Chapter 37
Chapter 37
A plump fish vendor greeted Doris with a friendly smile. “Hey girl, what kind of fish are you buying today?”
“One cod,” Doris replied, already a regular at the market. “I’ll come pick it up after I finish shopping for veggies.”
“Alright!” the fish vendor responded.
As Doris headed to the vegetable section, Lewis finally followed behind her.
His deep, magnetic voice rang in her cars. “You always buy groceries here?”
“Yeah,” She answered casually. “You’re always busy and never do the shopping, so. I have to buy some groceries and meat. Otherwise, what are we going to eat every night?”
“If cooking is too much trouble, we can just eat out,” Lewis said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
+5
“Let’s not even talk about hygiene–eating out costs at least 50 dollars per meal. If we did that every day, that’s at least 2,000 dollars a month! We’re just working–class people! Isn’t it better to save that money?” Doris shot him an annoyed look.
She thought Lewis was being completely wasteful.
Her strong attitude left Lewis stunned. ‘Was she lecturing me?‘
Other than his elders, she was probably the first
person
to
do that.
Doris didn’t say anything more. She went on with her shopping, bargaining skillfully with the vendors.
Lewis thought all the haggling was a waste of time–he could make way more money in the same amount of time.
He pulled out his phone, ready to pay via WhatsApp, but Doris stopped him. “Can you not mess this up?”
Left with no choice, Lewis put his phone away and watched as she negotiated fiercely with the vendors, who eventually gave in to her persistence.
“I bought so much from you–can you throw in some onions for free? I’ll come back next time!”
The vendor hesitated but then nodded. “Alright.”
“You’re so kind.” Doris paid and turned to Lewis. “Don’t just stand there–grab the bags and let’s go.”
Frowning slightly, he reluctantly picked up the bags and followed her out.
“Was it really necessary to argue for just a few cents?” Lewis still couldn’t understand the life of ordinary people.
“Of course! Everything costs money–oil, salt, everything! Life is about budgeting carefully,” Doris said, deeply aware of this from her childhood hardships.
“What else do we need to buy?”
“Fruits.”
Doris bought fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits, and the two of them carried their heavy bags back toward the fish stall.
Before they even arrived, the strong smell of fish hit Lewis’s nose, making him feel uncomfortable.
“You go ahead, I’ll wait here.”
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Chapter 37
“So delicate, huh?”
Cut the crap.”
Σ
Doris chuckled and headed to the fish stall. “How much is the fish?”
“$10.50, but I’ll give it to you for $10,” the fishmonger said, handing her the sliced fish.
Doris scanned the code and took the bag. “Thanks”
“Hey, miss, hold on a second,” the fishmonger called out, glanced toward the direction Doris had come from, and lowered her voice. “The guy you came with–he’s really handsome. Who is he? Does he have a girlfriend? Is he local? What does he do for work?”
It felt like an interrogation.
Doris glanced at Lewis’s tall and upright figure. “Seems like he doesn’t. He’s local and has a job. Why?”
“My little sister just turned twenty. It’s about time for her to find a boyfriend, and we’re looking for someone local with a stable job. She’s really pretty. I think your friend looks great. Since he doesn’t have a girlfriend, why don’t you introduce them?”
Doris cursed in her mind–this guy’s face was truly a problem, attracting attention wherever he went.
Seeing Doris hesitate, the fishmonger continued in a hushed voice, “My sister’s got wide hips. She’ll give him a lot of children. He won’t lose out.
“Just help me out and mention it to him. Even if it doesn’t work out, I won’t blame you.”
The fishmonger pressed her palms together in an earnest plea.
Doris decided to stall. “I’ll ask him and see what he thinks.”
“What are you asking me about?” A cool voice came from behind.
Doris felt a sharp gaze land on the back of her neck, sending a chill down her spine.
She swallowed, turned around, and instantly put on a sweet smile. “Why did you come over?”
“I was afraid you’d spend all night bargaining,” Lewis said, noticing how long Doris had been talking to the fishmonger,. assuming she was negotiating the price.
The smile on Doris’s face instantly vanished.
Could he ever say something nice? She’d prefer if he just shut up.
“He’s right here. Ask him yourself.” Doris tossed the problem to Lewis and stepped aside.
“Hey, handsome, I heard you don’t have a girlfriend. I’ve got a little sister–interested in meeting her?” The fishmonger was straightforward, wasting no time.
“Mr. Hartman, her little sister is really beautiful. You’re quite lucky,” Doris teased from the side, completely unbothered. After all, he had just mocked her earlier–revenge was best served instantly.
Lewis glanced at Doris’s gloating face, the corners of his lips curving into an amused smile. “I don’t have a girlfriend, but I am married.” The fishmonger looked disappointed. “Married? Which lucky girl snagged such a great catch?”
Lewis’s deep eyes lingered on Doris, his smile growing.
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Fri, 28 Feb
Chapter 37
Doris’s heart skipped a beat. Before she could stop him, it was too late.
“This is my wife,” Lewis said, taking Doris’s hand to prove his words.
Doris felt the warmth of his dry palm enveloping hers, his heat seeping into her skin.
She tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip.
“Huh?” The fishmonger was shocked, her face turning red with embarrassment. She had just tried to set up a married man. “Miss, you should’ve told me earlier. This is so awkward.”
“Well, she’s been upset with me. Please forgive her,” Lewis said with a helpless yet indulgent tone.
Doris felt a little guilty. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I was a bit too eager myself. The fishmonger, knowing Doris’s character, smiled. “Congrats, miss.”
“Thank you.”
As they walked away, Lewis finally let go of her hand. “You did that on purpose.”
His own wife just tried to set him up with someone else.
“Well, you’re going to find someone eventually. Might as well start scouting now,” she said.
“Then I should be thanking you?”
“No need.”
“Doris!”
What was he, a gift? Just handing him off to whoever she wanted?
This woman really got under his skin.
“Why are you yelling? I’m not deaf.” Doris stood tall and confident. “Doesn’t clause four of our agreement state that I can’t reveal our marriage without your consent?”
Seeing Lewis remain silent, she asked again, “Doesn’t it?”
“Yes,” Lewis responded calmly, his face showing no emotion.
“So I didn’t do anything wrong.” Doris raised an eyebrow.
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