Chapter 227 I Was Tired Last Night
The phone screen had no signal, just a justice-themed screensaver with a gavel.
Damian noticed her screensaver for the first time and saw the white text saying: [It's a good day.]
Ashley's calves were cramping from exhaustion, so she sat down against the wall, not caring about her image.
Seeing her on the ground, Damian recalled the last time he saw her sitting on the curb outside the prison. It was hard to believe she was the pampered daughter of the Astor family.
Patrick suddenly realized, "Oh! It's Valentine's Day. Lots of people will be showing off their love."
He glanced at the two in front of him. "Got any plans?"
Damian, leaning against the wall with one leg bent, asked, "Any suggestions?"
Patrick got excited. "Last Valentine's Day, I set up a candlelight dinner on a yacht for our boss. Rose petals everywhere, from the moment they boarded to the dining table and bedroom. Never seen so many petals."
Damian scoffed, "So cliché."
Patrick's broken hand throbbed, but he asked, "What about you?"
Damian had never done anything romantic for Ashley, let alone something as cliché as giving flowers.
Ashley pouted, "Nothing at all."
Patrick realized two things: they were a couple, and the guy wasn't romantic.
Patrick, who had seen enough romance despite no personal experience, offered advice. "You gotta sweet-talk women and give gifts, especially on holidays. Don't miss any. Buy what needs to be bought, don't be stingy, and don't try to reason with them!"
Ashley laughed, "If you know so much, why don't you have a girlfriend?"
Patrick laughed awkwardly, "No money, no looks. Which girl would like me?"
Not wanting to hurt his pride, Ashley changed the subject, looking up at the sky. "Why hasn't anyone come yet?"
Damian said, "The nearest police station is in town. With their efficiency, it'll be good if they arrive before dawn."
Ashley sighed and looked at Damian. "Are you just going to stand there? Planning to be a statue?"
She patted the ground beside her, then pulled some dry grass to spread out. "Don't be so reserved. Sit down; who knows how long we'll be waiting."
Patrick added, "These guys are really slow. Just sit and wait."
Catching wind of a gangster's grievances about law enforcement, Ashley laughed, "From the way you talk, you've had a lot of encounters with them?"
Patrick was embarrassed. "Not that many times."
A single night wouldn't tire Damian out, but sitting next to Ashley and looking at the sky was tempting. So he adjusted his trousers and sat down gracefully, his shoulder touching hers. "Are you tired?"
With his reminder, Ashley started yawning, "Not really."
Damian pressed her head against his shoulder. "Stop pretending. Sleep."
Patrick shrank into a corner, feeling like a third wheel. If he could, he'd climb out.
Damian shot him a glare. "Close your eyes."
Patrick obediently turned away.
Ashley held out for about fifteen minutes before she dozed off against Damian.
The night dragged on, with mountain winds rustling the flowers and leaves at the cave entrance.
Distant animal roars echoed occasionally.
Damian gently touched her soft face, noticing her long eyelashes, fair skin, and the dirt on her nose and cheeks, which looked surprisingly cute.
A smile crept onto his lips.
With her steady breathing, Damian leaned down, kissed her forehead, and closed his eyes for a light sleep.
It was the worst sleeping environment he'd ever experienced, but he managed to get some rest.
After a few hours of fleeting dreams, he woke up to daylight.
The rescue police had finally arrived.
Ashley was the first to go up. Damian looked at the rough, simple rope. "That's it?"
The policeman reaching down into the cellar said, "What else?"
Ashley wasn't picky. "It's fine, we came down with a rope yesterday, too."
Damian frowned. "I'll lift you up."
He clasped his hands together and bent down for Ashley to step on. "Hold the wall; keep your balance."
Ashley followed his instructions, and he easily lifted her to shoulder height until the policeman grabbed her wrist and pulled her up.
Patrick and the policeman were stunned, wondering if Damian was a special forces soldier.
Then Damian casually tied Patrick up and had the policeman pull him up.
The policeman said, "You're the last one. Tie the rope, and we'll pull you up!"
Ashley, now settled and drinking water, uneasily walked to the cellar entrance and saw Damian climbing the dirt wall with his bare hands, effortlessly leaping up.
That light, steady landing was almost like flying.
He could have climbed up on his own!
Why didn't he come out last night?
Seeing the doubt in Ashley's eyes, Damian dusted off his clothes and said calmly, "I was tired last night, didn't have the strength."
Ashley choked on her water.
If Patrick hadn't been down there too, what would the police think?
After rescuing them, the police began to survey the scene. The bloodstains from last night were still there, and the ground was covered with signs of a fight.
A policeman, holding a notepad, asked Damian incredulously, "You said you fought six people by yourself?"
Ashley realized Damian had sent her to the cellar because he was worried she'd be easily captured if someone showed up.
Shaking her head, Ashley decided not to believe this deduction.
Damian nonchalantly said, "Is there a problem?"
The policeman was taken aback, looking at his dusty but imposing figure. "What's your name?"
