Chapter 50
+15 BONUS
Charles looked away, a slight smile playing on his lips. Family? I guess I’m still looking for one.”
Noelle’s heart started to dance a wild rhythm, thumping all over the place. She felt totally out of her element.
Charles flashed a warm smile as he brought out a steaming pot of porridge from the kitchen. “Last night, we had to cool you down the old–fashioned way. The doctor warned you might have a fever today, but you’re fine. That’s awesome. Let’s keep it light with the food today, okay?”
Noelle stared at Charles, her eyes wide with surprise. He was a different person from the buttoned–up guy she had met before. Dressed down in light gray casual wear instead of his usual sharp suit, he still managed to look drop–dead gorgeous.
Who knew Charles had this homey side to him? He could cook!
“That smells amazing,” Noelle commented, taking in the comforting scent of the porridge.
Charles’s smile grew as he served her a bowl. “Give it a taste. I’ve been at it since the crack of dawn, but I’m not sure I gave it enough time.”
“It’s perfect, way better than anything I could make,” Noelle said after tasting it. Charles was not just a looker with brains, but a good chef too!
Pleased by her reaction, Charles’s eyes crinkled with delight. “If you like it, make sure you have some more!”
“Will do!” Noelle agreed, nodding enthusiastically. A second later, however, she hesitated, her gaze lifted to meet Charles’s. Memories of last night came rushing back–the things Julian had said about her being useful, the moment on the balcony when she had held Charles close, and how she had leaned in….
Noelle bit her lip, stirring the porridge absentmindedly. “Mr. Hoffman, about what you said the other day.. Does it still stand?”
Noelle had mulled it over countless times–if she had to tie the knot with someone, Charles was a solid pick. He would make her feel less like she was being cornered into marriage. He was her granddad’s protege, someone her granddad trusted inside and out Plus, her grandpa seemed to be quite fond of him, Charles, well, he was not the type to have ulterior motives, which meant she would not be forced into a marriage with Simon, right? She would not end up as just another one of Simon’s trophies:
The mere thought of Samuel made her skin crawl. His so–called ‘heroic feats‘ were the talk of Brookville, though he was anything but a hero. Her dad was still ready to hand her over to this guy, all for a pile of
cash.
Noelle was chewing on her lower lip, her eyes glued to the floor and her fingers wrapped tight around her spoon, a bundle of nerves.
Charles squinted at Noelle, breaking the silence. “What did I say?”
Caught off guard, Noelle’s gaze snapped up to meet his, her cheeks tinged with a rosy flush of awkwardness. She was tongue–tied, unsure of how to broach the subject.
She had played out this conversation in her head, rehearsing Charles’s possible responses–yes, no, maybe–but she had not prepared for a curveball. How was she supposed to respond to that?
+15 BONUS
“Hmm?”
Charles set his spoon aside, his long fingers drumming casually on the tabletop. His piercing eyes locked onto Noelle, making her feel like she was under a spotlight. With no place to hide, she mustered her courage and blurted out, “You know, that thing you said about marrying me the other day… Was that for real?”
Although Charles’s eyebrow quirked up, a playful glint in his eyes, he kept silent.
The silence stretched, and Noelle’s nerves wound tighter. She could not stand the suspense. “Well? Was
it?”
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