everything! Then you have to look for her!"

Hailey didn't want to eavesdrop, but she got intrigued. 'He didn't know where his wife was? What kind of husband is he? Why didn't he know the whereabouts of his wife? Don't tell me he does not know either she is cheating on him?'

"Find her, and force her to sign the divorce paper!"

The following statement makes Hailey freeze. 'He's divorcing Eva? Did he find out already that she cheated on him?'

Hailey glanced over her shoulder when the glass exit door opened.

The man, who was none other than Vincent Shen, halted when he realized another person was outside.

Hailey pushes a thin, friendly smile before she withdraws her gaze. 

'Oh, my God! I will pretend that I hear nothing.' Hailey bit her lower lip, pretending she browsed her phone, waiting for Vincent Shen to retreat and return inside.

However, it startled her when he spoke behind her; he was this close already!

"Would you mind if I sat here?" Vincent gestured to the space next to her.

Hailey carefully gathered her thoughts in one place to avoid looking flustered in front of Vince.

She looked up and nodded at him. "Sure! Of course! I don't own these stairs."

She said jokingly, which she knew how lame it was. Gladly, Vincent laughs at her poor humor.

Somehow, it settles her heartbeats. Unexpectedly seeing him made her chest flutter wildly.

She had never felt this way before when she was near other men. It was only Vincent Shen, and it confused her... 'Why is that?' Hailey mused to herself.

"What are you doing here, alone?" Vince queried after he sat down beside her. He added, "It's cold. Are you waiting for someone?"

Hailey tried to reply in a casual tone. "Yes."

"Ah, your boyfriend, then?"

"Hm? I don't have a boyfriend."

Vince is nodding. He seemed to be trying to guess. "I see. Then, your friends?"

"Um... No." Hailey shook her head. It looks like he is interested in playing punch line games with her

"Who, then?"

"My forever..."

A long silence passed between them. Later, they are both laughing. Hailey then apologizes afterward.

"I'm sorry! That was too lame for a joke! Honestly, I borrowed it from my crazy college friends throwing a joke at each other." Hailey tried to sound cheerful to hide her embarrassment.

"I actually would like to retort on that, but it would be a more lame response," said Vince.

"Oh. Try me! I won't laugh." She urges Vince and a huge smile across her face.

Vince stares at her beautiful face. He blinks, then scratches his temple as he chuckles. She appeared eager to hear his retort, and it looked like he had no choice but to share what was on his mind.

"Okay. Well, I'm about to say that... Maybe I'm the one you are waiting for?"

Hailey blinks several times. It took her a few moments to recover from the thrill. She pursed a sweet smile and said to Vince, "That was a perfect line!"

"Ah, you know..."

Seeing Vince blush, Hailey quickly explained not to have an embarrassing moment between them.

"I'm embarrassed with that lame humor of mine. Ever since I moved here, I have heard a lot of great jokes from everyone! I mean, the humor here is hilarious!"

"I could see that, but... As you see, I am married. So, you probably would think it's only a joke." Honestly, he is having a hard time clarifying himself because he doesn't want to be misunderstood, even if he meant what he said just now.

"No worries! I'm just making a joke out of myself. I'm a little bored waiting for my friends. I need not get drunk to drive them home."

"I see." Vince glanced at his wristwatch. The time is eleven o'clock. "Hm. Then it would be best if you stayed awake. How about coffee? I will treat you at the same time if you would not mind. I'll keep you company."

"Oh, I might bother you and bore you!"

"Not at all. I'm also kind of bored at the drinking party of my friends. Especially when I can't follow their topics."

"Oh..." Hailey contemplates whether it's a good idea if people will see her hanging out with Vincent Shen.

"So?"

"Okay! I'm actually thinking of buying a cup of coffee when it's cold out here." Finally, she accepted Vince's invitation, setting aside her troubles.

Delight is exhibited in Vince's eyes when he remembers.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I forget to introduce myself... Vincent Shen."

Hailey glanced at Vince's hand. He extended it for a handshake. She smiled and uttered, "No problem! I have already known you since I saw you in school and…."

"At the Café, right?"

"Yeah, and on TV... Oh, Hailey Hillson, by the way."

"It's a nice name." 

"Thank you." Hailey took Vince's hand. It was warm. Somewhat she likes to stay held by him. But she quickly took back her hand when the warmth crept toward her heart. It was an electrifying sensation she had never felt before.

"Shall we?" Soon, Vince stood up. Once again, he extended his hand to help her stand.

He was a gentleman! Why is Eva looking for another man if she has a perfect husband? Rich, handsome, talented architect and… 'Ah! Why am I thinking all of this stuff?' Hailey contemplated as she strode toward the door.

And before she reached the door, a warm coat landed on her shoulder. Her eyes filled with awe, meeting Vince's eyes, peering down at her.

"It's cold. You can borrow it for a while," he said with a soothing voice. Vince pushed a warm smile on his lips. He walks to the door to open it. "Ladies first."

Hailey was in a trance. She could not control how much her heart reacted crazily to his handsome smile and gentle voice.

Why does it get her excited that she's with Vince now? What is he doing, by the way? Is he flirting with her?

She has seen this in movies! A coffee and talk, and what next?

'Chill out, Hailey! Remember, he is a married man! Stop having wild imagination!' She scolded herself after she could not stop feeling thrilled.

'It's just a coffee.' She keeps reminding herself. 'But why does it feel different being with him?' She keeps reasoning within herself.

"Is something wrong?" asked Vince when she did not move but remained frozen on the floor.

Hailey shook her head to wake up from her crazy thoughts. She smiled at Vince as she replied, "Everything is fine! Let's go!"