CHAPTER 204: CALL ME, MOM.

The cold demeanour of Mr. Donald’s cold melted in an instant, replaced by a glimmer of boyish excitement.

He tried to hide the grin creeping onto his face, but failed.

Mr. Donald eyes locked onto the Xbox set like a child spotting candy and for a man who rarely showed emotion, the joy radiating off him was almost comical.

He had been secretly meaning to get a gaming set for months and now, here it was.

The items from Augustine’s car boot were carried into the sitting room, and once everything was neatly set aside, they all eased into the plush cushions of the couch.

Mrs. Donald was the first to break the silence, exhaling softly before she spoke. "Well... I’ve always told myself I’d never force my son’s partner to buy anything for me," she began, her voice calm and sincere. "I... I didn’t plan on accepting the gifts you brought because I never want you to feel obligated or indebted to win over me or my husband with things."

Mrs. Donald paused her phrase as she drew in a long deep breath. "But I can’t possible reject novels from you."

Augustine chuckled, noticing the smile that was spread across the lips of Mrs. Donald. "I have no idea that my gifts would be accepted and since you like it, I’m more than honoured." Augustine stated joyfully.

"Hmm hmm," Mr. Donald cleared his throat, brushing his hand over his lips with a thoughtful expression. "Well, I... I’ve decided to accept you as my son’s boyfriend because your parents had rejected my son the way I initially rejected you, and that makes me to be no different from them." He paused, then added with quiet conviction, "I want to treat others the way I expect them to treat my family."

Augustine nodded slowly, letting Mr. Donald’s words sink in. "So... so does this mean I’m free to date your son?"

Mr. Donald scoffed, rolling his eyes at what he considered a ridiculous question. "You’ve been dating my son long before now. And even if I said no, you’d still keep dating him anyway," he muttered, shaking his head with a begrudging smirk.

"Hahaha," Mrs. Donald laughed out loud as she shook her head sideways, amused by the way her husband was now handling the situation.

Augustine, who had been seated on the couch, slowly rose to his feet and bowed his head at a perfect ninety-degree angle. "I promise to forever treat your son right," he said solemnly, his eyes fixed on the floor.

"Hey... lift your head up and stop making me feel uncomfortable," Mr. Donald mumbled in a playful tone.

He rose from his seat as well, placing a firm hand on Augustine’s shoulder, gently assisting Augustine to lift his body upwards until their eyes met that of each other.

"Pftt," Charles sniffed, trying to hold back the snort that escaped his nose as he blinked rapidly, his lashes fluttering while warm tears rolled down his cheeks.

The moment Augustine saw the tears of Charles, he rushed over to his lovey side, cupping Charles’s face gently in his hands.

Augustine eyes softened, locking onto Charles’s with warmth. "Pookie, why are you crying?" Augustine asked, his voice low and laced with concern, his brows knitting as he searched Charles’s face for an answer.

Once more, Charles sniffed his nose as he gulped down a mouthful of saliva while at the same time, Augustine began to caressed his thumb across the cheeks of Charles.

"I... I... I was so scared that..."

"Come on, Charles. Your mother and I love and support you, so whatever choice you make in life... as long as it brings you happiness, we’ll stand by it," Mr. Donald said, cutting Charles off gently but firmly.

Right after Mr. Donald words, Mrs. Wales Donald rose from her seat without a word, her expression warm and full of care, and made her way into the kitchen.

The soft clinking of utensils followed as she began packaging some food into flasks for Charles and Augustine.

As Mrs. Donald packaged the meal with care, the rich aroma of her husband cooking filled the kitchen, wrapping the home in warmth.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Mr. Donald was offering an heartfelt advice to both Charles and Augustine, his tone calm and fatherly.

An hour slipped by like a breeze, and soon Charles and Augustine made their way toward the car, hand in hand, with Mr. and Mrs. Donald following closely behind.

Outside, under the soft glow of the street light, they watched as Augustine opened the car door for Charles, earning a subtle smile from Mr. Donald.

With quiet confidence, Augustine rounded the car and slipped into the driver’s seat, ready to drive them off into the night.

Sigh!

Mrs. Donald sigh as she lean over to the side window of the car so that her face was now some few inches away from that of Charles.

Her lips curved into a warm smile before she speak up. "You have to take care of yourself and the health of your lover, okay."

Charles nod, smiling back at his mother.

Mrs. Donald averted her gaze over to Augustine. "You both shouldn’t get into any silly fight. Instead, make sure your love continues to grow stronger. And besides, whenever you need someone to talk to, remember that I and that handsome man behind me will always be here for you, okay?"

"Alright, ma," Augustine whispered, his voice soft with emotion.

"You are now family Augustine. Call me mom."

Hearing the soft words of Mrs. Donald made Augustine’s lips curve into a warm smile as tears welled up in his eyes.

"Tha... thanks, Mom," he purred, swallowing hard, willing himself not to cry.

Following that, Mrs. Donald lean away from the car while Augustine turn on the car engine as he began to drive down the road while Charles stretched his hands outside the car, waving at his parents with tears still streaming down from his eyes.

Eventually, when Charles parents were no longer in his view, Charles bite onto his lower lip, his gaze averting over to Augustine.

"Are... are you alright?" Charles inquired with a low voice as his hands slide beneath his medicated glasses before he proceeded to wipe away the tears stain on his cheeks.

Augustine swallow hard, the movement visible at his throat as he nod. "I... I’m just overwhelmed." He whispered, gaze fixed on the road. "Today is...today is the first time I’m meeting your parents, and despite the fact that don’t knowing you’re gay, they accepted you and they accepted me too, as your partner and that... that’s something my mom has never done."

By the end of Augustine’s words, his voice faltered, his emotions betraying him as more silent tears spilled down his cheeks, tracing soft trails like kisses against his skin.

"Hey, babe," Charles whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he sniffled softly.

He reached over, his hand finding Augustine’s thigh, giving it a slow, reassuring squeeze.

"Why don’t you pull over for a bit? Just stop by the side of the road so that we can take a moment to breathe and to let yourself feel free. " Charles purred softly, his gaze lingered on Augustine’s tear-streaked face.

"Umm," Augustine mumbled beneath his breath as he slow down his car speed and within the next seconds he pulled over by the side of the lonely road.

Besides, since it was already night time, only few vehicle could be seen driving past the road.

Exhaled!

Charles exhaled deeply, and the moment Augustine pulled the car over, he wasted no time.

Charles unbuckled his seatbelt with a soft click and slid over, settling gently onto Augustine’s lap. The hands of Charles wrapped around Augustine’s neck, anchoring them both.

"Babe, I don’t care where we are or who’s watching," Charles whispered into Augustine’s ear, his breath warm against Augustine’s skin. "All I want is for you to stop feeling bad."

Following Charles words, he leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to Augustine’s temple as their hearts beat in sync, the world around them blurring into the background.

"Pookie... what are you trying to do?" Augustine asked, his brow arched and his voice laced with suspicion, though the corner of his lips threatened a smirk.

"Umm... I’m trying to make you feel good," Charles purred, his voice thick with mischief as he leaned in, his breath teasing Augustine’s cheek, lips hovering just a heartbeat away.

Charles fingers trailed lightly down Augustine’s collar, sending sparks across his skin.

Their eyes locked, and in that charged silence, the world outside the car blurred as everything became still.

"I know that deep down, you’re questioning yourself for having such a weird family," Charles murmured, his fingers gently caressing the back of Augustine’s neck. "And even though I was crying a while ago, I want you to know... I hate it whenever you cry."

Augustine blinked, confused. "Hmm?"

"I don’t like seeing you hurt, Augustine," Charles whispered, his voice barely above a breath. "And I promise—I’ll do anything, anything it takes to keep your spirit lifted. I just want to be your peace."