Kiss Me if You Can-Chapter 16Vol. 2 .1
Two weeks had passed since returning from the villa. In the meantime, Chase was diagnosed as okay, and Josh belatedly contacted his friends. Edna and Tommy must have been worried, because they kept yelling at him and asking if he was okay. It took a lot of creativity to just give them a vague answer without giving them a detailed answer. Anyway, Josh finished his explanation and hung up the phone with an indefinite promise to meet again later.
His return to the security team was still undecided. Mark, who had finally contacted him, said that Chase’s period had been extended again because he had to attend an event for the release of a movie.
“I heard they’re going to have you back next month.”
Mark hung up the phone without forgetting his encouragement. Before he went back to work, he had to decide with Chase how they would schedule their relationship going forward. The first thing Josh did was decide on a date for him and his mother to meet.
*
*
On the day Chase was supposed to visit, his mother woke up early in the morning and was busy. Even though he had hired a cleaning company the day before to do a thorough cleaning, he was running around the house again in the morning, vacuuming and dusting.
Josh woke up to his mother’s footsteps and the sound of the machine running, yawning and going down the stairs, but then stopped. His mother was walking around the kitchen, taking out all sorts of ingredients from the refrigerator and arranging them on the table.
“Mom, you don’t have to do this much.”
Chase had told his mother repeatedly the day before that he didn’t eat much, but his mother seemed to have a different opinion.
“But I still need to prepare a little. Oh, I’m so busy. Can you get the tapestry out of the garage? Hang it on the wall over there. Did you paint over the peeling paint on the back door? Josh, I told you. Oh, and mow the lawn and water it.”
Josh, unable to resist his mother’s nagging, ran around the house as she told him to. I checked that the paint I had applied the day before was completely dry, watered the lawn after mowing it, took out the tapestry my mother had saved, dusted it off, and hung it on the wall. I also didn’t forget to play with Pete, who had woken up in the meantime.
“What kind of clothes should I wear? I should have gone shopping yesterday. Is it okay since it’s our first day? Josh, I have some clothes on the bed. Take a look. What do you think would be good?”
“You look good in anything.”
Josh tried to say it sincerely, but it didn’t work.
“Josh, hurry up and go up.”
Josh had no choice but to go upstairs to his mother’s bedroom because of her firm order. There were three sets of clothes on the bed. Thinking about how she usually liked blue, he picked one and held it up. The yellow one-piece dress next to it also looked good.
Is this one brighter?
He thought about it for a moment, but it was still difficult. He asked Emma to do this, and after scratching his head, he eventually gave up and sent a message with pictures of each of the clothes. After a few anxious minutes, the long-awaited reply arrived.
[Green.]
With just one word, Emma’s message ended. Josh frowned and looked down at the two-piece he had put off. He half-heartedly carried it down, and his mother, who had been busy cleaning up the living room, looked up and her eyes sparkled.
“Oh, you thought so too. I’ll wear that today. You’re my son after all, Josh.”
His mother happily kissed his cheek and snatched the clothes back up to the room. Josh awkwardly squeezed his empty hand, then shrugged.
“Wait a minute, Pete.”
Josh turned on the TV after asking Pete, who was playing with the remote control, for permission. He had intended to watch a simple highway chase, but as he was changing channels, he stumbled upon an unexpected report.
[Chase Miller beat up the paparazzi again.]
Josh paused at the anchor's smoothly flowing words. The anchor continued talking with the guest in the still screen.
[Chase Miller's movie is about to be released, so this kind of scandal would be bad. Will it affect the movie's box office?]
[It depends on the degree. The critics' response was very good. But did that paparazzi go crazy? Why did he leave all the other stars alone and go crazy? Did he go crazy because he wanted to die?]
The guest deliberately chose provocative words and exaggerated his talk. They continued to list how cruelly Chase Miller had treated the paparazzi, and began a conversation that had no answer, such as how much the stars would reveal about their private lives and whether they would only view the paparazzi negatively. Josh, who was watching, was extremely anxious. If Pete hadn't been playing with the car at the foot of the stairs, he would have sworn at him right away.
Stop talking nonsense and show me the screen.
Josh, who had been holding back his anger with his fists clenched, quickly straightened up when the screen he had been waiting for finally appeared.
The beginning of the incident was completely unknown. All that was visible on the screen was a paparazzi pointing a camera at Chase, Chase snatching it away, the bodyguards trying to stop him, and Chase beating the paparazzi until the camera he snatched was shattered into pieces, kicking him as he fell, and finally strangling him.
Oh no.
Josh, who had been staring blankly at the screen, hurriedly picked Pete up and held him in his arms. Pete, who had no idea what was happening, rolled the car on Josh's shoulder and imitated the engine sound with his mouth. Josh habitually patted the child's back and thought blankly.
What the heck is that… … .
“What the hell is that?”
When did she come down, his mother screamed. Josh, panicked, tried to change the channel, but it was too late. His mother stared at the screen with surprised eyes and kept saying, “Oh my god, oh my god.” Even as she did, the same scene kept playing on TV. Josh couldn’t do anything and just broke out in a cold sweat.
Finally, the screen changed and the anchor appeared.
[It’s been a long time since Chase Miller got that angry. He’s supposed to be in recovery for 12 weeks, right? That paparazzi.]
The guest answered her.
[There hasn’t been a paparazzi that has ever shot a camera that big before.]
The guest seemed to have a bad impression of the paparazzi, so he was somewhat friendly, but the anchor was not.
[Isn’t it something that stars have to accept when their private lives are exposed? I think Chase Miller went too far. I just hope this doesn't affect the film.]
Josh soon realized why she was so negative about Chase.
[I really liked the original, too.]
That meant she was also a fan of Chase's role, Dr. Flame. In other words, she was a 'flamer'. The guest seemed to notice this fact and said curiously.
[What more can I say about Chase Miller's acting skills? I'm also really looking forward to this film.]
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.
But the anchor was still negative. She finished her speech with an unpleasant face.
[Acting and personality are not necessarily proportional.]
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
The anchor smiled as if she was joking and soon moved on to the next topic. However, anyone who wasn't a fool could tell that she wasn't joking. Until then, his mother, who had been watching the screen, shook her head and said.
"No matter how much the paparazzi bother you, it's scary. You should've just changed the channel so Pete wouldn't see it."
Josh answered his mother's scolding dryly.
“I’m holding you like this.”
At that moment, Pete, who had sprung up from Josh’s arms, drove along his back. His mother shrugged as she saw the back of her child making the engine noise, “Woow.”
“Then that’s okay. Anyway, there really are all sorts of people.”
His mother shook her head again and looked at the clock on the wall, startled.
“It’s already this much time? We should get ready. Josh, what are you doing? You should wash up and change your clothes too. Even though it’s our home, we’re still coming to greet each other. While you’re showering, wash up Pete too.”
His mother had forgotten to buy her own clothes the day before, but she hadn’t forgotten to buy new clothes for Pete. When Josh went to his room, Pete’s clothes that his mother had prepared in advance were on the bed.
… … It’ll be okay, right?
He felt anxious inside, took off Pete’s clothes, and went into the bathroom with him. Since his mother didn’t know much about celebrities or famous people, there was a high chance that she wouldn’t recognize him. Josh consoled himself that it was probably like that, and quickly gave Pete a bath.
There was only about an hour left until Chase was supposed to come.
*@Punhap*
“Hey, why are you so restless? You’re driving me crazy.”
His mother, who was serving the food she had prepared early, frowned and scolded Josh. Josh just smiled awkwardly and had nothing else to say.
Time continued to pass. The time Chase would show up was also getting closer.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of an approaching car’s engine. He quickly looked outside the living room window and saw a familiar car slowing down and stopping in front of the house. It was Emma.
“Wow, what’s wrong with the house?”
As soon as he entered the living room, Emma’s eyes widened. She had also taken a special vacation to meet Josh’s partner today. She was wearing a suit, which was unusual, and she whispered as she passed Josh.
“It’s Chanel.”
Josh thought that she didn’t have to put in that much effort, but later remembered that the two-piece she had chosen for her mother also had the same logo on it. Emma went even further and confidently declared, pushing her blonde hair over her shoulder.
“Every woman should have at least one Chanel piece. For times like this.”
“When, what time?”
Emma glared at Josh, who really didn’t understand.
“I’m talking about taking the lead. First impressions are important.”
She then crossed her arms and muttered to herself in a combative manner.
“I’ll show you exactly how much of a beauty you are that you two fell for each other so much.”
Unlike outside, at home, Emma often heard people call her a pumpkin or ugly.
This time, it seemed like he had come hard. Emma had been really angry at Josh for teasing her like he always did. But Josh had said this for the first and last time.
“No one thinks blood relatives are pretty.”
That was true, but Emma had taken it to heart. Josh still couldn’t say that his sister was pretty, even if his mouth was torn, but he knew that she wasn’t pretty. That’s why he had been so exhausted during his school days chasing away the flies that followed him.
Come to think of it.
“How’s the company these days, Emma?”
At Josh’s question, Emma disarmed herself for a moment and returned to being her normal sister, complaining.
“A new employee came in, and he’s a total mess. Even if I teach him how to do things, he keeps making mistakes, and you know, he only fails at the things I tell him to do? Are you trying to make a fool of me? Everything else is fine, so no matter how angry I get, no one agrees. They say that people can make mistakes, right? No, why do they make mistakes only when I tell them to?”
Josh, who had been staring blankly at his brother who was exploding with anger, opened his mouth.
“What does that guy look like?”
“He’s a gorilla.”
Josh sighed inwardly at the evaluation that ended with one word. You really hate muscles.
“Emma, I think… … .”
Just as Josh opened his mouth, the sound of engines was heard outside again. This time, it wasn’t just one, but several.
“Are you coming?”
His mother, who had finished getting ready and came out to the living room, asked in an excited voice. Josh stared out the window. He was sure of it when he saw the black sedans lined up. Emma blinked in surprise and said.
“What? Josh, how many opponents are there to have so many cars?”
“One.”
Josh answered hurriedly, feeling embarrassed. Emma still couldn't take her eyes off the cars outside the window.
"Why are there so many people here when there's only one? There's a lot of families over there?"
"No, that's not it."
There was no more room to mumble or delay. Chase would get out of the car and show up soon.
"Uh-huh, over there."
Josh cleared his throat and was about to start talking when his mother suddenly spoke.
"When I see those cars, I'm reminded of the article I saw earlier. Well, what kind of actor is he? He beats people up on the street? Even on the screen, he's so scary."
Josh was taken aback, but Emma seemed to already know and responded indifferently.
"Oh, Chase Miller? He's trash, that guy."
"Emma!"
Josh shouted without realizing it. The mother and Emma looked at Josh at the same time and blinked as if asking what was going on. But Josh was speechless at that moment.
“No, Pete can hear.”
When he made a pitiful excuse, his mother agreed with him without knowing what he was thinking.
“Yeah, Emma. You should be careful what you say when the kid can hear you.”
She then added something Josh didn’t want.
“What if Pete grows up to be violent like that actor?”
“Well, even Chase Miller swears whenever he opens his mouth.”
After seeing Emma nodding in agreement, Josh was left speechless. He had no choice but to leave it to the heavens.
Just as he was thinking that, the doorbell rang.
“Oh, I guess you’re home.”
Emma said, quickly moving away from the window. Her mother followed suit, and Josh, who had been standing by the window until the end, also started walking.
The clear bell rang again. Emma and her mother, who had hurriedly checked each other, took a deep breath and turned around.
“Welcome.”
Her mother, who had opened the front door and smiled warmly, spoke the words she had prepared as she faced the sturdy man wearing dark sunglasses.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Jacqueline. I’ve been waiting for you.”
She offered to shake his hand first, but the man didn’t take her hand. Josh knew him. He was the head of Chase’s security team. He paused for a moment when he saw Josh standing behind his mother, but soon opened his mouth with a blunt, emotionless face.
“Is this Mr. Bailey’s house?”
“… … Yes, that’s right.”
Her mother, who had withdrawn her hand with an embarrassed expression, glanced behind the man, perhaps realizing that something was strange. A few more men appeared, and soon the front of the house was filled with men in black suits.
“This is ominous.”
Emma muttered to herself next to Josh.
“I’ve seen this a lot, when our CEO makes a move, it’s always like this.”
Josh swallowed dryly without realizing it. Emma immediately looked up at him, not missing the sound.
“Who the hell are you dating, Josh?”
When she asked with a voice full of suspicion, he finally showed up.
“Huh?”
Emma let out a strange exclamation as she saw the man get out of the car and straighten up. It was a short phrase, but it contained all sorts of bad emotions: confusion, suspicion, anxiety, nervousness, etc. She quickly turned her gaze to Josh and looked out the door again.
No way.
The man walked briskly toward the mansion where they were waiting, holding a large bouquet of flowers. The man, a shiny blond man who matched the gorgeous bouquet of roses perfectly, wore dark sunglasses, and had a distinct mark engraved on one ear.
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
Emma still looked back and forth between Josh and him with an expression of disbelief. Her mother also blinked in confusion and watched him approach.
Leaving the men in black suits behind, he climbed the stairs and soon stood at the front door to face them.
“Hello, nice to meet you.”
He took off his sunglasses and handed his mother a bouquet of flowers with a bright smile. His deep purple eyes sparkled brilliantly.
“I’m Chase Miller.”
At that moment, Emma and her mother even forgot to breathe.
*@Punhap*
The residential area was quiet. Even under the languidly bright sunlight, there were about ten men in black suits crowded in front of one house, but nothing had changed. On one afternoon when even the air seemed to float leisurely around, they were sitting around the table.
“… … .”
“… … .”
The silence, no different from usual, continued. However, what made it seem different was the presence of a strange man among them. The peaceful silence that was always felt was now unbearable.
Her mother’s plan was simple. She would welcome the guests, exchange simple greetings, have a meal, drink tea, and chat before parting ways. Then, the remaining family members would share their evaluations of Josh’s partner. That was all.
In order to proceed with her plan, she tried to say hello to Chase first. However, despite his bright smile toward her, she couldn’t speak at all because of a certain scene that was floating around in her head. It was the scene of Chase beating the paparazzi to death with his camera.
“It’s trash.”
Emma recalled what she had said to her mother, and so did her mother. At this moment, even Josh was no different.
Her mother struggled to think that she had to end this situation as planned. She forced a smile and greeted him, and guided Chase inside the house to the table where the food was set. And now, everyone was sitting around the table in deathly silence.
The only one who was calm was Chase. He took some potato salad from the bowl his mother had handed him and handed it to Josh, who silently repeated the action and then handed it to Emma. Then, several bowls went around the table one by one and returned to their original places.
For a while, the only sound between them was the clanking of cutlery, and no one said a word. Even Pete, who usually drew attention by being noisy, was right next to Josh and just kept an eye on him. The only difference was that he couldn’t take his eyes off Chase the whole time, even if he was glancing around.
“Ahem.”
His mother finally made up her mind and cleared her throat before opening her mouth.
“I heard you’re an actor, right?”
“Yes.”
Chase answered in a smooth tone.
“I’ve been filming since I was little, but you might know… … .”
When Chase said the name of the product, his mother opened her eyes wide in surprise.
“That chocolate bar!”
“Yes.”
Chase nodded.
“That’s it.”
His mother quickly stammered with a confused expression.
“Oh my, that… … . It was a girl?”
Chase smiled at his mother, who was trying to somehow overlap the face of the tall man in front of her with the face of the lovely girl.
“I dressed up as a woman for the concept. There was a scene like that in this movie too.”
“You filmed a commercial for a chocolate bar?”
“Hahahaha.”
Chase laughed out loud at his mother’s question. It was the first time he had seen him smile like that. His mother, Emma, and even Josh looked at him in surprise. Chase continued to speak with a smile on his face.
“No, that’s not it. There is a scene in the movie where the character dresses up as a woman. Because of my height, there are scenes where he is mostly sitting down… … .”
He added softly after saying that.
“If it’s okay, would you like to go see it with me on the first day?”
“How? I’m sure all the tickets are sold out.”
When Josh asked curiously, Chase turned his head to look at him and answered.
“There’s a movie theater at home. It would be great if Pete could come too.”
Oh, that’s right. Josh remembered that fact and nodded. There were a few other buildings in the mansion besides the main house that Chase used most of the time, and the movie theater was one of them. He’d never seen it used, but he’d always been amazed by the state-of-the-art equipment and the huge screen when he went in to guard it.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a movie theater. How do you get tickets these days? Do you do it online?”
His mother asked curiously. Josh was about to promise his mother that they’d go to the movie theater together next time, but Chase spoke before he could.
“We have ticketing and a concession stand, so come and watch comfortably.”
“There is something like that in the house!"
“Oh? Oh my.”
Emma, who had interrupted without realizing it, quickly shut her mouth. Chase smiled and nodded at her.
“We made it as similar as possible to a theater. You can do everything from buying tickets at the ticket booth to everything else that’s in a theater, so it won’t be much different.”
On the day, he would place someone at the booth and make the atmosphere as similar as possible to a theater. He might even buy some audience members to watch with him and let them in. Josh, who had imagined that day, suddenly made eye contact with Chase.
Even Josh, who thought he had seen his face so many times, was mesmerized by Chase’s smiling face. Not to mention his mother, Pete also stopped his fork from dipping his pancakes and looked at Chase.
The only person whose soul wasn’t taken away was Emma.
