Augustine's voice faltered as he asked, "D-did you just say that to me?"
He was a bit taken aback that a mere cleaner had replied to his command with such a tone.
Charles turned off the vacuum cleaner as he wrapped his hands around his stomach while glaring at Augustine. "I didn't mean to speak in such a rude manner to you." He uttered, but the fierce look on his face showed that his words were just out of curtsey. "Your words caught me off guard and my mouth worked in its own accord."
Augustine scoffed!
Augustine raised an eyebrow as he asked, "And what's your name?" He inquired while resting his chin on his palm.
'Inhale!'
Charles deeply inhaled as he gulped down his saliva. "I am Charles." He replied.
Augustine nodded thoughtfully, then interlaced his fingers and placed his hands on the desk in front of him, a gesture that suggested both contemplation and control. "What's your last name?" He inquired, his fierce gaze focused on Charles.
'I am going to get fired for sure.' Charles mused to himself while frowning. "Do I really need to tell you my last name? Also, I've already apologised for my previous statement, so can't you just let it slide?"
'Pfft!'
With a dismissive scuff, Augustine rose from his seat and approached Charles, his demeanor radiating the confidence of a man accustomed to unquestioning obedience.
Augustine had never come across anyone who dared to speak back at him, but yet, for the first time in his life, he was faced with someone who dared to defy him—a lowly cleaner named Charles.
Slowly, Augustine dived his hands deep inside his trouser pocket as he loomed over Charles, his height emphasizing the difference in their status.
He lowered his head, his gaze drilling into the petite cleaner who seemed like an ant in his sight.
Charles didn't bother to meet the gaze of Augustine because he doesn't wish to get into more trouble.
"Are you new to this company?" He questioned with his deep booming voice, warranting Charles to reply by shaking his head sideways.
"Have…"
Augustine's words trailed off for some seconds as he pulled his tongue out of his mouth before moistening his lips in a predator glee. "You do realize that I could fire you for the insolent look in your eyes, don't you?" Augustine's gaze hardened as he questioned Charles, and his words were heavy with the weight of his authority, threatening to crush Charles like a bug.
Silence…
Charles kept his mouth shut as he breathed in while trying to compose himself.
Charles had been waiting for CEO Augustine since the crack of dawn, and Freda his colleague had gone home due to an urgent matter. The last thing Charles wished to happen right now was to not lose his temper.
"I'm not going to ask you again," Augustine uttered coldly, his eyes as cold as the winter snow. "What's your last name?"
Charles could feel the intense gaze of Augustine lurking over him, prompting him to slowly raise his head to meet Augustine's gaze. "I… I don't think telling you is necessary. I can already sense that you want to get me fired, and before you do that… I quit!" He boldly uttered, turning around as he walked away.
'Baffled!'
For the first time in a long time, a stranger has left Augustine Wales to become baffled.
'I want him.' Augustine mused to himself as he withdrew his right hand out from his trouser pocket.
Just as Charles was about to open the door to step out of the office, Augustine quickly stretched his right hand. "Hey!" He brimmed, calling out for Charles.
His words instantly made Charles halt as he turned to face Augustine with an arched brow that questioned why he had called out for him.
Augustine's voice was razor-sharp, his tone cutting through the air like a knife. "I've decided that you're exactly what I need," he stated, the words dripping with venom. "I want to sign a contract, binding you to me for the next few months..." Augustine added, closing the distance between himself and Charles.
As he stood in front of Charles, his lips curving into a sly smirk.
Augustine's voice was like ice as he continued, "I'll pay you handsomely, and since you're no longer an employee of mine, you'll be even more...tractable."
"H-huh?"
Charles wanted to ask Augustine so many questions but the only words that seemed to leave his mouth was 'huh?'
"How much do you need?" Augustine inquired, observing that Charles's gaze had been intensely fixed on his.
"H-huh?"
Charles stood frozen in place, his mouth slightly agape as he struggled to process Augustine's words.
His mind whirred with questions, each one more confounding than the last, as he tried to make sense of CEO Augustine intentions.
"I'll give you any amount you need as long as you agree to sign a contract marriage…"
Charles steeled himself, his voice firm as he cut off Augustine mid-sentence. "CEO Augustine, with all due respect, I have a girlfriend and I don't need your money," he stated, his words laced with defiance and pride.
Augustine's gaze was unwavering as he boldly tried to convince Charles. "What if I were to offer you more than a million dollars? A sum that could change your life and give you the opportunity to provide for yourself in ways you never thought possible."
Charles' brows remained raised, his eyes flickering as he retorted, "Am I...am I supposed to be gay all of a sudden? Last I checked, I'm straight."