Define The Relationship Novel - Chapter 64

The wind that ruffled his coat was biting as he exited the airport. His neatly styled hair was slightly disheveled. The damp, gray air smelled of winter. London, after nearly two months, had returned to its familiar monochrome. It was a subtly melancholic and depressing sight.

Every time Karlyle returned from the scorching heat of Qatar, he felt this loneliness. But today was different. There was an impatience, not loneliness, in his every step. It was because there was someone he wanted to meet.

London, before the New Year, was strangely quiet yet buzzing with excitement, as it always was at this time of year. Given Europe’s characteristic of becoming quieter as long holidays approach, New Year’s Eve in London was mostly filled with tourists.

As he drove through streets adorned with brightly colored lights, Karlyle saw many couples and families walking hand-in-hand outside his car window.

It brought back memories of himself on a summer day. Even though he dismissed it as a futile delusion, there was a past where he had hoped to be in such a relationship with someone. There was a time when he thought it was a foolish, unattainable wish.

Karlyle nervously stared at his phone, which rested on his thigh. He gripped it so tightly that the veins on his pale hand faintly protruded.

Perhaps Ash was very busy, as there had been no contact from him for several hours. While it was natural to have such a gap given their respective work, Karlyle still hadn’t become brave enough about this aspect. He probably never would, even if he lived forever. He was sure of it, as he wanted to see Ash every moment he was awake.

Over the past two months and a bit, Karlyle had redefined the division of work with Kyle. It was originally unplanned. He hadn’t wanted to burden Kyle, who had just started working, and he also wanted Nick not to be too tied up with work, given her pregnancy.

However, if Karlyle continued to work as he had been, he would have to spend half the year in Qatar or Canada. The duration was completely different from short business trips or overseas travel for social parties. That would significantly reduce the time he could spend with Ash. He didn’t want that.

Although these businesses would ultimately be inherited and led by Kyle, they were massive in scale for a young Kyle. This meant that it was a tremendously stressful job, regardless of how many assistants he had. Unlike Karlyle, who had been accustomed to it for a long time, Kyle would still need time to adapt. Therefore, even bringing up the topic caused Karlyle great guilt.

But before he could even speak, Kyle first asked about Karlyle’s intentions. Even when Karlyle reconfirmed his intentions, Kyle replied that it was fine.

Kyle also said that if Karlyle wanted it, he would leave things as they were, but if not, it was natural to change the work distribution according to his inherent duties. Kyle emphasized that Karlyle’s wishes were what mattered.

In that case, the answer was clear. After much deliberation, Karlyle told Kyle that he would appreciate it. Kyle smiled sweetly at Karlyle’s words.

December arrived while Karlyle was handing over the Doha businesses and the people he interacted with to Kyle. Because there were some projects Karlyle was working on that were difficult to transfer, the schedule was prolonged beyond what was planned.

This was also why his original intention to return before Christmas and confess to Ash was delayed by a few days. Because he couldn’t accept Ash’s proposal to spend Christmas together, Karlyle had actually been a little down all week.

During the two months they were apart, they communicated via text and phone. Ash began to ask what Karlyle had done that day. He diligently asked about every small detail concerning Karlyle: how he felt, how his body was, what kind of work he was doing. Karlyle also gradually asked about Ash: if he had eaten well, what he planned to do, and how his work was.

Every time they talked, Karlyle was reminded anew that his daily routine was very dry and desolate compared to Ash’s day. Ash had many people he associated with. It often struck Karlyle that while Ash was the only person who could bring him joy, Ash was not the same. However, whenever Karlyle started to think this way, Ash would immediately say he missed him.

He said it every day, at all times.

Instead of getting used to the word “miss you,” its frequency accumulated and grew into a massive presence. Every time Ash said it, Karlyle barely suppressed the urge to get on a plane and go to him right then.

It was something he could easily do if he wanted, but Karlyle endured. He wanted to finish all his work and then be able to fully concentrate on Ash without any worries. And so, today arrived.

From the New Year, Karlyle would be in London. His work was done. Kyle also returned to London with Karlyle on a private jet to see Nick. Kyle had probably arrived much earlier. So Karlyle also wanted to meet Ash soon. He wanted to start the New Year with Ash.

[Where are you, Karlyle?]

The awaited message arrived. Karlyle’s fingers twitched the moment the screen lit up. His heart pounded as if it might burst at any moment. He was so nervous that Karlyle froze for a few seconds even after reading the message.

Although they contacted each other daily, it had been a long time since they had seen each other’s faces. The thought of seeing him soon brought a tension as overwhelming as the joy. In the meantime, the unavoidable thought also crossed his mind: Had Ash grown tired of him?

[I’m heading into Central.]

[Can you come to the address I sent?]

Karlyle looked at his watch. Night had already fallen. It was just past eleven PM. Entering the city center was impossible. Vehicles were restricted on commemorative days. It would be faster to walk, as the fireworks would start soon. The roads were gradually filling with people.

Karlyle looked down at the bouquet of roses in his arms. Besides this, he had already sent hundreds of roses to Ash’s house. He had even chosen the words he would say when presenting the red roses, which Ash said he liked the most. It was a slightly more refined sentence than last time.

However, the plan was slightly off. The plane departed later due to bad weather, traffic was heavy because of the late hour, and Ash wanted to see him somewhere else. But his anxious heart eventually subsided at the thought of seeing Ash. That was the important part.

[It will take about twenty minutes. Is that okay?]

[Yes, take your time.]

That wouldn’t do. The year would change if he did.

[I’ll be there soon.]

[Are you dressed warmly?]

[I’m wearing a coat. How about you, Ash?]

The conversation quickly shifted to trivial, yet important, topics. Karlyle would be very upset if Ash caught a cold. Viruses were not the kind of thing Karlyle could eliminate.

[I forgot my scarf. I’m cold.]

Just as he worried, Ash said he was cold. Karlyle’s heart sank. He looked up and scanned outside the window, searching for an open clothing store nearby. But there was no way there would be one. Buying out a store or having someone bring clothes wasn’t a problem. Time was the problem. Every second counted.

[Are you outside?]

[Yes.]

The address Ash sent was near Westminster Bridge. It wasn’t exactly the area being controlled for the fireworks, but it was nearby.

[Is there nowhere you can go inside? I’m worried you’ll catch a cold.]

His heart genuinely began to ache, and Karlyle filled each text message with concern. It seemed he would have to call. Just then, Ash’s reply came.

[I’ll be fine if Karlyle holds me.]

For a moment, his mind went blank. Something profound welled up from the loving words. His fingertips tingled as if electrified. Longing surged within him.

Karlyle looked ahead. The driver was circling the restricted area, looking for another route. At this rate, it would take more than twenty minutes.

“James, I’ll get off here.”

Karlyle spoke to the elderly man, James, who, along with Mayham, had worked for the family for a long time. James’s puzzled eyes met his in the rearview mirror.

“Here?”

“Yes. So please go back now. Thank you for the long journey.”

“But young master, it’s snowing outside.”

James was right. Snow, which hadn’t fallen even on Christmas, began to drift down onto the window. Ash would probably like it. So he wanted to go quickly, hold Ash to keep him warm, and watch this scene with him.

“It’s fine.”

“Be careful.”

“Yes.”

Karlyle opened the car door. Before walking into the stationary cars, Karlyle looked at James and said,

“Thank you. See you next year.”

James blinked at Karlyle, who rarely offered such farewells. Karlyle closed the door. His dress shoes firmly stepped onto the pedestrian block. Green Park was also teeming with people. Karlyle pushed through the crowd and began to walk quickly.

Before he knew it, he was running. It was the first time he had run so informally. His black dress shoes, reflecting the dazzling lights, kicked off the ground. His suit was disheveled by the wind. His coat fluttered. Brushing back the hair that had fallen slightly onto his forehead, Karlyle passed through several narrow alleys.

Finally, he arrived at the location Ash had mentioned. He was slightly out of breath. A white mist of breath scattered around his flushed lips. Taking off his leather gloves, Karlyle looked around.

The area right nearby was overflowing with people, but this place was strangely quiet. In front of him was a small park. Like Russell Square, it was a very modest size, suitable for nearby residents to take a short break.

And Ash was there.

Even with his back turned, Karlyle could recognize Ash from afar. It was a back he could draw even with his eyes closed. Karlyle slowly slowed his pace and walked towards Ash.

The sound of his shoes echoed in the black night air. He felt as if his feet were floating, as if in a dream. He rubbed his trembling hands for a moment. His fingertips felt cold against his palms. He extended his arms. And then, carefully, very gently, he embraced Ash from behind.

A familiar scent enveloped him. Burying his forehead in Ash’s broad back, Karlyle opened his mouth.

“I missed you.”

Ash took Karlyle’s hands, which were wrapped around his waist. Ash’s hands were warm. Karlyle’s chilly, stiff hands melted warmly the moment they touched Ash’s body heat.

“You came?”

Ash slowly turned his body. Karlyle raised his head. He saw Ash’s brightly smiling face. Ash’s kind, gentle eyes, curved with affection, held Karlyle entirely within them. He saw Ash’s cheeks, reddened by the cold air.

“Am I too late?”

Karlyle asked. It was a question about time, and also about the timing of their relationship. Ash shook his head.

“You came just in time.”

Ash’s hand touched his shoulder. What did he mean, “just in time”?

“Did you run?”

Another hand, not touching his shoulder, reached for Karlyle’s forehead. Fingers gently smoothed his disheveled hair. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Karlyle lowered his gaze slightly.

“…I… was in a hurry.”

“You’re beautiful.”

It was a voice that sounded as if he was dying of adoration. His embarrassment soared even higher. He also felt happy. Karlyle closed his lips, then opened them again, unsure of what to do.

“Truly, I… missed you so much.”

The hand that had been stroking his hair moved to his cheek. With eyes overflowing with emotion, Ash gazed at Karlyle’s face. He didn’t even blink.

“So, I thought a lot. Without resting for a single moment.”

What thoughts had he had? Karlyle opened his mouth to ask. But the words didn’t come out immediately.

A loud cheer began to echo from afar. At the same time, the surrounding lights began to turn off. The bright yellow and white star-shaped lights illuminating the quiet park gradually extinguished. Soon, they too were plunged into darkness.

“…Ash?”

“Can you hear it?”

Ash leaned down and whispered into Karlyle’s ear. The faint sound of a countdown began to reverberate.

10…

Cheers erupted from nearby. It could have been the cheers from the London Eye, or the sounds bursting from Westminster Bridge. Karlyle suddenly recalled a day from the past. The New Year’s Eve when the wind carried the mixed scents of weed and stale beer.

9, 8…

“As I said earlier… I really, really thought a lot.”

7, 6…