ARC 1: The Abandoned Lover’s Salvation (5) Chapter 5: Lunchbox Deal (Part 2)

Going back in time, Augustine is really tired, without sleep, always looking at the documents both in front of the laptop and printed. Without even eating dinner and breakfast, the next day started once again and he was immersed in finishing his papers in advance.

He wants to spend time with his lovely Eclaire as soon as possible without having to rush back to work.

When Jen saw his tired appearance and those dark bags under his eyes, he really couldn't hold back waiting for lunch.

"Sir, do you want to take a short break first?" he asked.

"What? Are you already tired?" Augustine wondered. After all, Jen is a hardworking person, He comes very early and started assisting him after arriving. Until now, he's still helping him sort out the papers.

"N-No! I'm f-fine!" Jen answered a bit flustered, "It's just, sir hasn't slept and eaten yet so I suggested a short break…"

Augustine thought for a while and finally decided to agree, "Alright. Call someone and tell them to prepare my lunch…" just as he is saying that, Jen happily took out the lunch he cooked.

"Actually sir, I made lunch for you…" he shyly said.

"For me? Why?" Augustine wondered.

"Well… sir always defends me. I'm still feeling guilty about the partnership incident…" Jen answered with a small voice, getting more and more embarrassed.

Augustine held back his laughter but couldn't hide his smile, "Really, I told you not to blame yourself." He spoke, "Well, I'll take this so you don't have to feel guilty, okay?"

Actually, Augustine really has preferential treatment towards Jen. That's because he appreciates Jen's efforts, kindness and intelligence. In the future, if they can build more trust and solid friendship, Jen can take his burden easily and he can fool around with Eclaire more. He took the food and began eating with ease.

Jen smiled happily as Augustine tastes his food. Although his boss didn't say anything about the food, the fact that he is eating it with relish, it is enough to melt his heart.

What Jen actually didn't know is that Augustine is just hurrying to eat the food so that he can quickly get back to work.

After their short break, it hasn't even been five minutes when Augustine's phone vibrated. He took a look and was shocked upon reading the message. He stood and left the work to Jen in a hurry.

He arrived at the location given but there was already no one there. He even tried to check all cubicles and asked the passersby. Getting nothing, he called Sheena.

"Where's Eclaire?" he instantly asked after the phone was answered. Sheena told him that they already arrived home and that the little master cried until he collapsed.

Thus, Augustine rushed home once again.

He went straight to Eclaire's room and found out that Eclaire who is supposed to be sleeping, awake with puffy eyes. He saw the poor boy sitting on the bed, curved into a ball, covering himself with a quilt, sniffing still.

"Love? What's wrong, hmm?" he approached him and took a seat on the bed.

Eclaire doesn't want to trouble so he hung his head to hide his eyes and hands inside the quilt, "N-Nothing…"

Augustine pulled out the quilt and saw Eclaire's bandaged fingers and palms. He frowned and asked, "Sheena said you cooked lunch for me?"

"N-No…" Eclaire answered.

"Oh, then Sheena lied to me?" Augustine spoke.

"S-She…" Eclaire instantly panicked, not knowing what to say.

"Good. Let's fire her then."

"Ah?!" Eclaire grabbed Augustine's arm, wanting to make up excuses but upon seeing his lover's face, he couldn't lie, "I… did…"

His eyes watered again, "But I'm no good. Love, I'm sorry I've troubled Gus again…"

"Shush…" Augustine said and stood, "Where is it? I'll eat it."

"Oh… but it's no longer good." He ran while carrying the paper bag so the contents must've messily mixed already.

"So what? It's the first time my baby cooked food for me. I don't want it to go to waste. So let me eat it okay?" Augustine acted cutely while kissing his hands. It made even the real Lumiere felt pacified.

"T-Then, I'll take you there…" Eclaire wipes his wet eyes, "But you have to carry me up, m'kay?" he requested coquettishly while spreading his arms, "My feet hurts, love…"

Augustine laughed and carried his spoiled lover to the dining area.

Eclaire then prepared his food, putting them into a plate, although he couldn't really make everything as presentable as before. His waist is still wrapped inside his lover's arms who is constantly checking on how he prepares the food after smiling at the lunchbox Eclaire 'redesigned' with puppy stickers. Augustine's supposed to be lunchbox became so cute-looking in an instant!

After a short while of arranging everything on the plate, the food is ready and as Augustine eats, he praises the food after every bite while feeding Eclaire as well. After they ate, Eclaire is already red from head to toe because of his love's endless flattery.

Actually, Augustine has already heard about the gossips that his lover had heard earlier through Sheena. He just didn't purposely bring it up because he doesn't want Eclaire to worry again. It's fine to deal with them on his own.

Who dares to slander his darling and get away unscathed?

Inside Augustine's room, Eclaire was carried to his lover's bed and waited for Augustine to finished bathing. Augustine sat on the bed while wearing a white robe and wiping his black hair when Eclaire sat up straight and stole the towel, volunteering to dry his hair.

"Baby?" Augustine called.

"Hmm?" he answered while focusing on blow drying his hair.

"Only listen to me, okay?" he said, "Don't listen to others. Only my words are true."

Eclaire blinked, turning off the hair dryer, "What?" it seems he didn't hear properly.

In a blink of an eye, he is already lying down, being topped by Augustine. He called 'love?' while insisting that his hair isn't completely dry yet when he was kissed on the lips. It was very sudden so he has no time to react.

"I said, only listen to me, no one else." Augustine reiterated while gently pinching his baby's nose, "Don't believe those annoying people. I told you before, Jen and I, we're no more than co-workers. I'm his boss and he's my employee. Meanwhile, you, Eclaire, love, darling, is my beloved. Do you understand?"

Lumiere blinked twice thinking, 'Good. If you didn't make it clear, I'll really cut off your ** for eating his cooking!'

Eclaire happily wrapped his arms around Augustine's neck and nodded gently, looking so touched, "En. I will only listen to love. Only Gus' words are true." He answered obediently.

Augustine's eyes dimmed. He truly wants to violate the person in front of him right here and now until he begs for mercy. However, he regained his composure and held back. After all, they just solved their misunderstandings, he doesn't want to scare the boy in his arms.

He's already waited for a long time so he can still wait a little longer until Eclaire finally agreed to increase their intimacy with each other.

Yes, he's such a patient, good, obedient and reliable lover.

[Ding! Ding! Ding!]

AFFECTION LEVEL: 50% --> 45%

FAVORABILITY LEVEL: 83% --> 90%

MISFORTUNE LEVEL: 4% --> 10%

"Good. Love, you're so adorable." Augustine decided that in order to pacify his jealous lover, he'd keep his distance from Jen for a while. Besides, he really didn't see Jen as an object of romantic affection.

Lumiere smiled upon seeing the three levels' progress going in his way. Feeling good, he showered Augustine's face with kisses and returned the quick peck on the lips back to him.

If you so much want me to obey only you and your words, I'll give in. Don't regret it if it comes back to bite you later!

"I love you, Gus…" he giggled, "I love you so much!"

"En." Augustine replied, lying down, hugging his beloved, "I love you more."