Chapter 456 - Missing?

"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.

"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."