'Okay, now I have to convince Ashley.'
Francis took a step forward so that he was directly in front of Ashley. He then flashed her a smile.
However, Ashley was furious at the mere sight of Francis.
Andrew wasn't here so she took her anger out on him.
'You're his best friend. I know you two talk a lot and you know what each other is up to, so you can't
blame me.
All men are liars!
No exceptions!
All they do is cheat on women!'
Francis just merely stood there and he had no idea what was going on in Ashley's mind.
"What's wrong with you? Get out of our way. We have to catch the bus," Ashley said.
"Ashley, I can give you and Ellie a ride. You don't need to catch the bus. It's crowded and you might not
even get to sit anymore. Anyone can take the bus and I just want you two to be safe. Especially such
beautiful women as yourselves.
If you ride with me, you'll be much safer and more comfortable. You can even sleep if you want. You're
going to be completely safe. What do you think?" Francis posed.
She put on a fake smile and said, "I'm sorry to tell you this but we want to take the bus. We've been
taking this bus for more than 20 years now. We're used to it. You don't need to worry about our safety.
Maybe, you should be worrying about yourself. A handsome man like yourself can easily attract
thieves."
Ellie couldn't help but feel uneasy upon hearing Ashley talk to Andrew like this. She eyed her and
wondered what was going on with her. 'She's never behaved like this before.'
Francis looked at Ashley in amazement. 'She has changed a lot.
How could she say something like that!
She was harsh!
I need backup from Ellie."
He then turned to Ellie.
She grabbed Ashley's arm and said, "Ashley, I think he has a point. Anyway, it's a free ride. It's going to
save us money. Let's just get in the car."
'A free ride? Is that all I am to her? A driver?' Francis thought, a bit upset.
Ashley looked at Ellie and nodded. "Okay."
Francis was overjoyed upon hearing this.
Since he was seated in the driver's seat, he could see from the mirror that the two were whispering and
giggling. 'What are they talking about? Why aren't they talking to me?
That is not what I'd planned!' he complained inwardly.
He then parked the car near a supermarket because Ashley and Ellie needed to buy something. He
intended to go inside with them and go shopping too.
However, just as he was unfastening his seat belt, he was stopped. "Francis, you can stay here."
"No, Ashley, let me go with you. I can help you carry the grocery bags. They might be heavy."
'Alas, I'm just a servant now.'
Ashley thought for a moment and replied, "Okay, let's go."
She then headed to the vegetable section. When Francis was sure that she was already distracted, he
pulled Ellie aside. He said in a low voice, "Ellie, what's happened to Ashley? I think something's up with
her."
'She just flipped out.
Where the hell is Andrew? Why hasn't he turned up yet? I just want to be alone with Ellie.'
This couple just drove him crazy.
He had no idea what was going on with them.
Ellie looked at Ashley and shook her head. She figured something must have happened between her
and Andrew but she just didn't know. She'd decided that she was going to ask when they get home.
"I don't know. Maybe it has something to do with Andrew. You can ask him what happened.
Ashley just isn't in the mood today. If you're a bit pissed at her because of what she said to you, just let
it go."
"Yeah, I'll let it go. I know she just has a lot going on. I'll ask Andrew tomorrow," Francis responded.
"Okay," Ellie said.
'Where is Ellie?' Ashley wondered when she realized that Ellie hadn't followed her. She looked around
and saw that Ellie was walking by Francis' side.
Then she approached them to pull Ellie toward her. "Ellie, did you already forget what I told you? Stay
away from him. He's a playboy. He's just pretending to be nice."
Francis couldn't help but frown upon hearing this. 'How could she say that?
I'm trying to get to know Ellie because I want her. Why is she making me out to be the bad guy here?'
Ellie rubbed him on the shoulder as a way to comfort him before leaving with Ashley.
They had bought a lot of goods, including greens and snacks. The bags were too heavy for Ashley and
Ellie to carry so it was time to ask Francis to carry it for them.
They put the goods in the shopping cart and asked Francis to carry it to the car.
Ellie wanted to help him because she was embarrassed watching him struggle with all the big bags.
However, Ashley stopped her.
After a while, they arrived at Ashley and Ellie's house. Francis helped them carry the stuff inside.
Ashley stared at him when he wanted to enter the door. "I think you should leave now."
His body turned stiff. 'What? She's making me leave now?'
"Ashley..."
Ashley then went inside only to find another pair of slippers beside hers and Ellie's.
It was a pair of men's slippers.
She was a little confused. "Ellie, whose slippers are these? Why is there a pair of men's slippers here?"
Ellie looked at the slippers and answered, "I bought them. Francis and Andrew are always here
anyway. I bought them the last time I went to the supermarket."
Ashley glanced at her then at Francis before answering, "Okay." It was difficult to tell if she believed
Ellie's explanation or not.
Ellie and Ashley then went to the kitchen so they could cook. Francis was finally able to relax.
He almost had to beg just to be able to stay so he needed to make something out of it.
Then he took out his phone and sent a message to Andrew.
"What's wrong with Ashley today? Is she fighting with someone? Why is she mad at me? Why didn't
she stay with you? She ruined my date with Ellie. You have to pick her up now!"
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