The cashier girl then took a close look at the card, and to her surprise, it was a black card.
This black card was a limited edition, and there were only five of this in the world! She didn't expect to
see this legendary card at work.
At that moment, the girl felt that the card was like a hot potato, and hastily gave it back to Francis.
Though astonished, she didn't show it on her face. She instead nonchalantly asked, "Do you have
cash? I am afraid the card can't be used here…"
Francis took the card back and mumbled, "How come this card can't be used?"
Ashley was greatly surprised as well when she saw Francis take the black card out. However, she
thought of Andrew's social status and that Francis was his friend. With this in mind, she regained her
composure shortly after.
She took out some cash and gave it to the girl. The girl took the money and gave her back the changes
and receipt. The three of them then left the supermarket.
As usual, it was Francis' job to do all the heavy work—carrying the groceries to the car, driving home,
and carrying the groceries upstairs.
After they got back, Ellie brought the groceries and went into the kitchen.
Francis watched her as she strode into the kitchen and asked Ashley, "So Ellie is good at cooking?"
Ashley rolled her eyes at Francis. "Never call Ellie by her name. You aren't even close to her. There is
only one person here who can call her like that and that's me. Of course, she is good at cooking. Do
you think we go out every time we have a meal?"
Francis was upset. "How should I call her then if not by her name?"
"It's up to you. Just, don't call her Ellie."
After saying that, Ashley left Francis alone in the sitting room and went to the kitchen to help Ellie.
Since he got nothing to do, Francis then sat on the couch, rubbing his chin and examining the whole
place.
Upon observation, Francis estimated that the entirety of this house was even smaller than his bedroom.
However, it was cozily decorated and was very clean and tidy.
The kitchen had a transparent glass door and so the people in the living room can see what the people
inside the kitchen were doing.
Francis' interest in Ellie might be a whim at first, but the more time he spent with her, the more graceful
and amazing he found her to be.
And also what surprised him was that Ellie and Ashley were best friends.
In the kitchen, Ashley assisted Ellie. She was thinking of the relationship between Ellie and Francis
while washing the vegetables. She was curious and couldn't help asking, "Ellie, how did you and
Francis get to know each other?"
Ellie didn't want to talk about it and so she evaded the point by saying, "We just got to know each other
like anyone else."
Ashley looked at her rather annoyed. "You know what I asked. You'd better tell me how it is. How did
you get to know Francis? Tell me the truth or else, you know what I'm saying."
She knew Ellie's personality. She might look soft and easy-going, but behind that it was most difficult to
persuade her. And she was stubborn if she made decisions. Nobody could change her mind.
Ashley had never seen Ellie being close with any man, except Greyson. To Ashley and Ellie, Greyson
was a mere little brother. To them, he wasn't even a candidate for a romantic relationship.
Ashley fixed her eyes on Ellie, showing that she wouldn't give in until Ellie confessed.
"I got to know him at the hospital. He said that somebody was chasing him, and he ran into Grandpa's
ward to hide. That was how I met him,"
Ellie said, without adding more details.
Ashley smirked. She didn't expect it to be so dramatic.
Ashley said, "But I have a feeling that he has a crush on you. And he said he wanted to chase you too.
Why don't you give it a shot?"
"I don't think he meant it."
Ashley wanted to ask more questions, but the talk was interjected by Ellie. "Please let me mind my own
business."
"If I let you mind your own business without my intervention, you would be alone and miserable. And
what would you do by then? You want me to support you?" replied Ashley irritated.
"I won't let you support me."
"Don't be kidding me."
As they started to bicker, Francis barged in.
The kitchen wasn't spacious enough for two people, and now it became even more crowded with
Francis here.
"What are you coming here for?" Ashley asked Francis.
"I come to see what I can do to help."
Unnoticed by Ashley and Ellie, who were in the middle of an argument, Francis was merely bored
being left alone in the living room. So, upon seeing Ashley and Ellie miming behind the soundproof
glass door, he decided to come in.
Ashley, still with her negative impression about Francis, didn't expect him to help anything. Judging by
the look of him, she knew that he probably never lifted a single finger to do any chores in his life.
She said with contempt, "Well, we don't need you. You'd better stay in the living room." He would only
get in the way staying here.
However, Francis was cheeky enough so he wouldn't go out.
He saw Ashley washing the vegetable and so he said, "Ashley, let me do it. You can just stand there
and see."
Ashley said with doubt, "Do you know how to wash them?"
Francis nodded with confidence. "Sure."
Ashley then made a space for him and said, "Okay, you do it."
Francis wasn't even convincing for the job, but he got the look and that basically was why it was hard
for anyone to refuse him. Such a handsome man would probably be loyal to the person he truly fell in
love with, she wished.
The kitchen was mini-sized and as Ellie was cooking there, she got no choice but to stand close to
Francis, who had taken Ashley's place to wash the vegetables. They stood very close to each other.
His hands were soaked in water in the sink, but his heart was all on Ellie.
"Ellie, I never knew you were so good at this. What are you going to cook for dinner? I am so lucky. It is
a great pleasure for me to come here at the right moment to enjoy your food."
"Ellie…" He kept talking ceaselessly and it was obvious that he tried very hard to strike up a
conversation, but Ellie didn't even seem to bother.
Francis felt like his mouth was completely dried up after speaking for a long time, but to no avail. Ellie
stood still with her poker face all the time.
Every woman would run to him ecstatically when they saw him. He didn't even need to say a single
word. Alas, he met his Waterloo in Ellie's case.
However, he didn't feel frustrated. It was probably because all those women before were too cheap and
this different kind of experience appealed more to his great interest rather than disappointment.
"What vegetable are you washing?" asked Ellie, just as Francis thought that Ellie would never ever talk
to him. She stared at the vegetable in his hand and putting on a weird expression.
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