Chapter 62: An unexpected call

Words : 1185 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 62: An unexpected call Just as their lips were about to meet, a sharp, burnt smell of garlic filled the air. "My vegetables!" Anne gasped, pulling back instantly. She rushed to the stove, quickly lowering the flame. Her face fell as she stared at the slightly charred garlic. "It’s burned... Now it won’t taste good," she pouted, disappointment clear in her voice. It was the first time she had cooked something for him, and it hadn’t turned out as she had hoped. A wave of dejection washed over her. Seeing her crestfallen expression, a warm sense of adoration spread through Augustine’s chest. "Don’t be upset," he reassured her gently. "I’d love anything you cook, even if it’s not perfect." Determined to salvage the meal, he joined her in preparing the pasta, working alongside her to make the best of what they had. Once the pasta was cooked, he poured it into a bowl and moved to set the table together. Anne served the pasta onto their plates while Augustine carefully drizzled the melted chocolate over the fresh strawberries. Taking their seats across from each other, they began to eat. "It’s not bad," Augustine said encouragingly to lighten her mood. "You’re just saying that to make me feel better," Anne muttered, still disappointed. "I know it’s not good." Augustine smirked and gestured toward her plate. "Try it yourself and see if I’m lying." Skeptical but curious, Anne took a spoonful of pasta and tasted it. The flavors spread across her tongue—not perfect, but surprisingly decent. Augustine didn’t miss the subtle shift in her expression. "How is it?" he asked. She hesitated for a moment before admitting, "Not bad." She couldn’t stop her lips from curling into a small smile as she took another bite. Satisfied, Augustine continued eating, silently enjoying her reaction. Once they finished their meal, Anne collected the dishes and carried them to the sink. Turning on the faucet, she let the water flow over the plates as she began to clean them. "I’ll help," Augustine offered, stepping behind her. His arms stretched forward, his hands brushing lightly against her arms as he reached for a plate. A shiver ran through Anne, her body tensing at the sudden proximity. The plate in her hand slipped and clattered into the sink. Augustine noticed the way her body stiffened but ignored it, enjoying the way she reacted to his presence. Leaning in, he trapped her in place, his breath tickling her hair as he continued washing the dishes. Anne’s fingers curled around the edge of the sink as a wave of shudders trailed up her arms. The warmth of his presence, the teasing closeness—it was too much. Abruptly, she stepped away, breaking free from his grasp. "I-I’ll go freshen up," she stammered before turning around and fleeing into the bedroom. As Anne stepped into the room, her phone buzzed in her hand. Seeing Denis’s name on the screen, the smile that had lingered on her lips faded instantly. A wave of hesitation washed over her before she finally answered. "Hello?" Her voice was sharp and distant. "Well, look who finally decided to pick up," Denis sneered. "I’ve been calling you for ages. Why didn’t you pick it up? Where were you?" Anne’s grip on the phone tightened. "Why are you calling me?" she demanded with irritation. Before she could hear his response, the phone was abruptly snatched from her grasp. Her breath hitched as she looked up to meet Augustine’s dark, stormy gaze. Her heart clenched at the intensity in his eyes. Without hesitation, Augustine put the call on speaker. His voice was cold, razor-sharp. "She is no longer your employee. Stop bothering her." Denis’s anger flared at the sound of Augustine’s voice. "I’m talking to Anne. Give her the phone," he snapped. "She has nothing to say to you," Augustine shot back with quiet fury. "After everything you did to her, you have the nerve to call her. You nearly destroyed her. What more do you want?" Anne’s heart pounded in nervousness. "Augustine," she pleaded softly. "Give me the phone..." His jaw clenched at her request. She still wanted to talk to Denis. After everything. The thought sent a surge of anger through him. Without another word, he grabbed her chin, tilting her face up, and crashed his lips onto hers in a fierce, possessive kiss. Anne gasped, her hands pushing against his chest, but his grip tightened, deepening the kiss with unrelenting intensity. On the other end of the line, Denis’s fury reached its boiling point. He heard Anne’s muffled whimper and gritted his teeth in frustration. His voice came through, sharp and bitter. "Your belongings are still at the office. Are you coming to get them or not?" At the sound of Denis’s voice, Augustine abruptly pulled away. He had expected Denis to hang up, but the call was still connected, further igniting his frustration. "Throw them away," he snapped before ending the call. Turning to Anne, his gaze burned with barely contained rage. "You’re still talking to him! After everything that happened yesterday!" His voice rose several degrees. "Why is his number still in your phone? Why haven’t you blocked him?" Anne recoiled at the intensity in his eyes. Tears welled up, her vision blurring. "I..." Before she could say another word, Augustine tossed the phone onto the bed and stormed out of the room. Left alone, Anne collapsed onto the bed, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. Denis let out a guttural groan as he hurled his phone across the room. "Augustine! You’re declaring war against me. I’ll destroy you..." His fury surged even higher. In a fit of anger, he grabbed the night lamp and slammed it to the ground, shattering it into fragments with a resounding crash. Ding-dong... The doorbell rang, but Denis ignored it, his jaw clenched tightly. The last thing he wanted was company. He dropped onto the bed, fingers gripping his hair as he struggled to contain his frustration. Ding-dong... The doorbell rang again, sharper this time, only fueling his irritation. "Who the hell is disturbing me at this hour?" he growled, pushing himself off the bed and stomping toward the door. Swinging it open with a scowl, he found Tania standing outside, a bright smile on her face. "I thought I’d surprise you with dinner," she said cheerfully, holding up the takeout bags. Denis’s expression remained dark, unimpressed. His voice was cold as he muttered, "Stop showing up uninvited." Without another glance at her, he turned and strode back to the sofa, sinking into it heavily. Tania’s smile faltered. She could tell something was seriously wrong. Closing the door behind her, she placed the bags on the dining table before making her way to him. Settling beside him on the sofa, she reached out, gently cupping his face. "What happened?" she asked softly. "Why are you so upset?" Denis flinched at her touch and shoved her hand away. "Don’t irritate me," he snapped with barely controlled fury. Tania’s eyes instantly brimmed with tears at his harsh rejection. "Do you... not love me anymore?"

Chapter 62: An unexpected call

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