Chapter 118: Is it wrong to love you?
Charles let out a cold, sharp laugh, his eyes dark with indifference. "Falling in love with me was your first mistake," he said, his tone cutting like a blade.
Augustine stiffened, his breath catching in his throat. "Charles... you don’t mean that," he murmured, almost pleading but the hollow look in Charles’s eyes told him everything—he meant every single word.
"I don’t mean that?" Charles scoffed, arching a brow as he took a step back. "I mean every damn word that leaves my mouth. I hate the idea of love! I hate that you think you love me... it’s pathetic!" His voice rose with each word, laced with venom.
Before Augustine could respond, Charles turned on his heel and stormed up the stairs, his footsteps echoing through the silent mansion as he disappeared into the bedroom, slamming the door behind him.
Augustine didn’t trail after him but instead, he watched as Charles walked away. ’He’s going to cool off,’ he thought to himself, clenching his fist so tight that his fingers were dug up into his skin.
Exhaling!
Augustine let out a heavy sigh and sank onto the couch, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the back of his phone as he stared at it, lost in thought.
He hated the way Charles had lashed out at him, the sharpness of his words still cutting deep but instead of chasing after him, instead of demanding answers, Augustine chose to let it go—for now.
’Besides, Charles is hot-tempered, and I lose my temper just as easily. If we argue now, I’ll probably say something I’ll regret,’ Augustine reasoned, swallowing hard.
He inhaled deeply, steadying himself, then tilted his head back, letting his gaze drift to the ceiling as he tried to push away the frustration gnawing at him.
Augustine had no idea how long he had been lost in thought, staring at the ceiling, until the sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase.
Snapping out of his daze, he turned his gaze toward the stairs, and there was Charles, descending gracefully.
Charles had changed into a long black shirt that barely skimmed his thighs, the fabric swaying slightly with each step.
’Did he come down to argue with me, or is he trying to seduce me with that outfit?’ Augustine mused, a sneer tugging at the corner of his lips.
Crossing his arms over his chest, he deliberately averted his gaze, refusing to give Charles the satisfaction of his attention.
Yet, even without looking, Augustine remained acutely aware of Charles’s every move, every subtle shift in his posture.
He listened as Charles’s footsteps trailed into the kitchen, followed by the soft clatter of cabinets opening.
The faint rustling of a noodle packet being torn open filled the silence, and Augustine remained still, his ears attuned to every movement.
Even as Charles cooked and eventually ate in complete silence, not offering a single glance or word, Augustine could feel the weight of his presence pressing against him.
The unspoken tension between them was suffocating, yet neither of them dared to break it.
"This is a bit sad," Augustine mumbled because he was fighting the urge to speak to Charles while on the other hand, Charles was behaving carefree.
"Hey!" Augustine called out, unable to keep his mouth shut at the awkward silence of the sitting room.
Charles didn’t flinch, didn’t even glance in Augustine’s direction. He continued eating as if Augustine’s presence was nothing more than background noise.
Annoyed, Augustine pushed himself off the couch and strode toward the kitchen. "I know you can hear me," he said, resting a hand on the counter. "Are you really going to keep acting like I don’t exist?"
Charles finally looked up, his expression unreadable.
He chewed slowly, swallowed, and then, with an exaggerated sigh, said, "Oh, were you talking to me? I thought you were just mumbling to yourself."
"Wh-what?"
Charles scoffed and walked over to the kitchen sink where he wash the dishes.
After wiping his hands, he once more turned around to make his way back to the sitting room.
Exhaling!
"Does this not feel like torture?"
Charles turned around, arching a brow at Augustine, who had trailed after him. "What torture?" he asked, his tone flat.
"Charles, this silent treatment is torture, okay?" Augustine sighed, running a hand through his hair. "And why are you so afraid of love? I told you I love you, but that doesn’t mean I expect you to say it back right away."
Augustine forced a smile, his voice soft yet firm, before stepping in front of the couch, his gaze never leaving Charles.
Charles, fuming with anger, closed the distance between himself and Augustine, now standing directly in front of the couch.
"I never asked you to claim your love for me, okay?" he spat coldly, his gaze raking over Augustine from head to toe. "Did you suddenly fall in love with me after tasting my pre-cum? Or was it when I let you suck my nipples? Is that when your so-called love began?"
Augustine’s jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides.
He hadn’t expected Charles to lash out like this, but the venom in his words cut deeper than he was prepared for.
"That’s what you think?" Augustine’s voice dropped, dangerously low.
His gaze darkened as he took a step closer, their bodies nearly touching. "You think this is just about sex? That I suddenly love you because of a few heated moments?" He scoffed, shaking his head. "You really don’t get it, do you?"
Charles scoffed, extending his right hand and pressing his index finger against Augustine’s chest. "I know getting rejected after confessing your love hurts, but any reasonable person would think twice about who they’re saying it to before blurting it out."
Augustine opened his mouth to speak but he became at a loss for words. He fluttered his eyelashes a few times, before drawing in a deep long breath. "So... so did I make a mistake by loving you?" Augustine’s voice wavered, his lashes fluttering as he struggled to keep his composure. "Was it wrong to fall for the man who turns my world upside down? The man who makes my heart race, the one... the one I want to protect, to stand beside... the man who feels like home to me? Tell me, Charles, was it wrong to love you?" His voice cracked slightly as his fists clenched at his sides, his emotions barely contained.