Ambrosia threw him a teasing yet motivating glance. "I'm sure once you work out for a few months, your girlfriend will be very happy," she said teasingly while nudging him to hit the gym more.
Augustus blinked, then looked at her with an embarrassed expression.
"Haha… I don't have a girlfriend," he gave a nervous laugh, then added,
"To be honest with you, I'm not really good with girls… They're kind of scary." He scratched his head with a gentle, dazzling smile.
Ambrosia paused briefly, eyeing his handsome yet innocent face. Going unnoticed, she shook her head and giggled softly.
"Don't worry. With me as your trainer, I'll make you healthy—and a sweet talker, and in no time you'll be popular among the girls" she said, voice light, a dreamy smile curling at her lips.
Seeing her in such a good mood, laughing, and relaxed.
This might be the perfect opportunity to ask her to come with me to the charity center, Augustus mused, determination flashing faintly in his eyes.
"By the way, Ambrosia… do you know any good charity centers?" he asked, trying to sound casual, but the slight pause before his question gave him away.
Ambrosia raised a brow, amused. "Planning to donate… or impress me?"
Augustus blinked. "…Is both an option?" he said, trying to play it cool.
Damn, what the heck did i say.
She smirked and kept walking. "You're improving."
Augustus blinked, suprised by her response.
She complimented and tilted her head up slightly, a thoughtful look on her face. Before she could ask how much, Augustus beat her to it with a sheepish smile.
"Uhm… I wanted to donate $100,000."
Ambrosia's head turned sharply, her eyes wide. "What?! …Hundred with a K?" she asked, leaning in with disbelief.
Augustus's face flushed red. He instinctively took half a step back. "Uhm… yeah," he muttered, looking away.
Realizing she'd invaded his space, Ambrosia stepped back and smiled faintly, amused. "How cute…" she mumbled under her breath.
"Huh?"
"Nothing," she said with a sly smirk. Then, arms crossed and a playful pout forming, she added,
"I can think of one, but I'll only tell you once you complete one exercise. And as for me accompanying you? That's only if you finish the entire session with me."
She was outgoing, playful, and bold, and going along with someone innocent like Augustus was fun for her. But there was no joy if she just gave in too easily.
Haah… not you too, Augustus sighed. Complete a task, get the reward—why did that remind him of something?
"Alright. I'll see today's training through to the end. No excuses," he stated confidently, with a bright smile and eyes gleaming with resolve.
Ambrosia smiled and gave his shoulder a light tap. "Now that's the spirit," she said warmly.
As they both walked happily, giggling and laughing through the sidewalk, a breathless voice shouted from behind.
"Hey—you! Stop… huff… huff…"
They turned.
Karter—the fat man—was stomping toward them, sweat on his brow and fire in his eyes.
"Why did you interfere in my deal and almost ruin it?" he barked, breath ragged, eyes narrowing into a glare.
Augustus turned fully, expression calm but sharp. He looked Karter up and down and frowned.
"I wouldn't call that a deal," he said coldly. "That was exploitation. You were cornering her in a moment of desperation, and you know it."
Karter's face twitched. "Heeh? What did you say, you little prick?" he snarled, voice rising. "That deal still went through. So you were the one interfering!"
Then his gaze slid over to Ambrosia. His eyes scanned her slowly—up and down—darkening with ugly interest.
His voice turned oily. "Is she your sister or something?"
He smirked.
"Tell you what—I'll forget all this. I'll even throw in five grand.
You—" he pointed at Ambrosia,
"—become my girlfriend. Luxury bags, rich lifestyle… anything you want. I won't treat you badly."
The world seemed to pause.
Ambrosia didn't flinch. But something in her expression changed. There was a flicker, controlled, cold. Her anger was subtle, but it was there.
Even she didn't know if it was because of the first part… or the second.
She blinked once. Then calmly pulled her phone out of her coat.
Snap.
A quick photo. No filter. No hesitation.
Karter let out a mocking laugh. "You think that's gonna scare me?"
Ambrosia's smile was almost… sympathetic. The kind you give a child who doesn't understand what they've just stepped into. She opened a messaging app. A private group.
Her thumbs tapped swiftly. Less than 30 seconds passed.
Karter's phone rang in his pocket. Loud. Jarring.
He hesitated, checked the caller ID, and instantly took a step back. Slowly, he answered. His voice dropped, hands fidgeting, expression shifting.
Augustus could see it in real-time, color draining from his face like water leaking from a cracked tank.
Who did she just text? Augustus wondered, hearing Karter's ringtone explode like a fire alarm. This is exactly why I say women are scary, he mused.
And looked at her, she smiled gently at him as if nothing had happened. Augustus quickly looked away
...but if Augustus was looking at her, he would see a faint amused smirk tugging at her lips after seeing his reaction.
Meanwhile, Karter didn't say another word to them. He turned and jogged away, the phone still pressed to his ear, disappearing around the corner.
But before he vanished completely, he threw one last puzzled glance over his shoulder—first at Ambrosia, as if making a mental note to never mess with that face again…
And just to be thorough, his eyes flicked briefly to Augustus too, curious and uncertain, before disappearing into the crowd.
Just as Augustus and Ambrosia reached the entrance of the Whale Fit building...
Ring… Ring…
Augustus's phone buzzed in his pocket. He picked up and began casually.
"Hello…"
However, Keith's voice came through, frantic, disoriented.
"Augustus, those same loan sharks came back. They're forcing David to pay up. I don't know why, but he told me to call you; he sounded desperate. It's urgent!"
Augustus's expression tightened. His happy face faltered. "I-is that so…" he muttered, already walking faster.
"Tell them…
"You rascal, don't make excuses after seeing me," Ambrosia shouted, but he was already blurring away from her vision.