The Cherished Wife by Chweety

"Then you'd better hurry!" Arya gestured a quick goodbye to Noelle. It was only after Noelle had left that Arya's head popped up again. "Mr. Hoffman asked Noelle to join him?" Something felt off to her, but she could not quite figure out what it was. With the documents in hand, Noelle made a beeline for Charles's reserved parking spot and found Charles casually leaning against his car, apparently caught up in a phone conversation.

Charles caught sight of Noelle as she jogged up to him, slightly breathless. He glanced at his watch and quirked an eyebrow. "Right on time-nine minutes and fifty seconds!" Rolling her eyes, Noelle grumbled. "Where are you heading off to?" She handed over the documents to Charles. "Here are the papers. You know what? I think I'll pass on going." With one hand, Charles accepted the documents and with the other, he gently grabbed Noelle's arm. He quickly wrapped up his phone call with a "Catch you later," and ended it.

He took a brief look at the documents before swinging the car door open, signaling Noelle to hop in. Noelle hesitated. "You've got something important, don't you? Is it really okay for me to tag along?"

With a soft laugh, Charles tousled Noelle's hair. "Come on, get in. If I'm bringing you, it means there's nothing to worry about."

He ushered Noelle into the car and leaned over to buckle her seatbelt. All the while, Noelle sat stiff as a board, her gaze fixed on the back of Charles's head. Even after all their time as a married couple, she sometimes found his tender gestures a bit embarrassing, especially here. This might be Charles's private parking spot, but she never knew who might pop up-like that pesky Janet.

seatbelt, Charles caught Noelle's unblinking stare and playfully caressed her cheek, giving it a gentle pinch. "What's

a whole new level. And hey, you still haven't said where we're actually

hang tight. You'll see soon enough." Charles gave Noelle's nose a playful scratch and circled the car to hop into the driver's seat. He gave Noelle a thoughtful look that did not

checked herself out, mirroring Charles's gaze. "What's up? Is

to make before our final destination." With that, he smoothly backed the car out and zoomed

giving herself another once-over. "Is it my outfit? Is it not up to par?" Charles quirked an eyebrow.

very subtle!" Lately, Noelle had been opting for comfort over style, especially with the chiffin

a little...

Are we heading back