The Surrogate’s Secret

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A scoff escaped Charles' lips, the disdain evident in the sound.

With a swift movement, he twisted his body away from Augustine, creating distance between them.

He squared his shoulders and levelled a pointed look at the CEO, his expression conveying his displeasure.

“Please do not refer to me as ‘sweetheart’, mister Augustine,” Charles said, his tone clipped. “It is unprofessional and inappropriate."

Augustine nods his head, an amused smile being plastered on his lips. “I've been calling you that since the first time I set my eyes on you,” Augustine uttered before turning around.

He made his way back to the couch before shutting down his laptop.

“I’ll be right back.” He uttered, making his towards the stairs with the laptop under his hands.

Augustine entered the study, placing the laptop on the desk with a quiet thud.

With a sigh, he turned and retraced his steps back to the sitting room, where Charles stood in silent anticipation.

“Let’s get going.” He purred, leading the way while Charles trailed behind him.

As they reached the car garage, Augustine moved with a smooth, practiced grace, pulling open the passenger door for Charles.

With an air of reluctance, Charles settled into the front seat.

Augustine shut the door with a quiet click, before proceeding to make his seat at that of the driver.

“Hmm… hmm.” Augustine coughed, clearing his throat that was a bit hoarse.

“I want you to be prepared, Charles,” Augustine began, his eyes trained on the road ahead. “My mother is a bit...harsh with her words, and my father is very observant. They will ask questions, and they will expect answers. I want you to be ready for that.” Augustine explained, telling Charles about he should expect when they arrived at his parent house.

“You won't be meeting my siblings tonight,” he continued. “They all live at their own houses. But that doesn't mean you're off the hook. My parents will still have plenty of questions for you.”

Charles sat quietly, absorbing the information.

The thought of facing Augustine's parents, especially his mother, made him feel slightly queasy but he knew that if he wanted to keep his job, he had to make a good impression.

Charles nods, allowing the entire words of Augustine to dilute deep into his head.

Seeing that Charles had nothing to say, Augustine accelerated the car engine and drove out of the compound and down the busy night road.

“Augustine, do you mind if I ask about something?”

Augustine quickly shook his head sideways because he didn’t mind if Charles questioned him. “I don’t mind at all,” Augustine uttered.

Charles inhaled, playing with his fingertips as he proceeded with the question that he wished to ask. “Are your parents aware that you’re ga…”

*Beep Beep!*

The loud noise coming from the phone of Augustine immediately made Charles's words come to an absurd end.

“Hold on,” Augustine mumbled, before pulling his phone out of his pocket as he picked up the call.

“Hello,” Augustine mumble, his relaxed demeanor quickly turned to one of caution as his mother's voice came through the line.

“Augustine! It's almost six o'clock, and you're nowhere to be found!” his mother exclaimed, her tone indignant and frustrated. “I hope you haven't forgotten about tonight's dinner. You have to be there. It's mandatory!”

Augustine exhaled heavily, his frustration with his mother's overbearing attitude evident in the sound. ”I'm already on my way, Mom,” he said, his tone measured but strained. “And I'm not coming alone. My partner, Charles, will be joining me.”

“Yo… Your partner?” His mom asked while stuttering because she couldn’t believe her ears.

Augustine nodded his head as he replied with a firm ‘Yes’

Following his words, he hung up the phone call because he knew that his mother was most likely going to storm him with a whole lot of questions.

“Can you drop me off at a flower shop?” Charles suddenly requested.

Augustine arched his brows while averting his gaze towards Charles. “What do you need flowers for?”

“Just stop me at a flower shop and stop asking questions.” Charles snapped while rolling his eyes.

Augustine pulled the car over, parking it neatly in front of a small flower shop while Charles stepped down from the car, stepping inside the shop.

He halted, his gaze falling on a rose flower bouquet and they instantly made him remember Anna and how she had hurt him so deeply.

‘I’ll have to pay her a visit when I am more composed.’ Charles thought within himself.

He exhaled, averting his gaze away from the rose flower bouquet as he gazed at the bouquet of sunflowers.

With a smile, Charles purchased a sunflower bouquet and he paid with the remaining money left with him.

Charles returned to the car, a bouquet of flowers clutched in his hand.

As Charles settled back into the driver's seat, Augustine cast a curious glance at Charles, who was now holding a flower bouquet. “Why did you buy a flower for yourself?” he asked, his brow furrowed.

Charles rolled his eyes sarcastically as he ignored the question of Augustine.

The drive continued in silence, the two men lost in their thoughts.

Augustine navigated the car expertly through the winding roads, eventually pulling up at a beautiful mansion.

The compound was vast and well-kept, trees and shrubbery manicured to perfection.

Uniformed workers could be seen milling about, tending to the compound.

Instantly, Charles felt a knot of nerves forming in his stomach as he took in the beauty of the place.

In the center of the compound, a large fountain could be seen, adding a touch of elegance to the already stunning scene.

As they approached the mansion building, Augustine pulled the car to a stop in front of the grand entrance.

He stepped down, quickly making his way to the passenger door, his movement efficient. “Allow me,” he said, opening the door for Charles with a flourish.

Charles stepped down from the car with the sunflower in his right hand and his gaze averted from one end to another which shows that he was nervous and fascinated.

Augustine noticed Charles's nervous behaviour so he leaned towards his ear, whispering soft words to him. “Pookie, I want you to just be yourself, okay?” Augustine stated and as he leaned away, the footsteps of some groups of individuals were suddenly heard.

Both Augustine and Charles averted their gaze over to the entrance door of the mansion which was held open by some guards.

A lady in her early fifties and a man in his mid-fifties suddenly made their way towards Augustine with their hands wide open.

The lady had black hair that was swept up into a chic ponytail, accentuating the delicate lines of her face.

Her eyes, a piercing sapphire blue, scanned Charles intently, her expression unreadable.

She was dressed in a flowery lemon-colored gown which danced around her ankles.

As she moved, the floral pattern gave a hint of femininity to her otherwise authoritative demeanor and on her feet was a were a pair of white cover shoes adorned with tiny crystals.

The man who was beside the lady had brown crew-cut hair and amber eyes that were rich in age. He was dressed in a white trouser and a white shirt to complement his trousers.

“Welcome!” The lady happily stated, pulling Augustine in for a hug.

Augustine wrapped his hands around her, and some seconds later, he leaned away from her.

“Your mother said you brought your partner with you, and she's quite eager to meet the lucky person who's managed to catch your eye.” His dad stated, his hands deep inside his pocket as he spoke to his son.

Augustine's lips curved into a smile, the gesture warm and genuine.

He turned towards Charles, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. Aubrey's words trailed off as she moist her lips with her saliva before slamming her palm at the butt of Augustine. "We'll have dinner another time,”Aubrey cooed, flashing a sly smile at Augustine.

Before he could respond, she turned on her heel and sprinted towards the garage where her car was parked.

Augustine's voice was filled with disgust and anger as he turned to chase after Aubrey. “What the hell was that?” he snarled, his fists clenched in fury.

Charles, however, was quick to react, reaching out and pulling Augustine back with a firm hand. “Let her go,” he said, his voice calm and steady. “There's no point in chasing after her now. Let's just get out of here.”

‘Sigh!’

Augustine let out a heavy sigh, his chest rising and falling with the weight of his emotions. He tilted his head skyward, letting the cool night air fill his lungs.

He breathed in and out for some seconds before averting his gaze over to Charles. “Let's go home,” Augustine stated before opening the front door for Charles.

Charles bit his lower lips as he got seated, fastening his seatbelt around him.

Augustine made his way towards the other side of the car, opening the door before getting seated on the driver's seat.

Without uttering any words out of his mouth, he accelerated the car, driving out of the mansion until he finally arrived at the busy night road of the city.

“Are you alright?” Charles questioned, breaking the silence that had engulfed them for some minutes.

Without hesitation, Augustine shook his head sideways. “I am not.” He solemnly replied.

“H-huh?” Charles mumbled with an arched brow, a confused frown on his face.

He had always known Augustine as someone who wore his toughness like armor. He had never seen him so vulnerable, so shaken.

Augustine, the almighty, the untouchable, the man who had seemed indestructible for as long as Charles had known him, was sitting beside him in the car, his head bowed, his shoulders slumped.

He seemed small, insignificant, and painfully human.

It was a side of Augustine that Charles had never seen before, a side that both intrigued and frightened him.

Charles' voice was gentle, probing. “Why haven't you come out of the closet to your parents?” he asked, watching Augustine's face carefully.

‘Pfft!’

Augustine breathed out, gulping down a mouthful of saliva. “I always assumed that they knew about me being gay. They have countless times seen me with guys and…”

His words trailed off as he took in another deep breath. “Are you hungry?” He inquired, drastically changing the topic entirely.

Charles scoffed as he shook his head sideways, observing that Augustine had absurdly changed the topic. “I am famished but I’ll just make noodles at your mansion.” He stated before averting his gaze towards the car window, glancing outside the street.

Once more, the car ride became quiet until they both arrived at the mansion of Augustine.

Charles stepped down from the car which was after Augustine open the door for him.

Without uttering any words out of his mouth, Charles slipped off his shoes at the door, placing them on the slipper rack before reaching for a pair of soft house slippers.

He slipped his feet into them, his movements precise and practiced.

With a heavy sigh, he made his way towards the kitchen which was demarcated from the sitting room by a big dining table.

“Do you want to eat?” Charles inquired out of courtesy.

Augustine shook his head sideways, taking his seat on the couch. “Just make something for yourself.” He started with a nonchalant tone.

Charles rolled his eyes, before opening the kitchen cupboard where he grabbed two packs of noodles and turned on the gas cooker.

He proceeded to make two packs of noodles and some minutes later, he dished the noodles into two deep plates. “Augustine, please can you come here?” Charles politely requested.

Augustine who was deep in thought was unable to respond to the words of Charles because he was contemplating about what had happened at his parent’s mansion.

“Augustine!” Charles yelled at the top of his lungs, calling out for Augustine.

Once more, he was met with no response.

Sigh!

Having no other option, Charles made his way towards where Augustus was seated and he grabbed his hands, pulling him over to the dining area. “Let’s eat.” He started with a firm voice.

Augustine sat down on the dining chair as he blankly glanced at the bowl of noodles.

Charles ignored Augustine, turning his attention to the food in front of him.

He scooped up generous portions, savoring each bite as if it were the most delicious thing he had ever tasted.

Augustine watched Charles in silence, his lips pressed into a thin line.

He was too lost in his own thoughts to notice the food sitting hot and untouched on his plate.

When Charles finished his meal, he stack his plate and utensils in the sink.

Making his way back to Augustine, Charles sighed, grabbing the palm of Augustine which he entwined with his. “I know this isn't the best time,” Charles purred, his voice low and level. “but you shouldn't have come out to your parents like that. It was stupid. You should have prepared them.”

Augustine's face twisted into a scowl as he frowned. “That was harsh.” He spat, fluttering his long eyelashes.

Charles nodded his head as he smiled warmly. “Do you prefer that I say something else?” He inquired playfully, but to his surprise, Augustine nodded his head.

Augustine caressed the hand of Charles which was entwined with his as he brought it closer to his lips, his gaze fixed on Charles.

Augustine's voice took on a playful, seductive edge. “How about you ask me for a kiss?” he suggested, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Charles blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in tone.

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Fine,”he said, “would you please give me a kiss, my love?”

Then, he reached out and grasped Charles' hand, their fingers intertwining in a show of unity.

Augustine's smile grew as he introduced Charles to his parents. “Mom, Dad, this is my husband, Charles Donald,” he announced, his voice beaming with pride. “Charles, these are my parents.”

Silence…