By Zephyria The sky was even cloudier than usual on the day of the party. Ashley frowned unconsciously at the sky, where dark clouds swirled as if it would snow heavily. He stopped fastening his cufflinks and fixed his gaze on the sky, and the butler, who was standing next to him attending to him, asked.
“Is something wrong?”
Ashley, brought back to reality by the elderly woman’s voice, shook his head.
“…No, nothing.”
After finishing what he was doing, he put on the jacket that the butler had prepared, and the servants immediately brought a full-length mirror in front of him. Ashley looked at himself in the mirror, made the final touches, and turned his head.
Now all the preparations were complete. As the staff quickly carried out the items that had filled the room, the butler asked.
“There’s still about an hour to spare. Would you like me to bring you some tea?”
“No, thank you. I appreciate it.”
After adding his thanks, she smiled and left the room.
The door closed, and Ashley, finally alone, let out a breath he had been holding in and slumped into a chair. What kind of party was it that required so much fuss? A headache washed over him, and he rubbed his temples.
He had attended countless parties so far. But it was the first time he had spent the entire day preparing. From drawing blood as soon as he woke up early in the morning to doing all sorts of ridiculous things.
“You haven’t had a health check since you came here.”
When Ashley asked what this was all about, Father’s secretary simply said that and left with the doctor who had drawn his blood. After that, he had breakfast, received a full-body massage, had lunch, finished his hair styling and nail care, and even shaved again.
After being dragged around like crazy, he returned to his room to find several suits and accessories lined up.
It’s the first time I’ve prepared this much.
Ashley sighed and tilted his head back. He thought he heard a faint rumble of thunder somewhere. After blinking blankly for a moment, he belatedly came to his senses and quickly reached for his cell phone. Fortunately, it was still daytime where Koi was.
– Ash.
The welcome voice flowed from the other side before the bell had even rung a few times. Feeling his lips crumble into a smile at the voice, which was as full of joy as his own, Ashley called his name.
“Hey, Koi. How have you been?”
– U-uh, uh-huh.
Koi hesitated before opening his mouth.
– Not really, I haven’t been good.
“Why?”
Ashley asked, even though he knew the answer. As expected, Koi replied in a small voice.
– You’re not here…
Ah, Koi.
Ashley took a deep breath, unable to cope with the overwhelming emotion in his chest.
“I’m sorry for leaving you alone on Christmas too.”
– Yeah…
Koi asked cautiously.
– Have you been very busy…?
“Yeah.”
I’ve been busy to the point of nausea. Ashley thought. But that was about to end. He would say that today’s party would be the last before he returned. This was enough. He had done his part.
Repeatedly resolving himself, Ashley opened his mouth.
“Sorry, I don’t think I’ll be able to bring you the gift. Orders are piling up at the end of the year.”
He had asked them to do it as quickly as possible, but he didn’t intend to wait. He would rush to Koi as soon as he was freed from this place. He was thinking of having the ring sent to the West Coast branch. It was impossible to wait until it was completed.
Above all, meeting Koi came first.
I want to go back to you as soon as possible.
– It’s okay.
Koi said without hesitation.
– I don’t know what you bought, but I don’t need it. I’m…
After a moment of silence, Koi confessed in a small voice.
– You’re the greatest gift.
“Me too.”
Ashley couldn’t contain his overflowing affection and immediately echoed his words.“There’s no gift in my life as great as you.”
He heard his own voice, faintly trembling. After exhaling a shaky breath, Koi asked from the other end of the line.
“Really?”
Koi, his eyes sparkling and face flushed red as he looked up at him, seemed to be right before his eyes. Ashley smiled broadly and said,
“Yeah.”
“That’s a relief.”
Hearing Koi’s voice, Ashley revised his plans. He would go to the airport right after the party tonight. He could call Father after buying the fastest plane ticket. Ashley felt like he would go crazy if he couldn’t see Koi any longer.
“Koi.”
“Yeah.”
Ashley spoke quickly at the immediate response.
“Just wait a little longer. I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay.”
Koi answered obediently as always.
“Don’t worry, I’ll always be waiting for you.”
For some reason, Ashley’s nose tingled. He hurriedly cleared his throat, but then he heard footsteps. It seemed like it was time to go out. Ashley barely suppressed the urge to run away and reasoned with himself.
This is the last time. Just bear with it one more time.
“Koi, I have to hang up now.”
“Okay……”
Koi’s voice trailed off as if he was also reluctant. Ashley resisted the urge to hug him right away and comforted him gently.
“We’ll see each other soon, Koi.”
“Okay.”
This time, Koi answered with strength.
“I’ll be waiting.”
Just then, a knock was heard, and Ashley could no longer delay. He said he loved him one last time and hung up the phone. The butler opened the door at the perfect moment and came in.
“It’s time to go downstairs.”
Ashley got up from his seat and put his cell phone in his pants pocket. Following the butler, he walked through the hallway and into the hall, where Father’s secretary and employees were waiting for him.
The secretary, after scanning Ashley’s suit once, fixed his gaze on his face and opened his mouth.
“The car is waiting, let’s go.”
“Just a moment.”
Before leaving, Ashley first laid down his conditions. Negotiations had to be completed before starting the job. There was no need to run away after the party. Couldn’t he get an answer from Father through the secretary now?
“I’ll go back immediately after the party.”
Ashley spoke first before the secretary could open his mouth.
“I’ve done everything Father has told me to do so far, enough, more than enough. I’m tired now, I’m going back.”
He issued an ultimatum.
“Tell him I won’t go to the party unless he promises that.”
The secretary, of course, didn’t say anything. In the deathly silence, she stared at Ashley’s face for a while before taking out his cell phone.
He pressed a button in front of Ashley and waited for a moment before opening his mouth. Ashley watched his mouth with inner tension as he recited the proposal he had made.
“……I understand.”
The secretary, who answered briefly, looked up at Ashley after ending the call.
“He said you can go. However.”
Before Ashley could even rejoice, he first presented a condition.
“If you carry out this party properly.”
“……Of course.”
A strange feeling swept through him, but Ashley didn’t have time to think deeply. His heart was so full of the fact that he would be able to see Koi soon that he couldn’t think of anything else. The secretary stared at him silently before turning around and walking towards the entrance. Ashley didn’t waste any more time and followed closely behind with large strides. This is the last time. Now I’m going back.
Koi.
Even while driving to the mansion on the outskirts where the party was being held, Ashley was smiling faintly with a fluttering heart. The secretary, even after seeing him like that, didn’t say anything and just sat there expressionlessly as usual.
*
It was a little after 8 p.m. when he arrived at the mansion where the party was being held. He was hungry because it was almost dinner time, but Ashley decided to hold back for now.
I can eat on the plane.
He could even eat the refreshments prepared in the VIP lounge while preparing for takeoff. Father would probably allow him to use a private jet after checking the situation after the party.
Anyway, eating wasn’t important now. Just think about making the party perfect. After making up his mind, Ashley got out of the car. The bodyguards and secretaries of the guests who had arrived earlier were standing around the spacious garden, looking around.
……What is it?
Ashley belatedly realized that something was wrong. The luxurious mansion, the expensive cars parked there, and the guests he saw here and there were no different from what he had seen at previous parties, but something felt off.
Without being able to grasp what it was, he moved his feet and entered the mansion. The mansion’s butler greeted them in the hall, which was brightly lit by countless dazzling chandeliers.
“Mr. Ashley Miller, thank you for attending today’s party.”
He bowed sharply and led the way. Ashley followed, concentrating on the faint noise he could hear.
……It’s strange.
The sense of unease grew stronger and stronger. His heart fluttered uneasily. What on earth is this? ……Why do I keep feeling like this?
“This is the place.”
Ashley, brought back to his senses by the butler’s voice, raised his head and saw him grabbing the doorknob and pulling it open.
The unpleasant noise of the ill-fitting hinges seemed to irritate his nerves, followed by a jumble of raucous moans and gluttonous laughter that numbed his ears. For a moment, Ashley stared blankly with wide eyes. An unfamiliar sight unfolded in his widened vision.
But before he could even figure out what this was, the first scent he had ever smelled captured him the moment he inadvertently inhaled.
“Gasp……”
Ashley stopped breathing and collapsed on the spot. He couldn’t stand up. His whole body went limp and his head went blank. His heart was racing like crazy and his pulse was swirling. He was gasping for breath and his chest felt like it was tearing apart.
In his panicked mind, he barely groped for his memories. Ashley knew what this was. He had experienced it only once. But Manifestation is only once in a lifetime. Then this is.
“It’s a rut.”
Father’s secretary said from above. In a cold voice as always.