The Cherished Wife

Wife 98

‘Got nothing to do with me? What are they talking about?‘ Noelle had just stepped out of the kitchen when she overheard Sean’s comment. She stopped in her tracks. The sight of the massive, dark silhouette made her hesitate, and she stayed put.

Arnold noticed Noelle’s reluctance and let out a couple of sad howls, feeling totally rejected. He bounded over to her. Noelle, startled, quickly backed into the kitchen. “No, no, stay back!”

“Arnold!” Charles’s voice was deep and icy, cutting through the air. Arnold froze, his four paws halting mid- stride. He turned to Charles with a look that screamed, ‘I’m hurt.‘

Noelle could not help it. Arnold’s dramatics cracked her up, and she let out a laugh.

That was all Arnold needed. He perked up, howled joyfully, and dashed over to Charles, playfully tugging at the hem of his suit pants. He howled again, this time with a wag in his tail, as if to say, ‘See, she loves

me!‘

Charles surveyed the scene–Noelle, Arnold, and Sean–with his piercing gaze, finally landing on Sean.” How long?” Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Sean grinned, sensing an opportunity. “Oh, not long at all. Just a week at most!”

Charles’s expression tightened ever so slightly as he turned to Noelle. “Arnold’s staying. What do you

think?”

Was he really asking for her opinion?

Noelle blinked, taken aback. Was Arnold the dog in question?

Noelle felt a bit awkward, mostly because Arnold had given her quite the scare earlier. She was over the initial shock, but she was not sure if she could really handle having Arnold around. Then there was Charles. It was his house, after all. Why was she being roped into this?

Sean gave Noelle those big, puppy–dog eyes. “Come on, you can’t just leave Arnold to fend for himself for a whole week, not eating or drinking, can you?”

Noelle was speechless. Was the situation really that dire? She shot Charles a look, hoping he would offer up some wisdom. Charles, clearly annoyed, shot a glance at Sean before finally giving Noelle a nod. “He’s got a business trip for a week. If it’s cool with you, we can keep Arnold here. But if you’re not down, I’ll kick them out now.”

Sean was silent. Arnold too. Noelle let out an awkward laugh, looking at the pair of man and dog both giving her the most heart–wrenching puppy–dog eyes. “I’m okay with it!” she declared.

11

Sean exhaled in relief. “You’re a lifesaver. Arnold’s a breeze to look after. Just toss him in a corner, and if

he bugs you, just keep him at arm’s length.” Noelle gave a hesitant nod, but then she gasped, “My cooking!

She dashed into the kitchen, leaving Charles and Sean to exchange a knowing look.

Sean’s lips quirked into a smile. “She’s got it under control!”

Charles arched an eyebrow and let out a cold huff, “She’s good!” He pressed his lips together, giving Sean a look as if he had just bitten into a lemon, “Since we’re done here, how about you get out of here?”

“Get out?” Sean blinked, then flashed an innocent grin, No way. I didn’t come all this way just to leave early. It’s just about dinner time, and I’m still dreaming of the last meal Noelle made us. It was out of this

world!”

“Sean, are looking for a sparring session?” Charles’s eyes narrowed, his hands coming together with a crackle that suggested trouble.

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