The party Nick mentioned takes place in the mansion owned by the Frost family in Mayfair. It starts at 6:30 with dinner, followed by entertainment activities. Kyle explained that it was actually not much different from a normal social party.
Still, the reason Nick calls this an engagement party seems to be because they are meeting with the other side's family to make arrangements.
Nick heard from Kyle that his father Jonathan Frost had delayed the process because this needed careful consideration.
"You don't seem surprised."
Looking at Ash's reaction while entering the mansion, Nick says. Kyle said he'd go in first and look for Karlyle. Before leaving, Kyle took turns looking at Nick and Ash, stared at Ash coldly, then told Nick to call him if anything happened.
Walking and looking ahead with a face like usual, Ash turns his head at Nick's voice. Nick nods and points into the mansion.
"When I first came here, I was very surprised. Maybe because I was young at that time, but now even when I have gotten older, I still feel the same."
As Nick says, the mansion is huge. Possessing a mansion of this size in the heart of Mayfair is no joke, the surname Frost is definitely in a different world from normal people. Laughing like a habit, Ash says calmly.
"It looks great."
But for Ash, this sight is not so surprising. Since his mother's hometown in France is similar. Although he is not a noble or wealthy man, Ash has seen and experienced a lot from a young age thanks to his grandparents. It was also his grandparents, not his father, who supported his studies.
Hearing his unsurprising tone, Nicks says in admiration.
"Looks like I'm the only one surprised."
"Nick hasn't changed at all."
Ash laughs softly at Nick's moderate joke. He thinks that's what he quite likes about Nick. A person who likes to exchange, says things he wants without hesitation, and is very interesting when meeting.
Not only Nick, all the people he has met are extroverts. A friendly person with a lively smile, a straightforward and outspokenly daring personality, or an unpredictable behavior that jumps out of nowhere.
Mostly it is. Ash is also very good at getting along with them, and that creates stimulation and fun in the process.
But Karlyle is an exception from the start to the end. He has never seen anyone so quiet and unreadable, and he didn't even think of meeting them. His time with Karlyle is always quiet.
But if you think about it, Karlyle has always been right with Ash. When being led by Ash, Karlyle would sway, but he did not show any dislike.
Normally, Ash is the one matching the opponent, so he thought he was trying to get along a lot while continuing the relationship, but actually, Karlyle was also following Ash's way.
Although Ash thought that the other person was cuter, more lovable and prettier than expected, at first, Ash implicitly harbored initial prejudice against Karlyle.
Maybe because of his appearance when saying the "no necessary feelings" thing with an expressionless face, or the first meeting where he ignored Ash to the point of being arrogant, they still remained in Ash's mind. His firm and cold attitude when saying Nick and Ash had nothing to do with each other may also have played a part.
Other than that, there were many reasons. The background of being an aristocrat also solidified the prejudice. He could not have assumed that a person from such a class, which is hard to find in reality, would want to be truly entangled with him.
Just like Phillip Gordon. In the end, his mother still failed to connect with Phillip Gordon. So, in Ash's memory, the nobles are in a completely different world that cannot be connected with ordinary people.
But leaving all that big things aside, Karlyle has taken everything Ash gave him seriously.
Karlyle's face when showing him around the mansion while holding the rose bouquet in his arms, or the faint smile on Karlyle's lips after accepting the Oyster card from Ash.
As he recalls those things, his heart aches, his longing becomes even deeper.
The white hands that held out the purple flower bouquet to him, the gaze avoiding strangely as if hesitating when Ash kissed him, the strong body that flushed with heat, and many other things that make up Karlyle have filled Ash's mind to the point of dizzying.
Ash wonders how he could have survived the whole last month without seeing Karlyle. The emotion that he realizes late now burns quietly like an unquenchable fire and envelops him.
He misses Karlyle so much. Impatience slowly rises inside him.
"It seems that Ash has changed a bit."
Upon hearing Nick's words, Ash manages to bring the thoughts that have gone elsewhere back to reality. This has happened too often since Karlyle left. Ash said that he wasn't thinking anything, but he was actually missing Karlyle unconsciously.
"Me?"
"Yes. I have felt it since you came to our house, but your relaxed aura seems to have disappeared."
"I thought I always did my best when I met you, Nick."
There is no trace of missing the past anymore. He talked about the bitter past with no special emotions. There is no joy of recalling the memories or nostalgia. Nick grins with his fang showing.
"Still, in the corner of my heart, you always seemed very relaxed... There is no such thing now."
Ash laughs quietly. Slowly, he blinks his eyes, pondering Nick's words.
"You think so?"
"Well, I meet a lot of people due to my job. So my eyes are very accurate."
"No wonder you are a lawyer with a high winning rate."
Having a casual conversation, they go up the stairs.
"It'll be fine."
After a moment of silence, Nick speaks up.
"Are you giving me some hints, Nick?"
"I don't have that ability."
Slightly raising his eyebrows and staring straight ahead, Nick turns to look at Ash. Footsteps stop.
"Come to think of it, I used to not be able to afford the time to deal with Kyle. I mean, rather than being impatient... I was always genuinely concerned and could not help but look after Kyle without being able to relax. When things are related to Kyle, everything else gets pushed back."
That is why he broke up with other lovers so quickly every time. Saying so, Nick smiles slowly. With a very happy face.
"So... what I'm saying is that everything will be fine."
Nick shrugs and takes a step down the stairs. Ash gently opens his eyes, looking at Nick's back as he is leading the stairs, then he opens his mouth.
"Nick."
Nick looks at him with puzzled eyes.
"Congratulations on your pregnancy. I haven't been able to say that"
In a relaxed voice, Ash congratulates Nick. In a very sincere way. Nick blinks. Looking at his slightly bewildered face, Ash continues.
"Like Nick and Kyle, you two will have pretty babies."
His green eyes look at Ash quietly, then they slowly curve up. Ash smiles at the green eyes he once thought that he was in love at first sight.
Nick doesn't say anything. Ash doesn't speak anymore. With a peaceful silence, they move to the banquet hall.
The party has not started, but there are many people inside. Dozens of waiters, bartenders and chefs including planners preparing for the party, are seen bustling around. In the interior decorated with colorful flowers, the ceiling is high and the old chandelier is shining in a scarlet light.
Even in the early evening, the banquet hall shines beautifully against the darkened sky. Gorgeous appetizers are set on the rectangular glass table where the dinner is served, and by the window, a moderately sized table and elegantly carved wooden chairs are placed.
Leaving Nick behind who is trying to call Kyle, Ash slowly walks inside. He looks at the faces of people passing by, and briefly lists out in his head what he should say when seeing Karlyle.
First, he should say hello and ask how Karlyle has been. Ash is worried and keeps thinking about his crying face ever since he heard that Karlyle cried. He also wants to ask if Karlyle has been eating properly, or if he was very upset. Then, he wants to properly define the relationship that has been twisted from the beginning...
... Karlyle?
In the midst of countless thoughts rushing through his mind, Ash sees a familiar face. The sharp side profile catches his eyes. His shoes stop in place. His eyes bulge wide. His heart, which has calmed down for a moment, soon begins to beat at a frightening speed.
It really is Karlyle.
His heart starts beating so fast to the point of being painful. Blood circulates throughout his body. His shoes squeak on the floor. As he is about to take a step forward, Karlyle turns his head.
His calm gray eyes stare straight at Ash. Their eyes meet. Even though there is quite a distance between them, Karlyle's face is perfectly captured in Ash's eyes. His stomach churns as if something he has been holding on to is bursting out. Sad longing and unbearable joy clash in him at the same time.
"Kar..."
His lips part. The name of the person he has been wandering around to look for, finally Ash found him. He smiles without knowing that he is smiling. But Ash cannot finish calling Karlyle's name.
Because their eyes that meet each other are cut off.
Karlyle, who has been looking at Ash with indifferent cold eyes, turns his head away. As if he didn't see anything. Like seeing the air, there is no change in Karlyle's expression.
Karlyle turns his head, then turns his body away. He continues to talk with the woman next to him, then starts walking out of the party room. Perhaps that woman is the party planner.
Unable to understand the situation in front of him for a moment, Ash blinks.
Ah...
His head is totally blank. He didn't think that Karlyle would have such a reaction. Even more than the pain when he found Karlyle's empty mansion, his inside hurts as if his stomach is burning black.
With a small smile on his face, Ash raises his hand. His hand that is caressing his lips runs down his neck.
"Ash?"
After finishing the call, Nick calls him from behind. But Ash can't hear anything properly. Having barely figured out what to say, Ash speaks to Nick without looking back.
"Excuse me, Nick."
Before getting a reply, Ash begins to walk. His legs, which have been moving slowly, gradually gain speed. Strength rushes into his thighs. His long legs widen the stride, his fists keep clenching and loosening.
Walking across the banquet hall at once, Ash runs in the direction Karlyle has disappeared. He follows the man with hasty and impatient movements. Otherwise, he'll lose him.
Karlyle hasn't gotten that far. The woman next to Karlyle just now turns back and walks past Ash. Her glancing at his face is not caught in Ash's eyes at all. Only Karlyle remains.
His whole body, his subconscious, is missing Karlyle.
Once he sees Karlyle's back again, this fact hits him even harder. The image of Karlyle has been engraved into his heart without even knowing it. He misses the neat back walking while texting him. He longs for the past when he could casually approach and hug Karlyle. He doesn't know how great a privilege it is to be able to touch the man like that.
Now, he wishes he could do that.
Feeling like crying, Ash stops. Then he opens his mouth.
"Karlyle."
Ash's voice echoes in the long hallway in which there are only the two of them. Without looking back, the man who is walking quietly stops.
The sound of shoes that have been ringing at regular intervals also stops. A few eons of seconds pass. In the suffocating silence, Karlyle slowly turns around.
He has an expressionless face, no different from before.
"Karlyle."
He calls his name again. His throat hurts and his breathing is tight, as if something is stuck in his throat. All the words he has been thinking about now become pure white.
It's harder than expected to come up with a single word. So different from the usual Ash Jones. Looking at this sight, it's hard to say that he is normally a skillful and relaxed person.
"It has been a while."
As words slowly come out from his mouth, Karlyle stares at him with indifferent eyes. There are only three steps between them. Even though the distance is that short, Karlyle seems so far away.
Another heavy silence follows. There is no sound of breathing. His blank gray eyes stare straight at Ash. He cannot tell what those eyes are thinking. After a long silence, Karlyle finally opens his mouth.
"Long time no see, Mr. Jones."
A hard and cold voice. The formal words and the surname showing obvious distance pierce his heart painfully. Ash laughs.
When he told Karlyle to call him by his name, he still remembered the voice that showed reluctance but later corrected as told. After two months, now the surname has come back.
It hurts.
"How have you been?"
Ash asks in a soft voice. He takes a step forward to the immobile Karlyle. Karlyle's eyes stop at the point of his shoes.
"For what purpose do you come here?"
Karlyle does not respond to the greeting. The expression remains unchanged. It feels like there is a wall standing between them. Ash pauses for a moment at the business-like tone. His mind becomes crazy.
It is unknown who Karlyle really is inside. But if that is Karlyle's way of dealing with others, it is clear that Ash has been given special treatment. He didn't know how precious it was to receive that special treatment.
"I come here because I have something to say."
Ash answers calmly. With a sad smile on his face, he quietly takes another step towards Karlyle. Now the distance between them is only one step away. Karlyle lowers his gaze again. Looking at the distance just before reaching, Karlyle strikes Ash in a dry voice.
"Sorry."
The words continue.
"I don't think I have time to listen."
Karlyle backs away in a voice clearly showing that he doesn't want to listen. One step, and another step. His hard shoes step back. Backing away two steps as Ash approached earlier, Karlyle makes the remark to end the conversation.
"Then, please be safe on your way home."
Karlyle turns around with no more questions. Looking at the back turning around cruelly, Ash unconsciously stretches out his hand. His hand reaches out in a hurry, just like when he chased the back of the person who he mistook for Karlyle.
His fingers touch the quietly trembling wrist. Weakly, but earnestly, he clasps Karlyle's wrist. Chills run down his body. He can feel that the longing thirst inside, which has been drying up, is now being relieved.
"It'll only take a few seconds."
He pauses and looks into Karlyle's eyes. In front of the still expressionless face, Ash continues to speak.
"What were you trying to say that day?"
Without giving Karlyle time to respond, Ash speaks again.
"I keep thinking about it. You said you have something you want to say to me. Did you really want to say that, even when you took your time to come pick me up?"
He looks straight into the other person's eyes. The smile has been hidden somewhere beneath that expressionless face. Ash speaks in a calm but confident voice.
"I don't think those words are meant to end the meeting. Rather, I think it is the opposite."
Ash smiles with painful eyes. He whispers as if apologizing, with feelings of regret, guilt, and affection
"Did I make a mistake that day?"
What I said, did it hurt you? If so, how much has it made you hurt?
"If so..."
"Mr. Jones."
Seeming like Karlyle wants Ash to leave him alone, Karlyle opens his mouth slowly. The voice is still the same. A hand touches the back of Ash's hand with a cold voice.
The hand that has reached out slowly takes Ash's finger out one by one. Ash's fingers holding Karlyle's wrist are slowly lifted off. After removing the last index finger, Karlyle retreats his hand. Ash's hand falls into the air.
"You are wasting my time."
A determined voice, as if Ash's words are not worth hearing anymore. That hurts. It is hard to smile.
He can't read Karlyle's inner feelings at all. Karlyle is so distant. It feels like he won't be answered, as if all sides are blocked by walls. Has everything ever been this difficult? Has it ever been this hard to understand someone's feelings?
But Ash immediately recalls the painting in Kyle's hand. He remembers the dark blue and purple that dazzle his eyes, and the smiling figure hidden in the shadows. The person who tried to find that painting is Karlyle.
He doesn't think a person who has worked so hard to save his mother's belongings can have forgotten him so easily.
There are people like that. Sometimes love burns like fire and burns the soul, but then it quickly burns out and becomes ashes. Ash has also been like that.
However, for a person who has never dated before, the man in front of him has spent so much time and effort to find the painting. The man opens his heart very slowly. It takes him two months to see the man's smile. It takes a long time to hear the man call him by his name. So Ash wants to believe.
That man still loves Ash Jones.
Ash shakes his head with sunken eyes. He erases the laughter.
"Sorry for causing you trouble."
Whether either of them is making mistakes, or whether Ash is just trying to be considerate, it doesn't matter now.
"But it can't be helped."
What's important is the emotion Ash believes.
"People in love often act like fools."
Because Ash Jones loves Karlyle.
"Don't you remember? There is one more left, our meeting."
Whatever wounds Karlyle may inflict, Ash is ready to welcome them all.
"A contract is a contract. I don't think Karlyle is a person who doesn't keep his words, right?"
Love is an act of colliding. Two apparently different people meet and hurt each other to be able to stay together side by side. If Karlyle had hundreds of thorns sprouted, Ash would happily stand beside him and receive hundreds of piercings.
"Let's meet again, we."
An affectionate voice, different from before, fills the hallway.
End vol 2