Sidney didn't know how long she would have to wait, but she couldn't rush in and interrupt. She knew this was Alondra's job, and she had her own boundaries.
Everyone in this world has their own helplessness. In a way, both Sidney and Alondra had compromised with their lives, hadn't they?
As Sidney stood at the entrance of the corridor, she caught the attention of a waiter who had just come downstairs. He approached her and asked in a neutral tone, "What are you doing here?"
Sidney awkwardly said she was waiting for someone.
The waiter didn't leave, and with trained politeness, he asked her who she was waiting for and offered to call them for her.
Sidney couldn't speak, but she heard the uneven footsteps of two people coming down the hallway.
Sidney quickly said, "Oh! I'm waiting for her!"
When the waiter saw Alondra come out, he wisely left.
Alondra, upon seeing Sidney, was first greatly surprised, but then calmly told the man beside her, "Could you wait for me in the lobby for a bit? I need to catch up with someone."
The man sized up Sidney, his gaze seemingly blaming her for ruining his plans. He walked off towards the lobby in displeasure.
"How did you end up here?" Alondra quickly adjusted her dress, then stepped back into the hallway, trying to tuck her exposed chest back into her bra.
Sidney felt a pang of sadness in her heart. Seeing Alondra looking so disheveled, she felt helpless as a good friend, unable to offer any real help.
"I came to see Jayson, but he refuses to meet me. Do you know where his office is?"
Alondra sighed and asked, "What do you need to see him for?"
"..." Sidney couldn't bring herself to say it.
"If Jayson doesn't want to see you, and I help you meet him, it'll be hard for me to be in a good position," Alondra said as she picked up her bag from the floor and slung it over her shoulder.
"...I really have no choice. I must see him tonight, or I won't be able to explain things."
"The waiter just saw us together. If you go to his office, everyone will know I took you there. I'm working here carefully, you know I need money. I can't afford to be targeted because of this."
"Alright, I understand. I'll figure it out myself," Sidney said, feeling wronged.
"I'm sorry, I can't help you."
"It's okay, I also feel guilty that I can't help you with your own situation," Sidney said, letting go of her frustration.
"Don't think like that. This is the path I chose, and I don't think it's too bad," Alondra said with a tired smile. "Someone's still waiting for me. I need to go now. Stay safe!"
Alondra patted Sidney on the shoulder before walking away in her high heels. Sidney watched her retreating figure, feeling a deep admiration for her strength. For that bastard of a father, for money, Alondra had worked multiple jobs before even finishing college. She had worked in places like this late into the night, only to be spotted by her classmates. Back then, no one wanted to be seen with her or call her a friend, but she didn't care. She lived her life on her own, indifferent to the gossip around her. It wasn't until one day, when she was alone on the rooftop, grieving on her mother's memorial day, that she saw Alondra crying on the phone, arguing with her father. From that moment, they became kindred spirits, united by a shared understanding.
Sidney took out her phone and dialed Jayson's number, but of course, he didn't answer. She took the elevator and started checking the most likely floors, going around in circles until she felt dizzy. Along the way, when she told a few people she was looking for the boss's office, they first sized her up and then said they didn't know.
Then she wised up. She told a lady that she was here for a job interview and was looking for the manager. The lady finally led her to the manager's office on the tenth floor. Based on her reasoning, Jayson's office should be nearby, and sure enough, she found it.
