4 4

After he’s done eating Sidney went to take a nap in his bedroom but the upset Nicolette pushed him inside and mercilessly locked him up from outside. She then turned to Azalea, sighing. “So, I assume you’re the one who should take care of him now. Here are the few things that you need to know. He likes to eat lettuce with creamy salad dressing, he always takes his tea or coffee with ice. He cannot do any house chores so you should be the one to clean this place, it would be too late to wait for housekeeping. He usually washed his clothes with the laundry service but it’s better if someone use the washing machine.”

Azalea listened to Nicolette carefully. Once she was done talking, Azalea spoke. “He really can’t take care of himself, can he? Don’t worry, I’ll do all of that…. At least until he kicks me out,” she said smiling good-humoredly. “Are you ok with this? The whole me being married to him?”

She shook her head softly. “Oh, and if his parents come, don’t directly push the truth upon them. He needs to explain himself.” She was slightly stunned when she asked if she’s okay with the marriage. “Why does it matter? Why would you need my approval?”

"Don’t worry, I won’t push the truth on anyone," she said. "Just because you two seem close. Never mind, forget it."

She smiled softly. “Good luck,” She said while picking up her prada bag before walking through the front door. She felt this is the time that she should pull herself out of Sidney’s business. They might think of each other as siblings but they’re technically not related by any means so it’s no longer appropriate for other people to see. Especially when Sidney has got himself a wife now.

"Thank you. Hopefully I can talk to you more. You seem really nice," Azalea said as she left. She unlocked the door to Sidney’s room and knocked lightly. "I unlocked it," she said.

Sidney opened the door and sighed in relief. “Thought she’s gonna locked me there until I die.” He looked around. “Where is she now, did she come home?”

"She left. I’m going to eat what you didn’t eat now because you have no other food in your house," she said walking into the living room and grabbing the food.

"Ah, yea. Sorry. I don’t have any real food but you can order delivery if you want…just use the card." He said walking to the kitchen. "But I also have cakes and fruits and other dessert here. You can take some." He opened the fridge.

Azalea nodded her head as she brought the food into the kitchen. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to go to the grocery store later today,” she said.

"Sure. Why would I mind that?" He walked back to the couch, not feeling so sleepy anymore. "Oh, can you please buy me some seaweed? The dried ones sold in packs? It’s my favorite snack," He smiled slightly.

"Well I’m going to need you to go with me since I don’t know where it is," Azalea said looking over at him.

"Oh. Alright," He replied shortly. His cellphone suddenly rang. He looked at the contact name on the screen and got like an electric shock. Why? He can’t deal with him right now. But he’ll push harder if he don’t pick up so he did.

"Hello, …Dad?” His whole body felt so numb. But whatever the old man said on the other line made the numbness gone in a split second and replaced by a joyful mood. “Really?!” He literally jumped off his seat. “….No, I didn’t sound happy. I mean, why would I be happy, I was just normal. Yeah, I would check on them every week. Don’t worry—No, I’m not making a mess, promise.” Ha, how did he know? “Okay. Have a safe trip.” He hung up with a victory.

Azalea looked at Sidney questioningly, but didn’t ask. At least for a minute, then she asked. “So who was that and why are you so excited all of a sudden?” She took the last bite, then put the dish in the sink.

"My parents are going out of the country for two months," He walked up to the fridge. "The overseas branches of our company are fast-growing so they needed assistance. And I wouldn’t have to deal with my dictator of a father in that period.” He took out a cheese cake. “But the bad news is, I would have to check on the company here at least once a week. Shit, I hate it.”

Azalea nodded her head. “Well at least your father won’t be around, right? And then you don’t gave to worry about hiding me for that period. I’m assuming you wouldn’t want to tell your parents about me. At least not yet,” she said as she rinsed out the container.

"Yes, not yet. But that’s not the problem. He’s getting old and he’s asking me to take over the company next year. The thing is, I’m not so into office-work - sitting behind the desk, that’s not my thing." He fed himself with a spoonful of cake. "I prefer to be like a model or an actor, but guess what? He doesn’t care."

"What would happen if you didn’t take over the company? If I remember correctly, you have a brother. Why can’t he take over the business and you do something else?" Azalea asked as she sat down at the table again. It was finally sinking in that everyone had issues with something. Rather it be, in her case, being financially stable, or dealing with expectations placed on you.

"He was supposed to," He munches slowly. "But now he’s got his own company which is as huge, that’s why the curse—I mean responsibility fell onto me, so goodbye, my dream job.” He rolled his eyes. “What about you? You haven’t tell me anything about you yet.”

"I’m sorry about that." Azalea looked at him surprised. "Well, what do you want to know about me?" she asked. She was always horrible at explaining things about herself because she never knew what people were looking for in the answer.

"Well…anything. Your family? What do you do—I mean, daily.” He took an orange juice from the fridge and pour it into his glass. “Want some?”

"Sure," she said. "Well, my parents left me at an orphanage because they couldn’t afford to take care of me. I just work little jobs here and therez when I can. Um… I guess overall my life could’ve been worse. I really don’t know what you want to know, but there’s a short summary."

He didn’t say anything to comment on her story, he simply handed her a glass of the juice. So she had been living a harsh life, or has. And she got drunkenly married to him of all people. Fortune couldn’t have been on her side. Maybe he should treat her better. “..How old are you?”