CHAPTER 213: COME OUT TO THE PUBLIC.

"Ahhh... finally," Charles purred, slipping his phone deep into his trouser pocket.

It had been two long weeks since Augustine traveled to China to study the language and to also attend a business conference, and seconds gasp, Augustine had just texted Charles to say he was about to board a flight.

A loud sigh escaped Charles’s lips, part relief, part anticipation as he turned to glance at Freda, who stood beside him with a radiant smile dancing on her lips.

"Seems we’re both in a good mood," Charles whispered, giving Freda’s shoulder a playful bump.

She chuckled softly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear before releasing a deep breath. "Today, I plan on professing my love to Reginald."

"What?" Charles blinked, turning to face her fully. "Don’t tell me you haven’t said I love you since you two started dating?"

The surprise on Charles face was unmistakable, his brows raised in disbelief.

Freda gave a firm nod. "We haven’t," she whispered, her voice barely above the hum of passing cars.

She stared at the busy road for a moment, lost in thought, before turning her gaze back to Charles.

"I could tell he wanted to say it before he traveled with CEO to China. Besides, Reginald had it all planned out but... but he’s the shy type. He just hasn’t found the courage yet."

Charles nodded slowly, a knowing look settling on his face.

He understood all too well what it felt like to wait for words that always seemed stuck on the tip of someone’s tongue.

"Remember how you used to think CEO Augustine was the one sending Reginald to run errands for you and pass along helpful information?" Charles asked with a teasing grin.

Freda chuckled, nodding as the memory returned. "How could I forget?" she said, shaking her head. "Reginald always came around, acting like he was just following orders from Augustine... but looking back, it was all him. Every single time."

There had always been something deeper behind those favors Reginald offered so willingly and Freda believed he had loved her for a while now.

"You should know Reginald is always careful with everything he does," Charles said gently. "Besides, you two only just started dating. It hasn’t even been a full month yet. Give it time. He’ll come around and say it when he’s ready."

"I hope so," Freda purred, her voice soft with hesitation. "I just feel like... if I say ’I love you’ first, I might put him under too much pressure. And if—"

"Hey, come on, Freda," Charles cut in, offering her a reassuring smile. "I totally get where you’re coming from, but trust me. Telling Reginald how you feel won’t scare him off. If anything, it’ll make him happy. The guy’s in love with you, and honestly, it’s obvious from a mile away."

"Hahaha," Freda burst out in laughter a she rolled her eyes. "Ever since you found out you’re gay, you’ve become more caring, more loving... and definitely sweeter," Freda teased, her tone light and playful.

"What!" Charles gasped dramatically, his voice laced with mock offense as he pouted. "So you never thought I was sweet all this time we’ve been friends?"

Freda nodded with a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

Without warning, she grabbed Charles’s wrist and pulled him more closer to herself.

"Let’s get out of here," she said with a wink, already dragging him to continue walking down the sidewalk of the road.

Freda and Charles had just clocked out from their cleaning duties, and since it was only a few minutes past three in the afternoon, they decided to catch up on each other’s lives before heading their separate ways.

As they strolled side by side, the sun cast a soft glow on the walkway, a warm smile tugging at his lips.

"So," Freda began, glancing at Charles over her shoulder, "tell me more about yourself, Charles. How’s your boyfriend treating you? Because earlier, you were smiling like a lovesick teenager while pressing your phone."

Charles playfully rolled his eyes. "You’re such a tease," he purred, a smirk dancing on his lips. "But umm... my boyfriend and I are doing quite well. He’s loving, caring, and undeniably handsome. You’re definitely going to like him when I finally introduce you two."

Freda laughed, wiggling her brows up and down in an exaggerated, playful manner. "Charles, you’re so in love."

"My boyfriend deserves the hype," Charles said with a proud grin.

"He better," Freda quipped, pointing a finger at him. "Because if he doesn’t live up to all that sweet talk, I’m putting him on my blacklist."

Charles chuckle as he nod his head while they kept on walking.

Eventually, Freda halt after some minutes had passed by. "Since Reginald is coming back from his business trip today, I need to head back home so that I can surprise him."

"Ohh, that’s cool." Charles whispered as he stretched his hands towards the road until a yellow cab pulled over by his side.

Like a gentleman, Charles opened the back door for Freda as she slide into the seat. "I wish you all the best in your love confession, Freda." Charles whispered, winking gently at her as he shut the door of the cab.

"Tha... Thanks." Freda whispered beneath her breath.

The cab driver accelerated the car engine and soon the car was driven out of the sight of Charles.

He gulped down his saliva as he dive his hands deep into his trouser pocket.

Immediately Charles pulled the phone out of his trouser pocket, he swiftly turned on the phone screen as his fingers head straight to the SMS message.

Without having a second thought, Charles opened the conversation he had with Augustine some minutes ago and he began to read his text message.

In the message, Augustine had promised Charles that once he returned from China, he would finally go public about who he was dating.

A wide smile crept onto Charles’s lips as he adjusted his medicated glasses, nudging them closer to the bridge of his nose.

With a lightness in his step, he continued walking down the sidewalk, slipping his phone back into his trouser pocket.

Charles had taken a day leave from the restaurant where he worked, which meant that for the next two days, he’d only be working afternoon shifts—clocking in after lunch and signing out by evening.

Charles had only taken a few steps when the sharp beep of his phone vibrating in his trouser pocket stopped him in his tracks.

"It can’t be Augustine... right?" he murmured to himself, heart skipping slightly as hope flickered in his chest.

With a quick breath, Charles pulled the phone from his pocket and froze.

The caller ID lit up with a name that caught Charles completely off guard: Reuben Joachim.

Charles brows lifted in surprise.

Reuben is the handsome, mysterious man Charles has met at the cosmetic store. The same man who had stepped in to save Charles from the encounter he had with his ex.

Swiftly, Charles answered the call and brought the phone to his ear. "Hello, Reuben," he purred, his voice warm and inviting.

On the other end, Reuben let out a heavy exhale, the weariness in his tone unmistakable. "Hello, Charles," he murmured, his voice sounding exhausted.

"Do you mind if we meet up? I’m... I’m having a really bad day, and honestly, you’re the first person that came to mind."

There was a vulnerable edge to Reuben’s words—one that tugged unexpectedly at Charles’s chest.

Charles lips formed a circle as he nod his head. "Ohh," he purred. "Where are you right now?"

"I’m opposite Washbast Street. If you don’t mind, I’ll be waiting at the restaurant across the road," Reuben said.

Charles let out a soft sigh, nodding even though Reuben couldn’t see him. "I’ll be there soon," he whispered.

And with that, Charles ended the call, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

Charles and Reuben hadn’t spoken in a while, but even so, Charles saw no harm in paying Reuben a visit.

’Besides, Reuben said he’s having a bad day,’ Charles mused silently. ’Keeping him company for a little while doesn’t sound so bad.’ He added within himself.

With that thought lingering in Charles mind, he stepped closer to the roadside, raised his hand, and hailed a cab.

The car pulled over almost instantly, and without hesitation, Charles slid inside, giving the driver the address and he took Charles to his destination.

After paying the cab fare, Charles crossed the street and stepped into the restaurant.

The moment he walked through the door, his eyes immediately found Reuben.

He was seated at a table for two, his posture relaxed.

Reuben wore grey trousers paired with a green, floral-patterned shirt that clung lightly to his toned frame.

His brown crew-cut hair was neatly combed to the side, and his hazel eyes—deep and striking—caught the restaurant light in a way that made them shimmer with emotion.

For a moment, Charles just stood there, quietly observing him, realizing once again how effortlessly magnetic Reuben could be—even on a bad day.

And on the right hand of Reuben was a sunflower bouquet and he...