Hailey's hand paused mid-air as she was about to pick up another fruit. She withdrew her hand and fisted her cloth with it, to cease it from trembling. "I– I don't know what to do with Rob." Her voice strained and she tried to swallow the lump in her throat. "B–But I think he will understand. I am so hopeless, Chloe. I wish I could make a choice that will be to both our advantage."Her heart squeezed with guilt and her eyes watered. Breaking this to Rob was the same as making her look unreliable. He was patient enough with her, now she was even ashamed of speaking of this to him. "I want you to do me a favor, Chloe." Hailey sniffed and continued. "I want you to help me talk to Rob. Tell him that I will never abandon him. He should exercise more patience.""But, Hailey. You know I hate to see you sad." Chloe gave her a hug. "If only you could change your decision. Believe me, I'll find us another plan.""You don't have to bother anymore," Hailey reassured her. Kendrick had the right
****But the next morning, Hailey woke up to find Kendrick with her on the bed. His hand was wrapped around her bump as usual, as he held her in a spoonful position. 'Urgh!' She let out a groan and pushed his hand away. "Did you sleep well?" His deep husky voice jolted her and Hailey turned to her side to see his eyes opened.Of course, she slept like a log. Otherwise, how could she not have been aware that he had sneaked in on her? She gave him a hard glare and he chuckled. Kendrick pushed himself up, using one arm to support himself. Then Hailey realized he was shirtless, and her eyes widened. "Kendrick, you. Haven't we spoken about this?" She pointed at his exposed chest. "About not wearing clothes?" He raised a brow and Hailey nodded, deepening her glare. "Ah, but I didn't get to sleep early last night. I guess I was so tired to grab one.""You." Hailey gave him a stern look. He was blatantly lying to her without even batting an eye. How despicable. This cunning man. She sa
Kendrick turned to face her with a towel in hand. "There is fresh air outside in the field. This house is large enough, you can take a walk all you want." She knew it. Hailey rubbed her forehead. There was no way this jerk would concede to any of her requests. And those stupid guards, one time she walked near the gate and all of them flooded to her. Even the maids had been looming over her like an army of flies.Kendrick raised his hand to her hair and she jerked away."Do you want to go out that bad?" He asked in a soft tone."Of course, I have to go out. Seeing your face every day is even giving me nightmares.""Hailey?"She pouted. Kendrick shook his head again and a chuckle escaped his lips. "Don't get sad. I'll make arrangements for that.""Arrangements?""Of course."Hailey frowned and tilted her head. Wasn't he just supposed to say one word and the guards would let her out? What kind of arrangement was he talking about?"Then when can I go out?" She demanded.Kendrick stroke
Hailey picked up a glass of water from one of the waiters' trays and found a corner to sit at. It wouldn't hurt to watch. Besides, her eyes needed something new, after being stuck with seeing Kendrick's and his servants' faces every day. The event's organizer stepped up on the stage a while later. He gave a welcoming speech to the guests, and asked everyone to feel at home and have themselves entertained, before the main course of the event.The people as expected went back to their socializing before the organizer could even put down the mic. Hailey rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time and waved to a waitress who was distributing pastries. She picked as many cupcakes as she could from the waitress's tray, and accompanied it with a bottle of juice. Of course, not many people came to these kinds of events only purposely for the auctions that would go to the charity homes. The majority of them are only here to strike up deals and sponsor their own businesses. It had been the norm
But the money was going to charity, and she felt obliged to buy something. However, the problem was that nothing had really caught her attention. Some of the statues were even scary. Otherwise, she could have gotten one to decorate her garden. Hailey yawned and watched with a palm supporting her cheek, as voices rose now and then, each one trying to outbid the other. She glanced down at her wristwatch and stifled another yawn, as the auctioneer continued."Next item on the list, is a fine piece of jewelry. It has been around for ages, firstly worn by the warrior empress across the east sea. Forged from the purest of gems, it was created by the great smith himself. Who traveled across the seven plains. And who here doesn't know their love story?" Well, that caught Hailey's attention. Inside a transparent glass that was just carted to the stage, was the finest jewelry she ever saw. Its sapphire moon-kissed gem sparkled against the light, reflecting the colors of the surrounding. The
No one even had the spirit to bid again, and most of the items were either sold at their second or third prices.Hailey decided to swallow the shame. She wouldn't go home empty-handed. Not when she had come this far. Ah. She raised her card and bid for a strange-looking painting, its name was even weirder. But the design looked unique, her grandfather was going to love it. The painting was sold to her immediately, no one even competed for it. Either they did that out of pity or were simply intimidated, Hailey did not care. Urgh! How could this night get any worse? It was all Kendrick's fault.When the auction was over and her painting was packed for her, Hailey decided to take a trip to the washroom. She washed her face and brought out a powder pallet to retouch her makeup. Noises came from the hallway before the door opened. The three girls from before came inside, and she felt a headache coming."Oh my God, she must be heavily loaded." "Even Sharon was outbid by her, I wonder
It was as if everything was well and thoroughly planned already. That Kendrick. And she was only aware of it just a few minutes ago. Hailey followed behind the uniform man, to the very quiet living room. No one was around. No servants nor bodyguards."Please have a seat, Miss. I will call the Master's attention."The man gestured to the couch, and Hailey sat down.Her eyes wandered around the place once more. Seemed like Kendrick's parents loved luxury. Every piece of furniture in the room looked very neat and expensive. Even the couch was white, and the floor sparkled. Footsteps sounded from the stairs and Hailey looked up. Kendrick's parents walked toward her and although they were in casual clothes, they still emitted that aura of extravagance. They almost seemed intimidating. Especially his father whose face held no expression. Hailey could see where Kendrick got most of his genes from. On the opposite, his mother had a very big smile on. The woman was so beautiful, even her t
Hailey's jaw dropped at the sight of the lady. And she blinked, to make sure she wasn't seeing wrong. "I told you to stop going around with these in your ears." Kendrick's mum stood up to take off the ear pods. "What if you hurt your earbuds," she scolded in a doting manner. The girl she called Pinky, who Hailey didn't actually believe it was her real name, smiled at the woman after taking the ear pods off. When she looked at Hailey, she frowned as if trying to recognize her, then her expression changed."Dear, this is my sister's daughter. She's Ken's cousin. Pinky, meet your new sister-in-law?"Kendrick's mum tried to introduce them. "Oh, so it is true. Ken really got a wife." The lady plastered on a smile and extended her hand to Hailey. "Hello, nice to meet you, again I guess. Don't mind Aunty, you can call me Sharon."Of course, Hailey already knew her real name was Sharon. They just formed a history an hour ago. And she was Kendrick's cousin? What a small world."Nice to mee