The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)

However, something nagged at Noelle. She recalled Charles mentioning that Colossus Group had been giving Lennon Group the cold shoulder because of some issue with Peter. What changed, then?

"Is something the matter? Is there something that's not making sense?"

"Nope, all good. I'll keep on reading!"

Brian and Noelle had been so wrapped up in work that the afternoon crept up on them. Brian, ever the workhorse, often worked through meals and barely noticed his surroundings once he was in the zone. It was not until he closed his notebook that he spotted Noelle in the car, nibbling on something from an insulated lunch box.

"Whoa, I totally forgot about lunch," Brian said, approaching her with an apologetic grin.

"Want some?" Noelle offered, popping open the lid of her lunch box.

Charles had packed comfort food, the kind that still tasted good even if it was not piping hot. Brian chuckled at the sight of the lunch box on the seat, a mix of amusement and self-reproach in his eyes. "You're really hungry, huh?"

He glanced at the lunch box in Noelle's hands and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I guess I'm not exactly boss of the year, am I?"

Noelle flashed a cheeky smile. "It's no biggie. I've got plenty. Do you want some?"

"Did you make this?"

"Nope, Charles did."

Brian's eyebrows shot up. The idea of Charles, a titan of the boardroom, whipping up a batch of homemade soup was... unexpected.

"What's up?" Noelle caught the puzzled look on Brian's face. "Not hungry?"

"No way. If Mr. Hoffman whipped this up for you, I can't just dig in. I was actually thinking of treating you to a meal, but I guess that's off the table now, huh?" Noelle just blinked in silence.

Brian caught the look on her face and let out a laugh. "Just kidding!"

Noelle nearly did a spit-take, and it took her a moment to force a smile. "You sure you don't want any, Mr. Parker? We might be up to our elbows in work later!"

Seeing her point, Brian stopped

refusing and took a few bites. To his

surprise, the flavors were still delicious despite the dish being served at room temperature. Noelle saw the look of approval on his face and beamed. "Charles really knows his way around the kitchen, doesn't he?"

Brian nodded, though he could not shake the weird feeling of being a third wheel. "Yeah, he's got skills!"

"Have you ever tried Teresa's cooking?"

Brian choked on his food, coughing as his face turned beet red.

Noelle gave him a sideways glance, noting his struggle. Brian was still coughing, fighting the urge to hack up a lung.

Quickly, Noelle grabbed a water bottle and handed it to him. "Here, Mr. Parker. Have some water."

Brian unscrewed the cap and chugged, finally catching his breath. After a hard swallow, he looked at Noelle, his expression a tangled web of thoughts.

Noelle was feeling a bit awkward. "I mean... I wasn't trying to pry or anything. was just concerned about a friend's love life, and it sort of led to asking about my boss's love life.

It all just came up by cha

Brian had managed to keep his embarrassment at bay for a while, but Noelle's words brought it right back. He stayed quiet for what seemed like forever before finally looking at Noelle. "Ms. Saunders is quite impressive."

Noelle blinked expectantly, waiting for Brian to go on, but when he did not, she prompted, "And?"

Brian gave Noelle a look. "Sorry, but I see Ms. Saunders as just someone I can really talk to."