CHAPTER 199: DAD, THIS IS MY BOYFRIEND.

To Charles greatest surprise, Reginald slowly turned around and obediently closed his eyes, his teeth sinking into his lower lip in a barely concealed blush.

"Come on, Reginald!" Charles called out playfully, a hint of laughter in his voice. "You don’t have to listen to Augustine’s words, okay?"

Following Charles’s words, he grabbed Augustine’s hand and led him straight to the driver’s side door.

With a swift motion, Charles pulled it open and turned to Augustine with a smirk. "Get inside, mister man," he purred—his tone teasing, yet laced with a seriousness that made Augustine’s pulse stir.

Augustine sighed. "Can’t we kiss now that my secretary is no longer watching us—"

"Babe! We just did something far more interesting than kissing, so don’t be too greedy," Charles mumbled under his breath, his voice low but still loud enough for Reginald’s ears to catch.

"Pftt," Reginald chuckled softly, his cheeks flushed a deep crimson.

He opened his eyes, clearly blushing from the playful antics between CEO Augustine and Charles.

"Umm... ummm," Charles purred, clearing his throat. "Thanks for your help, Reginald. And I’m really sorry Augustine troubled you during your work hours," he added, his tone laced with sincere apology.

"You don’t have to be sorry. I’m always here whenever you need me," Reginald purred.

Augustine rolled his eyes at the words before sliding smoothly into the driver’s seat.

Charles scoffed lightly, then made his way to the passenger side, slipping into the car with a soft thud as the door closed behind him.

Augustine ignited the engine with a deep hum, rolled down the window, and exhaled with exaggerated flair.

A mischievous smirk curled on his lips as he leaned slightly out. "Reginald, how’s your love life treating you? Still chasing that girlfriend of yours?"

Reginald sniffed, trying to keep his cool, but his grin gave him away. "We’re doing great, actually. Besides, Freda finally agreed to an official first date." Reginald stated, his voice held a hint of pride, and maybe a little nervous excitement.

"But you said you already went on a date last week?" Charles questioned, his brow raised as he leaned slightly forward, recalling clearly how Augustine mentioned Reginald’s supposed outing with Freda.

"Umm... Freda said that didn’t count as a real first date," Reginald mumbled under his breath, awkwardly scuffing his shoe against the ground. "So... today’s the official first date." His cheeks flushed with excitement.

"Ohh," Charles purred, his lips forming a perfect circle. "Well then, I wish you all the best with that." He added with a teasing grin before reaching for his seatbelt and clicking it into place.

Augustine smirked subtly, his fingers tightening around the wheel as he stepped on the accelerator, the engine humming to life.

He drove out of the mansion compound, and Charles gave Augustine the direction to his parents mansion.

Augustine steer smoothly in the direction Charles had given him and during the drive to Charles’s parents’ house, the car was wrapped in a thick silence.

Charles stared out the window, lost in thought, inwardly battling the anxiety of whether his parents would accept him for being gay.

"Hey," Augustine’s voice sliced through the quiet, low and tender.

He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing with concern as he glanced at Charles. "What are you thinking about?"

Charles exhaled deeply, his shoulders sagging as if the weight of his worries had momentarily taken its toll. "My parents have always supported my dreams, my ambitions... they treat me like their own, but I still don’t know if they’ll accept me for being gay," Charles murmured, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Not everyone’s okay with it, and that terrifies me."

"True," Augustine purred, his fingers lightly grazing Charles’ thigh in a tender caress. "No matter how your parents react, I’ll be right there with you. I’ll make them see that you’re still the same loving, caring Charles they’ve always known."

"Thanks." Charles whispered with a soft scoffed.

Once more, the car ride to Charles’ parents’ house was thick with silent until they arrived at the front of Charles parents apartment.

"I think we’ve arrived at our destination," Augustine murmured, his voice low as he eased the car to a slow stop.

Charles exhaled sharply, his hands gripping the seat as a wave of unease washed over him. "I... for some reason, I’m starting to feel incredibly nervous."

Charles voice trembled, betraying the calm facade he tried to maintain.

"Pftt," Augustine scoffed, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "I’m right here with you, pookie. Just be yourself," he purred, his voice soothing yet confident.

With those words, Augustine effortlessly pulled the car to the side of the road.

He jumped out of the car, practically rushing to the other side and in a smooth motion, Augustine opened the car door for Charles, offering him a reassuring smile that spoke volumes more than words ever could.

Charles stepped out of the car, drawing in a deep breath, swallowing hard as the weight of the moment settled in. "Do you think my parents will accept you?"

Augustine nodded, his hand sliding onto Charles’s shoulder, giving it a gentle caress. "I’m quite likeable," he purred with confidence, a playful glint in his eyes. "Your parents are definitely going to love me—"

"Oh my gush! Charles!"

The voice of an elderly man in his early sixties rang out, calling Charles’s name as he hurried from the house, his arms wide open.

The man, with a pot belly and a white beard that framed his chin, wore a simple white singlet and grey-colored shorts.

He moved with surprising energy, his smile genuine and welcoming.

Augustine stepped aside from Charles front, allowing Charles to move run toward his father.

As the distance between them closed, Charles leaped into his father’s arms, a warm embrace enveloping them both. "Ohh... I’ve missed you so much, Dad," Charles purred, his voice thick with emotion.

Mr. Donald tightened his grip around Charles’s back, pulling him closer. "I’ve missed you so much, son," he purred with a warm voice.

Seconds later, Mr. Donald gently released Charles, stepping back to look at him with a proud smile.

"Dad, you look so much younger than the last time I saw you," Charles remarked, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

Charles’s dad scoffed, waving his hands in the air dismissively. "Stop with the flattery, son," he chuckled, the warmth in his voice unmistakable. "You’re the one who seriously look brighter, younger, and more handsome than ever." Mr. Donald stated.

"Ayyy! Now you’re just messing with me," Charles purred, a soft laugh escaping his lips. "Is mom home?"

"Yeah, she’s on the couch in the sitting room, probably sleeping," he said, smirking at Charles. "And trust me, she’ll scold you for not letting her know you were coming. You know how she gets—she loves making a big fuss when you visit."

Charles nodded slightly, his gaze shifting to the ground. "I should’ve given you a heads-up," he whispered, feeling a weight settle in his chest.

Mr. Donald’s playful tone shifted into something more serious.

He arched an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing as he scanned Charles intently. "Son..." he began, his voice firm yet filled with concern. "It’s strange for you to show up unannounced. Is everything alright?"

Charles swallowed hard, slowly lifting his gaze from the floor. "I’m fine, Dad. I just... I came here to introduce someone to you."

Charles voice was calm, but the tension in his posture betrayed him.

Mr. Donald’s brows furrowed slightly as he followed Charles’ gaze to Augustine. "Is he your friend?" he asked, curiosity edging his tone.

A teasing smile pulled at his lips. "Didn’t know you had male friends—at least not ones you’d bring home."

Augustine turned around to shut the door of the car and after that, he proceeded in stepping forward, his presence calm yet confident as he closed the distance between Charles and Mr. Donald.

Slowly, Augustine drew in a deep breath before proceeding to speak up. "Good afternoon, sir," Augustine greeted, his voice smooth and composed.

Mr. Donald gave a firm nod, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed the man before him. "How are you, son?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

"I’m fine, Mr. Donald," Augustine replied warmly, stepping more closer to Mr. Donald and with confident, he extended his hand for a handshake.

Mr. Donald’s brows furrowed, his gaze flickering sharply between the two men as he caught the nervous tremble in Charles’s voice.

"Charles, is everything okay?" Mr. Donald asked, his tone now edged with concern.

"Umm..." Charles began, swallowing hard as though his throat had dried up completely. "Dad... this is Augustine Wales—my... my boyfriend," he finally said, voice barely above a whisper.

Then he turned, gesturing slightly. "And Augustine, this is my dad, Mr. Donald."

Silence...

A thick silence immediately fell between them, and for a moment, the only thing audible was the wind rustling through the leaves.

What followed next was something that shake Augustine’s resolve.