Arranged Marriage

Week 4 (2)

The AU is finally back after 2-week break 😁😁

*****

"I think I can come."

Ash blinks at his answer, he looks at him questioningly. His body is completely turned to face Karlyle. Ash grabs his shoulders, lowers his head and whispers in his ear.

"Karlyle, don't force yourself. It's okay. I can go after our meeting."

"I can go. After all, this is nothing compared to what you've done for me so far, Mr. Jones. Why don't we participate for a while then revise the documents, and tell them about our breakup after today?"

"But...."

Ash furrows. His expression seems complicated. Is it bothersome to encounter unexpected situations when their relationship is ending? His suggestion might be troublesome for Ash.

"I apologize if I was presumptuous."

"No. I'm sorry for being a bother to you, Karlyle."

"It isn't a bother."

Participating in uncomfortable situations is something he's done his whole life, so he doesn't mind this. While they are talking, behind them, Natalie calls Ash again.

"Ashley, can you be lovey dovey with your lover somewhere else? I'm missing Clark now."

At the word "lover", both Ash and him turn to Natalie.

"So are you going?"

Ash takes one last look at him, then he nods.

"We are."

"Hooray, I'm excited. This is our first family gathering! Then Ashley, now you have to help me buy groceries."

So this is why she came to this department store.

"You don't usually go buy groceries in places like this."

"I have all the ingredients, but I came here to buy alcohol and snacks. And some gifts for Nana and Papa as well."

As the conversation continues, Karlyle thinks for a moment, then opens his mouth.

"Let me prepare their gifts. You're doing all the cooking already, and that'll take quite some time. So allow me to do this."

Natalie claps her hands.

"Ash, you've found yourself an incredibly wonderful husband, you know? If I didn't know that he was your fiance, I would fall in love with him at first sight."

"Does Clark know about this?"

"Don't you know it's just a joke? I have eyes for Clark only. What I'm saying is that Karlyle can captivate everyone. You are really too lucky to have him, too lucky."

What Natalie says is weird. There's no way anyone would feel lucky to have him. Actually, he is the one lucky to have Ash.

"So you are pushing your work on someone you meet for the first time?"

"I'm not slacking off! And did you see how Mr. Frost here picked up my handkerchief so nicely earlier ? We, Nana and Papa are also aristocrats, but we don't really seem so. I feel like I'm watching a drama while seeing Mr. Frost."

Natalie seems like a quirky woman. She says and acts with no hesitation, unlike her slim and mature appearance.

"You can call me Karlyle."

Since Ash calls him Karlyle, it'd be better to tell Natalie to call him the same. Then, Natalie calls him the same way Ash does right away with no hint of awkwardness.