The Cherished Wife

Chapter 27
The look on Charles‘ face changed slightly. However, he merely shook his head and said, Nothing!” before he continued standing
beside her instead of taking a seat.
Noelle gave Charles a long look and then turned to look at the stool before she accepted her fate and began wiping it down.
When she was done, she said to him, “It’s clean now, Mr. Hoffman!”
Charles gave Noelle a pointed look. Did she think he found the place dirty?
His long stares made goosebumps rise on Noelle’s arms. “What’s the matter? Shall we eat somewhere else instead? I know
there’s another restaurant nearby that’s got pretty good reviews. Should we go there instead?” She was starting to regret
bringing Charles here.
Upon hearing that, he immediately sat down, his lips curving ever so slightly into a smile as he said, “That’s alright. This place is
fine!”
Noelle heaved a sigh of relief and watched as the shop owner approached them. She was stunned when she saw Noelle. “It’s

been so long since you last came here, missy! So... Oh, is this your boyfriend?”
“No.”
“What are you going to order?” Charles interrupted Noelle before she could launch into an explanation and placed the menu in
front of her. Slightly stunned, she did not continue explaining and instead let out an awkward chuckle.
Charles glanced at Noelle. “What are you having?”
“Beef stew. What about you?” Noelle had initially wanted to order gumbo but had changed her mind because her throat was not
feeling well. Charles nodded. “Two bowls of gumbo, then! Is there anything you don’t eat or are allergic to?”
Noelle shook her head, and Charles snapped the menu shut before returning them to the store owner. “Two bowls of beef stew.
Make it less spicy, please.”
“Alright!” The shopkeeper said as she nodded, unable to stop herself from sneaking several more glances at Charles. She
thought to herself, “What a good–looking man, and he’s considerate, too. Much better than the one who was here previously.”

They fell silent after the shopkeeper left, but the patrons at the next table were extremely rowdy. It was not lunch or dinner time,
but there were plenty of other customers in the store with them. Those sitting at the next table kept glancing at them and pointing
fingers.
Noelle wanted to pretend she could not hear them, but they were way too loud for her to do that. Most of what they said was

along the lines of, “I can’t believe there are such good. looking men near our campus!”
“Gosh, what a rare sight to behold. The campus Jocks are nothing. He’s truly a rarity”
Noelle remained silent for a while before she gave Charles a long, careful look. She agrand wholeheartedly that the girls were
not exaggerating Charles Hoffman was truly a rarity.
Charles narrowed his eyes when he noticed Noelle staring at him, and he chuckled “What’s the matter? Finding me good looking
all of a sudden? Have you fallen in love with me?”
Noelle looked away. “You’re such a narcissist, M, Hoffman!”
“I’m just self confident!” Charles answered. “Didn’t you hear what they said?”
“They’re young girls who are easily fooled by appearances!” Noelle replied, refusing to admit it. Given Charles‘ tongue, there was
no telling what else he might say.
As they chatted, the shopkeeper brought the beef stew to their tables. A delighted look appeared on her face as she gazed at
Charles. “Your boyfriend is so good–looking, missy!”
“Thank you!”
Charles‘ lilting voice was pleasant to the ears, and the shopkeeper felt even more pleased after hearing him speak. “Enjoy your
meal. I’ll get you more food if you need it!”
Noelle was silent. She had never seen her beef stew filled with so many chunks of beef before. “I guess pretty privilege is a real
thing!”
Charles raised an eyebrow. “So, are you admitting that you think I’m good–looking, Ms. Shaw?”
This left her speechless. She had never met someone quite as shameless as he was. “Just pretend I never said anything!”