Chapter 69: Do you like me romantically?
"I... it was just a slip of the tongue," Charles quickly defended, his voice slightly unsteady. "By the way, I hope you understand the message I just conveyed." He added, withdrawing his hands from Augustine’s shoulders, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.
"I am hungry," Charles added.
Augustine nodded, his lips curling into a small smile as he leaned in, pressing a brief yet tender kiss on Charles’s nose.
The warmth of the gesture sent a flutter through Charles’s chest, catching him off guard.
Slowly, Augustine pulled back just enough to meet Charles’s gaze and as he arched his brow, his voice softer now. "What would you like to eat?" he asked, studying Charles’s expression.
Charles smiled, taking a step back as he bit his upper lips while fluttering his eyelashes. "Maybe noodles? I need a quick meal."
As Charles mentioned what he wanted to eat, Augustine warmly smile at him as he grabbed Charles wrist and lead him out of the bedroom.
Augustine’s grip was firm yet warm, his strides purposeful as they descended the stairs toward the kitchen.
Upon arrival, Augustine rolled up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt, exposing his forearms before stepping toward the gas cooker.
The faint click of the ignition filled the air as the blue flame flickered to life, casting a soft glow on his face.
Like a pro, he grabbed two noodles from his kitchen cabinet as he began to prepare the meal.
Augustine also added eggs, and he sliced some vegetables, adding them to the noodles to enhance the flavour.
"Your meal is ready pookie," Augustine called out, dishing a bowl of noodles for Charles on the dining table.
Charles sat down on the dining chair and as he grabbed the fork placed beside the bowl of noodles, he immediately dug in.
Charles with a raised brow, a half-smile tugging at the corner of his mouth immediately questioned Augustine. "Won’t you join me?" he asked, the invitation loaded with an unspoken promise.
Augustine could see a hint of reluctance in Charles expression as he shook his head with a wry smile. "I’m afraid I can’t. I had a business dinner just an hour ago, so I’ve already eaten my fill."
He took his seat beside Charles as he watched him eat in complete silence. "Stop staring!" Charles snapped.
Augustine’s lips curved into a sly, knowing smile. "How was your day at work?" he asked.
Charles sighed. "Can I eat my meal in peace?" he questioned, giving Augustine a pointed look.
Augustine chuckled and nodded in understanding.
Augustine’s gaze remained fixed on Charles, studying his every movement.
The quiet intensity in Augustine’s eyes made Charles shift slightly in his seat, but he chose to ignore it, focusing instead on finishing his meal.
With the last bite of noodles swallowed, Charles pushed the empty bowl aside and exhaled softly.
Without a word, Charles rose from his chair as he carried his dish to the sink, turned on the faucet, and let the warm water run over his fingers before scrubbing the bowl with slow, deliberate movements.
"Augustine, I’m going upstairs," Charles said, his voice heavy with the exhaustion that had accumulated over the long day.
As he made his way towards the bedroom, Augustine glanced at the wall clock before exhaling loudly. "It’s pretty late," Augustine declared out loud with his shoulder dropping down in weariness.
With another sigh rolling out of his mouth, he sluggishly began to make his way down towards the bedroom.
Upon opening the door of the bedroom, Augustine glanced at Charles who lay on the bed with his gaze fixed on the ceiling. "How are feeling?"
"I’m tired," Charles spat, shifting his gaze toward Augustine, who lingered by the doorway.
His voice was edged with exhaustion, yet there was an undeniable warmth beneath it.
"Come lay next to me, Augustine," Charles added, waving his hand as he tapped the empty space beside him on the bed.
Augustine’s eyes flickered with hesitation before he finally stepped forward, his movements unhurried.
Without a word, he approached, the distance between them closing with each step.
Augustine did as he was instructed by lying on the bed next to Charles. "Can I kiss you?" He probed and Charles scoffed, shaking his head sideways. "You always manage to turn every opportunity into a chance to act like a pervert," Charles teased, a mischievous glint in his eye.
He rested his head on Augustine’s chest and also placed his left hand above Augustine’s chest. "How was your day at work?" Charles asked, his fingers lazily tracing circles on Augustine’s chest.
"It was very stressful," Augustine admitted, his voice low and seductive. "But being next to you is making me feel more at ease."
He placed his hands on Charles’s back, gently caressing it.
Augustine fluttered his eyelashes for a second before pondering within himself. "Pookie, is it alright if I ask you a question?" He probed.
Charles nodded, lifting his gaze slightly to study Augustine’s expression, trying to determine whether the question he was about to ask carried genuine curiosity or was merely playful.
"Did something happen?" He probed, noticing that Augustine’s gaze was intensely serious. "Did you get into a fight with your parents?"
Augustine scoffed. "No pookie," he purred with a laugh rolling out from his mouth.
"I attended several meetings today, and to be honest, I’m completely drained," Augustine admitted, his fingers absentmindedly tracing slow circles along Charles’s back. "But that wasn’t the worst part." He sighed, his expression darkening slightly. "My mother called."
Charles stilled, watching him closely.
"I told her I wouldn’t be visiting until she apologizes for what she did to you," Augustine continued, his tone unwavering. "I made it clear that I don’t need her interference in my life. She lost the right to dictate my choices the moment she crossed that line."
He exhaled sharply before adding, "Besides, she can’t do anything to me now. I held up my end of our deal—I found a partner, and that led me to you."
Charles’s eyes widened in shock, his body tensing at Augustine’s words. "You shouldn’t have said that," he murmured, his voice laced with unease. "Even though what she did to me was wrong, I still hate the fact that you’re refusing to visit her because of me."
Charles gaze softened as he took in a deep breath. "She’s still your mother, Augustine. Cutting her off entirely... I don’t want to be the reason for that."
Augustine’s expression darkened as he pulled his hands away from Charles’s back, forcing himself to sit upright against the edge of the bed.
"My mom almost killed you, Pookie," he spat, his tone sharp with unfiltered anger. "You don’t understand what she’s capable of. She looks nice, but she’s devious. And if I don’t set boundaries now, she won’t hesitate to hurt you again."
Augustine’s eyes burned with conviction as he exhaled sharply. "I won’t let that happen."
Charles who was lying on the bed, exhaled softly as he rolled his tongue inside his mouth, his eyes fluttering shut.
"Please... try to resolve things with your mom," he mumbled, his voice quiet but clear enough to be heard. "I was hurt by her... and I’m still hurting because of her."
His fingers unconsciously curled into the bedsheets. "Besides, the bandages on your stomach may be gone, but the bruise is still there."
He paused for a while, taking in a deep long breath. "I’ve taken off the bandages from my chest and stomach, but the bruises are still there," Charles whispered, his voice steady yet laced with unspoken pain. "Still, I’ve always taught myself to endure pain... so I’m managing just fine, even with the beating I took."
Once more, Charles paused his phrase to catch his breath. "Your mom hurt me, and I won’t say I have forgiven her because I didn’t deserve the ill words and treatment she rendered to me. But still, I would feel so bad knowing that I am the reason why you won’t be speaking with your mom anymore."
Augustine scoffed, reaching for his phone on the bedside table. He chose to stay silent, knowing that no matter what he says, Charles would still find a way to persuade him to reconcile with his mother.
"I’ll try to think about whether or not I can forgive her," Augustine explained while typing down some important message to his secretary.
Seconds later, he kept his phone back on the bedside table. "Charles, do you mind if I ask you a question?"
Charles nods, recalling that minutes ago, Augustine had intended on asking him a question. "What’s bothering you?" Charles asked, his brows drawing together as he studied Augustine’s expression.
Augustine’s eyes were steady, his expression a mix of intrigue and contemplation as he posed his question. "When you said you ’like me,’ earlier...I want to know, do you mean that you like me, or do you actually like me? As in, romantically?"
Charles scoffed, fluttering his eyelashes in surprise. "I..."