The Cherished Wife by Chweety

laced with annoyance. "Who does that first thing in the morning?"

An hour passed before Noelle could peel herself off the bed. With a hand on her aching back and her legs shaking like jelly, she shot a glare at Charles, who was strolling out of the bathroom and looking way too pleased with himself. "Back off!" she snapped, her voice Her cheeks turned a shade redder as she bit her lip. "This is all your fault!"

Charles, still riding high, softly touched her cheek. "Come on, get ready. We're short on time!"

"If not for what you did, we would've had plenty of time!" Noelle retorted, but she dashed into the bathroom anyway. Charles watched her go, a sly grin creeping across his face.

He quickly changed and dialed Ronald. "Cook breakfast for the missus!" He barely hung up when Noelle burst back out of the bathroom, frantically getting dressed and mumbling to herself, "Just great! I'll be late for my first day!"

and emerged in a

chuckle. He gently grabbed her. "Relax. You're not going to be late." Noelle shot him a playful yet accusing look. "If I am, I'll make you suffer the consequences!"

Noelle to work. Noelle was not having it, though. It wasn't like Charles did not have another car to drive his garage at the swanky Phoenix Tree Residence was a treasure trove of shiny

the road for too long. He said they were probably running on empty or worse, rusting

eyes at the excuse but glanced at the clock and realized they were cutting it close. With

sore foot, Charles took the driver's seat. That's when Noelle understood what Charles meant by not being late. His driving speeds could rival

they cruised up to a

Charles to pull over and, without a shred of guilt,

Noelle zoom off and just laughed. He had seen this coming. Besides, he had another reason for the pit stop-Ronald was waiting right there. Ronald raced down the street, breakfast in tow, to find