The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)

Noelle's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she swatted Charles's hand away. "You're so shameless!"

"Am I?" Charles's eyes danced with laughter. He curled his finger under her chin, lifting her face for another kiss. Their lips met in a tender, lingering embrace. When they finally parted, both panting softly, Charles teased her with a grin, "There's more where that came from, my lady. Care to indulge?" The following morning, Noelle descended the stairs, hand on her aching back, muttering about how Charles did not know how to go slow. Why on earth had she trusted a man's sweet nothings in the heat of the moment? "Up and about already?"

Charles emerged from the kitchen with two small bowls in hand. Spotting Noelle's pouty, aggrieved expression, he cheerfully gestured to the dining table. "Come have breakfast. You've got a day at the construction site ahead, right? Don't starve yourself!" Noelle sulked over to the table, her reluctance fading as she saw the lavish spread. "Why'd you make so much? It's just us."

"Well, you're off to the construction site, right? Pack some for the road. If hunger strikes, you'll have something to tide you over. Dig in!"

"Oh!" Noelle nodded, but her eyes sparkled with warmth as she looked at Charles. He had whipped up a whole breakfast spread all by himself, which meant he must have been up with the birds. She let her gaze linger on him a moment longer. Charles let out a soft laugh. "Why are you staring? Are you not hungry for breakfast, or are you just hungry for me?"

Noelle was speechless for a second.

She mentally rolled her eyes at Charles's cheeky comment and dove into her meal.

Charles did not eat much, and he packed up the leftovers for Noelle before asking, "Heading straight to the construction site or stopping by the office first?"

"I've got to grab some files and

figures from the office. Mr. Parker

and I are carpooling to the site later." Her car was not really fit for a construction site. "Remember how Mr. Parker won that Land Rover at the last year-end bash? I'm gonna snag a ride with him!"

"Hey!" Charles playfully tweaked her nose. "Okay, let's hit the road!"

After parking, Noelle stepped out to find Brian by the Land Rover, checking his watch. "Time to go!"

"Mr. Parker, I left some documents behind!"

"I picked them up. Hop in!"

Noelle climbed into the car with Brian, who fastened his seatbelt and caught Noelle's gaze. "Is something on your mind?" Noelle shook her head. "All good!"

"Alright, let's hit the road! We might be over there a little longer today, but at least there's not the blazing summer heat to deal with. Just a heads-up: it's pretty windy, so hope you packed enough warm clothes!"

QUMS

"I sure did, Mr. Parker. You're fussing more than a grandma!" Noelle joked, unable to resist a playful jab. Brian cracked a smile and then pointed out, "The files are right beside you. Give them a glance, and we'll go over them in a bit. George iscoming back next week, and once we nail down the plan, we'll probably kick off our project with Lennon Group."

"Lennon Group? That's settled then?" Noelle raised an eyebrow, surprised. She remembered Charles was still weighing options with other firms. Was Charles playing his cards close to his chest all along? Brian's lips quirked up in a sly grin. "Among all the contenders, Lennon Group's the only one that cuts it. Mr. Hoffman has his reasons!"

"Gotcha." Noelle nodded. She did not really mind who they teamed up with. A partnership's a partnership, and Lennon Group was no doubt top-notch by any measure.