Chapter 119
M
Doris also noticed Andy had left, clearly unhappy, while Lola was beaming.
She picked up the packed lunch box. “Then I need to get back to work.”
Lewis nodded. “Go ahead.”
Doris walked a few steps, and then turned back to look at Lewis, still sitting in his spot, with no intention of leaving.
She hesitated, went back, and reminded him, “We’re off at 9:30, you should go home first.
“Did you bring your computer?” Lewis‘ gaze was calm as water.
“Yes.” Doris needed the computer these past two days, so she had it with her.
“Then could you lend me your computer for a bit?” Lewis asked.
“Sure,” Doris agreed readily but was puzzled, “What do you need the computer for?”
“I have nothing to do at home, just work, so I’ll sit here for a while, use your computer to handle some business, Lewis said as if it made perfect sense.
“You’re going to work here? It’s not as quiet as home, Claudia, it might disturb you,” Doris kindly persuaded, “You really don’t need to wait for me to get off work.”
And going to such lengths.
“Who said I’m waiting for you?” Lewis chuckled lightly, “I’m here to spend, get me a latte.”
So she was being presumptuous, “Aren’t you afraid you won’t be able to sleep if you drink coffee this late?”
She was the type who couldn’t drink coffee too late, or she’d easily suffer from insomnia.
“No,” Lewis smiled charmingly, “Mrs. Hartman, go ahead.”
The gentle “Mrs. Hartman” made Doris somewhat embarrassed. She had no choice but to turn and leave, heading to the back staff room to retrieve her computer from her locker.
She then walked over to the cash register, where Lola was already waiting, watching Doris approach with a meaningful smile.
“You two are really sweet,” Lola leaned on the counter edge, smiling, “Andy has already been driven away by me.”
“Not that sweet.” Doris maintained her composure. “He wants a latte.”
“Alright, I’ll make it for him personally.” Lola’s eyes twinkled with stars.
“I’ll take the computer to him first.” Doris turned, the corners of her mouth involuntarily curling into a smile.
Lola started making the coffee, finishing it in a few minutes, and personally delivered it to Lewis. “Mr. Hartman, could you help us out by posting on your social media, recommending our little shop, so your friends can come visit us too.”
“Friends?” Lewis‘ sharp eyes saw through everything, “Ivan?”
Lola’s smile was already evident, and she admitted openly, “Yes. Can Mr. Hartman help with this?”
“Having him take care of the shop’s business is naturally possible, anything else depends on fate,” Lewis tactfully declined, as he was powerless in matters of the heart.
1/3
06:59 Tue, 11 Mar
Chapter 119
Lola understood it instantly. “No problem, just having him take care of business is good. I’ll work on the rest myself.”
“Then I wish Ms. Bates all the best.” Lewis‘ response was somewhat formal.
“Thank you.” Lola thought just seeing Ivan would be a treat for the eyes. “Then I won’t disturb you two anymore.”
“I’ll go work with you.” Doris linked arms with Lola.
Lola, however, looked disdainful. “You should just clock out now and go home with Mr. Hartman.”
“No, everyone else is still here, it wouldn’t be right for me to leave.” Doris wanted to lead by example.
93%
“You and I are the bosses, we can leave whenever we want, what’s not right about that?” Lola pulled Doris‘ arm, pushing her towards Lewis.
“Mr. Hartman, please take your wife home. It’s been a tiring day, I need to go home and rest well too, otherwise why did we hire people? Let’s go.”
After saying that, Lola took Doris to the workroom, took off their aprons and hung them up, and took their bags from the lockers.
She came out and gave a few instructions to the manager.
Doris understood that Lola was considering her, not wanting Lewis to wait too long in the shop.
When Doris got home, she felt exhausted. She said goodnight to Lewis and went to wash up before heading to bed.
She was so tired that she fell asleep almost instantly and had a great night’s rest.
Since the café didn’t open until 9 AM, she didn’t have to wake up as early as she used to for work.
Lewis, on the other hand, had to leave for work earlier.
In the CEO’s office, Lewis called Daniel in. “Tell the Logistics Department to buy afternoon coffee from Loris Café for different departments every day. One, it helps their business. Two, it saves them some effort. Make it free for three months, and deduct the cost from my account.”
“Mr. Hartman, you’re really going all out for Ms. Reed.” The cost of three months‘ worth of free coffee wasn’t much to Lewis, but for the company employees, it was like three months of free perks. “You’re doing all this for her, and she doesn’t even know.”
“It’s nothing. No need to tell her,” Lewis warned Daniel. “Don’t let her find out.”
“Got it.” Daniel couldn’t help but think,Looks like the boss is completely falling for her.
He had worked with Lewis for years and had never seen him care about a woman like this. Doris was the first, and most likely the last.
Danis thought Lewis wasn’t the type to love half–heartedly–when he decided to care for someone, it was for life. Being the woman he cherished was probably the luckiest thing in the world.
The doorbell rang, interrupting Claudia as she was watching TV.
Annoyed, she got up from the couch and walked to the door. “Rupert, why don’t you ever bring your keys? Next time, if you forget them again, I’m not opening the-”
She pulled the door open and froze when she saw Jimmy and Peyton standing outside.
2/3
(12)
Chapter 119
“What are you doing here?” Her eyes widened in shock.
A whole week had passed, and Rupert hadn’t mentioned anything about Jimmy and Peyton coming over. She had assumed he had already talked them out of it.
“We told Rupert we were coming to stay,” Jimmy said, noticing her stunned expression. “Didn’t he tell you?”
“N–no…” Claudia lied.
“Well, no problem. Now I’m telling you,” Jimmy said. Seeing that Claudia wasn’t moving aside, he reminded her, “Claudia, mind letting us in?”
Of course, she didn’t want to, but since Jimmy had already spoken, she couldn’t just shut the door in their faces.
‘Rupert, I swear, I’m going to kill you,‘ she cursed in her head.
“Why don’t you come back when Rupert gets home?” she tried to find an excuse.
Jimmy’s face darkened. “Your aunt just had major surgery. She’s not in good health and can’t stand for long. Besides, we paid for this house. Coming to our son’s home is perfectly reasonable.”
He reached out to support Peyton. “Come on, I’ll help you inside.”
With Jimmy forcing his way in, Claudia had no choice but to step aside.
She watched them walk in, gritting her teeth in frustration.
3/8
