Chapter 109: CEO Augustine truly loves you.
"The hell! You’re so damn cheesy," Charles muttered, his cheeks flushing a deep shade of red.
Augustine let out a soft chuckle, casually nodding.
"I’m only this cheesy when it’s you," he whispered, leaning in to wink, and Charles swore his heart skipped a beat.
’I hate the effect Augustine has on me.’ Charles mused, feeling his pulse quicken despite his best efforts to stay composed.
He drew in a sharp breath, silently willing his heart to behave.
With an exasperated sigh, Charles finally blurted, "I need to get changed," his voice deliberately clipped—desperate to shift the mood before he completely melted under Augustine’s gaze.
Sigh!
"Umm... Why don’t we eat first? You can get dressed after," Augustine coaxed gently, his fingers tracing idle circles on Charles’s waist.
Seeing no harm in the suggestion, Charles shifted his gaze to the steaming porridge soup, grabbed his spoon, and dug in without protest.
"Do you want me to stand up from your body?" Charles asked, raising a brow when he noticed Augustine hadn’t touched his meal.
Augustine scoffed, tightening his grip. "No. Stay right there," he murmured, his voice dropping to a low purr. "I can eat later... but right now, I’d rather savor the weight of you on my lap."
Charles narrowed his eyes, a teasing smirk curling at the corner of his lips before he swiftly slid off Augustine’s lap. "Eat, before I start thinking you want to devour me instead," he purred, taking the empty chair beside him and digging into his meal.
Augustine let out a low chuckle, his gaze lingering on Charles a moment longer before finally turning his attention to his own plate.
Six minutes later, Charles rose from his seat, carried his empty plate to the kitchen sink, and quickly rinsed the dishes.
"I’ll be back," he murmured, flashing Augustine a fleeting smile before hurrying toward the stairs.
Once in the bedroom, Charles moved straight to the wardrobe, pulling out a pair of brown shorts and a crisp blue shirt.
Without wasting a second, he slipped them on, smoothing the fabric over his frame as he mentally prepared himself for the day ahead.
Charles walked over to the dressing mirror, picking up a comb in his hand as he carefully ran it through his hair.
He followed it by applying a bit of ointment, smoothing it into place with practiced ease.
For a moment, his gaze lingered on his reflection. A small, astonished smile crept across his lips—almost as if he barely recognized the calm, polished version of himself staring back.
Exhaling!
Charles adjusted his glasses higher up to the bridge of his nose, grabbed his black backpack, and made his way out of the bedroom.
The moment he stepped into the sitting room, his eyes immediately found Augustine, casually sprawled on the couch, exuding his usual effortless charm.
He was already done with his meal and had also taken care of the dishes.
"Are you ready to go? I’ve already instructed my secretary to pick you up," Augustine stated boldly, his gaze unwavering.
Charles blinked rapidly, his eyelashes fluttering as he tried to process the words. "H-huh?" he breathed out, unsure if he’d heard right. "Did you just say... your secretary?"
Augustine simply nodded, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips.
"But why? He’s your secretary, not your driver—why would you ask him to do that?" Charles questioned, his brows knitting together.
Augustine sighed softly. "He won’t mind, pookie," he purred as he rose up from his seated position before closing the distance between them.
Standing before Charles, Augustine stretched his hands as he brush his fingers against Charles’s shoulder. "Besides, Reginald was already passing by, so I asked him to stop for you. It’s no trouble."
The voice of Augustine dropped, smooth and coaxing, as if it was trying to convince Charles with the obvious lie that had just escaped his mouth.
Charles frowned, lips jutting out into a pout. "You’re abusing your worker, and that’s not cool."
Augustine chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with amusement as he cupped Charles’s cheek. "I’m sorry then," he murmured, voice warm but playful. "I won’t abuse Reginald if it bothers you that much."
He leaned in slightly, smirking. "Though, if I’m being honest, you’re the only one I ever want to spoil and boss around."
He gave Charles’s cheek a gentle pinch, his fingers lingering a little longer than necessary before his gaze softened, locking onto Charles’s eyes. "I... I just don’t want you to feel exhausted," Augustine whispered, voice low and sincere. "You went out of your way to make me that meal, and I want to do something in return."
He paused briefly, thumb brushing delicately along Charles’s chin. "Also... tomorrow morning, I’ve asked the fashion designers from my company to deliver some clothes here. I want you to set aside a little time—just for us—to try them on together."
His lips curved into a subtle, knowing smirk. "Think of it as a private fitting session."
"What the hell do I need your company’s designer clothes for?" Charles asked, his tone flat but his eyes sharp with curiosity.
Augustine scoffed, a lazy smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "It’s obviously for the big event at my company, pookie," he whispered, voice dropping just a notch lower.
Augustine leaned in, his breath warm against Charles’s ear. "And because I like seeing you dressed in things only I get to pick... and undress later."
The frown on Charles’s face deepened, his arms folding tightly across his chest. "I’m a mere cleaner, Augustine. I can’t wear your company’s designer clothes to some big event. Don’t you think if the top elites see a cleaner flaunting those expensive designs, it might discourage them from wanting to purchase your designs?"
Augustine’s expression darkened in an instant. "Charles, how many times do I have to warn you?" he muttered, stepping more closer to Charles until barely an inch separated them. "Stop calling yourself a ’mere’ cleaner."
His gaze lingered on Charles’s face, firm and unyielding. "You’re mine. And that alone raises your worth far beyond what you think."
Charles hissed softly, placing his hands on that of Augustine’s which was rested above his chin. "Even if you hate hearing it, that doesn’t change facts. I’m still just a cleaner," Charles muttered, voice clipped, eyes lowered.
Without another word, he brushed Augustine’s hand away from his jaw, the gesture sharp, almost cold, before turning on his heel and striding toward the door.
Augustine stood rooted, his gaze heavy, following Charles’s retreating figure. He didn’t call out, didn’t move—only watched in a weighted silence.
When Charles was no longer in the sitting room, Augustine hissed in rage. ’Why do I even have to fall for someone who’s so damm stubborn?’ Augustine grumbled.
He had warned Charles countless times to stop belittling himself with that "mere cleaner" nonsense, but no matter how often Augustine tried to peel that label off him, Charles wore it like second skin—unyielding, immovable.
’Such a stubborn lover,’ Augustine mused inwardly, a faint smile curling on his lips as he shook his head sideways.
Meanwhile, as Charles stormed out of the mansion compound, a deep scowl etched across his face, because he was enraged by Augustine’s ridiculous correction.
Parked right in front of the mansion gate was a sleek black car, engine idling, clearly waiting just for him.
At first, Charles ignores the car because he doesn’t want a situation where he would have to mistake Reginald’s car for another car.
’Besides, I mistook Augustine’s car with that of another and I ended up being kidnapped.’ He thought to himself.
Charles stepped away from the car, but then a loud horn was suddenly heard and the car window rolled down smoothly, and Reginald’s head appeared, his expression calm.
"The CEO instructed that I drive you to your workplace," Reginald said plainly, his voice carrying no room for negotiation.
Seeing the face of Reginald, all the doubt of Charles disappears into thin air as he rushes over to the car.
Charles opened the back door and slipped inside, settling quietly into the seat. "Good afternoon, Reginald. I’m really sorry Augustine troubled you like this," he murmured, his tone soft as he gave a slight bow of his head, an earnest attempt to apologize for the inconvenience.
Reginald let out a light chuckle as he shifted the car into gear, easing onto the road. "No need to apologize, Charles," he said casually, eyes focused ahead. "It’s clear as day that CEO Augustine’s completely smitten with you. He loves you and I get why he’s always going out of his way to keep you safe."
"Did you just say love?"
Reginald nodded, glancing briefly at Charles before returning his focus to the road. "Hasn’t he told you already? Or are you really that blind to see how deep he’s fallen for you?" he teased, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.
"That man’s head over heels, and honestly, it’s kinda adorable."
Reginald words hung in the air, leaving Charles frozen in his seat, unable to form a response as his heart thudded against his chest.