Lick Me Up If You Can Novel (Completed) - Chapter 127

Hearing the door close, Ashley confirmed he was alone and got up. He had bought some time, at least. But the real work was just beginning.

He quickly got out of bed and headed to the window. He carefully pulled back the thick curtains and looked outside, seeing people bustling about. They were preparing to leave the mansion, just as Dominique had said the day before.

If he said he wasn’t feeling well, he could probably buy a day.

Dominique wasn’t one to fall for his flimsy tricks, but he would probably allow it. It wouldn’t be bad to enjoy watching Ashley’s clumsy struggle for a day. Ashley wouldn’t escape his grasp anyway. Dominique must have been certain of that.

Until now, Ashley had thought so too. So he had resigned himself to living like a puppet, silently doing as Dominique wished, having given up early on. But now it was different.

Ashley had Koi, who was more precious than anyone. For him, he would fight Dominique no matter what.

A little later, when the secretary returned, Ashley was lying in bed just as before.

And the secretary conveyed Dominique’s message that it was difficult to get suitable medicine at the moment, and that their departure had been postponed until evening.

That too was exactly as he had expected. The secretary placed a bowl of soup on the tea table and continued.

“Drink it later if you feel like it. If it gets cold, I’ll bring you a fresh one.”

Ashley said from his lying position.

“…I need to pack my bags.”

“I’ve roughly organized them, so don’t worry.”

This was also an expected remark. Ashley still feigned a tired voice and said,

“I want to check it, so bring it here.”

“…The trunk?”

The secretary asked after a pause this time. Ashley retorted weakly.

“Can’t I pack my own bags?”

After a brief pause, the secretary spoke.

“I will confirm with Mr. Miller.”

She left again and this time returned with the trunk. Ashley understood its meaning all too well.

Go ahead, do as you please.

He recalled the mocking purple eyes, then quickly cleared his mind and closed his eyes.

“I’ll open it after I sleep a bit more. Don’t let anyone come near for now, it’s noisy.”

“Understood. I’ll tell everyone to be quiet.”

Soon, the secretary left the room, and after some time passed, Ashley got up. He listened carefully, but heard no sound at all.

He quickly got out of bed and headed for the door. Tensely, when he finally opened the door, the hallway was empty, as expected. The secretary must have ordered everyone not to come near the floor where the bedrooms were, so as not to disturb Ashley’s sleep.

Ashley closed the door again and quickly opened the trunk. He frantically rummaged inside, hoping to find something useful, and then froze for a moment when he found an unexpected item.

It was a mobile phone.

♬♪♪♬♩♪…

Koi, who was sitting in the cafeteria doing his homework, was startled by the sudden ringing of his mobile phone. He checked the number and his eyes widened.

“Ash, Ash?”

– Koi.

Tears welled up at the voice from the other end. Koi quickly nodded and replied.

“Yes, it’s me. Ash, it’s Koi.”

– I know.

Ash’s voice on the other end was tinged with laughter, but in truth, he was barely holding back the dampness in his own heart. Koi tried not to cry and quickly continued.

“H-how are you doing? Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

– I’m fine, don’t worry. What about you? How are you doing?”

“I’m fine too.”

Koi replied, taking shaky breaths.

“My father is still in the hospital, so I haven’t gone to see him. Don’t worry, I haven’t been hit again or anything.”

– Good, that’s a relief.

There was a lot to talk about, but no time. Ashley quickly got to the point, deciding to talk about the rest later.

– Koi, listen carefully. I’m going to tell you something important now.

“U-uh-huh.”

Koi tensed up, pricking his ears. Ashley continued quickly.

– There’s a train departing in three hours. Let’s meet at the train station. We’ll take that and leave for another province.

“A-a train?”

Koi inadvertently raised his voice at the sudden words, then quickly covered his mouth and looked around. Fortunately, it was after class, so there was no one else around.

After confirming that he was the only one in the cafeteria, Koi pressed the phone tightly to his ear again. Ashley continued.

– Let’s run away together. This time, we’ll definitely succeed, trust me.

Koi swallowed dryly without realizing it. He somehow felt certain that this time would be different. Last time, they had acted impulsively without thinking, but this time was different. More than anything, he wanted to meet Ashley soon. But before that, there was something he had to confirm.

He held back from saying yes immediately and asked,

“C-can we really do that? Um, nothing bad will happen to you, right? You were arrested…”

Koi had no idea what conditions Ashley had been released under. He was afraid that the situation might become irreversible.

What if this choice led to a future where he could never see Ashley again?

Ashley spoke to the frightened Koi.

– If we don’t run away now, we’ll truly be separated forever.

At that moment, Koi felt as if his heart had fallen to his feet. As he turned pale, Ashley quickly continued.

– My father is here, to take me to the East. Everyone is getting ready now. If not now, we’ll never see each other again.

He couldn’t bring himself to say that Dominique despised Koi and opposed him. So Ashley vaguely glossed over it.

– My father seems to have someone else in mind for me. Of course, I won’t marry any of those women. You’re the only one I love.

At those words, Koi stopped breathing. Ashley might marry someone else besides him? Ashley added to the frozen Koi.

– This is our only chance. Let’s run away together, Koi. Just the two of us, get married and live our lives.

His words were so sweet. Koi recalled what he had heard at the church he attended as a child. Could the serpent’s voice that tempted the first woman have been sweeter than this?

“…I’ll go.”

Finally, Koi uttered in a trembling voice.

“I’ll go, I’ll go anywhere with you.”

– Good, Koi.

Ashley, unable to contain his joy, replied in an excited voice.

– Let’s meet at the train station. I’ll get out of here somehow, so come there.

“Okay, I understand.”

Koi, who had hastily gotten up, quickly said before hanging up.

“I love you, Ash.”

– I love you, Koi.

Only after hearing Ashley’s reply did Koi finally end the call. He wanted to hear his voice more, but now was not the time.

I’ll be able to hear it to my heart’s content soon.

Thinking that he would never get tired of Ash’s voice, Koi hastily packed his bags and ran towards where his bicycle was parked. Three hours was tight.

He had somewhere to stop before going to the train station. Last time, he hadn’t been able to, but this time was different.

I have to take all the money I’ve saved.

He got on his bicycle and pedaled with all his might, rushing towards the motorhome. Money was the most essential thing, no matter where they went. Besides, they were both still minors. Ashley would be sneaking out, so he wouldn’t be able to bring much money.

I need money.

Koi gritted his teeth and pedaled at full speed.

The door, pushed open little by little, creaked ominously as it opened a crack. The hallway was still empty.

Ashley looked around and then quickly stepped outside. Thankfully, the bags packed by the secretary were well-organized and lacked nothing.

He held the small carry-on sized trunk in one hand and quickly walked across the hallway. Just then, the staff seemed frantically busy going back and forth between the garden and the house. A considerable number of bodyguards had also disappeared, so they were probably at the airport, preparing for departure.

They’re probably checking for any suspicious movements beforehand.

Only a few remained. Thankfully, the area near the garage was empty, so Ashley easily got his hands on his Cayenne. As always, the car keys were carelessly placed on the dashboard, as if on display.

Ashley opened the driver’s side door, released the handbrake, and slowly pushed the car to move it without the sound of the engine starting. He faintly heard the murmuring of people. But no one noticed his escape.

No one stopped him until Ashley had pushed the car for a while and then hastily got into the driver’s seat and started the car.

Not even Dominique Miller, who was looking down at him through the window.