Jayson hadn't returned for several days, and Sidney was content to have some peace. For her, every day away was a day to escape. She spent her days in Jayson's house, buried in books, determined to finish every book in the study. During her stay, she also went up to the third floor, where she found an entire floor dedicated to entertainment. There was a home theater, a bar, and a temperature-controlled wine cabinet with hundreds of bottles of red wine. On the table, there was even an unfinished cigar.
Sidney wasn't very interested in the third floor and only took a casual glance before leaving. For the past few days, it had been just her and the butler at home. When the butler was off, he stayed in his small room. Their lives were quiet, and unless Sidney needed something, the butler usually didn't appear.
Sidney lay on the sofa in the study, flipping through books, when suddenly her phone in her pocket rang. Since her marriage, she rarely received calls, so she curiously took it out. It was actually Alondra.
Sidney picked up the phone happily. "Hello?"
Alondra: "How's married life treating you? Has Finnegan been keeping you occupied in all the right ways?"
Sidney: "You're crazy! What nonsense are you talking?"
Alondra: "Oh come on! Isn't that what newlyweds usually do?"
Sidney: "Keep that dirty mind to yourself! What do you want?"
Alondra: "Nothing special, I just never congratulated you on your wedding. Do you have time now? Let's meet up. I've got a gift for you."
Sidney: "When?"
Alondra: "This afternoon, or today, if you're free? Or do you want to meet another day?"
"I have nothing on today, let's meet in the afternoon?"
"Two o'clock, at X Garden. Don't be late!"
Sidney hung up the phone, washed her face, changed into a new outfit, then rummaged through her large canvas bag to prepare to leave. She still wasn't familiar with the traffic here and knew it would take some time to reach X Garden.
Sidney went downstairs and saw the housekeeper tidying up. She politely greeted her, "I'm heading out, I'll be back after dinner."
"Where are you going, ma'am?"
"Oh, I'm meeting a friend."
"What kind of friend?"
Sidney thought to herself, This housekeeper is being way too nosy. It's almost like she's monitoring me. "A female friend, my good friend."
"Please wait, ma'am. Let me make a quick call."
Sidney watched as the housekeeper took out her phone and made a call, feeling confused. Who did she need to contact to leave the house?
After finishing the call, the housekeeper turned to Sidney, stiffly but respectfully saying, "Please wait for ten minutes, ma'am. Someone will come to escort you shortly."
"Oh." So it's the driver, Sidney thought. That makes sense. This place is on the outskirts, and without a driver, it would be a hassle to get around. She was secretly relieved that Jayson had thought of this and solved her problem.
Not long after, the doorbell rang. The housekeeper opened the door, and three burly men entered in single file. Sidney was startled, unsure of what was happening.
"Ma'am, the car is outside, please get in," the three men said in unison, bowing respectfully to Sidney.
"You are... the drivers?"
"We are your bodyguards, ma'am. Please get in the car."
Sidney stood there stunned for a moment before following them into the car. Two of the men sat in the front, and one more sat a little farther away from her. They all sat upright, with serious, unsmiling faces, making Sidney think back to that day when she saw the bodyguards at the Opal Lounge entrance.
After a moment of thought, Sidney finally spoke, "Did Mr. Nixon send you here?"
"Yes, we are responsible for ensuring your safety, ma'am."
Although Sidney knew that Jayson was a well-known figure in B City, and even helped run his father's club, was it really necessary to go this far?
When they arrived at X Garden, the bodyguard in the passenger seat got out first to open the car door for Sidney. Then another bodyguard came over to escort her into the plaza. Sidney felt like all eyes were on her. She lowered her head, feeling extremely awkward as she tried to hide.
Today, she wore a T-shirt and denim jeans, carrying a large canvas bag. She looked nothing like a wealthy person! Surrounded by bodyguards like this, it felt like some kind of show.
As they entered the mall, every gaze directed at them lingered. Some whispered to each other, while others pulled out their phones to take pictures, probably thinking a celebrity had arrived. Sidney stopped and awkwardly glanced at the men around her. "I'm meeting in the café up ahead. Could you wait outside? Or, leave me your number, and I'll call you when I'm done?"
"Sorry, Madam. We've been instructed to accompany you at all times."
Sidney's face turned pale at this.
