The Cherished Wife by Chweety

"Exactly. Make sure to keep it safe, you only get one," Becky said with a grin, snapping the list shut. "I've got to make the rounds to the other departments." "Take it easy, Ms. Malls!"

Once Becky was gone, Arya could hardly sit still. She was about to snag Noelle for a gossip session when Brian shot her a look that made her back off. "Work time's for work, not personal stuff." He tapped the folder and passed it to Noelle. "Follow this, and if you hit a dead end, come find me."

"Got it, boss." Noelle accepted the folder, and once Brian was out of sight, she settled back at her desk, slipped the token into her bag, and flipped open the materials to get down to business. Arya scooted over, whispering like she was sharing a secret. "Don't you wanna know what the token's actually for? I asked Becky, and she said it's tied to some perks at the annual meeting." "Oh." Noelle nodded with understanding.

Arya glanced at Noelle, who appeared utterly indifferent to the whole welfare topic, and could not help but ask, "Aren't you even a little bit curious?"

"Of course I'm curious, but you said it's about welfare, right? We'll find out at the annual meeting. I've got my hands full here." Noelle gestured towards the data and files spread out before her. Arya sighed in resignation. "You're impossible."

Arya had initially pegged Noelle as just another pretty face with no natural talent, someone who had been dropped into their midst without earning her place. However, after working together for a while, Arya had to admit she had been totally wrong. Noelle was an absolute workhorse, putting even Brian to shame. "Well, you keep at it then!"

and examined the number tag she had been given. Pulling out her phone, she shot a message to Charles on Messenger: [Is this number tag something you had Becky create?] The response was

about that just did not sit right with her. Why would Charles go to the trouble of making a number tag without a good reason? [Want to take a

phone, a sly grin playing

Ronald stood on the other side of Charles's desk, nervously

looked up, his smile

bet

bash and the partner stuff, Mr. Hoffman, are we rolling out

gave a thoughtful nod. "You've got this. Anything else on your mind?" "Well, George mentioned yesterday he might need to jet off to Faris

for a second before he

holidays, and George wants to head home for a bit. He swore he wouldn't throw a wrench in our work

a ping from Noelle's Messenger cut in. [I'm not playing the guessing game. We'll catch the full scoop at the annual meet-up, for sure.