My One-Sided Love

2. I will pay you

San Lu's heart burned as he threw his coat onto the table and retreated to the balcony. With a heavy sigh, he retrieved his cigarette case and lit one, the glowing ember illuminating the turmoil within him. These past few days had left him feeling utterly helpless, a sensation he had never experienced before. He could have refused his father's proposal, rejected the idea of being engaged to that wicked woman, but instead, he chose to bear the weight upon his heart, accepting the engagement with a heavy conscience. After all, this was a test he had to conquer, and he was San Lu—a man who would stop at nothing to achieve success.

Clenching his fists and gritting his teeth in a desperate panic, San Lu was consumed by his thoughts, unaware of the ringing phone nearby. When he finally snapped back to reality, he snuffed out the cigarette and answered the call, the smoke dispersing into the air.

"Speak”

A voice spoke from the other end, relaying a message that instantly stirred a response within him. "I am coming," he declared, abruptly ending the conversation before throwing the phone down and making his way to the bathroom for a shower.

As he descended the staircase, his footsteps came to an abrupt halt. There, in the living room, sat a beautiful woman on the couch. San Lu's cold eyes remained dark, his angular face devoid of any expression.

Mrs. Peng, noticing San Lu's presence, chuckled and beamed with delight. "Look who's here! Come, Matthew, someone has come to see you."

Ignoring Mrs. Peng's remarks, San Lu's gaze fixated on the woman before him. Her hopeful smile tugged at his heart, a heart that had been burdened by the engagement they had sealed just the night before. He held his emotions in check and cautiously approached her, the weight of his decision evident.

"Hi, San," Lily Black greeted him warmly, her eyes sparkling with admiration for the handsome and elegant man before her. San Lu regarded her coldly, his hands finding solace within the confines of his pockets.

"What are you doing here?" he questioned, his tone ice-cold.

Concern etched across her face, Lily responded, her smile faltering slightly. "You left our engagement party last night. I was worried about your health. Are you alright?"

San Lu nodded curtly.

Lily Black sat on the couch, anticipation filling her eyes, when Mr. Lu's heavy voice resonated through the room. "Lily wanted to do shopping with you. Why don't you go with her today?" he suggested, sitting down right behind her. San Lu's gaze shifted from his father to Lily, his expression remaining cold and distant.

"I have Lu Corporation to handle. Excuse me," he stated brusquely, abruptly leaving the living room and striding out of the villa, leaving everyone stunned in his wake. Lily clenched her teeth in anger, while Mrs. Peng chuckled heartily, seemingly amused by the situation.

Attempting to defuse the tension, Mr. Lu intervened, his voice strained. "There seems to be something wrong with the business. He will take you shopping on another day." Lily turned back to face Mr. Lu, managing a forced smile.

"I understand. Then I'll go," she replied, her tone tinged with disappointment.

"Stay for lunch," Mrs. Peng interjected, her voice filled with insincerity. Lily glanced at Mrs. Peng with a sarcastic look in her eyes.

"I'll stay for lunch when he himself asks me to," she retorted, then turned her head to address Mr. Lu. "I'll take my leave now."

Mrs. Peng and Mr. Lu watched as the beautiful woman left their villa, her departure clouded by San Lu's rude behavior.

…

The warm evening sun cast an amber hue over the surroundings, mirroring the unrest in San Lu's heart. Lost in thought, he stared out at the horizon, his intentions concealed from the world. Assistant Harry stood silently behind him, observing his broad and cold back, awaiting further instructions. San Lu had summoned him to his cabin, but had remained silent since.

After a long pause, San Lu finally spoke in a low, deep voice, breaking the silence.

"Did you do what I asked you to do this morning?" he inquired.

Assistant Harry nodded.

"Yes, we've purchased every bar in the city and collected information about the high-profile prostitution business," he relayed swiftly.

San Lu acknowledged the update, then turned to face Assistant Harry, his dark eyes piercing.

"Good," he murmured, lighting a cigarette for himself. Assistant Harry observed the sparkling golden wristwatch in San Lu's pale palm as wisps of smoke danced through the air, obscuring the stoic face behind the haze.

“Do you know what you are going to do next?” His heavy words collided in ears and Assistant Harry nodded quickly.

“Yes”

San Lu smoked deeply and threw the cigarette in the ashtray, grabbed his coat, and left the cabin elegantly. Assistant Harry turned back and looked at the long legs of the man who was leaving the cabin. He had such a dashing personality.

…

The bouncers bowed to the dashing man and opened the giant door for him. San Lu entered the bar while buttoning his coat. He sat on his fixed chair near the counter and the boy brought his favorite whisky then served. San Lu waved his palm and the boy left. After three quarters, San Lu raised his eyes and looked around to search for the woman whom he had brought with him last night. Suddenly, his eyes stopped at one of the corners of the bar.

“Darling, sit here.” The man was dragging the woman closer to him. The woman sat on his thighs and wrapped her long arms around his neck with a pretending smile. San Lu gulped the whisky while looking at both of them.

“I will take you to heaven. Sleep with me tonight.” The man in the black suit was rubbing his palm on her soft and bare back.

“You know you will have to pay a big amount?” She chuckled and asked while playing with his hair.

“Shhhhh… I will hand over my property, darling.” He buried his face on her chest.

San Lu's unease grew, and he hastily gulped down his whisky, his frown deepening. His heart raced within his chest, filled with an unsettling mix of anticipation and discomfort. Lust and greed glimmered in the man's eyes as he passionately caressed the woman's half-bare body. His hands found her slender waist, lifting her slowly as she wrapped her long legs around him, wearing a pretentious smile.

"Control yourself. Save it for the bedroom," she whispered. But the man ignored her plea, drawing closer and burying his face in her chest, inhaling deeply.

Unable to bear the sight, San Lu slammed his glass onto the counter, a scowl etched on his face. He exchanged a glance with one of the bouncers, silently conveying his annoyance. The bouncer approached discreetly, interrupting the lustful encounter.

"Excuse me, Madam. Can you please step aside? We need to have a word with him," the bouncer politely requested.

The man raised his head from her chest, confusion clouding his face. Sensing the shift, the beautiful woman disentangled herself from him, moving away. In an instant, the bouncer swiftly delivered a punch, striking the man's face, sending him crashing to the ground along with his chair.

Stunned by the sudden turn of events, the woman stared at the bouncer in fear. Within moments, someone grabbed her hand and forcefully pulled her out of the bar.

Struggling, she protested, demanding answers.

"Let go of me! Who are you?"

San Lu released her hand, turning to face her with cold detachment. The woman squinted her eyes, her interest piqued by the handsome young man before her. Leaning against the car, clutching his chest, San Lu met her gaze steadily. He knew she must be bewildered by his sudden intervention and his striking presence, but he was prepared to address the questions that were sure to follow.

“Who are you?” She asked confusingly.

"You should have remembered me," he uttered, lighting a cigarette for himself. She squinted her eyes, attempting to recall the handsome man before her. How could she have forgotten someone with such a striking and alluring presence?

"I'm sorry, I don't remember," she admitted, her voice tinged with regret. San Lu's gaze fixated on her thin, red lips.

"This is not an appropriate place for what you've been doing here for the past two days," he stated firmly. A tinge of sadness laced her smile as she sighed.

"I'm only doing as I've been instructed. I didn't know if I should do it here or not," she confessed, her tone laden with resignation.

"This place is mine, and you're not allowed to conduct your business here. People like you will undermine societal decorum," he declared, his voice filled with disdain.

"Which decorum are you talking about? These so-called respectable individuals put on a facade in public, but behind closed doors, they act like ravenous wolves when they encounter a woman like me," she retorted, fire burning in her beautiful eyes. San Lu returned her gaze with a chilling hatred, snorting as he exhaled a cloud of smoke into the air.

"I know," he conceded, his tone laced with bitterness. The woman locked eyes with him, her gaze holding depths of emotion, yet words failed to escape her lips. San Lu tossed his cigarette aside, his hands finding solace within his pockets.

"Should I leave then? I’ve to find a man for tonight," she said sarcastically, her words dripping with irony.

"What if I don't allow it?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow. Her response was laden with a grave implication.

"Then you will be responsible for my demise," she warned, her eyes filled with a mixture of defiance and vulnerability. His expression grew darker and colder.

"I'll pay you," he uttered, his voice deep and frigid, as if he had no intention of letting her go.