Chapter Chapter 8 Time had flown by , and horis had already been living in the spacious three bedroom apartment in Greenlake Hill for three days The 1500 square foot home was hers alone during that time , and she relished the tranquility .
It felt like a slice of paradise .
the kind of peace that seeped into her bones .
But as serene as the place was , it was glaringly incomplete especially the kitchen .
So , Doris had taken it upon herself to fill the void Shed gone on a shopping spree , buying kitchen tools online and picking up household essentials at the supermarket .
Slowly but surely , the once empty space started to feel more like a home , After work , she found herself tearing through the pile of delivered packages like a child on Christmas morning , reveling in the sheer joy of unpacking What on earth are you doing ? Lewiss sharp voice echoed in the room , startling her .
She froze mid rip , turning toward the unexpected intrusion .
What are you doing here ? she asked , panic flickering across her face .
Im the one asking questions , Lewis replied , one brow arching high .
Did you just drag a landfill into the house ? Lewiss aversion to thess was well known and he had a borderline obsession with cleanliness .
The sight before him a kitchen littered with boxes , torn packaging , and random items strewn across the floor was nothing short of a nightmare .
He stood there , looking as if his world had been thrown into disarray , barely containing his frustration .
This pristine kitchen of yours looks like its never seen a meal , Doris muttered with a pout , clutching a half opened box .
I golta cat .
Im only human , you know .
Lewiss tone turned colder , his patience waning .
You have ten minutes to clean this up .
No , scratch that five minutes .
If not , Ill have someone come and throw everything out Five minutes ? Doris gasped , wide eyed .
Thats impossible .
Fine .
Make it three , he shot back before pivoting sharply and heading toward the bedroom .
As his tall , broad frame disappeared down the hall , Doris couldnt help muttering under her breath , What a neat freak .

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So much for her initial impression of him as a laid back guy .
Today , she got a taste of his no nonsense side , and it was nothing short of terrifying Not wanting to test his patience further , Doris quickly got to work tidying up .
By the time she finished , Lewis was still nowhere to be seen .
With the place back in order , she decided to shift gears and make herself a decent dinner with the new kitchen tools shed bought .
Doris had gone all out with her grocery haul , so she figured she might as well enjoy the fruits of her labor .
Pulling out fresh ingredients , she started preparing a comforting meal hearty beef chili and Caesar salad , followed by some tomato soup to round it all out .
Just as she was putting the finishing touches on the soup , Lewis emerged from the bedroom .
Gone was his usual crisp , tailored suit .
Instead , he wore a simple gray loungewear set that clung to his broad shoulders in a way that was annoyingly attractive .
His damp hair fell across his forehead , softening the sharp edges of his face .
For a moment , he almost looked approachable .
14 Wed , 26 Chapter 8 Lewis made his way to the fridge , grabbed a bottle of mineral water , and took a sip before speaking , troni deres something I need to tell you Starting Today , Ill be living here He had decided it was time to take a closer look at Doris Living together seemed like the only way to truly understood wh kind of person she was .
The words hit Doris like a freight train .
She blinked at him , her ladle pausing mid air Then one out to 11 Her mind raced as she tried to process the sudden announcement .
So much for settling in the thought moerly lamenting the money shed spent .
She glanced at the sparkling new utensils and supplies shed painstức Guess most of it will have to stay here .
Consider it a thank you gift for letting me crash , she thought Theres no need , Lewis said , dismissing the idea of Doris moving out .
His tone was casual , yet firm .
Sonce were married , my home is your home .
You can stay here .
Renting a place is expensive and not exactly side .
Deelt you agreed Doris hesitated , but she had to admit his reasoning was sound .
She nodded in agreement Lewis , always the stickler for boundaries , added .
One thing dont go into my bedroom without permission .
And if you need to use the study , let me know first .
Got it .
Doris nodded again , thinking to herself , As if Id want to snoop around in his bedroom anyway She ladled the tomato soup into a bowl and placed it on the table alongside the chili and salad.
With a smile , she turned to Lewis and offered warmly , Mr.
Hartman , have you eaten ? If not , feel free to join me for dinner .
Lewis glanced at the spread , his expression skeptical .
Did you actually make this ? And is inedible ? Doris raised an eyebrow , her lips curving into a mischievous smile .
Careful , it might poison you Lewis was speechless , his lips twitching as if he wanted to say something but decided against it .
Seeing his rare moment of obvious dismay , Doris nearly burst out laughing .
Well , you can keep it to yourself then , Lewis retorted , though his stomach betrayed him with a loud grow Lewis had no social engagements that evening , so he returned home early .
After a refreshing shower that drained some of his energy , combined with the late hour , his hunger had caught up with him Doris smirked , I made too much anyway , so dont let it go to waste .
Come on , eat .
She handed him a set of utensils and gestured to the table .
Youre right .
Wasting food would be a shame .
Reluctantly , Lewis pulled out a chair and sat across from her .
Doris didnt say another word to expose his excuse , but the smile on her face spoke volumes as she nodded and tucked into her meal .
To his own surprise , Lewis found himself enjoying the food more than he expected .
Normally , he avoided anything overly seasoned , but tonight , every bite felt oddly satisfying .
So ? Doris finally asked , looking at him with expectant eyes .
Hows my cooking ? Lewis tamped down the urge to compliment her outright .
Keeping his expression neutral , he said , Its alright .
If I had to score it , maybe a six out of ten .
Room for improvement .
Before tonight , hed been dubious about her cooking skills .
To now admit that it was good would feel like eating his own words , and Lewis wasnt about to hand her that kind of victory and let her get too smug about it , fearing shed soar with self- satisfaction .
You ate so much you practically licked your plate clean , and youre still giving it a six ? Honestly .
Mr.
Hartman , youre petty 2/4 Wed , 26 Fi 88 % Chapter 8 to a fault Doris huffed , shaking her head .
Since I cooked , you can wash the dishes , Im taking a break With that , she pushed herself up from the table , palms pressed lightly against its edge , and made her way to the living room .
Lewis frowned , his gaze shifting to the stack of dishes on the table .
As the heir to the Hartman family , hed lived a life of privilege with chauffeurs , chefs , and housekeepers attending to his every need .
Hed never washed any dishes before .
His gaze followed Doris as she flopped onto the couch with a contented sigh .
Walking over , he loomed over her , his tall frame casting a shadow across her face .
Doris , he began , his tone even but laced with intent , lets discuss something .
How does that sound ? Its out of the question .
Im not washing those dishes , Doris said , catching the unspoken defiance in Lewiss gaze .
I wouldnt make you do it for free .
His tone turned businesslike , the glint in his eye suggesting a deal was already forming .
How about this ? Ill pay you 700 dollars a month as a dishwashing fee .
u say ? s I rarely eat at home , so youd mostly just be washing your own .
Think of it as easy pocket money .
What do you Doris studied his deep set eyes , weighing her options .
If youre not interested , Lewis added smoothly , deploying his second strategy , I can always hire someone temporary There was no way he was touching those dishes himself .
Deal .
Doris raised her hand , a playful grin tugging at her lips .
Seven hundred dollars ? Better I pocket it than let someone else take it .
Easy money is still money .
But wow , Lewis sure knows how to throw cash around , she mused .
Alright .
Lewis pulled out his phone , tapping away before transferring the payment without hesitation .
Moments later , Doriss phone lit up with the notification .
Her grin widened , and she practically beamed as she saw the money in her account .
Lewis watched her light up , and a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth .
In his mind , money was the universal problem solver .
After pocketing the payment , Doris leaned back and tilted her head curiously .
Mr.
Hartman , what do you do for work anyway ? Lewiss eyebrows lifted slightly , his expression unreadable .
Why the sudden interest in me ? Doris laughed , waving her hand dismissively .
Dont overthink it .
Just making conversation .
Their casual banter was interrupted by the television , now playing a sleek car commercial .
The flashy visuals reminded Doris of something shed seen earlier .
Oh , Mr.
Hartman , she started , her tone bright with sudden recollection .
This morning , I saw a black Rolls Royce cruising past the subway station near the complex .
The license plate had an H on it .
Lola told me thats the exclusive ride of the Hartman family heir .
Honestly , the whole scene screamed luxury so over the top , it was practically dripping with gold .
She described the moment vividly , her words animated as if painting the scene with a flourish .
Lewis , of course , knew it was his car .
Margaret had told him Doris was a sweet girl kind and pure , someone whod make a great wife .
But Lewis was determined to prove Margaret wrong .
He was convinced that Doriss innocence and charm were just a facade , and he intended to uncover the truth behind it .
Wed , 26 Feb