CHAPTER 168: AUGUSTINE HAS SUCCESSFULLY CLOUDED MY MIND.

The morning sun peeked through the bedroom window, casting soft golden rays across the sheets as Charles squinted his eyes tightly, a lazy yawn slipping past his lips.

He stretched both arms wide, his muscles flexing under the warmth of the light, then rolled over to his side.

With a small hiss, Charles stretched his hand towards the nightstand as they fumble slightly before grabbing hold of his cellphone.

’Has he called me yet?’ Charles wondered as he also grabbed his medicated glasses which he wore.

He adjusted his glasses with a swift, practiced motion. His fingers trembled slightly while unlocking his phone, anticipation bubbling in his chest like a shaken soda bottle ready to burst.

Sigh!

Slowly, Charles sat upright on the bed, eyes scanning the screen of his phone with growing concern. No missed calls. No texts. Nothing. His heart sank.

’Why do I have a feeling that something bad happened last night?’ he thought, a heavy weight beginning to press down on his chest.

The previous afternoon, Augustine had mentioned his mother requested his presence and that he needed to visit her—though even then, Charles had sensed a flicker of hesitation in his voice, a subtle unease he’d tried to ignore.

Charles, knowing how Augustine’s mother usually behaved, didn’t bother asking too many questions.

Instead, he simply let him go without protest.

While Augustine was away, Charles kept himself busy. He prepared a nice meal for one, savoring the quiet of the house.

Afterward, Charles spent the entire afternoon curled up on the couch, watching movies, trying not to glance at his phone too often as he patiently waited for Augustine’s return.

As night fell, Charles grew increasingly uneasy.

Augustine still wasn’t home, and what worried him more was the complete silence—no calls, no messages.

Unable to shake off the dread creeping into his chest, Charles finally dialed Augustine’s number. The phone rang endlessly, each second tightening the knot in his stomach.

At last, the line connected.

"Hey babe, is everything alright there?" Charles asked, his voice low but laced with anxious urgency.

Augustine nodded, though Charles couldn’t see him. "I have a lot of business issues to sort out, so I won’t be coming home tonight. I’m so sorry, Pookie, but I’ll make it up to you when we meet."

The calmness in Augustine’s voice did little to ease Charles’s growing suspicion. Something felt off—too smooth, too rehearsed.

Still, Charles forced a soft "Okay" through his lips.

He wouldn’t press Augustine—not now but the moment Augustine returned home, Charles knew he’d have a storm of questions waiting.

Besides, something wasn’t right, and Charles heart could feel it.

After their phone call, Charles quietly made his way to the bedroom and curled up alone in bed where he eventually drifted into sleep.

Presently, with the morning sun casting long shadows across the room and Augustine still nowhere to be found, worry gripped Charles chest like a vice.

’I think I’ll have to call him,’ Charles thought, anxiety creeping into his voice as he hovered his finger over Augustine’s contact but just as he was about to dial, his phone vibrated sharply in his hand—an incoming call.

Charles froze. The call was from Augustine Wales.

Without wasting another second, he swiped to answer and brought the phone to his ear, his breath catching slightly.

"Babe!" Charles called out, his voice soaked in concern. "I was just about to dial your number when yours suddenly came through. Is everything alright?"

Augustine sighed through the other end of the line. "Pookie, I’m already in my office at Gyapm Corporation. I’ve been here since six this morning, and there are a lot of business documents I need to sort out urgently," he explained, his voice sounding a little tired.

Augustine paused briefly, drawing in a breath. "I’m really sorry for not calling you earlier. I didn’t want to wake you up... that’s why I’m just reaching out now."

Charles smiled. Although he could sense the tiredness in Augustine’s voice... but still, Charles was relieved that the tiredness in Augustine’s voice was just the stress from work.

"Babe... umm, there’s some leftover porridge from last night," Charles said softly. "Why don’t I come over and bring it to you? I’ll be quick."

Augustine scoffed, shaking his head with a smirk. "Pookie, you don’t need to wear yourself out, okay?"

Augustine voice was calm but carried a hint of playful concern. "You’ve got work at the company in an hour. Get some rest—take another thirty minutes to sleep and then get yourself ready." Augustine stated as he tried to reason with Charles, his words smooth yet filled with an undeniable tenderness.

Charles chuckled, his lips curling into a smile. "I appreciate the concern, babe, but I’m already awake. I’ll be over in a bit. You need to eat something, and I can’t just leave you starving."

He paused, his tone softening. "Plus, it’ll give me a reason to see you, even if it’s just for a few minutes."

"Pookie... I can always order takeout." Augustine suggested.

Charles growled softly, rolling out of bed with determination.

He stood by the bedside table, his eyes narrowing with resolve. "Expect me there in the next thirty minutes. For now... take care."

Before Augustine could respond, Charles ended the call abruptly, leaving no room for protest, his confidence unwavering.

Augustine stared at his phone, a slight grin tugging at the corners of his lips. He shook his head, knowing Charles well enough to understand that once he set his mind on something, there was no stopping him.

With a sigh, Augustine leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples. "I guess I’ll just have to wait for him," he muttered to himself, already anticipating the warmth Charles would bring when he showed up.

Meanwhile, Charles slid his phone onto the bedside table, his movements swift as he made his way to the bathroom.

Stripping off his clothes, he paused in front of the mirror, taking a long look at his reflection.

As his eyes met his own in the glass, a soft blush crept onto his cheeks.

Charles thoughts drifted back to the previous day, the memory of the intimate moment still lingering in his mind, making his heart race and his face flush with warmth.

’Augustine has successfully clouded my mind,’ Charles purred to himself as he dug his fingers deep into his hair, intending to give it a gentle scratch.

To Charles’ surprise, as he scratched his scalp, he felt a few strands of hair cling to his fingers. His hair was pulling.