Waking up in an unfamiliar large bed, the sky was just beginning to lighten.
Quietly listening to the rustling sounds of someone getting dressed beside her, Lynda Carter still couldn't help but wonder how it all happened.
Perhaps, that young man was simply too attractive: young, handsome, wealthy, practically flawless. Perhaps it was vanity. Well, being by his side at the party last night, the envious glances from many women younger and prettier than her was a feeling she hadn't enjoyed in a long time. Perhaps, from the moment she sat opposite him, he had already been seducing her.
That's it.
Hitchcock's 'The Shining'!
Heh, how could a young man, a cinematic genius, make such a rookie mistake? He probably just wanted her to relax: 'See, Simon Westeros makes mistakes too, it's no big deal'.
Recalling the details from last night, she had initially approached him with a bit of caution, even reverence, to chat. After his small mistake, she indeed became less reserved.
In any case.
She was playing with fire.
She must have fallen asleep around 2 AM last night, thoroughly exhausted, but it was also the most satisfying experience she'd had in years.
Although, she felt a hollowness in her heart.
Hmm, no, that's not right.
She silently raised her hand and felt her chest... it wasn't her heart that was empty, it was literally empty.
She had given birth to her son last year, and the little one at home was not yet a year and a half old. To maintain her figure, she had hardly ever breastfed the child herself. She never expected that it would benefit someone else.
"Are you awake?"
A voice suddenly came from beside her. Lynda Carter, her mind still replaying the events of last night, blushed slightly as she looked at the young man by the bed, who was buttoning his shirt. She responded with a sound, then feigned composure and said, "Morning."
"Morning," Simon smiled, buttoning the last button. He said, "Go back to sleep for a bit. I'll have someone prepare breakfast for you. Also, a driver will be waiting outside this morning, ready to take you whenever you wish to leave."
Lynda Carter noticed a man's wristwatch on the bedside table. She reached out a fair arm, picked it up, and glanced at it.
It was not yet a quarter past six.
Remembering Simon's words, she realized something and asked, "Are you leaving already?"
"Yes, work matters".
What kind of work could there be at six in the morning? It felt like he was trying to escape, but she couldn't help but press, "Aren't you having breakfast?"
"Hmm, not very hungry".
Lynda Carter froze for a moment, then, realizing something, her face flushed even deeper.
You bastard, of course you're not hungry.
Simon noticed the woman's reaction and realized his answer was a bit ambiguous, which made him a little embarrassed. He actually had a work breakfast scheduled with Amy at 7 AM. His subconscious reply was simply because he didn't want to explain too much.
Once dressed, he saw the woman still clutching his watch beneath the sheets. Simon extended his hand, gesturing.
The woman noticed Simon reaching out to her and instinctively recoiled slightly. Realizing what he meant, she shyly handed him the watch.
Simon casually put on his watch. He looked at the woman on the bed, hesitated, then took out his wallet, opened his check book, filled it out for a moment, and tore off a check.
Lynda Carter, who had been slightly turned away, avoiding Simon's gaze, noticed his actions from the corner of her eye. She turned her head, her eyes quickly widening slightly, and her tone already held a hint of anger: "You, what are you doing?"
Simon's hand, holding the check, paused. He said softly, "No other meaning. You can buy yourself something you like".
Lynda Carter glared fiercely at Simon, said nothing more, and simply turned her back.
Simon looked at the woman's figure and said gently, "I'm very sorry, Lynda. Next time you're in Los Angeles, I'll treat you to dinner".
"Bastard, you can get out".
Simon quietly apologized again. After a moment of thought, he gently placed the check on the bedside table and turned to leave the bedroom.
The door clicked softly.
About ten minutes later, she faintly heard the sound of a car engine.
That bastard must have left.
She was still a bit angry.
So she cursed a few more times under her breath. Exhausted from her anger, her eyelids drooped, and she fell back asleep.
Last night was simply too tiring.
When she woke up again, the light filtering through the curtain gap was very bright. She pulled the sheet around her body, got out of bed, walked to the window, and opened the French windows leading to the terrace. The annoyingly bright sunlight immediately filled the entire bedroom. This villa offered an excellent view; from inside the French windows, she could see downtown Los Angeles at the foot of the mountain and the azure expanse of Santa Monica Bay bathed in sunlight.
She lingered a little, captivated by the beautiful scenery, yet she knew that none of this could ever truly belong to her.
Thinking of what that little scoundrel had done a few hours earlier, she grew angry again. Although she wasn't as wealthy as he was, her husband was a renowned financial lawyer with an annual income of several million dollars. Thanks to the popularity brought by 'Wonder Woman' back then, she herself had consistently earned a decent income over the years through TV shows, movies, and advertising endorsements.
In short, she wasn't in need of money.
Originally, this could have been an exciting but not-too-bad experience, yet he chose to give her money as if dismissing that kind of woman.
Bastard!
She muttered the word again, no longer in the mood for the scenery. She turned and walked towards the bathroom.
After a quick wash, she put on her clothes and picked up her handbag, about to leave, when she noticed the check, presumably signed by him, lying on the bedside table. Since it was placed face down, she couldn't see the numbers on the front.
She hesitated for a moment.
She told herself there would definitely be no next time, so she'd just see how much that bastard signed for.
Just a look.
So she picked it up.
Then.
One, two, three, four, five, six... Yes, six zeros.
This is.
One million dollars?!
She was instantly stunned.
'Wonder Woman' was already ten years ago. In all these years, the largest check she had ever received was only $500,000, for a three-year endorsement contract with a bedding company. The TV movie she had recently auditioned for, if she landed the role, would only pay about $50,000. Participating in these films and TV series was primarily to increase her exposure, so she could continue to receive relatively lucrative advertising endorsements, ensuring her place in America's high-income bracket.
However, even with all her endorsement fees and other income combined, she averaged only a few hundred thousand dollars a year.
As for her husband's money, their finances were separate, and they had signed a prenuptial agreement. Although he covered household expenses, even if they divorced, she wasn't guaranteed to receive a one-time alimony payment exceeding a million dollars.
She stood there stunned for a while longer.
Thinking about her reaction that morning, she had thought that even if he were generous, he would at most sign a check for $100,000. $100,000, compared to her own principles, was still something she looked down on.
She even rather impolitely told him to get lost.
Now.
Suddenly, she couldn't help but think, he must have done it on purpose, to torment her.
It must be like this!
That hateful young man.
Scumbag!
Jerk!
Villain!
You're so generous, why didn't you sign for 10 million dollars? See if I would take it!