The Cherished Wife

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!"

Noelle zoomed into the closet to change and emerged in a ponytail, still hunting for her phone.

going to be late." Noelle shot him a playful yet accusing look.

was parked at the office, so he insisted on hitching a ride with 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

claimed all those cars had not been on the road for too long. He said they

glanced at the clock and realized they

was nursing a sore foot, Charles took the driver's seat. That's when Noelle understood what Charles meant by not

cruised up

a shred of guilt, booted him out. She claimed they could not risk being spotted together, so he had no business being seen in