"Thanks a lot... Where am I supposed to hide this?" Sidney looked at the sexy lingerie and dress in her hands, feeling extremely awkward.
"Why hide it? Just wear it proudly! A lot of girls wear these nowadays! They even have lingerie parties! Next time when you don't have a bodyguard, I'll take you to one!"
"...No thanks."
"Well, it's up to you! Maybe one day you'll decide to wear it!"
"..." Sidney was speechless. Perhaps because of Alondra's profession, she was accustomed to such things, but Sidney couldn't accept such exposure.
"Enough said, I need to get to work."
"Oh... Okay! Bye." Sidney put the lingerie and dress back into the paper bag and shoved it into a corner of the wardrobe.
At that moment, the door was knocked three times. Sidney hurriedly went to open the door and saw the butler standing there, bowing respectfully.
"Madam, Mr. Nixon called just now and asked you to come for lunch tomorrow noon."
"Oh, okay."
"Dinner is ready, please come down to eat. Also, there's no need to open the door next time, you can just say 'come in' or 'who's there' and it's fine."
Sidney awkwardly scratched her head to show she understood. The thought of meeting her father-in-law made her nervous. She hadn't seen Finnegan much, and wondered what he wanted to discuss with her. Looking at the open wardrobe, she wondered what would be appropriate to wear when meeting elders tomorrow. Her head started to ache. The most decent clothes in the wardrobe were the outfits her father had bought her for parties. She couldn't wear a gown, could she? After thinking for a moment, she decided to go for a white shirt and a formal A-line skirt, which felt safer.
After having dinner, Sidney followed the butler step by step, hoping to gather some information.
"Did you used to work at the old Finnegan's place?" Sidney asked.
"Yeah," the butler replied while clearing the dishes.
"Then you must know what kind of gifts my father-in-law likes?"
"He's really into wine, and he drinks only the wines that are specially selected by the vineyard."
Hearing this from the butler, Sidney felt like giving him wine as a gift might not be the best idea—it would feel a bit too cliché.
"Then what do you think I should prepare?"
"Actually, Madam, just spending time with Mr. Calderon would make him very happy. There's no need to prepare a special gift."
"But this is the first time we're meeting after the wedding!" Sidney felt that etiquette was necessary.
"Given that Finnegan struggles with walking, we need to keep that in mind."
"Oh! Okay!" Sidney thanked the butler and went back to her room.
The next day, before leaving, she had her bodyguard take a detour to the city to buy some health supplements for bones and joints before heading to the old Finnegan's place.
As she was welcomed into the house by the servant, she saw Jayson sitting on the sofa.
However, she wasn't surprised. There was no reason to invite the daughter-in-law for a meal without the son.
Sidney awkwardly nodded at Jayson before carrying the gift box over to greet her father-in-law.
"Hello, Dad." Sidney had grown up in the Calderon family, so she had learned to speak politely and address everyone by their titles.
When Finnegan saw Sidney, he smiled happily and beckoned her to sit beside him. Sidney took out a gift box and said to Finnegan, "I know Dad doesn't lack these, but it's just a little token from me. These are health supplements for strengthening bones and muscles. My mom has bad legs, and she usually takes these for maintenance. Plus, she does some rehabilitation. I've also learned a bit of massage skills. If you don't mind, after dinner, I can give you a foot and leg massage."
Jayson scoffed from the side.
Finnegan happily patted Sidney's hand and nodded with satisfaction.
The three of them sat down for dinner. Sidney, being considerate, sat next to Jayson. Finnegan sat across from them, looking at them with evident satisfaction.
"What a perfect couple! You two should hurry up and have a baby so I can spoil him!"
Sidney smiled but didn't say anything. She waited until Finnegan started eating before she began.
During the meal, the father and son of the Nixon family made small talk, mostly about the entertainment business or the progress of Jayson's new company.
Sidney quietly listened from the side.
Because of this, she noticed that Jayson was quite particular even when dining with family. He always used serving chopsticks and spoons, and the leftover food and bones were neatly arranged on the plate. He used different bowls for eating and drinking soup.
Sidney silently observed all of this.
After the meal, the Finnegan and son went to the living room to make tea. Sidney stayed in the kitchen, waiting for the servant to cut the fruit. She then personally brought it over and placed it on the coffee table, cheerfully calling for them to eat the fruit.
Finnegan motioned for her to come and sit beside Jayson. He looked at her and said, "Don't just stay at home, go out more. Jayson should take you out. Newlyweds should go on a honeymoon."
"Dad, I'm busy. I don't have the time right now," Jayson said lazily.
"You're always the busiest! The Opal Lounge doesn't need you there every day!" Finnegan scolded him.
"Got it, Dad, we will," Sidney smiled in response.
A servant, whom Sidney had instructed, brought over a basin of warm water. Sidney added two drops of essential oil to the water without saying a word. She rolled up her sleeves, squatted down, and began massaging Finnegan's feet and ankles after rolling up his pants.
"My mom has bad legs too, and I used to massage her like this every day," she explained.
"You're really filial," Finnegan smiled in satisfaction, no longer looking as gruff as usual. "Isn't there a charity gala soon? I won't go, you two go in my place! It's time for you to make an appearance together. Take her along, and in the future, Sidney can attend some events for you."
"I can go by myself," Jayson said.
"I said go together! Don't think I don't know what tricks you're up to! Am I that easy to fool?"
"…"
"From now on, bring Sidney to events like this, and cut ties with all those other women! Once you have a kid, do you think this kind of behavior is acceptable?" Finnegan continued to scold.
Jayson sat quietly, not saying anything further.
Sidney kept her head down, too afraid to say anything more.
After being lectured for what felt like an eternity, Jayson didn't spare Sidney a single glance as he walked out of the house. He got into his car and drove off. Sidney walked over to the car that had brought her here earlier, and the bodyguard quickly approached to open the door for her. After being lectured for what felt like an eternity, Jayson didn't spare Sidney a single glance as he walked out of the house. He got into his car and drove off. Sidney walked over to the car that had brought her here earlier, and the bodyguard quickly approached to open the door for her.
Sidney didn't even know what Jayson was thinking anymore. He had been the one who insisted they get married and that she should be pregnant within six months, but now he could barely tolerate her.
