Sidney thought Jayson's words made sense. He kept saying that Alondra left to start a new life and that Sidney should give her some time. So, Sidney decided to put the matter of Alondra aside for now. Maybe she really needed some time to sort out her feelings and adapt to her new environment. When she was ready, she would call Sidney on her own.
Sidney's days passed in a repetitive cycle between makeup class and home. Occasionally, she would drop by Jayson's company to deliver things for him, but she hadn't gone to the club again. She didn't like the environment there, and she didn't find it interesting.
At night, she liked to make soup at home and wait for Jayson to rush back for dinner. Sometimes, when he couldn't make it back, she'd send him some homemade stew the next day to help him recharge. He knew how much she appreciated his efforts to make her feel his presence and remind her that this was a home. She was very satisfied with her current life. "If she made something more elaborate, like a hearty homemade stew, she wouldn't hesitate to have someone deliver it to Finnegan, showing both respect for herself and for Jayson. Finnegan, however, was never one to keep things to himself, often sending expensive gifts back to Sidney in return.
Sidney was shocked the first time she received a sapphire ring from Finnegan through the bodyguard. When Jayson came home, she kept asking him what to do and whether she should return it.
Jayson simply said, "It was given to you, so accept it. Returning it would be impolite."
It was Sidney's first time receiving a gemstone, and she didn't know its actual value. She just kept it in its box. It wasn't until one day when Jayson saw her bare finger at home and asked, "Where's your ring?"
Sidney replied, "It's kept safe!"
"Go get it."
Sidney handed the sapphire box to him, and he asked her to bring him her wedding ring as well. Sidney didn't understand, but she did as told.
Jayson held both rings and gave her a lesson.
He introduced the carat size of both rings and explained their clarity and brilliance. Both were made of top-quality materials, and Sidney only now realized their value. She became even more hesitant to wear them.
Jayson slid the wedding ring onto her left ring finger, holding her hand and studying it carefully. "Your fingers are delicate, so a one-carat ring is just right. Anything bigger would look bulky."
Sidney nodded, wanting to take the ring off.
"Keep it on."
"It's inconvenient to do things with it on. What if I bump it?"
"Diamonds aren't as fragile as you think. Just wear it like any other ring."
"I'm not used to it."
"You'll have to get used to it. It's a symbol."
"I didn't think you'd care so much about this symbol," she said, glancing at his bare fingers. He wasn't wearing his either, was he?
Jayson chuckled softly and said, "I'm just afraid someone's gonna take you away."He thought of the incident at the bar that day.
"What about you? Are you worried someone might snatch you up?" Sidney asked deliberately.
"I spend all my energy on you every day. How could I get stolen away?" Jayson said, looking at her suggestively.
"You're pervert!" Sidney glared at him, knowing he was teasing her.
Jayson smiled as he opened a drawer in the cabinet, took out his plain wedding ring, and slid it onto his finger.
"Now it's fair, isn't it?"
"That's better!" Sidney mimicked him, studying his fingers—long and slender with distinct knuckles, calloused where he held a pen, and slightly stained from smoking. She placed her left hand over his, the two silver rings glinting beautifully.
"Once you finish your makeup course, take a gemology class next."
"Why?"
"So you won't fail to recognize quality."
"I'm not that dumb, okay?"
"Learning more always has its benefits. The sapphire your father gave you can be paired with your dresses for events. You also need to learn how to match gemstones to outfits and outfits to gemstones."
"What's the deal with being your wife? It's a full-time job." Sidney joked.
"There's still a lot for you to learn."
"What else?"
"Next week is the grand opening of the resort. Let's go to the ribbon-cutting ceremony."
"I've never do it before," Sidney said nervously.
"That's what you need to learn. In the future, you'll help share the responsibilities—like ribbon-cutting ceremony, attending gatherings, and giving gifts."
"Oh!"
"It's getting late. Go to bed early!" Jayson glanced at the clock as he spoke.
"Where are you going?"
"I need to get something done in the other room. I'll come back to bed later."
"You know I can't sleep with the lights off without you," Sidney pouted. Without him, she really couldn't fall asleep.
"You'll have to grow up eventually," Jayson said as he stood up to leave. Sidney grabbed his arm.
"I prepared something special today," she said, kneeling on the bed and looking up at him.
Jayson raised an eyebrow.
Sidney unbuttoned her matching pajamas, revealing the set Alondra had given her.
Jayson's gaze locked onto her, unwavering, as if nothing else in the room existed.
Sidney removed the pajamas. "This is my first time wearing it."
"Did you buy this?" He was surprised that Sidney would pick this up.
"It was a gift from Alondra," Sidney said shyly.
Jayson sat down, his fingers lingering on her smooth skin, making Sidney giggle from the tickle.
"She has good taste."
Jayson, as if unwrapping a gift, removed the sheer fabric and admired her beautiful figure. Then he said, "We should have a child." "We should have a child."
"Okay," she said, leaning in to kiss him, mimicking the techniques he had taught her before to seduce him.
Jayson was caught off guard by her flirtatious remark, feeling a rush of heat, almost like a young man caught up in the moment.
"Don't rush," Sidney said, pulling his hands away. Slowly, she removed another piece in front of him.
Jayson's throat visibly tightened as he swallowed hard.
Sidney pressed her full figure against him, brushing her cheek against his and calling his name sweetly while unbuttoning his shirt.
"When did you learn to seduce me?" His voice turned hoarse.
"Didn't you say there's a lot to learn as your wife? I'm learning how to make you happy," Sidney said, blushing, unable to meet his eyes as she finished unbuttoning his shirt.
He quickly pulled off his shirt, only to be pushed down by Sidney. Her light frame posed no threat as she lay on top of him. They kissed passionately, with Sidney keeping her eyes tightly shut, afraid that opening them would cause her courage to falter.
Sidney hadn't made a move for a while, and Jayson, unable to wait any longer, gave her a playful slap on the butt. "Aren't you trying to seduce me? You can take the lead."
Sidney had only learned a half-hearted attempt before, but with Jayson's encouragement, he too had to push through. However, when Jayson became eager, he would guide her through. They both tried something new, found it fresh and exciting, and climbed to new heights. The night passed in this way.
Jayson's sweat dripped onto the bed as he gazed at Sidney's peaceful sleeping face. With a tender look in his eyes, he whispered, "You're such a deep sleeper... But what about the kingdom? Are you planning on keeping the king from his duties?"
He tucked the blanket around her more securely before finally falling asleep himself.
