fantishu
Chapter 262
Pax scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish. "I don't have much cash on me, so I'll have to find a cheap place to crash."
Chloe, ever the calm one, replied, "Don't worry about it. I'll sort out a hotel for you."
Pax shook his head firmly, standing his ground. "No way, Chloe. I can't use your money like that. I know you're generous, but a real man doesn't live off someone else's kindness."
Chloe sighed, feeling a bit stuck. Pax was dead set against staying at a hotel. He wanted a cheap rental for just a month, and it had to be close to downtown. Finding such a place was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
In the end, she brought him to Sundance Heights. It's an older neighborhood, so they might just find a vacant spot.
Ann was surprised to see Chloe bring home a tall, young guy, but Pax quickly introduced himself, all smiles and friendliness. Ann soon learned that Pax was a friend Chloe had met while abroad, and she welcomed him warmly.
Pax was nearly in tears after tasting Ann's homemade meal. "Back in France, I survived on dry baguettes with avocado every day. I'd almost forgotten what real food tastes like."
He devoured five large bowls of rice, and Ann's heart ached for him. "Studying abroad shouldn't be like this. It sounds more like exile."
By the time they finished dinner, it was already late. Chloe said, "I'll take you to a nearby motel for the night. Tomorrow, we'll find you a rental."
Pax hesitated, fumbling with his words. "I don't have an ID. My family kept it. I had to buy a fake one to get back, and it was so pricey that I blew through all my money."
He looked at Chloe with a pitiful expression. "I'm broke."
Ann, who had just finished washing the dishes, overheard this and felt a wave of sympathy. "Why don't you stay here for now? I'll tidy up the spare room on the east side."
The house had three bedrooms-one for Ann, one for Chloe, and one that belonged to Lisa.
Chloe looked surprised. "But that's Lisa's room."
A shadow of sadness crossed Ann's face. "She doesn't acknowledge me anymore. She's not coming back."
Then, Ann went to clean up the room.
Pax, noticing the tension, felt a bit awkward. "Chloe, who's Lisa? I don't want to be a burden. I can sleep in the living room." Chloe reassured him, "It's no trouble. Just stay in the room."
Maybe it was best that Ann prepared Lisa's room. It might help her let go of some unrealistic hopes. Lisa had wanted to cut ties with her past and would never step foot in that room again.
The room was quickly cleaned, and Pax settled in at Sundance Heights. He ended up staying for a week. During that time, he found a
part-time job as a singer at a local pub and even got an advance on his salary. Despite Ann's reluctance, he insisted on paying her a month's rent at market rate. This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.
One evening, Chloe returned from the TV station to find Ann busy in the kitchen and Pax in the shower. His phone that he had left on the living room couch buzzed nonstop.