Chapter 78 Jennifer Is My Girlfriend
Jennifer brushed back the hair by Marlowe's temples. Marlowe used to take such good care of her brown hair, but now it looked a bit frizzy. She smiled gently and said, "Marlowe, I'm not tired. You come to the hospital every day to take care of Dad - you're the one working the hardest."
Marlowe hugged her tenderly. "What I do is just physical work, it's nothing. At my age, moving around more actually helps keep me young. You're different - you're still so young, you should be enjoying your relationship."
Jennifer felt her eyes getting hot. She took a deep breath to hold back her tears and instead comforted Marlowe, saying, "Don't say that. Francis treats me well. He's got everything going for him - being with him is a good deal for me." Francis was way more popular with women than she was with men.
Marlowe patted her back and said with a smile, "If you really can accept things this way, that's great." She just worried that Jennifer was too innocent when it came to relationships - saying she didn't care while actually being heartbroken inside. She could tell there were problems between Jennifer and Francis. When they first got together, Jennifer would smile whenever she mentioned Francis, but now her expression was complicated. First Eugene, then Francis - neither turned out to be the right partner for Jennifer.
In the evening, Francis came to pick up Jennifer. Even though it was a private gathering, Jennifer still dressed up carefully. She wore a pink dress with beautiful draping, made of sheer fabric with subtle sparkles - elegant with a touch of casual grace. Francis leaned against the doorframe, watching her put on makeup. Her skin was flawless, her makeup light and perfect. He resisted the urge to kiss her and glanced at his watch. "Ready? You're the star of tonight's party - we can't be too late."
Jennifer pulled out a pink diamond bracelet from her jewelry box and held it out to him. "This bracelet is hard to clasp. Help me put it on?"
Francis bent his head, carefully working the delicate clasp. Her wrist was so slender that even the pale blue veins under her skin were clearly visible. He suddenly remembered that when they first met, she'd worn a colorful gemstone bracelet. He casually asked, "What about that bracelet I returned to you? Didn't you say it was really important? Haven't seen you wear it in a while."
Thinking of the bracelet Skylar had given her, Jennifer's heart ached. Though she'd sold it for David's surgery, she'd never been able to forgive herself. If she'd gone back to buy it sooner, maybe someone else wouldn't have bought it. But she didn't want to bring up this sad topic in front of Francis, so she just said lightly, "I'm worried about losing it again, so I put it away." As if saying this could make her pretend the bracelet was still at home.
Francis suddenly asked this question because he'd remembered Ryan's colorful gemstone bracelet - it seemed a bit similar to Jennifer's. But Jennifer had her own parents, so she couldn't be Ryan's daughter. Since Jennifer said the bracelet was put away, he didn't ask further. He shook his head, feeling like he was overthinking things. Jennifer and David had such a good relationship - how could she be Ryan's daughter?
At the entrance of The Gilded Parlor, Jennifer got out of the car holding Francis's arm. The manager respectfully greeted them at the door. "Mr. Carter, your private room is all set up. A few of your friends arrived early."
"Good." Francis nodded slightly and led Jennifer inside. Jennifer had only been here once before, when Eugene brought her for a business dinner. But Eugene had booked a regular room, and they were greeted by regular staff. When she appeared with Francis, she could always feel these people treating her with more respect.
As soon as the private room door opened, a tall, slender man came over with open arms. "Francis, long time no see."
Francis looked pleasantly surprised to see him. He pulled his hand free from Jennifer's and hugged him warmly, patting his back hard. "Alex, you finally decided to come back."
Jennifer stepped back, quietly watching this man. Alex Murray was about the same height as Francis, just a bit thinner. His features were soft and handsome, and he wore silver-rimmed glasses. His eyes looked very gentle when he smiled. Alex and Francis grew up together - you could say he was his best friend. But a year ago, his family sent him abroad to develop a new project, and he'd only just returned. He heard from mutual friends that Francis was hosting a private party today, so he showed up uninvited to surprise him.
After they exchanged a few pleasantries, Alex seemed to notice that Francis had brought a woman. He adjusted his glasses and looked Jennifer over. "Who's this?"
"Jennifer, my girlfriend." Francis put his arm around Jennifer's shoulder, then said softly to her, "You haven't met him before. This is Alex, a good friend of mine."
Jennifer smiled and greeted him. Alex joked, "Francis, this one's very different from the previous ones. Your taste has changed a lot this past year."
Francis sat down on the main sofa with Jennifer, tapped the table for her to pour him a drink, then said casually, "People change. Today is Jennifer's birthday - don't offend her."
Alex drank a glass with him, then raised his glass to Jennifer with an apologetic smile. "Jennifer, I was just joking. Don't read too much into it. Happy birthday, and may you always be beautiful!"
Jennifer poured herself a non-alcoholic drink, clinked glasses with him, and said with a smile, "Thank you. It's fine, I'm not that petty." She wasn't some young girl in her first relationship, expecting her boyfriend to have only been with her. Just in the few months she'd been with Francis, she'd already met several women who were interested in him, and every one of them was outstanding. If she got upset over a few comments like this, she'd have died of anger long ago.
Soon, the other invited friends arrived, mainly Francis's friends. Aria and Eugene came too, giving a limited edition handbag as their gift. Jennifer politely accepted it, looking at Eugene no differently than she looked at any other man. Eugene's expression was also well controlled, as if he and Jennifer really weren't that familiar.
Jennifer's friends - only Mia and Aaron came. Mia affectionately held onto Aaron's arm as they presented an exquisite brooch. Jennifer hugged her tightly with a genuine smile. "Mia, I really love the brooch you picked."
Mia pouted playfully. "Of course - I spent forever choosing it." She lightly bumped Jennifer's shoulder and whispered near her mouth, "Looks like Francis treats you pretty well - throwing you a birthday party and introducing you to his personal friends."
Jennifer glanced at Francis, who was drinking with friends at the next table, and said softly, "Maybe he just happened to be free?"
Mia leaned close to her ear, about to say something, when the private room door opened again. Declan's sunny, smiling face appeared. He rushed over to Jennifer, holding a box, and dropped to one knee. "Jennifer, happy birthday!"
Jennifer was startled by his gesture and covered her mouth, not taking the gift right away. But Francis, who'd been playing cards at the next table, instantly stood up. He flipped his cards face down on the table and strode over.