Kiss Me if You Can Novel Completed - Chapter 17

Truth be told, there was nothing much to do about the bruises; they would disappear with time. The bleeding lips and minor cuts just needed a simple disinfectant and a band-aid. Occasionally, he pressed his chest, so his ribs might be cracked or bruised, but no bones seemed broken. In fact, he hadn’t hit him that hard.

But Chase told him to, so he couldn’t just say that and leave. If he did, he would surely not survive this time. Finally, Josh surrendered.

“I’ll go get the first aid kit.”

As he turned to leave, he suddenly noticed a long cut on Chase’s arm. It looked like it had been scratched by the corner of a broken piece of furniture; it didn’t need stitches, but it would be good to bandage it. Josh immediately left the room to get the first aid kit.

As he opened the cabinet in the bathroom, he suddenly wondered if he could postpone this situation. But the answer was obvious. No one would willingly take his place, sitting alone in a room with Chase Miller, treating his wounds.

He sighed, checked the contents of the first aid kit, and returned to Chase’s room.

Chase was sitting on the bed as before. This time, too, as soon as Josh appeared, he glared at him with terrifying eyes.

Josh silently took a chair that was placed to the side, sat opposite him, and began the treatment.

The first thing he did was the most severe wound on the arm. It was a surprisingly deep cut, but it didn’t seem like it would bleed any more. He applied disinfectant, let it dry for a moment, then applied ointment to prevent scarring. Finally, he bandaged it to secure it.

He finished securing it with a band-aid, his lips tightly sealed, and inadvertently raised his head. His eyes immediately met Chase’s. Josh froze.

Chase seemed to have been watching Josh the entire time. Josh had also felt his gaze. He had just pretended not to notice. But a moment of carelessness had created an awkward situation.

He should have looked away nonchalantly, but Josh couldn’t. He found himself mesmerized by Chase’s face.

Ah, that I put a bruise on that face.

Just as he secretly regretted it, Chase narrowed his eyes. Josh flinched, and Chase chuckled, as if he knew everything. Josh, embarrassed, lowered his gaze. Seeing him subtly avoid his eyes, Chase’s face turned menacing.

“What, you. How dare you ignore me?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“Then what is it, you son of a bitch.”

If he didn’t answer, a punch might come this time. Josh hastily opened his mouth.

“I invoke my right to remain silent. Because I don’t want to be hit again.”

Chase was silent for a moment. To Josh, who was secretly uneasy, he said something unexpected.

“I know you lose your mind every time you look at my face.”

For a moment, Josh didn’t understand the meaning. But after a few seconds of blankness, he blushed with embarrassment.

“Ah, you knew?”

“Yeah, you expect me not to know that? Am I a stupid idiot like you?”

He continued to spout harsh words, but his expression was full of arrogance. Well, he does have the face for it. Josh grudgingly agreed.

“I like Mr. Miller’s face.”

Of course you do, Chase’s expression seemed to say. But Josh still frowned and tilted his head.

“Are you satisfied with just that?”

“…What?”

This time, it was Chase’s turn not to immediately understand. He fluttered his long golden eyelashes up and down, then made a menacing expression.

“What the hell are you babbling about, you son of a bitch.”

Following the curses, Josh quickly took a step back, sensing a punch about to fly.

“Well, there must be some perverts in the world who like your personality.”

“Pervert?”

Oops. He had just poured oil on the fire. This grinding sound I’m hearing right now can’t be Chase grinding his teeth. Josh broke out in a cold sweat down his back and forced a smile.

“Let’s just say your taste is unique.”

This wasn’t a very good expression either. But Josh did his best. The scent of pheromones intensified, but it was because Chase was angry. Secretly grateful that he wasn’t intentionally releasing pheromones, Josh hastily continued what he was doing.

The ominous grinding sound stopped, and Chase spoke.

“My personality is mine, and my face is mine.”

“Ah, of course, they are part of you.”

Josh readily agreed. But Chase wasn’t pleased with his reaction. Under his piercing gaze, as if daring him to speak his mind, Josh finally couldn’t win and answered honestly.

“But everyone grows old, and beauty fades, doesn’t it?”

Chase flinched. Josh added, as if to himself,

“I wonder if anyone will like you when only your personality remains.”

A chilling silence fell. Josh was uneasy that Chase said nothing. It was almost miraculous that a punch hadn’t flown already.

Josh, preparing for any incoming hands or feet, quickly applied the remaining medicine at the fastest speed he could manage. After finally putting a band-aid on the back of his hand and hastily standing up, his gaze, which he had been avoiding, inevitably met Chase’s.

“Then.”

He was about to say, I’ll leave now, but Chase cut him off.

“You’ll grow old too.”

Chase thrust an undeniable truth at the refreshing handsome man standing before him. He must have been thinking about that all along. Pondering how he could make Josh as flustered and disappointed as himself.

However, contrary to his expectations, Josh showed no particular reaction.

“Ah, of course. I don’t really care.”

He wished he could have scoffed that Josh was bluffing, but it wasn’t like that at all. In reality, Josh showed no hint of regret. Chase became even more annoyed and gnashed his teeth.

“Do you think people will keep liking you, even if that face disappears, just because you have a good personality?”

Josh, under the menacing gaze fixed on him, hummed and brushed back his fallen hair. Then, as if he couldn’t help it, he forced a wry smile.

“Wouldn’t the chances be higher than Mr. Miller’s?”

For the first time, Chase was speechless. It was infuriating that he was so angry yet couldn’t think of anything to say.

He wanted to curse wildly, but even that wouldn’t make the feeling of defeat disappear. He wished he could at least throw a punch, but by then, Josh had already walked to the door in just a few long strides.

“The treatment’s done, so I’ll be going.”

Josh quickly said his goodbyes, intending to make his exit this time. But even after he had stepped out the door, Chase couldn’t think of anything to say.

His personality is good? Where?

Chase was furious, but he already knew the answer. Josh would surely say,

Better than Mr. Miller’s.

In the end, he swore loudly and punched the mattress repeatedly.

That damn bastard, I’ll kill him someday.

As he ground his teeth, his eyes immediately felt strained. Chase frowned and glared at the door Josh had exited for a long time.

A day had passed quickly, and the sunset was already beginning. As Josh headed to the monitor room on time, Seth was looking at the monitor with a serious expression.

“What’s wrong?”

Josh leaned over to check the screen and tilted his head. A car was parked on the CCTV screen showing the front gate. Seth spoke.

“Go help him. Looks like his battery died.”

“Who is it?”

He asked, curious about the tall man scratching his head with the car hood open, and Seth replied.

“He’s a visitor looking for C. While you’re out, check his identity. If he seems suspicious, just fix the car and send him back.”

“Got it.”

Josh immediately left the mansion and got into the car. He didn’t forget to call Isaac and tell him to check around the mansion.

He always carried various equipment in the trunk, so simple repairs could be done on the spot. Seth’s voice was as calm as ever. Therefore, he didn’t feel much threat. It was common for enthusiastic fans to show up at the house, so there was nothing special about it. Josh drove across the garden without much thought.

Beyond the firmly closed iron gate, a sleek black Jaguar was visible. A man, who seemed to be the owner, was leaning against the car door, talking on the phone.

Josh parked his car beyond the iron gate and got out. The man, sensing his presence, turned his head. The man wearing dark sunglasses felt somehow familiar. Even though Josh had never seen him before.

His tall height, shining blonde hair, and flamboyant features that were easily discernible despite part of his face being covered, were all so similar. The man slowly took off his sunglasses. The moment Josh saw the purple eyes hidden within, he immediately knew the man’s identity.

He slowly smiled and opened his mouth.

“Wow, a new face. Are you the new bodyguard?”

Even though no introduction was necessary, he continued.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Chase’s brother, Grayson.”

He extended his hand through the iron bars of the gate. Josh, as if enchanted, looked up at him and awkwardly shook his hand. Feeling as if a prisoner confined in a jail had met a sympathetic spectator.

Grayson’s eyes narrowed. In a leisurely tone, he whispered,

“Please take good care of him.”