Chapter 87: I know you...
Augustine studied Charles’s face, searching for any sign that might give away the truth.
His gut told him something was wrong—something Charles wasn’t saying.
"You are acting strange, Charles," Augustine uttered sincerely, his voice softer now.
Augustine doesn’t like this feeling of uncertainty, of not knowing what was going on in Charles’s mind.
Charles shook his head, a small, forced smile tugging at his lips as he shrugged. "I just want you to promise me," he insisted, his tone carrying a quiet urgency.
"Besides, I know you’ll probably check my medical records behind my back, and I don’t want that to happen," Charles stated firmly, his amber eyes darkening with frustration.
Augustine exhaled deeply as he studied Charles’s expression. "And what if I don’t keep my promise?" he asked while tilting his brows. "What are you going to do then?"
Charles exhaled sharply, adjusting his glasses as his teeth grazed his lower lip in thought.
"Are you ignoring me right now?" Augustine purred, tilting his head slightly, his voice laced with playful curiosity.
Charles had yet to give him a solid reply, and the silence between them only made Augustine more eager for an answer.
"Augustine," Charles called out softly, his voice carrying a warmth that contrasted with the tension in the air.
He reached for Augustine’s right hand, his fingers curling around it with a gentle yet firm grip.
"I really can’t think of what to do to you," he admitted, his tone laced with quiet resignation. "Besides, it’s obvious—I don’t have any power over you. I’m just a mere cleaner and..."
"Hey, Pookie, stop calling yourself a ’mere cleaner,’ okay? You are much more than that," Augustine purred, cutting Charles off before he could finish his sentence.
The voice of Augustine laced with affection as he squeezed Charles’s hand gently.
That alone was enough to pull a loud chuckle from Charles’s lips, his laughter filling the car as he shook his head.
He rolled his eyes sarcastically at Augustine. "Stop being caring and listen to what I have to say."
Augustine scoffed, but he nods head as he kept his mouth shut.
"There’s something I need you to promise me, and in return, I will fulfill a favor of your choosing," Charles said, his voice low and earnest.
Augustine knew that the fact that Charles wanted him to keep a promise then it mostly meant that Charles was hiding something.
Augustine pulled his hands away from Charles as he cupped his cheeks. "Before I make such a promise, I want to ask a simple question." He mumbled and Charles nodded, giving him the go-ahead to ask whatever he wished to.
"Umm, do you have a severe health issue?" He inquired with a curious tone.
Charles shook his head sideways. "I don’t." He replied flatly. "And if you’re wondering why my nose bled so profusely," Charles explained. "I’ve been under a lot of stress lately due to juggling two jobs, and my body must have reached its limit. Stress can weaken the body and lead to all kinds of physical symptoms."
Charles paused for a moment, the tension in his body releasing slightly as he continued, "I’m sorry for alarming you, and I promise that I’m doing my best to manage my stress."
Augustine’s brows furrowed because the words of Charles felt like weaved lies. "I don’t believe you." Augustine seriously declared. "Besides, before I got you entangled in a contract relationship with me, I already knew you worked as a bartender, a waitress, a cleaner at multiple companies, and even a sales representative at a boutique."
Charles’s mouth parted in surprise, his amber eyes widening as he slowly raised his hands, placing them over Augustine’s, which still rested gently against his chin.
As Charles slowly closed his mouth, he gently pulled Augustine’s hands away from his cheek, his eyelashes fluttering like delicate butterfly wings.
Without breaking eye contact, he placed Augustine’s hands on his thigh, giving it a soft squeeze as his tongue rolled over the inside of his mouth. "I hate that you did a background check on me," Charles purred, his voice low yet laced with quiet displeasure.
Though his touch remained gentle, the slight furrow in his brows made it clear—he wasn’t just teasing; he was genuinely upset.
"I... I had to because being in a contract relationship is risky, so I needed to know who I was going to spend my nights with," Augustine explained. "Also, you looked so hot and sexy from the very first day I saw you, so I did a background check just to make sure you were a real person and not a ghost."
Charles snarled, shaking his head in disbelief as he turned his gaze towards the car handle, and without saying anything, he stepped outside of the car, shutting the door angrily.
"What the hell," Augustine mumbled to himself as he rushed out of the car and quickly made his way towards Charles while arching his brows.
As he approached Charles, he noticed that Charles was resting on the car door and his hands were being defensively wrapped around his chest.
"If I am being honest, I hate that you invade my personal life." Charles stayed with a mighty frown plastered on his face. "I also... I just don’t want you to do that anymore," Charles murmured, his fingers absentmindedly tracing small circles on Augustine’s hand. "If you want to know something about me, then ask me directly instead of learning about me from some file."
His voice carried a quiet vulnerability, his amber eyes flickering with a mix of frustration and longing.
Augustine exhaled softly, his gaze never leaving Charles. "I’m sorry for looking into your records," he admitted, his voice laced with sincerity.
He slid his hands to Charles’s waist, his grip gentle yet firm, as if grounding himself in the moment.
Charles’s frown deepened. "Did you also look at my health record?"
"Nope, I didn’t," Augustine clarified, shaking his head. "I barely even went through your entire records because I was too busy at the time." His voice was steady, but there was a hint of defensiveness in his tone.
He tilted his head slightly, studying Charles’s expression. "Besides, why would you even think I’d check your health records from the very first time we met?" His brows furrowed, genuine curiosity flickering in his eyes as he awaited Charles’s response.
"So are you trying to say you didn’t look at my health record?" Charles probed, replying to Augustine’s question with a question.
Augustine scoffed. "Why would you even think I’d do that?" he asked, his voice quieter but laced with tension.
Charles exhaled sharply. "Because you’re you, Augustine. You like being in control, and I know you’d go behind my back the second you suspect something’s wrong with me."
His amber eyes locked onto Augustine’s, unwavering. "But I need you to respect my boundaries. No secret medical tests. No interfering."
Augustine remained immobile, his mind racing. ’What is wrong with Charles’s health?’ The thought clawed at him, refusing to be ignored.
"I know... I can’t defend myself right now," Augustine admitted, his voice firm yet laced with sincerity.
He held Charles’s gaze, determination flickering in his eyes. "But rest assured, I’m trying to be a changed man." His tone deepened with conviction. "I’m becoming a better person, so I won’t... I won’t behave like my old self."
Augustine’s grip on Charles’s waist tightened slightly as if grounding himself in the promise he was making.
Hearing the explanation of Augustine, Charles breathed out in relief. "So do you promise not to look into my health record—"
"I promise Charles!" Augustine boldly stated, cutting Charles off from his statement. "I won’t do anything that you don’t want me to do." He added.
"Thanks," Charles mumbled.
He shifted slightly in his resting position before adding, "And by the way, I can’t follow you inside the restaurant wearing just a shirt, so I’ll wait in the car while you grab a nice meal for me."
Charles tone was casual, but there was an unspoken authority behind his words.
He knew Augustine wouldn’t protest—after all, Augustine clearly hated how revealing his clothes were.
If anything, this was Charles’s subtle way of getting what he wanted without an argument.
Augustine’s gaze lingered on Charles’s alluring lips, a strong urge tugging at him to seal them with his own.
Slowly, he leaned in, his breath warm against Charles’s skin as he whispered, "What would you like to eat?" His voice was low, almost husky, as he arched a brow, struggling to keep his composure as he continued to lock his gaze with that of Charles lips.
"Anything. Something that isn’t too spicy," Charles stated, his voice calm as he turned around and opened the car door.
Just as he was about to lower himself into the seat, a sharp smack landed on his ass, making him jolt.
His breath hitched as he whipped his head around, eyes wide with disbelief. "Augustine!" he snapped, his cheeks flushing with both embarrassment.
Augustine, completely unbothered, leaned against the car with a smirk playing at his lips. "What?" he drawled, his voice teasing. "Couldn’t resist. You were asking for it, Pookie."