Chapter 32 Cohabitation
Francis saw her standing barefoot on the carpet and pointed to the lower shelf of the cabinet. "Wear mine for now, buy yourself some daily necessities later."
Jennifer obediently put on the obviously oversized slippers and went to the bathroom to wash up.
Since she had no clothes to wear, she could only continue wearing that loose shirt when she came out. When she saw the housekeeper who came to deliver breakfast in the living room, she hid behind Francis like a startled rabbit.
The housekeeper was a serious-looking middle-aged woman wearing black-framed glasses, clearly a very professional household manager. She just nodded at Francis, placed the tray and a paper bag on the dining table, and left.
Francis pointed at the paper bag. "Clothes I bought for you, change into them."
Jennifer hurried to the bathroom to change. Inside the bag was a dress and a set of underwear. When putting them on, Jennifer couldn't help blushing again. His accuracy in estimating sizes indicated plenty of experience with women.
Standing in front of the mirror, Jennifer took a deep breath. She thought to herself, 'Stop overthinking. He's willing to help you with your troubles, that's already good. He's such an outstanding man, you shouldn't expect too much.'
When Jennifer came out, Francis looked up at her. Jennifer said with a pleasing smile. "Perfect fit, thank you."
Francis nodded. "Not bad." Then he took out a gold card and placed it on the table. "Buy whatever you need. Move in with me today." He disliked her rundown place.
Jennifer hesitated, then gave in. Given she was his kept woman, his arrogance was part of the power dynamic. Still, he was preferable to Eugene.
Francis finished his meal quickly and left without waiting for Jennifer, leaving her disappointed. She ate alone in the spacious dining room, unaccustomed to the solitude. The thought suddenly took away her appetite. After clearing the dishes, she left to pick up Marlowe.
The previous house wasn't very safe. Now that she had Francis's supplementary card, she could get Marlowe a house in a safer neighborhood.
Mia asked why she wasn't staying a few more days. Jennifer explained. "The online discussion has died down a lot now, and we can't keep staying at your place - your husband will have opinions."
Mia said boldly, "He wouldn't dare!" But she could understand that Jennifer wasn't the type to trouble others, so she didn't insist. She just reminded her to ask friends for help if she had difficulties.
With a good budget, Jennifer quickly rented an apartment near the hospital and paid six months' rent in advance. The complex had good security, and the apartment was a two-bedroom with a living room, spacious and bright. She kept a room for herself too - if Francis got tired of her, she wouldn't be too embarrassed. When she went home to pack, Marlowe asked her. "Where did you get the money? Did Francis give it to you?"
Jennifer answered quietly. "Yes."
Marlowe sighed. "With the family in this situation, I can't help you. If you're together with him, treat him well. I think he's much better than that Eugene anyway."
When Jennifer first dated Eugene, Jennifer was always the one spending money. She was still a student then. After Marlowe found out, she was very dissatisfied with Eugene. But at that time, Jennifer kept defending him, desperately explaining that Eugene was very capable but just didn't have much money since he'd just started working.
Jennifer's lips moved, but in the end she didn't tell Marlowe that she and Francis were just in a kept-woman relationship. She was too embarrassed to mention it.
Eugene came to block Jennifer after accompanying a client, and happened to see Jennifer getting into a moving company's truck. He angrily pounded the steering wheel once. She only slept with Francis for one night - was she already moving to his place? Unwilling to give up, he followed the truck and saw it stop outside a mid-range residential complex. He felt relieved - at least it wasn't Francis's place.
Jennifer helped Marlowe unpack. Marlowe said they should celebrate moving today and cook a big dinner tonight. Jennifer had to tell her that she needed to move in with Francis.
Marlowe was stunned for a moment and said, "That's good too. You young people living together will have better feelings for each other." Then she reminded her to be careful with protection, and not to get pregnant if they weren't planning to marry.
Jennifer nodded with a red face.
Eugene smoked half a pack of cigarettes outside the complex before finally waiting for Jennifer to come out. He immediately rushed up to stop her, demanding. "Jennifer, did you have sex with Francis last night?"
Jennifer was startled to see him and stepped back, but she quickly said coldly. "So what if I did? What does it have to do with you?" Although she and Francis hadn't actually gone all the way, she couldn't show weakness in front of Eugene!
Eugene grabbed her wrist and said harshly. "Jennifer, don't forget what you promised me. Come with me now, and I can overlook your broken promise yesterday."
Jennifer grabbed her bag and hit him with it, taking the chance to break free and step back a few paces to look at him. "Eugene, our deal is off. I don't want to see you again."
Eugene tried to step forward. "Jennifer, if you won't make a deal with me, are you going to make a deal with Francis? Stop dreaming. He's just playing with you. Only I can give you what you want."
Jennifer turned and shouted. "Help! Someone's harassing residents here!" She had just walked out of the complex gate, and the security guard nearby was looking at the entangled pair with some confusion. Hearing Jennifer's cry for help, he immediately walked over quickly.
Eugene was afraid of losing face. He said quietly. "Jennifer, you'll regret this!" Then he turned and left.
Jennifer instinctively shuddered. What else was he going to do to her and her family? But she quickly remembered that Francis had promised to help her last night.
She straightened up and said, "I'm not afraid of you."
Eugene's steps paused when he heard this, but he quickly smiled. Jennifer was too naive. Francis was just playing with her - would he really go after him for this Jennifer?
Jennifer only brought a few changes of clothes to Francis's place. She planned to buy other things at a nearby supermarket, prepared to move out at any time.
While Jennifer was shopping at the supermarket, Francis sent her a message asking what she was doing.
Jennifer casually took a photo of the cups she was selecting and sent it to him: [Choosing cups.]
Francis immediately noticed the couple's cups being promoted in the middle of the shelf and asked: [Want to use couple's cups with me?]
Jennifer was about to explain that she hadn't thought of that, but he had already circled the most expensive pair in the picture and said: [This pair.]
It was a set of black and pink cups designed by a foreign designer, with a simple and elegant shape. The handles together formed a heart shape.
She didn't say more, just replied okay, and put the set in her shopping cart. He seemed to be in a good mood now, giving her the illusion of being in a relationship. Actually, she just liked the pink cup, but felt the pink color didn't quite match the black, white, and gray decor of his home, so she was a bit hesitant.
After a while, Francis suddenly sent her a message that made Jennifer blush again in the crowded supermarket.