Third Person's POV
Colleen moved into Jared's house after two days. She thought it was just a simple house that would only fit her and Jared. But to her surprise, it was a mansion.
"Do you like the house?" Ingrid asked.
"Well, it's huge. Now I know why Jared agreed to live with me. She said it unconsciously.
"What do you mean?" Claire, who was sitting on the couch, asked her questions.
I don't think we will be able to see each other when we live here. I mean, it's really huge. " She replied, which made Ingrid and Claire laugh.
"You are really funny. Of course you will be seeing him; you will be sleeping in the same room, you silly. " Colleen's smile faded when Claire told her. "Why, didn't you like it?" Claire asked after she noticed that Colleen suddenly froze.
"Well, I don't think Jared will agree to that." she replied, smiling. She was just being realistic. She knew that Jared didn't like this arrangement at all, so it was natural for her not to expect something like that. She was already surprised that he agreed to live with them, so she had no intention of going any further than sleeping in the same room. Let's just take things slowly. He's mad about his situation, so we need to respect that. "I am fine with having a grand roof over my head," she added, smiling.
"You know that you deserve more than a grand roof over your head. If it weren't for you, I don't think I would be---" Claire said,
I have no intention of making you feel thankful because of what I did. I freely gave you what is mine because it will make me happy, "she said, cutting Claire off.
I just wanted you to feel comfortable and not to worry about anything else. Please make yourself at ease with me and treat me as your mother. " Claire said that Colleen was really happy after hearing that. She longed for a mother for so long, and when she met Claire, she felt a motherly love from her.
"I am comfortable with you," she replied.
"Then why are you refusing the assistance I offered you?"
"Because I am seeing you as a friend, and I don't extort money from a friend."
"I am giving it to you willingly." Claire clarified.
"I really can't win with you," Colleen said, smiling. I am happy with what I have now, but I have to tell you that now that Jared is my lawfully wedded husband, I am going to ask him for money. "I mean, a lot of money," she added, grinning.
Jared just got in, and he heard what Colleen had said. He was puzzled, thinking she was talking to his mother that way, and Claire was still smiling at him. He thought that his mom was afraid of her or something. That's why Claire can't say no to her.
"What are you talking about?" he asked with a stoic face as he approached them. Claire was surprised by his arrival, which made Jared think that she was indeed afraid. "Are you threatening my mother?" he asked Colleen.
"No, why would I do that?" she replied casually.
"Why does she look surprised?" he asked again. ,
Claire, who was back to her senses, defended Colleen immediately. It's nothing like that. You didn't hear the whole conversation, right? " Jared just looked at her and went to his room. Colleen, on the other hand, didn't know what she would do now that Jared was home. She wanted to talk to him if ever he had anything he wanted her to do during their marriage.
"Come on, Colleen, and let's have a look at your room." Claire invited her, but she was hesitant to go because she knew that Jared was there as well, maybe changing his clothes.
"Later Mommy Claire, let's give him time to change at least." She said, and they decided to go to the kitchen. Colleen likes to cook, but because she was living alone and had no things to use, she didn't actually practice it. She wanted to attend a cooking course, but she needed to save money for her illness, so she just set it aside. She knows what her priorities are, and that's fine with her.
When I was young, I really wanted to cook. But because we're poor, my parents couldn't afford to send me to a culinary school. Claire said as she started showing her the kitchen area.
"Colleen, this is Betty. She will be helping you out here, along with the other 4 maids. Claire said and looked at Betty, who was smiling. "Where are they?" Claire asked, looking for the other maids she was talking about.
"They will be here by tomorrow. I will introduce them to Ma'am Colleen when they arrive. Betty replied.
You can call me Colleen. No need for ma'am, I'm not used to it. " Colleen said, and Betty smiled at her as well.
"You are the lady of the other mansion, so it was only natural to address you as such." Betty insisted.
"No, Colleen is fine." S insisted, so Betty had no choice but to do as she said. Claire was just watching them, happily.
Betty is the head maid, but she is also a really good cook. You can ask her to teach you when I am not available. " Claire told her.
"Really? I like that. " She exclaimed.
"I am going to teach you everything I know." Betty replied happily. It was the first time that she encountered such an employer. She came from Claire's mansion, and she had no complaints about how good they were to her. But she feels that Colleen is a very kind person immediately.
Colleen was really happy after talking to Betty. She felt her sincerity and she loved that. In her life, most of the people she met were full of complaints about life, and they forgot to appreciate what they had. To her, Betty was a jolly person, and she was looking forward to being with her for at least the last three years of her life.
Despite Jared's being mad about her being his wife, she was glad that someone like Betty would live with them as well. And for her, it was enough to make her marriage to Jared bearable. Of course, along with Claire and Ingrid, everything was still perfect and was worth looking forward to.
Colleen promised herself that she would do everything a wife should do, even if Jared didn't want it. For her, it was the only thing she could do for him for marrying someone like her and for leaving and breaking off with his girlfriend if he really did.