By Zephyria 
“Give what?”
Koi, who gently pushed Ashley away, who was looking puzzled, took two steps back from him. Seeing Koi moving away, Ashley immediately frowned and became wary. Just as he was about to reach out to grab Koi again, Koi knelt down on one knee in front of him. Taking advantage of Ashley’s hesitation at the unexpected action, Koi took out a ring from his pants pocket and held it out.
“Marry me, Ashley Miller.”
Ashley didn’t say anything. Was he embarrassed? Well, he must be surprised. Ashley opened his mouth to Koi, whose mouth was naturally open with pride.
“Koi.”
“Yeah.”
As soon as he answered, Ashley unexpectedly crossed his arms with a serious face. Seeing Koi hesitate at the unexpected expression, he opened his mouth.
“What do you think we’re doing tomorrow?”
Only then did Koi realize why Ashley was making such an expression, and his face turned bright red.
“Well, um, that’s true, but.”
Koi stammered and hurriedly added an explanation.
“I didn’t propose properly… and when I asked you to marry me before, it was kind of vague…”
Ashley’s expression still didn’t soften. Was the explanation not enough? Koi hesitated and confessed, taking a deep breath.
“I saw the ring. The one you put in the drawer.”
Ashley’s expression changed subtly. Koi carefully asked, feeling his gaze fixed on him as if he had heard something unexpected.
“That… was it for me when you were in high school?”
Ashley didn’t answer. But Koi had already heard the answer. He quickly composed himself, feeling a strange tingling in his nose, and continued in as calm a voice as possible.
“So I thought I should propose to you again. And buy a ring with my own money.”
“…You bought this?”
Only then did Ashley open his mouth. It was only a few words, but Koi felt like he had caught a glimpse of the complex emotions contained within them.
“My friends helped me choose the design. I made the final choice.”
Ashley was inwardly surprised. Did Koi have that much money? Since Koi had said earlier that he had bought the ring with his own money, he must not have used the card Ashley had given him. Ashley didn’t mind Koi spending his money lavishly, but he didn’t like Koi earning money on his own. Ashley wanted Koi to have no ability to earn money, so that he would rely on Ashley more and not even think about becoming independent.
He’s doing repair work on the house, but that doesn’t make much money, so I thought I could turn a blind eye to it.
If necessary, there was only one way.
I need to check with Bernice to see if they’ve built a panic room in the mansion.
Unaware of Ashley’s thoughts, Koi said.
“I’ve been saving money diligently, you know… That’s why I’ve been going to work. I wanted to buy your ring with my own money.”
He makes this much money from that job?
Ashley could roughly guess the price because he had seen the brand name written on the ring case. It would be almost impossible to buy a ring like this just by fixing houses. Or am I completely unaware of the market price? Just as he was thinking that, Koi continued.
“Um, but I didn’t have enough money… so I told your secretary to pay for it first.”
There seemed to be more to the story. Koi took a deep breath as if he had made up his mind, as Ashley waited silently.
“I’ll pay you back, even if it takes years, so I want you to lend me that money.”
Ashley blinked a couple of times at the unexpected words.
“Lend it to you?”
Not just ask for it?
Koi nodded at Ashley, who asked again.
“Yeah, I want to buy the ring with my own money. So lend it to me.”
The slightly unpleasant feeling disappeared in an instant. Ashley felt his heart pounding and opened his mouth.
“You’re going to pay it all back, right?”
“Of course. Everything, no matter how long it takes, I’ll pay it all back.”
Koi answered emphatically, unaware of the dark intentions. He had no idea that another shackle had been created. Ashley’s lips relaxed, and a smile spread across his face. Seeing that expression, Koi felt his face heat up and opened his mouth again.
“You’ll marry me, Ash, right?”
His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would break his ribs. Couldn’t I have said something nicer? He regretted it too late. Koi waited for a response, feeling his heart pounding wildly.
Ashley tilted his head back, exhaled, and then looked down again. When their eyes met, Ashley’s eyes narrowed slightly. Then, before he could even understand the meaning, Ashley grabbed Koi’s arm and pulled him in.
“Ah…!”
Koi cried out involuntarily and was pulled into Ashley’s arms. Ashley hugged Koi tightly, buried his nose in his neck, and took a deep breath. Haha, a low laugh was heard again. This time he could understand the meaning. Koi carefully hugged Ashley back.
“I love you, Ash.”
He had said it many times, but it wasn’t enough. Koi apologized to Ashley again.
“I’m sorry for making you wait so long.”
Ashley didn’t answer. He just hugged Koi tightly and remained still. Only after what felt like a long time did Koi carefully push Ashley away. Leaving Ashley with one arm still around Koi’s waist, he took his left hand and put the ring on it.
“Hehe.”
Koi smiled with a flushed face as he looked at the ring on Ashley’s long, strong finger, and Ashley also smiled and kissed his lips.
“I’m glad you like it. I really worried a lot about buying this…”
As Koi chattered in relief, Ashley asked.
“So, when can you pay back all that money?”
Koi thought for a moment at the sweet voice and answered carefully.
“About… 3 years?”
Ashley’s brow furrowed. Only 3 years?
“That’s too short.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
When Koi asked, not hearing the low murmur, Ashley smiled as if nothing was wrong.
“Okay, do that.”
Just as Koi was relieved by the readily returned permission, Ashley seemed to be looking at his ringed hand and then turned his gaze back to Koi.
“Koi, but there’s only one ring?”
“Huh?”
Ashley pointed out, blinking blankly at the unexpected remark.
“You should have an engagement ring too. Don’t you have one?”
Ah.
At Koi’s reaction, who was just opening his mouth and freezing, Ashley made a disappointed expression.
“You don’t have one.”
“Oh, oh, um… that’s.”
He tried to make excuses urgently, but Ashley didn’t listen.
“I prepared it more than 10 years ago…”
Koi turned pale at his reaction, which trailed off with a deep sigh.
“No, no, I have to have one. Yeah, I’ll buy it, I’ll buy an engagement ring too…!”
While desperately waving his arms and trying to get out of the situation, Koi’s mind became a mess. An engagement ring? How am I going to buy that? I borrowed money to buy the wedding ring, so if I buy an engagement ring too…
“Don’t worry, I’ll lend you that money too.”
Ashley said as if he had read Koi’s mind. Borrowing money again? Koi’s mind went blank, but when he met Ashley’s face looking down at him, he couldn’t bring himself to say it was okay. Ashley was looking at Koi with an expression full of anticipation and smiling more brightly than ever before.
In the end, Koi had no choice but to nod as if possessed. Then Ashley hugged Koi tightly as if he had been waiting for it.
“Can I choose the engagement ring design?”
Koi answered absentmindedly to the question from above.
“Oh, yeah. Do that.”
“I’m happy, Koi.”
Ashley smiled and kissed Koi’s lips. As he responded to the deepening kiss, Koi barely managed to recall in his dazed mind. The wedding ring is 3 years, so if I calculate the engagement ring similarly… 6 years wasn’t that long. Ashley is so looking forward to it. He thought that was fine.
Of course, Koi didn’t know it then. The fact that he would still be paying off his debt even after 10 years.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Ashley smiled back at Koi’s words and whispered, “Yeah.” After a sweet night, the morning of the wedding finally dawned.