Chapter 129: I’m determined to turn this contract marriage into a real thing.
"Wh... what?" Augustine stuttered as he fluttered his eyelashes, letting go of Charles’s hand.
Charles let out a heavy sigh, his voice low and weary. "While you were away on your business trip, your mom showed up at the mansion with Aubrey. They must’ve had the passcode because they just walked right in. She wasted no time, insisted I leave you, and even offered me a cheque... along with a stack of dollar bills, like I could be bought."
He glanced at Augustine, a mix of frustration and hurt in his eyes. "She thought that just because I grew up poor, then I make money my top priority."
"Wh... what? Why are you telling me this now?" Augustine questions because he has no idea that his mother paid a visit to Charles while he was away on a business trip.
Charles dug his fingers into his hair, his frustration evident as he let out a sharp breath. "Augustine, I can’t stand it. Every time you find something out, you just snap in rage."
He paused, trying to calm himself before continuing. "When I told you I don’t love you, you got angry. And it’s the same every time, no matter what I tell you. One minute, you’re fine, and the next, you’re furious, like it takes nothing to set you off."
He met Augustine’s gaze, his tone steady but tinged with the raw emotion he couldn’t hold back.
Augustine’s stomach tightened as memories of past outbursts flooded his mind.
His eyes softened, and a deep sense of regret washed over him. "I... I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
His words came out slowly, each one laced with remorse, and he bit down on his upper lip, a clear sign of his internal struggle.
An apologetic expression clouded Augustine’s face as he searched Charles’s eyes, hoping for understanding.
"When you found out that your mom visited me, don’t you think it would’ve been wiser to calmly ask me about it instead of pacing back and forth?"
Charles’s voice was steady, but there was a hint of frustration beneath the surface. "And you always jump to conclusions, Augustine. Despite being a mature man, you don’t always act like one." Charles spat, disappointment in his eyes clear.
Augustine opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
The weight of Charles’s words hung heavily in the air, and he knew deep down that Charles was right. He always got worked up too easily, jumping to conclusions without thinking things through.
Charles sighed as he slid down from the bed and walked over to unplug the hair dryer from the wall socket, his movements slow, almost as if trying to calm the storm that had settled between them.
"Yesterday, when I heard Derrick mention that you both dated, I didn’t overreact," Charles continued, his voice steady despite the underlying tension.
"Instead, I allowed myself to believe you when you calmly explained things to me. And just like the day Aubrey humiliated me at the designer’s department... you..." He paused, trying to gather his thoughts, his fingers tightening around the hair dryer cord. "You didn’t give me the chance to explain. You just assumed that..."
Charles’s words hung in the air as he wiped off some imaginary dust from the shirt he wore. "I’m hungry," he said, choosing to change the topic of their conversation .
It was too early for him to be lecturing Augustine about his spoiled, entitled behavior.
As Charles made his way out of the bedroom, Augustine quickly moved to the bedside table, his hand reaching for his phone with urgency.
Quickly, Augustine dialed his secretary’s number, and on the first ring, Reginald answered.
"Reginald, I need you to get me a sunflower bouquet and a box of pizza. Please have them delivered as soon as possible," Augustine said, his tone sharp and direct.
Following the words of Augustine, he hung up the phone call and rushed downstairs.
Charles was already in the kitchen, washing some vegetables at the sink.
"Charles," Augustine called out, his voice soft as he closed the distance between them.
He stood beside Charles, his gaze steady as he spoke. "I’m... I’m sorry, Charles Donald. I’ve been acting like a fool, and I have no good excuse for my actions." Augustine apologized, his fingers gently gripping the hem of Charles’s long-sleeved shirt.
"I... I hate to admit it, but you were right," Augustine continued, his voice soft and full of regret as his gaze stayed fixed on Charles’s face. "I do jump to conclusions too quickly, and that’s a problem. I should have asked you calmly about what my mother said instead of letting my mind run wild, creating a scene that wasn’t even real."
Charles sighed, turning around to meet Augustine’s gaze. "Augustine, I know I snap sometimes too, but honestly, you’re way worse than me."
"Hahaha," Augustine burst out laughing, his shoulders shaking with amusement. "You’re right," he said between fits of laughter. "I guess I really am the worst when it comes to that."
As Augustine laughter died down, he sniffed and smiled sheepishly. "I’m sorry for being a jerk."
"You should be," Charles sneered, clearly not ready to let it slide. "Also, today started off great, but your weird question totally ruined my mood."
"I said I’m sorry," Augustine purred, pouting his lips as he cupped Charles’s cheeks. "Please forgive me, Pookie."
"Nope!" Charles replied coldly, crossing his arms. "Umm... last night, I was waiting for you at the sitting room to inform you about the cheque. I tried returning it to your mom on the day she came to the mansion, but she refused to take it back," Charles explained, his voice slightly softer now.
Augustine nodded. "I’ll return it to her," he boldly stated, gently caressing Charles’s cheek with his thumb. "I’ll keep working on myself to make this marriage work."
Charles couldn’t suppress a chuckle as he stepped back with a teasing grin on his lips. "This is just a contract marriage, Augustine," he remarked, his voice laced with amusement.
Augustine didn’t flinch, his expression turning serious as he closed the distance between them. "I know it’s a contract, Pookie," he stated with quiet intensity, "but I’m determined to turn this into something real."