CHAPTER 216: SIDE HUSTLE.

"What?"

Before Reuben could even fully process Charles’s earlier words, Charles shut the car door with a soft thud, eyes fixed straight ahead. "Sir, please drive," Charles said firmly, and the driver obeyed without hesitation.

Reuben’s brow furrowed, concern etched deep into his features. "Hey, is everything alright, Charles?" he asked gently, searching Charles’s face for any sign of what was troubling him.

Charles nodded. "Yeah, I had plans with my friend, but since that got canceled, I figured it’s better to use tonight to make some extra cash." He stated and his voice was flat, lacking its usual warmth.

"Ohh," Reuben murmured, sensing there was more beneath the surface but he choose not to press.

’Sometimes, silence speaks louder than questions.’ Reuben mused within himself. ’Besides, if Charles doesn’t want to speak up, then it’s wrong of me to force him.’ Reuben thought.

He gave the cab driver the address to his destination as the car ride became quiet.

’I took leave for him and now, I can’t even make proper use of my leave.’ Charles grumbled deep within himself.

He had taken a day leave from his restaurant job, expecting that he would be able to have some good time with Augustine when he return back, but unfortunately, Augustine now has plans with his mother.

’Pfft! I shouldn’t be jealous of his mother.’ Charles mused. ’Besides, she promised to agree with the relationship between Augustine and I, so the fact that she stole Augustine from me toady, shouldn’t be a big deal.’

As the car ride continued, more thoughts weaver in the mind of Charles, when all of a sudden, the cab driver’s voice cut sharply through the haze, making him blink several times to refocus.

"Do you... want me to head to the drive-through garage opposite the apartment, or should I stop right at the front of the building?" the driver asked.

"The garage is fine." Reuben stated. "Besides, all workers are told to pass through the back door." He added.

The driver drove over to the garage and there, he turned off the car engine.

Charles and Reuben stepped out of the car and Reuben quickly dive his hands deep inside his trouser pocket, pulling some dollar note from within.

"Here you go—"

"Here you go—"

Both Charles and Reuben reached out through the side window, offering dollar bills simultaneously, their voices blending as they said the same thing at once.

The driver chuckled softly, a forced smile tugging at his lips. "Umm... one of you needs to make up your mind about who’s paying me."

"Let me pay for the ride, Charles," Reuben said smoothly, eyes locking onto Charles’s with a spark of charm. "You already covered the meal. It’s only fair I take care of the cab."

Charles let out a slow, teasing sneer. "You had a bad day so I’m treating you for the entire day. Consider it an investment." Charles stated with a sly grin. "Besides, you’re the one hooking me up with a side hustle. So really, paying for this cab is just me getting my dues in advance."

Reuben laughed, the tension melting into a playful battle of wills neither was ready to lose.

"I won’t allow you to do that, Charles—"

"Give me that!" The cab driver sneered as he forcefully grabbed a dollar bill from the hands of Charles because he was tired of watching the scene of Reuben and Charles before him.

"Have a nice day love birds." He spat, and with that, he turned on the car engine and began to drive.

"We aren’t lover." Charles stated but the cap driver have already drove out of the car garage.

A loud sigh rolled out of the mouth of Charles as he shifted his gaze over to Reuben.

He sneered, rolling his eyes in excitement. "Lead the way please." Charles purred and Reuben did as Charles requested.

He led the way, pushing the door in the garage that connected to the building he was headed to.

Just as they stepped inside, a security guard stepped forward, blocking their path.

Reuben didn’t hesitate—he smoothly pulled out his work ID and flashed it under the guard’s gaze.

The guard nodded and stepped aside, allowing both Reuben and Charles to slip inside.

Through the back door, Reuben and Charles climbed several stairs before Reuben pushed another door open, revealing a beautiful setting.

It was the building of an elite member in the country and the sophisticated atmosphere made Charles and Reuben to be at awe.

The grand sitting room buzzed with life as guests filled the space, the soft, melodious hum of music drifting through the air.

Some guests chatted in small groups, glasses of champagne in hand.

Others swayed to the rhythm of the background music, lost in the beat.

A few lingered close to the bar where waiters and waitresses stood.

Some of the guests there were sipping their drinks, while others sat tucked into corners, eyes glued to their phones, scrolling and texting, detached from the world around them.

"Come on, Charles, looks like we’re running late," Reuben said, urgency threading his voice.

He quickened his pace toward a cluster of waiters and waitresses gathered near the kitchen entrance door.

"Good evening, guys." Reuben greeted. "I brought my friend over since we have one more slot left."

"That’s cool." A female waitress stated as she handed Reuben two aprons—one for himself, the other for Charles.

Charles took the apron, the fabric cool in his hands, and slipped it on, feeling the weight of the night ahead settle over him.

"Let’s get to work," Reuben said, his voice low but steady.

Charles nodded briefly, tightening the apron around his waist but just as they moved forward, away from rhetorical kitchen entrance door, the background music abruptly cut off.

The chatter in the room hushed instantly.

Every head turned toward the main entrance, eyes sharp as if expecting something, or someone who had just arrived.

And Charles froze. The person who has just walked in from the main entrance door was...