The Cherished Wife



Charles nodded in response. "Why? Don't you like having them around?"

Noelle shook her head. "It's not that. I just haven't spotted them yet."

"They're good at staying out of sight. I can call them off in a little while if you're not into it, but they'll stay for now. I'm not taking any chances with your safety."

Noelle's laughter rang out as she playfully gripped Charles's hand, and they left The Majestic Lounge behind. Once they were settled in the car, she teased, "I get it. You're just looking out for me. Having someone tag along makes you worry less, right?"

"It sure does!"

The group made their way to Bamboo Grove House, where Sean had reserved the grandest room there. The manager, spotting the arrival of such VIPs, hurried over to greet them. It was not every day that Bamboo Grove House hosted such an elite crowd, and the manager was determined to make a good impression.

Ronald had taken care of the menu, and the feast began as soon as everyone was seated. Charles and Noelle were fashionably late.

Sean could not resist a playful jab. "Charles, you'd just wither away without constant affection, huh?"

Charles gave a sly grin in response. "Absolutely!"

Sean was momentarily speechless.

Changing the subject, he said, "Seriously, Noelle, your friends sure can hold their own!" He launched into the tale of their earlier adventure at the mall.

Sean's recount was so animated and dramatic that it was hard not to chuckle. If Noelle did not know better, she would think Sean had missed his calling as a storyteller.

Finishing his tale with a couple of impressed clicks of the tongue, Sean quipped, "With your gift of gab, Ms. Scott, have ever thought about becoming a lawyer?"

Rowena, who had been quietly devouring her meal innovelbin

embarrassment, suddenly looked up, her cheeks bulging with food. "Me, a lawyer? I don't know the first thing about law!" Then, with a hint of pride, she added, "You didn't even mention my track star days in school. I was a pro at both sprints and distance running. Noelle can vouch for me!"

Noelle was happily munching on shrimp while Charles diligently peeled them and popped them into her mouth. When Rowena gave

Noelle the floor, all eyes landed

her, causing her to stiffen and blush as she nodded. "Yeah, Rowena was a track star back in the day remember this one guy from the department next door tried to ask her out, and she just bolted. He didn't stand a chance catching up to

her."

Sean burst into laughter, and soon the whole group joined in. Then Sean teased, "So, is the reason you're still single that you're too quick on your feet for anyone to keep up?"

Rowena shot Noelle a playful look

and wiped her mouth with a napkin, retorting, "Mr. Smith, you talk like you're not single yourself. We're all in the same boat, so let's not throw stones from glass houses, shall we?

Sean was at a loss for words, and Peter could not help but laugh at his expense. Sean glared at him and chuckled innocently. "Peter, you're in the singles club too, so what's so funny about me?"

The banter seemed to lighten the mood. Rowena and Teresa both exhaled in relief, glad that the evening hadn't been spoiled and Noelle had not been embarrassed.

Seeing everyone getting along, Noelle could not help but smile contentedly, and Charles offered her another shrimp.

However, after a while, she gave Charles a look that clearly said she was stuffed and murmured, "I can't eat another bite."

Charles responded with his usual calm composure, "Alright, just one more. This is the last one, I promise!"

Soon enough, the whole group realized that Noelle had practically devoured an entire plate of shrimp by herself, leaving Charles with a veritable mountain of shrimp shells in front of him.

The scene was an extreme display of public affection-enough to make any single person scream in protest!

In the midst of the meal, a knock at the door interrupted them, and the manager quickly stepped inside. He approached Charles with a bow. "Mr. Hoffman, someone's here to see you."

Charles squinted. "Who is it?"

"They said their last name is Baker. They said you'd know who they were just by the surname," the manager replied, eyeing Charles with caution.