Lick Me Up If You Can Novel (Completed) - Chapter 104

“Thank you, please come again.”

He gave a brief nod to the manager and staff who had come out to the street to see him off, then turned around. The waiting driver immediately opened the back door of the parked car, but Ashley stopped in his tracks and spoke.

“You go ahead. I want to walk a bit.”

The elderly driver blinked in surprise and looked to the side. The two bodyguards, who had been guarding Ashley since he arrived, exchanged glances.

“We’ll contact you, please wait nearby.”

One of them said, and the driver nodded and returned to the car. Ashley left them behind and walked ahead. Two men, as large as Ashley, followed him at a distance, but he didn’t pay them any mind. Right now, he wanted to savor this freedom for a little longer.

Since coming to the East Coast, his life has been a prison. For Ashley, who had enjoyed boundless freedom and lived the life he wanted, every day was hell. He woke up at a set time, had breakfast with his father, sat down for lunch with ‘him’ who couldn’t even get out of bed on his own, and by evening, attended some party or gathering.

All day, Ashley prepared for parties or gatherings, and if he didn’t fully grasp who the hosts were, what their professions were, and everything about their companies if they ran businesses, his father would openly show his displeasure.

Of course, Ashley wasn’t foolish enough to intentionally displease his father. To return to Koi as soon as possible, he did his best. He silently obeyed and carried out all instructions, even if it meant staying up all night.

This wasn’t the end. Ashley even started preparing for college entrance exams here. Anyway, by 12th grade, everyone is busy with college applications. But his father wouldn’t tolerate ‘being like everyone else.’ His son had to be several times more outstanding than others. And Ashley, unfortunately, knew that he was capable enough to achieve everything his father desired.

As expected, his father wanted Ashley to attend the same university as him. Therefore, Ashley had already met alumni and constantly gathered information about the university. This alone kept him frantically busy, but he also started studying French. He already had excellent Spanish skills, but of course, that was far from enough to satisfy his father. Perhaps once his French was somewhat proficient, he would then have to learn German.

Doing these things made the day pass quickly, and being three hours ahead of the West Coast made it difficult to call Koi. When he finally managed to find a spare moment, it was usually Koi’s bedtime. Unless he made a deliberate effort like today, he simply couldn’t find time for himself.

Still, Ashley had worked his hardest for days to clear his schedule for today. He emphasized that he also needed a holiday, caught up in French by staying up all night, and even prepared in advance. And that’s how he finally managed to get just one day off.

Ah.

Suddenly, a cold sensation touched his cheek, and Ashley looked up, then immediately understood why. A few snowflakes were falling. Having been on the West Coast for several years, the constantly falling snow still felt unfamiliar.

Ashley stopped in his tracks and looked up for a moment. The cloudy winter sky, with its swirling gray clouds, was the same as he had seen countless times since coming here.

Haa…

He deliberately exhaled a long breath, and white vapor scattered around him. People walked past Ashley, who stood there blankly, their heads bowed and their steps quick. The clear, pristine sky of the West Coast, even in winter, came to mind. Then, a longing for Koi, who always rushed into his arms, resurfaced, and Ashley’s chest tightened.

Tomorrow was Christmas. His expectation of being able to return after Thanksgiving had long been shattered. After Christmas, it would soon be the New Year. Ashley probably wouldn’t be able to spend the New Year with Koi either.

Surely, they don’t intend to keep me here forever.

Ashley started walking again. He still had a year left until high school graduation. He intended to somehow get his way and return to Koi. Even if it took time, he would.

Please wait for me, Koi.

Ashley, who had secretly urged Koi, recalled the rings he had reserved and smiled faintly.

The platinum rings had a fairly large diamond set in the center, with smaller diamonds lined up on both sides.

He bought two rings of a simple design and ordered Koi’s name to be engraved inside one, sized for his fourth finger, and Ashley’s name inside the other, roughly sized for Koi. With this, they would completely belong to each other.

What would Koi say if he told him the meaning of this?

A smile naturally formed as he imagined Koi, face flushed and flustered. The unfortunate thing was that it was the end of the year, and orders were backed up, so even rushing as much as possible, it would take about a month. He was impatient, but there was nothing he could do.

Snow began to fall more and more heavily. Koi must have never seen this much snow. Recalling the bustling intersection where extravagant year-end events were always held, he thought he wanted to bring Koi here someday.

On Christmas, they would kiss under the mistletoe. At the end of the year, they would count down together, and on New Year’s, he would immediately pull Koi into his arms and kiss him. And he would whisper.

Happy New Year, Koi.

His mood brightened considerably as he imagined Koi, with a reddened nose, smiling at him. Hoo, he exhaled a deep breath, then stopped walking. The bodyguards also stopped behind Ashley, who stood before a traffic light. Ashley put his hands in his coat pockets and turned to them.

“Call the car.”

The bodyguards quickly contacted the driver. While waiting for the car, which would be circling nearby, Ashley stood there for a while. The white snow continued to fall, but people just passed by. Before he knew it, snow had piled up on his head and shoulders.

“Another party?”

When Ashley asked, his father’s secretary readily nodded. He couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh that escaped him, and she spoke.

“It’s the end of the year, so there are many gatherings.”

“I suppose so.”

Ashley’s real question was elsewhere.

“I’m wondering how long I have to keep doing this.”

At his words, the secretary asked with an expressionless face.

“It seems you have a reason to want to return soon, don’t you?”

Her job was to report Ashley’s every move to his father. She surely knew about Koi, but Ashley just frowned at her question, unsure if she was feigning ignorance or not. The secretary didn’t probe further and changed the subject.

“Only Mr. Miller would know that. I merely convey messages.”

Ashley softened his hostility towards her and instead apologized.

“…I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

“It’s fine. Mr. Miller provides me with a high salary, and that includes being subjected to baseless outbursts.”

He wondered if she was being sarcastic, but her tone was so businesslike that it seemed she was speaking the truth. Thinking she was still an inscrutable person, Ashley recalled.

Indeed, I don’t need to know what she’s thinking anyway.

The secretary was just doing her job. Ashley, like her, just needed to move as his father instructed. He was willing to do so. He just hoped to be released soon.

“There will be a party on the first day of January. More precisely, on the last day of December.”

At the secretary’s words, Ashley automatically thought. It would be a New Year’s party, and he still wouldn’t be able to return to Koi by then.

The secretary placed a paper with the week’s schedule on the table and said.

“It’s a very important party, so you’ll need to pay special attention. Mr. Miller won’t be attending that day, only you will.”

“Only me? Why?”

When Ashley asked with a frown, the secretary answered in her usual businesslike tone.

“Because it’s a party where only your attendance is required.”

“…Ha.”

Why did I even ask? With a slight sense of regret, he silently picked up the schedule. It was a familiar schedule, similar every day, but December 31st was empty except for the party.

“…Is it a very important occasion?”

When Ashley asked, frowning, the secretary, who was about to leave, grabbed the doorknob and turned back to him.

“It’s an occasion where you will learn many things as a true Alpha.”

And then she closed the door and left. Ashley, still frowning, looked at the schedule, then put it down and lay on the bed.

It doesn’t matter, he thought. Just let me go back to Koi quickly.

He had endured long enough. After that party, he would return.

Just one more week.

He comforted himself and closed his eyes.

“I miss you, Koi.”

It was the first time his own voice sounded so powerless.