The Cherished Wife

It was Janet's shot. It was her chance to shine and get some face time with Charles. It was a golden opportunity.

"If I rock this, Charles has got to notice me. Who knows? He might just take a chance on us," she mused with a hopeful smile.

Becky's lips gave a quick, involuntary twitch. She could not help but think Janet was living in a fantasy world. However, Becky kept her cool, her face a mask of calm. "Look, Ms. Scott, could you maybe head back to work? I've got a ton on my plate, and if I don't get through it, I won't have a second to help you out!"

"Oh, sure, Becky, you do your thing. Um, any chance you could point me in the right direction, or..."

"You'll find all the records and stuff from past annual meetings over at HR. Why don't you check with them?" Becky suggested helpfully, hoping it might actually be useful to Janet.

quickly dialed Noelle from the project department. "Ms. Shaw, Mr. Hoffman's asking for you upstairs. He wants to chat about

hanging up, Becky glanced at the clock-11:30 already. She shook her head, puzzled. What

Lately, Charles seemed to have made a habit of summoning Noelle around lunchtime, claiming it was for work. Becky could not help but wonder if their boss was losing touch with reality. Noelle, just off the phone herself, shared the sentiment. She was starting to think Charles was a bit off

was clearing off her desk when Arya looked up, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Noelle, calling it a

embarrassed grin. "Not

do you run off to every afternoon?" Arya leaned in, her voice dripping with intrigue. "You're not sneaking off to meet a boyfriend,

cough!" Brian emerged from his office, casting a chilly glance at Arya. "How about focusing

"I'm not gossiping, just looking out for my fellow coworker,

run an errand, but