Sidney felt very hot and heavy, as though something was pressing down on her. Slowly coming to her senses, she realized she might be experiencing sleep paralysis again. She forced her eyes open, and as expected, there was nothing there, but her body still felt incredibly heavy. She tried to lift herself slightly but found that this time, the experience was different from before. Her upper body was actually able to move. As she raised herself up, she saw a leg draped across her body. Startled, she realized that there was a tall man lying next to her, so close that his foot was casually resting on her body.
Sidney struggled, trying to move his foot away quietly, but no matter how she tried, it wouldn't budge. She reluctantly lay back down to think of another way. Not long after, Jayson turned over and faced her. Sidney was finally relieved, taking a deep breath and preparing to get out of bed, but then she heard a voice next to her, "Good morning."
Sidney gasped and stepped back a little before turning to face him, thinking, "Did this guy take the wrong medicine? He's so polite so early in the morning!"
Sidney stared at Jayson, still half-asleep, and honestly thought it was unfair how some people looked so good even when they just woke up with their hair a mess like a bird's nest. The stubble on his chin wasn't sloppy at all—it actually added to his charm and personality.
Sidney thought she must have been confused from sleep to think this man was handsome. She scrambled off the bed, rushed into the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. When she came out, Jayson was still sitting at the edge of the bed, scratching his head. Sidney politely told him, "You can go in now," and he nodded before getting up to head to the bathroom.
When they went downstairs for breakfast, the butler was startled. Since they had returned so late the previous night, he didn't know there were two of them, so the breakfast portions might not be enough.
"Uh, sir, what would you like to eat? I can prepare something for you."
"No need, just a bowl of oatmeal like hers will be fine." Jayson sat down expressionlessly, picking up the newspaper from the side of the table and starting to read.
Sidney didn't dare speak, quietly drinking her oatmeal. When she took a sip, it was too hot, and she accidentally spilled some on her knit sweater. She quickly grabbed a napkin to wipe it off. Jayson glanced at her clumsy actions and said, "Your sweater has pilled. You should just throw it away."
"..." Sidney didn't expect Jayson to have an opinion about her home wear. "It's just something I wear at home. As long as it keeps me warm, it's fine!"
"People will think I'm abusing you if they see that."
"That's impossible! There's no one else here," Sidney thought, thinking it would be too fake to pretend in front of the butler and bodyguard.
Jayson pointed to a half-page advertisement in the newspaper. "I'm going over there to pick something up later. Come with me and deal with your awful clothes."
Sidney glanced at the advertisement he was pointing to. It was for a newly opened large shopping mall in B City, not far from Jayson's Opal Lounge. The location was prime, so the goods sold there were probably expensive. She was about to refuse.
"But..." She had just started to speak when she caught Jayson's cold gaze, one so sharp it made her shut up. He had an intimidating presence that left no room for questioning.
Sidney forced a smile, nodded, and lowered her head to continue focusing on her oatmeal.
When Jayson's oatmeal was brought to the table, and they had both nearly finished, he spoke again, "You talk in your sleep. Did you know that?"
"Really?" Sidney was clearly surprised. After all, besides her mother, she had never slept next to anyone before.
"When you sleep, you either scream from nightmares or talk in your sleep all night, making it impossible for anyone to get rest," Jayson said casually. Sidney couldn't tell if he was angry or what.
"Really... I'm sorry. If you're coming back, I'll just sleep in the guest room," Sidney said, knowing it wasn't the best response, but unsure what else to do. Maybe that was the only way he could sleep well?
"You should see a psychiatrist."
"Why should I see a psychiatrist?" Sidney thought it was ridiculous.
"Sleep disorder."
"Me? I'm fine. I don't do this every day, do I?"
"I don't know. There's nothing wrong with seeing a doctor."
"...I'll see. If it keeps happening, I'll go," Sidney tried to put it off.
Jayson glanced at her and simply said, "Who cares about you? Just don't disturb me while I sleep."
After finishing their oatmeal, the two went upstairs one after the other. Jayson took off his loungewear and stood in front of the wardrobe, shirtless, choosing a shirt. Sidney stood in front of her own wardrobe, and up close, she couldn't take her eyes off the tattoo on Jayson's back. The intricate, elaborate totem seemed to shift with the movement of his muscles, and it was simply too mesmerizing.
Jayson sensed she was watching him and turned his head. "What are you looking at?"
"Oh! Um... nothing. The tattoo's really beautiful!" Sidney quickly snapped out of her daze and awkwardly responded.
Jayson smirked, choosing a deep blue cotton shirt with a black tie. As he was picking out cufflinks, Sidney stood there slowly, thinking, "He looks so stylish in what he's wearing, what should I wear?" Yesterday, when she wore a shirt with khaki pants, he had criticized it as a total failure. She certainly couldn't wear the same thing today.
She hesitated for a moment, then picked out a cotton long-sleeve T-shirt paired with a loose cotton skirt, and matched it with the pink Chanel bag her father had bought her. This should at least not look too shabby, right?
She strapped on her bag and watched as Jayson picked up the white diamond cufflinks, fastening them onto his shirt sleeves.
The diamonds sparkled brilliantly under the warm yellow light, enhancing the deep blue shirt's texture. After that, he selected a watch and put it on his right wrist.
Sidney bit her lip, feeling that shopping at the mall later was going to be no easy task.
