16 Pretending Not Care

Hailey lifted her gaze to watch Vince retreating. He hadn't texted earlier to tell her whether he liked the lunch she sent over, so she didn't waste her time making dinner in the evening. 

But honestly, she's only sulking, not being appreciated. Or maybe she just acted childishly because she was pampered by everyone all her life, so she isn't used to being ignored. 

Anyway, why does she want Vince's attention? He is only a stranger to her. She didn't demand anything from someone not close to her, or she hadn't known this person for a long time.

'Ahhhhhhhh! A contract only binds us!' Why is she acting like this, by the way?

Did she only act stupid in front of him? Gosh! So, she just embarrassed herself to Vince? Ugh!

Meanwhile, Vince sat on his leather armchair, rested his back, and closed his eyes.

He didn't attend his dinner meeting with the investors because he has important things to do tonight and plans to work on them after dinner. Besides, he looks forward to having a wonderful dinner at home since Hailey brought him a peace offering lunch earlier today.

But to his disappointment, she prepared nothing this evening. And he is starving.

Vince was in deep thought when his phone rang. He wants to ignore it, but maybe it's important. He hasn't visited his parent's home in a month now.

"Hey..." He answered his phone.

"Cousinnnnnnn! Huhuhuh....."

Vince rolled his eyes. He massaged his forehead while listening to the man on the other line. "So? What's up?"

"Please, save me!" Weeping by a man none other than Carl.

Lazily, Vince asked his cousin, "What happened?"

"Cousin, please give me one of your flats! I'm about to move out of here!"

Listening to Carl's ugly howls, Vince shook his head. He asked, "Why do you want to move out and live in a penthouse? You are living in a mansion."

"Ah! Just don't ask!"

Vince burst out laughing. He knew the reason his cousin wanted to leave home.

"Stop laughing! I'm doing this for your dad too!"

"Huh? What's going on?" he asked innocently, even though he had already guessed the root of this drama.

"We need a hiding place! Or else we're going crazy one day!" Carl whined.

"Heh. You just ignored mom, and like you weren't used to her nagging yet." Ah. His mom surely could shake the ground. Vince mused. He pulled his ear away from the phone when Carl growled like a slaughtered cow. 

"Ah! You could say that because you weren't here!"

"Well, now dad realizes why I leave home." Vince curled the corner of his mouth. But later, he gives in. "Okay, I'll get someone to clean and furnish my penthouse in the East Bay."

Delighted, Carl jumped. "Can I borrow your yacht, cousin?"

Vince raised a brow. Now he understood. "Don't you dare bring your girlfriends into my house and yacht!"

Stammering, Carl scratched his head. Damn! His cousin quickly caught him! "I... I plan to bring your dad to fish. Why would you accuse me of going on a date using your yacht?"

Vince rolled his eyes; he knew his cousin, so it was better to warn him. "I'll let you live there and use it for dad to unwind and have a break from mom's nagging. But it should be just overnight once in a while, and you both should go home the next day to watch mom."

"Ehhh?"

"I want you to keep an eye on me, mom. I will always be out of the country soon. So I want to make sure she does nothing weird."

"Are you afraid Auntie will do something with your girlfriend?"

"Kinda... But I was more concerned about her. I hope she wouldn't do stupid things that put her in an unlikely situation. So I want you to keep an eye on mom."

"Okay…" Carl concurred. "But I need a break once in a while, you know."

"I understood, and that's why I'll allow you to use my yacht. But..."

"But no girls! I get it…."

Carl said something more but didn't pay attention when his nose caught something.

"Wait..."

"Huh? Oh, did I interrupt you in the middle of it?" Carl widened the grin across his face, and Vince imagined it. 

"Shut up! I have a lot of work to do!" He rolled his eyes. Well, anyone would think this way since he opened his private life of having a mistress. "If you have nothing important to say, I'll hang up now. I need to continue my work."

"Hmm..."

Carl sounded teasing; Vince ignored it and did not wait for his cousin to say another word. He pressed the end call button and placed his phone on the table. He breathed the enticing aroma from the kitchen that made his stomach growl in hunger.

He sat up from his chair and walked toward the door. Vince peeps out from the study. He saw Hailey cooking something in the kitchen. Instantly, a smile tore across his face. 'Hmm...'

So, after all, she could not stand not cooking for him. He wonders what it is, and it smells like noodle soup, and he's drooling already.

Vince slowly shuts the door close; he sits back in his chair and pretends to be busy. Well, he's swamped. But for now, he will act like he didn't notice she prepared dinner for him.

After twenty minutes, as he only endured his hunger, he finally heard the knock he was waiting for that felt like it took forever… Vince quickly put down his phone. The truth is, he's just playing on his mobile phone while waiting for Hailey to knock on the door. If he works in his current state, he might pass out from hunger.

"Come in." He said in a serious tone. He glanced at his wristwatch, and it was 9:15.

When the door opened, he pretended to be browsing his computer without glancing at the girl standing between the doorjamb. 

"Ahem. I make a quick noodle soup. It's the fastest I could cook, so there's nothing much I prepared for dinner." Hailey informed Vince in a low voice.

"Hum... I'll come down in a bit," he replied flatly. Of course, he would not make himself look like a fool in front of this moody girl, so he pretends he is less interested in checking out what she cooked for him. But the truth is, he wanted to run to the kitchen.

Seeing he was busy with work, Hailey left without another word. Vince listened to the door shutting close gently; he waited for two minutes before coming down and to the dining table. He sat across from the woman eating a slice of caramel cake while reading on her PC Tab. Beside her plate is a cup of coffee.

'Is she reviewing her lessons?' Having thought about it, suddenly he felt guilty. Maybe he acted childish earlier? He was the mature one, but it looks like he acted stupidly. Nothing he could all think about was food. However, at this moment, he's starving. 

He was staring at the bowl in front of him. The noodle seems to wave at him. He swallowed. He wanted to dig in the food in one mouthful. But Vince takes it slow. At first, he gradually twirls his chopsticks and slowly draws the noodle into his mouth. It tastes heavenly. But he had to take his time, even though he was tempted to pick up the bowl and drink the soup in one gulp.

There are also tiny cuts of fried chicken. He picked up one and dipped it in the gravy. He stuffed his mouth with three cuts at once. He notices that Hailey's mouth is open, and the fork with a piece of caramel cake is hanging in the air while watching him eat. He coughed, lowering his gaze and focusing on his food. 

He almost forgets that he pretended not to be so hungry. So he must unhurriedly put food in his mouth. 

Suppressing not to tear a playful smile, Hailey picked up her mug and drank coffee. She could see he was hungry. But he pretends he just casually ate the food she prepared, not to waste them.

Well, she won't feel guilty that it was her intention not to cook tonight, which in the end, she had to, or he'll skip dinner again.

Ah! She is supposed not to care! 

Hailey was pondering when Vince spoke... She raised her head and looked at him.

"You don't need to bring me food tomorrow. It will be difficult for you to drive around, going toward the University."

She rendered speechlessly. Hailey mused, 'Is he declaring that we are okay now?'