The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)

Rowena was the first to lose it once they were out of the mall, bursting into laughter. "Oh my gosh. Did you guys see Winter's face? It was priceless. I couldn't stop laughing!"

She went to give Sean a friendly pat on the shoulder but realized he was way too tall, so she turned to Noelle instead. "But I'm totally lost. What was that whole act with Mr. Smith all about?" Noelle arched an eyebrow and casually took Rowena's hand off her shoulder. "We're just playing a part!" She turned to Sean with a questioning look. "Where's Charles? You said he was coming, right?"

Sean arched his eyebrow too and made a couple of tsk-tsk sounds, putting on a pitiful face. "Come on, do you have to be just like Charles? You're so distant! Remember, I'm the one who just helped you out. That Charles is acting like a scaredy-cat. He's too chicken to show up, so he made me fill in for him!"

Noelle could not help but laugh when Sean talked about himself that way. Before she could say anything, Rowena jumped in, "Oh, so you can admit you're just a fill-in!"

Sean scowled. "Hey, that's not very nice of you to say!" However, he grinned. "You did act pretty brave back there, though!"

Rowena stood up straight, thumping her chest proudly. "Well, of course! Who do you think I am? But seriously, I've only been gone a few months. Why does it feel like I'm missing a big piece of the puzzle? What was that all about just now?"

"Let's talk in the car," Sean said as he opened the door for them. After they were settled in, he slid into the driver's seat and glanced at Noelle next to him. "Charles and the gang are at The Majestic Lounge. Mr. Fischer and everyone are there too. Oh, and let's not forget Eloise, the firecracker!"

With that, Sean fired up the engine, and they were on their way.

Noelle raised an eyebrow in surprise. The Majestic Lounge was a good distance away, and Sean had obviously made a beeline to get there. "How did you guys figure out I was in trouble?" she asked.

Sean just gave a half-smile and kept quiet, but Noelle put two and two together. She remembered being tailed before, and that last close call must have spooked Charles into having a bodyguard secretly watch over her.

Did those guys tip off Charles when they saw Noelle clashing with Winter and the ladies? Sean was playing the role of her knight in shining armor, huh?

With the pieces falling into place, Noelle let the matter drop. Rowena and Teresa looked puzzled in the backseat like they were trying too figure out a riddle. Curious as they were, they seemed to understand that some things were better left unknown and did not pry

However, something did pique Noelle's curiosity. "When did Eloise get the nickname of 'firecracker'?"

She had always prided herself on et

reading people well, and Eloise

whom she had met a few times, was always the picture of

serenity-hardly the fiery type.

Sean just chuckled. "Noelle, this thing you've got going with Charles..." He trailed off, then quipped, "Your sister's a real piece of work!"

"Oh?"

"She's totally shameless, but she's interesting!"

Noelle paused, taken aback, but Rowena and Teresa's laughter from the backseat was contagious, and she could not help but join in. "She's definitely... interesting!"

Noelle thought Sean was pretty

entertaining sometimes. He had a way of acting like he did not care about anything, but when things got serious, he was all in. Just a moment ago, she could have sworn she was seeing things because Sean was acting so out of character.