Chapter 44
Noelle’s head smacked into the back of the front seat, the pain almost bringing tears to her eyes. She let out a soft cry, propping herself up, only to frown in confusion, “What’s this? It’s so hard!” she said, giving it an accidental squeeze.
Charles gasped, pulling her close, his voice tense. “Stay still.”
Noelle heard the edge in Charles’s voice and pouted, giving him a woeful look, “Are you mad at me?”
Although Charles did not know whether to laugh or cry, he managed to keep his composure, gently patting Noelle’s head. “Calm down. Let go.”
“You still haven’t told me what this thing is!” Noelle gave it another curious squeeze. “Why is it on you?” Her wide–eyed innocence was making it tough for Charles to keep his cool, let alone make a move.
He took a deep breath, gently pulled Noelle’s hand away, and wrapped her in a comforting embrace. “Try to stay still, okay?”
As Charles rolled down the window, the chilly breeze rushed in, a welcome distraction to help him settle his racing thoughts.
“Step on it!” he urged.
His gaze grew
grew shadowy as he wrestled with the rising tide of emotions inside him. Grabbing his phone, he dialed Sean’s number. “Be at the Phoenix Tree Residence in twenty minutes,” he commanded, then hung
up.
Charles glanced at Noelle, who was squirming against him, her restless movements rekindling the flames he just managed to douse. Clutching his phone like a lifeline, he took a few steadying breaths before tenderly stroking her cheek.
Unaware of the turmoil in the backseat, Ronald floored the gas pedal, speeding towards Phoenix Tree Residence. They pulled up to see Sean casually leaning against the gate, twirling a cigarette between his
fingers.
Ronald popped the door open, and without missing a beat, Charles scooped Noelle up and carried her past Sean into the sanctuary of Phoenix Tree Residence.
Sean fiddled with his cigarette, his gaze lingering on Charles’s back, the playful twinkle in his eyes now clouded with doubt. He did not snuff it out until Ronald came closer, then he asked with a curious grin, Who’s the girl? Since when does Charles bring ladies home?”
Ronald bit his lip, trying to figure out what to say. Before he could, however, Charles’s chilly voice cut through the air from inside the Phoenix Tree Residence, “Get in here, will you?”
Sean’s eyebrow quirked up; it was not often that Charles sounded so irked. This was getting interesting. He gave Ronald a nudge, “Come on, let’s head in.”
“Spill it, Charles. Who is the lady? You don’t drag me out of bed in the dead of night unless you’re in a jam,
Sean said with a laugh that was all innocence, though his laid–back vibe clashed with the crisp white coat he wore..
Charles shot Sean a frosty glance, and Sean could not help but shudder, chuckling awkwardly, “Hey, don’t give me that death glare, bro. I’m just looking out for you! Since when did you start bringing girls over to
Phoenix Tree Residence? What’s up? Has she been drugged?”
+15 BONUS
Sean’s gaze was sharp; his medical instincts had kicked in. “Who’s got the guts to mess with your girl?”
Charles scooped Noelle up the stairs and laid her gently on the bed, his icy stare silencing Sean’s babbling. “Zip it! Let’s figure out what’s wrong with her
D