THE MAFIA'S HEIR: BOUND BY HIS PROMISE

Stephanie Chen's POV The room is suffocating, buzzing with greedy whispers, the smell of expensive cologne mixed with the stench of fear. It's not right for me to be here, especially in this state. I can't hold on to the stage because my hands are shaking and my heart is racing. The lights are so bright that they are blinding, and the sound of people clinking glasses and whispering is so loud that it is deafening. However, I am unable to produce any sound. I am completely iced over. They come out of nowhere and drag me into the middle of the room. As I am pushed forward, the chilly coldness of the metal shackles works its way into my skin, and my feet barely make contact with the floor surface. The voice of the auctioneer is unruffled and quick, giving the impression that everything about this is a game. Moreover, I am the prize. "Lot 17" Lacking in use, educated, and uncommon. As stunning as a pearl hailing from the depths of the ocean. This one is a genuine treasure. The air is filled with the sound of the audience laughing, as if they are all in on a cruel joke in which I am not participating. I am attempting to scream, but nothing comes out of my mouth. My heart is racing, and my ears are beating with blood. Because I do not wish to be here. I do not like to be a prize, to be handed over to the person who places the highest offer. Then, a voice interrupts the din that was going on. It is soothing, authoritative, and profound for the purpose of immobilizing me. The sum of fifty million dollars. As soon as the room is quiet. Nobody takes a breath. Even though my thoughts are racing, all I can do is glance in the direction of the person who just spoke. When I initially hear the words, I don't even register them. Even though the room is tilting, I froze up when I saw him. I am familiar with him. Mr. Samuel Lu. I am the best friend of my brother. But he is not the same man that I used to know. Not the kind of guardian who used to carry me on his shoulders and make me giggle when I was younger. This man... this icy, unfeeling, and calculating individual who has connections to the mafia does not even blink as his eyes lock onto mine. I make an effort to move, to speak, and to do anything else. However, I am unable to. As if I were a fearful animal caught in the sight of a predator, I feel as though I am stuck in this moment. In that very spot, he stands tall and gloomy, completely inaccessible to anyone. A claim is being made on me as his gaze continues to hold me. Purchased. It gives me a stomachache. It is difficult for me to determine which is more painful: being sold like cattle or the realization that the person who purchased me is not merely a random stranger. His name is Lu Samuel. anyone I had faith in. Someone that I used to admire and respect. The auctioneer makes a request for confirmation, and before I have a chance to digest everything, the claps and whispers of the crowd fade into the background as I am being hauled forward by him in a violent manner. Fear causes my entire body to become rigid as I am compelled to be in his presence. He continues, "Come here, Stephanie," in a low voice, but there is no longer any inflection of tenderness in his voice. Neither do I move. Not at all. My head is going in circles. Awaking from this nightmare is all I desire, yet the truth is worse than I could have ever imagined. My wrist is grabbed by his hand, and it is not a gentle grasp; rather, it is a grip that demonstrates the level of power that he has over me. When he touches me, my skin begins to burn, and my heart stops beating. Lu Samuel whispers, "You have always been too stubborn for your own good," as his hand lightly brushes over my pulse. "You have always been too stubborn." My fingers are able to feel the warmth of his touch even through the layers of clothes, and although I want to draw away, I am unable to do so. I had the need to yell at him, to tell him that I am not. I try to tell myself that I am not a commodity that can be purchased, but the words become stuck in my throat. I'm terrified of what he'll do if I put up a fight against him. I am terrified of what he sees in me now that I have changed. There is a murmur of disbelief among the throng, but no one has the courage to contradict him. This is not any old man at all. Hey, my name is Lu Samuel. Chilly. To be avoided. Invulnerable to attack. Also, he has purchased me. His gaze is fixed on mine, and his expression is impersonal, as if he has already decided that he does not care about me. "There is no need to be concerned," he adds, his lips twisting into a slender, icy smile. "I will always make sure that you are aware of your position." Even before I react, he doesn't wait for me to talk. The force of my heart beating in my chest causes my legs to become unstable beneath me as I am carried away. I have the impression that I am nothing more than a pawn in his game when I am in his presence. I am unable to comprehend. How come? Why did he decide to purchase me? As I am being brought toward the exit, the door slams shut behind me with such a sense of resolve that it feels like I have been punched in the gut. I try to suppress the mounting panic that is occurring in my chest by taking in shallow breaths. This is not taking place at all. This can't possibly be true. At that moment, Lu Samuel enters the room in front of me, his towering stature obstructing the entrance. Sharp and icy, his eyes investigate me. You do not have the right to scream. You are not permitted to run. What do you mean? Since I nod, I force myself to swallow, since I am too terrified to do anything else. My tongue is parched, and my heart begins to race. I would like to inquire as to the reason. Do you know why he did this to me? However, I am unable to. I am unable to articulate the words. There are too many questions, and they are too terrible. In addition, he continues, "Don't worry," as he moves closer. My cheek is being kissed by his breath, and I can sense a dangerous warmth. It won't be long until you find out what happens when you transgress my boundaries. My stomach sinks as my heart begins to plunge. Words spoken by him cut more deeply than any knife. I am going to cry, yet I am unable to. It's easy to sell me. Purchased. In addition, I am clueless about how to get out of this nightmare. I am being pulled forward by his hand, which is gripping my arm. The time has come, Stephanie. We will be returning home. Is it home? Not this place is home. My home is not a location where I am confined or held captive. There is a cage here. Nevertheless, I am no longer able to muster the strength to fight. My body is numb. At the same time as the room around me is spinning, all I can think about is Lu Samuel. The man who used to be my guardian in the past. The man who is currently intent on destroying me. "Why is that?" My voice is hardly audible as I utter a whisper. However, he does not provide a response. Rather than that, he draws me in closer, and the question lingers in the air like a promise that has not been made. Next, what is he going to do?