Chapter 68: Did you just say that you like me?
The cab ride was quiet, the soft hum of the engine blending with the distant sounds of the city.
Charles leaned against the cool glass of the window, watching the neon lights blur past as a faint smile played on his lips.
The streets bustled with life—couples strolling hand in hand, street vendors calling out to late-night customers, and cars weaving through traffic like fireflies in the dark.
’I hope Freda doesn’t catch on to my lie,’ he mused, his fingers lightly tapping against his thigh.
Minitues later, the cab driver pulled over at Charles’s destination.
He stepped out of the car, paid the cab driver and then proceeded to be on his way.
As Charles opened the gate of Augustine’s compound, his gaze immediately landed on Augustine, who stood beside the entrance door of his mansion building.
His hands were buried deep in his pockets as he remained still, his eyes fixed on Charles, watching as he approached with slow, deliberate steps.si
’Why is Augustine’s gaze making me feel nervous?’ Charles questioned himself as he pushed his glasses closer to his eyes before inhaling deeply.
Finally, as he stood in front of Augustine, he arched his brows in question but decided not to say anything.
"Pookie," Augustine called out, his voice soft yet carrying an underlying tension as he exhaled deeply. "I... I have missed you a lot," he admitted, his eyelashes fluttering while he slowly moistened his lips.
Charles sneered, folding his arms across his chest. "You say you miss me, yet you’re looking at me like a stranger. Why the cold gaze?" Charles questioned, his voice held a mix of sarcasm and curiosity, as he studied Augustine’s expression.
Augustine sigh!
"You told me not to talk to you at work," Augustine stated, his voice sharp and devoid of warmth. "Then, after I left the office, I saw you walking down the street. Without thinking twice, I grabbed my driver’s face cap and ran to you... only to end up embarrassing myself."
His jaw tightened, his gaze dark with frustration, though a flicker of vulnerability lingered beneath his cold tone.
With Augustine lips slightly pouted forward, he turned around before opening the entrance door.
Augustine didn’t utter any more words out of his mouth as he made his way towards the bedroom.
’What the hell is wrong with him?’ Charles thought while shaking his head sideways.
He scoffed, stepping inside the building and shutting the sitting room door behind him.
Initially, Charles expected to find Augustine lounging in the sitting room, but after a quick scan of the space, he realized the man was nowhere to be seen.
Charles strode into the kitchen, turning on the faucet as he let the cool water run over his hands before lathering them with soap.
After rinsing, he reached for a chilled bottle of water from the refrigerator, twisting the cap open with a satisfying crack.
Tilting his head back, he drank in one long gulp, the cold liquid rushing down his throat, soothing the dryness he hadn’t noticed before.
"Ahh," Charles exhaled as he wiped his lips with the back of his hand.
For a moment, he simply stood there, his fingers still curled around the bottle, his thoughts briefly drifting before he shook his head and refocused.
With Charles’s shoulder dropped down in exhaustion, he sluggishly made his way towards the staircase and then he proceeded in making his way towards the bedroom.
As Charles opened the door of the bedroom, he once more scanned his surroundings but didn’t see Augustine.
’I don’t think I have strength for Augustine drama,’ Charles mused to himself as stood in front of the wardrobe before taking off his clothes.
He was clad only in his boxer briefs and a snug white singlet when the faint sound of approaching footsteps made his breath hitch.
Charles turned around, his gaze landing on Augustine who strode toward him with effortless confidence.
Droplets of water clung to Augustine’s bare torso, catching the dim light as they trailed down his toned chest.
A white towel hung low on his hips, loosely secured, teasing the edges of his defined abdomen.
Charles swallowed, his throat suddenly dry.
The gaze of Augustine intensely fixed upon Charles, making him to take a step backward. "Augustine I don’t think I have any strength to return your flirtatious approach," Charles stated, stretching his right hand forward as a means of stopping Augustine from taking any more steps closer to him.
Augustine rolled his eyes, ignoring Charles’s words as he kept closing the distance between the both of them.
And then, he stretched his right hand and shoved Charles away from his front, his gaze so firm that it instantly made Charles confused.
’Why do I feel like he’s mad at me?’
Charles, now standing a few steps away, fluttered his eyelashes as he observed Augustine move toward the wardrobe.
With practiced ease, Augustine pulled open the doors, retrieving a neatly folded white boxer brief.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Augustine reached for the knot of the towel at his waist.
With a single, fluid motion, he loosened it, allowing the fabric to slip down his hips and pool soundlessly at his feet.
"What the hell!" Charles exclaimed, swiftly turning around as he placed his hands over his face, covering his medicated glasses. "Augustine, are you aware that I am currently in the same room with you?" Charles asked, his heart beating rapidly as his body suddenly tensed.
Augustine’s unexpected action had caught Charles off guard, and despite Charles attempt to quickly avert his gaze, he couldn’t help but catch a fleeting glimpse of Augustine’s bare backside.
’Damn, Augustine’s ass is big and sexy,’ Charles mused, feeling warmth creep up his cheeks. ’What the hell am I even thinking?’ He scolded himself, quickly shaking his head as if to erase the vivid image from his mind.
"Augustine, are you alright?" Charles suddenly questioned but he was met with swift silence.
With a deep sigh, Charles hesitated before slowly spreading his fingers across his medicated glasses, creating a small gap to sneak a peek.
His heart pounded in anticipation, unsure whether Augustine had gotten dressed or was still standing there, bare.
Peering through the narrow space between his fingers, Charles caught sight of Augustine slipping into a crisp white long shirt that barely grazed his thighs.
The fabric clung to his damp skin, highlighting the toned muscles beneath.
Charles swallowed hard, his fingers twitching slightly as he forced himself to look away, but the image was already burned into his mind.
’Did he even wear any boxer briefs?’ Charles thought to himself.
"Augustine," Charles called, adjusting his glasses firmly on his nose. "Are you alright?" he asked, his tone laced with concern.
Once more, Augustine ignored Charles as he strode to the bed.
With a sigh, he lay on the mattress and shut his eyes.
Woah!
Charles mused, shaking his head in disbelief.
Charles headed over to the bathroom, took a warm bath and after drying his wet body, he grabbed a pair of white bathrobes which he swiftly wore.
He stepped out of the bathroom with a white towel around his neck so that the dripping water from his wet hair would fall on the towel.
With a frown, Charles lay on the bed and gazed at the ceiling. "Did... did I do something wrong?" Charles inquired as his words stuttered one after the other.
Silence...
"Augustine, do you want me to leave?" Charles asked, his voice edged with frustration. "I don’t mind stepping out because I can’t stand this awkward silence from you."
At first, his words were intended to serve as a threat to Augustine but seeing that Augustine was still giving him a silent treatment, Charles decided to step outside of the room.
He sighed, rolling down from the bed as he began to make his way towards the existing door.
"Pookie... I... I’m not ignoring you," Augustine stammered, his voice unsteady.
Charles turned around, his sharp gaze locking onto Augustine. "Then do you think ignoring my question doesn’t count as giving me the silent treatment?" he retorted, his voice cold and laced with frustration.
Augustine exhaled.
He rose from the bed, stepping closer to Charles before wrapping his arms around his waist. "I just... I’m a bit upset with myself," Augustine admitted, his voice laced with frustration. "Having to pretend to be someone else just to hide our relationship from your friend—it doesn’t sit right with me."
"Augustine, you don’t have to feel bad about that, okay?" Charles reassured, his voice calm as he placed his hands on Augustine’s shoulders, gently caressing them. "I signed the contract knowing exactly what I was getting into."
Charles hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Besides, I like you... I mean, I understand you, so there’s no need to worry."
Augustine smirked, his lips curving into a sly smile. "Did you just say that you like me?" He probed, a blush creeping on his cheek as he intensely glanced deep into the eyes of Charles.