The task was nearly finished. The shadow lurking behind the hall receded, and Sidney turned, noticing it. A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she pulled out her phone from her soft leather bag.
"Where are you?" Sidney said lazily, propping her head on her hand.
"I'm at the Opal Lounge, why?"
"I'm in the lobby on the first floor. Come on over!"
Not long after, a woman stepped out of the elevator, dressed in a pure white, low-cut lace mini dress. Her long, coffee-toned hair with hints of auburn was styled into an elegant updo, revealing a slender, pale neck. In her hand, she held a glossy black leather clutch, while her feet were adorned with three-inch heels made from exotic alligator skin. She walked toward them with an effortless grace, her every step exuding confidence and allure.
"Whoa! Wait a second—are you really Sidney?" The woman stopped beside Sidney, bending slightly to examine her makeup.
"Stop talking nonsense, I don't have much time." Sidney glared at her, signaling for her to sit down.
The woman sat across from Sidney, still looking at her with considerable interest.
"This bag… where did you get it? Genuine goat leather isn't cheap."
"My dad gave me his card for today, so I used it."
"Your dad, that stingy man, actually agreed to it! Seems like he's really determined."
"I just met Jayson."
"Why would he want to meet you?"
"He saw the materials my dad sent him and decided to meet me."
"And then?"
"He agreed."
The woman's expression became complex, and after a moment of silence, she spoke in a low voice, "At first, I thought this was impossible, so I didn't want to say anything. But now, with things turning out this way, I have to warn you. Jayson is not an ordinary man. Don't think just because he runs this club, he's a businessman. His family background is shady! "How else could he run a casino in this city and still stay under the radar? In this club, there are so many women—like bees to honey—fighting for his attention… wanting to sleep with him. His whole nightlife revolves around the Opal Lounge, surrounded by women. So, why would you want to get involved with him?"
"Alondra, I can't stand it anymore. I can't stay in that house any longer. If I don't leave, I'll drive myself crazy."
"Then you could move out, find a place to live! It's better than making yourself worse, right?"
I'm already completely ruined, you know? Two weeks ago, Carl Knox's mom came to see me. She told me they're just simple country folk and couldn't marry into a rich family. She also hinted that my background wasn't clean and basically told us to break up. I was still holding onto a little hope that Carl would stand up for me, but then, not long after, he told me his mom had found him a match—the daughter of a doctor from their village... He said he wanted us to part on good terms. How am I supposed to just accept that?"
"You and Carl should've broken up ages ago! He doesn't deserve you—he's nothing but a schemer. And honestly, being an illegitimate child isn't even a big deal; there are tons of them in this city! Plus, your last name is Calderon, and most people don't even know your real background. His mom never liked you; she was just looking for a reason to put you down. I think you're torturing yourself because you care too much about your mom's past."
"It's only now that I realize I can't marry into a normal, decent family. Even if I do, once they find out about my family situation, they'll never look at me the same way. I've always been looked down upon in the Calderon family, and yet they won't let me leave. My aunt wants me to watch her suffer. I've been carrying this guilt for years, and she still won't forgive me. This is my only shot at making things right. If I do this, everyone will be happy, and I can finally leave the Calderon family behind. I think it's worth it."
"You're jumping from one fire pit into another," Alondra Wilson said, frowning and speaking in a low voice.
"It doesn't matter if I jump into another fire pit, I don't love him anyway, he can't hurt me. What matters is that I can leave the Calderon family."
"You're being too naive. How can you be sure you'll really be able to break free from the Calderon family? Don't forget, you're still a Calderon."
"My dad told my aunt that as long as I marry him, no matter what happens afterward, they won't hold that past over me anymore. Even if I get a divorce, I can go wherever I want, and they won't interfere. It'll be like it never happened."
"I've told you to atone for your sins, but hasn't twelve years been enough? Now you're even willing to sacrifice your marriage?" Alondra rolled her eyes, thinking this woman was completely blind to what was right in front of her.
"Alondra, you know I've been having nightmares all the time, especially recently, I dream about that day, about my mom, and Aunt… The things my mom said to me in her letter... I can't forget them..." At this point, Sidney felt short of breath, as if she was suffocating.
"Sigh! Your mom's words have tormented you for twelve years! If she had known it would end up like this, she probably wouldn't have told you back then."
"Alondra, you're the only friend I have left," Sidney said, her voice soft but filled with urgency. "I really need you to stand by me on this."
"I'm telling you the truth because I consider you my best friend. I see much more of the Nixon family than you do. The Nixon family is no ordinary business family. Go back and ask your dad to find you a rich, simpler family!" Alondra tried to persuade her with heartfelt concern.
"It's precisely because it's complicated and not simple that they want me to marry him, right? Otherwise, why would it be my turn? This time, he's determined to get into the Nixon family, and I have no choice," Sidney lowered her eyes, unable to look her in the eye anymore.
"Sigh... Well, if you've made up your mind, I'll wish you the best. But just remember, don't mess with Jayson. Once you're in that family, you'll have to play the quiet little wife to stay safe." She knew she couldn't persuade Sidney any longer; she had already made up her mind.
"...Thank you, Alondra, I'll send you a wedding invitation when the time comes." She tugged at the strap of her purse, still not daring to look up at her.
"Mm... But it's better if I don't stay long. I'll just visit you briefly to congratulate you, and then give you a proper gift another day?"
"Okay... By the way, there's something I want to tell you," Sidney suddenly remembered the main reason she asked Alondra to come and raised her head to speak to her.
""For this marriage, I've worked it out with my dad. He's going to give me a $500,000 cash gift. How about I give it to you? To pay off your debts, it's a little help."
"...I don't want money that comes with strings attached." Alondra's face changed drastically, clearly not happy.
"If you keep working by day and at the club by night, your body will wear out. Take the 500,000 for now to pay off part of the debt, so you can be a bit lighter. I'm more than happy to help."
"You need money too!"
"I don't have many expenses, so take it for now! Don't refuse me!"
"Or, I'll write you an IOU? Don't count interest on me!"
"Okay!" Sidney smiled, her face as pure and white as jade, revealing two deep dimples. Her round eyes curved with laughter, and in that moment, surrounded by Alondra, she felt the most at ease—free from any worries or restraint.
