The Cherished Wife by Chweety

Noelle might seem like a breeze to figure out, but she was actually the toughest nut to crack. People like her, who wanted for nothing and did not chase after anything, were the trickiest to handle. "Don't sweat it. Maybe you're just blowing things out of proportion."

"Didn't you see that? Noelle snaps her fingers, and Charles jumps." Gerald spun on his heel, a stormy look on his face as he scanned the crowd. "Well? Aren't you going to look for her?" "Mr. Rogers? What are you doing here?"

While the two paused their chat, the manager scurried over. He had been around the whole time but had stayed back when he sensed trouble brewing. Then, catching Gerald's grim vibe, the manager realized things had escalated.

"You're asking me what's the problem? What do we pay you for? To shoo away our guests?" Gerald's eyes cut to the manager, who was mopping his brow with a handkerchief and shaking like a leaf. "Mr. Rogers, I'm not sure I follow. We're here to do business. Why would we turn away customers? Has there been some kind of mix-up?" The manager, trying to get to the bottom of it, pointed at a random employee. "Tell me the truth, What's got Mr. Rogers so riled up?"

"Boss, I swear! It's not on me. It's her, all she's doing." The called-out employee quickly pointed at the colleague who had snubbed Noelle. "She decided they couldn't afford it and snubbed that young couple. It's really not our fault, boss."

"Oh, really? So it was you?" The manager glared at the accused employee as if she were prey. "Did you all sleep through our training sessions or what? Remember, the customer is always right. You should treat them like royalty even if they can't afford it."

"She's out. Since the rest of you just stood by and watched, too cold-hearted, you're all docked a month's pay. As for you, the supervisor, you've

Gerald added, "Be at

laugh. "Do you think we're being a bit rough

had avoided the Collosus Group's mall for fear of being recognized. The only other shopping centers around were owned by the Rogers

or perhaps misfortune, as he happened

slight crease in his brow. "You really like that

for so long without one. Plus, wearing

hassle."

Charles said, gently touching