Define The Relationship Novel - Chapter 5

He was a human being too different from him. Although their relationship would be short and purposeful, he could feel that they were very different.

Unnecessary socializing, aimless interactions, a refreshing smile shown to anyone… Ash possessed only things that didn’t exist in Karlyle’s world. Regret washed over him again.

Is this really necessary?

But then, Karlyle recalled that there was something he hadn’t yet confirmed. He wanted to know if Ash remembered him. This useless impulse held the greatest weight in his purpose for coming here today. So he had to confirm it.

The moment he spotted Ash next to Nicholas several months ago, looking at him with annoyance, was still vivid. He hadn’t expected to encounter someone he had buried at the very bottom of his memory in such a way again.

Because something buried had been abruptly unearthed, many other things were dragged out with it. Karlyle had occasionally dreamed of Ash since that day months ago. Specifically, of that very distant night when they kissed.

Ash Jones was Karlyle’s first impulse in life. It seemed to have left a mark on his heart. When they met again, Karlyle didn’t ask Ash’s name. It wasn’t a situation to exchange introductions, and he already knew his name.

However, Ash showed no sign of recalling anything upon seeing Karlyle. Of course, Karlyle, who was naturally expressionless, didn’t show any hint either…

But he might remember. He recalled the hand that had intimately wrapped around his lower back just minutes ago. Perhaps he was looking for the right timing to speak. It wouldn’t have made sense to mention their past encounter in that situation.

“Karlyle.”

And as if sensing Karlyle’s thoughts, Ash called him.

“Speak.”

“While we wait, shall we briefly discuss future arrangements?”

Ash’s voice became a little more serious, like someone handling business. Karlyle straightened his back. Placing his hands on his knees, Karlyle opened his lips without a change in expression.

“Alright.”

“I heard Karlyle has a ‘situation’.”

With the word ‘situation,’ Ash summarized Karlyle’s condition. Was it a consideration of sorts? Karlyle nodded lightly. It was a very slight movement.

“That’s correct.”

“This is a first for me too, so I want to make it clear from the start that I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to help Karlyle.”

“Agreed.”

He gripped his knee, then released it. Ash was smiling, but his voice was businesslike.

“First, it would be good to set a few rules.”

“For example?”

“Hmm.”

Ash rested his chin on his hand. Tilting his head slightly, he curved his lips into a smile.

“To be honest, my first encounter with Karlyle was closer to an unpleasant experience.”

Karlyle was silent for a moment at those words.

…He doesn’t remember.

It was the expected outcome. Karlyle scoffed. It was six years ago. Even he wouldn’t have recalled it if it hadn’t been for the dream. No, if he hadn’t encountered Ash again, he wouldn’t have even dreamed of that past event. Much less for the man opposite him, who seemed to have had many such experiences… such a kiss would be nothing. His heart sank. It was nothing from the start.

It was all because of the dream.

“And yet you considered accepting?”

“I want to ask you the same thing. I don’t think my first impression of Karlyle was very good either.”

Ash asked softly.

“Judging by the look on your face when you saw me, it seemed like you never wanted to see me again.”

The man, contrary to his gentle and kind appearance, was direct and bold. Karlyle maintained a blank expression and chose his words. Half true, half false.

He was displeased that Nicholas was dating another man while his brother was involved, and at the same time, he was surprised that the person was someone Karlyle himself had met in the past. It was an unbelievable coincidence.

When these two facts mixed, his emotions became unclear. Karlyle didn’t know what to call it. After a few seconds of silence, Karlyle spoke.

“I apologize for that.”

“No, I wasn’t trying to get an apology. Just.”

Just then, their drinks were placed on the table. Seeing the two talking seriously, the waitress, who had been about to speak to Ash again, hesitated and stepped back. Karlyle didn’t even glance sideways, keeping his eyes on Ash.

“I just wanted to say that since we’ll be meeting a few more times, that kind of attitude would be a bit difficult.”

“That won’t happen again.”

“Good. Then, it’s Karlyle’s turn now.”

Karlyle flinched at the words referring to him.

“What do you mean?”

“It means to tell me what actions you dislike, or what you don’t want.”

Ah. Ash blinked.

“We’ll talk about sex in a moment.”

Karlyle picked up the wine glass in front of him. Rubbing the slender stem of the glass, he pondered. He had no idea what to say. Expressing his dislikes was unfamiliar to him in the first place.

Given the nature of his profession, revealing his true feelings at a negotiation table was foolish. What he thought or wanted should only be revealed through the outcome of negotiations. Therefore, expressing personal feelings like dislikes was a foolish act. His grandfather had told him countless times.

‘Act like a noble, Karlyle.’

Showing one’s heart was like showing a weakness. It was similar with people he was personally involved with. They all knew his background and wanted something from him. There was no need to show his true self to such people.

However, Ash Jones was an existence that didn’t fit into any of these categories. Frankly, he knew nothing about Ash. In such a situation, it was impossible for him to have any expectations of Ash’s behavior. After a long deliberation, Karlyle finally recalled one thing. It was a very simple and clear rule. The only rule he had kept his entire life.

“In a relationship…”

As if listening, Ash quietly looked at him.

“I hope no unnecessary feelings arise.”

A brief silence fell. Ash smiled. He released his chin from his hand and straightened his posture.

“Unnecessary feelings?”

His voice was gentle but sharp. Ash’s face, standing next to Nicholas, overlapped. The unpleasant expression he had worn while looking at him slowly emerged from the Ash in front of him.

“Was my request unpleasant to you?”

Ash, who had been tapping the table with his fingers, lightly exhaled.

“No, I think it’s understandable to have such concerns.”

With a slightly less smiling face, Ash continued.

“With Karlyle’s looks, I can imagine you might have experienced such things.”

Contrary to his understanding words, Ash still wasn’t smiling.

“But Karlyle, I’m going to make this clear.”

Ash’s upper body leaned towards Karlyle. Ash, who was closer, spoke quietly.

“I’m specifically helping Karlyle because it’s Nick’s request.”

Nicholas’s name came up.

“So, you don’t have to worry about unnecessary feelings arising.”

What he wanted to confirm became clear in an instant.

Ash Jones didn’t remember him.

Ash Jones had agreed to this request for only one reason.

“Because I would never like someone like you.”

Ash Jones was still in love with Nicholas White.

Ash’s personal feelings towards Karlyle, hidden behind his skillful and gentle demeanor, and Ash’s feelings towards Nicholas, simultaneously came to the surface. Karlyle fell silent at the man’s intentions, which were completely different from his own assumptions.

To Ash, Karlyle was merely an unpleasant intruder from a bad first encounter, and the brother of Kyle Frost, an Alpha who had competed with him over Nicholas White.

The existence of Karlyle Frost held virtually no meaning for Ash Jones. The man had simply accepted this absurd meeting for the sake of the person he loved.

The ripple effect of that realization churned unpleasantly within him. His calm mood sank. He felt utterly pathetic, wondering why he had come here, what foolish expectations he had harbored. Self-reproach for having completely misjudged the other person took precedence. He felt as if his own shortcomings and mistakes had been exposed nakedly.

However, despite all this turmoil, Karlyle’s expression remained unchanged. It was what he did best. Not showing his true feelings. Not revealing his emotions.

“It’s reassuring to hear you say that.”

Breaking the long and short silence, Karlyle picked up his wine glass. No emotion appeared in his cold eyes. As if trying to gauge his intentions, Ash quietly watched Karlyle, then relaxed his expression.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s always better to be clear about everything.”

This time, Ash was silent. Ash, who had been rubbing the pint glass of cider with a bothered expression, finally sighed and apologized.

“I’m sorry, Karlyle.”

“What are you apologizing for?”

“What I just said, I think I was rude. I’m sorry.”

He was unpredictable. Unable to swallow the red liquid in the wine glass pressed to his lips, Karlyle lowered his eyes. As if his sharp attitude was a lie, Ash’s expression had returned to how it was initially.

“Didn’t I upset Mr. Jones first? It’s fine.”

“No, I was immature.”

After finishing his words, Ash picked up the menu. As a smile appeared, seemingly to lighten the mood, the tense atmosphere melted away.

“I’ve never seen a type like Karlyle around me.”

It probably wasn’t a good meaning.

“It’s not a bad meaning.”

At the added words, Karlyle finally couldn’t swallow his wine and set it down.

“I think your way of expressing yourself is just different, that’s all.”

“You don’t need to try so hard.”

“Exactly that point,” Ash said with a smile, then placed the menu in front of Karlyle. His finger stopped right in front of Karlyle. Karlyle looked at Ash’s hand. It was a long, beautiful hand. His fingers were neat. His fingernails were rounded at the tips and had a pinkish hue.

“If you were upset by my actions earlier, tell me now.”

You can’t do that with someone you’re not comfortable with, Ash said softly. Karlyle thought. Do I dislike this man?