Lick Me Up If You Can Novel (Completed) - Chapter 162

He was so surprised he almost dropped his phone. Hearing that voice after two months, Koi couldn’t control his racing heart and quickly took a breath.

“H-hello?”

“Yes.”

When he finally managed to speak, a calm voice came from the other side. Still unable to believe it, Koi checked his phone again and spoke in an unsure voice.

“Ash…?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

Even after the confirmation, Koi remained bewildered. It had been so long, and it was unbelievable that the person calling at this very moment was Ashley.

“Your, your number wasn’t this.”

As Koi stammered, Ashley replied in a casual tone.

“I’m calling from the office. Save this number too.”

“Oh, ah, alright.”

Koi, who was about to save it without thinking, hastily stopped and asked, “Um, what’s up? I, I’m waiting for a call…”

After saying it, he realized he had made a mistake.

“Oh, no, it’s not that, I’m happy you called, really, I’m so glad to hear from you, but it’s just…”

“It’s okay. If you’re waiting for a lawyer’s call, then it’s me.”

“Huh?”

He blinked, not understanding what he meant, and Ashley spoke again.

“I’m the lawyer you were waiting for. Ell called, saying you were in a lot of trouble.”

“Ah…”

He understood, but his mind still wasn’t working properly. As Koi just let out a blank exclamation, Ashley continued.

“What should we do? The sooner we consult, the better, right?”

“Oh, yeah.”

After hastily nodding, he suddenly became curious. How much did Ash know about the current situation?

“Um… could you come here? It’s a bit… ifficult for me to go out.”

Actually, it was right for Koi to go to Ashley’s office, but he didn’t even have money for the subway. When he barely managed to ask in a whispering voice, Ashley replied casually.

“I’ll come to you now.”

Instead of feeling relieved, Koi was startled and shook his head.

“Wait, if you park your car here, it might get stolen.”

“Alright, I’ll take the subway or bus.”

“W-wait a minute.”

Koi, who had stopped him again, mumbled, “That might be dangerous too… What if you get robbed, or even shot?”

He quietly added, ‘Even extreme Alphas aren’t fine after being shot,’ and Ashley paused before replying.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it. Just send me the address.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Koi hastily nodded.

“Let’s meet where you dropped me off last time. I’ll come out to meet you.”

He might get involved in another crime while trying to find the address. Thinking he needed to minimize Ashley’s time on the street, Koi hastily added. Then, a loud sigh came from the other side.

“Koi, I’m not a child. Give me the address, I’ll find it.”

“Oh, yeah.”

If he said anything more, he felt Ashley would really get annoyed. Koi reluctantly hung up and typed the address, sending it as a message. He felt relieved after confirming Ashley had read it, but he couldn’t waste time. Once he came to his senses, reality suddenly hit him.

He hadn’t realized it until now, but his house was literally a mess. Aside from the cramped space, he had been overworked, hungry, and exhausted, so he hadn’t cleaned or done laundry at all. Seeing trash and clothes strewn everywhere and dust accumulated on the floor, he snapped back to reality.

I can’t let Ash into a place like this.

He hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday and was hungry, but he forced himself to move. If Ashley came, he should at least offer him coffee, but all he had was water.

Koi took out the cleanest cup, washed it again, and wiped it dry. He gathered the clothes that had piled up because he couldn’t go to the laundromat and hid them in the closet, then put the trash in a bag and stood it in a corner. He busily wiped the floor.

It was when he had barely finished cleaning and was taking a breather that he heard quiet footsteps descending the stairs. Could it be? he thought, listening intently, and the approaching footsteps stopped in front of his door.

Gulp.

He unconsciously swallowed dryly, staring at the front door, when a thin, nervous doorbell rang in his ears. Koi flung the door open without a second thought.

As expected, Ashley stood outside the wide-open door. As always, with his hair neatly combed back, an expensive suit, and a designer coat that caught the eye at a glance. In contrast, Koi was wearing a worn and dirty T-shirt he had been wearing for days and faded jeans.

Ashley’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment, then his expression returned to normal. Thinking that it was natural for him to be momentarily flustered by the sudden opening of the door, Koi spoke with an awkward expression.

“Welcome, you found it well.”

As Koi stepped back to make space, Ashley readily stepped inside. The house felt full even with just Koi, but with Ashley, who was twice his size, it felt packed. Ashley silently looked around the house once, then fixed his gaze on Koi. Koi endured the awkwardness and spoke as if nothing was wrong.

“It’s been a while, Ash. How have you been?”

Ashley didn’t answer immediately. He stared intently at Koi’s face, and after a long moment, he finally uttered a single word.

“Good.”

Silence fell again, and Koi scratched his head, then opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Thank you for coming, you must be busy. I didn’t know Ell would contact you…”

Koi’s voice trailed off. He should have realized it when Ariel said “the best lawyer.” The most successful lawyer in this city was naturally Ashley Miller.

But he was also “the busiest” lawyer in the city and “the most expensive” lawyer. Even when Ariel told him that, Koi couldn’t even imagine it would be Ashley. However, the moment Ashley appeared before him, Koi realized anew how obvious their connections were.

He’s also the most powerful connection, isn’t he?

“Koi.”

As he was comforting himself, Ashley suddenly called his name. He snapped to attention and looked up, meeting Ashley’s gaze, who was still looking at him. Ashley opened his mouth to Koi, who unconsciously swallowed dryly at the cool gaze directed at him.

“First, I need to confirm something with you. You really want to hire me as your lawyer, right?”

“Uh… yeah, I want to, but…”

“Just answer yes or no.”

He didn’t have time to say he couldn’t afford the retainer fee. At Ashley’s relentless demand, Koi hesitated, then nodded.

“I’d like you to do it.”

“Alright.”

Ashley nodded back and asked again.

“Before I take on your defense, there’s something you have to promise me. You absolutely must keep this, understand?”

“Uh, yeah. I will.”

I can’t even pay him, so of course I’ll do whatever he asks. Koi answered with a nervous expression and waited for his words. After confirming Koi’s reaction, Ashley opened his mouth.

“Good. There’s only one thing you have to keep. Tell me everything honestly, don’t hide anything, and don’t lie.”

He was surprised that it wasn’t as grand as he expected. Koi waited, thinking there might be more, but Ashley’s demand was all. Koi soon caught on and promised.

“Of course. I would never lie to you.”

“Don’t hide anything either.”

“…Okay.”

To Ashley, who pointed it out once more, Koi replied with a slightly flushed face.

“I won’t.”

Ashley nodded as if satisfied, then spoke.

“Then I’ll ask my first question, Koi. Don’t forget your promise.”

“Yes, I’ll tell you everything honestly, without lying.”

As he nervously repeated Ashley’s instructions, Ashley gave a short smile and finally asked the question.

“When was your last meal?”

“Huh?”

Koi’s eyes widened at the sudden question. But seeing Ashley frown and cross his arms at his reaction, he hastily opened his mouth. “Well,” Koi hesitated for a moment, then answered with difficulty.

“Yesterday evening… I had a sandwich.”

Though he called it a sandwich, it was just dried-up bread with a thin, cheap patty. Realizing his hunger, a frantic craving surged through him. As he pressed his hand to his rumbling stomach and averted his gaze, Ashley said, “Alright.”

“Then let’s go out. I haven’t eaten yet either. Let’s talk while we eat.”

“Huh?”

He unconsciously looked up in surprise, but Ashley had already turned and was leaving.

“Oh, right.”

He just stood there staring blankly when Ashley suddenly stopped and turned around as if something had occurred to him.

“There’s one more thing you have to keep.”

“Oh, yeah. What is it?”

Seeing Koi stiffen instinctively, Ashley continued.

“A client must absolutely obey their lawyer’s words. You can keep that, right?”

“Th-then. Of course, I should.”

As he hastily nodded, Ashley lightly gestured as if that was enough.

“Come on, let’s go eat.”

And he then moved his feet and walked out. Koi, who had been standing awkwardly until then, belatedly came to his senses and hurriedly ran after him.