Chapter 151: Airing It In The Street
Ashley froze, her breath hitching as her eyes widened, the firm press of his lips against hers stealing her thoughts. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears.
They had kissed many times, and done more... more than she could count.
Yet her heart still raced, even when his lips didn’t move.
But unlike usual, Lucian pulled away, stopping when their faces were only a palm’s length apart.
"Okay," he nodded, shifting closer to her on the bed. "I’ll start tonight—"
Before he could pull her legs down to position her under him, Ashley suddenly sprang away from the bed like a bolt of lightning.
He frowned, watching her clutch a pillow.
"Start tonight?!" she gasped, her face twisting. "I need to wake up early tomorrow to make Primo snacks! I have responsibilities, unlike you!"
Lucian cocked his head to the side. "I have responsibilities as well."
A moment of silence fell between them. Then, in a snap, he reached out, and at the same time, she jumped away again.
"Huh?" he paused, while Ashley pursed her lips.
"I’m staying in Primo’s room tonight!" she blurted, panicking as she rushed out. "Hehe! Goodnight!"
Lucian frowned, only to recall that it had been one of her wishes—to be chased. This was clearly not what she meant, but he shrugged and took it as it was.
Flinging his legs off the bed and slipping on his slippers, he called out, "Come here."
His voice was light, yet somehow it still reached Ashley.
"This house is really small," she muttered, glancing back toward the door as she shivered. Shaking her head, she hurried to Primo’s room, only to pause as she peeked inside.
Primo was already asleep.
"Damn it!" she hissed through gritted teeth. She looked back, and saw the door opening. "Shit!"
Without hesitation, Ashley bolted away from Primo’s room and dashed straight for the stairs. She was so fast that Lucian stopped when she ran past him. He turned, his gaze landing on the stairs.
Lucian stretched his neck from side to side, cracking it before determination flickered in his eyes.
*****
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Red and the others, who were lying flat on the floor staring at the dark ceiling, furrowed their brows at the loud, frantic knocking on their door.
"Who the hell...?" Rum muttered, his face twitching. "Is there trouble?"
"I’ll check," Gin said, pulling out his phone to make sure they weren’t being infiltrated or anything.
The others cautiously approached the door. When Rum peeked through the peephole, his brows knitted together before he turned to the rest.
"Why the hell is she here?" He muttered, and everyone knew exactly who he meant.
Rum opened the door, revealing Ashley. She was still clutching a pillow, already in her pajamas, and clearly out of breath.
The five men inside the empty house looked her up and down, utterly baffled. Before they could jump to conclusions, a man’s voice rang out from across the street.
"Come back here."
Ashley jumped in surprise, looking over her shoulder. The five bodyguards followed her gaze.
There, standing at the front door of the house across the street, was Lucian. One hand rested on his hip while the other gestured for her to return.
"Shit," she muttered, glancing back at the five of them. "Hey, you know... I think we’re really good friends and neighbors. Can I sleep here tonight?"
"Huh?" they echoed in unison. Then, at the same time, they repeated, "You? Sleep here tonight?"
Ashley nodded vigorously. "Can I?"
BAM!
The door slammed shut right in her face.
Her expression twisted as she glared at it. "Fine!" she yelled. "But remember this—I will never forget this! One day, you will all regret this!"
As soon as she finished her threats, she glanced back at Lucian’s house and saw him already stepping away from the door. She shot one last glare at the closed door before fleeing.
Inside, Red and the others turned to Gin, who had shut the door. Silence stretched between them until Rum suddenly spoke.
"Did she give the master a memo and turn him into an abusive husband or something?"
Because that was exactly how this looked.
"That unhinged witch..."
*****
Meanwhile, in the neighboring house, Nolan—who had been quietly writing at his desk—paused at the noise outside.
"Was that Madam?" he wondered, pushing himself up and walking to the window.
When he looked out, he saw Ashley and Lucian in the street, seemingly playing cat and mouse. Lucian called out to her with his arms stretched forward, while she shook her head and jogged faster to keep her distance.
Nolan blinked, tilting his head. "Couldn’t they sleep?" he murmured. "So they decided to take a night walk?"
He frowned slightly. "Strange... why are they in their pajamas?"
*****
"Why are you following me?! Are you a stalker?!"
Ashley’s voice echoed through the street, making Lucian stop in his tracks.
"Stalker?" he repeated, utterly confused. He placed his hands on his hips, then glanced back at how far they had strayed from home.
He opened his mouth, then closed it again before finally raising his hands in surrender.
"I’ll go back," he said, still confused about how things escalated this far. Then his gaze snapped back to her. "Do you... hate it that much?"
"Huh?" Ashley scrunched her nose. "Hate what?"
He raised his brows knowingly.
"...No."
He exhaled in relief. "Then why?"
"What do you mean, why?!" she snapped, pointing a finger at him. "It’s not about hate or liking it! It’s about my life!"
"Hmm?"
"You keep breaking your promises!" she shouted, loud enough to draw attention from the neighbors.
Windows began to open from the houses, and lights switched on in the other houses.
"Isn’t that the Master and Madam?" one whispered.
"Are they fighting?" another wondered. "Did she try to leave again?"
"I wonder what’s going on..."
As curious neighbors peeked out, Ashley’s next words hit them like a truck.
"You always say ’just one more’ and that you promise! I lost count of how many times you said it—that’s the only thing I remember—just one more!"
Windows slammed shut instantly at the verbal assault they hadn’t prepared themselves for.
"Why are they airing their marital affairs in public?" someone muttered.
"Just because this neighborhood belongs to Dominion doesn’t mean they can argue about that in the streets!"
Back in the middle of the road, Ashley hugged her pillow and narrowed her eyes at him.
Lucian, the guilty party, cleared his throat. "You noticed?"
"Hah!" she scoffed, placing a hand on her chest. "Seriously—wow!"
"I thought I was being subtle."
"Uh, God," she rubbed her nape, feeling it stiffen. "Ah, goodness. I think I’ll break down earlier than Gustav. I need his endurance."
"Hah! Stay back!" she warned, glaring at him. "Until you reflect and apologize sincerely, stop following me."
Lucian nodded. "Then where are you sleeping?"
"I’m going to—" Ashley looked around at the houses, only to see windows shutting and lights turning off one by one.
Lucian raised his brows at the speed of their neighbors.
Her face twisted. "These guys..."
"Just go home," Lucian said. "I won’t do anything."
"Really?"
"Really."
Ashley cleared her throat and straightened up. As she walked toward him, her steps slowed as she neared.
They locked eyes, sizing each other up.
The moment she stepped within reach, he reached out, and she jumped back.
"Haha! Bleh! I knew it! I know a scam when I hear it!" she laughed, sticking her tongue out. "If you want me home, make me."
"Don’t," he warned. "Test me."
She giggled and sprinted away the moment he took a step forward, hugging her pillow as she ran.
His expression darkened, eyes narrowing. He took a long step, and she darted to the side, clearly enjoying herself.
Lucian exhaled deeply, nodding as if coming to a decision.
When he rolled his shoulders back, the smile on her face faltered.
"Wait—why are you stretching?" she laughed nervously. "You don’t have to be so serious—ahh! Help!"
This time, Lucian chased her in earnest. After several minutes of cat and mouse, Ashley ended up slung over his shoulder, carried home like a sack of potatoes... one that wouldn’t stop kicking and screaming.