Chapter 349 How did he beg you?
I got home and decided to use the whole Elissa and Efren thing to see if Madison still had feelings for Garry.
Madison caught on quick. "So, you want me to talk to Garry and help out Efren? Is Elissa really into him? And it's totally over with Francis?"
Even though she was older, Madison was always in the loop.
I laughed and shook my head. "Not really sure."
Switching gears, I said, "Jerry and I talked, and we want to keep the wedding low-key, like the engagement. Just close friends and family. What do you think?"
Madison nodded. "It's your wedding. Do it your way. I'm cool with it."
I asked, "Can I invite Garry? You and he had that sweet duet, perfect for a wedding."
Madison, with all her years in showbiz, thought I was just chatting. But she caught on fast. "You just asked if I liked someone and then brought up Garry. Are you trying to set us up?"
I cleared my throat. "Not really. I just heard he saved you at that banquet, so I thought we could invite him. The more, the merrier. Maybe his love will come too."
Garry was always been single, no kids, super clean—pretty rare in the entertainment world. Lots of girls tried to get close to him.
"So you want to find him a partner." Madison tapped my forehead. "Alright, invite him. I'll bring some age-appropriate guests to spice up your wedding."
I didn't mean that, but I knew Madison was playing dumb.
I smiled. "Mom, how about you and Garry recreate that classic dance scene from your movie at my wedding? It'd be unforgettable."
Madison's smile faded, raising an eyebrow. "You're setting me up, huh?"
I linked my arm with hers. "So, do you like him?"
Madison sighed, "If I say I don't, you won't believe me, will you?"
I replied, "If you say so, I believe you."
Madison laughed helplessly. "You clearly don't believe me."
I said, "Really. If you say you don't like him, I'll stop trying to set you up."
Madison thought for a moment. "Sometimes I think being friends is best. If we became lovers and it didn't work out, we'd lose decades of friendship. That'd be a shame."
I was surprised. "You and Garry said the same thing. He really gets you."
Madison gave in. "Alright. I give up. You're determined."
I said, "I just think Garry's personality wouldn't clash with yours."
Madison finally compromised. "Invite him to your wedding. You set it up, and I'll go along. If it doesn't work out, you give up, okay?"
I raised my hand. "Okay."
That night, after feeding Celestia, I went back to the room and told Jerry.
Jerry, casually wiping his hair, sat on the couch, stretched out his long arm, and pulled me into his embrace. "Happy?"
I nodded. "Yeah, pretty happy."
If Madison had feelings for Garry, getting them together would be awesome. Missing out on love would be a huge regret.
Jerry patted my head. "I need to tell you something."
"About Francis, right?" I stepped out of Jerry's embrace, crossed my arms, and looked at him seriously. "You're not gonna try to convince me to help him, are you?"
"Of course not. I'm totally on your side." Jerry chuckled, but then his tone changed. "But Francis begged me."
I asked, "How did he beg you?"
Jerry replied, "Verbally."
I gave him a look. "Well, duh."
Jerry laughed out loud, raised his hand, and pulled me back into his arms. "You don't get it. For him to say 'please' means he's really asking for my help."
I poked Jerry's firm chest. "Instead of asking you, he should go talk to Elissa, apologize, and speak from the heart. If he's sincere, Elissa will forgive him."
There was no real animosity between them.
Suddenly, I remembered something and pushed Jerry away. "If Francis can't handle his first love, I definitely won't vouch for him."
Jerry picked me up, threw me onto the bed, and leaned over. "He asked me, but I didn't say I'd help. I'm just telling you. They need to sort out their own issues. They're not kids anymore. Our time should be spent on important things. Don't let these trivial matters waste our time."
I was about to speak, but he took the opportunity to seal my lips with his.
In the end, all I could make were fragmented sounds.
Elissa was busy looking for a wedding venue.
During a break, she saw Jared's social media post: [Francis, who never gets sick, has been ill for almost half a month this time. Worth noting.]
Jared's picture was of him and Francis, but Elissa's sharp eyes caught a glimpse of a white dress hem.
Elissa immediately blocked Jared's social media, got up, opened a bottle of wine, and took it to the balcony to enjoy the night view.
She didn't hear her phone ringing, and until she finished the wine, she finally saw many missed calls.
Seeing the caller ID, she called back.
"Elissa," Efren's pitiful voice came through.
Elissa patiently coaxed, softening her tone, "Who bullied you? I'll stand up for you."
Efren sniffled, "You didn't answer my calls."
"I was busy." Elissa slumped on the couch and asked, "What's up? Why so many calls?"
Efren replied, "I was worried you'd be hungry, so I brought you some food, but I don't know your exact address."
Elissa got up from the couch, dressing as she asked, "Where are you now?"
Efren said, "At the entrance of your apartment complex."
Elissa replied, "I'll be right there."
Elissa kicked off her slippers, put on some convenient shoes, and hurried to the entrance.
She saw Efren standing in the cold wind, hands full of things, looking pitiful like an abandoned puppy, but still waiting obediently for his owner to take him home.
Even though Elissa knew Efren wasn't as simple as he appeared and that his actions were a way to slowly infiltrate her life, hinting at a deeper intention, not just playing around.
Elissa wasn't one to beat around the bush; she liked to keep things clear. If he couldn't handle it, he should leave. She didn't want any misunderstandings later.
But instead of exposing him, she said, "There's a private cinema over there. Let's go."
Efren followed Elissa across the street, his eyes downcast. "I'm sorry, Elissa. I just wanted to bring you some food. I didn't mean to bother you. If I wasted your time, I can make it up to you."
Elissa laughed. It was a bit chilly at night, so she pulled her coat tighter and asked, "How can you make it up to me?"
"I..." Efren moved a bit closer to her and said, "However you want, I'll do it."
Elissa linked her arm with his and said, "Don't do such silly things again. Call me first if you want to bring me something."
Efren suppressed his joy, looking pitiful. "I was afraid you'd think it was a hassle and wouldn't let me bring it, so I took the initiative. If you don't like it, I won't do it again. Just don't hate me."
Elissa knew his words were all tactics without genuine emotion, but she liked hearing them.
Sweet talk could be dizzying, but it sounded so good.
It was much better than Francis's harsh words. No matter how well-intentioned they were, she didn't want to hear those overly cold truths.
Elissa said, "I won't, so don't stand in the cold wind anymore. Call me, and I won't refuse."
Efren finally smiled. "I'll do as you say. If you're happy, I'm happy. As long as you need me, I'll make you happy. I won't let you be sad or cry."
Meanwhile, Francis didn't like staying in the hospital. After his IV drip, his headache eased, and he wanted to go home.
Jared couldn't stop him, so he called Jessa over.
"Francis, how did you get so sick?" Jessa's eyes were filled with tears, her soft voice choked with emotion. "It's all my fault. When I saw you didn't look well, I should have come to the hospital with you. I shouldn't have left you alone."
As she spoke, Jessa wiped away her tears, held Francis's hand, and blew on the alcohol swab that hadn't been removed.
Jessa continued, "It's bleeding, Francis. I'll call a nurse to take care of it."
Francis pulled his hand back, his voice faint and hoarse from the illness. "It's not necessary."
Francis looked at Jared and said, "Make sure Jessa gets home safely."
Jessa declined, "Francis, you can't be discharged yet. You still have a fever. If you insist on leaving, I have to go home with you to take care of you. Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep tonight."
Francis just wanted to be alone. "It's fine. I have medicine at home. You shouldn't go out alone at night; it's not safe. I'm a grown man; I can take care of myself. You don't need to worry."
Jessa didn't argue, nodding gently, her voice soft and tender. "Francis, don't always worry about me. Take care of yourself too. If you don't take care of your health, I'll have to tell your mother."
Francis definitely didn't want his family to know, especially his mom. He didn't want to be nagged. So he replied, "Got it. Jared, take her home."
Jessa reached out to help Francis up and said, "If you want to go home, let me take you."
Francis avoided her hand. "No need. For your store, talk to Jared. I've already arranged everything. Just follow the process."
Jessa suppressed her emotions, maintaining a gentle smile. "Thank you, Francis. Sorry for the trouble."
Francis waved it off. "It's nothing."
Jessa looked at Jared and said, "Then I will trouble you to send me back."
It wasn't a problem for Jared, but he was puzzled, thinking, 'Why does Francis seem so indifferent to Jessa? He almost broke ties with his family for her before.'
But the next second, Jared understood. Francis was naturally cold and cared about his image. If he wasn't sure Jessa came back for him, he probably wouldn't take the initiative to reconcile. But it didn't matter. Jessa wasn't leaving now. There was plenty of time to rekindle old feelings.
Francis was still sick, so he probably wasn't in the mood for romance. Once he recovered, he'd be ready to talk about feelings.
Jared said, "Francis, smile for me."
Francis looked up at the sound, his illness making him a bit slow.
Jared took the photo, satisfied, and posted it on social media.
Jared said, "I'll take her home first. Wait for me at the hospital."
Francis refused, "I have other plans. Just go home after you drop her off."
He was too noisy. Francis didn't want to talk to Jared these days.
Jared didn't realize Francis didn't want to be around him. He thought Francis had something to do, waved, and left with Jessa.
On the way, Jessa softly asked, "Francis seems to be in a bad mood lately. Did something happen while I was away?"
Jared said, "It's because of you."
A good friend should help out.
Jared stopped at a red light and continued, "He feels guilty for not protecting you back then."
Jessa didn't think so. She said, "How can we blame Francis for what happened back then? We were just kids, following the adults' arrangements."
Jared said, "That's just how he is. He's probably happy you're back, but he's been injured and sick lately, so it's normal for him to be in a bad mood. But it's not directed at you. Don't overthink it. Once he recovers, he'll definitely want to be with you again. Then, make sure to invite me to the wedding."
Jessa inwardly cursed Jared for being dumb but smiled and said, "Of course. Even if it's not about me and Francis, we've known each other for years. You'd definitely be invited."
Then she subtly changed the subject, "We ran into Jerry's fiancée and her friend at the mall today."
"Elissa?" Jared's voice brightened at the mention of Elissa, "They rented a shop, probably checking on business."
Jessa nodded. "I heard they started their own clothing brand. They're impressive."
Jared said, "They are, but you're not bad either. Coming back from studying abroad, with Francis's resources, you'll do great. Don't worry."
Jessa didn't want to chat with Jared anymore, but she still wanted to know something. After all, Francis was too cold; she couldn't get anything from him.
Jessa said, "By the way, when we saw them today, there was a tall, handsome guy with them. He looked like a college student. Is he their brother? But it didn't seem like it. I didn't want to ask and be rude at that time. Do they have a brother?"
Jared thought, 'Neither of them have a brother. How could there be a young guy around Hope? Jerry will definitely be very jealous. So that guy must be with Elissa.'
Thinking of this, Jared asked, "Did you hear how he addressed Elissa and Hope?"
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