L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 105

The sky was darker than usual on the day of the party. With dark clouds swirling overhead like they were about to dump a blizzard, Ashley furrowed his brow without realizing it. As he paused with his hand still adjusting the cufflinks and fixed his gaze on the sky, the butler standing beside him asked,

“Is something wrong?”

Ashley snapped back # Nоvеlight # to reality at the gentle voice of the older woman and shook his head immediately.

“...No, it’s nothing.”

After finishing up, he put on the jacket the butler had prepared for him. Almost immediately, the servants brought over a full-length mirror. Ashley looked at himself in the reflection, adjusted the final details, and then turned his head.

Everything was ready now. As the employees swiftly cleared out the things that had filled the room, the butler spoke again.

“You still have about an hour. Shall I bring you some tea?”

“No, I’m fine. Thank you.”

He added a polite nod, and she smiled gently before leaving the room.

Once the door closed and he was finally alone, Ashley exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding and dropped into the chair. What kind of party required this much fanfare? A headache began to build, and he massaged his temples.

He had been to countless parties before. But never had he spent an entire day preparing like this. From the moment he opened his eyes in the morning, he had gone through every ridiculous ordeal imaginable, starting with having his blood drawn.

<You haven’t had a health check-up since you arrived here.>

That was all the secretary had said to him when he asked what the hell was going on—right before she left with the doctor who had taken his blood. After that came breakfast, then a full-body massage, lunch, hairstyling, nail care, and even another shave.

After being dragged around all day, he returned to his room to find multiple suits and accessories lined up in perfect order.

Never had he been made to prepare like this.

Ashley leaned his head back with a sigh. Somewhere in the distance, there was a faint rumble of thunder. Blinking absentmindedly, he quickly came to his senses and reached for his phone. Thankfully, it was still daytime where Koi was.

– Ash.

The call barely rang before a welcome voice came through. Hearing that voice, filled with just as much joy as his own, Ashley felt the corner of his mouth lift as he whispered his name.

“Yeah, Koi. How’ve you been?”

– U-uhm...

Koi hesitated, then spoke.

– Not so great...

“Why?”

Ashley asked even though he already knew the answer. And sure enough, Koi replied in a small voice.

– Because you’re not here...

Ah, Koi.

Ashley couldn’t suppress the tightness rising in his chest and took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry. For leaving you alone on Christmas.”

– Mm...

Koi asked carefully,

– Were you really busy...?

“Yeah.”

So busy it made him sick. Ashley thought to himself. But that’s all over now. After tonight’s party, he would tell them he was leaving. This was enough. He’d done more than enough.

Repeating his resolve, Ashley said,

“Sorry, I don’t think I’ll be able to bring your gift. They said the order’s delayed because of the holiday rush.”

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He had asked them to finish it as soon as possible, but he had no intention of waiting. The moment he was free from this place, he would run to Koi. He planned to have the ring sent to the western branch instead. Waiting for it to be completed was out of the question.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Seeing Koi again came first.

I want to come back to you—even one day sooner.

– That’s okay.

Koi replied without hesitation.

– I don’t know what it was, but it doesn’t matter. I...

He paused for a moment, then softly confessed,

– You’re the biggest gift of all.

“So are you.”

Ashley couldn’t hold back the overflowing affection and responded immediately.

“There’s nothing in my life that could ever be a bigger gift than you.”

His own voice trembled faintly in his ears. Whew, he let out a shaky breath, and on the other end, Koi asked,

– Really?

It felt like he could see Koi in front of him, looking up at him with wide, glistening eyes and a flushed face. Smiling from ear to ear, Ashley replied,

“Yeah.”

– That’s a relief.

Hearing Koi’s voice, Ashley revised his plan. Once the party ended, he would go straight to the airport. He could call his father after buying the earliest flight out. If he didn’t see Koi soon, he felt like he might lose his mind.

“Koi.”

– Yeah?

Ashley quickly said,

“Just wait a little longer. I’ll be back soon.”

– Okay.

Koi, as always, answered without hesitation.

– Don’t worry. I’ll always wait for you.

For some reason, Ashley felt a sting at the tip of his nose. He coughed awkwardly to clear his throat. Just then, he heard footsteps approaching. It was time to go. He barely suppressed the urge to run and forced himself to stay calm.

This is the last time. Just endure it once more.

“Koi, I need to hang up now.”

– Okay...

Koi sounded just as reluctant, his words trailing. Ashley held back the urge to scoop him into his arms and gently reassured him.

“We’ll see each other soon, Koi.”

– Okay.

This time, Koi answered firmly.

– I’ll wait.

At that moment, a knock came at the door, and Ashley had no more time to delay. He whispered one last “I love you” before ending the call. As if on cue, the door opened and the butler walked in.

“It’s time to go downstairs.”

Ashley stood, slipping his phone into his pants pocket. As he followed the butler through the hallway and entered the grand hall, his father’s secretary and the staff were already waiting.

The secretary gave his suit a once-over, then fixed her gaze on his face and spoke.

“The car is ready. Let’s go.”

“Wait.”

Before leaving, Ashley laid down his condition. Negotiation needed to happen before the job was done. There was no need to escape after the party—he could get the answer from his father now through the secretary.

“Once the party ends, I’m leaving immediately.”

Before the secretary could reply, Ashley continued.

“I’ve done everything my father asked, more than enough. I’m tired. I’m going back.”

He delivered his final ultimatum.

“Tell him—if he doesn’t promise that, I’m not going to the party.”

No one said a word. In the dead silence, the secretary stared at him for a while, then pulled out her phone.

Ashley watched as she pressed a button and waited a moment. He silently observed her lips as she relayed his message word for word.

“...Understood.”

After the short response, the secretary ended the call and looked up at him.

“He said you may go. But.”

Before Ashley could feel relief, she added a condition.

“If you get through this party properly.”

“...Of course.”

Something felt off, but Ashley didn’t have the energy to dwell on it. His heart swelled with the thought of seeing Koi soon, leaving no room for doubt. The secretary watched him quietly for a moment, then turned to walk toward the entrance. Ashley didn’t hesitate and followed in long strides. This was the last time. Now he was going home.

Koi.

Even on the drive out to the mansion where the party was being held, Ashley wore a faint smile, his heart full of anticipation. The secretary sat across from him with her usual blank expression, saying nothing.

*

They arrived at the mansion just past 8 p.m. It was dinnertime, and Ashley was hungry, but he decided to hold off.

I’ll eat on the plane.

At the very least, he could grab something in the VIP lounge while waiting for departure. His father would probably approve the use of the private jet once he confirmed the party went well.

Anyway, eating wasn’t the priority right now. All he had to do was make it through the party flawlessly. Reminding himself of that, Ashley got out of the car. Bodyguards and secretaries of earlier-arrived guests were stationed throughout the vast garden, keeping watch.

...What is this?

A sense of wrongness hit him. The luxurious mansion, the expensive cars parked around, the guests dressed to the nines—it all looked the same as the countless parties he’d attended before. And yet, something felt off.

Still unable to pinpoint it, he walked into the mansion. The hall, glowing as bright as day under countless chandeliers, was where the mansion’s butler welcomed them.

“Mr. Ashley Miller, thank you for attending tonight’s party.”

The butler greeted him with a formal bow and led the way. As Ashley followed, he tried to focus on the faint noises reaching his ears.

...This is strange.

The sense of unease grew stronger. His heart stirred with nervous dread. What the hell was this? ...Why did it feel like this?

“This way.”

The butler’s voice snapped him back to attention. As Ashley raised his head, the man opened the door.

A grating creak from ill-fitting hinges set his nerves on edge. Then came raucous moaning and grotesque laughter, merging into a distorted noise that deafened his ears. Ashley’s eyes widened, stunned. What lay before him was something he’d never seen before.

But before he could make sense of it, a scent hit him the moment he inhaled.

“—Hah...”

Ashley instantly stopped breathing and collapsed to the floor. He couldn’t stand. His body gave out, his mind went blank. His heart pounded wildly, pulse surging in his veins. His chest ached with every ragged breath.

In the panic-swamped mess of his thoughts, he barely clawed together the memory. He knew what this was. He’d experienced it once in his life. But it was only supposed to happen once in a lifetime. So then, this could only mean...

“It’s rut.”

His father’s secretary said from above him, in the same cold voice as always.