The Cherished Wife (Noelle and Charles)

"Charles, don't you think you're a bit on edge?" It was not just Sean. Even Noelle thought Charles might be taking things too far.

Before long, Charles's phone buzzed to life. He glanced at the caller ID, a smirk playing on his lips, and shook the phone in front of Sean and Noelle. "Talk about perfect timing." Charles swiped to answer the call. "Hello!"

"Charles, it's me, your uncle!"

"I know," Charles said with a half-smile. "What's up, Uncle? What's got you calling me out of the blue today?"

"Have you got some time tomorrow? Let's catch up! It's been ages since we last hung out, right?" Milo's voice was firm and commanding, even over the phone.

Charles's eyes narrowed slightly as he subtly gestured for Sean and Noelle to keep it down. He shifted to a more comfortable spot, lounging back with his phone in one hand while casually holding Noelle's hand in the other, his fingers playing with hers absentmindedly. "You're in Brookville, Uncle?" Charles asked, his voice giving nothing away. On the other end, Milo tensed up before replying, "Yeah, Janet's been gone for months. She stubbornly refuses to come back to Capiton. I miss her too much, so I had to come by myself." "That's perfect. Janet's been with my mom at the Hoffmans' for a while now. Since you're here, why not stick around for a few days? Then you can head back with them."

"This..." Milo was clearly taken aback, not expecting Charles's usual calm to break into such straightforward talk.

Milo was momentarily speechless, but Charles just laughed softly. "I'll make time to see you tomorrow. It's been what, three years since that whole ordeal? It's been too long, Uncle."

Charles's words were loaded, and it

was clear he did not put much stock in his uncle Milo's feelings. Poor Milo could not even muster a comeback. Even though he was ticked off and on the losing end, he was left speechless. "Alright then, let's do it tomorrow morning. I'll be at..."

"Guests should be welcomed, so I'll pick the spot. I'll let you know tomorrow, Uncle. It's getting late, so I have to go."

Charles ended the call first, a sly grin playing on his lips, his eyes dancing with a mocking glee. Sean could not help but make a tsk-tsk sound. "Man, Charles, you're really stepping up your dame. Milo's your uncle, one of your elders. Aren't you worried about ticking him off talking to him like that?"

With a snort, Charles's eyes flashed with scorn. "Do you really think he'd risk a fallout with me now, after all the effort he's put into setting me up with Janet?" Charles flicked his finger dismissively. "Show's over, buddy. Time for you to hit the road." "Charles, you're pretty good at ditching people once they've served their purpose!" Sean grumbled, but he knew when to take a hint and left.

When the door clicked shut, Noelle finally looked back at Charles. "Are you sure it's wise to go head-to-head with your uncle like that?" Noelle could not hide her concern.

Noelle had not yet crossed paths

with that guy Milo, but she was all too familiar with Clarisse and

Janet's antics. Those two could be a real headache. Sometimes, Noelle could read Charles like an open book his every move and word so painfully obvious that it made her cringe on his behalf. However, Clarisse and Janet were clueless, not catching on to the awkwardness hanging in the air.